A Feeling of Accomplishment!

This was written on Tuesday, January 14, 2014


Today I finished this round of Nerdy Dozen training for my job. It's a chance to investigate various web 2.0 applications and see how they might be  useful to us in our jobs, or to recommend to customers. We have to blog about each topic on the training website, and it has taken me longer to do so this time around than it did the first time out.  I was one of the first to complete the first round of Nerdy Dozen.  That's when I actually did something with my Twitter account, and boy, that has certainly snowballed.  (As has my continued use of Facebook, Pinterest, and my fitness sites.)

I felt like I got a lot done at work, as I finished the last two Nerdy Dozen posts from work for once.  I usually have to complete them at home because there's too much actual work to do at work. ( I find myself writing in comments on people's posts who DO have off-desk time "What is this "off-desk time" you speak of?  I do not know of it.")

...This bit is being added on Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Monday, the plumbers finally got the go ahead from the service line insurance company to do the water leak repair.  My next water bill ought to be considerably lower!  It had been leaking for AWHILE, they said.  I feel like I accomplished something there by being smart enough to buy the coverage when the city informed us that such was available, and for remembering I had when this happened! 

Today has been behaving an awful lot like a Monday even though it is, in fact, Wednesday.  First off, I have a stuffy head, I know not whether it's the insane cedar pollen count, or a cold, but the sinuses are unhappy.  So far (knocking on wood) my voice is not effected,  but that could change if it IS a cold, and a cough develops. 
So, this morning, I was a bit sluggish, and it was hard to get moving.  I DID get my walk done, and I got to the store to pick up some things we needed.  Good thing I decided to go to work a bit early to drop off some stuff I bought for the staff snack stash.  It turns out I was supposed to be in Norman by 1 pm for a training on using our fancy new catalog to its fullest, and I had completely forgotten.  I got there only a few minutes late.  (This is what happens when my schedule does not make it to my phone.  Chaos.)  I got back to work by 3:30, and had to go straight out to the Customer Service Desk.  I hadn't eaten breakfast, or lunch, so I scarfed a granola bar and drank some water before I actually went to the desk.  Everything at work went well, but I felt rushed all day. 
By the way, you should check out our enhanced library catalog.  It's great.  You can choose your search variables, you can even get "read alikes" or "similar authors" for any book by clicking on the "Novel list content" bar at the bottom of each item entry.
Our library catalog is Here. Just type your search term in the box and go.

You will then get a page of results which you can further refine with the choices along the left-hand side of the page.  Really cool.  MUCH better than the old catalog for general use.

We made it to choir rehearsal, where I was once again the lone first soprano.  Only a couple of notes all to myself, but a challenge to find them on pieces we were sight-reading.  Hard to counter the years of habit that say "Follow Lou".   Sunday's anthem was fairly easy to stay with my own note, because it was a very familiar piece.

 On Monday, I was also able to get my voice to work better at higher pitches than it has in the past, leading Karen to believe that it is undergoing some stretching and deepening up there.  (As it should, if I keep practicing.)  I hope that the sinus issues do not turn into a cold, because that will set my vocal work back quite a bit.  It is VERY hard to come back from things like that.

I am about to go and give myself another accomplishment.  I'm going to do an elliptical workout.  Because I need to start doing that every day again.  Because my weight is still not all the way back down to what it was before Thanksgiving and Christmas with all their food showed up.

What's On My Music Lists?

I have two players on my computer that have some things in common, but the Windows Media Player has more of my pre-computer collection.  (CDs I have owned for awhile and uploaded just to my machine.)  I also have an Amazon Cloud Player that I can access from my phone.
These are the albums I own on each.  Make of it what you will, but I'll just tell you that my taste is EXTREMELY eclectic.

On Cloud Player:
Abba (by Abba, of course)
All That Echoes by Josh Groban
Another Parcel of Steeleye Span
As Time Goes By - Rod Stewart, Great American Songbook
Banger For Breakfast by Wicked Tinkers
Cats- the Original Broadway Cast recording
Choral Music - Beyond Chant,- Music of Palestrina & others
The Definitive Rod Stewart
Drunken Lullabies by Flogging Molly
The Essential Leonard Cohen
Reuiem: Faure - Rutter Arrangement
Fly Me To The Moon Rod Stewart, Great American Songbook
From The Mighty Oaks by Ray Thomas (Don't ask.  Suffice it to say it reminds me of an old friend)
Gold Tom Jones 1965-1975
Greatest Hits Vols 1 and 2 by Billy Joel
Highwayman - Jennings, Nelson, Cash, & Kristofferson
It Had To Be You - Rod Stewart Great American Songbook
Modern Times by Al Stewart
Pacific Rim Soundtrack
Drift (Pacific Rim) featuring Blake Perlman
Past, Present and Future by Al Stewart
Phantom of the Opera - Original London Cast Recording
Queen  Platinum Collection
Red Roses For Me - Pogues
Rutter Requiem
Frank Sinatra - Best of the Best
Stardust - Rod Stewart, Great American Songbook
Super Trooper - Abba
Thanks For The Memory - Rod Stewart Great American Songbook
Time - Rod Stewart
Trio - Parton, Ronstadt, & Harris
Trio II - Parton, Ronstadt & Harris
Under The Influence - Straight No Chaser
Very Best of Harry Belafonte
Year Of The Cat by Al Stewart

If that isn't weird enough, here's what's on my Media Player that ISN'T on the Cloud Player

The #1 Soprano Album - Great Arias by the Great Voices
28 Irish Pub Songs - Various Artists
Beaches Soundtrack - Bette Middler
Bells of St. Genevieve, Baroque masterpieces
Blue Moo by Sandra Boynton
Brave Soundtrack
Callas: La Divina - Maria Callas
 Cool Celtic 2 Various Artists
Dirty Dancing Soundtrack
Empty Sky - Elton John
An Evening With John Denver
Greatest Hits - Chicago
Greatest Hits -  Bangles
Grunt - Pigorian Chant by Sandra Boynton (wherein pigs sing in pig Latin, and all other creatures sing in actual Latin.)
Heart & Soul- 50 Years of Motown Hits
Hits Vol. 2 - Abba
Hits Vol. 3 - Abba
I Love A Sing Along Scottish Favorites
An Innocent Man - Billy Joel
La Divina 2 - Maria Callas
A Little Jazz Mass
Love & Liberte by Gipsy Kings
Mozart Portraits - Cecilia Bartoli
Mysterium - Sacred Arias- Angelina Gheorghiu
News of the World - Queen
A Night At The Opera - Queen
Of Love and Hope- Music and Poetry from Beauty and the Beast - Ron Perlman
(Don't judge.  I could listen to that voice all day...)
Philadelphia Chickens - Sandra Boynton
Precious Friend - Arlo  Guthrie and Pete Seeger
Some People's Lives - Bette Middler
Songs of Love and Parting - Robin Williamson
Tales Of Mystery and Imagination - based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe - Alan Parsons Project
Very Best of Elton John
Vivaldi Gloria and Magnificat
When Irish Eyes are Smilin' - Various Artists
Wilson Phillips - by Wilsonn Phillips, of course.

We own MANY more CDs that are not uploaded to the various music playing devices in the house.  They are played on the CD player in the living room, or on the computers, or the boom box we own, but usually, I play the stuff that's already on the computer. The Sandra Boynton albums are for children, really, but they are so witty and fun that adults won't mind them, either.  So, if you need kids music that won't drive you insane, try those.  (Blue Moo is my favorite.  B.B. King singing the One Shoe Blues is priceless!)
Mowed the lawn to the accompaniment of the Traveling Wilburys.  Took my morning walk with Highwayman.  The song Deportee, originally written by Woody Guthrie, made me realize that some issues in our lives here in America hang on for a long time.  This song was written about migrant workers, Hispanic migrant workers, and sadly, it is about as timely today as it was when Woody wrote it. (In the late '40s.) 
A lot of times when I walk lately, I've played the soundtrack from Pacific Rim.  It has great walking music. 
The Pete Seeger / Arlo Guthrie album Precious Friend is from live concerts they did in 1980, I believe. I got to go to the one in the Greek Theater in Los Angeles.  It was a BLAST! 
The Tales of Mystery and Imagination album, by Alan Parsons Project and based on the works of Poe I was introduced to in a P.E. class at Los Altos High School.  Our Modern Dance Class used it for several exercises.  I found the Pogues because of Michael Ornstein, and because of them being on my Pandora feed, I heard Flogging Molly, and Drunken Lullabies. 
Some days, I feel very nostalgic,and I listen to Sinatra and Tom Jones.  Reminds me of happy family times, 'cause Mom listened to them on the radio when I was little. 
Of course, Billy Joel, Rod Stewart, and Elton John bring back my high school and early college years, the opera albums help me learn new pieces, and Abba is what Matt and I listened to a lot when we were dating.
The Great American Songbook Albums done by Rod Stewart are just relaxing to listen to.  The arrangements are lush, and  the songs suit his voice, for the most part.
Gipsy Kings are just FUN.
I like the Trio albums by Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris because the songs are beautiful, their voices blend so beautifully, and the harmonies are glorious.
So.  Now you know more about me than you want to know, probably.  What's on YOUR mp3 player?

As Ever,
Katie

The 21st Century Addiction

These days we have so many demands on our attention.  There are so many different types of news, entertainment, and activities vying for our time.  Many of us experience extreme anxiety if we have to be without our small electronic connections to the wider world for more than an hour or two. 
Many words have been written about this addiction of 21st century Americans, and many have advocated "unplugged" days, or even weeks.  It is startling to think that as little as two years ago, I would not have thought anything of going for days without even looking at my cell phone.  (I didn't get a smart phone until about 2 years ago.)  I used my computer daily, and I had a Nook Color e-reader that I used extensively.  (But mostly OFF-line, as a reader.) 

Today, I have the three electronic devices you see in the picture.  A Nook HD+ e-reader, my Android phone, and this absolutely unbelievably fast computer that I fear may be smarter than I am. I can easily spend HOURS involved with any of these devices.  Some days, I spend hours looking for and re-reading fan fiction stories, checking my email, checking social media to see if anyone has anything to say, and just generally wasting time.  Occasionally, I sit down here and actually write, or I actually write something in one of my notebooks that I can tweak and maybe use later.  I do also use my e-reader to read books.  I have several I am currently reading.  Just finished December's Thorn by Philip DePoy.  That series of mysteries featuring Fever Devlin are very interesting reads.  The character is a folklorist, and the stories all have their familiar elements.  Also, the fact that crazy seems commonplace in the South rings true to those of us who have Southern families with stories about some of the distant relatives...

My poor husband is about at the end of his patience with me disappearing into one or the other of these devices for hours on end.  (Never mind that he has had his spells of doing the same thing...)  It is true that all of this "connectedness" with the wider world seems to be making relationships in the here and now more difficult.  I cannot count how many people come to my desk at work while on their cell phones, and try to have a conversation with me about their account as well as a conversation with whomever is on the phone.  People walk through public places having rather personal conversations at a rather loud volume, completely oblivious to those around them.  Manners seem to have gotten lost somewhere along the line.  I try to be conscious of my surroundings when I am out and about.  I usually leave the cell phone in my purse unless I am stuck waiting in an office somewhere for a long period of time.  Where I grew up, being unaware of your surroundings was a good way to end up severely injured, if not dead. 

Why is it SO important that we stay "in touch" at all times these days?  Can we not go out to run errands or just to stroll around on a lovely Spring day without taking the cares of the world with us?  There is no one I need to talk to so badly and so often that I must have my phone glued to my head at all times.  My husband knows where to find me if he needs me, so do my coworkers and friends, so I don't need to worry about being  "unavailable."  I really worry about the kids I see walking around, and some, indeed, driving around, with that ever present phone either in their hands or in their ears.  People my age are little better.  Perhaps some are worse, because at our age, fingers and eyesight do not cooperate as well as they once did, and multitasking becomes a bit more of a challenge. 

My body is starting to suffer from all the sitting around staring at screens.  I get aches and pains from being in the same position too long. I am not in the same shape I was in two years ago.  Time to unplug for at least awhile and start doing the workouts EVERY DAY again.  I did that today.  Did my weight workout AND took my walk.  Physical workouts should also help my voice.  Must have strong abs to sing properly, and also the stamina gained from aerobic exercise is extremely valuable to a singer.  With a concert of opera arias, duets, ensembles and choruses coming up in Master Chorale, I need to be in top shape.  (I like singing opera better than church music anyway, and I DO sing out when I sing an aria.)  I and another student of Karen's are learning a duet to sing, and I'd like to do a duet with Matt if I can.

So I have plenty to keep me busy if I "unplug" for awhile.  If I decide to try it, I'll write about how it goes. 

More New Year Stuff and Thoughts on Connectedness

So, one of the last things that happened in the old year was that my faithful desktop computer started having the unfortunate habit of rebooting itself without warning.  (Often in the middle of a project.)  I have been using my laptop (also not a spring chicken) for most of my writing and social networking, but the keyboard drives me nuts, and I couldn't really get decent video or sound on either machine.  SO, I am now typing this on my brand-new, super deluxe desktop unit.  It is a Toshiba, an all in one with all the important hardware in the monitor itself.  It is a touch screen, but I have the wireless keyboard, (one of the best I have ever used) and the wireless mouse.  It comes with a top quality dvd player and great sound.  (It even has a remote control so I can watch my dvds from the comfy chair instead of the almost comfy desk chair.  It is much easier to knit in the comfy chair. ) I have hope that the new computer will make me more likely to write in this blog, because it makes it much more pleasant to do so, but given my history, I will not hold my breath.

The other ongoing new thing is my attempt to use Twitter.  I have successfully set up an account, and I have about 6 followers, about half of which are trying to sell me something.  I "follow" a lot of people, mostly celebrities whose work I admire because I want to know what new project is coming up that I might want to see/hear/read.  I have no idea if anything I mention these folks in ever gets to a place where they can see it.  I often feel like I am talking to  myself on Twitter.  (This blog is pretty much that way, too.  I don't think anybody much reads it but me.)  That's OK, though.  I was the youngest child by 12 years, so I spent a lot of time alone.  I am used to talking to myself.

I would like to apologize to those I may have unintentionally bombarded with posts trying to get a link and a few words to explain it to go out together earlier today.  Sheesh!  I am far from a technological incompetent, but some software makes me feel that way.  It is doubtful that Greg Francis or Ron Perlman will ever read my rambles here, but I AM sorry if my ineptitude made a nuisance of me.  That is the last thing I would wish to do.  All I was trying to do was help a friend, a screenwriter, who is part of a project that is eligible for a grant if they get enough "likes" for their video.  Anne Lower is very talented, and deserves to catch a break right now.  She has had successes, but I think this would mean a lot to her.  Here's a link to the project   As for my trying to help, you know what they say about good intentions...


OK, time for what I am SUPPOSED to be writing.
Walking yesterday morning and thinking about how the trees looked against the bright winter sky.  Like fine black fingers reaching toward the crystal blue sky.  The air was cold, crisp, and sweet.  That is one thing I like about Oklahoma.  Nowhere near as much crud in the air as there was in L.A. when I was growing up there.  You can hear yourself think walking around a small suburban neighborhood in Moore, Oklahoma.  There are noises, but in the mid-morning on a weekday, it is pretty quiet.  The only exception is when the stupid train decides to come through. There is one exception to the clear air.  Pollen.  (Thanks ever so much, Texas, for sharing all your cedar pollen with us.  I never had allergies before I moved to Oklahoma.  I think maybe the smog killed the pollen in L.A., but I can't be sure... I left in '89.) 
ANYWAY, as I was walking, I was thinking about how connected I seem to be to the community here.  I work in the public library here in Moore, and though this is a large suburb, it still feels like a small town.  Whenever I go out to the store, the gas station, the movie theater, (and we have a FABULOUS one The Moore Warren) I see library customers or coworkers.  I see members of the church I attend at my library, even though the church is in downtown Oklahoma City, 10 miles away.  St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral
We here in Central Oklahoma have been through a lot of tough times together in the almost 20 years I've lived here.  The Murrah Bombing - see the memorial website - our church suffered 8 million dollars worth of damage, too.  The May 3rd , 1999 tornado- Link to NOAA here -tore apart many lives here in Moore, and we lost quite a few library materials, but that was the least of our problems.  In all these cases, people here responded with care and help for their neighbors in need.  They also went to the government asking for help.  This is what made me SO ASHAMED of our Oklahoma delegation to Congress when they refused to support aid for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.  What horrendous hypocrisy.   Just because they want to stamp their little feets and say they said "NO" to more government spending.  Idiots!  I am proud to say that I did not vote for ANY of them, where I had the chance, I voted for their opponents.   It is difficult sometimes to be an educated and thinking person in Oklahoma, especially so if one must interact with the general public and remain civil.  For the most part, though, folks here are extremely nice, and will not try to force their opinions and beliefs on you.  The exceptions seem to run for office.  Unfortunately, they often win.
All of these thoughts led me to the conclusion that the connection must reach beyond our town and our state, it must reach out to the whole country , and beyond that, to the world.  We must do a better job of living those fine principles we claim to cherish.  EVERYONE ON THE PLANET is our neighbor, and Christians, Jesus told us in no uncertain terms that we must love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our mind, and with all our spirit, AND OUR NEIGHBOR AS OURSELVES.  "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."  Well, this year I am going to try and reach out to more of my neighbors like the victims of Sandy.  I sent a donation to www.statenstrong.com, I posted the link and asked friends to help both on Facebook and on Twitter.   I talked to people at work about it.   The harder part of loving my neighbor will be to be tolerant and kind even to those who behave with intolerance and unkindness.  Maybe an example is what they need.  Everyone needs to be loved. 
Please, if you happen to read this, go to StatenStrong and see what they are doing.  Maybe send a little donation.  Also, look around your own community, and maybe beyond, and see what you can do to make the connections a little better by helping, or even just spreading the word that help is needed.  It's one of my resolutions this year.