TEDxOverlake

On Saturday, I was privileged to participate in a TED Talk along with a select group of educators and innovators. The theme was 'How People Learn' and with a variety of guest lecturers, from old to young, we explored the ways in which people live to learn and learn to live. It didn't matter if you had a formal education at some great school or simply learned on your own terms through nature, books, or friends, what mattered is that you learned and often you first would learn through your failures.

The theme of failure was the most often brought up idea in learning for it is through failure that one can achieve perseverance. Failure challenges you to be better, to do better. I think back at times when I may have faltered, stumbled, and failed. One thing I never did...I never gave up. Maybe it was my stubbornness. All I know is that you must try again and again for that is that is the most important thing for each time you learn something about yourself.

Summer

So I am gearing up for yet another marathon (how many is that now??? who cares how many. I just love running.) The air is getting warmer so I am stripping down the layers and am soaking up the sun. I have noticed more people on the trails; it is like the sleepy city of Seattle is waking up after a long, cold winter.

I have been checking out the Evergreen Trail Run Series website hoping there are some dates that work with my calendar, allowing me to participate in some of these events. So far no luck. Either I am working or I already have plans so it is a little frustrating. Luckily, with Pacific Northwest trail running, there are always events to be had. There may be a few dates in August that work for me so in the meantime I will just keep on running.

I am really excited to visit some of my favorite day trail runs that have been closed due to the winter's snow. Come June, most of the trails are starting their annual thawing out process. I desperately want to see Mt. Pilchuck, Heather Lake, and Lake 22 again. My gear is all packed, all I need to do is run to the store, grab some mixed nuts, cheese, salami, baguette, and jump in my car and go.

Hey Hey Library Guy

The funny thing about living and working in the same neighborhood is that you will often run in to your patrons, both good and bad, depending on the circumstances. This morning, on my way to get my morning coffee, I am walking on the sidewalk and a man walking from the opposite direction sees me and says, 'Hey Hey, library guy! Allllll right!" and then continues to walk past. I just smiled and nodded, acknowledging his comment.

This is the better of the many simple interactions that I have had. Because I am such a strict enforcer of our ROC (Rules of Conduct) at the public library and I am often having to ask people to leave due to infractions, whether it is eating, sleeping, or whatever, I often wander past these patron's on the street and they are still angry at me for doing so, sometimes weeks after.

Among the better names I have been called, we librarians have also been called Fascists and my personal favorite is Pamela, our beloved Children's Librarian, being called a Nazi. Some people just don't get it.
Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me???
Perhaps. Only time will tell.

San Francisco

To write about all the things I did in SF would simply just take way too much of my time, so rather than do that, I will simply list them.
1. Gayngs show at the Independent
2. took a nap in Golden Gate Park
3. walked around Haight/Ashbury
4. Stepped in gum three different times in one day
5. ate amazing pastries at Tartine
6. burrito love at Taqueria Cancun
7. visit to the Mission Branch Library during storytime
8. City Light Books
9. had too much garlic at the Stinking Rose
10. discovered Comstock and the joy of great mixology
11. Communism (inside joke obviously)
12. had fun with Emily and Ross

In the end, SF is a great city. Would I live there? Definitely not!
Would I visit it again? Most definitely.