Unrealistic Expectations About Facebook

Hey, I'm annoyed by Farmville as much as the next girl. I, too, see statuses that make me roll my eyes. I cruise Facebook and judge profiles and pictures like nobody's business.

But come on, now. It's Facebook.

I feel like we can sometimes get "righteously indignant" about the things people put on Facebook. "Why would they post a status like that? No one cares." "They can't take good pictures at all; look at how blurry!" "What kind of pointless group did they join now?"

Which is funny, because after all, it's Facebook.

Think about the "point" of Facebook. Staying connected and knowing what everybody else is doing. Am I right? If someone's bothering you that much, unfriend them. I mean, what are you expecting on here anyway? Everyone to post statuses that are as witty and/or intellectual as yours?

Sure, I get annoyed with people on Facebook. But no one's twisting my arm to look at those pictures. No one made me click "accept" on the friend request. No one made me even get Facebook in the first place.

So this is a reminder to me to back off a little. To not be so judgmental. To not invest time in overanalyzing people "as seen on Facebook."

It's not life or death. It's just Facebook. Hm...sounds like a good t-shirt.

Thanks; You're a Peach

So yesterday I was checking a patron's books out at the circulation desk in the library, and the small talk was going well. I mean, I've definitely improved in my small talk skills at the library. You kind of have to, for those moments when the computer is slow, you have to check out 57 books, or you can't figure out one of those really complicated CD cases.

So I was joking or laughing or chatting or whatever - good chemistry with the patron, ya know. And then while I'm saying something, she reaches over and drops some money into the donation jar we have.

Did I just get a tip?

I gave her the receipt, said bye, she left...and then I just had to laugh at the second of awkwardness.

It's funny how we have that donation jar right there and I never really know what to do when people put money in it. Saying "thank you" seems strange. I mean, it's not like it's for me personally. Usually I just pretend nothing happened. I'm probably overthinking this. Am I overthinking this?

If you're wondering why we have a donation jar, um, we're a library. Pretty much the one thing everybody knows about the library these days is that apparently they're going to die an agonizing death. And, of course, everyone likes to bring that up with me in social situations.

"So, you work at the library? They're not doing too well, are they? What are you going to do next?"

Ugh. Listen, libraries will be around forever, if I have anything to say about it.

Here, just enjoy my winning smile and drop some money in here, will ya?

Good Mornin'!

Feeling kind of uninspired today.

So instead of reading some post about chocolate, libraries, or Neville...

Click here and play a game and give to the hungry at the same time.

Click here and find a new recipe to try.

Click here and watch a great song from Singin' in the Rain.

You're welcome.

It Made Sense in My Head

I realized something driving down the road the other day.

I realized that I talk to objects when I want something from them.

Sometimes aloud, sometimes under my breath, sometimes in my head.

In the radio's case, it was out loud.

"Please, play a good song now! I'm almost home!"

Because I was alone in the car, this wasn't weird. But now I've just told you this. Is it weird now?

Other things I sometimes try to reason with are microwaves, computers, printers, and cookies. Cookies can be very persuasive...

I usually have a conversation in my head with the computer when it's slow and I'm standing in front of a patron who's waiting.

Me: Come on, go faster. Someone's standing here and I don't have anything else to say! I already commented on the weather AND the books she's checking out. Work, already!

Computer: Heh, heh, heh.

So far, it's hard to tell if my words work with inanimate objects. My plant, Neville, seems to rejoice in ignoring my soothing words by dropping leaves on my desk out of spite. Whatever, Neville. You'll never wear me down.

Hand it Over

Asking for and then receiving someone's library card shouldn't be complicated. Unfortunately, it is.

Here I have helpfully divided library patrons into the 5 library card categories.

1. The Ever-Ready Freddies: If the library card isn't already sitting on top of their piles of books, it's halfway out of their wallets. This is the library, for goodness sakes. Who wouldn't have their card out? It's like having your Bibles out at church or your crayons out at preschool.

2. The Blank-Eyed Bunch: What? A library card? What's that? Do I have one? Where is it? Why would I need a library card in a library? Confused rambling accompanied by frantic searching and child frisking. "Well, Mommy doesn't have it, Tyler, so cough it up!"

3. Switcheroo: These patrons try to give me their debit card, their student ID card, their gym membership card...everything but the one I need. Smart remarks usually follow this exchange. "I guess THAT won't do you any good! Heh, heh."

4. Fear of Commitment: They have their library cards. I can see them clutched in their hands. But for whatever reason, they will not relinquish them until I ask. Maybe they think that eventually I won't ask.

5. The Tossers: This category is 95% children. Not yet able to see over the counter, their only option is to heave up the card with a grunt, followed by Dora the Explorer or Thomas the Tank Engine. I have reserved the 5%, though, for the occasional patron who thinks it's fun to flip the card in the air or slide it on the counter.

It's just a library card. But in some hands, it's anything from a unidentified object to a dangerous weapon. Whatever. Just hand it over.

All I Do is Dream of You

I've seen some pretty out-there books that attempt to dissect your dreams and tell you exactly what they mean. Those are a little too weird for me, but I do believe that you dream about things you want, fear, worry about...

So what do you dream about? Do you have recurring dreams? Can you wake yourself up from a bad dream? Do you ever have to convince yourself that you're dreaming?

Since I'm a worrier, my bad dreams mostly involve being unprepared or forgetting something or getting lost. I'll dream that I'm suddenly going on a trip and am running around randomly packing small things like hair elastics.

Or, when I was in school, I'd dream that I was late for class. Or lost on the way to class. Or in class realizing that I didn't do the assignment.

So apparently that's what I fear the most - not knowing what I'm doing. Good to know. Now I can work on being more prepared...

Have you ever dreamed that you had a fight with someone, then you have to stop and think for a minute when you see him/her the next day? Okay, wait. I did NOT have a fight with this coworker. We did not have a screaming battle at the circulation desk in front of patrons. Whew. Am I sure...YES. I'm sure.

I hate waking up from a really good dream. Like those dreams I have where I find all these clothes in my closet that I didn't know I had, but I really like.

So apparently that's my favorite thing - new outfits. Wait, what? Maybe I'm just sick of my clothes now...

Would you keep a dream journal? Personally, I think they're kind of pointless. The only reason I try to remember dreams is to share the weird ones. Have you ever told someone your dream in a group of people, and suddenly everyone is sharing their strangest dreams? Try it sometime. No one can resist trying to top your dream.

Well, this was kind of a rambling post. Thanks for sticking with me this far. As a reward, here's a video for you to watch. Makes me smile every time.

Water, Water, Everywhere and Way Too Much to Drink

Some observations I have made about water, which I am trying to drink more of:

1. It does not taste very exciting. Have you ever thought you were going to drink water but it was really Sprite? This is the opposite. I keep hoping it will taste better and it never does.

2. My plant, Neville, also drinks it. When I remember to give it to him.

3. It doesn't taste better if I drink it out of my big yellow cup that I just bought at Target specifically for the purpose of drinking water. And it's even called a "tumbler," not a cup.

4. It isn't a huge problem when (not if) I spill it on myself because hey, it's just water. So...that's good.

5. My skin isn't glowing yet because of it, but I'll keep you informed

6. Isn't there some disease where you become repulsed by water? I think I have that now.

7. Drinking lots of water doesn't make me stop craving more meaningful things like chocolate. Wow, I really want to eat chocolate. I know! I'll drink a huge tumblerful of water instead! Yum, that really hits the spot. I could do this all day! Not.

8. Sometimes I forget to drink it for a few hours, then feel like I have to chug it. That feels like not exercising for a few days, then attempting to run a marathon.

9. Drinking green tea can count as drinking water, since I don't add sugar. It's just water and a green teabag. However, drinking sugarless green tea is like drinking blended grass. Is this really what I've become? My only options are a big yellow "tumbler" of cold water or a mug of liquid plant matter?

10. This post is making me thirsty. Great, all this water and I'm still dehydrated.


Is this glass half-full or half-empty? Who really cares?