Not Feelin' The Booty Love

One of the things I used to love with the passion of a hot, wet kiss was visiting the vendor displays at a conference. Not that I actually gave any of them a hot, wet kiss but as I was filling my bag with fabulous booty like free pens and mini candy bars, I felt the equivalent excitement. I used to take the crammed bags home and my kids would spread out the little note pads and squeezable advertising toys and divvy them up. Whatever they didn't want, I took to school to use or to give away to students for prizes.

The last few years. Yeah. Not so much. This year, I wandered through the exhibits picking up various and sundry giveaways but the love was not there. I didn't feel like giving anyone a kiss, hot and wet or dry and closed mouth. And then there was that annoying vendor. You know the one I mean. There's always one. Most speak to you pleasantly, they may even ask if you have any questions or do you want to sign up for a prize? But then there's the one. The one who is annoying, clingy or even downright abrasive. I was leery when I saw that he was wearing a train conductor uniform. Even more when I saw he offered a reading program where he would come to your school to advertise some books he had written which I had never heard of and probably weren't worth the paper they were printed on. But then, as I smiled pleasantly and attempted to walk on by, he stepped in front of me. "Can I tell you about my reading program?" "No,thanks", I said as I attempted to step around him. Instantly, he became annoyed. "What? Don't you have reading programs at your school?" "Um, yes, but..." "Don't you read to your students?" "Well, yes, but..." "Well, maybe you should hear about my program!"

I am woman. Hear me roar. I have looked a Mexican man selling blankets in Tijuana in the eye and said "NO THANK YOU". I was through being polite. I looked him in the eye. I said firmly "I don't think so. Thanks anyway." And I quickly stepped around him and made a quick getaway.

Hey, I'm a professional. I needed to touch base with my book fair rep and I was interested in a poster machine at another exhibit. But, in reality? What gave me the power to literally push him out of the way? I noticed a vendor had a big basket of Ghiradelli chocolates on their table. And they were going fast.

Now that's some worthwhile booty.

On the other hand, I did have fun making a design with my booty for a picture. Oh. That sounds kind of dirty.

But you know what I mean.

Bright Lights; Big City

Hi! I made it to the big city. No bright lights yet, but I'm sure they will be turnin' em on soon! Two things. First I'm going to cut my fingernails down to the quick if I DON'T STOP MAKING MISTAKES ON THIS FRACKIN LAPTOP KEYBOARD. AUGH And, second, I am such a TOTAL geek. I have pictures of everything for y'all! That up there is the river walk. I drove down there in the afternoon to take some pictures for you and I HAD TO PAY $3 TO PARK just so I could get some pictures for you. Do you love me yet? Well, you better. That's one of the bridges over the Ohio River, connecting Kentucky to Indiana.

I thought about having dinner here but I don't think I want to come back to this area at night. I bet it has a whole different aura, if ya know what I mean. I think I'll stick to room service. I'll try to have lunch somewhere interesting tomorrow to keep ya'll entertained.

Here's a fountain and a rather interesting sculpture just stickin' out of the water. Guess you have to be an artist to appreciate it.

Another interesting sculpture down by the river.

My tired and hot feet really appreciated the cool water in the fountain. Yeah, I probably looked like a hillbilly. What's your point?

And here's a view of the Louisville skyline from the river.

And here's the view from my window. I have some pictures of my room and other fun stuff, but I have to save something for tomorrow! I know you are excited and just can't wait. I'm excited too, but I'm tired and I need a hot bubble bath and a cookie. And my pajamas. And some room service I'm going to EAT IN MY BED WHILE I WATCH A MOVIE.

I am in heaven. Seriously.

A Weekend Getaway

No, not to Puerto Vallarta, you silly goose! That's not until October and vacation brain will be kicking in very soon. I was actually much more obsessed when I first scheduled the trip but I'm sure the excitement will begin building soon.


I'm talking about a weekend getaway this weekend to (cue the drum roll) Louisville, KY. What? Hey, it may not be New Yawk or some tropical paradise but I'm staying in a nice hotel, I get to order room service and in-room movies and I don't have to think about keeping anyone happy but me. I can get up when I want, eat what I want and do what I want when I want to do it. So how is that different from my life now? Well...I guess it's not that different. But room service!!


I'm going to the KLA/KSMA annual conference (librarians one and all) that I normally go to every year about this time. Sometimes I present a session but this year, I'm just going to attend sessions and that is SO much easier. I'll never forget the time I agreed to review books and movies and had to cart boxes and boxes of stuff around with me. That was no fun. This may be the last conference I go to - since next year is my last year of work, I'm not sure I'll attend the conference. But I may. I do enjoy the hotel room and the room service but I do actually go to a lot of sessions and get great ideas from librarians who are much younger and much more energetic than me.


Almost 20 years as a library media specialist in an elementary school. When I started teaching, there were no cell phones, cordless phones, DVD players, laptop computers (VERY few people even had computers in their homes), ipods, the Internet was not in common use and wireless devices were just an idea in some scientist's brain. I had the first computer in our school, hooked up to a little modem. It took forever to get on the Internet and there wasn't really much on there for students to use. I was the first librarian in our county to set up a web page for my library. I was in charge of our video conferencing classroom, where we linked up one time with some astronauts at NASA.I was on the cutting edge of technology. Now, there are young librarians who far surpass me in their knowledge of technology. It's amazing to think of all the changes that have happened in my field in the last 20 years.


But you know what?


On the first day of school, I read aloud to a group of students who sighed with contentment as they settled down for a story.


On my last day of work, I will read aloud to a group of students who will sigh with contentment as they settle down for a story.


Some things never change. The good things.



I'll update you on my trip. I'm sure they will have wireless in my hotel room. I'll blog as I eat my room service dinner. I can't wait.