My break from blogging

You know, it's a real sad situation when a journalist has nothing to write about.

I think the reason why I haven't blogged lately can be attributed to a couple of things:

First, Facebook. I really see the benefit of this social medium. As a matter a fact, I usually average one surprise a week when I log in. For example, tonight I established a friendship with a junior high and high school friend who I haven't seen in (let's take a wild guess here) thirty years. He's now a very successful political science professor, the head of his department.

Second, with the stresses of staff reduction in our library system and not knowing where my future will take me, I didn't want to post something in my blog that I might regret later. In other words, I gave myself a timeout from the blogosphere. Now that the staff reductions is a month behind, I'll try to keep future posts topical and I'll try to avoid putting my foot in my mouth.

Economic troubles for library

Even KCKPL is not immune to this economic chaos. I won't say anymore.

Domestic discord in a Public Service environment

While working reference desk this past week, I encountered two situations of domestic un-tranquility. On Tuesday night, I saw a father (or a man being in a position of authority over a minor) intimidate the living daylights out of a kid, even to the point where he forced the kid to wait by the children's entrance to the library. I only know this because I heard the nine-year old cry loudly from that location. I trailed them as they walked out of the building. The father said to the kid in very condescending fashion: "I can't take you anywhere, can I?" Sure you narrow minded dullard, go ahead and jilt this kids life experience where he'll think the library will do him no good in the future.
The second incident happened today as my supervisor and I worked the Saturday shift at reference. A woman came up to my sup and said her boyfriend might come in and try to force her to leave. She didn't want to leave because she had some studying to do. We decided to take the proactive approach and fire up the security camera program on the ref computer because we noticed she was sitting in the magazine area which is covered by one of our surveillance cameras. The boyfriend did come in but behaved in a civil manner as he convinced her, without an physical action, to leave. Still, she seemed quite agitated as if she were anticipating going to a place that was unpleasant.
In both scenarios, we see people bring in their home lives into the library. But to what extent do we, the library staff, have to put up with the domestic squabbling and discord. I asked my sup at what point do we call the police. But, unfortunately our conversation got interrupted by more reference questions.

Roofing refit almost complete

Just need the downspouts installed

Installation of new roof begins today

While getting dressed this morning I heard some loud thumping outside. I said to myself "Gee, those garbage men are loud." But as the thumping persisted, it occurred to me as I was tying my shoes: the roofing company is delivering the new roofing materials. Five minutes after I confirmed that assumption, the roofing salesman called saying they were to deliver the new shingles, vents, and turbines. I told him the delivery had already been made.

They'll start work today believing that the rain will abate for the rest of the day.

Tomorrow, Saturday, will be a long, long day

My weekend rotation fell upon this Memorial Day weekend. In other years I wouldn't mind. But this year my 25th High School reunion is Saturday night. What that means is I will have to work the eight and half hours at reference desk, hop in my car, drive to Topeka, and attend the festivities at a Topeka bar until the cows come home.
I will not be able to attend the picnic on Sunday because of work. I'm planning to sleep and veg all day on Monday.

New Roof's a-coming

I've already tipped my hand on this from my Facebook posting, but I've decided to go ahead and totally replace the shingles, the vents, and the turbines on my roof. I was relieved that the actual damage to the roof was because of the installation of a second layer of shingles. And the roofers I interviewed estimated repairs below $1,000. But, a double-layered roof does not give me many favors in the event that life events take me elsewhere in this world. So, I thought it may behoove me to redo the shingling of the roof to maintain some value of the house in this decline housing market.

Now it's a matter for the roofer-of-choice to find the proverbial window of opportunity as far as the weather goes and pick a time to install the new roof. I hope it's soon.