Do you ever have those moments where you think "the world is a horrible place"?? I had one of those a few days ago. My current audiobook for my car is Rules of Survival; a wonderful and awful book about child abuse. There is little physical abuse thus far, and shows how a parent can torture her/his own children without (1) the parent realizing how crazy they are and (2) the parent coming in physical contact with the children. Very disturbing. I'm almost finished, so things are better, but it's still a sad tale. So amid listening to this book, I watch the movie An American Crime. I didn't know what to expect, but was blown away. It is about the true story of a girl in Indiana who is left (with her sister) in the hands of a woman who already has more children than she can handle. The girl is eventually thrown into the basement and beaten on a regular basis by the family and neighborhood kids. Some of the details are still fuzzy to me but I really don't want to know.

While these are horrible, horrible stories, the reality of the situations are why these books and movies must exist. Both stories include people that know what are happening but are essentially in denial about how bad it is. No, I'm not saying everyone should jump up and attack parents for a single bad decision. But patterns of behavior need to be addressed. And kids in these situations need to know that there are people to help them. If they tell someone who (unfortunately) doesn't listen, then they need to tell someone else. There is escape. Sometimes they need to be creative, but no one deserves what these kids go through. And they need to know that.

Okay, off my soapbox.

Still preparing for interviews. Still swamped with class projects. Still stressed and loving it.

Bushes and Cook

Okay, so it looks like my having to take one more class isn't so bad. I AM actually learning practical information for a future of librarianship.

In addition to school and work, my personal project has been putting together a portfolio for upcoming interviews. For those who are thinking of making one, definitely do it! I was nervous preparing for interviews. How do I tell them about the work I do? How do I apply what I have done to this new job? I'm also a fairly modest person, so it is hard for me to express what I have done. Not that I think I am the best ever, but I do feel I have made contributions to my libraries. Therefore, the portfolio is ideal. It has helped me remember all of that schoolwork that at the time were just assignments, but now are examples of my capabilities. I have a collection of my contributions, which also show my dedication and abilities. I would recommend that everyone keeps tabs on the work they are doing and hold on to it. It will come in handy.

Laura and Jenna Bush are on Jay Leno as I write this. Political affiliations aside, I do enjoy the fact that people are on Leno talking about the importance of libraries and reading. I'll admit, I tuned in to see David Cook. So to turn the channel and find a discussion on how libraries are growing, evolving, and addressing technology, I was quite excited. And I do know that many people still have an antiquated view of dark buildings with old books. Hopefully, that idea is being discredited as more people realize that the library has something for everyone. Speaking of, Jay mentions books on tape, and the jokes go to how people fall asleep while listening. At least Laura got a comment in there how there "is something to them." So yeah, library discussion on Leno was pretty cool.

Speaking of David Cook... We are Idol fans. The finale wasn't as glamorous as they had been in the past. Maybe Idol Gives Back takes from that. However, I did enjoy it. And I did vote for Cook. I loved the fact that he was a rocker, could sing, and still wasn't too cool to do the stupid stuff Fox has contestants do. He was real but still a natural star. So the finale was this week. We DVR it, since I work Wednesday nights. Because of spending time with friends, work, and class, Dan and I watched it tonight. We did watch most of the performances and none of the commercials. Then, in true Idol style, they make the winning announcement at the last possible minute. So I'm watching, anxious after avoiding the Internet today so I would not know who had one. And Ryan says, with his frequent pauses, "The winner... by 12 million votes... of American Idol 2008 is... David..." Then my DVR prompts that it is the end of the recording. Darn Fox. I laughed, as I had said only moments before "I bet it will cut off right before it's announce." But I had no idea it would cut that close! Dan knew who won, so I found right away, but still!

Enough rambling for one night!

Spring and Spiderwick

Last weekend, I saw signs for yard sales. Forget the groundhog; yard sale signs mean it is spring!

My semester projects were all turned in today, so that means I get a break from now until class next Tuesday. Woohoo.

So I'm listening to the Spiderwick Chronicles. They are wonderful! I am not a big fan of general fantasy. But this is one where everything occurs in our world; we just can't see it. It is like when I was a kid. Maybe I read too much, but I always looked for something more. School, family, friends... everyone experienced that. I wanted something more, something different. For the Grace kids, this happens when they find their great-uncle's Field Guide in a hidden room when they move into his house (he has been missing for decades and his daughter is in a mental hospital). Secret room! That would be cool. A world a fairies, goblins, and griffins that is there, but we just can't see it? That would be cool. I just started Book 5 and can't wait to see the Grace children finish their tale. My only real tiff is that the audiobook was apparently released in two volumes (Books 1&2 and Books 3&4) and now with all 5. So at the beginnings of Books 1, 3, and 5, they had Holly Black's introduction story about how her and Tony DiTerlizzi came across the story of the Grace children. Couldn't they have edited that out for the release of all 5 books? Oh well. That's what fast forward is for! And Mark Hamill is a FANTASTIC narrator. I hate when I arrive somewhere and have to get out of the car, the books are that good. Let's hope the last book and the movie live up to my expectations!