"Do you have Crucial Conversations?"
And we said,
"Yes! We're having one right now."
But apparently it's a book.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween
Last week a patron came up to us at the desk and asked,
"Do you have Crucial Conversations?"
And we said,
"Yes! We're having one right now."
But apparently it's a book.
"Do you have Crucial Conversations?"
And we said,
"Yes! We're having one right now."
But apparently it's a book.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Hear no evil
Warning: this post is not suitable for young children or the easily scandalized.
Another disaster narrowly averted today at the library:
Patron: Do you have a book of penus?
Me: [long pause while eyeing the patron closely] Sorry, which book?
Patron: You know, like sharlie brown and penus?
Me: Oh! With the comics in the book?
Patron: Yes.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
It can't have been a week...
It is! It has been a week since I posted last! Oh remorse!
Soo sorry, I will try to get some good posts lined up for the coming week.
In the meantime, cruise lolcats for some funnies and I'll have a post up before you know it!
http://icanhascheezburger.com/
Soo sorry, I will try to get some good posts lined up for the coming week.
In the meantime, cruise lolcats for some funnies and I'll have a post up before you know it!
http://icanhascheezburger.com/
Friday, October 10, 2008
Maybe I don't get enough to eat?
Sometimes when I'm at work, I fantasize about what I might do if I wasn't at work.
(Note, I just gave my boss my blog address today, so this really is a bad subject to start with, but she knows that I'm just kidding and when I'm at work I'm ridiculously happy and would never dream of anything non-work-related)
So like I said, I fantasize about what I might do if I was at home. And lately it has all revolved around cooking. And I know: I could cook when I'm not at work! I could, you're right. But I just don't. But everybody fantasizes about what they'd do when they finally get some "time," or to quote a fabulous quotable, "that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do."
So, to totally miss the point and continue with what I was saying, if I had the time, I would make this:
And this!:
And the casseroles, oh how I would make the casseroles!!
Instead, I live vicariously through others and subscribe to several delectable food blogs. It's fantastic! They have amazing photos of the completed recipe, but also step-by-step photos to add interest and make the whole process of cooking look like a fabulously enjoyable and almost therapeutic experience.
I even went so far as to make one, one day. This is what I was trying to make:
As we have so much zucchini in our gardens lately (I know, that's a lie, I didn't plant any either), I'm eager for zucchini recipes. I laid my laptop on the counter and started boiling and grating and mixing to my heart's content. Except that I didn't follow the recipe exactly. And maybe I put in a little too much chili pepper. And sort of did a crazy thing with the parsley that I won't explain out of embarrassment. And I didn't have any Parmesan so I used mozzarella. But anyway, my husband liked it.
Here's a list of food blogs that I subscribe to, and I'd love to hear if anyone has any recommendations for me:
http://veganyumyum.com/
http://vegeyum.wordpress.com/
http://fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com/
http://smittenkitchen.com/
http://thewellseasonedcook.blogspot.com/
(Note, I just gave my boss my blog address today, so this really is a bad subject to start with, but she knows that I'm just kidding and when I'm at work I'm ridiculously happy and would never dream of anything non-work-related)
So like I said, I fantasize about what I might do if I was at home. And lately it has all revolved around cooking. And I know: I could cook when I'm not at work! I could, you're right. But I just don't. But everybody fantasizes about what they'd do when they finally get some "time," or to quote a fabulous quotable, "that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do."
So, to totally miss the point and continue with what I was saying, if I had the time, I would make this:
And this!:
And the casseroles, oh how I would make the casseroles!!
Instead, I live vicariously through others and subscribe to several delectable food blogs. It's fantastic! They have amazing photos of the completed recipe, but also step-by-step photos to add interest and make the whole process of cooking look like a fabulously enjoyable and almost therapeutic experience.
I even went so far as to make one, one day. This is what I was trying to make:
As we have so much zucchini in our gardens lately (I know, that's a lie, I didn't plant any either), I'm eager for zucchini recipes. I laid my laptop on the counter and started boiling and grating and mixing to my heart's content. Except that I didn't follow the recipe exactly. And maybe I put in a little too much chili pepper. And sort of did a crazy thing with the parsley that I won't explain out of embarrassment. And I didn't have any Parmesan so I used mozzarella. But anyway, my husband liked it.
Here's a list of food blogs that I subscribe to, and I'd love to hear if anyone has any recommendations for me:
http://veganyumyum.com/
http://vegeyum.wordpress.com/
http://fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com/
http://smittenkitchen.com/
http://thewellseasonedcook.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Notable Quote
I follow this fabulous blog, and I couldn't help but include a quote.
She's discussing the upcoming holidays and the marketing frenzy surrounding them.
"It's been interesting listening to editorials about Our Current Economic Crisis, and how what really needs to happen is for Americans to get out there and spend. By being good little consumers, we can save the day, the country, AND THE WORLD.
Except that logic seems wrong to me. I mean, maybe it would help the GNP and the businesses who are making less this year than they're used to, but would it actually help us as individuals? Telling us to run out there and spend money on things we may not need and almost certainly can't afford? Because maybe I don't want to jump onto your Hamster Wheel of Disposable Crap, government. And yes, I'm sure all of our insatiable greed for whatever is newest, best, biggest, and shiniest has helped our economy. Until, you know, we saw the consumer debt amount climb and the bankruptcy and foreclosure rates rise."
I'm not saying this is my opinion about what/how the economy should be or anything. I'm posting it because it makes me feel better about not wanting to spend anything myself.
She's discussing the upcoming holidays and the marketing frenzy surrounding them.
"It's been interesting listening to editorials about Our Current Economic Crisis, and how what really needs to happen is for Americans to get out there and spend. By being good little consumers, we can save the day, the country, AND THE WORLD.
Except that logic seems wrong to me. I mean, maybe it would help the GNP and the businesses who are making less this year than they're used to, but would it actually help us as individuals? Telling us to run out there and spend money on things we may not need and almost certainly can't afford? Because maybe I don't want to jump onto your Hamster Wheel of Disposable Crap, government. And yes, I'm sure all of our insatiable greed for whatever is newest, best, biggest, and shiniest has helped our economy. Until, you know, we saw the consumer debt amount climb and the bankruptcy and foreclosure rates rise."
I'm not saying this is my opinion about what/how the economy should be or anything. I'm posting it because it makes me feel better about not wanting to spend anything myself.
Cheers
My mom has a lot of books saved from over the years. This weekend we found one book on pregnancy from 1965, and Michael noticed this little tidbit:
"Many women ask about cigarettes and alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol is safe in limited quantities; a glass or two of wine at dinner or a cocktail will do no harm. No one knows for sure whether or not tobacco is harmful to the fetus. It has been shown that women who smoke give birth to somewhat smaller babies. In making a decision about tobacco, the mother should also consider her own health and the increased danger, due to smoking, of lung and heart disease."
Funnily enough, my mom had a newer edition of the same book that was published in 1979. So we looked up the same section in the newer book, thinking that it would surely be updated with better information. This is what we found:
"Alcohol is perfectly safe in small quantities. Recent research suggests dangers to the fetus from heavy drinking. An occasional glass or two of wine, or a cocktail, will do no harm. Smoking should be avoided. It is not known whether smoking actually harms the fetus, but women who smoke often give birth to smaller babies. There is also evidence that babies whose mothers smoke have more respiratory diseases in early infancy."
Of course, today we have the benefit of years of research and study. And everyone knows that smoking and alcohol during pregnancy are no-nos. But I was wondering just how much more we know now beyond "respiratory diseases in early infancy." So I looked a couple of things up.
Smoking can lead to such things as an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy (these pregnancies must be aborted), increased risk of developing placental complications, increased risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, and severe vaginal bleeding. Also seriously slow fetal growth, low birth weight, and increased risk of preterm delivery (by about 30 percent). It also increases the likelihood of certain birth defects, including a cleft lip and/or cleft palate.
"Babies who weigh less than 5 1/2 pounds at birth face an increased risk of serious health problems during the newborn period, chronic disabilities (such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and learning problems), and even death. Babies of mothers who smoke are twice as likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as babies of nonsmokers. Children who are exposed to cigarette smoke before birth also may be at increased risk of lasting problems, including asthma, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems."
What about the harmless cocktail each evening?
Current research has shown that drinking increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. As little as one drink a day can raise the odds for low birth weight and raise your child's risk for problems with learning, speech, attention span, language, and hyperactivity.
"The most severe result of alcohol use is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), a lifelong condition characterized by poor growth (in the womb, after birth, or both), abnormal facial features, and damage to the central nervous system. Babies with FAS may also have abnormally small heads and brains, as well as heart, spine, and other anatomical defects. The central nervous system damage may include mental retardation, delays in physical development, vision and hearing problems, and a variety of behavioral problems. Frequent drinking greatly increases the risk that your baby will suffer from FAS. But babies whose moms drink less can also develop this syndrome. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fetal exposure to alcohol is one of the main preventable causes of birth defects and developmental problems in this country."
Sometimes it's hard to argue that ignorance is bliss.
"Many women ask about cigarettes and alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol is safe in limited quantities; a glass or two of wine at dinner or a cocktail will do no harm. No one knows for sure whether or not tobacco is harmful to the fetus. It has been shown that women who smoke give birth to somewhat smaller babies. In making a decision about tobacco, the mother should also consider her own health and the increased danger, due to smoking, of lung and heart disease."
Funnily enough, my mom had a newer edition of the same book that was published in 1979. So we looked up the same section in the newer book, thinking that it would surely be updated with better information. This is what we found:
"Alcohol is perfectly safe in small quantities. Recent research suggests dangers to the fetus from heavy drinking. An occasional glass or two of wine, or a cocktail, will do no harm. Smoking should be avoided. It is not known whether smoking actually harms the fetus, but women who smoke often give birth to smaller babies. There is also evidence that babies whose mothers smoke have more respiratory diseases in early infancy."
Of course, today we have the benefit of years of research and study. And everyone knows that smoking and alcohol during pregnancy are no-nos. But I was wondering just how much more we know now beyond "respiratory diseases in early infancy." So I looked a couple of things up.
Smoking can lead to such things as an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy (these pregnancies must be aborted), increased risk of developing placental complications, increased risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, and severe vaginal bleeding. Also seriously slow fetal growth, low birth weight, and increased risk of preterm delivery (by about 30 percent). It also increases the likelihood of certain birth defects, including a cleft lip and/or cleft palate.
"Babies who weigh less than 5 1/2 pounds at birth face an increased risk of serious health problems during the newborn period, chronic disabilities (such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and learning problems), and even death. Babies of mothers who smoke are twice as likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as babies of nonsmokers. Children who are exposed to cigarette smoke before birth also may be at increased risk of lasting problems, including asthma, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems."
What about the harmless cocktail each evening?
Current research has shown that drinking increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. As little as one drink a day can raise the odds for low birth weight and raise your child's risk for problems with learning, speech, attention span, language, and hyperactivity.
"The most severe result of alcohol use is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), a lifelong condition characterized by poor growth (in the womb, after birth, or both), abnormal facial features, and damage to the central nervous system. Babies with FAS may also have abnormally small heads and brains, as well as heart, spine, and other anatomical defects. The central nervous system damage may include mental retardation, delays in physical development, vision and hearing problems, and a variety of behavioral problems. Frequent drinking greatly increases the risk that your baby will suffer from FAS. But babies whose moms drink less can also develop this syndrome. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fetal exposure to alcohol is one of the main preventable causes of birth defects and developmental problems in this country."
Sometimes it's hard to argue that ignorance is bliss.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Happy October!
I have been waiting impatiently for the first day of October so that I could post this incredibly cute Halloween finger food photo.
I saw it on the cover of one of the magazines while I was at work, and the entire issue has Halloween-themed foods. Love it. It makes me want to throw a finger-food party on Halloween. Almost.
Mmm monster toes, nom nom nom.
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