Swivl: The Personal Cameraman

This morning, I got a shipment of almost 20 Swivl Robots into the library to catalog. It's a cool little piece of technology, and I couldn't help but play with it for about an hour. The idea is that you carry a little remote with a microphone and a tracking chip in it, and the robot follows the signal of the chip and "swivls" to follow your movements. It connects to any of your devices-- tablets, smart phones, etc. and records you as you move around the classroom to teach. This a a kind of cool way to integrate technology in the classroom and provides an option for students home sick to keep up with classes. I had fun playing around with it, so I though I may as well share this cool new piece of tech! I've attached a video of Swivl in action... Take a look!

Writing Conference

I want to organize a little writing conference in the library for students, teachers, and even members of the community. This morning, I set out an old Panasonic Electric Typewriter and typed up the date and a prompt, finishing with "Get Writing!" and I'm happy to say that one student, a senior, jumped on it. He sat at the typewriter for over an hour writing various limericks, haikus, and other poems about his classmates and teachers. This inspired me, and as I taped his poems to my counter, I devised a plan. I want to ask local authors and bloggers to come to the library and give some speeches about what it means to be a writer, how to motivate yourself to write, what to write about, that sort of thing and invite students to come hear them talk. Ideally, the talks would inspire students and there would be a little writing session afterwards. I want to hold these "writing parties" as often as students will come, and maybe at the end of the school year even publish a little booklet of their best and favorite pieces of work. Much like a Literary Magazine, but less competitive and organized.
I think this would be a superb way to inspire me to write more often, as I always struggle to find what to write about. It could be beneficial for all involved, and a fun way to get students more involved in the library.

These are not the most high-quality photos (taken with my cell phone) but the moon was absolutely stunning last night. I have recently become completely enchanted by the sky and can never resist to take a picture when I find something beautiful. This results in my phone holding some 700 photos, but I am always willing to delete however many apps I need to in order to keep these pictures.

First Day of School

Yesterday was the first day of school for the high school where I work as a library assistant (though I am typically the only faculty member in the library). I frankly expected the worst, as I suppose you really should for these sorts of things, but it turned out to be a stellar day. Students were much more cordial to me than they had been all last school year, I suspect because this is the start of my second year here, so they know me a little better than they had, and many smiled at me as they walked past the counter where I spend my days. But that's not what made it a great day. What was truly fantastic were a couple of the interactions I had with specific students.
One young student, maybe a 7th or 8th grader, shyly walked into the library during lunch. He seemed nervous to be here, and I got that vibe that he wasn't sure whether he was allowed to come in. So I waved at him and smiled and welcomed him in. I started a conversation about reading, asking whether he liked reading (he does) and what his favorite genre is (fantasy). His bashfulness dissipated almost immediately. He introduced himself as Jacob, and pulled out the book he's currently reading and launched into a fairly detailed evaluation of the book (which was surprisingly articulate and well constructed for his age) and then directly into a story he has been working on for, in his words "Like, my whole life". I casually asked if he wanted to be an author someday, and he turned to me and said very reverently, "It is my big dream". "That's my big dream, too." I told him. We talked all through lunch, sharing our favorite books and telling each other our ideas for future books. It was amazing to have such a real conversation with someone so much younger than I. I've always found it difficult to really connect to what a lot of 7th graders care about, but I feel like I've found a kindred spirit in Jacob. I invited to come back anytime and tell me more about his book and maybe even let me read some, and he promised that he would. I am excited to see Jacob grow up throughout the year, and hope that I get to see him reach 18 or 19. I am fascinated by the way people grow, change, and develop throughout high school  and feel fairly certain that he'll go far.
Before he left for class, I told him that I hoped to read his book someday. I really meant that.

Hairy & MIGHTY

I challenged myself at the beginning of May to go a full month without shaving. It's June now, and I have successfully survived shave-free. I admit, I hated it at first. I felt icky and dirty and somehow fatter than I actually am, which I can find no reason to, but that's how it was. The hair growing back in was fairly painful and ridiculously itchy, but I did survive. After the first 2 weeks, things start to be a little less uncomfortable-- note that I didn't say comfortable, but at least it got better. The hair started growing out pretty long and by the end of the month, it was nice and soft-- silken, even. I went a couple more weeks without shaving my legs until I finally caved and shaved them for a graduation ceremony. My armpits, however, may become a permanent fixture. I find myself more comfortable and please with my underarms with hair down there. I sweat about the same as before, but smell better and feel better about it. The hair seems to protect me from chafing and abnormally sweaty underarms, and I kind of like the look of the fringe too. It's so very natural and chill. It properly exemplifies what  a dirty hippie I actually am. Well, I mean, a dirty hippie who showers frequently and washes clothes. But one that recycles religiously, so good enough.
I guess we'll have to see where this takes me. BUT if I stop showering or something- someone please stop me!

Check it out! Almost 2 months of no shaving

Working out?

Recently, I've started actually doing things... like, outside... Away from the internet. Did you know there's a whole world of stuff to do out there? In the past 3 days, I've gone swimming at the dam, played badminton, tennis, fake-lacrosse (it's that thing with the plastic spoon dealio and you throw the ball and catch it with the spoon thing..) and went to the gym, and walked the dog, and went on a hike, and so much more! And now, I find myself wanting to go out and do something active instead of staying home watching netflix or napping or even reading. I must say, it's really refreshing. I feel like I've been missing out on something big for years now. This summer, now until school starts, I have decided I will try and be outside more often and try even harder to do active things, you know, to prevent myself from getting any fatter.
All fat jokes aside, I actually have really been enjoying the past few days, and I want to do this stuff not to lose weight or get thin or try the latest fad diet, or even find any sort of social acceptance but rather because I find myself enjoying getting bruises and sore muscles and sunburns. I like the feeling of DOING something-- something concrete and measurable as opposed to watching television or marathon napping.
So, I think I'm going to go walk the dog. What're you going to do?

Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not hard being alone. Don’t let them make you feel inferior for being lonely; for missing arms wrapped around you at nighttime. Don’t let anyone act like missing your someone makes you weak. Don’t let them tell you that you have no right to be lonesome. Love is the best reason in the world to feel lonely.