Moving...(Technically moved)

I've switched to Wordpress for the time being. I wanted to test out the platform, so I could recommend it to others.

Join me at http://ontarianlibrarian.wordpress.com/

bad weather + bad drivers = ?

Accidents? Sure. Brushing off the car? Perhaps. A very wet Jess. Most definately.

The weather here is decidedly crappy today. While I enjoy the warmer temps (yay spring jacket!), I do not enjoy the combination of poor plowing on the part of the city of London and too much rain. Combine that with people in their cars who fail to slow down in the midst of puddles and you get a sopping wet version of me. I'm sure if I asked the nice people in their warm cars, they would say it was my fault for being on the sidewalks. Oh well...I'm warm now. Coffee+warm cookies = ??? That's right. Happy Jess.

See...I knew this was a bad idea...

Now I'm staring at my page, wondering what to blog about, reviewing my average day, and avoiding the work I need to do for class tomorrow. It's times like these when I remember how great being a student could be, despite my countless hours of complaining whilst living said life. There is something quite glorious about being able to show up to class, wearing whatever (*note: whatever for me usually means jeans and a tank top [plus sweater in the winter]), drinking/eating whatever, and coasting into a seat prepared to ummmm "learn." Now, reality tells me that I must show up to class wearing something professional (*note: dress pants, tank top, and sweater, with fun shoes). I probably shouldn't be eating (I've tried...it's messy), and I really shouldn't sit while teaching (I've also tried...it's weird). This does not mean that I don't like my job. It just means that some days I miss the delightful laziness of being a student. I see them...sitting there with their sleepy eyes, staring at me as I blather on about some writing topic, and, for a split second, I want to trade places. Then I remember, being graded isn't so fun, doing homework isn't exactly awesome, and I went to school to have the "big girl" job I have now.

Tis but a moment of weakness I suppose. Human nature if you will. Grass always looks greener, right? Now, on to matters of true importance. What song will I play to start class tomorrow? Back to prep.

Backstreet's back, alright?

So....apparently it has been awhile since I last blogged. The lingering insanity of 2007 has me hesitant to blog again, but with the OLA approaching and my presentation on blogging looming I am reminded that I, too, once used to blog with somewhat regularity.

Why did I stop blogging? Time, simply put. Apparently even though I'm only scheduled to teach 12 (formerly 10) hours a week, marking and prep takes far longer than I ever could have imagined. Am I complaining? Probably, but I really must insist that I love my job, even though it's not exactly what I went to school for. Sometimes life hands us surprises, nice ones. Other times, they're giant piles of ummm...lemons? As I've said before, when life throws you lemons, throw them at other people. I only enjoy lemonade in the summer. Even then, I prefer tea. Anyone wishing I had stayed away from blogging yet?

This is all to say that I promise to write with far more regularity, especially since I will soon be delving back into blogging research to prep for the conference. If anyone has read and interesting articles on blogging lately, could you please send them along?

In other news, I'm currently downloading In Rainbows. That's right...I'm branching out beyond the usual Top 40 mix that currently fills my hip hop/trendy cravings for booty-shaking tunes. Although, I feel creepily trendy still, listening to something that how many millions have already listened to/will listen to with great frequency? *sigh* One day I will develop a music taste all my own.

I need to go clothes shopping!

In the past two weeks, I have managed to convince myself that I can wear jeans all the time so long as I'm wearing a cardigan. I think I have some terrible logic going on there. For all of the harping I do about professional communication and dressing professionally, I really haven't been practicing what I preach so loudly.

*sigh*

Time to suck it up and make a trip to the mall.

Dress for the job you want, right?

Here we go again...

The Scotiabank Giller released the longlist today. Thank you Scotiabank for telling us what merits truly great literature because we can't decide on our own. Anyone feel obligated to read these books now?

People, people everywhere and not a moment to spare

I've often wondered why people who are inherently anti-social creatures enter into the library program. We've all heard the stereotype of the librarian as a quiet, introverted, bun/beard-wearing (hopefully not at the same time, but, if so, okay...) person. By nature I would say that I'm freakishly social, by which I mean I LOVE being around people. I can have a completely packed social calendar for the week, and I'm 100% happy. I rarely need time alone to "recharge," and find myself fueled by others. Sometimes, I think that's why the library (and lately teaching) has been a good fit for my personality. Not a day goes by where you can avoid talking to people and dealing with their various issues, be it a coworker or client. I love listening to what people have to say (for the most part), and helping find the information they're looking for. Although being "on" all the time in the classroom can be exhausting, it's fun to be talking to people all the time and I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the attention just a bit (only-child syndrome, perhaps).

That being said, being alone can be a little more interesting...I often don't quite know what to do with myself (despite the ever-present need to clean/grade/prep/sleep). With the impending absence of television in my life, how will I fill the void of time? Dare I read more? Take up a new hobby? Actually blog? Spend MORE time on Facebook? I don't think it's possible...

Anyone want to hangout tonight? ;)

P.S. I would like to add to Michelle's various bus rants, stating that if you think not being able to get a seat is bad, try regularly seeing your students on the bus and grappling with the "do I talk to them, or do i ignore them?" issue...and then, then when you decide that perhaps it's best to leave them be, have them come up to you looking moderately hurt and commenting on your frequent iPod usage on the bus. I would take not getting a seat to have a taste of sweet, sweet anonymity...