Things I Saw

I've been thinking about what to write here for the better part of the evening. I haven't been blogging here a lot because a lot of my creative energy is being spent on library projects and when I get home from work, I don't want to spend the last few hours of the night in front of another computer screen.

So today I decided, that no matter what happens throughout the week in terms of personal blogging, I will write a post on Sunday that chronicles the things I saw/remember from the week. I hope to include pictures when possible and relative, but tonight, let's just list the events.

This week I saw...

People read a lot of romance fiction.

Sidney Crosby score two goals and nail a shoot out.

The Healthcare Bill pass.

My boyfriend enjoy the best pot of chili I've made so far.

A new purse arrive in the mail.

A woman leave her daughter's coat behind.

People lying.

One peregrine falcon disappear and a new one arrive.

The Blind Side. And was impressed with the actors, including Tim McGraw (How did I not know he was in that movie?).

Old students at the Penguin game, but didn't say hello (I don't think they would remember me, they were in the other class and were quite young when I left).

My friend's baby turn one.

A teen dressed as what I could only figure the Mad Hatter at Market District.

Jon Stewart on vacation when I wanted him to be on the ball.

Time slip by me.

How long a week feels when you work six straight days.

People not know how to handle new directions. Seriously, you would have thought the sky had turned purple.

Old friends.

Lots of toddlers and their company.

Tylenol PM.

A Very Happy Day

There is probably very little that I can say about the Healthcare Reform Bill passing that hasn't already been said by someone much more informed and much more eloquent. But I want to take a few minutes to express my thoughts. It's my blog and this is, after all, a very important moment in our history.

I have always thought of myself as a bleeding heart. I may not cry while movies, but I'll save the tears for the man who can barely walk into our library because his diabetes is so bad and who I am pretty sure is homeless. I am a Democrat and proud of it. I may even end up changing my parties one of these days because I think often more needs to be done and my liberal-ness may need more room to stretch. But oh, today I am very proud to be a Democrat.

I do believe that everyone in this country has the right to their opinion, but that people who try to stand in the way of a bill that helps people have healthcare and protection in their lives boggle my mind. I know people, and love and respect, people whose opinion on this matter is very much the opposite of mine.

But I want to ask to people who so angrily fight healthcare for all, talk about Obama and his fans being socialist and spew even worse comments, "Have you ever known someone to have a catastrophic illness who didn't have insurance," "What type of people do you think aren't insured," "Why should be people be denied coverage because of something they had in the past," and "Why should people go bankrupt to pay for the health of their loved ones?"

Because I have and it breaks my heart.

I've had a family member, struck with a horrible cancer when just out of college, with no insurance who has had to battle costs on top of worrying about her health.

I am the type of person who has not had health insurance, even though I've been gainfully (and thankfully) employed since the day I left Allegheny College.

I am the person who has had to pay hundreds of dollars out of her own pocket every month, to be covered, and subsequently not been able to money in savings.

I know the people who cannot be covered today because of cancer, diabetes, Huntington's Disease and more.

I am the one who has seen medical bills pile up, for those insured and those not, and see the worried looks on faces.

So today, I am happy there is hope. I am thankful that maybe in the future, people will not need to be so worried about the ones they love. We live in the United States of America, where we have life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Seems to me that you need your health in order to gain the other three.

Sorry for the Delay

I haven't been posting much lately, I apologize. I realize I'm probably apologizing mostly to myself, because I haven't been keeping up my promise to write as often as I could here this year. I can't say there was any real definite reason keeping me away, just a general mood and feeling like I had very little of interest to say. Just a bit of the late winter blues, I think. But as the snow has finally melted here in Pittsburgh & spring is just around the bend, I think my desire to spit more frequent blog posts is coming back.

For now, I'll start with some book recommendations, since I finally seem to be back in a reading groove this month as well. While nothing in February grabbed me, March has been a parade of books. I'm reading two more right now and have about 5 to 10 checked out or on the holdshelf waiting for me. Once again, not including picture books nor the social-networking related reading I've been doing as of late.

Keeping with my promise to write a few words here for every 3 books I finish:

This Book is Overdue: How Librarians & Cybrarians Can Save Us All

by Marilyn Johnson

finished 2/28/10

The only book I finished in February, just happened to be one that highlighted my profession. And of course, I really loved it. Written by a non-librarian, Johnson really gives friendly and approachable descriptions of what this job is about. It's the book I want to hand to people (or at least quote) when someone doesn't understand that this job requires a Master's Degree, or makes some crack about libraries being non-existent anymore. This book really isn't meant for librarians, it's a book written to bring a misunderstood and often "forgotten" profession into light during a period of time when libraries are needed almost more than ever. If you're a book lover, a techno-geek, amateur archivist or just someone looking for an interesting non-fiction read, don't hesitate to pick up Johnson's book.

The Girl Who Fell From the Sky

by Heidi W. Durrow

finished 3/1/10

Though I hope I can keep using this phrase as the year progresses, "this is the best book I've read this year." Author Durrow has a handful of different degrees and her intelligence shows through this well-written debut novel. It's a haunting tale of a young girl finding herself living in Portland after a tragic family event. Told through the perspectives of a few different voices as Durrow weaves the moving and touching tale together. You can't help but have sympathy for everyone of her characters and wish that the book was a *little* bit longer. Highly, highly encourage everyone to read this!

Brooklyn

by Colm Tobin

finished 3/5/10

The story of an American-Irish immigrant girl sent to better her life in Brooklyn. A sweet read for this time of year, Irish gals themselves, or those who enjoy "American Dream" books. Readers will be captured by Eilis' hesitations, excitements, romance and family drama as she tries to adjust to her new American life while being pulled back home to her Irish roots. Ever since I checked the book out & returned it, we've been getting a lot of requests for this title at the library. I think it's going to be a very popular book-club read. So you may want to read it now before it's super popular.

And I haven't been out of writing completely. Just busy with library writing. I am teaching classes on social networking next month and it has been very time-consuming getting hand-outs and resources together (and quite frankly, I'm not even quite done yet). I've also been asked and am excited to spin this class into a workshop for librarians in Allegheny County. More pressure, but of the super fun, exciting kind. And the library is now on Facebook and blogging itself. Check out our blog here: http://scotttwppubliclibrary.wordpress.com/

I've been busy, but it's been enjoyable and exhilarating. Lots of projects, many creative outlets and all-around good things.

So, what have you been reading this month? Anything I should check out? Let me know in the comments!

Wishful

The sun is shining, snow is melting. I am beginning to feel rejuvenated and excited about the promise of warm weather. Bicycling, walking, reading in the sun are all just around the corner. This makes me happy.

Now, if I could just find someone to finance a new spring/summer wardrobe. This librarian needs to look good & wants a closet-makeover.