Still Not Getting It (Twitter)
But trying to, by reading and then playing with it. Younger Co-worker, who hadn't heard of it, helped. I don't think either of us get why people need to be that connected.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Professional Reading
An Esteemed Colleague at the Area Library drew the fine site Dispatches from a Public Librarian to my attention. This Dispatch offers a concise tracking of computer problems that public librarians frequently fix. I believe I have handled cases similar to all but one of those in my two years and two weeks on the job. Last night I had:
Problem: The computer won't let me log on.
Solution: Librarian stands behind patron; she slowly, carefully, pointedly types in card number and PIN. System logs her on.
Problem: It's locked up.
Solution: Keep clicking the X on the pop-up box until it goes away, then continue work.
Problem: Tech Guy e-mails at about 8:10 p.m.: Oh, maybe the system that logs off all public PCs at 8:55 p.m. [glorious system!] didn't change to new Daylight Saving Time after all. Y'all should watch for that.
Solution: Don't let them smell our fear. Do closing announcement at 8:45 as usual, gently suggesting that PCs may not log off automatically, yet still we expect them to get their own durn fannies out of the chairs at 8:55. Then, sic Children's Librarian on them. Library empty at 8:58.
An Esteemed Colleague at the Area Library drew the fine site Dispatches from a Public Librarian to my attention. This Dispatch offers a concise tracking of computer problems that public librarians frequently fix. I believe I have handled cases similar to all but one of those in my two years and two weeks on the job. Last night I had:
Problem: The computer won't let me log on.
Solution: Librarian stands behind patron; she slowly, carefully, pointedly types in card number and PIN. System logs her on.
Problem: It's locked up.
Solution: Keep clicking the X on the pop-up box until it goes away, then continue work.
Problem: Tech Guy e-mails at about 8:10 p.m.: Oh, maybe the system that logs off all public PCs at 8:55 p.m. [glorious system!] didn't change to new Daylight Saving Time after all. Y'all should watch for that.
Solution: Don't let them smell our fear. Do closing announcement at 8:45 as usual, gently suggesting that PCs may not log off automatically, yet still we expect them to get their own durn fannies out of the chairs at 8:55. Then, sic Children's Librarian on them. Library empty at 8:58.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Friday, March 09, 2007
Bored@Butler
Reading
After reading about Bored@Butler and its kin sites in the 3/5/07 NYer ("The New Bathroom Wall"), I looked forward to seeing what's on the minds of America's best and brightest. Clearly, I hadn't given full attention to the meaning of the title: Ivy League students spend a lot of time using "gay" as a put-down and making ugly sexual remarks. Yawn. I suggest you give it a miss.
After reading about Bored@Butler and its kin sites in the 3/5/07 NYer ("The New Bathroom Wall"), I looked forward to seeing what's on the minds of America's best and brightest. Clearly, I hadn't given full attention to the meaning of the title: Ivy League students spend a lot of time using "gay" as a put-down and making ugly sexual remarks. Yawn. I suggest you give it a miss.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Speaking of Race
This item in Slate about race addresses the intent of those who collect racial information, and also recent discussions of who "gets" to claim a racial identity like "African-American." It reminded me of a post to a listserv to which I wanted to reply, but didn't, because I didn't want to stir up trouble. The poster offered us a list of "African-Americans" as main characters in fantasy and science fiction works.
On the one hand: great list! I felt sheepish lately offering up white wizards or the Pevensie kids to the Teens of Color in the local 7th grade who had a fantasy-S/F assignment.
On the other: "African-American"?! The list included Wizard of Earthsea, and while I do know that Ged is described as brown-skinned and dark-haired, it's not because he or his folks came from Africa or America. He came from Gont. It's a made-up place, kids!
Now, Walter Mosley's 47 is on the list, too, and that makes sense. My review-reading understanding of it is that it's about time travel and an African slave in America.
I wish more people felt comfortable with "people of color," because it feels applicable more often. (Though I gather I am meant to be offended as a color-less person.)
New Hot Thing, Maybe? The Secret
This item in Slate about race addresses the intent of those who collect racial information, and also recent discussions of who "gets" to claim a racial identity like "African-American." It reminded me of a post to a listserv to which I wanted to reply, but didn't, because I didn't want to stir up trouble. The poster offered us a list of "African-Americans" as main characters in fantasy and science fiction works.
On the one hand: great list! I felt sheepish lately offering up white wizards or the Pevensie kids to the Teens of Color in the local 7th grade who had a fantasy-S/F assignment.
On the other: "African-American"?! The list included Wizard of Earthsea, and while I do know that Ged is described as brown-skinned and dark-haired, it's not because he or his folks came from Africa or America. He came from Gont. It's a made-up place, kids!
Now, Walter Mosley's 47 is on the list, too, and that makes sense. My review-reading understanding of it is that it's about time travel and an African slave in America.
I wish more people felt comfortable with "people of color," because it feels applicable more often. (Though I gather I am meant to be offended as a color-less person.)
New Hot Thing, Maybe? The Secret
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Smithers, I Owe You a Coke
Step-daughter-to-be once asked why I take my laundry to the drop-off place on Robison, not the one on Cary St. I dunno, because who wants to fight with Carytown traffic? This morning when I dropped off my laundry, there was a traffic showdown of folks trying to park and dash into that new Starbucks, in the old Fan Market. But now I can't think of switching, because we've noted that the laundry at the end of Carytown has closed. Phiance and I walked by it the other night and took bets on whether it would be a Starbucks -- or something even more unbearably trendy? Turns out, it'll be a Ben & Jerry's.
Capital City weather: smells like snow
Reading: Style
Step-daughter-to-be once asked why I take my laundry to the drop-off place on Robison, not the one on Cary St. I dunno, because who wants to fight with Carytown traffic? This morning when I dropped off my laundry, there was a traffic showdown of folks trying to park and dash into that new Starbucks, in the old Fan Market. But now I can't think of switching, because we've noted that the laundry at the end of Carytown has closed. Phiance and I walked by it the other night and took bets on whether it would be a Starbucks -- or something even more unbearably trendy? Turns out, it'll be a Ben & Jerry's.
Capital City weather: smells like snow
Reading: Style
Monday, March 05, 2007
Birding, Lite
We were in the country yesterday for a family dinner-and-birthday cake routine. With a walk in the woods and keeping an eye on the bird feeder outside the kitchen window we saw:
bluebird
hairy woodpecker
red-bellied woodpecker
white-breasted nuthatch
house finch
cardinal
juncos
On the Rappahannock, from the end of Prince St., we saw (without binocs; with lots of wind) cormorants, some terns or gulls bobbing on the river, and an osprey, freshly arrived I imagine.
At our feeder this weekend, we're still seeing juncos and one waxwing, so they're not yet ready to migrate. (Oh, wait: waxwings don't migrate in Virginia according to Cornell Birding. Maybe they just don't flock in the summer?)
Reading: Then We Came to the End, Joshua Ferris. If you like The Office, try it.
We were in the country yesterday for a family dinner-and-birthday cake routine. With a walk in the woods and keeping an eye on the bird feeder outside the kitchen window we saw:
bluebird
hairy woodpecker
red-bellied woodpecker
white-breasted nuthatch
house finch
cardinal
juncos
On the Rappahannock, from the end of Prince St., we saw (without binocs; with lots of wind) cormorants, some terns or gulls bobbing on the river, and an osprey, freshly arrived I imagine.
At our feeder this weekend, we're still seeing juncos and one waxwing, so they're not yet ready to migrate. (Oh, wait: waxwings don't migrate in Virginia according to Cornell Birding. Maybe they just don't flock in the summer?)
Reading: Then We Came to the End, Joshua Ferris. If you like The Office, try it.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Short Stories
One
All of the Information Desk staff, except for the branch manager, were gathered at said desk the other day. Some of us were sorting out an event for August, and some of us were helping patrons. An odd thing is that the number doing each task at any given moment was in flux for the entire 20 or so minutes. I stopped mid-sentence when I heard a cell phone ring. - Ha! That's "Singin' in the Rain"! I pretended to dance a bit. No one was much impressed: by the Name that Tune or the fake-y dancing.
Two
Late in the day on Friday, I helped a trio coming out of the children's area who appeared to be grandmother-mom-kid. "Do we check out books here?" Because the Info Desk spans Children's and Adult, it looks like maybe they should.
I said what I usually do: "I can help you with the self-check (pointing a la flight attendant), or you can go over there to the circulation desk." They moved towards the self-check, so I followed and quickly coached the granny through checking out the two books -- stacked up.
"How can that be?" asked the mom.
"It's these little chips," I said, simplifying a bit. She said something along the lines of Whattaya know.
As we parted ways, I heard grandmother say in a hushed tone, "The libraries downhome don't have one of those!"
Capital City weather: windy, 60s, sunny
In the garden: one daffodil bloomed about 10 days ago; some are set to bloom weeks from now. The lenten roses are setting new leaves and blooms: that cold snap really beat them back.
One
All of the Information Desk staff, except for the branch manager, were gathered at said desk the other day. Some of us were sorting out an event for August, and some of us were helping patrons. An odd thing is that the number doing each task at any given moment was in flux for the entire 20 or so minutes. I stopped mid-sentence when I heard a cell phone ring. - Ha! That's "Singin' in the Rain"! I pretended to dance a bit. No one was much impressed: by the Name that Tune or the fake-y dancing.
Two
Late in the day on Friday, I helped a trio coming out of the children's area who appeared to be grandmother-mom-kid. "Do we check out books here?" Because the Info Desk spans Children's and Adult, it looks like maybe they should.
I said what I usually do: "I can help you with the self-check (pointing a la flight attendant), or you can go over there to the circulation desk." They moved towards the self-check, so I followed and quickly coached the granny through checking out the two books -- stacked up.
"How can that be?" asked the mom.
"It's these little chips," I said, simplifying a bit. She said something along the lines of Whattaya know.
As we parted ways, I heard grandmother say in a hushed tone, "The libraries downhome don't have one of those!"
Capital City weather: windy, 60s, sunny
In the garden: one daffodil bloomed about 10 days ago; some are set to bloom weeks from now. The lenten roses are setting new leaves and blooms: that cold snap really beat them back.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Not Yet a Closed Case
1. The "customer" who has been taking the signs that say "Stand Up Use Only" off that one PC has been sticking them to the underside of the table on which the PC sits with a wad of gum (Bubble Yum, perhaps?). I am thrilled to discover this! They aren't being accidentally knocked down by the cleaning lady! To the man seated there yesterday, I said "I'm sorry, someone keeps taking my sign. This computer is for stand up use only." Can I add to that, "Please let me get to the underside of the stand and retrieve it?" Can I sniff the breath of every patron standing there for signs of sweet bubble gum??
2. When a patron's complaint that the Sports section of USA Today "is always missing" proved to be quite true, we started tagging (RFID chips on items not checked off set off an alarm) that section. No one has walked near the door with one since we started. We continue to pursue all leads.
Capital City weather: sunny, mid 60s
1. The "customer" who has been taking the signs that say "Stand Up Use Only" off that one PC has been sticking them to the underside of the table on which the PC sits with a wad of gum (Bubble Yum, perhaps?). I am thrilled to discover this! They aren't being accidentally knocked down by the cleaning lady! To the man seated there yesterday, I said "I'm sorry, someone keeps taking my sign. This computer is for stand up use only." Can I add to that, "Please let me get to the underside of the stand and retrieve it?" Can I sniff the breath of every patron standing there for signs of sweet bubble gum??
2. When a patron's complaint that the Sports section of USA Today "is always missing" proved to be quite true, we started tagging (RFID chips on items not checked off set off an alarm) that section. No one has walked near the door with one since we started. We continue to pursue all leads.
Capital City weather: sunny, mid 60s
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