Well, it's almost time-Lisa and Christian are moving out this weekend. They've already begun to move their belongings over to their new house. The first time I saw the interior of their new place I confess I was not particularly impressed. After working for over 2 years in real estate and seeing numerous homes, ranging from around $100,000 all the way to $2,000,000 and more, I confess I was a bit snooty at first. I'm sorry, Lisa & Christian.
I have been back a couple of times since, and my opinion of their place has decidedly changed for the better. I began looking at it in a new light. I personally have a tendency to be more comfortable in rooms with character-one or two (sometimes more) quirks that set them apart from the rest of the house. I began to find myself somewhat jealous of their new home, knowing that if it were mine I would be quite comfortable there indeed. Their house certainly doesn't lack character :) I also love their yard, most particularly their back yard. It is good though that they are the ones moving there, as I would not have the motivation to put nearly as much time into improvements and maintenance as they have already done and will continue to do. Not to mention there's no way I would be able to make the payments...
I have been able though to set aside my jealousy in favor of excitement-I get to move into the back apartment next week :) I once made a diagram of the living room back there (as I was using it as a bedroom at the time) as well as all of the furniture I possessed at the time. I still have the diagram, and added to it the dining area once while I was babysitting Dalton. I wasn't able to diagram the bedroom (else I would have woken Dalton prematurely from his nap), but did measure out the new furniture I've acquired since the first diagram was made two years ago. I've been having fun arranging and re-arranging my furniture, and am excited to be able to do it for real. I've never had so much space to myself, though, and am not sure yet what to do with all of it. If anyone has a spare couch hanging around, or a small dining table or desk, let me know and I'd be happy to take it off your hands for you. I have a few pictures and other wall hangings, but I think I'll finally use my tapestry blankets as, well, tapestries. I'm rather curious at what the outcome will be. Definitely on the plus side, I'll finally be able to showcase all of my books :)
I'm not the only one excited for this move. Lisa and Christian get their own house, I get the apartment, Sarah gets my room, and mom gets her living room back. All told, despite the pressures and stress of moving, the physical exertion high on the list, we'll all be much happier when all is said and done. Another plus, it won't hurt the weight watchers efforts. I've gone back and forth the last couple of weeks between losing and gaining, and I'll be very happy to lose next week. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
A Journey of Rediscovery
Given the rather somber, philosophical nature of my recent posts, you're probably thinking, given the title, that this is another one of those. It's probably about how we need to rediscover our roots, or something like that. Fortunately, as I don't dye my hair, my roots were never lost ;)
Today's journey of rediscovery started after I'd finished all that could be done from home for our online store update. For those of you who don't know, our store at the Children's Museum has its own website at www.discoverytogo.org where you can buy a selection of our products. I am one of two people at the store that are charged with both maintaining and updating the online store, and so it's been a source of pressure for a few weeks now, but as we're updating tomorrow, there's not much left to do.
After typing up a few final things, I took myself off to the library. Ah, the library. For years I've preferred to purchase my books, building my own library and thereby having access to many of my favorite books whenever I want them (not to mention they just look cool when they're all neatly shelved). I've also managed to avoid late fees this way. Due to my own...less than frugal...habits, however, this is no longer feasible, except perhaps on a small, selective scale (for instance, perhaps one or two books every couple of months instead of seven or eight). In light of this, I got onto the Salt Lake County Library System website and put a couple of books on hold.
When I walked in to pick them up, I got sidetracked by the books on sale. While they're typically aren't any books I would usually buy, the fact that it's only fifty cents for a hardback sold me on a couple of them. I also checked out four other books and three dvd's. Yay! The main challenge now, of course, will be to make sure to get the books and dvd's back in time to prevent late fees :)
Today's journey of rediscovery started after I'd finished all that could be done from home for our online store update. For those of you who don't know, our store at the Children's Museum has its own website at www.discoverytogo.org where you can buy a selection of our products. I am one of two people at the store that are charged with both maintaining and updating the online store, and so it's been a source of pressure for a few weeks now, but as we're updating tomorrow, there's not much left to do.
After typing up a few final things, I took myself off to the library. Ah, the library. For years I've preferred to purchase my books, building my own library and thereby having access to many of my favorite books whenever I want them (not to mention they just look cool when they're all neatly shelved). I've also managed to avoid late fees this way. Due to my own...less than frugal...habits, however, this is no longer feasible, except perhaps on a small, selective scale (for instance, perhaps one or two books every couple of months instead of seven or eight). In light of this, I got onto the Salt Lake County Library System website and put a couple of books on hold.
When I walked in to pick them up, I got sidetracked by the books on sale. While they're typically aren't any books I would usually buy, the fact that it's only fifty cents for a hardback sold me on a couple of them. I also checked out four other books and three dvd's. Yay! The main challenge now, of course, will be to make sure to get the books and dvd's back in time to prevent late fees :)
Saturday, August 1, 2009
From Then to Now...You Choose
Think back to High School. To the teenage years. We go to school for almost a decade before we reach it-just another first day, just another lunch break, just another gym class or math assignment. Yet everything is in flux. Feelings are changing, the pressure is increasing, and everything is so much more dramatic than it ever could have been before, sometimes even earth shattering. We're young enough that we're not quite sure what to do, and old enough that we're too proud to let anyone else know it. But we deal with the hard times as best we can, and roll with the high times.
When does that cycle end? Well, for some of us it never does. We start settling into habits, behavioral patterns, and never see outside ourselves enough to know that frequently the change needs to come from us, not from those by whom we feel 'wronged'. How could we possibly be at fault? We did everything the way we should have, could have. They are the ones that need to change, they are the ones that need to see what they're doing to us.
Bull. Pull away from that reflection, Narcissus, or you'll drown. You are an intregal part of every situation, every challenge in your life, and therefore have the power to affect change in each situation and challenge, both for the better, and for the worse. In those times when we truly are the root of the problem, we need to be humble enough to take responsibility for our actions, and then work to improve. In those times when we are truly not to blame (and be honest with yourself on whether or not you are or might be), think about what's going on, what could be going on, that would affect the person/situation and don't judge prematurely.
Many times, more than we'd care to admit, the problem comes from both ends, from them and from us. Those are the difficult times to determine that we may be at fault to some degree, to decide where we need to change and where perhaps the other person could stand to improve. Once acknowledged, however, the hardest part comes in the realization that we can't expect them to change, no matter how much we try or want it. We must first change ourselves, most importantly in our perspectives and attitude. How much is your pride truly affecting your views? In my experience pride is at the root of the vast majority of relationships, both personal and professional. Are you mad because of a true wrong or injustice, or because someone stepped on your proverbial toes? On the opposite side, are you happy because of a job well done, or because someone stroked your ego afterwards?
So what does this all have to do with High School? As teenagers, we are starting to work through some of the same levels of pressures experienced as working adults, but without the perspective we can gain over time. As adults, if we choose to develop and progress, we build a reference of knowledge and experience to pull from as we face new and increasingly complex issues, giving us the groundwork from which to pull both strength and solutions. We also have the choice, to let life knock us down and roll over us. Guess what, though-it's totally up to you. Is the challenge facing you out to break you, or are you there to progress, to learn what can be learned and rise to the future, knowing that you've worked through hard times throughout your past and will triumph in the future? The choice is yours, and yours alone.
When does that cycle end? Well, for some of us it never does. We start settling into habits, behavioral patterns, and never see outside ourselves enough to know that frequently the change needs to come from us, not from those by whom we feel 'wronged'. How could we possibly be at fault? We did everything the way we should have, could have. They are the ones that need to change, they are the ones that need to see what they're doing to us.
Bull. Pull away from that reflection, Narcissus, or you'll drown. You are an intregal part of every situation, every challenge in your life, and therefore have the power to affect change in each situation and challenge, both for the better, and for the worse. In those times when we truly are the root of the problem, we need to be humble enough to take responsibility for our actions, and then work to improve. In those times when we are truly not to blame (and be honest with yourself on whether or not you are or might be), think about what's going on, what could be going on, that would affect the person/situation and don't judge prematurely.
Many times, more than we'd care to admit, the problem comes from both ends, from them and from us. Those are the difficult times to determine that we may be at fault to some degree, to decide where we need to change and where perhaps the other person could stand to improve. Once acknowledged, however, the hardest part comes in the realization that we can't expect them to change, no matter how much we try or want it. We must first change ourselves, most importantly in our perspectives and attitude. How much is your pride truly affecting your views? In my experience pride is at the root of the vast majority of relationships, both personal and professional. Are you mad because of a true wrong or injustice, or because someone stepped on your proverbial toes? On the opposite side, are you happy because of a job well done, or because someone stroked your ego afterwards?
So what does this all have to do with High School? As teenagers, we are starting to work through some of the same levels of pressures experienced as working adults, but without the perspective we can gain over time. As adults, if we choose to develop and progress, we build a reference of knowledge and experience to pull from as we face new and increasingly complex issues, giving us the groundwork from which to pull both strength and solutions. We also have the choice, to let life knock us down and roll over us. Guess what, though-it's totally up to you. Is the challenge facing you out to break you, or are you there to progress, to learn what can be learned and rise to the future, knowing that you've worked through hard times throughout your past and will triumph in the future? The choice is yours, and yours alone.
Friday, July 31, 2009
To Sleep...I Wish
I've always found it something ironic that when you need sleep the most it proves to be quite elusive. I had very little pressure on my "stay-cation" and therefore slept whenever I wanted, but now, after a 10 hour shift and right before a 12 hour shift I just can't really get to asleep. Sigh.
Having said that, at least my bosses fully intend me to use my PTO this year. At Discovery Gateway, a non-profit children's museum, those who work there don't stay for the pay for good reason-it's not exactly rolling in the dough. Having said that, full-time staff members do get a couple of good perks, including a decent amount of PTO per fiscal year. Unfortunately, due to the staffing in my department (or more typically the lack thereof), I lost a fair amount of hours as I was unable to take that time off prior to the end of the fiscal year and those hours don't roll over.
This fiscal year started on July 1st and started the PTO balance anew. I scheduled my stay-cation because I was in desperate need of a break (most if not all of my coworkers would agree with this, as I was rather frazzled by that point and only getting worse). That being said, in an effort to not lose more hours (or my sanity, though it may be too late for that), I am already being encouraged to look at taking some more time off, perhaps in October. As I won't be traveling, I dare say I'll be spending the time basking in the solitude of my new back apartment and reading, or watching Naruto in Japanese on hulu.com. For those of you who are wondering, no I haven't moved into the back yet, but I hope to within the next two or three weeks.
Until then, work is rather interesting to say the least. I'm having a rather fun time with the changes, for all the increased work load is not exactly ideal. I've met one of our new employees, and am looking forward to working with two more over the next couple of days. On the down side, we've had some...fun...issues to work through which will result in increased security measures in our department. Sigh. We are also already preparing for the holiday season, are updating our online store next week, and will be updating it again in two months. I am behind on those projects, but at least I'm about caught up on one or two other rather large ones. It's all about give-and-take. At least my job is never boring :) And it's a good thing that September is historically slow at DG (school starts up and parents no longer have to worry so much about entertaining their children during the day--a great month to have the museum practically to yourselves if you're thinking of visiting), so that I'll have time to catch up on everything and train others in the tasks that only I currently know.
Well, I'm off to read for a bit, and then hopefully I'll be able to rest. At least I shouldn't have any problems falling asleep tomorrow night. Then again, if I do, at least I won't have to get up on Saturday until noon or so. It's all about counting your blessings I suppose :)
Having said that, at least my bosses fully intend me to use my PTO this year. At Discovery Gateway, a non-profit children's museum, those who work there don't stay for the pay for good reason-it's not exactly rolling in the dough. Having said that, full-time staff members do get a couple of good perks, including a decent amount of PTO per fiscal year. Unfortunately, due to the staffing in my department (or more typically the lack thereof), I lost a fair amount of hours as I was unable to take that time off prior to the end of the fiscal year and those hours don't roll over.
This fiscal year started on July 1st and started the PTO balance anew. I scheduled my stay-cation because I was in desperate need of a break (most if not all of my coworkers would agree with this, as I was rather frazzled by that point and only getting worse). That being said, in an effort to not lose more hours (or my sanity, though it may be too late for that), I am already being encouraged to look at taking some more time off, perhaps in October. As I won't be traveling, I dare say I'll be spending the time basking in the solitude of my new back apartment and reading, or watching Naruto in Japanese on hulu.com. For those of you who are wondering, no I haven't moved into the back yet, but I hope to within the next two or three weeks.
Until then, work is rather interesting to say the least. I'm having a rather fun time with the changes, for all the increased work load is not exactly ideal. I've met one of our new employees, and am looking forward to working with two more over the next couple of days. On the down side, we've had some...fun...issues to work through which will result in increased security measures in our department. Sigh. We are also already preparing for the holiday season, are updating our online store next week, and will be updating it again in two months. I am behind on those projects, but at least I'm about caught up on one or two other rather large ones. It's all about give-and-take. At least my job is never boring :) And it's a good thing that September is historically slow at DG (school starts up and parents no longer have to worry so much about entertaining their children during the day--a great month to have the museum practically to yourselves if you're thinking of visiting), so that I'll have time to catch up on everything and train others in the tasks that only I currently know.
Well, I'm off to read for a bit, and then hopefully I'll be able to rest. At least I shouldn't have any problems falling asleep tomorrow night. Then again, if I do, at least I won't have to get up on Saturday until noon or so. It's all about counting your blessings I suppose :)
Monday, July 20, 2009
Stay-cation Day One
Isn't the point of taking a stay-cation to relax without the hassle of packing to go someplace else? I didn't really have plans for this week, but whatever they were they took a turn last night. Over the past couple of months I've put my body through a wringer- back in April I rejoined Weight Watchers, knowing that my then-current weight was really having an effect on me, on my body, my self-esteem. I have since begun making the lifestyle changes that are necessary for long-term weight loss (and it's paid off-I've lost 25 lbs so far :) ). It does have certain ramifications, however, on the things that happened later.
May and June (especially June) were intense months between remerchandizing the store, and then in prep and completion of June Inventory. After the hard work, both physical and mental, of June inventory, though, my sleep and eating habits were out of whack. I started eating too much after several months of tapering it down. I had one nightmarish migraine that week. While I do get chronic migraines, I go through phases with them, and I guess this marked the start of a new round.
I had another minor migraine about two days after that one, and had another huge one last Monday. I've been up and down physically this last week, and after two back-to-back twelve hour shifts, I guess my body decided to protest yet again. Yesterday saw the start of my most recent migraine, which didn't end until this afternoon. Sigh.
Having said all of that, however, I am very much looking forward to breaking the cycle, and am going to use this week to do it. Back to a regular sleep schedule. Clean the bedroom, get rid of all of the crap on the floor. Exercise, prepare actual meals. Most of all, just let my body recouperate, and get back the reserves that I finally burned through as of two days ago. Wish me luck!
I did enjoy going to FHE tonight. I was recently called as a group co-chair, and so now have no excuse for missing :) We went to Brother and Sister Mayer's house. Brother Mayer is a counselor in the Holladay 29th ward. We had a great lesson & discussion on Our Refined Heavenly Home from the Ensign. I get to give the lesson next week, good thing I'll have time to prepare :)
On a final note, a big big BIG thanks to my brother-in-law Chris for taking my car apart and putting it back together. Once again, you are Amazing :)
May and June (especially June) were intense months between remerchandizing the store, and then in prep and completion of June Inventory. After the hard work, both physical and mental, of June inventory, though, my sleep and eating habits were out of whack. I started eating too much after several months of tapering it down. I had one nightmarish migraine that week. While I do get chronic migraines, I go through phases with them, and I guess this marked the start of a new round.
I had another minor migraine about two days after that one, and had another huge one last Monday. I've been up and down physically this last week, and after two back-to-back twelve hour shifts, I guess my body decided to protest yet again. Yesterday saw the start of my most recent migraine, which didn't end until this afternoon. Sigh.
Having said all of that, however, I am very much looking forward to breaking the cycle, and am going to use this week to do it. Back to a regular sleep schedule. Clean the bedroom, get rid of all of the crap on the floor. Exercise, prepare actual meals. Most of all, just let my body recouperate, and get back the reserves that I finally burned through as of two days ago. Wish me luck!
I did enjoy going to FHE tonight. I was recently called as a group co-chair, and so now have no excuse for missing :) We went to Brother and Sister Mayer's house. Brother Mayer is a counselor in the Holladay 29th ward. We had a great lesson & discussion on Our Refined Heavenly Home from the Ensign. I get to give the lesson next week, good thing I'll have time to prepare :)
On a final note, a big big BIG thanks to my brother-in-law Chris for taking my car apart and putting it back together. Once again, you are Amazing :)
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Constant Transitions and Squeaky Wheels
Interesting title, isn't it? It seemed to hit the spot. Life is full of so many little changes that we learn very early on to adapt, to the point where we don't even notice that change has occurred. Some circumstances force us into quick side-steps or small leaps over temporary obstacles, thereafter allowing us to settle into our latest, comfortable routine. Then there are the changes that necessitate the entire revision, sometimes even replacement of that routine. Times during which we learn of ourselves, and have to exert our will and act to progress, trusting that God knows what He is doing and has His hand in the outcome.
This is such a time.
Rather dramatic, right? Sometimes I let myself think so. I have a great tendency to over-analyze many a situation I find myself in. I subconciously (and, yes, conciously) exaggerate my position, as we all do to some degree or another. It probably doesn't help that many of the books I read feature so prominantly on one character, with reference their companions or enemies, that little attention is spared for background characters past some small desire of or service to the "hero". As the main character in my own narrative, I also at times lose sight of the bigger picture. Let's face it, who doesn't? Am I the hero, though? Time will tell, I suppose. For now I'm sticking with my parents as my heros.
As for the changes that lead to this, well, ramble, rant, hot air, they are many and yet oh so few. First: I have been released from my calling as Literacy Specialist at church, and been called to be an FHE group leader. I think that Brother Boulter finally got his wish, as he has been encouraging me to be more social for over a year :) I have to say that I am slightly intimidated, but I hope, with the Lord's help, to rise to the challenge.
One thing should help to some degree, and that is that, with Lisa and Christian (and, it must be said, Dalton) moving out, I will be moving into the back of the house- what now amounts to a full apartment. This second change is the one that I am most immediately excited for, as I will have four rooms and several closets to spread out into from my current one room, one closet personal area. While I will be leaving behind my very pretty purple room, I believe it's worth the sacrifice :) I am still slightly lacking in furniture, but thanks to the acquisition of a couch from Amy (thanks again!) and the return of a very good coffee (or in my case hot chocolate) table from Sarah (my thanks to you as well), my space will definitely be less barren. My continually increasing book collection will also go a long way to filling the space, I'm sure. I love books :)
The third change. Ah, the third change. The one that I have been the most dramatic about stems, as usual, from my job. For starters, Inventory is finally complete. So much learned, and progress was, I feel, made. I spent a very good portion of June practically running around in circles trying to prepare for it, and then the first week of July recovering from it. The entire two weeks prior to June 30 were spent in as much preparation as possible, though we often found ourselves righer tightly-staffed. I was somewhat frazzled, I must confess, but I have learned a great deal, which shall stand me in good stead for next year's inventory and also for other similar circumstances.
June 30 saw me arriving at work at 9 am as usual. I finished cleaning all of the inventory areas, including sweeping the floors. I took a fifteen minute break to run to the food court for lunch, and then forged ahead. From 1 pm to 11 pm I had a couple of minutes to myself at a time, I spent so much time running around. Far from alone, though. Mike and Joe were there just as long, and the rest of the retail department weren't so bad either ;)
Thursday dawned much earlier than I wanted it to, but at least it was a productive day. I was sore from the day before, but was at work by about 7:15 to help Julie import the counts from the inventory company. The computer program was down for the first several hours, but we prevailed. Sadly, were things that were missed or mistaken on. I spent the rest of the day, with a break for a physical therapy appointment, going through the over 150 pages of our inventory list to determine what items needed to be re-counted and adjusted. It took me until the end of that day to go through the list, and then to determine just where some of the items were. I was tired.
It showed quite prominantly the next day. I awoke with a headache. Oh dear. I made it to work, but was sent home shortly after noon as I was quite obviously (at least to my coworkers) unable to continue. Only on the way home did I realize how bad off I was, as I was finding it hard to keep my eyes open and my mind focused on driving. I spent the rest of the day in bed. I couldn't even watch my favorite tv shows, though they didn't even come on until after I had already slept for about 9 hours. Sigh.
I was able to make it to work the next day, though, and complete the inventory recounts and adjustments (with much help again from Joe and Mike). I was then able to enjoy a family barbeque, a long nap, and finally fireworks on the 4th of July. Monday and Tuesday saw the final recovery of my sleep schedule and blood sugar levels to normal. Fortunately I also have a week-long "stay-cation" in two weeks, a much needed break from work right before the next big change there- Nate is leaving DG. After working for the museum for, what is it, four years? he is moving on to bigger and better things. With his departure, the entire dynamic of our department will change. New people will come in, tasks will be shuffled around a bit, and someone will have to learn how to juggle :)
What does this incredibly long-winded post have to do with squeaky wheels? Nothing, really, except that my thought process was kindled today when I took advantage of the perfect weather to take my infant nephew on a walk, my monologue accompanied only by the squeaky wheels of his stroller. And there you have it.
This is such a time.
Rather dramatic, right? Sometimes I let myself think so. I have a great tendency to over-analyze many a situation I find myself in. I subconciously (and, yes, conciously) exaggerate my position, as we all do to some degree or another. It probably doesn't help that many of the books I read feature so prominantly on one character, with reference their companions or enemies, that little attention is spared for background characters past some small desire of or service to the "hero". As the main character in my own narrative, I also at times lose sight of the bigger picture. Let's face it, who doesn't? Am I the hero, though? Time will tell, I suppose. For now I'm sticking with my parents as my heros.
As for the changes that lead to this, well, ramble, rant, hot air, they are many and yet oh so few. First: I have been released from my calling as Literacy Specialist at church, and been called to be an FHE group leader. I think that Brother Boulter finally got his wish, as he has been encouraging me to be more social for over a year :) I have to say that I am slightly intimidated, but I hope, with the Lord's help, to rise to the challenge.
One thing should help to some degree, and that is that, with Lisa and Christian (and, it must be said, Dalton) moving out, I will be moving into the back of the house- what now amounts to a full apartment. This second change is the one that I am most immediately excited for, as I will have four rooms and several closets to spread out into from my current one room, one closet personal area. While I will be leaving behind my very pretty purple room, I believe it's worth the sacrifice :) I am still slightly lacking in furniture, but thanks to the acquisition of a couch from Amy (thanks again!) and the return of a very good coffee (or in my case hot chocolate) table from Sarah (my thanks to you as well), my space will definitely be less barren. My continually increasing book collection will also go a long way to filling the space, I'm sure. I love books :)
The third change. Ah, the third change. The one that I have been the most dramatic about stems, as usual, from my job. For starters, Inventory is finally complete. So much learned, and progress was, I feel, made. I spent a very good portion of June practically running around in circles trying to prepare for it, and then the first week of July recovering from it. The entire two weeks prior to June 30 were spent in as much preparation as possible, though we often found ourselves righer tightly-staffed. I was somewhat frazzled, I must confess, but I have learned a great deal, which shall stand me in good stead for next year's inventory and also for other similar circumstances.
June 30 saw me arriving at work at 9 am as usual. I finished cleaning all of the inventory areas, including sweeping the floors. I took a fifteen minute break to run to the food court for lunch, and then forged ahead. From 1 pm to 11 pm I had a couple of minutes to myself at a time, I spent so much time running around. Far from alone, though. Mike and Joe were there just as long, and the rest of the retail department weren't so bad either ;)
Thursday dawned much earlier than I wanted it to, but at least it was a productive day. I was sore from the day before, but was at work by about 7:15 to help Julie import the counts from the inventory company. The computer program was down for the first several hours, but we prevailed. Sadly, were things that were missed or mistaken on. I spent the rest of the day, with a break for a physical therapy appointment, going through the over 150 pages of our inventory list to determine what items needed to be re-counted and adjusted. It took me until the end of that day to go through the list, and then to determine just where some of the items were. I was tired.
It showed quite prominantly the next day. I awoke with a headache. Oh dear. I made it to work, but was sent home shortly after noon as I was quite obviously (at least to my coworkers) unable to continue. Only on the way home did I realize how bad off I was, as I was finding it hard to keep my eyes open and my mind focused on driving. I spent the rest of the day in bed. I couldn't even watch my favorite tv shows, though they didn't even come on until after I had already slept for about 9 hours. Sigh.
I was able to make it to work the next day, though, and complete the inventory recounts and adjustments (with much help again from Joe and Mike). I was then able to enjoy a family barbeque, a long nap, and finally fireworks on the 4th of July. Monday and Tuesday saw the final recovery of my sleep schedule and blood sugar levels to normal. Fortunately I also have a week-long "stay-cation" in two weeks, a much needed break from work right before the next big change there- Nate is leaving DG. After working for the museum for, what is it, four years? he is moving on to bigger and better things. With his departure, the entire dynamic of our department will change. New people will come in, tasks will be shuffled around a bit, and someone will have to learn how to juggle :)
What does this incredibly long-winded post have to do with squeaky wheels? Nothing, really, except that my thought process was kindled today when I took advantage of the perfect weather to take my infant nephew on a walk, my monologue accompanied only by the squeaky wheels of his stroller. And there you have it.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Root Canals and Project Gutenberg
Okay, okay so I haven't updated in a while. This day, therefor, is brought to you by my second root canal, courtesy of which I have a hard time eating, and talking, lest I'm on painkillers. I consequently took today off as a sick day in hopes of giving my mouth time to recover.
Now on to more fun topics. Here in ye' olde United States, the copyright on books runs out after (I think) about 150 years, meaning that any book published more than 150 years ago is now in the public domain and can be published/reproduced by anyone. Enter Project Gutenberg. The source of free ebooks from authors such as Jane Austin, Shakespeare, Tolstoy and more. I spent at least an hour last night downloading over fifty classics. I started reading The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens, but I'll have to put it on hold until the next book for our book club is chosen. Now that I've finished the most recent Brandon Sanderson book, I'll be reading Yearning for the Living God, by F. Enzio Busche.
Speaking though of Brandon Sanderson, I had the opportunity to go to a reading/signing of his at the Barnes and Noble at Jordon Landing with my friend Rebecca from work. He did a reading from The Way of Kings, to be published some time next year, and from Alcatraz vs. the Knights of Crystallia, the third book in the most hilarious series of odd magics ever :) I won a medallion with the sixteen allomantic medals from his Mistborn series, and got his autograph on copies of Warbreaker (the new one I just finished) and on Elantris, his first book. Brandon Sanderson is the author that has been chosen to finish Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. You can download a free copy of Warbreaker from his website, though I definitely think its worth having the hardback.
Now on to more fun topics. Here in ye' olde United States, the copyright on books runs out after (I think) about 150 years, meaning that any book published more than 150 years ago is now in the public domain and can be published/reproduced by anyone. Enter Project Gutenberg. The source of free ebooks from authors such as Jane Austin, Shakespeare, Tolstoy and more. I spent at least an hour last night downloading over fifty classics. I started reading The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens, but I'll have to put it on hold until the next book for our book club is chosen. Now that I've finished the most recent Brandon Sanderson book, I'll be reading Yearning for the Living God, by F. Enzio Busche.
Speaking though of Brandon Sanderson, I had the opportunity to go to a reading/signing of his at the Barnes and Noble at Jordon Landing with my friend Rebecca from work. He did a reading from The Way of Kings, to be published some time next year, and from Alcatraz vs. the Knights of Crystallia, the third book in the most hilarious series of odd magics ever :) I won a medallion with the sixteen allomantic medals from his Mistborn series, and got his autograph on copies of Warbreaker (the new one I just finished) and on Elantris, his first book. Brandon Sanderson is the author that has been chosen to finish Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. You can download a free copy of Warbreaker from his website, though I definitely think its worth having the hardback.
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