Reading

I think I heard about the Presidential Doodles book on the radio; I am pleased to see there are a few samples on the website.

For fun I read Jasper Fforde's latest, The Fourth Bear; for work I am reading Blood on the River, as the author will be visiting our library system next month. To quote the 12-year-old (who read it in a night and wants to know how I am not done yet): "it's not bad."

Reference

The first half of the week at the ref desk has been characterized by a good bit of computer trouble-shooting, while the IT staff updates the software that manages patron computer sessions and printing. "No, you are not limited to just one hour of computer time, now. Let that hour run out, then sign on again and you'll get the second." "We're sorry." "Thanks for your patience." "Can't print? Let me save that and print it from my computer."

Near closing time on Tuesday, I got a tough question, on the phone: "What's the birthdate of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran?" Ah Ready Reference! The almanac had the year: she wanted the day. Our biography database didn't have that info; firstgov.gov -- the portal to all things governmental -- was a pain to use and yielded nothing; and Google gave me nothing I could trust. Ah! Silly Old Bear: the encyclopedia. Our online Britannica had it.

FOUR

As far as I know, I have only 3 or 4 friends who regularly keep "general interest" blogs. One tagged me for this list, two do these all the time and so may be Over It, and Phiance may know even fewer bloggers than I do -- so I don't know how I will answer the last one. I guess we will see when I get there.

Four jobs I’ve had
1. Camp Counselor
2. Assistant Curator of Photography, Valentine Museum
3. I love that as a Temp, I spent an entire work day handing out Ralph Lauren perfume samples at Thalhimers Westmoreland, and wrapping years of service gifts for Blue Cross.
4. Librarian

Four movies I could watch over and over
1. Singin in the Rain
2. Spirited Away
3. Buckaroo Bonsai
4. Diner

Four places I have lived
1. Philadelphia, Penna.
2. Midlothian, Va.
3. South Hadley, Mass.
4. Oxford, Miss.

Four TV shows I love to watch
1. Seinfeld
2. M*A*S*H*
3. The Simpsons
4. Star Trek

Four places I’ve been on vacation
1. Alaska
2. Kiptopeake State Park
3. Baltimore
4. London

Four websites I visit [alomst] daily
1. Librarian Girl
2. boingboing
3. Wired
4. National Weather Service

Four of my favorite foods
1. Chocolates
2. New York bagels
3. Mom's lasagna
4. Eggs benedict

Four places I would rather be right now
1. the Outer Banks
2. a James River park
3. sailing on the Great Wicomico
4. dinner party at Dan's

Four blogs I’ll tag
Um, any volunteers?
1.
2.
3.
4.

Gone Fishin'

A more formal portrait.
Thanks, Jess.
















I adore my engagement necklace, which belonged to Phiance's mom. It's simple, yet shiny. An added bonus: no awkward poses with one hand by my face, or both folded in front of me to show it off!

Wired offers us an item, here, about the fear of terrorism and the real threat. "In fact, your appendix is more likely to kill you than al-Qaida is."

We Are Now Engaged

P proposed at Natural Bridge on September 2nd

The patron who kinda reminds me of my (late) fraternal grandmother was just in. She likes Steven Colbert, so I used InfoTrac to find the February 13th, 2006, issue of Newsweek in which he appeared for her.

My lib lost power around 1:40 on Friday; after 3 hours in the dark, we closed. Power out at our house only 10 or 12 hours.

Capital City weather: outstanding

Not that I am in the habit of suggesting the RTD to anyone, but they have some storm blogging going on.

Capital City Weather:

Tropical Storm Ernesto.

Previously:
Fall 1999: Floyd

September 2003: Isabel

August 2004: Gaston