Another book on a shelf

Don't think me totally dorky, but I am so excited this morning. I found out that another public library is carrying one of my books!

Look, before you laugh and shake your head, you've got to understand life from my point of view. I may not be employed as one at the moment, but I have a librarian's soul.

No, I didn't steal some poor librarian's soul! It is mine, all mine. I am a librarian, and will always be one. I will also always be an archaeologist and a writer. Things you love don't go away simply because you are not being paid to do the thing.

So it is little wonder that I'm excited that another librarian has honored one of my books by allowing it shelf space. What a concept, they actually used some of their precious budget to buy one of my books to share with the world.

When I put it that way, you can see why I am so excited. Money talks.

So to date, my books are in 6 different library systems across the country. Two systems in Washington state (KCLS and Timberland) 1 in Florida, 1 in Idaho, 1 in Texas, and the new 1 is in Utah.

Wow, what progress--only 45 more states to go!

All in a name

Sometimes when I am bored, I take a few minutes to google my friends.

I know, I know, I really should not admit anything so silly, but hey, we all have our faults.

Anyway, I googled a close friend today. I have known her forever, over 25 years, and I have seen how hard she has worked to succeed. I am very proud of all her accomplishments--the doctorate, the happy marriage, the beautiful children.

Mainly what I was looking for was her website. She recently opened a psychology practice and I wanted to see how easy it was to find.

I can happily report that the website is supremely easy to find and contains all the attributes it needs to help her be successful.

But there was a surprise, there among the search results. You see, what I discovered is that my friend shares a name with a musician. But not just any musician, she shares her name with one who glorifies in being deranged.

How strange that a search brings up my friend the psychologist who is set on a course of helping people maintain their sanity, mixed in with an musical artist by the same name who is intent on crazying up the world.

Tsk, tsk, tsk. Someone, somewhere, must be playing a joke! A quixotic, daft joke. How else could such a thing be explained, it surely could not be a mere coincidence?

I'm glad my friend has a good sense of humor. She is going to need it when she opens her office door to find herself bombarded by delirious fans expecting a lunatic musician to provide them all with autographs!

What do they mean?

What do they mean "all information is kept confidential"?
What do they mean "we are required by the Federal government to report racial and ethnic data on all employees"?
What do they mean "we do not discriminate"?
What do they mean "all employees must self-identify race and ethnicity"?
What do they mean "if not marked an observer will determine race and ethnicity"?

If the information demanded of the employees is not for discriminatory or sharing purposes, what do they mean to do with it?

Public art?

Art comes in many shapes, sizes, and mediums and can vary so much that at times it may be overlooked.

Take for example the public art I have been fortunate to pass every day on my block for about 3 years now. Art that I will admit, in my ignorance, that I almost did not recognize as art.

At first I barely noticed it. I thought it was simply a stop-gap measure, a way for the utility company to hold up a weakening pole until a new one could be put in its place.

After all, I had seen similar structures in other parts of the city. Tall giant Xs, looming over the population, keeping electrical wires safely out of roads and walkways. All very similar to the one on my block, all temporary.

My first clue that I had overlooked something special was time. It was only after the poles remained in place over 2 years that the truth began to dawn on me. These were not utilitarian poles, they had another purpose!

Further study strengthened my belief. An abundance of creativity and thought had gone into placing these poles. They simply oozed art.

To begin with, much time and hard work had gone into balancing the poles very precisely, creating the impression of shoes on feet. If you look at just the lower part of the poles, the image of a giant strolling along is clear. The artist must have thought a long time to come up with just the right angle to achieve such a pleasing aspect.

The impression of humaness is furthered by the lovely bowtie the creative genius provided. Just think of the hours of practice required to tie such a knot! What skill! What dexterity!

Yes, it is a thing of beauty. Beauty I can enjoy every day for free.