MATRIMONY winner revealed!!!

The winner of MATRIMONY by Joshua Henkin is...........

DEIDRE!!!!

Congratulations, Deidre!!! I have sent you an email asking for your mailing address!!

Thanks to everyone for playing!! I hope everyone has a happy holiday season!!!!

**Winner was chosen by Random.org - Sequence Generator.

Here is your sequence:

• 8
• 2
• 11
• 5
• 3
• 6
• 13
• 10
• 14
• 16
• 4
• 1
• 12
• 15
• 7
• 9

Timestamp: 2008-12-23 17:42:06 UTC

A side of ice...

So, it's been a while since I've posted a life update, so I thought I might give you a little inside scoop into the world of A Real Librarian...

My hubby and I made it to Minnesota and we've been here for about a month and a half. Go figure - it's the coldest winter they've had in MN in a really long time. Nice. Let me give you a little back story. I HATE winter. My hell is not flames and heat, it's frigid cold and ice. I moved south for several reasons - the most prominent being WINTER SUCKS GIGANTIC FROZEN DONKEY BALLS.

I woke up today to the temperature of -10. With the wind chill that translated to -25 or so. Yeah. NEGATIVE 25!!!!!! How anyone lives here and likes it is beyond me. I once heard my dad say "yeah, it's warmed up to zero." WARMED up to ZERO?!?!?! Hell...I'm in hell.

Anyway, I'll get off the frigid temperatures for a minute. I am no longer an unemployed Minnesotan! WHOOOOT!!!! I am not, however, a real librarian...yet. I am working at a clothing store. Retail. I have a new found respect for anyone who works retail. Standing on your feet all day is hard work! And I gotta tell ya - listening to Christmas music all day pretty much BLOWS (Normally, I like Christmas music a day or two before...I've been listening to it constantly at work since I started!). Luckily, I have had great experiences so far with my customers, and my coworkers seem pretty great, too. And I am LOVING my employee discount. Especially exciting because I have pretty much NO winter clothes, and definitely no winter professional clothes. So, yay for being employed, and yay for employee discounts!!!

I had an interview with a public library last week, but unfortunately I was not selected for a second interview. Which is okay - I didn't have the management experience that they were looking for. I'm pretty pumped that I got an interview, though!! (Does that sound a too much like "It's an honor just to be nominated!"?) I also had a phone interview on Friday for a job that would be pretty much perfect. A children's librarian position!!! I should find out in the next day or two if I am selected for an in person interview - wish me luck!!!

I'll leave you with a patron story... Or, as they are called in retail, "customers."

Lady with a coupon: So, how does this coupon work?
Real Librarian: Well, if you spend $50, then you get $25 off!
LwaC: Oh, so does it work like cash? I can use this to buy stuff?
RL: No, actually, you have to spend $50 first, then we use this coupon to take $25 off.
LwaC: Oh, I see. So does it work like cash?
RL: **mentally slaps head**

Stupid patrons are everywhere!! =)

MATRIMONY - Review and Giveaway!!

I am very excited to have been contacted by author Joshua Henkin about his most recent novel, MATRIMONY. I actually read this book after reading several reviews about it from other fabulous book bloggers, even before I got the email from Mr. Henkin. It seemed like it would be a great story, and I couldn't wait to read it! Did I mention that MATRIMONY is also a New York Times Notable Book?

Here is the description of the novel:

It's the fall of 1986, and Julian Wainwright, an aspiring writer, arrives at Graymont College in New England. Here he meets Carter Heinz, with whom he develops a strong but ambivalent friendship, and beautiful Mia Mendelsohn, with whom he falls in love. Spurred on by a family tragedy, Julian and Mia's love affair will carry them to graduation and beyond, taking them through several college towns, over the next fifteen years. Starting at the height of the Reagan era and ending in the new millennium, Matrimony is a stunning novel of love and friendship, money and ambition, desire and tensions of faith. It is a richly detailed portrait of what it means to share a life with someone-to do it when you're young, and to try to do it afresh on the brink of middle age.

I enjoyed this book. I really felt that the characters had depth. They all started out as college students, and evolved through the years. They grew and learned from their experiences and mistakes, which is always great to see. All of the individual characters were interesting and believable on their own, and the relationships that they formed together were also convincing. I felt that Henkin showed the reader relationships, rather than tell about them (Even though one of Professor Chesterfield's rules said "Thou shalt not utter the phrase 'show, don't tell' when discussing another's short stories" – it still describes what Henkin did with his story). I definitely think this book is worth picking up and checking out!!

In fact, we're going to do a giveaway!!! HOOORAY!!! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and you will be entered to win. It's that simple!! The only rule is that you HAVE to post an email address so I'll have a way to get in contact with you if you win. If there is a comment that doesn't have an email address, it will be deleted, and you will not be entered. Not trying to be mean, but like I said – we need to be able to contact you if you win! Oh, and the coolest part? This contest is open to ANYONE in the world!! The last day to comment will be midnight on Monday, December 22, and I'll choose the winner on Tuesday, December 23!!

Check out this post, where Joshua talks about visiting book groups!

Also, if you are interested, here is a list of blogs who have reviewed MATRIMONY:
The Literate Housewife
The 3 R's: Reading, 'Riting, and Randomness
She is Too Fond of Books
Age 30 - A Year of Books
Books and Cooks
Reading Room
Bookfoolery and Babble
A Reader's Journal
B&B Ex Libris
Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'?
Shelf Life
The Boston Bibliophile
Trish's Reading Nook
Musings of a Bookish Kitty

Good luck and happy reading!!!

I've been tagged!!

I was tagged by brainella the librarian a while ago, and I've finally gotten around to pulling it together! Sorry for being so lame, brainella!!!

8 TV shows I like to watch
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. Private Practice
3. Dirty Sexy Money
4. Weeds
5. American Idol
6. Americas Next Top Model
7. So You Think You Can Dance
8. Hell's Kitchen

8 places I like to eat
1. Casa Fiesta (ohh how I miss you!)
2. Chipotle
3. Carraba's
4. Papa Murphy's (although that's a take and bake place, so really I'm eating it at home!)
5. PF Changs
6. Famous Dave's
7. McDonalds (I know, I know)
8. My mom's place (she's an AWESOME cook!)

8 things that happened yesterday
1. An interview (I was keeping it under wraps, because I didn't want to jinx myself!)
2. A road trip
3. Mmmm, Potato Ole's
4. Watched the 10th and 11th episodes of the 2nd season of Dexter
5. Heated up my RelaxWrap to put on my feet
6. Thought about exercising, but then didn't
7. Spent time at the library
8. Snuggled with the hubby

8 things I look forward to
1. Christmas
2. Seeing Twilight again
3. My cookie making party with my friend B
4. Decorating the tree
5. Maybe a second interview?
6. Getting the 4th disk of the 2nd season of Dexter
7. Campfire Mocha from Caribou Coffee
8. 2009

8 things I love about Fall
1. Leaves changing color
2. Pumpkin Spice Latte's
3. Pumpkin flavored creamer for my coffee at home
4. yeah, that's about it...
5.
6.
7.
8.

8 things on my wish list
1. See my family more
2. A new job
3. A turn around in the economy
4. Spend more time with friends
5. A vacation
6. Summer
7. Less snow
8. Christina Aguilara's new CD

8 people to tag
Yeah - I'm gonna be lame and just say if you wanna play, you should!!! If you do post this meme, leave me a comment, so I can check it out!!!

Review: Rose Hill

A couple of months ago, I was contacted by Pamela Grandstaff, an independent author, about reading and reviewing her latest book, Rose Hill. First things first, I want to apologize to Pamela for taking so long to read the book. I got it right before I started the whole moving process, and it's taken me a while to get started on it. However, once I started it, I couldn't put it down. Let me tell you what it's about:

When the bludgeoned body of rich and rotten Theo Eldridge turns up in the kennel of the local veterinary, police chief Scott Gordon is determined to solve the case before Sarah Albright, the county sheriff’s investigator, beats him to it. Scott is convinced that temperamental bookstore owner Maggie Fitzpatrick is the woman for him, but she’s still grieving over the mysterious disappearance of the love of her life six years previously. Although determined to resist the powerful chemistry between them, Maggie is resolved to help Scott find the killer. As Maggie and Scott attempt to untangle the sticky web of Theo’s shady business dealings, they discover a dog-breeding scam and enough arson, graft, and blackmail to supply motives to a dozen suspects. They also uncover some dark family secrets that may connect Theo’s murder to another committed twenty years previously.

I have to tell you, I loved this book. It was a great mystery set in a very small town, where everyone knows all your business. I grew up in a small town, so I could really relate to these people and actually kind of felt like I knew them. I definitely know people LIKE them! Another fun addition to the story was Duke, the community cat. Duke pops up all over town, finding food, places to relax, and love with all (or most!) of the locals.
Not only did this have a great mystery with a bunch of twists, there is also a budding romance in the background of this novel. Scott and Maggie - will they? Won't they? Could they?

All in all, I loved this book - you should definitely check it out. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the Rose Hill mystery series, Morning Glory Circle.

Thanks again to Pamela! You wrote a highly entertaining book, and I am so glad that I am able to spread the word!!!

And the winner is...

The winner of Two Brothers: One North, One South by David H. Jones is...

DARBY!!!

Congratulations! I've sent you an email to get your mailing address!! I hope you (and your husband) enjoy it!!!

I also want to give a shout out and thank David H. Jones for stopping by the blog and leaving a fabulous comment:

Thank you for hosting "Two Brothers: One North, One South" on your blog and for your thoughtful review. I appreciate the statement that your tastes might be totally different from others who read this book. "Two Brothers" is very closely based on real people and events. The historical characters lived in difficult times and, in my view, their memory should be honored and respected. For this reason, I minimized "character development," hoping that readers would become emotionally involved with the characters given their authenticity. Thanks again for hosting my book on the TLC Book Tour and for conducting the book giveaway.

David, you are a rock star!!!

Congrats again to Darby!!

**winner chosen by Random.org**

The List of Fabulous Movies

Well, I've promised and promised, but I'm finally going to post The List. If you don't know what The List is, well, then you haven't been reading my blog very long. First, let me give you a rundown of what The List is. My friend A and I have been watching movies together for YEARS. It all started when we were just hanging out, and he asked if I had seen this movie or that movie, and the answer was usually no. This morphed into Fabulous Movies Real's Never Seen or FMRNS. We would get together every Tuesday and watch a Fabulous Movie. We've been calling it my movie education, and it really was. All decades, all genres, tons of big named movie stars, and a bunch of not so huge stars. Plus, we always had TONS of fun!!

But now, since I've moved away from Nashville, FMRNS is over. **sniff** Fortunately, I have something that I can pass along to my friends, and YOU!! True to form, the list is color coded by genre. There are 299 movies on the list. Feel free to turn this into a meme or post it on your blog, or leave a comment here letting me know how many of these movies you've seen, or which ones are your favorites, or pretty much whatever you want to do with it. If you do post it on your blog or turn in into a meme, please, leave me a comment and let me know!!

And without further adieu... THE LIST!!!!

Drama
The Color Purple
Chocolat
Frida
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Gone With The Wind
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Miracle Worker (1962)
The Red Shoes
All About Eve
Mask
Dead Poets Society
Iris
Life is Beautiful
Casablanca
The Lion in Winter (1968)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Immortal Beloved
The Red Violin
The Pelican Brief
Silkwood
Gorillas in the Mist
Little Man Tate
Tea With Mussolini
Sunset Boulevard
On Golden Pond
The Graduate
Elizabeth
Mommie Dearest
Twelve Angry Men (1957)
The Women
Stage Door
Thelma and Louise
The Fisher King
Like Water for Chocolate
The Sting
The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)
Suddenly Last Summer
Day of the Dolphin
Chinatown
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
Dangerous Liaisons
What’s Love Got To Do With It
Night Mother
JFK
Rebel Without A Cause
The Children’s Hour
The Three Faces of Eve
Of Mice and Men (1939)
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
Heaven and Earth
Quills
Backdraft
Charlotte’s Web
The African Queen
Brian's Song
Sybil (1976)
National Velvet
Shine
Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (1958)
Nell
Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan the Ape Man
Guess Who's Coming To Dinner
The Turning Point
Cocoon
Lawrence of Arabia
Old Yeller
Tales of the City (all of them)
The Godfather I
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)
Jackie Brown
La Strada
The Last Temptation of Christ
Lassie Come Home
Sister My Sister
The Quiet Man
It’s A Wonderful Life
The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
Bill: On His Own
The Corn is Green
The Maltese Falcon
The Godfather Part II
The French Connection
Girl With A Pearl Earring
Blackboard Jungle
Escape To Witch Mountain
The French Connection II
Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?
Bill
Torch Song Trilogy
Iron Jawed Angels
Awakenings
The Little Foxes
Gilda
True Grit
Children of a Lesser God
Hotel Rwanda
The China Syndrome
Vatel
Places in the Heart
Brokeback Mountain

Comedy
Auntie Mame
Desk Set
Harold and Maude
Some Like it Hot
Moonstruck
Arsenic and Old Lace
Adam's Rib
Sabrina (1954)
Arthur
9 to 5
Soap Dish
When Harry Met Sally
Death Becomes Her
To Wong F00 Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar
Roxanne
A Fish Called Wanda
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Best in Show
Coming to America
Gentlemen Prefer Blonds
Young Frankenstein
Ball of Fire
High Anxiety
All Of Me
Postcards from the Edge
The Philadelphia Story
Outrageous Fortune
What’s Up Doc
Topper
The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Thank God It’s Friday
Tootsie
Bell Book & Candle
Splash
The Simpson’s Movie
Seven Year Itch
Superstar
The Jerk
The Canterville Ghost (1944)
Airplane
Harvey
Innerspace
The Gods Must Be Crazy
Private Benjamin
Blaze
The Golden Child
Lair of the White Worm
Monte Python’s The Meaning of Life
Duck Soup
Queens of Comedy
The Pink Panther Strikes Again
The Original Kings of Comedy
Revenge of the Pink Panther
Monte Python’s Life of Brian
But I’m a Cheerleader
Strictly Ballroom
Laurel and Hardy Shorts
Sons of the Desert
Music Box
He Said, She Said
Silver Streak

Musical
My Fair Lady
Roman Holiday
Holiday Inn
Singing in the Rain
Gigi
Mary Poppins
The King and I
Funny Girl
Royal Wedding
The Wiz
Oliver
West Side Story
On the Town
Jesus Christ Superstar
Funny Face
Cabaret
Fame
Damn Yankees
Captain January
Victor Victoria
A Chorus Line
The Littlest Rebel
South Pacific
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Hairspray (1988)
Camelot
Meet Me In St. Louis
Oklahoma
Hair
Yankee Doodle Dandy
Silk Stockings
Fiddler On The Roof
The Little Princess

Suspense/Mystery
Witness for the Prosecution
Death on the Nile
Murder on the Orient Express
Wait Until Dark (1967)
Evil Under the Sun
Death in the Clouds
The Fugitive
The Net
Charade
The Day of the Jackal
Outbreak
Deathtrap
Jagged Edge
And Then There Were None (1945)
Murder Most Foul (1964)
Suspect
Murder, She Said
Dead of Winter
Red Corner
April Fool’s Day (1986)
Angel Heart
Time After Time
Music Box
WarGames
Twin Peaks
Fire Walk With Me
Fail-Safe

Horror
Carrie
Poltergeist
The Exorcist
Jaws
The Shining (1980)
Silence of the Lambs
Red Dragon
Rosemary’s Baby
When a Stranger Calls (1979)
Nosferatu
Henry Portrait of a Serial Killer
The Hunger
Alien
Halloween (1978)
Creepshow
The Serpent and the Rainbow
The Fly (1986)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
The Amityville Horror (1979)
Night Gallery
An American Werewolf in London
Frankenstein Unbound
Aliens

Other
Fantasia
The Celluloid Closet
Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown
Baraka
Darby O’Gill and the Little People
Fantastic Voyage
The Man Who Planted Trees
The Dark Crystal
Heavy Metal
Trekkies
School House Rock
Watership Down
Paris is Burning
Wigstock

Foreign
La Cage Aux Folles
The Red Balloon
Amelie
Antonia's Line
The King of Masks
Jean de Florette
Manon of the Spring
Babette's Feast
All the Mornings of the World
Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

Love
An Affair To Remember
Shakespeare In Love
Ninotchka
Love Story
A Little Romance
Somewhere In Time
It Happened One Night
The Goodbye Girl
Beautiful Thing

Sci-Fi
The Terminator
Terminator II
Total Recall
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Barbarella
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Flash Gordon
Starman
Legend

Hitchcock
The Birds
Rear Window
To Catch a Thief
Vertigo
Psycho (1960)
North By Northwest
Dial "M" for Murder
Rebecca (1940)

Action/Adventure
Raiders of the Lost Arc
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Goldfinger
The Spy Who Loved Me
F/X

TLC Book Tours: Two Brothers - One North, One South review and giveaway!

I was asked by Trish from TLC Book Tours to read the novel Two Brothers - One North, One South by David H. Jones.

I was really excited to read this book. I have not read a lot of historical fiction, and I am always interested in branching out in the genres I read. This historical fiction book is about the Prentiss family from Maryland during the Civil War. While most of the family supported the Union cause, one brother, William, defied his family to support the Confederate side. This story is set in 1865 right after the end of the Civil War. Walt Whitman is the narrator who has devoted much time in comforting soldiers of both sides while they were in hospitals and near death. He happens upon William Prentiss during his final days. After William passes on, Whitman learns that William's brother, Clifton, an officer for the Union, is in another ward at the hospital. Whitman then goes to Clifton's bedside to recall William's experiences with Clifton and their other brothers, John and Melville.

I felt disjointed from the characters in this novel. I didn't think there was enough development of the principle characters to really feel a connection. I think the premise was very interesting, however it didn't translate well into the actual story. I did like the incorporation of Walt Whitman and how he brought the stories of the two brothers together in order to help William's family understand more of his plight and what he went through during the war.

This novel was obviously well researched and I learned some things about the Civil War, particularly the role of Maryland and her soldiers. It seemed, at times, to feel more like a history lesson than a novel. I won't go as far to say 'textbook,' but more informative than novel. I felt that some of the less important characters were more of a filler than part of the story, in order to inform the reader of battles rather than progress the story of the brothers.

I have to say, at times I felt confused and disconnected. I feel as though the story would have been better if it either leaned more towards the historical informative line, or focused more on the brother against brother fictional side - including more internal struggles of the brothers.

All of that said, remember that my tastes might be totally different from your tastes! It wasn't necessarily for me, but if you are interested in Civil War fiction, you might really enjoy this book.

And because of that, I am hosting a giveaway of Two Brothers - One North, One South!! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post. Please remember to leave your email address with your comment - I need to have a way to get in touch with you if you win! All comments that do not provide contact information will be deleted and not entered in the contest. This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only. The deadline will be midnight Sunday, November 23, and I will announce the winner on Monday, November 24th!

Good luck and happy reading!!!

Novel Adventures

Have y'all heard of this show Novel Adventures from CBS? Here is the description from CBS.com:

Lizzie, Laura, Joanna, and Amy are decidedly uninterested in the pretentious book club they belong to, but they enjoy the time away from their families. Determined to take their 'us'-time and enjoy it, they decide to use the books as inspiration. It's great to read about amazing lives, but these girls are ready to live them.

And so, the four women start a new kind of book club, picking a "novel adventure" for each book. Each meeting is an opportunity for discovery, freedom, and fun. The adventure is just the beginning.

How exciting is that?! Now, I'm a little late in posting this - it started a couple weeks ago, BUT you can watch full episodes online at CBS.com.

Also very cool is a contest that CBS is holding, hosted by the FABULOUS Bookshipper!! Just go to this post and leave a comment. You have a chance to win all of these amazing books!!!

P.S. If you leave a comment to enter the contest, and mention my name, I get an additional entry! That'd be super swell of you!!! =)

The Bourne Sanction	Girls Like Us	Gone with the Wind
Knit Two	Life So Far	The Monster of Florence
The Old Man and The Sea	The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society	The Sharper Your Knife, The Less You Cry

Recap: The final FMRNS

It's been a while since I've been a regular blogger. I have to tell you, I miss it!!! But, with all the craziness that comes along with moving, and now that I don't have internet access at home, it's been hard to keep up with. Some things just had to be put aside.

Anyway, I wanted to give you a recap of the last couple FMRNS movies, and talk a little about the last FMRNS evening.

We were able to make it to our goal of 299 movies. Can you believe it? It's been an amazing movie adventure and what a movie education!! We watched movies from all decades and genres, with super stars and little known actors. We have also had lots of laughs, tears, and built a wonderful friendship.

We did end up watching Brokeback Mountain, a drama love story from 2005, with Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal the week before the final movie night. What an amazing story. I truly can't imagine not being able to openly love the person I am in love with.

After that, we watched Starman, a Sci-Fi Adventure from 1984 with Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen. and Silver Streak, a comedy from 1976 with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor.

The last movie on the list was Legend, a Sci-Fi Adventure from 1985 with Tom Cruise, Mia Sera and Tim Curry. Movie number 299.

We started out our evening with the usual - watching Jeopardy and Friends. After that, we decided that it was important to have one last fabulous dinner, so we headed out to Red Lobster. Yummy!!!! When we got back to A's, we watched the America's Next Top Model from the week before that I had taped - another FMRNS Night ritual (sometimes it's ANTM, sometimes it's American Idol. Whichever reality TV show is on at the time). And then, of course, the movie.

I just want to say that saying goodbye to my dear friend A was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. A has been my rock since I moved to Nashville and we have been through some major things together. He has been there for me through some of my happiest times, and has also been a shoulder for me to cry on during the hardest times. I miss my dear friend terribly.

I'll never forget all the wonderful and thoughtful things that A has brought to my life. I am so fortunate to have been able to spend so much time with him and get to know this fabulous person. He has brought such a joy to my life and I feel so blessed to have been given his friendship. A - you totally rock my face off, and I love you dearly. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend!!!

I promise one day soon I will post the list in it's color-coded by genre entirety! It's quite the list!!

Update...well, sorta!

Hey everyone!! I can't believe it's been so long since I last updated, but damn, have I been busy!! In the past couple weeks, I have had my last week of work, gone to Washington DC, had my last FMRNS, packed up my entire apartment, loaded the moving truck and moved halfway across the country. And now, I am dealing with the unpacking and putting stuff away. It's insane how much crap we have - where did it all come from?!

Anyway, I don't have internet at home, so I am checking in from my local library. It's a pretty nice branch! It's just REALLY weird being a patron, though!! But, I got my library card, and I even talked to someone about volunteering here! So, yay for me!

I will be posting about all my adventures soon, but I need a couple days to regroup and settle in. I miss blogging so much, but there are just some things I need to take care of.

Thanks for reading, and I promise to update again soon!!

The last story time...

Wow, typing that made me tear up just a little... I can't imagine how I am going to be at the actual story time!!

I decided today to do a story time of favorite books. I asked my supervisor and my fabulous coworker C what their favorite books to read at story time are, and I think we came up with a darn good program today!!

My supervisor's favorite book:

Something from Nothing by Phoebe Gilman

My fabulous coworker C's favorite book (it's also one of my favorites!):

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

And one of my favorite books:

Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Last week, when I told my story time family that this week would be my last story time, I totally started crying. Who knows what will happen this week. But, to make myself feel better, I plan on wearing a red feather boa.

Since tonight is Tuesday, it's FMRNS!!! WHOOOT!!!! I told y'all that A and I were trying to get to 299 movies, and we are about 4 shy. Tonight, we are going to do a double feature, but I'm not exactly sure which ones we are going to watch. We had a plan, but that plan might backfire because the NetFlix movies we were going to watch aren't here yet. We do have 2 other movies we can watch, but we had hoped to save those until 298 and 299... But, you do what you gotta to make the grade, right?

The movies we had planned to watch are Starman, a Sci-Fi Adventure from 1984 with Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen. The other one we had planned on watching is The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, a foreign film from 2007 with Mathieu Amalric and Emmanuelle Seigner. But, Starman won't be here until tomorrow, and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly hasn't been turned back in at the library yet (NOOOO!!!). Like I said, we do have two other movies. The first is Brokeback Mountain, a drama love story from 2005, with Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal. The other one is Legend, a Sci-Fi Adventure from 1985 with Tom Cruise, Mia Sera and Tim Curry. So, I'll give you an update as to what we watched!!

We watched quite a few movies this past week. Here's what was on the list:

Places in the Heart, a drama from 1984 with Sally Field, Ed Harris and Danny Glover.

F/X, an action thriller from 1986 with Bryan Brown and Brian Dennehy.

Laurel and Hardy Shorts: Sons of the Desert (1933) and The Music Box (1932).

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, a foreign film from 1988 with Carmen Maura and the delicious Antonio Banderas.

He Said, She Said, a comedy from 1991 with Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth Perkins.

p.s. I found my sports bra!! YAY!!

Losing it

I am losing my mind. I feel like I have SO much to do to get ready for this move that I am running around like a crazy woman!!

But not only am I losing my mind, I have noticed that I have lost several things in the past week that I NEED. I have no idea where these things are - I have looked EVERYWHERE. I am fairly certain they didn't make their way into a box, because I know I need them, but seriously - they disappeared.

One is a book. It's a personal book, and it's one that I promised to read. I haven't actually been reading lately - only during my lunch break at work - because with all the packing and getting things ready for the move, I haven't had a chance. And, if I do have a few minutes to chill, which really hasn't been happening, I have problems concentrating on a book. I just can't turn off the "I have so much to do" part of my brain. Anyway, I've only been reading it at work, but I can't find it anywhere. Not cool. ***edit*** Since the writing of this post, I have FOUND my book!! YAY!!! ***edit***

The second thing is a Bluetooth ear bud. I bought one from Verizon about 2 weeks ago. I didn't like it very much (it didn't fit in my ear right), so I purchased another one off Amazon (which I like much better). Anyway, I put it...somewhere...and now I can't find it!! Which REALLY sucks, because I could have really used that refund (I have 30 days to return it...if I can find it!!). UGH - how stupid, and what a waste of a bunch of money I don't really have to waste!!!

The third thing is...brace yourselves...my sports bra. Yes, I said sports bra in my blog. Now, I have another one, but it's old and, well, I hate it. It doesn't work very well. My new one was so nice and snug and comfortable (well, as comfortable as sports bras can be), and it's NOWHERE. Now I KNOW that didn't get into a box - but WHERE is it!??!?!

Seriously, there has to be something wrong with me. Anyone want to help me look for these things? Please??

I voted!!

Happy Early Voting everyone!!! I am excited to say that today, I exercised my right to vote!! HOOOORAY!!!!

My library is an Early Voting site for the presidential election. Which means we have TONS of extra people coming in to the library to vote (On Wednesday, we had 1,400+ people come in to the library JUST to vote! That's AWESOME!!! They are expecting at LEAST 20,000 people to vote at our Early Voting location ALONE!!!) Though, being an early voting site does come with some interesting adventures and stories.

First, early voting starts at 8:00 AM. The library itself doesn't open until 9:30. Which means that sometimes, the building is open, but the Library is closed. I blogged about this once before - very fun times!!

I am lucky enough, once again, to be the one who comes in extra early to police the building before the library opens. I have to tell you - I kinda like it. Here are a couple stories from the first two mornings:

**This happened about 30 minutes before early voting started. The EV staff tends to think they can do whatever, so they will come in and out of the building by pulling the doors open and shut. Keep in mind there is already a line of people waiting to get in. They see the EV staff opening the doors to come in and out... I bet you know what's coming.

Lady who is Determined to Vote: **pulls doors open and struts in**
Real Librarian: Um, excuse me, can I help you?
LDV: **with ATTITUDE** I'm goin' to VOTE.
RL: I'm sorry, actually, the voting doesn't open until 8:00, you'll have to wait outside.
LDV: I don't have TIME to wait. Plus, the radio said I could vote at 7.
Well, it took a while, but I finally got her to realize that no matter what she heard on the radio, the voting was NOT open. Oh, and I did manage to sneak in "that's why the doors were closed." heh heh heh

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Man in Green Shirt: Can you tell me the hours of the early voting?
Real Librarian: Sure - here they are (shows him schedule).
MGS: Great - my wife will have to come in on Saturday, it's the only time she can come!
RL: Well, great - we'll see her here on Saturday!
**MGS leaves and comes back in about 5-7 minutes later.
MGS: My wife doesn't have to come in on Saturday!! She's here right now!!!
RL: BWAHAHAHAHA (yes, I really did laugh - he was a good sport!)

New Book Tuesday!!!

Today is once again Fabulous Tuesday!! But I had to make an announcement in story time today...one that I haven't even told you guys yet...

Next Tuesday will be my last story time at my library. My husband and I are officially moving to Minnesota!! It's been a long time coming. We were supposed to move in April, and then July. But I just didn't want to move without a job. Unfortunately, I still don't have one, but it is time to quit dragging it out and move already. So, I put in my two weeks notice at my job, and I totally cried telling my story time family today.

So, to make things a little more exciting, I had New Book story time today. This is the story time where I raid the new book shelf to see what's just come in to the library. Then I tell the kids that they are extra special, because these are NEW BOOKS, and NO ONE has heard them yet, and they are the first!! They love that! Anyway, here are the books I chose for my second to last story time.

Stuck in the Mud by Jane Clarke


The Knot Fairy by Bobbie Hinman


1,2, Buckle my Shoe by Anna Hines


This also means we are getting close to the end of FMRNS, which is one of the most depressing things ever. Like EVER. If you've been following this blog, you know that my friend A and I have been at this movie watching for a LONG time. We call it Fabulous Movies Real's Never Seen, but it's really a movie education. All genres, all decades, hundreds of actors and actresses. The goal is to get to 299 before I actually move away. We decided on 299 for a couple reasons. One being we are SO CLOSE!!!! After tonight, we'll be 6 movies away from the goal. The other reason that we decided on 299 and not 300 is because we are waiting on NetFlix to deliver AFI's 100 Years, 100 Movies DVD - which says it has a Very Long Wait, and we can't find it anywhere else. That DVD will be the "final exam" of my movie education. If all school was like this, I'd be a student forever.

Anyway, we've been stepping up our game in order to get to 299. Lots of Double Feature bonus nights!! Here are the movies we've watched in the past week or so:

Strictly Ballroom, a dramedy from 1992 with Paul Mercurio and Tara Morice.
The Little Princess, a Shirley Temple movie from 1939.
Watership Down, an animated drama from 1979.
Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down, a foreign film from 1990 with Antonio Banderas and Victoria Abril. (We tried to watch this one before, and made it about 15 minutes to the end, and the DVD gave out on us! We were pumped to be able to finish it!)
It Happened One Night, a romantic comedy from 1934 with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert.
The Goodbye Girl, a romantic comedy from 1977 with Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason.
Vatel, a drama from 2000 with Gerard Depardieu, Uma Thurman and Tim Roth.

This week we'll probably watch Beautiful Thing, a dramedy from 1996 with Meera Syal and Martin Walsh. Another option is F/X, an action crime thriller from 1986 with Bryan Brown and Brian Dennehy.








P.S. I want to give a huge shoutout to Luanne from A Bookworm's World!! I won her giveaway of An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination by Elizabeth McCracken - how exciting!!! Thanks so much, Luanne!!!

Be sure to check out A Bookworm's World - she's got tons of great reviews in you are interested in some recommendations!!

Book Blog Giveaways!

Here is a list of some fabulous book blog giveaways I came across this week:

Shana at Literarily has a post up with Guest Blogger and Author Michelle Moran. This post includes info for a chance to win Michelle Moran's book The Heretic Queen. Contest ends October 17th.

The Tome Traveller's Weblog is giving away Hollywood Crows by Joseph Wambaugh. Click here to enter!! Contest ends October 22nd.

J. Kaye's Book Blog has a great review and giveaway for Peacemaker by Dan Ronco. Raffle will be held on October 22nd.

Booking Mama has reviewed the book I Like You by Amy Sedaris. Click here to enter the contest, which ends on October 22!

Bermudaonion is giving away a copy of Dead Boys by Richard Lange. Click here to enter!! Contest ends October 17th.

Hannah's Dream Giveaway WINNER!!!

The winner of my Hannah's Dream giveaway is Rebekah!!!!! I've sent you an email to let you know and ask for your snail mail address. I hope you enjoy this book!!!

Thanks to all of you who entered my giveaway!!! I did have to delete some entries - a couple people forgot to leave their email address, and I warned you! You'll remember next time, though, right?

Anyway, this is about Rebekah and how rock star cool she is. Congrats, girl!!!

Piggy story time

I love Tuesdays! I love Tuesdays!! I love Tuesdays!! And Tuesday is today!! (sung in my best "I love Tuesdays" voice).

That's right, Tuesday story time is here again! I just realized that I had never done a story time with a Pig theme, so I bet you can guess what we are reading stories about today!!

If you Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Joffe Numeroff


Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis


Piggies by Don and Audrey Wood


And, as always, it's FMRNS!! A and I had a couple bonus nights last week. First, on Tuesday, we watched Fiddler on the Roof, a musical from 1971 with Topol and Norma Crane. I loved this movie!! The music was awesome, and Topol? He has the sexiest voice (him and Sean Connery)!!!

On Friday, we watched But I'm a Cheerleader, a comedy from 1999 with Natasha Lyonne and Michelle Williams. We were also able to get together on Sunday for an impromptu bonus night, where we watched Flash Gordon, a cheesy Sci Fi movie from 1980 with Sam J. Jones and Melody Anderson. It was AWESOME!! **singing** "Flash!!! AHHHHHH!!! Savior of the Universe!!! Flash!!! AHHHHHHH!!! He'll save every one of us!!!" Queen did the soundtrack, and it ROCKED!!!

Tonight, we're going to watch Strictly Ballroom, a dramedy from 1992 with Paul Mercurio and Tara Morice. We might even do a Double Feature, but we haven't officially decided yet... =)

P.S. Today is the LAST DAY to enter my Hannah's Dream giveaway!!! I will announce the winner tomorrow!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!!

Library question of the day

Boy Gangsta: What time y'all be closin'?
Real Librarian: **snicker** We will be closing at 8:00.

All about NetFlix

I signed up for NetFlix a couple of months ago, just to see if my friend A and I could get some of the movies for our FMRNS List through them that we couldn't get through the library.

Before I go any further, I have to give MAD PROPS to the library. They have provided A and I with almost all of the movies on our list (270 and counting!). We've only had to resort to Blockbuster or Hollywood Video a handful of times. So, library - you ROCK my FACE OFF!!! =)

Now, back to the point. Thanks to NetFlix, A and I have made it through the hard to find movies on the list. Rather than buying a movie at $20 a pop, we've been able to have 3 movies out at a time for less than what it would cost for one movie! WHOOT!!!! (Not to mention the hours that I have spent watching other things not associated with the list, such as Seasons 1 and 2 of How I Met Your Mother --season 3 comes out next week!!! -- Season 1 of Pushing Daisies, Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe, and most recently, the first season of Project Runway.)

So, because I rock, and because NetFlix rocks, they sent me 4 free month trials that I can give out to friends!! Soooo, if anyone wants to sign up for a FREE MONTH of NetFlix, I can hook you up!!!

I will email the Priority Code to the first 4 people who comment on this post. Please remember to leave your email address so I can email you!! The offer is good until October 31. If you sign up, then I get a "Bonus Disk" and that's freakin' cool!!!

And GO! =)

Three things

First, I want to say a HUGE thank you to Amanda from Life and Times of a "New" New Yorker!! She recently gave me the FABULOUS "I Love your Blog" award!!! And I have to tell ya, Amanda - I love your blog RIGHT BACK!!! If you haven't checked out her blog, you really should. She has a fabulous mix of awesome book reviews, as well as some fun pictures and interesting info about New York. I was fortunate enough to be able to meet Amanda IRL, and she is one of the coolest chicas EVAH!! So, Amanda, thanks for the award, and thanks for providing me with hours of entertainment reading your reviews and learning about New York!!!

Now, I would like to honor a couple people with this prestigious award.

At Home With Books
Stone SouP
Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'?
brainella the librarian
S. Krishna's Books
Booking Mama
Shelf Love

I enjoy reading all your reviews and fun stories! Thanks for the entertainment!!!!

Second, I'd like to thank and apologize to Alyce from At Home With Books. I was the winner of her Sailor Girl by Sheree-Lee Olson book giveaway, and I totally forgot to thank her!!! So, Alyce, THANK YOU so much for the book!! I got it in the mail, and I can't WAIT to read it!!!

And lastly, I'd like to leave you with the latest patron story.

On Tuesday, I was getting ready for story time. My co-worker, C, was sitting at the Children's Information desk, and I was standing in front of her. We had just opened the doors, and shockingly there was no one at the children's computers, and the library was blissfully quiet.

But then, I hear music...and just as mysteriously, it was gone. I told C that I had heard this music, but I was probably just going crazy. So, I went into the story room to set up in preparation of our special guest Miss Lynn. When I came back out, C told me, no I was not in fact crazy, but she heard the music, too.

I will find this music!!!

So, I set off towards the sound. I get to the circulation area and look around. The music is definitely louder here...hmmmm... So I continue down the path, and come across a man (not a teenager, not a child, but a grown man probably about my age - 29) who is standing at a catalog computer looking up some stuff. He has ear buds in his ears. This CAN'T be where the music is coming from - but wait - IT IS!!!!!! This man's music is SO LOUD, that I could hear it literally HUNDREDS of feet away (I'm not even kidding - C will even back me up on this!!).

So, I stride up to the catalog computer, positioning myself so the man will see me without my having to scream "EXCUSE ME!" He looks up, and I politely ask him to turn down his headphones. I then say (because I really think he needs to know) that I could hear it all the way down at the children's desk. To which he replies...

"Oh, really? I had no idea."

Um - you had no idea that your music was that loud? Seriously? Can it even be considered music if it is that loud? Maybe I'm just OLD, but holy shit.

Ok, ok, just one more thing. Remember to leave me a comment and sign up for my latest giveaway!! Last day to enter is Tuesday, October 7!!

Story time with a special guest!!

I am very excited today because Miss Lynn is coming to Sing Songs Old and New!!! HOOOORAY!!!!!! I've had Miss Lynn come to do story time before, and she is ALWAYS a big hit!!

She's also coming out with a CD of her awesome music soon - stay tuned, I promise to get you the deets on that as soon as I get them!!!

And, yet another exciting thing about Tuesday - FMRNS!!! Hell to the YEAH baby!!!! Last week, we decided to go with the movie Monte Python's Life of Brian, a comedy from 1979 with Graham Chapman and John Cleese. HILARIOUS!!!

Also last week, we had a Saturday Movie Marathon!!! Both A and I were feeling a bit under the weather, so we curled up with some Matzah Ball soup from Noshville (YUM!!) and a bunch of movies. First we watched Sex and the City - which, of course, was FABULOUS!!! After that, we were in for a bit of a drama with The China Syndrome from 1979 with Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon and Michael Douglas. And then, we went in a totally different and very fun direction with Wigstock: the movie - a documentary from 1995. Seriously - what a fabulous way to spend a Saturday!!!

This week, we've decided to go with Fiddler on the Roof, a musical from 1971 with Topol and Norma Crane.




P.S. Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway!!!