"One only understands the things that one tames," said the fox. "Men have no more time to understand anything. They buy things all ready made at the shops. But there is no shop anywhere where one can buy friendship, and so men have no friends any more. If you want a friend, tame me . . ."
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

(sigh...) It's been a rough day.

What does it take to be a "Lipstick" Librarian?

Do you have what it takes to look glamorous while searching the card catalog? Can you mend a book without breaking a nail? Can you make whip up a MARC record without batting an eyelash? Take this quiz and find out! And if you still can't figure out what a true Lipstick Librarian is, read some history and pick up some beauty tips while you're at it! But maybe you are not a Lipstick Librarian? Maybe you are a shimmying Bellydancing Librarian? Or even a Laughing Librarian? Whatever kind of librarian you happen to be, wear it proudly. Just remember, you are the reference diva, the information goddess!

You are

What Rejected Crayon Are You?

Tim, won't you PULEEASE take me to the crayola factory?!? I'll be your best friend!

I just finished reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. (Don't worry, I won't give anything away!) I must say though, that J.K Rowling has done it again - creating another masterpiece. What a well crafted story! It is packed full of emotion - love, hate, sadness, joy, expectancy, fear, and hope. I positively can't wait for her next one!

On Procrastination

Thesis papers suck. In fact, writing papers for the purpose of a grade sucks.

On Procrastination
Originally uploaded by peachicken.

This image was taken 2 years ago while I was writing my undergrad thesis - Herblore in Shakespeare - at Milligan. I was grouchy then, and I am grouchy now. I have to write this paper, or rather "a think-piece," on the challenges of a special librarian. ACK. Right now, I can think of a million other things I would rather do... like read the new Harry Potter, watch a movie, call a friend, daydream, paint my nails, play fetch with my cat, taunt my little brother, read a magazine, go into the city, email someone, (I am still stalling...) edit pictures on Paint Shop, go shopping, even cook something! Well, now I am feeling guilty because this will be a permanate reminder of my procrastination, so I'll go procrastinate elsewhere!

HP6 - Midnight Magic!

Hedwig & Suzy
Originally uploaded by peachicken.

As the whole world knows, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince went on sale at midnight last night - we were there to witness the event. Tim and I jumped on the Hogwart's Express and went to the Barnes & Noble at Union Square in NYC (this same B&N hosted the Tori Amos booksigning in March - ahh yeah). Talk about marketing a book, B&N went all out for this one - and the event was completely free!

When you first walked in, you were immediately greeted by the Gryffindor portrait of "The Fat Lady" asking you for passwords, giving you access to four floors of fun. Broomsticks hung from the ceiling and the air was thick with magic. Thousands of kids dressed up like Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, Gryffindors and Slytherins, all lined up for their chance to get an early peek at the new book. There were countless activities to keep the kids' attention until the midnight countdown (I was one of those kids!). On the second floor, in "Diagon Alley" we got our faces painted, made wands at Ollivander's Wand Shop, and drank potions (punch with pop rocks) from the Apothecary. On the third floor, "Hogwarts," we visited the Mess Hall for some refreshments and stopped by Divination class.

But the highlight of our visit was in the "Dark Forest" on the fourth floor. We stood amidst hundreds of other fans awaiting the arrival of Jim Dale, narrator of the Potter audio books. To me, Dale is the true voice of Harry Potter (and every other character!). He has won countless awards for his work with the Potter series, including a Tony Award for creating 134 distinct voices for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. He read favorite excerpts from his most memorable characters, such as Dobby, Mrs. Weasley, and Professor Sprout (bubotuber puss). At the end of the night, he also read an excerpt from the new book. What an amazing night!

As a librarian, the thing that struck me most about last night was the sheer amount and enthusiasm from kids of all ages waiting to read a book. That to me, is inspiring and convinces me that not all is lost! I know some people have serious problems with material that the Potter book addresses, but I'll save that for another post. (Food for Thought - moral ambiguity as a writers' tool to inspire reader involvement. Chew on that!)

Momma & Daddy

Momma & Daddy
Originally uploaded by peachicken.

Happy Anniversary, you two!

Gardening Minds

Anne Hathaway's Roses
Originally uploaded by peachicken.

I love gardening. One really interesting thing I have been thinking about with this class I am taking - Children's Literature and the Moral Imagination - is how raising or teaching children is very like gardening. A master gardener must make choices - decisions about what kind of environment to create. Small factors in that created environment can have a dramatic effect on the health and appearance of the flower. Too little sunlight makes a flower stringy... Too shallow earth makes for poor roots... And this translates to people, too. As children grow up, you can help develop their sense of morality and cultivate their nature by providing certain kinds of nutrients and sunlight to their souls. These factors are important to developing a healthy moral imagination. (And no, Mom. This post does NOT mean I am ready for parenting yet!)

You Are 58% American

Most times you are proud to be an American. Though sometimes the good ole US of A makes you cringe Still, you know there's no place better suited to be your home. You love your freedom and no one's going to take it away from you!

How American Are You?

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social conditions; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Rainy Days

Rainy Day
Originally uploaded by peachicken.

Sometimes rain is so appropriate. I am sitting here thinking about the rain outside (and feeling better - yes thanks!) and thinking about rain in general. After feeling sorry for myself about getting caught in it and having wet limp hair, I made a conscious choice to not be so shallow about it and think about the greater implications! Like how, after most every great catastrophe or tragedy, it always seems to rain. Doesn't that seem strange and almost poetic? Maybe it is cathartic - like a washing away of mankind's pain and sorrow? Or is it that life moves on like the cycles of water? It seems almost like a Flannery O'Connor novel or a biblical narrative with a flood and a rainbow promise. Regardless of what the rain symbolizes, when it is over it leaves you feeling clean and refreshed - like you can make it through another day. So, to my friends and fellow travelers in London - I hope today it is raining where you are!

The Woes of Being Ill...

Woe, being sick sucks. For the past 3 days I have had the most evil flu. When I get sick, it is NOT pretty. The usual pale lily hue I have inherited turns ghostly - no, ghastly - white and I become Suzy of "the Living Dead." My issues have ranged from having a fever of 102, throwing up an entire days' contents, having the aches and pains of a marathon runner, a swollen lymph node on my neck that looks like a freakin' goiter, and roller-coaster emotions. At my illness peak, I could possibly be compared to the likes of a wailing banshee. Ha! You think I jest - ask my husband.