KBB

I actually really do love my current job for the most part. As far as what happens in my branch and the people I work with in that building, there’s little I can complain about, and much I can praise. I work with a great bunch of people and most of them feel very passionate about their work. I feel appreciated there, inside that building.

But there is much about the broader picture of my workplace that makes my enthusiasm as a librarian wane. Many of my colleagues feel the same, and it is hard to stay optimistic, motivated, and encouraged when you feel like you’re surrounded by obstacles. I know what’s important to me in my profession – it’s the stuff that I learned in library school including providing important services. I am at my happiest professionally speaking when I am allowed the freedom to do my job to the best of my ability.

I feel strongly that there are workplaces that work better than where I am right now and I hope very much to find myself in one of them someday.

Breaking Up by Aimee Friedman and Christine Norrie, isbn: 9780439748674.

Cute and very realistic storyline about a group of friends growing up and changing, and how their individual changes affect their friendship.

The Re-Gifters by Mike Carey, Sonny Liew, and Marc Hempel, isbn: 9781401203719.

A great one about a Korean girl trained in martial arts who has a crush on a guy, and what happens. Loved the girl power and the ending.

It seems, lately, that I’m having to stick up for myself and others a lot at work, for things that either had nothing to do with us or for things that we did with the best of intentions, with complete understanding of the consequences, and with good success. It feels uncomfortable to me to do this – I feel like I’m rabble rousing or something – but sometimes these things need to be said.

I joined the site above last night, but haven’t really had a chance to explore it yet.

I also need to look further into Mango languages – my library has a subscription to it, and it’s supposed to be pretty good.

Our house is off the market again. We’re pulling up the carpet in one of the rooms and the entire house is in a state of disarray. Hopefully we’ll get it back on the market in a month or so.

Burnout by Rebecca Donner, isbn: 9781401215378.

Good one – a love story between teens going through family problems and has, in the background, an environmental theme. Edgy, good character development, well-written story.

Watson, Andi, and Josh Howard. Clubbing. New York: DC Comics, 2007. ISBN 9781401203702.

I love how the main character is drawn. And I liked her British goth persona. It was cute.

I’ve just recently discovered this show from the UK and love it. I’ve always been interested in primatology, and what they are doing there is such important work. I became a member of Monkey World and adopted one of their chimps a few months ago. Sure would love to see it in person!

Still working on this goal..

This time it’s: Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm’s Good As Lily. New York: DC Comics, 2007. ISBN: 9781401213817.

I’m surprised this is put out by DC Comics. I thought it was cute and funny – a story about a girl who suddenly meets up with herself as a kid, a 29 year-old, and as an old woman, and what happens next.

Pyongyang – A Journey in North Korea by Guy Delisle.

I like non-fiction graphic novels. This one was about a short stint taken by the artist in North Korea and what it was like in the communist country. Interesting.

My Dead Girlfriend, volume 1, by Eric Wight.

Love it! It’s goth, cute, dark – all I want in a little escapist manga.

today, an audio set I bought in October that’s about the lojong practice, led by Pema back in 2000 at the Berkeley Center. Great talk. I hated to see it end, but I’ve restarted it back at disc 1 again! :)

I learned today some more about N’s grandparents and the story of how they met. What a nice couple. They just celebrated their 70th anniversary.

It’s something I’ve really been thinking a lot about over the past week – how lucky we are to have found each other and to have such a warm, loving, bond. I am so happy to be with him. He says he’s the happiest he’s ever been in a relationship. It’s such a blessing to have him in my life.

I’ve taught some classes on using email in my library, for the public. I’d like to teach more. I find it a bit tiring to talk so much for such a long time, but it’s really rewarding. Especially when it’s with people who truly want to learn – and when the classes are free, people are so appreciative!

I guess I’m glad I did it, only so I can say I know what the green fairy is all about. I’d do it again.

I’ve finished volumes 1, 2, and 3. Interesting series.

I finally got a new laptop with the right graphics card and am up and running in SL. I love it. I love the whole educational aspect to it and its power as a learning tool.

I’ve done this twice recently; once yesterday at work over an “ethical” issue that I feel is necessary to speak out about; and all last week, sharing words and feelings with a family member that I’m more prone to avoid than talk to most of the time. Well, at least this year. Both of these have been scary situations. At work, there’s the constant uneasiness about being black-balled if you speak up. With my family member, it’s more a fear of being misunderstood and falsely accused that keeps me from interacting anymore. It’s been a lot more peaceful to not engage with her, but I’m not convinced that’s the most efficient way to become “unhooked” by this situation.