National Library Week is April 12-18, 2009, which ironically is Spring break for most schools. Becoming a librarian takes quite a bit of schooling. To work in most public libraries and private jobs you’ll need to have earned a Masters in Library Science. To work as a School Library Media Specialist, a person needs their Masters in Library Media, then go through an unpaid internship which they will then apply for certification (in Connecticut). Your librarian worked hard to be able to help you.

Craig has been working as a library media specialist for 4 years. He does everything from helping kids pick out books to read to showing them how to use computers for research and furthering their knowledge.

I found this video earlier this week on teacherlibrarian.ning.com. Craig and I watched it couldn’t stop laughing. You may never look at your librarian the same again.

I’m not sure what the internet etiquette is for piggybacking on ideas. Sometimes I feel like I’ve lived two lives, and when I read someone’s post it triggers that memory and then I want to share it. But I don’t want to seem like I’m always just saying, “oh yah I’ve done that too”. Even though that is basically what I’m doing.

I think the root of the issue is me forgetting that I have all sorts of things to share from the insanely busy past 15 years of my life.

Do you find yourself doing this as well? Is it considered “uncool” to post right away your own story? or am I just being worried for no reason?

I am truly looking forward to the next month or so when pictures like these will be more prevalent. I’m waiting patiently for the trails to finish thawing and turn from mud to packed dirt again. My bike is in my office waiting for a prognosis on the fork which has some rust on it, but otherwise just needs a check of all systems.

While the visuals of Spring are amazing in their own respect, I’m looking forward to the scents. Fresh grass, flowers, budding trees, a warm breeze. (I’m choosing to forget pollen which will have me sneezing shortly).

What is your favorite parts of Spring? or is this just that in between season to Summer for you?

Our local Stop & Shop has now become part of the ScanIt program. What this means is that you can enter the store, get a special cart and a scan tool. You should bring your own bags, and there’s hooks on the side of the cart to keep them open, and then you go around the store and scan your items in.

It’s definitely hoping for an honor system of the user, which they make you sign a waiver to allow an audit of your grocery cart at any time. I’m fine with that, stealing groceries is not how I’m going to jail, if that day were to ever come.

Using the system kind of reminded me of walking around Macy’s scanning items for our wedding registry way back when.

There are several pluses to doing it this way. You get a running tally of your cost. You are alerted of specials through the store. You can remove items if it seems too expensive. Your already bagged and ready to go when you get to the counter.

When your all done you go up to a register, scan a bar code above the register and pay. Your done and ready to go. I liked it and could see us using it in conjunction with scheduled Peapod deliveries.

A slightly delayed post.

Most years I end up forgetting about Valentine’s Day until about 2 days before and then scramble. It’s not that I don’t know it’s coming, I just keep thinking I have more time and keep putting it off. Also I’m usually fielding the requests of what to do for my birthday the day before.

This year, I actually had some time to think, what a novel concept. While down in New York City the week before for a client meeting, I walked by Radio City Music Hall. The board said, “Anita Baker - Feb 13 & 14″. I decided it would be crazy trying to get into the city on Friday the 13th and Craig had to work that day. So when I got back home I bought tickets for Valentine’s Day.

Craig has been a big Anita Baker fan for quite a while. Unbeknownst to me a lot longer than I had thought. I didn’t drop any hints, and just waited for Valentine’s Day. Ok, well that’s partially true, on the 13th, I asked Craig if we had any plans for Valentine’s Day, while we were at dinner celebrating my birthday. He said, “no didn’t have anything planned”. I said, “well I have plans for us, and your present is in New York City”. Now before everyone says, “damn you can’t keep a secret”, Craig is dealing with cervical dystonia for almost 2 years. It makes driving, walking, sitting difficult. So I wanted to make sure he was the most comfortable getting down there.

He started taking guesses. Going to see a live taping of a show? no… Going to see Janet Jackson? no sadly enough… and on he went, I kept smiling because he wasn’t close. Then he asked a question that got him much closer and then he blurted out, “Anita Baker?”. I couldn’t stop giggling and smiled. His facial expression was worth every bit, he was in shock! And very, very excited! Turns out Anita Baker’s Rapture album was the first CD he bought and he played it over and over.

We drove down to the city. It was a nice uneventful ride in, drove right down Broadway and to Radio City Music Hall. The interior of the hall is beautiful! We were pretty high up but dead center. Comedy Central’s James Smith came on first and kept the crowd laughing solid for 20 minutes. Then Anita Baker came on, she was wonderful, funny, humble and incredibly strong voice. Special guests were Tyrese Gibson who she knew from when he used to sing before acting. Then the big surprise for the evening was Mary J. Blige in the front row, who came up at the end to duet with her the song Angel.

It was a good night all around. We took our time getting out of the city and rolled in around 3am, some how still quite awake. It will be one of the best Valentine’s I can remember. Craig was incredibly happy.

This is awesome from Hulu!

quiet storm - from my rooftop, originally uploaded by Kaká.

This is just absolutely amazing. I love storm cloud photos.

Slightly Addicted, originally uploaded by criana.

Diana

So I’m sure you’ve heard about the Russian professor who’s theorizing the breakup of the United States. This is the first time I’ve seen a proposed map. I’m mostly laughing at this. South Carolina with the original colonies and not the south? Really?

http://www.boingboing.net/2009/01/02/the-breakup-of-the-u.html

One thing did catch my attention and I’d like to research more…”no US president has ever died under the same flag that he was born under.”

I say we go colonize the Moon and it will be a win-win situation
On a serious note, any one have any thoughts on all this.

I want to wish everyone a very happy new years. Wishing everyone much prosperity, health and happiness.

May you look at the world through new eyes and be inspired by everything you see and encounter. There is always something new to learn, everyday.

Peace and Love for the new year, Diana