Still here, I guess

If I checked my dashboard I would know the last time I updated this thing, but I'm sure it's been months.  I always feel bad, since when I started out this blog was a nice opportunity to get things online.  Now it's one of those things I don't recall until I get a message from someone asking me if I still do it.

It really has been a very busy year, what with Kristina's marriage, some illnesses and just life in general.  After the wedding the death of our beloved cat, Babie, is the event that we'll remember about 2014.  Still hard to believe that the furry little girl that shared our home for almost fifteen years won't be with us as we get through the holidays.  We're not sure if we want to go through the emotions of getting another housemate right now.  Donna and I go back and forth on the issue, so I'll probably let you know when we make the decision.

We're going to spend some of the holidays with the ladies and some on a short cruise.  Got a deal that was hard to refuse, so we didn't even try.  As the Orange Public Library will be closing from Christmas Eve until January 5th, we will probably get in a few games of Bingo.  Maybe even a trip to one of the casinos, but there are enough places nearby that have the game so taking a few hours to travel to one of the Indian casinos really isn't necessary.

Hard to believe that I'm actually sixty-four now and that next year I'll be officially old!  Let me tell you, there sure have been a few times along the way when I was pretty sure I wasn't going to make it this far, let alone to the age when all the places around here will give you the Senior Discount.  When you live this close to what was once Leisure World (now Laguna Hills), one of the largest 'senior communities' in Orange County hitting 55 or even 60 doesn't get you that special menu at Denny's.

I always promise to write these more often, but I'm not going to do that this time around.  Most of you folks are keeping tabs on me with Facebook, Twitter or Google +, so we're not going to be strangers.

Donna and I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year and a very Happy Festivus, for the rest of us!

Another "I forgot it is here" installment

I'm afraid to even look back to see how long it's been since I last posted here.  I see that in Shot's Shack it was shortly after the last San Diego Comic Con. I normally do both blogs one after the other or within a day or so, this probably means the last PARTING SHOTS around the same time.  Lots of has happened since then, but in a way things remain pretty much the same.

I'm still working at the City of Orange Public Library, here in Orange, CA.  Donna and I are still living in Lake Forest and we're happy knowing that Kristina is happy living in San Diego with Sarah.

At this point I don't know that I have anything to add to the political conversations going on in the country.  I'm disappointed in some of the things that President Obama has done, and disgusted by what the GOP (the political party my father identified with, but never registered with) has become.  It is now home to the most vile folks not hiding under white robes.  Anti-gay/choice/education/science/regulations but pro-gun, so that makes them pretty popular with a certain segment of the population. They are also believers in that gun-toting, friend of the rich, Jesus Christ, so right is on their side.

Once again, just a reminder that if you really want to keep up with me you can find me on Twitter and Facebook.  If I'm not busy with Farmville or #FollowFriday, I might even respond to something you post.

Take care and see you in a few months.

Quickie comments on recent events (Delayed from original posting date.)

Mixed opinions from the Supreme Court this week on a couple of major issues. 

Thumbs down for their decision on the Voting Rights Act, which will provide cover to the Republican legislatures in some states to further block the rights of those who may not vote they way they like (i.e. Democratic/Progressive).  Texas jumped right into it within a few hours and we can expect other states to do the same.  Have to protect their 'majorities', after all.

Much better news for the equal rights of gays & lesbians. Prop 8 is done for and it seems, from polls, that something like that will never be able to get passed here again.  I would not be surprised if some GOP legislators try to get something before the California House, but it wouldn't get far.  Sadly, states will still be able to individually ban gay marriage and not recognize those performed in other states, but the tide is turning
on this issue.

                                 

I admit to mixed feelings regarding the Edwin Snowden affair.  I think most of us knew the government was watching over us, but were a bit surprised by how much they were.  For that we should be grateful that it has become public and perhaps something can be done to curb the practice.  On the other hand, I'm certainly not going to call him a 'hero' as he basically took it on the lamb after spilling the beans.  The places he first went to indicate to me he is going to hand over information to folks not known for their own interest in civil liberties and freedom of speech.

That's it for me for today.

Just some misc. stuff

I hope to finally get around to doing my San Diego Comic-Con report over on Shot's Shack, but just had some non-comics stuff to say.

I have sympathy for my friends & family in Norwich, CT.  I just saw on the news this morning that they have had heavy rains and flooding the past couple of days.  My family had to leave our Bolduc Lane house three times, while I was growing up, due to the Shetucket River overflowing its banks.  I was too young to recall the first time, but old enough the other two times to help my mom pack some stuff.  Once we actually had to be rescued by firemen in a rowboat, since we had hoped to wait for my father to get home from where he had been working. That time my parents had to replace just about eveything due to water damage in our first floor apartment.  Fortunately, I have heard from my nephew Teddy's wife, Autumn, that they are all fine and suffered no damage.

Not so much sympathy, but I also feel bad for my friends in NYC who had been supporters of Carlos Danger...er, I mean Anthony Weiner. Wow! The guy has really doomed himself, at least politically.  He was actually leading in the polls by double digits, but this latest revelation has dropped him by more than that.  I think for his own good and for his family, he should pack it in (no pun) and leave the Mayoral race to other candidates.  Why split the Dem vote when we know the GOP will be shoveling millions into the up-coming campaign?

Yeah, that's what I did on Thursday night of Comic-Con!  Having a few beers before and after certainly didn't hurt.  Silly, perhaps but something I have wanted to do for years.  Donna, Kristina & Sarah convinced me it was time to do it or shut up about it.

Later, folks!!

STACKRIDGE Stackridge 09 Slark

 A song I fell in love with back in the early '70s.  You don't have to be in an altered state to enjoy it either. :-)

San Diego harbor

Just go for it, already!

Let's just go ahead and have the impeachment and get it over with, shall we?  The GOP has been waiting for this moment since January of 2009 and it appears they have enough to get it started.  Will it go anywhere? Probably not, but it will allow them to stir up the base and some independents through November of 2014.  This will let them get that same base motivated to give them control of the Senate and a bigger majority in the House.  Good news for those who want to block and/or undo everything accomplished over the past five years.  I'm sure if they could figure out a way to resurrect Bin Laden, it would make everything perfect.

Personally, I think they might as well impeach Biden and if they are really clever they can take down Hillary.  These Presidential elections never seem to work well for the Republicans, so maybe we should do away with those and allow the new Republican Senate & House choose who gets the Oval Office from now one.  Better to use all that campaign money to get anti-union/anti-women/anti-minority politicians elected in all states so we can keep everyone in the proper place.  Democracy is such a messy process and doesn't seem to always go the way it should.

Be nice if we could replace the White House Christmas tree with a cross we could burn every year, wouldn't it?  See you in re-education camp, comrades!

Thoughts on politcal matters.

I don't really have much to say about anything but the occasional feeling of guilt I have about not posting has got to me today. 

I wonder if you are like me and are getting tired of politics, especially the Washington variety.  I thought, or rather hoped, that the last election would dampen down things and make some folks a bit less strident.  I obviously misjudged how much Obama is really hated by the other side and how they really believe that another two years of blocking everything is going to improve their chances in 2014 and further down the line. Last year I was signed up for a number of newsletters and regular e-mail updates for Democratic & progressive causes.  I unsubscribed from about half following the November results and am dropping more as I receive them.  I know at this point that I am going to be burned out by early next year when Congress gears up for another campaign.

I'm not going to try to predict what the Supreme Court will decide regard DOMA and Prop 8.  I think we can guess that both will be a split along obvious lines, with DOMA probably considered unconstitutional.  Folks much smarter than I am (pretty much the majority of you reading this) seem to feel that the Court will kick Prop 8 back to the state courts, where it was already decided to be against the state constitution.  This won't do anything on the national level but will get Califorinia to where it should be and perhaps nudge a few others to make the right choice.  We'll have to wait and see, while hoping for the best.

Hard to imagine.

I don't know what it was but for some reason I was jolted by the realization that forty-four years ago I was graduating from U.S. Navy boot camp in Great Lakes, IL.  A few weeks later I was reporting aboard the USS Boxer (LPH-4) in Norfolk, VA.  I posted a video the other day which gave an overview of the Boxer's history and what it was like serving aboard her.

1969 was certainly an interesting year for me, what with the beginning of my first enlistment and later getting one of those 'Dear John' letters guys in the service always seemed to be receiving.  Martha (known to everyone as Mitt) was a wonderful girl and I can understand looking back that we were probably ill-suited.  I believe I was told she was married shortly after the break-up, but I never really had a desire to check up on her. Hope all worked out well for her, wherever she may be.

Not really anything to add, but when the wave of nostalgia hit I just wanted to share.

USS BOXER (CV21/LPH-4)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSq1Fipxfrk

Looking Back

Watching the Weather Channel this morning, with their coverage of "Winter Storm Nemo" not only reminded me of one of the reasons we don't regret our move out to SoCal, but also of being a kid.

I can vividly remember days when the street in front of our house (on Bolduc Lane, in Taftville, CT) would be unplowed for a couple of days at a time.  My friends and I could make snowmen, forts and have great snowball fights out there, without fear of a city or private plow wrecking everything.  The priority was the highway near us, which before the Connecticut Turnpike was opened, was one of the major routes to Rhode Island.  This was especially true for larger trucks, so it was pretty well maintained.

Across the highway and up the hill was a large, sandbank, sometimes used by the city for the roads, which was a great place for sledding.  It was also the perfect place during the rest of the year to play cowboys & indians or 'war' with one side up top and the other trying to get up with out being 'shot'.  I'm sure that is now all so non-politically correct and offensive, but it certainly never seemed that way to us.  Small towns like Taftville, were pretty white and generally made up of families that had been there for generations.

Anyway, while I certainly don't miss the days of having to shovel the sidewalk in front of Donna's mom house or digging out our cars in Brooklyn & West Haven, it does still make me nostalgic.

If you are out there in what the Weather Channel is calling "Nemo", stay warm, and be careful if you have to drive on the roads.  I'd like to see you all back safe & sound for next time.

Is it really a New Year already?

Man, are they starting to cut weeks out of the year or is time just rushing by too fast for me?  I'm pretty sure it's the fact that I'm getting older and know that I only have a limited amount of time left.  Not to get all depressing, but let's face facts.  Sixty-two is not really middle-age, is it?
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Does this still sound like me?

A brief introduction is probably in order, for those of you who don't feel obligated to visit here simply because you know me.

My name is Steve Chaput and I'm a librarian at a University in New England. For close to fifteen years, prior to coming back to my home state, I had been a public librarian in Brooklyn, NY. Having been born and spent most of my life in New England I just felt it was time to move back, if only to escape the hassle and rudeness which seems to be growing in The City. I'm also a Navy veteran, having joined the service back in 1969, when the U.S. was still deeply mired in Vietnam. If you want to peg me politically, you can think of me as somewhere to the left of almost any politician who still calls himself 'Liberal'.

If I'm doing this Blog thing correctly I would assume to eventually make an A** of myself. Feel free to drop me an e-mail and let me know if I'm living up to that. :-)

The above was the opening of my very, first blog entry written on 1/29/03.  At the end of this month I will have been writing this blog for ten years.  You can see by the index that I was very active for several years, but have cut back to only a few posts a year recently.  As I've said before, just about everything I have to say on any given topic I cover on Facebook & Twitter, plus the occasional videos I put up on YouTube.  I don't plan on completely dropping either blog, since you never know when the other 'social networks' will start charging or do something that even I can't put up with.  It's nice to know that I will have these as fall backs in that case.
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Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season, with time for family & friends.  Mine was pretty laid back, since Donna had to work, so we didn't go anywhere worth mentioning.  I expect that may change since we would like to travel back east for a family event in the Spring, plus we have a discount certificate for another Carnival cruise that we need to use before 11/2013.

If you have seen the review on YouTube or Facebook you already know that I went to see THE HOBBIT last week and totally loved it.  I should probably post it over on Shot's Shack later for folks who don't travel to the other sites.

Finally, and another reason that my blog posting probably won't increase anytime soon is that Donna & Kristina joined forces to buy me an iPad for Christmas.  As if I was already addicted to my iPhone, having this larger toy is even more dangerous.  Btw, if you have either of the same devices, check out The Simpson's Tapped Out and friend me.

That does it once again for me so I'll be on my way. Peace out!

Does it matter at this point?

I think that I should either give this blog up completely, or just post the same thing over every few months.  Basically, everything of note has already been tweeted or posted on Facebook, so there's not a whole heck of a lot to add to that.  Still it is nice to be able to do something over a 140 characters in length, or to just ramble on a few topics all in one place.

Donna and I had a very nice dinner with Kristina & Sarah on Saturday at a nice restaurant.  This was an early birthday celebration for Kristina, so we were able to give her the present I had bought back in San Diego.  Some nice Star Wars figures with a limited-edition Jar Jar Binks figure included as a SDCC exclusive.  Maybe in a few years she can give Jordan Hembrough, from TOY HUNTER a call and he'll make an offer.  (As an aside: if you aren't watching that particular show on the Travel Channel you might want to check it out. Jordan travels around the country, American Pickers-style, hunting down rare games, action figures and collectibles.  While I don't collect much myself I really enjoy the nostalgia I get when he unearths some cool item.  The show will also run clips from classic toy commercials featuring the particular item being featured.)

We have done some shifting and rearranging in the new & improved Chateau Chaput. Gearing up for visitors from New York later this year.  The Stoffo ladies and Dan S. will be gracing us for Thanksgiving week, plus the older stuff we had in the place really needed some upgrading.  Heck we even swapped out a couple of the Thomas Kinkades and added some more photos to the wall.  Donna finally talked me into mounting my Navy plaques in the computer/office/comics room.  With the new ceiling tiles we installed a couple months ago that room is finally beginning to look a bit better.

Do we even have to get into the up-coming election?  I finally decided to vote for Obama again, not that I'm 100% satisfied with his performance, but the idea of the Anti-Christ and the boy zealot sitting in the White House is just too creepy a thought.  Rather another four years of Barry and Laughin' Joe, than letting the Limbaugh led Army of Occupation get their hands on things. 

The number of local and state propositions on the ballot this year is ridiculous, even though a few might actually do something meaningful.  I thought trying to keep Prop. 30 & 32 straight was difficult, but with 37, 38 and a few others to sift though it just makes things harder.  I'm pretty sure I saw an ad for a Prop. 39 the other day, but I'm giving up.  About all you do is read the small print at the end telling you what corporations, 'tax groups', or unions are funding each one in making a choice.  30 & 38 are battling each other over education funding, while Prop 32 (funded by the Koch Bros. & Karl Rove's PAC) claims to be about campaign finance reform. To say it's a joke is an insult to the term.  37 & 39 deal with food labeling and corporate taxes respectively.  I almost forgot #17, which deals with auto insurance.  I really believe in the idea behind the propositions giving voters some say on issues, but the things have become so confusing (trying to remember to Vote Yes or Vote No) and the sheer number each election cycle makes it impossible for the average voter to keep track.  Hope I haven't confused all of you as much as we're confused out here.

I think that will do it for me for this go around.  The next update will probably be over on Shot's Shack some time next week.  I'll be attending the 1st San Diego Comic Fest this weekend and hope to have some cool things to talk about.

Is anyone still out there?

Just came in to sweep out the cobwebs and dust things off. **Cough, cough**  Man, I forget all about this place.  It reminds me of our storage shed when I have to go out once a month or so to get something.  Of course, it's easier to get around here, since it isn't half full of stuff belonging to Kristina and Michael. :-)

The only time I remember these blogs, once one of the only places I was able to rant and review, is when I'm reading someone elses and they are in my list of fellow bloggers.  I admire other folks who blog everyday, or at least frequently enough to still call themselves bloggers.  I'm more a Facebooker or Tweeter now, although I have put myself up on Linked In, where I barely ever venture.  Seems far too respectable for me over there.  Besides I don't think Linked In is really the place to talk about the Anti-Christ & Boy Wonder running for President on the GOP side or why Marvel Now means less to me than the New 52 from DC.

Really isn't a whole heck of a lot to report, since I think everybody reading this probably keeps up with me on one of the other social media sites.  My job hasn't really changed, even with the increase in public service hours.  We're currently getting ready to vote on a new contract with the city, but I don't expect that to change much of anything, except how much we pay for our benefits.  At times like this I do miss being a member of a 'real union' as I was in New York.  Go DC-37!!!

We're still working on our place, even after two years here.  We just replaced the ceiling tiles in the 'computer/comics' room, only to discover we had a wasp nest sitting over head unknown to us.  The pest control folks were nice and came out, discovering a second nest outside under the awnings.  There is a gap in the roof which may need filling-in.  We are also looking to get a ramp for the backdoor, to make it easier for Donna. Having never lived in a place I didn't simply rent before, this homeowner thing continues to surprise me with all the little things that have to be done inside & out.

Kristina is threatening to make us get iPhones now that our Verizon contract it running out and we are able to get new phones.  Donna and I are pretty happy with what we have now and I'm not sure I need a phone smarter than I am.  Not as if I'm not already using my LG for Twitter & Facebook updates way too much.

Coming up the next few months are Comic Fest in San Diego for me, a visit from the Stoffo ladies & Dan (for both of us) and after Thanksgiving another cruise to celebrate our 13th Anniversary.  I'll have more to say on all those things as time grows closer.  Bye for now!!

Beer & Loathing in Las Vegas, Part II

We actually did some stuff in Las Vegas besides eat, drink and gamble, honest!

For me, a highlight was going to the CSI: Experience at the MGM Grand. The show is an inter-active presentation based on the original CSI, which takes place in Vegas. It does cost about $30, for adults, so I’d advise you going only if you are a big fan of any of the three shows. No spoilers, but the “job” you have as a rookie CSI is to investigate one of three murders/deaths that have occurred by using observation at the crime scene. There you list or draw in as many clues as you can use a rough sketch provided on your worksheet. You are given a clipboard, pen and a two-sided sheet where you list the evidence and lab results as you find them. The various labs contain the “evidence” and computer workstations where you check the clues and view video of actual forensic scientists and the actors from the Gil Grissom era of the show. It is Gil who gives you the initial presentation and your orders. Donna, Fran and I went through and were all able to solve the crime. Just so you know we had Case #1 which involved a man killed after apparently driving his car into his own house. You even get a ‘junior investigator’ diploma after the successfully finish. Cool!!

While Donna & Fran were off to the spa on Friday, I took the opportunity to ‘preview’ and review a new TV show. Each day different television pilots are shown to small groups (about ten to twelve each showing), roughly every couple of hours. The shows vary from half-hour sitcoms to full-hour dramas, so expect to be in the viewing room for a little over an hour depending on the program. Before the show you are asked some questions about your age and where you are from. Basically, because the shows range in subject matter they need to know if you are within the acceptable range. Primarily this might limit it to older teens or adults, but most shows are of the 8-10pm network variety according to the person leading the presentation.

The ‘reviewers’ are taken to a room on Studio Walk and shown into a room containing ten computer stations, there you sign into a station with your ID and asked a few more demographic questions. You have a small box with a dial next to the terminal marked from 0 – 100. As you watch the program you indicate (with the dial) if you are bored (0) or completely interested (100) with what you are viewing.

The day I was there they were showing the pilot for PARTNERS a sit-com already on the Fall schedule of CBS. It’s from the creators of WILL & GRACE, and like that show features a number of gay characters as the leads. In this case, two life-long friends who have both become architects and ‘business’ partners in the small firm they created. The show’s title also refers to the respective partners of the two main characters, Charlie (David Krumholtz) who is straight, and his business partner Louis (Michael Urie) who is gay. Not sure if the cast will change after the pilot (given my input at least two changes should be made), but neither of them the leads. I thought Brandon Routh (who wore the blue tights in SUPERMAN RETURNS) was very, nice as Louis’ partner, a male nurse whom Louis continues to introduce as a doctor. On the other hand, I found Sophia Bush who played Charlie’s fiancé was a total cipher going from sweet to harpy according to the whims of the script. There was, IMHO, no chemistry between them either. The one other character, set up as a regular apparently, was the Tracy Vilar (best known maybe as Nurse Regina on HOUSE, M.D.) who plays their secretary and is wasted in the role. I think she is supposed to remind folks of Rosario on W&G, but comes across as someone auditioning for a minor role in a touring version of WESTSIDE STORY. Not great, but a fun show I thought and one that I might watch for a few episodes to see if it improves. For our efforts, we were given some coupons for free items at the Food Court and discounts in other places around the hotel. I actually used one to get $5 off my CSI: Experience admission.

After breakfast on Saturday, the three of us were picked up by Kristina & Sarah for a trip over to the Venetian, where Fran wanted to find a shop that sold blown glass and jewelry. She had been there on a previous visit and wanted to see what they had, all items being from Italy and Venice in particular. Donna and I had been to the hotel/casino before, but had never gotten beyond the casino part. Going to the shopping/restaurant area was a revelation, as you actually feel that you are walking along a canal in Venice (or at least what we Americans believe it would be like). Donna, who has been to Venice, felt it smelled a bit better. :-)

Being who we are, of course, we had to sample some of the Italian baked goods at a small café. Everyone seemed happy with their choices and Sarah was a good sport, sampling each of the items she had never had before. Guess cannolis and Napoleons weren’t part of her upbringing.

Went on longer than I had planned again, but wanted to give you a general idea of what we did while away. Not sure the next time we’ll get out there, but I think we might pick a bit cooler month, if that’s possible.

Beer and Lounging in Las Vegas!

We had a great time in Las Vegas last week and I'd like to share some of that with you.

Donna and I both only worked a half day last Wed. so we were able to get on the road by around 4:00pm. You'd think that on a mid-week there wouldn't be a lot of traffic, but you'd be wrong. Fortunately, it cleared off by around Fontana, CA and we didn't hit anymore until outside Primm, NV (about twenty miles outside LV). We stopped for gas there and were at the MGM Grand and checked in by about 9:00pm that night. We were up on the 13th floor (so much for superstition in Vegas), with our room overlooking the Tropicana, the airport and the Hooters casino/hotel across the avenue. Who knew that Hooters even had a hotel/casino? I joked about going over for wings one night, but nobody else seemed up for the experience. Something about being the only guy in the group, perhaps?

We still had some sandwiches that Donna had packed and other snacks, so we skipped trying to find a restaurant that night. This gave us a chance to meet Fran & Christina Stoffo for drinks at the Rouge bar just off the casino floor (as is just about everything to be honest). Nice to catch up, even though you had to get loud to be heard over the music.

Not going to detail everything but I did want to hit a few highlights. One being the inevitable Elvis sighting, this time in the Food Court after midnight. Where else, right?

Three of us (Fran, Donna & I) had dinner at the Rainforest Cafe on Thursday, which took a bit of searching to actually locate. Lack of signage, plus some renovations being made in the West Wing made it harder than it probably normally would have been. The food was good, with Donna and I both having a steak/ribs/shrimp combo. Service was a bit slow, but the place was packed so I'll forgive them that. To be honest, I think the place is a bit over-rated, despite the food being good. They advertise a 'show' but all it amounts to is them flashing the lights every twenty minutes or so to the sound of thunder and rain. It was more fun watching the tropical fish in all the tanks. I'm sure kids would like it, and the place was packed with families who seemed to be having a good time.

On Saturday evening,the three of us also got reservations to Wolfgang Puck's Bar & Grill at the MGM. I had an amazing Pancetta Wrapped Meatloaf with Mushroom Gravy, Yukon Gold Potato Puree and Buttermilk Onion Rings. Donna & Fran each had the Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Blue Cheese Butter, Red Wine Sauce and French Fries (which were more like quartered potatoes fried extremely crispy). We shared a very, nice Riesling (from their decent wine list) and were all very happy with our meals.

In between, on Friday, we met up with Kristina & Sarah who were staying in town. We met Sarah's family and had dinner at Metro Pizza over on Tropicana Ave. It's Sarah's favorite pizza place and I can see why. The pizza is pretty good (even coming from a Brooklyn guy, like me), the chicken fingers had just enough of a kick and they had a really, nice selection of beer (which we sampled, of course). Everybody had more than enough and we finished the evening by going to a frozen custard place (the name escapes me) where we all had dessert standing outside in the parking lot.

Believe it or not, we actually did things besides eat, although that seemed to involve gambling, drinking or planning our next meal. Did you know that when you gamble you get free drinks? To be honest, that was one of the first things I learned in my first visit to a casino in Freeport/Paradise Island in the Bahamas, when I was in the Navy. I also learned that you can hold a drink in one hand and pull the lever on the slot machine with the other. A skill, I'm proud to say, I still have. :-)

This has gone on longer than I meant it to and I still have a few more things to talk about (some of which may also involve eating and drinking). I'll try to get to that later today or tomorrow. By the way, did you know that it gets hot in Vegas in June? But...it's a dry heat!

Cha..cha...cha...changes!

Been a while but I wanted to catch you up once more. Looks like the Library will be expanding hours and trying to move a bit more into the modern era by offering eBooks to our patrons. My understanding is that, prior the recontruction of the new building the system did have eBooks for a period. It will be interesting to see the circulation of these items once word gets out. Staff has been asked to refrain from downloading any in order to give our patrons the opportunity. Things are always in flux here so it's never sure what is going to happen in the future. As is always the case, you have to prepare for anything. Remember to keep those resumes updated, kids! Hate to sound like I'm so down, but we all have to face reality. On a more positive note, Donna and I are heading to Vegas next week to meet up with the Stoffos. Some others may join us, but that seems up in the air at the moment, so I'm not going to jinx things by saying anything. We've gone back and forth about whether to fly or drive, but the prices of airline tickets is a joke, plus the hassle of either taking a shuttle to the airport or parking for several days. As of now we're going to drive and I'll keep my fingers crossed that I don't annoy Donna and end up walking across the desert. If you are keeping up with my Facebook and Twitter posts you probably have a better idea of things anyway, so nothing else needs to be said. Anyway, after Vegas the next big thing is heading down to the San Diego Comic Con in July. Only able to get a one day pass for Sunday, due to the wonderful new ticket

Been a while but I wanted to catch you up once more. Looks like the Library will be expanding hours and trying to move a bit more into the modern era by offering eBooks to our patrons. My understanding is that, prior the recontruction of the new building the system did have eBooks for a period. It will be interesting to see the circulation of these items once word gets out. Staff has been asked to refrain from downloading any in order to give our patrons the opportunity. Things are always in flux here so it's never sure what is going to happen in the future. As is always the case, you have to prepare for anything. Remember to keep those resumes updated, kids! Hate to sound like I'm so down, but we all have to face reality. On a more positive note, Donna and I are heading to Vegas next week to meet up with the Stoffos. Some others may join us, but that seems up in the air at the moment, so I'm not going to jinx things by saying anything. We've gone back and forth about whether to fly or drive, but the prices of airline tickets is a joke, plus the hassle of either taking a shuttle to the airport or parking for several days. As of now we're going to drive and I'll keep my fingers crossed that I don't annoy Donna and end up walking across the desert. If you are keeping up with my Facebook and Twitter posts you probably have a better idea of things anyway, so nothing else needs to be said. Anyway, after Vegas the next big thing is heading down to the San Diego Comic Con in July. Only able to get a one day pass for Sunday, due to the wonderful new ticketing program the Con has in effect. It gets worse each year and not better, so I may just begin skipping the whole thing entirely. I enjoyed Wonder Con and liked the Long Beach Comic Con, so I may just go to those from this point on. San Diego may have grown too big and too much of a hassle for older fans like myself. Unless you are more into media (other than comics) or already a pro there isn't a need to attend. I mean if you aren't going to have fun why bother? I'll try to remember to get back with a Vegas report and maybe other things in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, look for me on Facebook. I can still afford a few more friends.

Nothing major of note has happened recently, but I felt it was time to check in. Donna and I are firming up plans for visits later this summer. We'll be having houseguests, namely her sister Marilyn and family for about a week. Not sure all of what we may be doing, although Disneyland and the beach have been discussed. I've never been to the California Adventure part of the park, so we may take that in if only for the Muppets & Toy Story related rides and shows. I know that there is a Great White waiting off the coast for me to put my fat ass in the Pacific, so I'm going to give it another chance. Later this summer, as things now stand, we may be driving to Vegas for a weekend. The Stoffo ladies are scheduled to fly in for an event and it seems a perfect time to visit with them and maybe see what Bingo is like at the casinos there. Wouldn't mind hitting some of the casino slot machines for a bit, either. For those interested, it looks like they may be extending the hours at the Library shortly. I'll miss having the Friday's off each week, but if the city drops the furlough scheme it may mean a few more dollars in my paycheck. Speaking of which, it's hard to believe that I have been working for Orange Public Library for over five years. Actually got a certificate and shook hands with the Mayor & city council a couple of weeks ago, which was kind of cool. That's it for now! take care and stay in touch.

It hardly seems possible that I have been working here in Orange for five years. Yeah, okay sometimes it seems forever, but the point is that the past five years have certainly been interesting. Of course, it was also a surprise to realize that I was with Brooklyn Public for over fourteen years and at the University of New Haven for four. You find yourself in a routine and just keep going through whatever changes are happening around you.

It is equally shocking to recall that in August, Donna and I will have been in California for six years. As with OPL, it seems like longer some days, while on others I have to remind myself that I don't need a return ticket to NYC. We're here for keeps!

Got nothing to add or report, but I did want to get that out of my system. The City of Orange actually gave me a certificate and I got to shake hands with the Mayor and City Council yesterday. Certainly something I never got to do back in Brooklyn.

Ya know, I kind of like it here. :-)