i drink and run

That's how I do it.

Chicago was awesome. Spring Institute in Ann Arbor was a confidence builder. I've been kind of obsessed with the health care/scotus thing. I read "The Underneath" by Kathi Applet and it might be the best children's book I've read in a long time. I made a homemade hamburger helper meal out of good beef, spring kale from a friend's garden, organic tomatoes and goat cheese. I've been running about 4-5 days a week and I think it's somehow keeping me sane. Budget negotiations start next week. Union contract negotiations start in the next few weeks. I may be looking at inheriting the 0-2 year olds story time, tween programming, and I'm already scheming about fall programs for teens. My brain is at a constant whir of about 1000mph. This weekend: HG for the second time, finish Pandemonium and start a grown-up book, brunch on Sunday.

But most importantly: RELAX

the lull before the storm

Teen Tech Week 2012:  Done.  Not a complete bust, but I definitely have a better sense of what we could have done differently to get more kids in.  Most importantly:  describe the programs better!  Writing "CamBox iPhone app program" is completely meaningless.  "Fan of video beat box?  Come to the library's teen activity room to collaborate and create your own short digital video!" would have been waaay better.  

I don't write the press releases.  I just should.

I've been also realizing we are lacking a strong focus and direction for the department. Everything feels kind of arbitrary and last minute.  I know this is a direct result of us being so new, but I'm ready for that to change. I've got a few ideas for the fall programming schedule that I hope will help. And instead of continuing to complain we're always unorganized, I've decided to just take responsibility for that. I'll make the lists of supplies needed for upcoming programs. I'll make sure we have plenty of snacks in advance. I'll write the agendas for the meetings. It's what I'm good at and it's what helps me function more efficiently.  Next up:  Chicago to visit YOUmedia, Spring Institute in Ann Arbor and The Hunger Games event. Which terrifies me. As I think we could be overrun with kids.  

Wait.  That's a good thing, right?

Chicago, Chicago, Chicago I cannot wait to see you again! I was going to go to the Shedd on Friday, but think instead I'll make this an Arty McArtsy weekend and hit up the Museum of Contemporary Art on Friday afternoon. Friday night:  Honky Tonk Happy Hour at the Empty Bottle followed by Bite Cafe. Saturday: Hopefully the weather will cooperate and I can convince Kevin/Xtina to accompany me en bicyclette to YOUmedia at Harold Washington as the thought of even attempting to get anywhere via the CTA on Saturday (St. Patrick's Day, people.  In Chicago. On a weekend. My own personal green beer-ed douchey hell.) sounds like death.  Saturday night I'm hoping to catch up with my friend Michael Miller for dinner maybe? and then I'm wide open-I would not be opposed to attempting to get into The Whistler again or any other awesome local watering hole. Sunday: I have no confirmation, but I threw out a day o'cooking and hanging with Sandy and Becky at their place and maybe crashing with them Sunday night.  Monday: The Art Institute of Chicago.  All day.

I come back for 2 days of work and then head off to Ann Arbor for Spring Institute followed immediately by The Hunger Games event on Saturday.

Sunday the 25th?

I will sleep.