tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155305092009-05-27T19:32:25.187-07:00This is not a blog about govdocs librarianship. It is a blog about a govdocs librarian.Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.comBlogger1907125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-13951360944663730292009-05-27T19:24:00.000-07:002009-05-27T19:32:25.213-07:002009-05-27T19:32:25.213-07:00i've dragged it out for quite a while, but it's finally time to pull the plug on this fun space of mine.  perhaps one day i'll decide to start a new blog, but right now i just don't have the time or the inclination.  thanks to all who've read, commented, etc...if you want to keep up with me in a different venue there's always <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolinaterp">flickr</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/vdglenn">twitter</a>. <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-1395136094466373029?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-64373151152872974242009-05-04T16:17:00.000-07:002009-05-04T16:26:03.093-07:002009-05-04T16:26:03.093-07:00i'm going to try really hard not to b*tch too much in this post - because I'm not truly feeling angry at the moment. but i have to get something off my chest, and this is the best place to do it for now.<div><br /></div><div>lately i've been feeling very down about my current place of employment, the town it's located in, and even my job. today is monday, and it took a while to get out of bed this morning - definitely didn't want to come to work. </div><div><br /></div><div>and then...an email was sent, that recognized me and my library, and highlighted some 'unique' things that i do to serve the public and selective depositories. and it felt really good! i got congrats from colleagues, etc., etc. just what i needed today - a bit of an ego boost. my immediate supervisor sent the announcement to the libraries' list, and i got more congrats. </div><div><br /></div><div>my peeve: have i heard one word from my dean? the only comment he made (not to me) is that he wondered how much this has to do with the fact that our name starts with the letter 'a.' no recognition that anything i do might be of interest to the greater community, and appreciated by them. no recognition of any good work that i might be doing. nothing. what a jackass...</div><div><br /></div><div>(currently all faculty have the opportunity to evaluate our dean. i finally filled mine out today...)</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-6437315115287297424?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-48729391078387504022009-04-14T20:25:00.000-07:002009-04-14T20:56:27.091-07:002009-04-14T20:56:27.091-07:00just dropping in to say 'hey' and see what's up.  work and more work is keeping me busy; i've started doing the editor thing (oh, my, what a learning experience this is going to be!), and as one committee (discovery interface stuff) is wrapping up, a new one (search cmte) gets going.  ah, fun.<div><br /></div><div>saturday i leave for DLC in Tampa...I'm going a day early so that I can make sure to see a baseball game. (gotta get another stadium in!)  my roommate isn't coming in until sunday, so i'm trying to be cheap &amp; share a room w/someone else (my friend dan) on saturday.  however...that's starting to take an interesting turn. dan is rooming with steve - and last week when we chatted, he wasn't even sure if steve would be attending.  this morning (early!) he calls me &amp; says, not only is steve coming, he's bringing his partner frank.  so...there is a distinct possibility that i could be sharing a room (one night only) with 3 men, 2 gay...all older than my dad.  awesome.</div><div><br /></div><div>i'm sure you're totally surprised to hear that i'm not excited about this meeting.  i'm just tired of hearing some of the same discussions - and i really could do without the time away from work right now.  ah well...perhaps i'll manage to relax for a bit. </div><div><br /></div><div>not sure if i'll post while in Tampa - guess you'll have to wait and see!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-4872939107838750402?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-29606220369562326002009-03-30T08:36:00.000-07:002009-03-30T08:56:11.888-07:002009-03-30T08:56:11.888-07:00hey there, i know i've been horrible about posting...and i expect that to continue.  (i keep thinking about shutting this down...but that would take effort. and for some reason this is still a 'safe' space for me, so i'll probably keep it up for a bit longer.<div><br /></div><div>anyway.  the terps are in the ncaa tournament!  a #10 seed in the west...playing cal in the first round on thursday.  so you know where i'll be?  my home for the tournament...buffalo wild wings. woo.</div><div><br /></div><div>what else is going on?  hmm.  my softball team is 0-3, with 2 games left.  so, we're not making the playoffs. but we scored 10 runs last game!  not bad, not bad.</div><div><br /></div><div>and oh! the other day i was offered the chance to move my office at the end of the semester!  i'm pretty sure i'm going to do it - it'll be in an area that's not open to the public - but i have to think about the pros and cons.  mostly what it'll mean for my staff.  i have to make a decision by the end of the week...so i guess i'll be telling my staff when we get back from spring break. woo.</div><div><br /></div><div>that's all for now; perhaps i'll have more later this week, since i'm technically off.  we shall see..</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-8358186445247018748?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-11187753139406982512009-03-05T20:08:00.000-08:002009-03-05T20:59:05.399-08:002009-03-05T20:59:05.399-08:00tonight was our second softball game, our second loss, and the second game that was ended early because of the slaughter rule.  (final score? 15-2. we doubled our run total from the last game, tho...that's something, right?)<div><br /></div><div>today's randomness:</div><div>- we're working on an alternate reality game for the library that will incorporate library resources in a 'fun' way.  i'm on the story subgroup - in charge of completing the shell of a story we currently have.  it's a lot of fun! and it's got me writing fiction - something i haven't done in a loooooooong time.  the game is supposed to be launched this fall, so we'll see how it goes.  </div><div>- when i started thinking about the softball thing, i wondered if i'd meet some new people (possibly some cute, eligible bachelors - back when i thought we'd be playing other faculty/staff).  i did not think that one of my own teammates (a female) would be hitting on me.  but i'm starting to wonder about that, based on a few comments/actions/etc.  i know it sounds sad to wonder about this - but i think by now you know exactly how oblivious i can be (especially when it comes to anything dating-related!)  </div><div>- <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolinaterp/tags/ankle/">ankle pictures</a> have been posted. after tonight's game i noticed a LOT more color in certain areas, so those pictures will go up eventually. because i'm weird like that. </div><div><br /></div><div>anyway. i am very glad that tomorrow is friday, even if i do have a ton of stuff to do this weekend.  i'm thinking that i might actually be able to sleep in on sunday...but we'll see if that happens.  for now, i'm off to bed...tomorrow's going to be a long day!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-1118775313940698251?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-11827917352113361492009-02-26T19:07:00.001-08:002009-02-26T20:57:42.251-08:002009-02-26T20:57:42.251-08:00wow, it's been a while since i last posted, hasn't it?  crazy, crazy.  things here are...chugging along?  work is overwhelming because i've overcommitted myself  (you can't imagine me doing that now, can you??), life is...active?  etc. etc.<div><br /></div><div>did i tell you i've been busy organizing a softball team?  well i have. we've got a library team playing intramural softball.  i'm playing 2nd base - which is a bit tough to get used to (my primary position oh-so-long ago was 1st base).  tonight was our first game, and we lost,  11/12-1 (it was by at least ten, that i do know!) also - i injured myself by stopping a ball with my ankle instead of my glove. so now i'm sitting here, typing this with my leg elevated &amp; an ice pack on my ankle.  it's going to be really pretty, i'm sure.</div><div><br /></div><div>what else have i been up to?  boring stuff, for the most part.  working way, way too much...and stressing because of it.  i've been going to the alabama basketball games, which is a lot of fun.  tuesday night's game is the last home game of the season - and it'll be on espn. the football team is supposed to be there at halftime, so the place will be packed for at least the first half!</div><div><br /></div><div>in other news...i'm now re-thinking my decision to move this summer. partly b/c i'm stressed with everything else that i need to do before may; partly b/c of funds; partly b/c it's the lazy thing to do.  but we'll see - i have another month before i have to decide for sure...</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-1182791735211336149?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-85076713345832271002009-02-08T09:18:00.001-08:002009-02-08T12:23:03.211-08:002009-02-08T12:23:03.211-08:00<div>- should i be disturbed that i can identify (partially) with a  contestant on<a href="http://www.vh1.com/shows/series/rock_of_love_bus_with_bret_michaels/splash.jhtml"> rock of love bus</a>? <br /></div><div>- <a href="http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/his_holiness_the_14th_dalai_la.php">according to RWW</a>, the <a href="http://www.dalailama.com/">Dalai Lama</a> is now on <a href="http://www.twitter.com">twitter</a>. <br /></div><div>- i've just about decided that i'll be moving closer to campus this summer. in the next month or so i'll figure out if i can get a decent space that's within walking distance. i'm really hoping that i can do that - for a variety of reasons.  but we'll see.</div><div>- i'm loving this warm-up in the weather!  yesterday i went for a nice walk around campus; tomorrow the high is supposed to be in the 70's!  woo woo.  </div><div>- aside from that, this weekend has been relatively low-key. i didn't realize that the grammys were tonight until...this morning.  will i watch?  not sure. the terps play ga tech this evening andif that's on tv, i might catch that...</div><div><br /></div><div>that's all for now; have to go to the grocery store so that i have a chance of lunch meals from home this week...</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-8507671334583227100?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-60341424902815016662009-02-03T18:32:00.000-08:002009-02-03T19:24:13.216-08:002009-02-03T19:24:13.216-08:00<div>well hello there!  how was your day?  mine was not too bad.  i think it helps that i'm starting to feel like a productive member of the library workforce again - i really slacked off in december, and a bit in january (before ala).  these days i'm marking things off of my to-do lists (which are always growing!) and feel like i'm really making progress!  woo woo.</div><div><br /></div><div>today's randomness:</div><div><ul><li>there's a <a href="http://www.typealyzer.com/index.php?lang=en">site that will give you the myers-briggs personality type of your blog</a> (based on writing style).  this blog's personality is ESFP - the Performers.  But my work blog's personality is ISTJ - The Duty Fulfillers.  How very apt!</li><li><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/us/politics/04obama.html">tom daschle is out as the nominee</a> for sec of <a href="http://www.hhs.gov">hhs</a>.  it's amazing to me that, knowing he had this issue out there, he didn't deal with it sooner.  i mean, seriously - he's been with obama pretty much from the beginning of his DC career....shouldn't he have been up-front about this?  yeesh. and if he was...did obama assume that the Senate would just roll over?  that would be even worse...<br /></li><li>tomorrow is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Signing_Day">national signing day</a> for college football - so you know there are going to be some highly interested parties around t-town.</li><li>the 2009 regular session of the <a href="http://www.legislature.state.al.us/">alabama legislature</a> convened today - and of course everyone's nervous about the budget.  after hearing the plight of some of my regional colleagues in state libraries...i'm especially glad that i'm a bit insulated from some of the worst cuts.  one thing about higher ed is that it's often shielded from a lot of real-world issues (not to say that there aren't tons of higher ed institutions having to cut budgets like made - just saying that thus far my particular institution has been relatively spared.)</li></ul><div>that's all for now; i'm attempting to bring a bit more order to my apartment this evening, which means going through papers, shredding, and identifying dvds i've never watched (and most likely will never watch.)</div><div><br /></div><div>more later...perhaps!</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-6034142490281501666?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-6319364959086370772009-02-02T20:03:00.000-08:002009-02-02T22:21:22.386-08:002009-02-02T22:21:22.386-08:00i had a great post half-written on saturday...and then i never finished it.  things have been a bit of a blur over the past couple of days - partly because i've been out and about.  while that's kinda nice, it means that my apartment is a bit disorganized at the moment.  bah.<div><br /></div><div>i probably won't be posting much this week - still trying to get stuff done before the MW momentum dies; i'm also trying to get more stuff done at work (revising staff job descriptions - woo! weeding - woo! working with catalogers - woo!)</div><div><br /></div><div>anyway.  i went out &amp; saw some friends this weekend...and listened to music...and watched basketball...and the super bowl.  i've also started thinking about what major league baseball parks i'll be visiting this season...(pitchers and catchers report next week!!)  and so far here's what I'm planning on:</div><div><ul><li><a href="http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/atl/ballpark/index.jsp">turner field</a> (of course. hopefully for the home opener)</li><li><a href="http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/min/ballpark/min_ballpark_history.jsp">the metrodome</a> (it's the final season for twins' baseball in this venue!)</li><li><a href="http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/ballpark/index.jsp">wrigley field</a></li><li><a href="http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/cws/ballpark/cws_attractions_map.jsp">u.s. cellular field</a></li><li><a href="http://nationals.mlb.com/was/ballpark/index.jsp">nationals park</a></li><li><a href="http://http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/tb/ballpark/index.jsp">tropicana field</a></li></ul><div>I'm also thinking about heading to milwaukee just ahead of my chicago visit - but we'll see.  i also may have time for weekend trips to cincinnati and st. louis...</div><div><br /></div><div>of course i'm also trying to save for a 2010 trip to prague.  so the baseball trips might be limited...we shall see!</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-631936495908637077?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-29597101639016897462009-01-27T17:06:00.000-08:002009-01-27T19:03:31.292-08:002009-01-27T19:03:31.292-08:00i have to say, this was the most enjoyable ALA conference i've been to in quite some time. i laughed, i wasn't too stressed, and got to visit with a few colleagues (and meet some new ones!)<div><br /></div><div>and now i'm back.  i've got a ton of stuff to do for godort - i'm now officially co-lead editor of dttp, starting with the fall issue of this year.  i also am attempting to edit the PPM before the Annual Conference in Chicago...we'll see how that goes.  (and oh - i'm going to be co-chairing an acrl committee next year.  woo...)</div><div><br /></div><div>what did i do in denver? oh, let's see.  i had a minor flirtation - that's always fun.  had someone else (the 'conference cruiser') hit on me - which freaked me out b/c he's older than my dad!  i took some random pictures - they'll be up on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolinaterp">flickr</a> soon enough.  mostly, i went to meetings and got to catch up with people.  the dinners were great - and of course i roomed w/amy, which is always fun.  still need to plan my trip to minnesota this summer to catch a twins' game at the metrodome before the new stadium opens...(yes, it's almost baseball season!)</div><div><br /></div><div>anyway...tomorrow i'm headed back to work. am i excited about that? not really. but it's a short week, and i should be able to get things done.  so for now, i'm going to concentrate on downloading some music to get me through.  'night.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-2959710163901689746?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-57447778924091023762009-01-20T07:30:00.000-08:002009-01-20T11:05:10.076-08:002009-01-20T11:05:10.076-08:00<div>we now have a new POTUS - and a new look for <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/">whitehouse.gov</a>!  being the dork that i am, it was one of the first things I did when I got back to my computer after watching the ceremony.  i've already added the white house blog's rss feed to my reader. =)</div><div><br /></div><div>last night i went out for darts night at egan's.  first time i'd been there...it was quite fun.  but apparently b/c i was new, and female, i couldn't exactly fade into the wall like usual.  i ran into a guy i'd met friday night (super nice; i think we're going on a double-date when i get back from denver. he doesn't own a computer!  wow.); and then later this german guy i'd met a few weeks back starts saying outrageous things (example: 'so are you leaving to go have sex w/--?')  <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>anyway. quite interesting.  the question of the day is definitely: 'can i date someone who doesn't own a computer?'  answer: not sure.  we'll see.</div><div><br /></div><div>here's some tuesday randomness for you (in case the above info wasn't random enough!):</div><div>- <a href="http://fuckyeahryangosling.tumblr.com/">this site</a> makes me laugh. and really, it's not a hardship to look at photos of ryan gosling!</div><div>- have you seen the <a href="http://jezebel.com/5134376/4-obama-to-be-sworn-in-as-president-of-legoland">legoland model of the inauguration</a> site?  wow.</div><div><br /></div><div>that's all for now; hope you're having a great day!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-5744777892409102376?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-87029324149378594572009-01-18T20:34:00.000-08:002009-01-18T21:00:18.319-08:002009-01-18T21:00:18.319-08:00two weeks from today, the arizona cardinals will be playing the pittsburgh steelers in <a href="http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/43">super bowl 43</a>. i'm glad that the cardinals won, but i have to say i wish they were playing the ravens instead.  ah well.  <div><br /></div><div>how's your week been?  mine's been ok. i have tomorrow off, but i'm planning to head to panera to do a bit of research.  (hopefully it'll be nice like last time and i'll be able to concentrate!)  i think i might expand the scope of my research project - but first i need to finish the first part of it (that also happens to be the part which re-creates research done 8 years ago...)</div><div><br /></div><div>let's see, let's see.  thursday i leave for denver, and ala midwinter.  i've got quite a bit to do before then - i'm not thrilled about going, but it will be nice to see some friends, and get away from here for a bit.  </div><div><br /></div><div>are you excited about the inauguration?  i can't even imagine what it's like to be in/near DC right now...we're of course going to have it broadcast on the library tv on tuesday.  i'm wondering how many profs will cancel class so that they can view it live...</div><div><br /></div><div>oh, and we've hired an asst dean for public services!  won't be starting until after spring break, but still!  everyone's excited about the change...particularly after the sh*t that happened this past week.</div><div><br /></div><div>that's all for now; perhaps there'll be some panera-blogging tomorrow for your enjoyment!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-8702932414937859457?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-7191447470349455512009-01-13T21:21:00.000-08:002009-01-13T22:23:57.034-08:002009-01-13T22:23:57.034-08:00this week has been ok - definitely better than last.  today i was feeling pretty good about things - making progress, checking things off of the to-do list, planning for the time after midwinter...and then i got an email that really made me go wtf?<div><br /></div><div>at mpow, we all know (or should know) that we'll have times of peace, and times where our particular area comes under the microscope of the powers that be.  and yet, i'm always surprised when it's my turn.  today apparently was my day.  i think i'm most surprised b/c the questions concern a project that i began as a way to free up space - which has been the primary focus of my job since i started nearly 2 years ago (yes, it's been nearly 2 years! wow.)  and it's all about cataloging - basically, why we need to do it, particularly if everything's accessible electronically.  my snarky response is: "well, everything's not available electronically, and you don't want me to participate in digitization activities, so our stuff will never be."  i'm still working on the diplomatic response - while acknowledging that i cannot say that everything in my collection has been shown to be incredibly useful.  bah.  </div><div><br /></div><div>i bring this up because, well, i actually felt some tension creep into my shoulders/neck once i read the email.  now, maybe this'll be the kick in the pants i need to start doing stuff again - regain focus, if you will.  what it's done for me tonight is effectively distract me so that can't get anything done.  bah.</div><div><br /></div><div>anyway.  here's some tuesday randomness:</div><div>- i watched part of american idol tonight.  that show...i'm not sure how long i'll be watching.  tonight was kinda painful - i switched back and forth between the tennessee/kentucky basketball game quite a bit.  </div><div>- bret michaels is searching for love yet again - and this season, the girls are touring with him!  yes, it's <a href="http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/rock_of_love_bus_with_bret_michaels/series.jhtml">rock of love bus</a> on vh-1.  these girls seem to be  blonder and bustier than the previous seasons - and there's definitely a lot of drama. (only 2 episodes so far, and i already have a fave, as well as a couple of not-so-faves.)</div><div>- did you know that the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/househub">House</a> and the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/senatehub">Senate</a> now have YouTube channels?  well they do.  we'll see what happens here - i'm glad that MoCs are trying to reach out to their constituents (theoretically) but i do wonder why they selected a commercial entity to host their videos. Think they knew about alternatives to YouTube?</div><div><br /></div><div>that's all for now; hope you're having a good week!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-719144747034945551?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-10437295215639427222009-01-11T18:58:00.000-08:002009-01-11T20:14:38.232-08:002009-01-11T20:14:38.232-08:00it's sunday already!  that's a shame...last week was not a good one for me, and i feel like i haven't had enough time this weekend to figure out what i need to do in the time before i leave for denver (ie, the next week and a half.)<div><br /></div><div>what's been  going on with me? oh, let's see.</div><div><br /></div><div>- i think the earliest i got home during the last workweek was after 7 - the other days i either worked late, or stayed out late.  which probably contributed to my bad attitude.  but anyway.</div><div>- i got a new computer!  i'm typing this on an asus eee pc - it's a 10" netbook, which is quite small.  i'm still getting used to the keyboard...</div><div>- the new computer should allow me to set up my ipod touch.  i'm currently adding music to my itunes on my ibook...b/c my netbook doesn't have a cd drive.  i don't really want to move from a mac to a pc, but i have to for now...</div><div>- i am having lots of fun going to the 'bama men's basketball games - <a href="http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20090111/NEWS/901110283/1011?Title=Tide_wins_conference_opener">they played lsu today and won</a>!  of course they didn't play consistently...they always seem to make it more exciting than it needs to be.  next game isn't until the 21st....we'll see how they do in their next two games on the road.</div><div>- i have more than 2000 pictures on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolinaterp/">flickr</a>!  still have a lot of counties to visit, but i added a few more photos today.  </div><div><br /></div><div>randomness:</div><div>- did you hear about the couple who <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090111/ap_on_fe_st/odd_taco_bell_wedding">got married at taco bell</a>? could you imagine if you walked in to the place &amp; saw a woman in a hot pink gown getting married?  would you even notice, if they were sitting in a booth with a guy in a t-shirt marrying them?  hmm.</div><div>- <a href="http://www.hayescarll.com">hayes carll</a> is coming to t-town next month!  with the drive-by truckers. but i'm more excited to see him.  </div><div>- tim tebow has <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/11/AR2009011101184.html">decided to return</a> for his senior season at florida.  aren't we all thrilled by this?  personally, i'm wondering what he'll do this summer to top last summer's activities...i'm tired of hearing about him circumcising babies...</div><div><br /></div><div>that's all for now. hope that your monday goes well - and mine does too!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-1043729521563942722?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-3352101262851189712009-01-06T19:28:00.000-08:002009-01-06T20:42:53.135-08:002009-01-06T20:42:53.135-08:00hey there. how's your week going? mine...not so well. part of it's my own fault - i happen to care too much about an entire organization, not just my little piece of it. (aka, same old, same old.)<br /><br />at least tomorrow's wednesday - i'm already looking forward to the weekend. i'm apparently going to <a href="http://www.alabamasymphony.org/">the symphony</a> with babs. that should be fun - haven't been to a symphony since i lived with crispy. babs and i have both been having rough weeks thus far - hopefully by saturday we'll be a bit more cheerful. at the very least, we should both have new computers! i ordered a <a href="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp;jsessionid=RQCEQQVG1MPBVKC4D3FVAGI?skuId=9050171&amp;type=product&amp;id=1218012530030">netbook today - an asus eee pc</a>. it should be here by saturday...which means i'll have some time to play with it before i go off to denver for midwinter. (yes, it'll be different than my mac - how different, i don't yet know. will probably be buying a macbook at some point in the next few months, but i'm intrigued by the netbook phenomenon.)<br /><br />and, in case you weren't aware - the 111th congress convened today! i managed to catch some of the new senators being sworn in on cspan this morning...and i found it interesting how many i could name (without help from announcers or words on screen). still not sure if that's a good or bad thing...i guess it just is. =)<br /><br />i've been thinking about this space lately, and what to do/not do with it. i haven't decided anything...but since i've been posting a bit more than i have for the last few months, i have no plans to delete it. stay tuned...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-335210126285118971?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-2111701023326693242009-01-04T15:28:00.000-08:002009-01-04T15:58:01.140-08:002009-01-04T15:58:01.140-08:00the game yesterday was a lot of fun - i think the fact that bama was playing an acc team helped, but there was more energy in the arena. this'll never be a basketball school - especially if this team doesn't play more consistently - but i was pleasantly surprised by the crowd (once they finally arrived, that is.)<br /><br />i haven't really made any resolutions for this year. i should, probably - one that i've been toying with is "dress more professionally at work" (ie, stop wearing jeans so much!); but we'll see. i'm hoping that i'll be able to improve my physical and emotional health this year - in fact, i've taken one step forward toward that goal &amp; scheduled an appointment with a therapist. we'll see how that goes...i'm a bit nervous, but i think it's necessary. there are just some things i need help with - and can't do it on my own. so, we'll see.<br /><br />tomorrow i go back to work for the first time in 2 weeks. i'm actually looking forward to getting back to work - just not sure about the GO-ing back to work. there's a lot of crap happening this week, and i'm willing to bet that's going to bring about a fair amount of drama. hopefully i'll be able to get some stuff done...but we'll see.<br /><br />that's all for now; can't say for sure how often i'll post in the new year. guess we'll have to wait and see!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-211170102332669324?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-44671938020118767612009-01-03T10:34:00.000-08:002009-01-03T10:53:24.025-08:002009-01-03T10:53:24.025-08:00so 2009 is finally here. are you excited? depressed? not really caring that we're almost out of the aught's? i'm not sure how i feel, to be honest. right now the days are just...days. perhaps because i haven't had to work in 2 weeks? hmm...<br /><br />my christmas was very nice, although i'm appalled that it's taken me 32 years to figure out that my family doesn't really care about buying gifts that people might actually like. (this year my uncle flat-out said: "i don't really care if you don't like it, you're going to take it anyway." lovely.)<br /><br />but that, paired with my brother's admission that 'i just went and bought random stuff' got me to thinking - and really, i've been doing similar things for years. especially for my dad - he's always tough to buy for because he never says that he needs or wants anything. but i do it with my brother, too - books i think he might like, music to broaden his horizons, etc. really, quite sad...<br /><br />and then when i opened my gifts, and basically got stuff that people decided to buy, not necessarily with me in mind...well that just says it all right there. =) so, i have already started a box of stuff to give to the thrift store in the next few weeks. because someone out there will like these things way more than i.<br /><br />what did i receive for christmas this year? oh, let's see:<br />- gift cards (ikea, best buy, target, braves.com - for tix, concessions, and more!)<br />- candles. at least 15 in varying shapes, sizes, and scents<br />- socks. not the kind you go out in - unless you count the halloween-themed pair<br />- 4 longaberger baskets. 2 are already packed away...with many others that i don't usually put out or have room for<br />- 2 page-a-day calendars - neither of which are really 'me' - so i exchanged them at bn.<br />- a weather radio (yes, after living in alabama for 2 years i finally have one!)<br />- an ipod touch (which doesn't work with my computer! still figuring out what to do about that...)<br />- lotions and body wash - to ensure that i continue to smell good. =)<br />- a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Accoutrements-Librarian-Deluxe-Action-Figure/dp/B000CIO524">librarian action figure</a>. bah.<br /><br />that's all i can remember - isn't that sad? guess i should've posted this before everything got put away. alas...<br /><br />oh, and of course we had a code this year! we didn't really start working on it until christmas eve - neither andrew nor myself were really enthused about it. in any case, it was the number of ounces we each weighed at birth. yes, there was math involved. it was NOT pretty.<br /><br />at some point i should try to list all of the codes i can remember - we've been doing this for ~15 years. of course...being able to remember all of the codes may be more of a challenge than actually cracking them!<br /><br />i do realize that this post has been more about christmas than about new year's - but it does kinda fit the theme of 'reflection,' right? i might have more later. for now, i'm heading to campus to watch the 'bama/ga tech men's basketball game.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-4467193802011876761?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-2128908478705590282008-12-19T17:21:00.000-08:002008-12-19T18:51:01.390-08:002008-12-19T18:51:01.390-08:00i have the next two weeks off. tomorrow i leave for MD, and i am not at all ready to go. i've finally started packing, thank goodness - but i'm not really excited about going home. i am, however, excited about leaving this place for a while. and i didn't really care about that, until this afternoon.<br /><br />i cried at work. i HATE crying, and to cry at work, because of work, well...that's just not cool. but something happened that made me mad, and frustrated...and overall pissed off. and really, it's all because i try to focus on my job and not bitch about everything else like some people do. <br /><br />but anyway. am now feeling a bit calmer - granted, i have had a beer. i can't let this place drive me crazy...hey, perhaps that should be one of my new year's resolutions? hah.<br /><br />i'm only going to be home for a few days - arriving tomorrow, leaving friday. it's going to be a whirlwind trip - not only am i going to see tons of family in a short period of time, i'm also taking a day, going to dc and visiting with friends. should be lots of fun! (I'm going to go to the recently re-opened <a href="http://americanhistory.si.edu/">american history museum</a> - woo hoo!)<br /><br />that's all for now - just wanted to touch base &amp; let you know what's up. i'll be sure to post the code (if mom decides to do one this year). since i'm leaving RH the day after Christmas, and will have the entire next week off, i might post more often. or i might not. we'll see!<br /><br />happy holidays to all of you!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-212890847870559028?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-67057808542376057852008-12-12T21:09:00.000-08:002008-12-13T06:07:15.211-08:002008-12-13T06:07:15.211-08:00i actually took today off (i worked on sunday.) tomorrow i'm heading to ATL with babs, then getting back in time for the basketball game vs. texas a&amp;m.<br /><br />to recap last night:<br />- james mcmurtry was fabulous, tho the crowd left a LOT to be desired. ah, tuscaloosa...<br />- i bought the only "i'm a heartless bastard" t-shirt they had. i love this shirt...and want to wear it<br />often. unfortunately it's cold here, and i cannot wear just a short-sleeved shirt.<br />- i ran into my friend sam at the show...and he convinced me to head to egan's afterwards. which led to me not getting home until 3:30. (at least i didn't have to work today - he did!)<br /><br />tonight i'm just hanging out, making candles and working on my christmas cards. the goal is to get all of them mailed/distributed by Monday...i'll let you know how that goes!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-6705780854237605785?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-64055459637050303382008-12-10T20:56:00.000-08:002008-12-10T22:08:13.334-08:002008-12-10T22:08:13.334-08:00wow, i knew it had been a while, but i hadn't realized that it's been almost 2 weeks since i last posted. oops. <br /><br />so what have i been up to? hmm. i guess i've been kinda busy - haven't spent much time at home lately. i'm trying to get out and do stuff on my own - and have been relatively successful at that. of course, sometimes this just means taking myself out to dinner...i've finally gotten to some t-town restaurants that i've been curious about for a year! meh. <br /><br />oh! the iron bowl was fabulous! (tho the aftermath was...a tad bit crazy for me.) and since then, 'bama has lost to the florida gators in the SEC championship game. but...what a season! truly amazing, and lots of fun. one more game - sugar bowl on january 2nd. <br /><br />and i've gotten my basketball tickets! i'm planning on going to the game saturday night...by myself, of course. (unless someone out there wants a free ticket?) this is truly going to test my independence, i think - if only b/c it'll be saturday night rather than saturday afternoon. but ah well - it's college basketball!<br /><br />monday i had a docs meeting in montgomery, where i got to catch up with some folks (and actually try to convince someone that it wasn't totally horrible to work in my library - fun!) when i got back, i went to the west alabama christmas parade - which was fabulous! i had a lot of fun checking out the different parade entrants (I think that anyone can be in the parade as long as they pay the fee - which means you have churches, you have schools, you have random businesses...and lots of people wearing animal costumes.) next year i'm going to try &amp; convince other people to go with me - this year was not successful in that regard.<br /><br />i'm still trying to figure out when to head home for christmas. i'm only going to be there for about a week, and the major decision is whether or not to go to the big family get-together. i'm not really enthused about that right now...but i know i'd get a whole lot of guilt if i missed it. and since i'm single, i really have no excuse...even if i AM driving 14 hours home for the holidays.<br /><br />today's randomness:<br />- Penguin Books and match.com have teamed up for <a href="http://penguin.match.com">Penguin Dating</a>. for some reason i think that would make me even pickier about the online dating thing - perhaps i'm not their target audience? (well, i don't live in the UK - i guess that answers my own question...)<br />- james mcmurtry is coming to tuscaloosa! tomorrow night in fact - a local show at <a href="http://www.chucksfish.com">chuck's fish</a>. i am super excited!!<br />- my friend dan has offered me an extra ticket to the rose bowl. all i have to do is get myself to pasadena for the 1st. unfortunately, all of the flights i can find cost $500+ and I don't want to spend that money. i wonder how long it would take/how much it would cost to drive out there? hmm... [update: i could drive out there if my friends in denton and abq took pity on me and let me crash for 2 evenings. hmm. anybody feel up for a road trip?]<br />- i'm going to ikea on friday. hopefully babs will be accompanying me, but she's not feeling well right now. i need to spend my gift card from last christmas...and i need a coffee table. so, there ya go. if she doesn't accompany me, i might just hit the store, and hit the state capitol for some pics. we'll see... <span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-6405545963705030338?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-8122574437791066642008-11-28T20:09:00.000-08:002008-11-28T20:44:11.865-08:002008-11-28T20:44:11.865-08:00i spent my thanksgiving with my guest, and with friends. i have to say, i was glad to spend some time away from my apt for a while. i shouldn't have people visit me who i don't know very well. most of the visit was great - we went to memphis for the day, etc., but i'm a shy person, and if i don't know you very well, i'm not as likely to speak my mind - i want to keep the peace. <br /><br />so, the visit: it was good! for the most part. i don't really think that we'll be more than friends, but i had a good time and it made me think about a few things. especially the dating patterns that i seem to fall into. (the guys i date seem to be the opposite of the guys i want to date. hmm.)<br /><br />tomorrow's the iron bowl - and i'm going with a colleague i don't know very well. that should be interesting...and the aftermath of the game should be as well. perhaps i'l have more on sunday!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-812257443779106664?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-82966998774536362522008-11-24T21:54:00.000-08:002008-11-24T22:18:31.626-08:002008-11-24T22:18:31.626-08:00there are times when i feel as though the universe is sending me signs. signs of what, i don't necessarily know. or, it could be confusing me just for fun. hmm...<br /><br />i'm going to have a house guest for the next couple of days; it should be very interesting, considering that i'm a person who likes my space - we're going to spending a lot of time in close proximity. that should definitely tell me if it's worth pursuing something more than a friendship.<br /><br />and then...someone i've attempted to engage, and then given up on, keeps popping up - just after i've told myself that there's nothing there. it truly is amazing - and amazingly frustrating. perhaps someone is trying to teach me patience? teach me a lesson in something else? hmm.<br /><br />today's randomness:<br />- i attempted to get work done at panera this morning. i spent tons of time there in denton, and in hoover. but the one here in t-town just...bothers me. i don't know if it's the layout, or the clientele...but it's a bit more difficult to concentrate. and apparently i'm not the only one who feels that way! my boss agrees.<br />- babs has introduced me to the concept of <a href="https://www.getsnuggie.com/">the snuggie</a> - a blanket with sleeves. for some reason, the people pictured wearing them look like part of some cult...<br />- i kinda like the idea of holding a lottery for inauguration tickets, like the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/21/AR2008112103592.html">MD senators are doing</a>. makes it feel less like only the favored people will get to go. sounds like it's going to be a nightmare for folks in DC that week, tho...<br />- i went to a party this weekend, had quite a bit of fun. by the end of the evening, it was me and a bunch of gay men playing rock band. and i got to sing!<br />- i did not get my christmas shopping finished this weekend. i've come to a decision about my dad, and have a couple of ideas for mom, but i have too many other people to buy for. i did manage to buy my christmas cards - so should be able to start writing them this weekend.<br />- my christmas tree is up! yes, it's before thanksgiving. but i had the time and the inclination to put it up yesterday, and finished decorating it this evening. for the first time in a few years i have a tree-topper - an angel - and last night, before i fixed her, she definitely was a bit tipsy. probably should've taken a photo, but ah well.<br /><br />that's all for now! not sure what posting will be like this week - but you can be sure i'll be taking some photos!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-8296699877453636252?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-76387908134336403572008-11-21T19:19:00.000-08:002008-11-21T20:01:12.921-08:002008-11-21T20:01:12.921-08:00i'm so very disappointed that no one wanted me to send them any green marbles, or craft magnets. just think of the things you could do with them! alas.<br /><br />i actually have two days off this weekend! and no football games to go to. tho i still have an extra ticket for the iron bowl...will have to figure that out soon, i guess. what am i going to do with my 'free' time? hmm.<br /><br />i'm having a visitor for a few days this week - still don't know what we'll do, but i'm pretty sure there will be driving involved. this also means that i need to clean my apartment. and make sure i have extra bedding for the sofa. (i'm trying not to freak out about this too much. hah.)<br /><br />yesterday after work i went out for a beer - and 3 hours later, i left. i did make a new friend tho - that was fun. watching jeopardy at the bar...i'm getting better about shouting out answers. and there are a couple of people i feel more comfortable just randomly talking to - which is good. the best part was that i only spent 8 dollars. =)<br /><br />today's randomness:<br />- <a href="http://deadspin.com/5094207/mike-mussina-calls-it-a-career">mike mussina has retired from baseball</a>! i remember when he was drafted by the O's...but now I see that he's turning 40 next month! wow...wow. it's weird, seeing people you followed in 'childhood' retiring...<br />- i've been appointed to another search committee. one of the other members if the person we hired from my last search committee...and who is appalling in terms of professional courtesy, imo. we'll see what happens there... <span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /><br />- it's getting to be christmastime...time for two of my favorite holiday romances! <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314331/">love actually</a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457939/">the holiday</a>. also? a <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104940/">muppet christmas carol</a>. gotta love the muppets. =)<br />- also speaking of christmas: i'm hoping to finish much of my shopping this weekend. we'll see if it happens...part of me wants to put my tree up early so that i can wrap &amp; put presents under it. another part of me wants to wait until my friend comes so that i can have help putting lights on said tree. hmm...<br /><br />that's all for now - happy weekend!<br /></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-7638790813433640357?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15530509.post-48490255344340639042008-11-18T20:02:00.000-08:002008-11-18T20:14:30.384-08:002008-11-18T20:14:30.384-08:00Because I AM trying to de-clutter, I'm going through everything to see if I need to keep it. there are some things i have that i don't think are appropriate for the thrift store, so if you're close to t-town (or willing to pay for postage) i've got a few items to give away.<br /><br />- random colored paper (8 1/2 X 11, white, blue, pink, yellow - pastel)<br />- lots of green glass marbles<br />- craft magnets. two sizes: 1/2 inch in diameter; 3/4 inch in diameter<br />- filler paper, college ruled. almost an entire 200 sheet pack<br />- 81 yards of natural jute<br /><br />either <a href="mailto:%20ladygovdocs@gmail.com">email me</a> or post a comment - if i don't hear from anyone by friday i'll just toss.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15530509-4849025534434063904?l=ladygovdocs.blogspot.com'/></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822540606121745332noreply@blogger.com0