From a KC Librarian

Just an average guy trying to make sense of his life in the library and beyond.....

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Those Darn Kids

It's unfortunate that we have to resort to this, but it has to happen. Our library branch manager asked members of our adult services department to operate as babysitters for the middle school kids that come over. We were each given a section of the library to patrol. I roamed the balcony where nonfiction is. To accentuate matters, the branch manager and security guard intercepted the rug rats at the door and asked each one if they were here on library business. If they were here to use the library or do homework, they were allowed in. But if they responded otherwise, they were asked to leave the library property.
I think all staff are getting tired of the kids shenanigans. The results of our efforts proved promising. It was very, very quiet in the public area on Tuesday afternoon.

Friday, January 26, 2007

Friend's Rock Band

I finally got the opportunity tonight to hear in its entirety a college friend's rock band CD. He sent out the CDs as Christmas gifts this year. He and his brother have tirelessly practiced for quite some time while working their full time jobs. One brother is a journalist in Topeka and the other works as an electrical engineer in KC. And yet somehow they get their practice in with two other band members who are KU students.

The name of their band is Amnesia. I was quite impressed with the CD. The music reminded me of the work of a couple of bands I listened to as a kid: Moody Blues, Blue Oyster Cult. I enjoyed the music so much, I decided to transfer some of their songs to my MP3 player.

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Door Update


I finally got the bid for work for rebuilding my door to my office. I was given two options, actually three but the contractor and I agreed that the third option was not practical. Anyway, I think what I'll do is rebuild the door--I've still got the door parts in my house. Then, when the day comes where I move out of the house, I may destroy the door to move the furniture out and then build a brand spanking new door.

Sunday, January 14, 2007

The Long Wintry Weekend

The inclement weather (or the promise of inclement weather, depending on your point of view) limited me to stay around the house this weekend. I grabbed the four NFL playoff games, watched two three-hour long movies, cooked my own meals, and read a couple of chapters from a book. Kinda stinks when winter weather is actually winter weather.


Anyway, I grabbed my camera and took some shots around the house. Click on the photo below to see a brief slide show of the ice/sleet around my neighborhood.

Friday, January 12, 2007

Who's On First

We got into some nostalgia TV discussions on ref desk today. I completely forgot a discussion about the Abbott and Costello routine until I saw it in a book of baseball trivia tonight. So, through the courtesy of youtube.com, here's a rendition of "Who's On First"


Thursday, January 11, 2007

Access Management for Computer Lab

I was upset when I first heard this news but I am now calm: The access management software for the computer lab will not be installed until March. Disappointing, yes. But not overwhelmingly surprising.

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

More practice with online audio

Here's an audio recording of a college singing group from 50 years ago.


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Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Random Notes

Happy New Year everyone. I've finally got my computer hooked up and am ready to continue blogging.

  • I think I've made it a very happy holiday season for NFM. Not only did I purchase the new office furniture back in November, I also purchased a new office chair as well as a new chair for my TV room.
  • Speaking of office furniture, I received delivery of the executive desk, the hutch, and the return on December 30th. Unfortunately, I miscalculated the measurements of the desk as it applies the doorway to my office--the desk was an inch and half too wide. After making a failed attempt to disassemble the desk (it was both glued and screwed together), MS and I decided to tear down the door frame in order to get the desk in. And of course, I will have to rebuild the door frame. But I plan to take it a step further and hire a construction contractor to build a door that's three inches wider than the original. That way, if I move out of the house, I can easily move the desk out the door. An extra, unplanned cost, granted. But dealing with a contractor will give me experience when other house remodeling projects (like new bathroom floors and new windows) become necessary.
  • I spent New Year's Eve once again in Shawnee. Same group of friends as last year's celebration. This year, I was introduced to Texas Hold 'Em poker. Didn't fare too well but enjoyed trying to figure out how to play. Thank goodness we didn't play with real money or I would have been in the poor house.
  • I agree with the statement that the Boise State-Oklahome football game shows that a playoff systerm in Division One football would work. This was a great game. Only the Nebraska-Miami game of 1984 was better, in my opinion.