and he teaches, too

I had a great Excel level 2 class this morning. Both of my students were really sharp and we got through a lot of great material.

However, I can't wait for the new computer classroom they are building in meeting room #2. I know I will be a much more effective teacher in a controlled environment. Right now, teaching in the main public pc's is like instructing in the trenches; it takes special effort to keep the class focused on the material and not on all that is going around them.

I think my experience teaching in public has made me a stronger instructor, but it's about time for me to have my own classroom.

Steal this Bible

A woman came into Herndon today with some Bibles in Japanese, and some other christian-themed religious books. She wanted to donate them, and I graciously accepted them.

She went on to inform me that the bible is the most stolen book in japan. I replied with "perhaps those are the people that really need them."

We both laughed at the truth of that.

Yo, check out My Meeeeee

I made one. It's a pretty awesome program, with many options for tweaking your avatar. You should make one, too. Check mine out- wife-beater T, hot glasses, jeans, and my haircut. You gotta love it.

Back in the Saddle

Last week I got back from vacation, and I am just now getting back into the flow. Thus, a new work blog.

This past Friday I attended a meeting in the IPS to work with Second Life, an online world similar to Sims or Worlds of Warcraft. However, instead of going on missions and killing stuff, the focus in SL is to create things and places and be involved in a virtual community. I am going to try to create an avatar this week and walk around the place to get the real feel.

What I find really facinating is that the origins for this type of alterative universe, or
"meta-verse", has firm roots in science fiction. In 1992, Neal Stephenson wrote a book called Snow Crash that provides a detailed account of just such a meta-verse, and coined the term "avatar" in the sense that it is now known. What science fiction dreams up, scientists create. I love it.

While I find it quite reputable that OCLS is involved in such a new technology, I don't see it being useful for a few years yet. The technology required to run this program sucessfully and the time and effort needed to be a viable part of such a community is significant, and out of reach for most people. What I like about the library is that it welcomes and is accessible to all people, regardless of background or means. At this time, SL users are a small, forward thinking group. Perhaps in time this will change.

New DVD's cause a rucus at Herndon

This morning the new DVD's came out at Herndon, as they do almost every Tuesday.

Typically, we have a dedicated group of patrons who wait patiently for us to open so they can get the first crack at the new materials.

This morning, right before we opened, some new people showed up and shoved and pushed their way to our DVD's in a manner most rude.

I have brought this to the attention of my manager and we are working on the problem. It is really cool that patrons are excited to get to our materials; however we need to nip any untoward or harmful behavior right in the bud. I have been told that this is happening at other branches as well. I wonder what they do to deal with this>

the devil wears

Two Indian women walk into Herndon in full traditional garments while I am assisting patrons at self check out. They approach me for information.

"Do you know this movie.... Devil Wear Prada? (sic)"

I replied with a yes, and showed them the catalog. The DVD was not available at Herndon, but I told them how and where they could get it.

At this point I asked them if they needed further help. One lady looked at me sheepishly and queried "what is Prada?".

I thought this was very funny, but I kept my mirth inside. I told them what Prada is, and they were quite grateful.

Oh, how the cultures clash. I think it hilarious that these women would know they want to watch that movie, but not know what Prada is.

Jeff and the Burning Bush

Yesterday someone flicked a cigarette in font of Herndon and managed to make it land
inside a palm tree. Being as dry as it is, the tree quickly caught fire. I mean full-on flaming.

A young patron walked in and casually said, "hey, your tree is on fire".

Being the man of action that I am, I ran to the workroom, grabbed Terri's plant watering bucket, and returned to douse the tree with H20.

Disaster averted.

All this crazy stuff happens at Herndon all the time, so I am not suprised.

However, this incident has made me think about where I toss my own butts.

Everyday is an adventure, and a chance to learn a lesson.