Frosty
Yesterday was a very long day for us. We travelled to Holland, Michigan to visit my wife’s maternal grandmother and aunts. While there we also picked up yet another new pet — a Goffin’s cockatoo named Frosty. Below are a few photos of this beautiful bird. We have never had a bird like this before and are just trying to acclimate him to his new home while also becoming familiar with his habits.
I am worried about the reaction to this new pet from our golden retriever, Champ. Hopefully we’ll succeed in training him to be calm and friendly around Frosty.
A recording of loons calling
This link is to a recording I made on my iPhone when at Honey Rock. A pair of loons was calling across Long Lake and I was glad I was able to capture their distinctive calls. You can also hear Brin and Cohen asking questions on this recording.
Happy Birthday Russel
When visiting family last weekend, we were able to attend my great-nephew Russel’s 2nd birthday party. Here’s a video of us singing Happy Birthday to him.
Another Honey Rock trip
A few weeks ago we spent a long weekend at one of our favorite places, Honey Rock Camp in northern Wisconsin. We’ve visited there each year for many years and always have a good time. Highlights included catching several Northern Pike; seeing lots of wildlife including bald eagles, wild turkeys, muskrat, and more; and eating at The Farmer’s Wife restaurant on Friday night for an all-you-can-eat fish fry with potato pancakes. Yum!
Baby robins
I had to take Champ, our golden retriever, to the vet Friday. While waiting for what seemed like forever, I wandered around in the small wooded area next to the facility and came across this nest of baby robins. Cute!
What do I use my iPhone for, really?
There is so much buzz and hype surrounding the iPhone that it is rare for me to hear specifics about how useful it is in day to day tasks for other people.
Here is a list of the main features I use on my iPhone:
– a cell phone (duh)
– calendar (this is absolutely essential)
– password manager
– Internet browser
– camera
– note taking
– financial manager
– social network stuff like Twitter and Facebook
– keeping up to date via mobile version of Google Reader.
Not terribly exciting or innovative stuff, I know. But these features have become essential to me every day. Note that using the device as an iPod isn’t mentioned. I like having iPod capabilities but it turns out that I don’t use them that often.
Farewell, NASIG?
I haven’t written very much here of any substance in a long while. This is due to general life overload combined with a periodic (and normal) waning of interest in blogging. I thought I’d mention here that I am seriously contemplating not renewing my NASIG membership.
For those reading this post who know me, an avid promoter of this organization and member since 1991 when I was still in grad. school, this revelation may be shocking. Indeed, just mentioning it makes me feel like a heel. Like I am betraying the library professional organization that I have called home all of my professional career, the place where I have such dear friends and many professional rewards.
But I need to face reality. My career focus has drastically changed. I am not going to the NASIG annual conference. I am not working in the same area as other serialists any more. I really like the new career tack I’m on and it’s unlikely that will change soon. I’m being stretched and I am learning a lot of interesting things. I am casting about for a new professional organization that more closely matches what I’m now doing. I am not able to keep feet planted firmly in two different worlds of library and information science. I am doing a disservice to NASIG due to my lack of attention and inability to contribute. This disservice has gone on for too long.
Therefore I think I need to just let it go, but it breaks my heart to do it. With this I feel like I am definitely leaving librarianship behind, at least the librarianship I have been steeped in for over seventeen years.
1 Peter 2:20
What value is there when you sin, and are buffeted for it, you take it patiently? But if, when you do well and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
Lincoln Park Zoo, revisited
Last weekend on Saturday we made another trip to one of our favorite zoos, Lincoln Park Zoo. Although it was bright and sunny, the weather was pretty cold. Still, we had a good time. Below are photos from that visit.
Recent Photos
