Dear Stalker from Seattle,
Bugger off. Stop stalking this blog. What's wrong with you?
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Passionate About Books
I have been in love with books and reading my entire life, I think. As long as I can remember, anyway.
At some point, right before I learned how to read, I was obsessed with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. My dad would read to me every night at bedtime, and I think there must have been a phase when I made him read Snow White EVERY NIGHT. I do remember that the book we had was falling apart. Years later, when he would tell me that story (he's a natural storyteller), he would always end it with, "I was so happy when you learned how to read!" Yea, reading the same story over and over and OVER can be a bit much!
My sister taught me how to read. I was 4 1/2 or so. I remember the excitement of it clicking, and then the frustration of reading The Three Little Pigs to my mom and not being believed that I was actually reading the story and not just reciting it from memory. She finally believed my sister and me when I read the back of a box of laundry detergent.
I grew up in a house of readers. It wasn't always books - magazines and newspapers were all over the place, too.
Libraries have always been a place of joy to me. Dad would take me every other week. He'd disappear into the magazine room, and I'd wander to the children's section, emerging only after I had an armful of books to take home. This was our tradition for years. My idea of the perfect day, when I was 10 years old or so, was to spend the entire day in the library, reading and wandering the stacks, going across the street to the donut shop for a snack, and then heading back to the library.
Now, years later, I'm a librarian. How lucky am I? Getting to spend my work days in a place that doesn't feel like work. A building of books and various media, talking to people about books, ordering books, cataloging books, and working with some really amazing people.
Libraries have definitely changed since I was a kid. I remember NEVER speaking above a whisper. Now, libraries (well, mine, anyway) aren't quiet places. Libraries are community gathering places. People meet, talk, make friends, share. They are VERY social places. Being a librarian is a very social profession.
So, to those of you who tire of hearing me talk about books and talk about my job, well, it's a big part of who I am. I AM passionate about books and libraries. AND, books and libraries ARE NOT always solitary pursuits. They can be, and sometimes I need the quiet and to curl up with just a book for company. But there's nothing like the connection you make with someone who has read the same book and is just dying to talk to someone about it!
I feel very fortunate to be passionate about something and very fortunate that it has been a life long passion.
At some point, right before I learned how to read, I was obsessed with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. My dad would read to me every night at bedtime, and I think there must have been a phase when I made him read Snow White EVERY NIGHT. I do remember that the book we had was falling apart. Years later, when he would tell me that story (he's a natural storyteller), he would always end it with, "I was so happy when you learned how to read!" Yea, reading the same story over and over and OVER can be a bit much!
My sister taught me how to read. I was 4 1/2 or so. I remember the excitement of it clicking, and then the frustration of reading The Three Little Pigs to my mom and not being believed that I was actually reading the story and not just reciting it from memory. She finally believed my sister and me when I read the back of a box of laundry detergent.
I grew up in a house of readers. It wasn't always books - magazines and newspapers were all over the place, too.
Libraries have always been a place of joy to me. Dad would take me every other week. He'd disappear into the magazine room, and I'd wander to the children's section, emerging only after I had an armful of books to take home. This was our tradition for years. My idea of the perfect day, when I was 10 years old or so, was to spend the entire day in the library, reading and wandering the stacks, going across the street to the donut shop for a snack, and then heading back to the library.
Now, years later, I'm a librarian. How lucky am I? Getting to spend my work days in a place that doesn't feel like work. A building of books and various media, talking to people about books, ordering books, cataloging books, and working with some really amazing people.
Libraries have definitely changed since I was a kid. I remember NEVER speaking above a whisper. Now, libraries (well, mine, anyway) aren't quiet places. Libraries are community gathering places. People meet, talk, make friends, share. They are VERY social places. Being a librarian is a very social profession.
So, to those of you who tire of hearing me talk about books and talk about my job, well, it's a big part of who I am. I AM passionate about books and libraries. AND, books and libraries ARE NOT always solitary pursuits. They can be, and sometimes I need the quiet and to curl up with just a book for company. But there's nothing like the connection you make with someone who has read the same book and is just dying to talk to someone about it!
I feel very fortunate to be passionate about something and very fortunate that it has been a life long passion.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Lists, Lists, Lists
Trading comments back and forth tonight on Facebook with a dear friend. She shared a book she just read and how much she liked it. Her post reminded me that I wanted to read that book AGES ago! It's a very popular one: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. It's almost always checked out or on hold at my library, so I finally put it on hold for myself.
This got me thinking: I keep a record of books I've read, so why don't I keep a list of books I WANT to read? I know there are dozens of books out there that have slipped through my fingers because I didn't have time to read them at the time I saw them.
It's an occupational hazard.
Going forward, time to get started on my new list: Books I Want to Read!
Huzzah!
This got me thinking: I keep a record of books I've read, so why don't I keep a list of books I WANT to read? I know there are dozens of books out there that have slipped through my fingers because I didn't have time to read them at the time I saw them.
It's an occupational hazard.
Going forward, time to get started on my new list: Books I Want to Read!
Huzzah!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
A Lovely Birthday
Had such a great birthday yesterday. I took Thursday and Friday off work and made a long weekend out of it, which is present enough!
Gillian must have told me Happy Birthday at least a half dozen times before I dropped her off at school. We wandered around downtown after school and had cupcakes at Molly's, then a great dinner at Blackstone.
Talked with Mom and Dad, Janice called and sang 'Happy Birthday' to me, and lots and lots of lovely birthday greetings from friends all over. I feel truly loved.
Tomorrow evening, heading out to Brix with girlfriends for some great wine, laughter, and fun! Birthdays definitely should last more than one day!
Gillian must have told me Happy Birthday at least a half dozen times before I dropped her off at school. We wandered around downtown after school and had cupcakes at Molly's, then a great dinner at Blackstone.
Talked with Mom and Dad, Janice called and sang 'Happy Birthday' to me, and lots and lots of lovely birthday greetings from friends all over. I feel truly loved.
Tomorrow evening, heading out to Brix with girlfriends for some great wine, laughter, and fun! Birthdays definitely should last more than one day!
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
A Weight Lifted
I really love Facebook, and I really REALLY love being connected with friends from different periods of my life and with family near and far. Because of Facebook, I know I'm in contact with people that I might not be otherwise.
What I DON'T like about Facebook is the passive-aggression that can exist. You know, you aren't friends with someone, so they make sure they tag people you are friends with so they can show up in your newsfeed. We all know people like this. You don't want to be friends with them for a myriad of reasons, but they want to make sure that you don't forget about them. And most of the time it is not nice.
You know what I mean? Grow UP, people. So, I ended up doing a little blocking tonight. It was really upsetting me. And I just can't afford to waste my energy like that.
I feel MUCH better now.
What I DON'T like about Facebook is the passive-aggression that can exist. You know, you aren't friends with someone, so they make sure they tag people you are friends with so they can show up in your newsfeed. We all know people like this. You don't want to be friends with them for a myriad of reasons, but they want to make sure that you don't forget about them. And most of the time it is not nice.
You know what I mean? Grow UP, people. So, I ended up doing a little blocking tonight. It was really upsetting me. And I just can't afford to waste my energy like that.
I feel MUCH better now.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Thank You to My Sister
I posted this in thanks to my sister tonight. I've come to some realizations in the last few days, and now that I've come to these realizations (I spent 11 years in denial, that's for sure!), I need to make peace with them and let them go. Doing this will keep me true to my resolution.
I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful sister. She is a wonderful listener, and a wonderful mentor. I love you so much. And thank you.
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