Colorado, Here I come

....Right back where I started from. I was born in Denver and lived in Arvada until age 7. Nonetheless, I am free from work for about ten days. Yipee!!!

This morning I sent more pictures to my colleague to use in updating the library's web page and this afternoon I attended a computer user's database meeting at the Main branch. Our web coordinator really despises the Access database and has made the decision to switch to something else, perhaps MySQL. We spent the balance of the meeting discussing the creation of a database that would accommodate our real world computer lab needs. Our coordinator hopes to roll out a new database in mid-July.

Office refit--another progress report

LL sent out an email today to inform us that our new office furniture will ship on June 21. When it arrives is another story.
Nonetheless, I have two more work days until my trip starts. I will probably spend half of one work day boxing up my desk materials as well as my paperwork from the classes I teach. Compared to my office mates, I don't have much stuff. So, packing should be easy.

Spending yesterday in Lawrence

C and I spent Saturday going over the memorial service for Dad. C and I will each read a scripture from the Bible--both of which Dad had requested. I will read Psalm 23.
Later in the day, C and A helped me assemble the new tent that I had bought. My only hope is that it is not windy when I go camping in the mountains.

Office refit--progress report

We received an email at work yesterday informing us to start emptying our file cabinets and book shelves in preparation for the building of the new office cubes. This past week the office area walls received a fresh coat of grey paint and some workers began working on technical items like the rerouting, rewiring of electricity and the rerouting of the phone/computer lines. I expect to see more changes upon my return from vacation.

Revenge of the Sith

I went to see the new Star Wars movie last night. Well, George Lucas, it's about time you made a Star Wars film in the same operatic style as "A New Hope" or "The Empire Strikes Back." The action is what makes this movie a joy to watch. Lucas doesn't bog down the movie with dialog like he did in "Clones." I also enjoyed the transformation of Anakin into Darth Vader. I will probably see this movie a couple more times.

First Day in Colorado plan

I just made a reservation to ride the Cograilway up to Pike's Peak. I have always had a fascination with trains and I think that this train ride will be especially fun. This coming Friday, I will drive directly to Colorado Springs from Kansas and spend the night in a hotel. I will take the Cograilway in the morning and, if I have time, I hope to see the Colorado Springs zoo before I drive off to Denver. Once in Denver, I will rendevouz with C and her family and prepare for Dad's memorial service at Berthoud Pass, CO.

More focus on Colorado

I will drive directly to Colorado Springs on the first day. I would like to see "Garden of the Gods" and perhaps take a train ride up Pike's Peak. For my stop in Denver, I'm investigating the possibility of seeing the model train museum located in the suburb Golden.

Getting the Saturn Ready

I took the Vue in for an oil change and tire rotation in preparation for the Colorado trip. I will probably do the same prior to the family reunion-Vermont trip.

New Library Web Page is up

Our new library web page is now up and running. The URL is http://www.kckpl.lib.ks.us/westpage/West.htm. This complete's Phase I of the web page.

Phase II will involve adding new pictures and new links.

Putting more pieces of the Vermont puzzle together

I went to Dick Sportings Goods today and bought a new pup tent and a sleeping bag. It had been eleven years since I've been camping (Strathcona Park, Vancouver Island, Canada in 1994). On this trip to Vermont, I may have to do some camping near Niagara Falls while driving up there and then camp in the Adirondacks in New York State on the way to Cooperstown and Washington D.C.
On a separate note, I have sent an email to my aunt agreeing to caravan with her family from Traverse City, MI through Canada, Niagara Falls, and New York State on the way to Lyndonville, VT. They were thinking about flying but decided to drive instead. We may be picking up their daughter and two grand-daughters in Burlington, VT.

Working on 24

Since I work Tuesday nights, I don't get the opportunity to see the TV show "24." Fortunately, the library carries "24" on DVD through season three. I'm working on season three right now. I enjoy "24's" use of real time as well as the liberal use of technology as part of the plot. Plus the plot twists are fun.

Cubicle demolition

Our cubicle walls got torn down today at work. In addition, the extensions to our desks also got removed. I was in shock when I returned from working the computer lab desk to see the office area in complete disarray. We are hoping that the new cubes come at the end of May.

So long, Southwestern Bell

I made the switch this evening to Time Warner Digital Phone service ending a long relationship with Southwestern Bell. I just got sick and tired of SBC's high nickel-and-diming billing practices. Time Warner features free long distance and for the next 12 months I get to save twenty bucks a month on my Road Runner Internet access.

Putting the Vermont vacation in gear

I sent my check off yesterday for my family reunion in Vermont this summer. After the reunion, I hope to make stops in Cooperstown, NY; Washington D.C. to see friends; and Canton, OH on the way home. CG and MN, I still have some travel planning to perform but once I am sure of my plans, I will somehow contact you. Thanks for your patience.

More web page kudos

I can't close this web page matter without giving kudos to JT and another JG from work. JT has offered programming pictures for our web site. Meanwhile, JG from Youth Services scrambled to get us wide and close up shots of the activities that take place in the children's department.

Web Page Empowerment

JG and I went to the Main branch to show our work-in-progress West Wyandotte web page to the Assistant Library director and the Web Coordinator. The Assistant director approves all web work done by library staff. I think she was relieved that somebody from our branch took the initiative to update the West Wyandotte page which had not been updated for six years!!!!
Kudos go to JG who dedicated a lot of his AV off-desk time on the pages, especially the HTML coding. It has been almost five years since I have done web page work and I am grateful that JG, who does web work for library school and other groups, was able to step in and do this. Both JG and I will be given access to the respective drive so that we can immediately post our work.
I am looking forward to getting back into web page development.

Hitchhiker's Guide

I've only read the first book in Adam's series but I enjoyed reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Unfortunately, although the movie had its moments, I found myself getting bored at the end. I think I wanted more character development and the movie bogged down in its scenery and special effects. This movie was about an hour and fifty minutes long. I think the BBC version from a couple a decades ago was about three hours. Mildly entertaining but I doubt I will see this one again.