One Great Performer!!! Andrea Rieu

Md Libraries Learning 23 Things

In looking back over the past two months at my blog and that of my coworkers, it is amazing that the first posts of our blogs we have withheld our feelings and thoughts. Some of us seem to be unsure of the up coming adventure, I know I was. As time progressed, I enjoyed reading some of the "not so work related" entries that my coworkers added to their blogs some of them were just too funny.
Me personally, I liked discovering the use of the RSS feeds, learning flickr, podcasts and mostly this last exercise Project Gutenberg! I will take this exercise as a lifelong learning opportunity to improve my technological skills which in the past were limited. I feel it was a bit long and maybe 16 things would be a more realistic challenge due to the time frame in which we had. Most of the Md. 23 I completed at home to give me a better understanding as to what I was doing without interruptions or feeling like I was spending too much time on "company" pay. However, I didn't feel that this was too overwhelming. It also gave me the chance to really learn the ins and outs of what myself and the computer is capable of. I feel some of the resources explained in this program will be a fabulous tool for librarians to use in the daily work place. I would love the challenge to participate in another learning experience offered.
Thanks to all of my coworkers for sharing their thoughts and ideas and most of all their time and patience helping me along.

Just Havin Some Fun

I got my name in lights with notcelebrity.co.uk

ITEM # 22!

For a minute there, I though Project Gutenberg was an attempt to better a really bad actor into something worth watching. I was so wrong! Project Gutenberg is really a fantastic use of technology! Although I did not like the computer-generated voice (freaked me out) I did like the pleasant voice of the "human" readers. I visited one of my favorite "old" authors Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I have been a fan of such writers as Dumas, Agatha Christy and Sir Doyle. I will search out these particular authors in the winter when my schedule isn't as busy. The Sign Of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is the e-book I chose to listen to (while I dusted furniture). Haven't heard/read that one before. I think this is a fabulous tool especially if you are home bound or physically impaired or just have too much housework to "sit and read" a book. I never really considered audio books since I really do enjoy reading but this is an option to consider especially since some of these items are no longer in print.

http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/authors/d#a69

Wk 9 # 21

Venturing into podville with podcast.net and yahoo podcasts. I wondered around and played. I am sure these are great training tools when used for that purpose. I don't really see many using this for technical purposes. I watch a podcast of a library closing and the person was almost scary. To me it seems its used for stating opinions and some of these people don't really have a strong grasp on reality OR they have too much time on their hands. I dunno?? I caught myself falling asleep on a few of them. The Merlin link was interesting, didn't really care much for that. I really liked Flickr and Technorati! Recorded storytimes is fabulous!

Library Card Sign Up Month (PART 1)

This would be WEEK 9 #20...YES, finally down the home stretch. South Park is one of my favorite shows. Here the kids of S.Park are interested in getting a library card.

My view on Lifelong Learning - (wk 1 # 2)

Lifelong Learning is a must to keep up with the ever growing world around you! I am thrilled to be faced with the opportunity to learn new things during the Maryland 23 Things exercise. I love learning new things. This generation is so dependent on technology sometimes I wonder if they are able to interact with real people? It is wonderful that there are people willing to learn new things. That is something that I have always lived by that learning opportunity exists for all ages if you are willing to do something about it. I am grateful to BCPL for allowing me this opportunity to learn something new and to have my friends at work help me when I hit a bump in the road. THANKS!

Week 8 #19

WOW!! Okay, I checked out some things that I thought were interesting. First two were zillow.com and housingmaps.com. I was basically interested in seeing just what the houses in my neighborhood were selling for...WOW!!! I wouldv'e never believed THAT! Second, I went on globexplorer.com which is a site that my 12 yr. old son visits on occasion. This site has aerial/satellite imaging of wherever you tell it you want to see. My son visited the Great Wall of China from our living room. AMAZING!

Week 8 #18...YOYO WITH ZOHO

http://writer.zoho.com/index.do#Zorring in the World of Zoho

Okay, so now my email address is yet again listed in the world to unknown computer users. I am not really sure just what this will do for me but I am sure there are a whole lot of people who find this extremely useful. I can see its advantages if you have the need for this type of technology. Me? I am just a mom. Well, not "just" a mom but you know what I mean. So, I am guessing that technically this may be Week 8 #18????

WIKIS - Week 7 #'s 16 & 17

(#16) I found this to be very very interesting. The creative, innovative technology is way beyond my comprehension!! The further I get through this process the more confused I get. I enjoy technology but it is obvious I truly don't get it?????? DUH?
http://mamaotta.pbwiki.com/

(#17) I added a post to the Sandbox Wiki (23 things you could do today). I also noticed that Ellen Ward had also visited the same one just minutes earlier. I entered my email address to make an entry. When it was posted my name appeared. I clicked on my name to "review" my comment (to make sure I did it correctly) and Outlook Express opened with my email address. Ooohhh...didn't like that! I will be glad when we change our webmail thus our address. I get enough "spam" as is. :-)

Okay, I went back on it this evening because I felt that I didn't do something correctly? I am still not sure what I am doing? I do have a peanutbutter and jelly wiki. YUM

YEP, THAT JUST ABOUT DOES IT!

A man takes his hamster to the vet, and after a short look at the creature the vet pronounces it dead. Not happy with the vet's diagnosis the man asks for a second opinion. The vet gives a whistle and in strolls a Labrador dog. The dog nudges the hamster around with its nose and sniffs it a couple of times before shaking his head. "There" says the vet," Your hamster is dead". Still not happy the man asks for a third opinion. The vet opens the back door and in bounds a cat. The cat jumps onto the table and looks the hamster up and down for a few minutes before looking up and shaking it's head. "It's definitely dead sir", says the vet. Convinced, the man enquires how much he owes. "That will be $800.00 please". "What? $800.00 just to tell me my hamster is dead" fumes the man? "Well", says the vet, "There's my diagnosis, the lab report and the cat scan".
HAHAHAHA

My Cyborg Name Decorder...D.I.A.N.A

Get Your Cyborg Name

Kinda fun. I also did this for my son Thomas. His description fits him more to a "T".

Week 6 #15 Perspectives

I read Michael Stephens article. It is apparent that his comments are right on key. In order for libraries to survive in this technological world, they too must move forward. It is obvious that the powers to be in charge of the many libraries are aware of this. Hence the Md.23! Thanks for the opportunity to learn!!!!
http://www.oclc.org/nextspace/002/3.htm

My First Tattoo!

Wow, what an experience. This is my first tattoo and it took many years of wanting one. I designed this myself with things that are the most important and meaningful to me. The cross first of all because God should be first in all of our lives. Second, the two roses for my two children and I chose roses because I like to garden. I also have the three symbols of a heart, a cross, and an anchor. The heart for charity, the cross for hope and the anchor for faith. My faith keeps me anchored. My co-worker also said that I am the anchor of my family. I liked that.

CUTEST EVER!!! BABY OTTER

This little Otter is just tooo cute not to share!!! You will enjoy the video. http://www.aolvideoblog.com/2007/08/22/cute-baby-otter/

Week 6 / Thing #13 ???

I registered for Del.icio.us. At the time, I didn't have any tags (or a whole lot of time). I did put the "Tag" and the "del.icio.us" link on the tool bar (not sure if I was suppose to do that either)...sorry Bob. :-) I will have to do this at home also so I have the link available there. More to follow....

Okay, I have had more time to look at this. I have linked and Tagged some Humor, Language, and of course Otter link "Tags". Interesting. I can see this working well for the libraries and those who spend a lot of time on their computers. Thought this was great. I visited some of my co-workers blogs and linked some of their items that was of interest to me.

Week 6 # 14 Technorati...very interesting!

Technorati Profile

I found this site very informative! I am not much for the newspapers, television news, or tabloids. When I opened this up, I watched Larry King Live with Tammy Faye, tough battle for her and sad to watch. Other things I checked out and found interesting but tabloid news still doesn't interest me.

Keepin' up to Date w/ Rollyo (wk 5 # 12)

Keep me up to Date was the best title that I could come up with. I find the Rollyo search tool to be an excellent "quick fix" for me since I dislike strongly newpaper ink. I don't have to search through pages of magazines, newspapers, or even certain web pages for my "on-line" shopping ~ woohoo. I think this is an excellent tool for any library, just a quick link away.
http://rollyo.com/dashboard.html

rssfeed link (wk 4 # 8)

http://www.bloglines.com/public/BirdsandGarden

THANKS SARAH JOHO ~~ MY SAVIORETTE~ XO

My rendition of Me via. Avatar (wk 5 #10)

This is pretty close version of me (minus the gray). It was fun creating "Maniac Myrtle Monroe aka "ME"!

Week 4 Thing 8 & 9

I found that setting up my own Blogline news feeds weren't as difficult as I imagined. I did have some help from my co-workers but later did it at home with the same amount of ease. I went onto MERLIN and did check out some of the "Library News Blogs". I found the "RSS4LIB" (Ted talks segment) to be "WOW"!!! Although the video touched briefly on digital imaging, etc., it was fascinating. Below is the direct link to the RSS4Lib.
http://www.rss4lib.com/

Summer Reading & Pretty Windows

Julie is a Summer Reading Club Volunteer at the Lansdowne Branch. She has baked us a cake in honor of the Summer Reading Club and another successful summer. She is also taking classes in cake decorating. Julie has made a couple of cakes for us that are just as good to eat as they are to look at. THANKS JULIE! Take a look at Julie and her beautiful cake by visiting my flickr page.

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1203241603&size=s

ALSO, Lansdowne's Lorrie Jackson, was featured in the Arbutus Times for her window paintings that add a whimsical charm to the library. If you can, pick up a copy of the Arbutus Times to see Lorrie's art work or visit the article on:

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=805&NewsID=831646&CategoryID=8383&show=localnews&om=1

Visiting Pikesville

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10397165@N04/tags/library/

With Pikesvilles renovations "complete", I went to lend a hand in reshelving some of their books. I was very impressed! Although I didn't see the branch before the renovations, I thought the branch was just beautiful! If you would like to visit some photos I took while there, visit the flickr photo pg.

Halloween Fun

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10397165@N04/sets/72157601547663792/
Halloween wouldn't be any fun if you weren't allowed to dress up at work! Here are a few snaps of some of my co-workers enjoying the holiday (from '06). Unfortunately, I will be off from work this Halloween :-( boooo

MARY AND JISUN ~~ Best of Friends

Jisun & Mary ~ Summer Fun
Originally uploaded by mamaotta

This is my daughter Mary and one of her best friends Jisun. They met in school and were friends for three years. Jisun is from S.Korea and went home every summer to see her family. We have lost contact with her and miss her very much! :-( We hope to be reunited one day. She is a very intelligent young lady with a beautiful smile, a warm & friendly personality and a great sense of humor. I am sure we will meet up with her one day. She is too bright of a star to be hidden forever. We Love you and Miss you!

Jam Session

This is my son Tom and his instructor Josh at Bill's Music House. Tom has been learing to play guitar since he received one last Christmas. His father and I and his instructor are very pleased with his progress and proud to know him and support him. In the next ten years, or so, you may be able to say, "Wow, I knew him way back when!" :-) ~~Mom

Week 4 / #9

http://contemporarylit.about.com/

This is a cool library related feed that I have been reviewing with the hope to get to some of the reads that "they" recommend. It gives me a new direction to travel from the usual path of authors I enjoy reading. One is "Dead Connection" by Alafair Burke (James Lee Burke's daughter).

This is my Noobian Friend "The Zigman"

This is the "Zigman". He is my computer buddy who is helping me with Md. 23! HE IS SPECIAL! This is a photo from a week of fun at Catonsville celebrating "Part-time Staff Appreciation Week!" This day was "crazy hat day" (he just added the glasses). xo

Rotten Roxy

After a hard day at work, I just wanna grab a
quick nap with my favorite girl~Roxy!

Week 4 Thing 8: bloglines

This is the link to my bloglines feed:

http://www.bloglines.com/blog/BirdsandGarden

Books I have Enjoyed (wk 5 # 11)

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/ddeskins

wk 3 # 6..try again...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10397165@N04/map/

Week 3 - # 6 Mappr / Flickr Map (too cool)

Landing

Landing
Originally uploaded by Thea's photos

WOW! The vibrant, striking colors are just too perfect. Way to go mother nature!

Unfurling in the rain

unfurling in the rain
Originally uploaded by the texas poet

When posting photos to my blog, I went on group photos to the site "Fog and Rain". The pictures were beautiful. One is of a "church" across the water in Budapest, spectacular architecture! Of course, this beautiful rose was there.

Post possibly Worth Reading

I am finding the flickr and blog to be a very exciting thing! I am amazed at all of the fabulous photos that people have submitted, especially those from China, France, and even photos of garden flowers! I am thankful that BCPL offers such learning possibilities for not only its employees but the general public as well. This opportunity opens the door to technology that I myself have been intimidated by and now seeing how interesting, astounding and easy it is to use, I am not as afraid of technology as I thought and actually welcome the opportunity to learn new things. I use to think that "books and libraries" would be a thing of the past when technology started "moving in", however I see them working hand in hand. I think that is great!

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Thing 6

My Mosaic
Originally uploaded by mamaotta

I created a mosaic using one of the Flickr Toys from Huge Labs.

Snowdrop the Otter Pup

AAAWWWW my little baby otter pup!!!!

Week 3 flickr/mash Pretty in Pink

With the help of my buddy Zigman, I posted an image found through flickr color pickr...say that three times fast!

OFF AND RUNNING

WOW! This is fun. I just learned something new! Okay here we go. This is my first post to my blog, more to follow.....