Merry Decemberween!

Merry Decemberween!

I know it’s almost over, but I hope everyone’s December festivities have been super wonderful. We’re down at my folk’s house in MD for the week and having a great time. Christmas was super fun. I love watching the kids open presents. Since there are only two kids in the family at the moment, everyone was putting the pressure on for JeT and I to contribute to the younger population so that there’ll be more kids to watch on Christmas morning. Yeah, probably not anytime soon. Though woo hoo for all the friends who have announced their expected little ones! (You’ve all been busy: there were two baby announcements and one engagement! Hooray!)

I’ve finally uploaded photos from the last couple of months. Geez, we were wicked busy, weren’t we? There are photos from Thanksgiving with friends, the Fancy Schmancy Dancy Birthiversary Party, the Hooray for Repeal Day Party with librarians, the Ugly Sweater Party, snow, birthday, and Christmas. It’s been crazy-fun. There are also pictures of recent crafty projects: felted bags, and a doll of The Dude (from The Big Lebowski). And cupcakes. Yum!

See you all in the New Year!

Thanks!

Thanks to all who have wished me a happy birthday, happy holidays, and happy graduation. It’s been a happy, happy time around these parts recently, and I’d like to express my gratitude the only way I know how: with The Muppets. Enjoy!

Done.

Yes, as of Thursday, 12:30 pm I finished the work for my MLIS. Woot! To celebrate, the skies dropped a foot of snow on us. I went to lunch with a fellow graduate, The Spinstah, and another GSLIS student, The Boss Lady. We had lunch and beer at Thornton’s while we watched passers-by stumble in the snow, and drivers sit in the city-wide gridlock.

Walking to the T (and to and fro the restaurant) was a bit of an adventure, because I am wicked smart: I forgot my snow boots at home. I was wearing dress shoes. I might as well have been walking bare foot. By the time we got back to the car (3 1/2 hours later) we had to shovel it out and then drive home on the treacherous roads. We got stuck at one point because the plows cleared (sort of) the main road, but when we turned on to our own road we couldn’t get over the plow pile. Because JeT is awesome, he dug us out (with our emergency shovel, because at least one of us is thinking clearly about winter weather) and we were home very shortly afterwards.

Once I got home it was really weird. I didn’t know what to do with myself. I kept thinking there was something I was supposed to be doing, and I’d get this momentary panic, like “what am I forgetting.” It was kind of funny. Today was wonderful. I woke up at my leisure (7:30, which is wicked late considering we get up at 5 on weekdays) and we watched Saturday Morning Cartoons for hours and hours. I even took a nap. And then made cupcakes. And we’re going to a party later this evening. Hooray for leisure!

I do have to figure out the details of my Christmas shopping list, especially the knitting that I’ve neglected for ages and ages. Shouldn’t be too difficult, considering I’m giving myself a couple of weeks after Christmas to get things done. Some stuff will have to be done before then, as we’re traveling to Maryland to spend Christmas week with my family. It’s going to rule.

I have tons of pictures to upload: from the Birthiversary party onward. Perhaps I’ll do that tomorrow, since, you know, I don’t have any homework to finish. Ever. Rock!

In one week…

I’ll be finished with my MLIS classes by next Thursday. This semester has been one of those weird times where time doesn’t seem to flow at a consistent rate. Or maybe, more accurately, it feels as if time is traveling excruciatingly slow, and wicked fast, simultaneously. Three weeks ago I made a little chart so I could satisfyingly tick off the last days. And now there’s only one week left.

I’ve found myself thinking, “This is the last time I’ll walk these steps regularly,” etc. Sentimental crap, really. I wanted to document this experience so much better. But I didn’t bring my camera regularly. And every time I’d see a good photo opportunity, I’d either be running late, or think, “Oh, I’ll get that next time.” And now I have so few photos from my time here. Ah, well. It’s not really a huge deal, but it would have been cool. I never got any good autumn photos, which is a shame. Though, really, what’s to look at? Half the place is in a state of constant construction at any given time. And others are already documenting that.

Anyway, I still haven’t uploaded the photos from the Birthiversary party last month. And I don’t know if I’ll get to those before next weekend. I may just wait until after the semester’s over to catch up on my photos. I’ve also not added appropriate description of the photos from the Clue Party and the fun afternoon in Shelburne Falls.

I’d also like to do a sort of “what I learned in Library School ™” kind of post, for my own edification. I want to do that sooner rather than later, before I lose my motivation for such a project.

I keep saying, “during the break…” when really I mean, “when I get my life back…” It’s going to be awesome, but kind of weird, too. I mean, I’ve spent the better part of the last 25 years in school or planning for school. I’m glad to be done with it. Though, really, who am I kidding? I’ll still be interested in continuing education, workshops, online courses, etc, etc., but the bulk of it is finally over.

I can be crafty again, Yay! I’ve missed that. I’ve put so much of my life on hold these last 2.5 years, and I’m ready to have it back again. Granted, I have done a pretty good job at keeping an active social calendar so I don’t become completely isolated from my friends, but I feel like there’s so much I’ve missed out on. Parties, events, all sorts of good stuff.

December is going to be chock full of fun things. Seriously. There’s going to be at least two or three things going on each weekend all month. And we’re going to have a party in January, so keep an eye out for that.

Ok, enough rambling. Off to finish up the last of the reading for one of my classes. Woot!

Everything is miscellaneous

(No, I haven’t read that book, yet. It’s on my “to read” list, though.) Here’s a list of what’s up:

• Four weeks until the end of the semester. Word. Things are a bit crazy. By things, I mean, of course, yours truly. I’ve got myself set up to finish just fine, though. I’ve been having a bit of trouble with migraines of late, however. (I was forced to come home early on Tuesday, spent the whole day yesterday in a state of migraine hangover, and today I couldn’t do anything until about 1 pm, when I should have been at class.) They’re really throwing me off my pace. It’s maddening, really.
• Please help me with the following: I have created a few sample banner/header/graphic thingies for our class digital Library. The woman whose scrapbook we’re digitizing was Olive Ruby Henty, and the images used in the banners are from her scrapbook. If any of you have any helpful comments regarding its overall design or whatever, please feel free to comment here. I’d really appreciate any feedback from outside the class. (I have, of course, solicited comments from my classmates, but it’s good to have outside perspective, too.) Here’s the link to the sample page: Olive Ruby Henty digital library.
• The Revs take on the Huston Dynamo this weekend for the MLS Cup title. Woo! The game’s on Sunday, so I’ll be blah-blah-blahgging it, of course.
• The spinning wheel looks great in her new home. (I haven’t come up with a name for her yet, but she’s definitely a she.) I’ve been spinning some lovely green/yellow/blue yarn from roving I picked up at the Apple Peach Festival this September. I think I’m getting the hang of it, and my yarn is way more consistent than I would have expected for my first time at the wheel. Photos forthcoming. Eventually.
• Birthiversary party is coming up this Saturday. That should be wicked fun. Bookmark this link for more information and updates as they arise. I still don’t have a dress. I’ll pop over to the (shudder) mall on Friday night and Saturday morning to see what I can find. I’m not really stressed about it. I can always throw something together if I can’t find anything at the mall. “Fancy Schmancy” is a state of mind, yes? I’ll figure something out.

Feliz Dia de los Muertos!

I’m lazy and am not going to put in the appropriate accents, punctuation, and what not, but you get the idea.

Halloween is usually my 2nd favorite day of the year. (My birthday is the favorite. Duh.) This year, though, I’ve felt rather disconnected. I totally forgot it was a special day yesterday. To me it was Wednesday. Just Wednesday. I didn’t do anything special. I only wore pumpkin socks by accident; most of my fall socks are themed, so it was only a matter of probability that I’d select appropriate socks for the day. Otherwise? Business as usual.

Once I reached South Station on the way home, though, I began to feel the pangs of regret: people in costume everywhere! Children! Grown ups! All playing dress up in Boston. I felt so left out. Next year? We’re going to throw a fantastic party. We’re already making the plans. I’m so over this whole putting my life on hold for my education thing. Luckily, it’s almost up. I have been getting a lot out of my time here, it’s just that I’m done. Wicked done.

Right. Next year’s party: We’re going to have it on Saturday, 1 November 2008. It shall be a Dia de los Muertos fiesta. We shall have all sorts of fun activities and food. Costumes? You bet! Come as your favorite dead person (fictional or real; famous or obscure). Music! Prizes! It’s going to rule. You have been warned.

Fantasy

I’ve been dreaming about the end of the semester. What it’ll be like when I don’t have to do school stuff anymore. You know, where I can just work? And hang out with friends? Yeah. That’ll be awesome.

Of course, it’s still a ways off yet. While yesterday evening I was confident that I’d be able to make it to December in one piece, now I’m not so sure. I have a presentation to do tomorrow, and while I pretty much know what I’m going to talk about, and have utmost confidence in my presentation partner that she’ll do wonderfully, I’m still panicking. Not about the getting in front of people part, just the reading my notes and making my slides. I know I have to go back through a couple of articles to clarify a few things, but every time I try to read, my eyes go a bit crossed, my breathing accelerates, and I can’t concentrate. I shouldn’t be panicked about reading. This is annoying.

Right. Moving on: It’s going to be awesome when I’m not in school anymore. I’ll be able to sleep. SLEEP! I haven’t slept more than 6 hours since… man, I don’t know when. It’s going to rule. Oh, and I’ll be able to read for fun. FUN! You know, where you don’t have to take notes and relate pertinent details to your peers? Or have to write papers? What a treat that’ll be, eh? I can’t wait.

busy week

Jesse turned 30 on Saturday! Happy Birthday, old man! We went out on his dad’s boat for one and a half days. Pictures and details forthcoming.

This week was kind of meh. And ick. Stressful class stuff. Details not forthcoming. It’s over, thank goodness. Moving on.

Tonight I’m catching up on some reading for class. While watching the game (go Sox!) and drinking a bottle of wine with JeT. We have to record our thoughts on the readings in a journal that our instructor is going to read this weekend. I’m not so much behind on the reading, but the journals… um, let’s say I’ve got some catching up to do. I can never think of anything interesting to say in the journals, so hopefully the wine will help get the ideas flowing.

Right. Back to work. (We’re at the bottom of the 4th right now. I just saw Kermit the Frog in a Red Sox jersey on TV. I don’t think it was the wine. Awesome.

ETA: WOOO! 10 to 3, Sox win!!

MLS soon, i can has job?

Been trying to find a couple of part time jobs to work around my course schedule this semester. I’ve spent some time the last couple of days trying to tart up my resume so it reflects my most recent archives experience. It’s looking pretty good, I must say. I have a few different versions, as one should, so they’re also rather flexible.

I’ve only applied to two jobs thus far: one where I might not be entirely qualified, and one where I’m overqualified. It’s a strange place to be. I am always keeping my eye out for other appropriate opportunities, though. My advice for job seeking in this environment? Keep scouring the job lists, and apply as soon as you see something interesting. In this field, in this town, jobs are snatched up quickly. Especially the para-professional ones.

I’d be willing to bet that nearly all para-professional library jobs in this area are filled with Simmons GSLIS students. There’s an understanding that we’re all competing for the same jobs. And we’re not all crazy and cutthroat, either, which is nice. I’ve heard that in schools for other professions, the grad students are much more bloodthirsty in their quest for employment. It’s nice to engage in friendly competition without fear of incuring the wrath of fellow librarians-to-be.

“The Wrath of Librarians” would make a great movie.

Beginnings and Endings

As the semester begins, the first phase of my work at the MSPCA is ending. I submitted my report to the appropriate parties, who will then present it to the CEO. I’ll still be in contact with the assistant to the CEO and the grant writer, but for now, I’m not actively working for them. Once more grant money is secured, then the next phases of the project can continue, and I’ll be involved further.

It was a great project, and it looks fabulous on my resume (which I’ve just updated for the most recent round of job applications). I am quite pleased with the work I was able to accomplish this summer, and am gratified to know that my work was appreciated. It helped me sort of work out what I might want to do “when I grow up.” It got me thinking more about what areas of archives I really am interested in. I love the way archives can be used to illustrate the history of an organization, and how the archives can be used as a marketing tool, in addition to the academic/research side of things. This marketing doesn’t have to be in a corporate environment, either. A library needs to market itself (to secure funding), a town needs to interest tourists, etc.

I think archives can play a huge role in this kind of marketing and public outreach. I am, of course, being interested in an academic archives environment, concerned with the educational role of an archives: linking the primary source materials with the work of instructors. Finding creative ways to use the materials in an archives (or special collection, manuscript collection, etc) to inform the public of our presence will be a step forward towards making archivists less like ‘passive guardians’ and more like educators themselves.

Feeling rather optimistic, and waxing poetical about the profession today. Don’t worry. It won’t last; it’s still the beginning of the semester!