(Still) Mentally Unpacking

June 30, 2009

I took so many wonderful lessons from SLA, many of which I am still processing two weeks after the fact…

The first was that I need to live somewhere else for a while. Sure, New Jersey will always be home, but I view it more detached, with less romanticism and joy. It’s not my permanent home and never will be. It’s boring, it’s cliched, it’s Utter Suburbia – it sucks. It was home for a time and that time is coming to an end. I have New York and Philadelphia in my backyard, but they can only fill so much of my wanderlust needs.

I notice I am always happiest while traveling, and I need to do more of that – and look for the new place to hang my hat. A wise person once said to me, “you have to love where you live.” And right now, I’m not loving New Jersey life – in fact, I haven’t been for a while but tried to ignore it. Spending time with people all over the country opened my eyes to other places I would want to live, vibrant communities with creative, engaging, passionate people. In my naievete, I only thought I would find that in New York, or on a broader scale, the Northeast. Was I wrong!

The time to make such decisions is fast approaching- this time next year, I will be a Pratt graduate. I must consider career and post-MLS education options. While I have ideas in mind (which I am keeping close to the vest for now, for nothing is certain) sometimes I think I might be better served hanging a map of North America on a wall and getting out the darts. Sheer randomness might be more beneficial than making plans.

I don’t know where I’ll end up this time next year, but I do know this: I have to go.

The other lesson was, to borrow slightly from a Leonard Cohen song, don’t wait for the miracles.** This is in line with the idea of “banishing the ellipsis” I mentioned in my last post. I’m a thinker, and this bites me in the ass more often than it should – in fact, I tend to overthink, in all aspects of my life. What I have to do is embrace my free-spirited nature and not worry and think so much.

I need to be more creative and express myself more in craft, photography, art and writing. I attended a zine festival over the weekend in New York City and my creative juices got flowing. It was liberating. While I was at SLA I learned how to podcast, and I need to use that outlet of communication to the fullest.

I need to speak my mind more – share my opinions and feelings on anything that strikes my mind, for my opinion is in fact, valuable.

I need to make more time for the people I truly connect with (while respecting their need for personal space, of course), and distance myself from those that I no longer feel close to or want in my life – and not feel guilt over either of these choices.

I need to stop freaking out about my age (31 this coming Sunday), especially after so many people tell me that I don’t look 30.

I need to take more chances – professionally and socially. Moreover, I need to not waste time figuring out what will happen when I take those chances and just be - let things fall out as they may. Cliched but true – it all happens for a reason. Most times, good things do come – but the “good thing” might be failure.

Above all, I need to not wait for the miracles. I need to make my own.

** I discovered Leonard Cohen when my NPR Live Concerts from All Songs Considered podcast feed picked up a live show. Sadly, it was only able for a limited time and is no longer on the ASC site.

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Posted by librariankate7578

Mentally Unpacking

June 23, 2009

Home in NJ for a good 48 hours post-DC vacation and SLA.  To say it was an “experience” is putting it mildly.  ”Time of my life” would perhaps be more appropriate.  I’ll talk more later about some of the specifics – but for now, this is devoted to larger, deeper thoughts floating around in my head since the train pulled out of Union Station.

While I am home and was physically unpacked in record time (using my never-fail method of throwing everything on the bed first, thus forcing me to clean up if I want to go to sleep), there are still parts of me that are not unpacked – my mind, soul, heart, psyche – all the things you can’t fit into a suitcase.  Items still lingering in the Convention Center halls and meeting rooms, the hotel, downtown. Parts of me that will remain in that city for a long time, perhaps even never coming back to New Jersey. To borrow a phrase from one of my new friends, I’m still mentally unpacking – and I am not sure when (or if) I will be done.

From the first day I set foot in that convention center, I felt like I had been in a dark room and someone finally pointed me in the direction of the light switch (or perhaps, slammed my head into the actual switch). Few times in my life have I ever felt so alive, engaged, part of a vibrant community with similar goals, passions and interests – with warmth, kindness, humor and charm.  As a somewhat solitary person, I’m okay with going to events or out to eat by myself – if I have a book or some knitting or even some sudoku, any sort of little armor, I’m okay.  I didn’t need any of those things this week. I had no need.  I had amazing people who wanted to talk to me any chance they got.

Being around such wonderful people (you know who you are, and I am grateful for having met and spoken with each and every one of you) awakened so much in me – not just my love for the MLS and all that comes with it, but for life.

Tangentally (not sure if that is a proper word), leaving town for a week awakened a latent wanderlust in my soul, a free spirit that had been lurking and now wants to come out and play big time.  Ironically, one of the traits of my astrological sign, Cancer, is a desire to be a homebody.  I am just the opposite – I want to see the world, live somewhere else for a few years.  In line with this is a desire to stop wondering and worrying about the where, when and how – and just be.

One of the last real vacation things I did last night before heading back to work was watch one of my favorite movies, Garden State.  This time, that final scene – where Andrew Largeman runs back to Sam in the airport – resonated with me more than it had ever did, and with good reason.

Andrew Largeman: You remember that idea I had about working stuff out on my own and then finding you once I figured stuff out?
Sam: The ellipsis?
Andrew Largeman: Yes, the ellipsis. It’s dumb. It’s dumb. It’s an awful idea. I’m not gonna do it, okay? ‘Cause like you said, this is it. This is life. And I’m in love with you, Samantha. I think that’s the only thing I’ve ever been really sure of in my entire life.

No more ellipsis.  No more pauses.  Time to throw open the doors, live and fulfill what I feel is my calling for this earth – to change the world. It is the one thing I am now sure about, more than ever.

So thank you, SLA for one overly humid week in Washington. It opened more doors for me that I think you ever realized or intended. I will forever be grateful.

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Posted by librariankate7578

Checking in (briefly) from DC

June 16, 2009

Drive by blog post….

Having a GREAT time at the SLA Annual Conference in Washington DC.  Learning so much in some of these great sessions.  Talked to wonderful people from all over the world, students and professionals – both in person and online. (I think I have made at least 10 new Twitter friends in the past two days!)  Everyone here is friendly, gregarious, and LOVES to start a conversation with you when they see your purple “First Timer” ribbon or that you are a student.  I have had such wonderful opportunities for networking; it’s a very good thing I made the new business cards (and took a whole box with me to DC)!

The vendor booths are also informative and diverse - and yes, they have some fabulous giveaways. (Still looking for the one with the free sunscreen and beachballs.) Have two full shopping bags already and will get more before everything ends.

Don’t laugh, but I am also eating my way through – free lunches, candy and snacks at vendor booths, dinners, networking socials.  I will be sure to be hardcore “Couch to 5K” when I return to New Jersey.

For those at the conference, or who could not make it, I have notes from sessions I attended online via Google Docs.  Comment here or reach me via various other channels and I will be more than happy to share.

Time for lunch and ice cream at the vendor booths.

I know I have to, but I don’t wanna go home. :)

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Posted by librariankate7578

I’m An Everywhere (Wo)man, I’m An Everywhere (Wo)man…

June 11, 2009

If you follow me on any of my various social networking sites, you know that in less than 48 hours, I will be off on the train to Washington, DC and the Special Libraries Association Annual Conference.  (You also know that many of my friends thought “SLA” stood for “Symbionese Liberation Army.”  Props to all of you for knowing your 70s trivia.)

After much debate, I decided last weekend to leave the laptop at home and not liveblog the conference.  It’s too much for me to schlepp around, and I would spend more time worrying about it and less time enjoying myself.  However, I will be updating my Facebook, Plurk and Twitter pages with conference and exhibition news via my cell phone, and maybe the occasional blog post via my iPod touch and the WordPress app.

If you’re not following me in any of the sites I mentioned, here’s how:

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kateycp2k

Plurk: http://www.plurk.com/kateycp2k

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kateycp2k

I do not like the anonymous requests, so please leave some sort of note if/when you friend me that you’re interested in my SLA adventures.

If you’re not on Twitter, you might notice that all my entries end with “#sla2009.”  That tag redirects the post to the SLA2009 Twitter feed for everyone to see.

Those going to the conference should definitely check out the “Radical Reference: Using Technology to Improve Access for All” presentation on Monday 6/15 at 9:00 AM in Convention Center 146A.  One of my classmates is part of the presentation team. I will be there coffee in hand, providing a friendly face for my friend and colleague.

On that note, see you on the flip side. :)

2 Comments | LIS, Travelin', Washington DC | Permalink
Posted by librariankate7578

All Hail Antoinette Perry!

June 7, 2009

I love awards shows, but because I am a New York-area native who grew up with the Great White Way in her (figurative) backyard, the Tony Awards have a special place in my heart.  I always enjoy watching them, rooting for the different shows that I have read reviews for, and perhaps seen.  It’s been a long time since I have seen a show (2005 or 2006 I think, and the show was Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), and I am hoping tonight’s presentation brings me some inspiration to, as they say at the end, “Go See a Broadway Show!”

So, for the first time ever, I am going to liveblog the awards.

Refresh this page (after the jump) throughout the evening for updates. We’re going to have a good time!

Read the rest of this entry »

4 Comments | Theater, tv | Permalink
Posted by librariankate7578

What Time Is It? It’s Commencement Time!

June 4, 2009

Behold, the Graduation Cap Clock from CRAFT Magazine:

gradhatclock-09_1-600pix.jpg

(Image Courtesy of CRAFT Magazine Blog)

Now you will always the right time for the pomp and the right time for the circumstance.

1 Comment | Crafting Life | Permalink
Posted by librariankate7578

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