It really shouldn't be this hard

I have been a dog person my whole life.

That bumper sticker that says, "I like dogs more than I like most people"?  True story.

I have very early memories of Snoopy decorations in the playroom/junk room at my mom's house. I cite this as one of the main reasons I love dogs.

I had two fantastic dogs when I was a kid.  I still have pictures of them in my living room.

Until I realized I had no interest or aptitude for science, I thought I could go to veterinary school.

Pretty much the only reason I wanted to buy a house was to have a yard so I could have a dog of my own.

The four-door car?  Same thing. 

I adopted two Golden Retrievers from a local rescue group.  Even though no one reads this blog, I don't want to name the group because I don't want to diminish the good work that the volunteers do.

As is common with Golden Retrievers, they both developed cancer.  Different types of cancer, and at different stages of their lives, but still.

Since dogs don't articulate their symptoms the way humans do, canine cancer is often caught too late to be successfully treated.  Such has been the case with both of my wonderful, beautiful, fantastic Golden Retrievers.  

With both dogs, I feel as though everything that could have been done to make their lives comfortable while in my care was done. 

I had to let my most recent Golden go in March.  As any dog person and any of my friends will tell you, I was devastated.  But, I also knew I would find puppy love again.  In July, I applied for a dog with the same rescue group my two Goldens came from.  This is also the same group that I myself have been volunteering for since 2005. 

The adoption coordinator managed, in the course of about 10 minutes, to make me feel like I didn't do enough for my two previous dogs.  She made me feel like I didn't deserve to have another dog.  She told me I needed to be a foster "parent" first.

 I didn't notice her telling all of the other potential adopters that they needed to foster first. 

I can't say that I "like" this adoption coordinator, but I've never had any open hostility from her.  She was not the person I dealt with for my previous adoptions.  Her attitude toward me has always been one of indifferent disdain. 

However, she doesn't know me. 

Here it is, the beginning of November, and I still don't have a dog.  I haven't even been called about a dog.  I am not being considered for another dog.  All because this little person with her power trip has decided not to pass my name along to the volunteers who foster dogs in this group.

I know she hasn't spoken to the fosters about my application because the few fosters that I spoke to at the last event I attended didn't know I had applied for another dog.  If the fosters don't know you're looking, you won't be considered for a dog.  If the adoption coordinator doesn't pass your name to the fosters, the fosters don't know you're looking.

See the problem?

Like I said, I don't want to name the group because I believe the fosters are doing good things.  I think it's the coordinator that's the bitch, if you'll excuse the obvious dog pun.

I had heard from a couple of people that the adoption coordinator was petty and difficult.  I had heard these things from people who have provided wonderful, loving homes for dogs.  Not hoarders.  Not crazy people.  Decent dog owners.  But, I didn't want to think that the group I had been volunteering for could be more interested in its human agenda than in finding good homes for animals in need.

I guess I finally have to pull my head out of the sand. 

I wasn't expecting to jump the line ahead of other applicants for a particular dog.  I wasn't expecting preferential treatment.  I was, however, expecting a little bit of courtesy.  I was expecting to be acknowledged. 

So, I recently applied with another local rescue group that deals with Golden Retrievers.  A volunteer called me the next day.  They run things a little bit differently, but basically if they have a dog they think you'll be interested in, you are invited to a meet-and-greet to meet your potential puppy luv.  I told that volunteer I was aware it isn't an overnight process.  I am content to wait patiently.

I feel pretty good about this other group.  Sadly, I have decided that I will not continue to support or volunteer with the group where my first two Goldens came from.  It really should not be this hard to find a dog.  Both rescue groups say on their websites that they have more dogs than they do places to put them. 

Here I am.  A home willing to take in a dog and spoil it silly.  I am willing to provide medical care.  I am willing to train the dog.  I am willing to groom the dog.  I am willing to love the dog.

And yet, here I am.  Still waiting. 

Things worth rereading...places worth revisiting...

Holy Cow!

It has been a long time since I have visited this friend!

I didn't realize, blog of mine, that I had neglected you for so long.

I also didn't realize that my LSFL deadline was so early last year. Way to be on top of it, Il Postino! Depending on the state of the NFL, a deadline might not be necessary this year.

So, I went to Scotland, again.

I don't know if it qualifies as a dream, but I have for several years wanted to go to Scotland during "low season." That is, the time of year when most tourists are someplace else. For Scotland, that means spring.

Lucky me, I found a great deal on tickets. In fact, Bonnie and I ended up in Business Class on the way over there. I'm still not sure how that happened.

Anyhoo, the appeal of going when tourists aren't there is several-fold. Obviously, you aren't competing for resources. Hotels are more plentiful and less expensive. Tourist attractions are less crowded.

(And yet, every castle we went to had what appeared to be hosting a school field trip of some sort. Go figure).

Things are just easier during the off season.

The disadvantages to traveling at off-peak times depend on where you're going. If sunny sunshine is your objective, don't go to the U.K. during Spring Break. Some attractions are closed, or have limited access. Weather can even prevent you from getting to your destination at all.

Maybe that's why I'm revisiting my friend the blog. The weather today is very much what we had in the fantabulous Scotland. Temperatures in the mid-40s and precipitation of some sort every day. We even spent one day in the snow. Like, above-the-ankle-deep snow.

It was fan-flippin'-tastic!

Why Scotland again, you ask?

I don't know. I haven't gotten tired of the place yet. I feel like I can wander around there without being noticed. Tons of groovy castles and such.

But, why spend the time and money to see things I've already seen? Why abandon Maverick to tour his homeland without him?

As HLProper says, Svelte segue!

I'm reading Diana Gabaldon's Voyager again. I normally don't reread things. There are few things that I can read over and over again. S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders is jut about the only thing that I've read multiple times of my own free will. Maybe Jane Austen, when I need to stick to my "Read One Classic A Year" resolution that I make every year. Maybe next year, I'll change that resolution to "Read One New Classic A Year."

Maybe not.

Anyhoo again. Back to Voyager.

I came to the Gabaldon party rather late. Circa 1999-2000. I remember Crafty Andrea and Betsy raving about how great these books were. In fact, Betsy was in charge of Scotland the first time we went on the original World Domination Tour. I'm pretty sure the Scotland portion of the itinerary was inspired by these books.

I remember trying to read the first book in the series, Outlander. Let me preface this by saying I have no fear of a 900+ page book. Especially of the historical fiction variety. Loves me some Margaret George. Loves me some Sharon Kay Penman. Bring it on, I say! My learned friends and travel buddies Crafty Andrea and Betsy know this about me (Amy doesn't read-WTH?!?!). So, they figured this huge book would be right up my alley.

I tried. I really did. 100 pages into it, I proclaimed it total bodice ripping crap and threw it aside. Even though there was minimal ripping of any bodices.

Then, I went to Scotland.

I don't know if having seen Edinburgh and Inverness helped me imagine it in the story, but I had a much easier time reading Outlander after visiting Scotland. Again, the first 100 pages were tough (and are tough to this day), but I persevered.

I persevered all the way to Spain. I finished the first novel somewhere over the Atlantic. I was crying a bit, whether from the storyline or from being trapped in coach for 9 hours after having my ace handed to me at the airport in Miami. Who can say?

The second novel, Dragonfly in Amber was my travel buddy as I went tripping through Spain. Maybe that's why I consider it my favorite in the series. The copy that accompanied me to Spain still has ticket stubs from that trip serving as bookmarks.

Because Dragonfly was such a boon travelling companion before, I thought it would treat me well on this trip to Scotland. And, it did.

Ok, so back to the main point (if one exists...I'm having doubts). I don't reread things very often. I don't understand students that check out the same series year after year. (Yes, craptacular Twilight series, even you). I don't even remember reading novels over and over again as a junior high kid.

One and done, people.

But, every couple of years I pick up a Gabaldon and read it again.

Except Voyager.

I can't explain why, other than I felt that there was too much "hurry up and wait" going on in that novel. I've read excepts repeatedly. Claire stumbling into Jamie's print shop after traveling through the stones and showing him pictures of Brianna is a tear-jerker. But, the rest of the book doesn't do much for me.

So, I guess because Scotland is worth revisiting, maybe Voyager is worth rereading.

I know where this is leading me. I spent one summer a couple of years ago rereading the series (sans Voyager) in anticipation of the release of a forthcoming installment. Didn't happen until a year later. Thanks.

I'm even going to attempt the two-novel juggle. I started the latest book club selection last night (The Art of Racing in the Rain). Made me cry in the first chapter. I do not anticipate good things.

So, if I'm willing to endure flying all the way to Scotland (Business Class aside) again to revisit familiar places, I guess I should be willing to endure 900-odd pages to revisit a familiar literary friend. Fingers crossed! Off I go! Again!

The Lone Star Football League

Yep. I'm in a fantasy football league. Go Heathens!!!

I'd like to think not as a token member. Given that I've been in this league since the 1900s, I believe my participation is somewhat legitimate. My lack of a championship would seriously indicate otherwise. I think there is a rule named after my team, though.

That's power, baby!

If memory serves, this will be season 20 of the LSFL. Crafty Andrea and I began our participation in the fall of 1993. Go Heathens, again! How excited were the boys that some girls wanted to play? Who can say? We managed to participate without humiliating ourselves or them, so the Heathens stuck around. The duration of our participation is math I can't even do. But, I can say this: Marriages don't last as long as this endeavor has. Nor should some of them. I think at least one marriage in the group didn't last.

Hmmm...let's not speak ill of the derelict. Although safe to say he didn't deserve that.

Am I the only one annoyed by these Joe Montana-Shape Ups commercials? Maybe I'm the only one still annoyed by Joe Montana.

I'm not going to be sentimental and say this association has been an emotional cornerstone. I can't say that setting a lineup every week has somehow helped me in my daily life. Pouring over esoteric statistics about bench riders has done nothing for me professionally. But, and I say this with just a touch of schmaltz, there is this sense of conviviality in our group. Members have come and gone with varying degrees of fanfare. Some we miss; some couldn't get out of there fast enough.

Not to say that there has been a lot of animosity. We're a pretty content, democratic, respectful group. We joke with each other. We joke about each other (some, more deservedly than others). We rage against each other. We stand up for each other. It's your typical dysfunctional family dynamic.

I'm sure someone smarter than I could sit down and observe our group and assign familial tags to each of our number. It's there. If I weren't constantly side-tracked by this special on the Knights Templar on History, I might even be able to dust off the English degree and give it a shot.

But, does it really matter? What matters is that this goofy group started at a Hardee's in Kilgore back in the day when someone had to compile statistics from AP reports cut out of actual newspapers (you remember those, right?) and carry them around in a huge 3-ring binder. The drafting of players used to take hours, and I mean that literally.

Heck, even figuring out the results of the games took hours. I don't know if I would have stuck with it this long if our league wasn't managed online.

Fantasy football has benefited greatly from the Internet. Truer words will never be spoken.

This year, the 20th of our humble existence, we will be taking the draft to Las Vegas. Vegas hosted the draft not long after we all graduated from college and we all had our first real jobs. Real jobs meant more disposable income. Disposable income meant we could take a trip or two!

Vegas is where we stuffed at least 7 people in a rental sedan. Good times, indeed.

Vegas is also where we uttered the now-famous Heathen phrase, "We left our draft strategy in the cab."

All efforts will be made to keep the draft strategy from falling into the hands of some drunk tourists similar to those who found that epic file folder and didn't have a clue how awesome John Elway was and how Heathen Greatness was on the horizon, baby!

As the years have passed, our obligations outside the league have limited the grandiose travel plans. Marriages, house payments, children, jobs without the benefit of paid vacation have all contributed to the LSFL keeping the draft in the Lone Star State. But, this 20th anniversary deserves some celebration and reflection.

In addition to the colorful group of owners, we have an awesome media guide. All of my scrap booking friends could learn a thing or two from that bad boy. It has inspired awe in those not fortunate enough to be in our league. It may even be responsible for landing a job for one of our number. It has certainly granted me the opportunity to write a "column" or two. How many other leagues have the design staff that we do? Not that dweeb I saw actually cutting and pasting his sad little media guide together at Kinko's a couple of years ago. How many other fantasy leagues have 20 years worth of history that need, nay, demand an actual media guide? No wonder the media guide has to be digital. How cool are we?!?!

Don't answer that.

Will we still be meeting during the nascent days of the football preseason to assemble a team in the hopes of glory that will only extend to our own group 20 years hence? I'm thinking yes. Whether it be in Las Vegas, or the pressbox at the Homer Dome in Nacogdoches, or the club house in the retirement community at Sun City Georgetown, the LSFL will still be alive and kicking. Somehow, this silly notion of fantasy football has kept us together.

I think after 20 years, we're stuck with each other. (Insert schmaltz here).

Oh yeah: Go Heathens!

I heart Chet the Dog

We had our book club meeting yesterday. Whoo-hoo!

A small showing, but a fun discussion. I must recommend to the 12 of you who are reading this little Dog On It by Spencer Quinn! Dog is told from the point of view of Chet the dog.

I'd include a pic of the cover, but I fear copyright violation issues.

It could have been told from the point of view of my dog Maverick, but if Chet is easily distracted, Mav is totally distracted. Chet is a police dog school drop out, but he's awesome. I hope this is the start of a series beyond the promised three novels.

So, what is Maverick thinking right now as he snuggles up to my sneakers? He's probably wondering why I was at work for so long today. I could explain to him about weeding the old, crappy, dusty VHS from the collection at school, but I don't think he cares. I think, at least I hope, he's just glad I'm home and periodically scratching his neck.

Is Maverick wondering: Why did I my human sit on the couch last night for two hours watching the finale America's Next Top Model knowing full well that the leathery, haggard-looking, annoying Krista was going to win when I could have been walking the dog?

This makes me wonder: Why do I watch America's Next Top Model? I have no real interest in "high fashion." I'm pretty sure Tyra Banks is just this side of crazy (but, taking crazy to the bank), and I never follow the winners. Let's not even start with how predetermined and flat-out rigged this and all "reality shows" are.

I often worry that my college degree will go up in flames when I watch these idiotic girls scream, yell, and"disrespect" each other.

Grow up, dingalings. You're in a modeling competition. Some of you guys aren't that far removed from rehab or a stripper pole.

Maybe for the same reason that I really enjoyed Dog On It. There is nothing wrong with being entertained.

All of that to say go read Dog On It, and its sequel. Chet the dog is hilarious! He is the smartest one in the room, and his dog's eye point of view is uber-endearing.

Plus, it's just funny! Read it!

Library 2.0 thoughts

Really? This profession needs to be told to become innovative and progressive? Really?

Are other professions like this? They have to be told to modernize? They have to be told there are benefits to adapting services?

That's sad.

I liked Anderson's comment: "[I]t no longer makes sense to collect information products as if they were hard to get. They aren't. In fact, it may no longer make sense to 'collect' in the traditional sense at all." Even more reason to weed all of these crappy old things cluttering up my nonfiction and reference sections. Information is out there. If we act like we're the only ones who know how to find things, we'll be the ones left in the dust.

Another one I liked, from Schultz: "What was the library of the past? A symbol of a society that cared about its attainments, that treasured ideas, that looked ahead multiple generations. Librarians were stewards, trainers, intimate with the knowledge base and the minds who produced it. Librarians today are not just inventory management biobots: they are people with a unique understanding of the documents they compile and catalog, and the relationships among those documents."

Great that we are "intimate with the knowledge base," but we need to keep in mind how that base is expanding and changing.

Did she read Steve Berry's The Alexandria Link before she wrote this article, or did Berry read her and decide on a secret society of librarians based on that quote? Just a thought.

Schlutz also mentions collaborating with Amazon. Does Amazon want to collaborate with libraries? Didn't they have a recent kerfluffle over publishing rights with the Kindle? Are they exercising control over the market, or are they bowing up for the inevitable showdown with Apple and the IPad? Just another thought.

Riemer likes his RSS feeds. Still make me feel like a slug.

So, I guess the point is the library has been able to be old school for quite a while. It's sort of a source of pride. But, it's time to step out into the 2.0!

One small however...

We should always be open to evolving and progressing, but it's hard to embrace big-time change when the threat of being downsized or eliminated because of funding looms.

Danny Boy

rolly-olly-olly o

I'm not very linear.

That has been my one frustration about HEB 23. Nothing to do with the project, really. Just how I work.

I've been piddling and playing with different pieces of this for a while. I've just now sat down to compile everything.

Did I go in order? No.

Did I complete one module before picking up another one? No.

Had I, would things have been easier? Probably.

This is part of the reason why it takes me so long to clean the house. I can't stay in one room and complete that room before being sidetracked and going into another room, leaving both half finished.

So, a mish-mash.

Did I mention that I crochet?

That's right. My hair is currently in something resembling a bun (they teach it in library school), my dog is snoozing at my feet, I can barely get up my stairs because of all of the piles of books, and I crochet.

There is a cliche in there. I'm sure of it.

http://rollyo.com/supercarrotrollyo/crochet_stuff/

And, Flickr.

I could waste so much time on Flickr. I already have. Most of what you'll find here are pictures from my trip to Scotland. I'm not totally obsessed with Scotland. It's just those are the majority of the pictures I've actually loaded on my computer.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48811583@N02/

Rollyo would be cool to use for a research project with a class to help narrow things down and save time, which I can tell you is at a premium this time of year having just juggled the schedule so spectacularly in here it would make a clown weep. I know, data base purists. It's spoon-fed research, but for a beginning project or if you're crunched for time making a research roll could save time.

Again, I'm not sure if anything I Rollyo is that exciting. I know I'm supposed to be excited about

people being able to see my inner-most thoughts, but methinks people will be disappointed if

they look too closely. I wish Flickr worked a little better at the little red school house. I guess

they'd know we'd have too much fun!

Audiobooks, to me, are like books. There are awesome ones. There are skunky ones. My plan for world domination with my mp3 player is to devote it to books. I can't always "handle" listening to a book. Sometimes I'll be listening to one and if I'm not sitting still (such as driving), 45 minutes will have gone by and I can't really tell what has happened in the book.

I also can't listen to a book and do something like type. I somehow manage to start typing what I hear. It's the same reason why I could never listen to talk radio while working on the computer during graduate school. I'd manage to type what those clowns on The Ticket were saying in my history paper.

Or, I'd type a response like I was answering what I heard on the radio.

Music, I can handle. I'm not sure what the difference is between the spoken word and singing.

I think that dual process is why I might be the only person on the planet who truly can't drive and talk on the phone at the same time. Oprah's no phone zone has nothing on me

Anyway, I always hope audiobooks will be bigger than they seem to be at my school. Either that, or maybe I wish my English and reading teachers were reading more novels, thus leading to a need for new audiobooks. Hmmm...like I said, the good ones are great.

I have a series of Star Wars books that I've never read, just listened to. I do own the books. That would be because I'm a dork. However, I am so used to the reader's voice and so used to listening to that series in my car that I don't think I could read it or listen to anyone else perform it.

Plus, I'd never have time to read that series. That's sad considering I'm a huge (HUGE) Star Wars nerd. Audiobooks give me an opportunity to read just one more book. I totally count my listening in my book journal.

Am I the only one that thinks the IPad is cool, but am also worried that one entity is about to control music, video, and printed media? Just a thought.

My YouTube requires little commentary. Muppets are greatness, and these music videos that keep popping up are nothing short of genius. Who can argue with Beaker?

I enjoy listening to podcasts...have helped teachers on my campus compile them...found one on book clubs...oh look...Star Wars...but I don't want to listen to my own voice, and would hate to subject anyone else to it. Meh. If you make me post one, I'll do it, but I've never wanted to record myself and always cringed when I had to do it for classes. Yes, I see great classroom applications for podcasts, but please don't make me do it.

Oooooo...LibraryThing.com...it's like a combination of ravelry.com and shelfari.com! For someone who stumbled blindly through cataloging in library school (I'm still not sure what was going on in there), cataloging my books (and my yarn on ravelry) just shows you what kind of sick-o I am!

Again, the whole "social" aspect of it all escapes me. I have no idea why anyone would want to see what books I have or how much yarn is taking over upstairs, but I guess in those communities it would be interesting.

Zoho is interesting...I can understand your comment about it making things like Microsoft Office and that lot obsolete. I guess I got caught up in a training/upgrade/revamp video because I saw a lot of cheering and pom pon waving for the improvements? I agree with what some others have posted-it would make group work/collaboration easier so long as everyone had a computer and internet access.

Will people stop saving and backing their stuff up because everything is "out there" instead of on their individual machine? I see chaos down that road, and mostly because of something stupid I would do.