I have to admit, I'm a huge Christmas fan, usually. I definitely think Christmas is more fun with children, and -- unfortunately -- my wife and I don't have any (yet); but I've almost always made up for it by being, basically, a giant kid at heart.
There's always been something special (to me) about Christmas. Normally, I'm a fairly frantic person, constantly looking to be *doing* something; Christmas provides me with a sense of calm. I've sat in the dark staring at the blinking, flashing lights on my Christmas tree, just mesmerized by the patterns.
This year has been a little more difficult. While I've done an exceptional job of keeping my spirits high; focusing on the future; it's been very tough to get inspired for the holiday season (which is more about "now" than the future).
Most of my attempts to get into the spirit met with an unfortunate end -- I had planned to head into NYC to do some admiring of Christmas lights, etc.; but those plans were thwarted when the group we'd assembled had to cancel.
I also try each year to head out to look at decorated houses in the area; again, this year, that ended up not being possible (scheduling; my wife's job's crazy hours, etc.).
That brought us to Christmas Eve -- my wife's family always celebrated Christmas Eve more than Christmas Day (actually, they celebrated both, but the Eve had more of a significance to them). In the past years, we've hosted Christmas Eve, with varying number of guests, as we do a Feast of the Seven Fishes (modified to include more shellfish than fish (since that's more my preference)).
This year, for some reason, most people we asked, declined our invitation. Due to budget constraints, the Feast of the Seven Fishes became more of a Snack of the Three Fishes. By 9pm Christmas Eve, my wife and I were done eating -- it was too early to head to sleep; and too late to do anything overly festive and meaningful. So, we killed time. Ah well.
With Christmas Day still pending, I've just not been able to get into the typical Christmas spirit (and, let's be honest, after today, it's not really going to matter!). I know I'm not alone -- we're in a weird time now; people seem more stressed than ever before. Stress and Christmas do not make good partners (although, inevitably, they do seem to be linked).
With a little luck, and my continued positive outlook, I'm hoping this will be the last Christmas I experience like this one! I'm too much of a little kid at heart and I look too forward to the season to allow it to be diminished so much. I far prefer getting together with friends and family and celebrating our lives and the camaraderie -- this year, that just didn't happen as much as I usually prefer.
That being said, I'm still open to be amazed/wowed/surprised -- no pressure on the family!
Hope you all have a fantastic holiday!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Warning: Dont Trust; Always Get a Receipt at the Library
I've been a patron at my local library for 30+ years. I've never *not* lived in my district (even when I went to college, my permanent address was my home address) and I've always used the library.
A few years ago, I'd offered to give a class on boardgaming (the history, the evolution, but mostly, exposure to some of the new games that have been introduced). I was told that I wasn't an "expert" (despite having won an award for my work on the Internet in the field) and "there would be no interest." Of course, other libraries in the area didn't feel the same way, so only my home library missed out.
That should've been my first clue that things were a little wonky there; but it wasn't until recently that I saw how dangerous these people could be.
On November 26, I returned a book my wife had taken out. It was 5 days late (but, one of the days had been Thanksgiving, so there was no fine for that day). When I returned the book, the clerk mentioned that it was late (a total of $.08). I only had a $20 bill with me, so she said not to worry; the card would still be functional (which didn't matter, as it was my wife's card). On I went.
More than two weeks later, I received a letter in the mail from Kathy Schmidt, the Circulation Supervisor, stating the book was "damaged beyond repair" and we needed to buy the book. Since I don't think a book being 4 days late is "damaged beyond repair," I went to see Ms. Schmidt. She showed me the book, which had small stain on the outside pages, which was *not* present when I returned the book.
I explained, "this is pretty noticeable (even though I don't think it's 'beyond repair'), wouldn't the clerk have noticed it when I returned it? And, why would she have asked me for the $.08 if I was going to be buying the book anyway?" Ms. Schmidt had no response to that, except to say, "the clerk didn't write down that she spoke with you." The paperwork (who knows when it was written) said the book was "found" in the book drop.
I retorted, "well, since I've explained the entire conversation to you, we know that's not the case. I explained how I was asked for the $.08; how I didn't have the money, etc." She, again, had no response. Effectively, I was left with the perception that she thought I was a) hallucinating the entire conversation; or b) lying about it. However, I had too many facts to have been "lucky" enough to guess the exchange.
Ultimately, she asked me to have my wife call her (as it was my wife's card). I told her, that was fine. My wife would tell her the book was fine and she gave it to me. My wife called and the conversation quickly turned heated. Ms. Schmidt, once again, implicated that my version of events could not have happened, because her clerk didn't write it down. Apparently, it's more likely that I either hallucinated or fabricated the entire conversation and exchange; than it is that one of her clerks might have not done one thing correctly (this isn't even allowing for the potential that something more nefarious happened -- although, obviously, that is the more likely, since the book was not damaged when I returned it).
Evidently, returning the book to the library does NOT end the responsibility of the patron. If the book is returned in good condition and something happens -- even up to TWO weeks later -- the patron will be asked to pay a fine. As with most things in life, it is nearly impossible to prove one *hasn't* done something; so, I've now begun requesting a receipt from the library clerks. It takes a little longer; sure - but, now I have written proof that the books were returned properly and in good condition. If this ever happened again, I would have a written document showing my responsibility had ended.
I would strongly urge anyone who visits the Connetquot Library to do the same thing (although, it's probably a good practice anywhere...)
For the conspiracy theorists, who knows why this happened. Possibly one clerk spilled something and then filled out the paperwork, unaware I'd had a conversation with another clerk prior to that. Even more titillating - since the patron is charged the FULL retail price of the book (example: the book I had to pay for cost me $26.99; I could get it from Amazon for $16.94) and, we KNOW libraries almost certainly get preferred pricing over and above what individuals can get, it's possible this is another way to raise funds in an area that is already over-taxed. Is this likely? I hope not; but then again, prior to 10 years ago or so, it was never thought anyone like a school superintendent could/would siphon away hundreds of thousands of dollars from the school district - and that has now happened a few times.
The only way to protect yourself is to get a receipt that you have returned the books (or other items) in good condition, and with that, your responsibility ends.
A few years ago, I'd offered to give a class on boardgaming (the history, the evolution, but mostly, exposure to some of the new games that have been introduced). I was told that I wasn't an "expert" (despite having won an award for my work on the Internet in the field) and "there would be no interest." Of course, other libraries in the area didn't feel the same way, so only my home library missed out.
That should've been my first clue that things were a little wonky there; but it wasn't until recently that I saw how dangerous these people could be.
On November 26, I returned a book my wife had taken out. It was 5 days late (but, one of the days had been Thanksgiving, so there was no fine for that day). When I returned the book, the clerk mentioned that it was late (a total of $.08). I only had a $20 bill with me, so she said not to worry; the card would still be functional (which didn't matter, as it was my wife's card). On I went.
More than two weeks later, I received a letter in the mail from Kathy Schmidt, the Circulation Supervisor, stating the book was "damaged beyond repair" and we needed to buy the book. Since I don't think a book being 4 days late is "damaged beyond repair," I went to see Ms. Schmidt. She showed me the book, which had small stain on the outside pages, which was *not* present when I returned the book.
I explained, "this is pretty noticeable (even though I don't think it's 'beyond repair'), wouldn't the clerk have noticed it when I returned it? And, why would she have asked me for the $.08 if I was going to be buying the book anyway?" Ms. Schmidt had no response to that, except to say, "the clerk didn't write down that she spoke with you." The paperwork (who knows when it was written) said the book was "found" in the book drop.
I retorted, "well, since I've explained the entire conversation to you, we know that's not the case. I explained how I was asked for the $.08; how I didn't have the money, etc." She, again, had no response. Effectively, I was left with the perception that she thought I was a) hallucinating the entire conversation; or b) lying about it. However, I had too many facts to have been "lucky" enough to guess the exchange.
Ultimately, she asked me to have my wife call her (as it was my wife's card). I told her, that was fine. My wife would tell her the book was fine and she gave it to me. My wife called and the conversation quickly turned heated. Ms. Schmidt, once again, implicated that my version of events could not have happened, because her clerk didn't write it down. Apparently, it's more likely that I either hallucinated or fabricated the entire conversation and exchange; than it is that one of her clerks might have not done one thing correctly (this isn't even allowing for the potential that something more nefarious happened -- although, obviously, that is the more likely, since the book was not damaged when I returned it).
Evidently, returning the book to the library does NOT end the responsibility of the patron. If the book is returned in good condition and something happens -- even up to TWO weeks later -- the patron will be asked to pay a fine. As with most things in life, it is nearly impossible to prove one *hasn't* done something; so, I've now begun requesting a receipt from the library clerks. It takes a little longer; sure - but, now I have written proof that the books were returned properly and in good condition. If this ever happened again, I would have a written document showing my responsibility had ended.
I would strongly urge anyone who visits the Connetquot Library to do the same thing (although, it's probably a good practice anywhere...)
For the conspiracy theorists, who knows why this happened. Possibly one clerk spilled something and then filled out the paperwork, unaware I'd had a conversation with another clerk prior to that. Even more titillating - since the patron is charged the FULL retail price of the book (example: the book I had to pay for cost me $26.99; I could get it from Amazon for $16.94) and, we KNOW libraries almost certainly get preferred pricing over and above what individuals can get, it's possible this is another way to raise funds in an area that is already over-taxed. Is this likely? I hope not; but then again, prior to 10 years ago or so, it was never thought anyone like a school superintendent could/would siphon away hundreds of thousands of dollars from the school district - and that has now happened a few times.
The only way to protect yourself is to get a receipt that you have returned the books (or other items) in good condition, and with that, your responsibility ends.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
The House is (mostly) Decorated
Christmas is, by far, my favorite holiday. I love nearly everything about the holiday - the lights, the trees, the smells, the TV specials, the food. And, I love Christmas decorations, as well. I don't particularly love setting up the decorations, although, it's far from my least favorite task.
In normal years, decorating takes about 4-5 days -- 1 day for the inside, 1 day for the tree, 1-2 days for the outside and 1 day for the Christmas village; about 100-125 pieces that take up about 5 banquet tables. This year and last year I haven't been inspired enough to set up the village (which has gotten so large as to not really have a home anymore -- four years ago, it was in the dining room; three years ago, it was in a spare bedroom; and two years ago, it was in the basement. Ideally, I'd like to set it up in the garage, with a plexiglass barrier, so I could open the garage door and allow visitors to view the village; but plexiglass, especially plexiglass of that size, costs money....
Anyway, here are some of the pictures of this year's decorating extravaganza....
In normal years, decorating takes about 4-5 days -- 1 day for the inside, 1 day for the tree, 1-2 days for the outside and 1 day for the Christmas village; about 100-125 pieces that take up about 5 banquet tables. This year and last year I haven't been inspired enough to set up the village (which has gotten so large as to not really have a home anymore -- four years ago, it was in the dining room; three years ago, it was in a spare bedroom; and two years ago, it was in the basement. Ideally, I'd like to set it up in the garage, with a plexiglass barrier, so I could open the garage door and allow visitors to view the village; but plexiglass, especially plexiglass of that size, costs money....
Anyway, here are some of the pictures of this year's decorating extravaganza....
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| A view of the front of the house - three rows of lights hanging from the gutters. |
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| Another view of the front, with a full flash. The lights on the right-hand side change from blue to white and back again. |
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| The left-hand side of the house, with more lights along the windows and five different pathway lights -- candy canes, snowmen and presents. |
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| A close up of the window -- eventually, the tree will be visible from here, as well. |
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| The stockings and fireplace decor. |
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| Even the TV stand isn't immune from being infiltrated by the Christmas decorations. |
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| The more casual kitchen table, with a snowman tea set and a boatload of candy. |
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| The dining room table, which will be the site of Christmas Eve dinner (right now, it's not completely decked out, because we have clumsy company coming next weekend!) :) |
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| One of the Advent calendars (monogrammed with little presents you place on the tree to show which "day" it is; as well as our (still fairly bare) Christmas card holder, to the left. |
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| The second Advent calendar. Yes, that's right, I have two -- it's just how I roll. |
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| Charlotte is nonplussed by the attention paid to decorating -- in general, she's happiest when this is all over. She doesn't get it. |
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