Semi caffinated ramblings

[mizarchivist]

I've had a lot in my head, but not necessarily been writing stuff down, so let's see how this goes. This is a post driven by the notion that I've not posted in a while. 

Work-

The boulder continues to gather speed as it plunges down the hill. We are at a tipping point.

• Since we've worked so hard on our online presence, we've seen more use and more name recognition.
• Our leadership has shifted to be more interested in building revenue for the library (instead of our building- which was historically always the way it was),
• Which means we can consider more staff. We are replacing the current out-going part time archivist with a new person since current holder is pregnant and taking the stay at home with her 2 girls path. Despite doing 2 second interviews, no idea who the new hire will be. Exciting!
• Being more visible means more people know that we may be interested in XYZ records that inquiring agent has to offer. Much of it we take, but we're also dealing with how to say no.

My own ongoing challenge of reintegration is within reason. The staff dynamic of where do I fit in, what is the actual hierarchy has been complicated, but I've had the presence of mind to express my unease with the librarian (my supervisor), so... mischief mostly managed.

Baby-
He's great! 

Right now, he's over at Rock Star's house hanging out. rintrahroars keeps teasing me with these awesome pictures of how the morning is going (stupid work!)
He spends a lot of time with mzkero and her most excellent hellions. Daddy-quiet_elegance is still accosting shrubberies looking for a day job, so there has been a ton of time with Dad. entrope 's enthusiasm on his occasional day on baby patrol is hugely gratifying, and of course Auntie asciikitty is a regular, particularly on Wednesday afternoons. 
Everyone feels their kid is something special, but it's crazy-awesome to have so many people wholly enthused to spend time with my baby. He's had a cold the past week and rightfully yells his head off when we suction out the gunk from his nose, but even so, still a happy boy. There's a lot of flirting and laughing, flailing, and in new environments: intense observation. Last night's trip to Red Bones involved so. much. staring. 
Mind you, since writing this, apparently QE has had a horrible afternoon of screaming baby and no idea what's wrong. Sigh. Life is complicated. 

Union-
QE has the potential of teaching cabinet making, so that makes five total since he has double options on OSHA and history. When he is full time (not if), they'll also help pay for his masters if he wants it. Still no hard offer on a new day time gig, so it's a bit frustrating and nerve-wracking. But! Baby time! 
Art-
There is some of that, although not as much as I'd like. I got to give an introduction to my own brand of polymer clay crafting for entrope's girls this week as part of our barter agreement. I want to do some more watercolored photo mats. I prepped my last remaining frames, I just need to decide what goes in them. I may also need more frames, as I have about half a dozen undesignated paintings at the moment.
I am participating in Arisia's art show this year, but with almost no new content. I have a lot of backlog that will just have to do. I may do some more glass ball ornament decorations since I sold all but one Hellboy last season and have no Abe Sapiens at all. I do have at least 2 Cthulhus, though. I have the week off between Xmas and NYE, so there's a chance I can make something happen there. 
Upcoming Holiday stuff-
My parents will be here for several days. lifecollage is very graciously hosting them for part of the time, as we simply can't manage multiple overnight guests gracefully. I'm going to attempt to make a token effort to find presents for the under-18 crowd who are already on my list. Getting my brain around not doing presents for everyone I'd like to engift is one of my bigger brain weasels at the moment, but at least today it doesn' t have the upper hand. 

Comments

[42itous.livejournal.com]

:) Looks like Rock Star is a good babysitter!

My quick brainstorm of presents for the under-18s:
- I Want My Hat Back (ages 2-4)
- Miss Rumphius, by Barbara Cooney (ages 3-5)
- The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, by Dr Seuss (ages 3-5)
- The Prydain Chronicles, by Lloyd Alexander (ages 7-10)
- Phantom Tollbooth (ages 8-10?)
- Calvin & Hobbes (any age, of course)
- Books by Brian Selznick (ages 10-12ish)
- My Side of the Mountain (ages 9-11)
- the Winston Breen books by Eric Berlin (puzzles embedded in a novel, for ages 9-12)
- Tom's Midnight Garden, Phillipa Pierce (age 10 or so)
- The Witch of Blackbird Pond (was my favorite book in fifth grade)
- To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee (age 12 or so)
- Castle Waiting, by Linda Medley (girls ages 13 and up)
- Manhood for Amateurs, by Michael Chabon (boys ages 15 and up) -- though I don't like the cover design for the paperback, I liked the hardcover better.
- Youth in Revolt, by C D Payne (ages 16 and up)

These last few are written for adults, and I don't remember if they have any R-rated material, so I recommend you read them yourself before gifting them to other people's children. ;)
- Half-Broke Horses, by Jeannette Walls
- Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, by Mark Haddon
- Year of Wonders, by Geraldine Brooks

Hmm, it seems that a LOT of my favorite kids' books are for ages 10-12. I hope this is helpful -- if not for this gift-buying season, then as suggestions for Crime Fighter as he grows up. I know you must have a considerable list of your own. :)

[mizarchivist]

Wow, that's a great list- thank you!

I think my kids will understand

[drwex]

They don't get as hyped about presents as some other kids anyway.

Good updates, looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Re: I think my kids will understand

[mizarchivist]

I had a notion of seeing if there was a neat, small thing for each of them when we go to Play Time tomorrow. They're good at offering up a ton of very cool stuff at low cost.

[missdimple.livejournal.com]

Gah! Baby is full of CUTENESS and I have only seen teh cuteness via photos lately. Pwease can we get together w/baby in January? Maybe during that just before NYE time?

[mizarchivist]

Yah! We'll come up with a cunning plan on Monday over lunch XO

[rintrahroars.livejournal.com]

I still have it on my calendar to print things out by Jan. 1 for your frames. Let me know if that's still a go? I need deadlines, woman! :)

Your baby was totally adorable today. Thanks for letting us have him! Could the upset possibly be a sore tummy? He ATE SO MUCH. OMGZ. *grin*

[mizarchivist]

Maybe a sore tummy- exotic new food?
He survived the babysitting multitasking and decided sleep was only acceptable after getting home and having a huge meal. Ooooof.

[trouble841.livejournal.com]

Wow, he looks like his mama in this picture!!

[mizarchivist]

Methinks I'll have a brown eyed boy when it's all said n' done :)

[trouble841.livejournal.com]

I think you just might. :) L's eyes are really, really dark - and he was born that way. It was fun having the only dark-eyed newborn on my wing at the hospital.

[buxom-bey.livejournal.com]

We are also paring back on the gift giving this year; no cookies or fudge for friends and family's doing a secret Santa for the adults so we each only have to buy one gift. Have you ever noticed that sentences typed with one hand get really long?

[mizarchivist]

Yeah, I did notice :)

iTunes cards...

[taura-g.livejournal.com]

My nieces and nephews have pretty much all requested iTunes gift cards I haven't checked yet this year but last year I found multipacks of cards in 5-10 amounts at Stop & Shop of all places.