Step 63: Have a Literacy Filled Weekend

All this excitement happened last weekend, and I've needed all week to recover before I could write about it. On Saturday, September 20, the day started with children's stories and ended with drunken librarians and authors. ;)

Now, I don't know if the librarians from my new work went home and got drunk themselves, but they certainly deserved it after pulling off such a huge (and pretty successful) early literacy fair called BOUNCE at the Carmel Clay Public Library. They had at least 500 kids and parents going from one fun station to another, making crafts, singing songs, and listening to stories. I helped man a few of these stations, and even got to dress up as Pete the Cat. The kids loved getting hugs and high-fives from some of their favorite book characters.

After BOUNCE, I could have continued to be Pete the Cat--people came to the Indianapolis Literary Pub Crawl dressed up as all kinds of different book characters--but it's really hard to walk in those costumes, and while it's called a "crawl," I didn't think you were actually supposed to drag yourself along. Plus, the people attending this event were of a more mature nature, so a children's book character might not have been the best choice. So I ditched the costume and just enjoyed the themed drinks and the conversations. Inebriated librarians and book nerds are very fun to talk to. And Mike Mullin, author of the Ashfall three-and-a-halfology was there. He's always very interesting to listen to. Anyone who participated in the crawl got a signed copy of the first book in his series.

So my question to you: What's your favorite book? I know, for some that's like asking a mother who her favorite child is. For me, I have to break it down into categories. Harry Potter is my favorite main stream series, Cirque Du Freak is my favorite lesser known series (though I'm happy to say it's gotten more popular over the years), Ashfall is my favorite local series, How to Train Your Dragon is my favorite children's series, The Fault in Our Stars is my favorite local stand alone book, and either The Last Dog on Earth or Full Tilt are my favorite stand alone books.

And my challenge to you: Give a children's picture book a read. I've been picking out one a night and have found quite a few that I enjoy. I Know a Bear almost made me cry!

Step 62: Organize Your New Desk

Look! I've got my very own desk! I've never worked someplace where I've had my own desk before. You'll see that Olivar's picture is proudly displayed. I've already had several co-workers call him out on his weight. :) But it's ok because a lot of the librarians in the Children's and Youth Services Department at Carmel Clay Public Library are animal lovers.

I think I'm going to like this new job. Not that I ever go into a job thinking I'm not going to enjoy the work (I'm of the mindset that it's better to take a job that you're interested in over a job that pays more, so I've always applied for positions I think I'll like), but everyone here has been so welcoming and helpful. And it's a position that will keep me close to books while continuing to make a difference in my community.

So my question to you: What's the scariest thing about starting a new job? Surprisingly for this job, it was what to wear! I'm so used to throwing on work jeans and a t-shirt that finding a nice big girl outfit was a real stressor!
And my challenge to you: Put something funny/cute on your desk at work--it's a great way to get conversations started. :)

Step 61: Take a Hiatus from any Sort of Organized Routine

Wow. So, it's been just short of a month since my last blog post--on ANY of my blog pages. Clearly I had my priorities straight this August. :P

Seriously, though. It's important to go on those impromptu lunches with your great aunt from out of state. Hosting a Damsels in Defense Party is vital, because everyone needs to be safe when they leave their homes for the adult world. Pulling together a couple of friends last minute to go to a Goo Goo Dolls and Daughtry concert that your dad managed to snag free tickets for is fun. Making sure your mom's caught up on the greatest kids movies from last year is a must for both of your's sanity. Getting a new job is exciting with just a hint of terror. Going to your five year class reunion is--well, it's supposed to be fun, but you'll probably just end up spending the whole evening with the same people you've been talking to since you graduated high school. Drinking wine while alternating between episodes of Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Futurama makes for a good night. It's considerate to work extra hours when your place of employment is short staff. It's also considerate to drive your neighbor's kids to daycare when she has to work. Celebrating your grandma's Birthday with massages is supposed to be relaxing, but it's actually sort of painful. Meeting your lil' sis from college to watch the best Marvel superhero movie to-date will probably be your best movie choice of the summer. Finishing up The Legend of Korra with your cartoon-watching-buddy is both up-lifting (Yeah, Bolin!) and depressing (pull yourself together, Korra!). Sending your cousin off to college makes your feel old. And seeing Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press--need I say more?

The point of that huge paragraph (and congrats if you actually read the whole thing, because I almost didn't finish writing it!) is that you need to take time to be with your family and your friends and have crazy adventures and relaxing evenings. You can't enjoy life if you're always stuck in front of a computer screen.

So, my question to you: What was something you did this past month?
And my challenge to you: Do something impromptu--I promise, it'll be worth it!