Wednesday, August 31, 2005

One disgusted proto-librarian

Just had a prime example of patron-silliness:

So, this guy comes up to the desk and wants a book which is on reserve for his Speech Com 500 class. I ask for the call number, which is the way everything in this library is arranged. And most libraries. Go figure. He says that he could "just about" point to it from here and that it has a white cover. Well, why didn't he just say so? I'll just get it from our "white cover" area and just...no. I insist on a call number and direct him to the computers, telling him to click on "find reserves," choose his class, and get the call number for the book that he wants to check out.

He goes over to the computers, stares at them for a moment, then comes right back, saying that he can't figure out where to find the list. 'Cause he really tried hard and all that. I walk over with him to the computers, point to the "find reserves" button, and direct him to choose his class (he looks for his instructor instead, but that's a valid choice and I won't knock him for that), and click on "search." He then proceeds to wildly click on all the titles that are displayed, possibly because they all appear to have white covers. In his head, anyway. I gently guide him back to the listing and ask him if he sees the title of the book which he is looking for.

We find it (ah, togetherness) and he notes with a bit of glee that the call number is really close to the one he gave me initially. Well, yes, except for the multiple-character string following the first bit. I politely say that it is true, but that we need the entire call number to find the item. We walk back to the desk and I retrieve the book for him, as he reminds me that it's the one with the white cover. Yes, mister-arranges-his-books-by-color, I remember. And yes, the book is white, although it would more accurately be described as being cream-colored.

And the kicker? He's a GRAD STUDENT. Apparently one of those special grad students that has never needed to find anything in the library catalog before. Or on a shelf. Bah.

Monday, August 29, 2005

Eeeee!!!!!!!

I think we could all use a dose of Kittens. In. Sinks!.

It is so sweet I think I got a cavity from viewing it. Ah...my day is so much better now.

Monday, August 15, 2005

I swear I just saw some of my relatives....

This is one of the best. Movies. Ever!

BestMovieEver

(warning, big file)

Hee! Brings back the heady summer Nebraska days of my youth. Or at least the ones people seem to think I experienced (I grew up in a city, but it was still Nebraska...). Anyone wanna Coors?

Friday, August 05, 2005

Fugly dog

Whoa. I don't think that even Shea an Kathleen would have adopted this dog. Yikes!

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Chez Shea is on!!!!

I received this email from my friend Shea today:

And the Lord did appeareth to Shea, and spoke unto him, saying, "My daughters have been wandering in the desert without food, and they are full of sorrow". But Shea's heart was full of jet lag, and he said "What do you want me to do about it?" And God did smote Shea about the head and shoulders, thereby curing his dandruff. And then God did smote Shea again, and he cried out, and said "Ow, stop hitting me, I'll make dinner." And the Lord did stop hitting Shea, and Chez Shea was scheduled for 7:00 on Sunday August 7th.
It's good to have friends that like to cook.

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Things I did last week

A simple list, because I'm too lazy (or perhaps even too busy) to write a complete entry.

  • Went to the Champaign County Fair, for the first time ever (I've lived here a total of 6+ years)
  • Ate a corn dog (an original Pronto Pup!) and shared a funnel cake
  • Rode a really fun ride, which we finally figured out was called the Terminator, not the Terwilleger, or whatever.
  • Threw up. Twice. A true red-neck experience, according to my companions, who were great about it.
  • Ate a snow cone to settle my stomach and replenish all the water I had lost from being sick and sweaty.
  • Hid out from the heat the next day at Shea and Kathleen's house (they were in Scotland, the bastards) and left my poor kitties to fend for themselves by hiding in the closets and other cool places.
  • Ate very, very little, since I was still queasy from the Fair experience. I'm guessing that not only was I sick from stomach-churning rides (three of them), I probably had a touch of heat-exhaustion as well.
  • Did lots and lots of laundry, since I had access to a free washer and dryer. Have I ever talked about how weird it is to have to hoard quarters to do laundry in your own house?
  • Tried to figure out their Tivo and failed. Miserably. I ended up watching a program on sharks that I Could. Not. Escape. From. But at least I didn't erase any of their programs. I hope.

I think that's most things. Glad I got that off my chest. :-)