Misadventures of the Monster Librarian

"It is hard to have patience with people who say 'There is no death' or 'Death doesn't matter.' There is death. And whatever is matters. And whatever happens has consequences, and it and they are irrevocable and irreversible. You might as well say that birth doesn't matter. ~C.S. Lewis Death teaches us anger, frustration, an unconsolable sadness, what an inpenetrable hallow feels like, but Death too teaches us all humility-the ability to cry in front of others, dignity, and an appreciation for family bonds (that seem to tighten) and friendship. I was fortunate to be out east at the farm when I recieved the call telling me that my Dad had died, and in that vertigo of anguish I was surrounded by 6 of the dearest friends I could ever wish on anyone; I was physically and emotionally held. Mummy Dearest left her beautiful, wonderful children and Hubby for 5 days to come home with me and take care of me and help me say goodbye to my Dad. And the love from f...

Just wanted to mention my absence from blog world. I was out East visiting TSOldtimer and Mummy Dearest, when I recieved the news that my father had died. I don't know what to say. I have never felt so hollow. Never felt so surrounded by people and yet so alone. Never felt so sad.

I realized the other night as I tried to begin a new book that I couldn't concentrate. I kept reading the same sentence over and over again on the first page, because I was thinking about the settled in feeling I was finally-after 14 months in my current living situation-having for my home. It was one of those moments when you walk down the dark hallway, cool boards under your feet, and flip the lights on, reaching directly for the switch, not having to paw at the wall like a blind man. You don't even think about it anymore, the ease of navigating the window latch, admiring how smoothly it glides open, how foreign that feels after a hand crank widow, or an old heavy double paned window, fitted into a setting; a window that was replaced as you too were in time replaced. You don't notice anymore the way the breeze can blast through the window, dispelling the day's stale air that you were not able to sigh away. Your exhales were a contribution to little more than stale...

I don't follow the lives of many actors or musicians. They seem a fickle breed. But one that I always loved and idolized as a kid and teen, and I guess even a little today, is John Lennon . I loved John Lennon of the Beatles, and as I grew up I learned to love John Lennon without the Beatles. I love that Lennon marched to his own drum; defied social norms of his time. Lennon, born October 9, 1940, was killed December 1980, not long after I was born, yet his music continutes to inspire today's generation of musicians, poets, and lovers. I was fortunate enough to travel a lot when I lived in Massachusetts, both within the state and through New England. One of the clearest memories I have of my visits to New York City is walking on a cold December day, stopping to sit in the Strawberry Fields Forever , in Central Park. The area is a tribute to Lennon, created in his favorite part of the park, not far from the Dakota Hotel where he was shot. At that time, in that moment, I was s...

Back to titles from songs Today was one of those days. Last night I finished My Sister's Keeper , which I enjoyed, surprised by the ending. That was after I watched I am Sam for the first time. I felt emotionally ravaged. I woke up this morning with a renewed sense of life. All that thoughtful "what does life mean"-edness that both the book and movie forced me to have, I thought I would make the most of the day. I got up early and actually left the house early, got my morning hazelnut coffee. God Bless, Tim Hortons ! Work was alright. Had a training session on microfilm and microfiche-yes, in the age of technology these formats are still used. There are some things that even Google hasn't been able to scrape up. Had to "play nice," with the new girl. For those of you GFers that know me well, you know that I hate training new people and I hate change in my workplace unless I have control over it. I can already tell that I need to be careful with her....

Things are serious when Dead Celebrities Lady (DCL)calls during the week! Dead Celebrities Lady has only ever called on a Sunday, yet she called tonight, and why? You ask, dear reader. The Michigan budget. Our conversation: DCL: They raised the taxes, didn't they? Me: Excuse me? (our phone is a piece and notoriously cuts in and out) DCL: They raised the taxes, didn't they? Me: Do you mean the taxes in the state of Michigan, ma'am? DCL: Yeah. I heard they raised the taxes. Me: Yes, they did raise the state income tax by somewhere around 0.4%. DCL: They're trying to starve us, aren't they? Me: *laugh politely* DCL: How is that going to affect us? Does that mean that they take out a lot? Me: Well, it means that they take that percentage from what you make, so the amount taken is different for everyone. DCL: Well, I don't work that much. Does that mean they won't take out a lot? Me: They will base what they take out by what you make....

Never got to mention what a good time I had this weekend, on retreat on the shores of Lake Huron. The weather was cooperative; providing us with cool nights which made it wonderful to find oneself in front of the huge, flaming bonfire. And the sunrises were astounding; painting Lake Huron in pale yellows and blood-orange reds. Friday night I reacquainted myself with the kitchen, storing food and setting out things that I would need in the morning. Stayed up until 2:30am, chit chatting with friends, which made the 6:30am wake up hard. It was amazingly refreshing to walk out of the cabin, hair still damp from a shower, into the cool low 50s air, just beginning to see the tinges of crimsons and gold on the distant horizon. I walked over to the lookout over the lake and stared in awe at how magnificent the colors were, and how majestic the lake looked in the first throes of dawn. It was a different lake than the one that I had seen the night before under a setting sun, and eventually a s...

**This is from photobucket.com, not sure what the search term was that brought this up**

“[I]t's not just the books under fire now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written. The books that will never be read. And all due to the fear of censorship. As always, young readers will be the real losers.” ~Judy Blume Happy Banned Books Week! Never heard of it. Me either, until I began Grad School. Banned Books week is a week long event, which libraries all across the United States celebrate every year; a time for libraries to encourage people to enjoy a better sense of literary and intellectual freedom. Banned books become banned after they have first been Challenged. Look at this list and I think you will catch yourself saying, "why that book?" more than once. These are the top 100 challenged books of from 1990-2000. Banned Books are anything that a school or library board have voted to ban from the premises of the library after challenges have been made and a vote has been reached to remove the books for reasons varying from sexual content, expli...