Happy Halloween!

I hope you enjoy a spooky day with your ghouls and goblins!

(Paul and I dressed as Lance Armstrong and Sheryl Crow at a Halloween party on 10/27/12)

More Goodies from Auction

Over the weekend I bid on a selection of books at a local Library book sale. I had the winning bid and went home with a wonderful selection of old children's books. Here are a few of the titles that I've added to my collection, all are in excellent condition considering their age.

• A Treasury of Heroes and Heroines by Clayton Edwards, 1920 edition
• The Boys King Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory, 1922 edition
• Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates by Howard Pyle, 1921 edition
• Alice in Wonderland by Louis Carroll, 1932 edition

Two of the books in the collection include illustrations by the amazing illustrator Louis Rhead, those titles are:

• Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift, 1913 edition
• The Arabian Nights Entertainments, 1916 edition 

A few of the titles are duplicates of books I bought at an earlier auction this year so I will be listing those books for sale on my Etsy store, Lively Vintage. All of the books are wonderful classic stories that I plan on reading and sharing with my loved ones and one day move into our dream home library. Stories of pirates, magical lands and true love to read in my library with walls of books and ladders to reach high shelves, comfy leather chairs and a fireplace to read in front of. 

Vote

I voted today. This is the first election year that I have voted early since I was eligible to vote in 1988. The process was easier than I expected especially considering the length of the lines. As I waited I watched the crowd and was encouraged by what I saw. Cordial, patient voters who were anxious and proud to cast their vote...young women with children, spouses, people with mobility issues in wheelchairs who were handled with care by volunteers, older people with walkers, someone with an interpreter, Latinos and college kids.

Here is what I don't want to hear, "It doesn't matter if I vote, the election has been decided." or "I don't need to vote, my State is going to go to_____". Unfortunately I have heard that too often from young people, including my son. I am going to march him over to the local court house where he can still register and cast his vote through grace period registration.

Seriously, vote. Things DO change. My "cousin" Beatrice a young woman dear to my family who has been un-formally adopted by my Aunt and Uncle, was born in Mexico, arrived in the USA illegally, went to school and busted her ass to earn straight A's. She feared for her future but is finally allowed to stay in the USA, legally work and hopefully one day go to college because of the Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program.  Beatrice no longer fears her future. Vote.

Monday List #26-Fall in Chicago

Here are a few things keeping me busy this Fall.

1. After repeated attempts to visit the new rooftop bar on the top of the iconic Hotel Lincoln, Paul and I were finally able to enjoy drinks with spectacular views of the City and Lake Michigan on Saturday night. The bar was originally scheduled to be open in the summer but each time we visited the opening was delayed. It was worth the wait.(You can see the famous skyscraper, the John Hancock Building lit up orange for Halloween in the picture behind us.)
2. Fish Frys and Trivia Nights. There is a local bar near the Library where I work that hosts trivia nights every Thursday and fish frys every Friday. If you don't have a local bar that does the same, visit Eddie's, you will find me and my Library cronies there often.
3. Twitter. I've been on Twitter for a couple of years now, but lately it's my go-to outlet for conversation, news, travel and gossip. It's addicting. You can find me on twitter @LivelyLibrarian
4. Football. It's football season and this year we're spending alot of time at games (Indiana University games to cheer on #59) and watching at home with a beer and tonight, chili for Monday Night Football, Chicago Bears v. Detroit Lions.
5. Travel Planning. Airfares are RIDICULOUS right now but we have upcoming trips planned to Florida for Thanksgiving and Christmas. In 2013 we are already planning trips to Savannah and Charleston, and a trip to France with a stop over in London and Paris. Lately the travel websites have been crap but I am finding great travel tips and info on Twitter.

Flash back Friday #55-More Girl Power

Yup, I'm going to admit this here. I like girl bands. Cheesy ones. I flew to Las Vegas to see The Spice Girls perform on their reunion tour a few years ago. And if the ladies below tour in the USA where they are relatively unknown, I will go see them too. I will dance at the concert in my sparkly high heels, just like I do at home, singing to my dog.

Girls Aloud are reuniting for their 10th anniversary with an album and tour.
Enjoy one of my favorite songs, The Loving Kind.

5 Hotel Rooms in 1 Week

As much as I would like to say that I've been around the world and stayed in 5 hotels in exotic locations over the past week, alas the reality is much different. Last Monday I went to Peoria Illinois for the annual Illinois Library Association Conference, 3 days of programs, vendors and socializing for Illinois librarians. I have blogged about the ILA Conference before in 2008 and 2009.

Thoughts on ILA 2009-Peoria 
ILA Conference at Navy Pier 2008

Last year the conference was held in Rosemont Illinois and I presented a program on Screencasting for Librarians. This year I am serving on the Illinois Library Association Awards committee and the winners and sponsors were honored at a luncheon on the first day of the conference. I truly enjoy the conferences, the sessions are informative and inspiring and it is always good to socialize and network with librarians from around the State. However, the conference accomodations were not good, but it does make for a good story.

First night in Peoria. Arrived after a 3 hour drive with a colleague and located an Indian restaurant near Bradley University, the major college in Peoria. Sat down, ordered, watched a roach run across the table, left immediately and found a pizza restaurant favored by students. Finally found my hotel, a good 10 minute drive from the conference center and was given a room near the elevator and laundry units. I won't stay in hotel rooms near laundry or elevators. I learned this the hard way in Las Vegas. Got another room, went to bed.

2nd day in Peoria. Woke up, turned on the shower, the handle fell apart in my hands, streaming scalding hot water all over the bathroom with no way to turn it off. Called the front desk. Hotels are frequently staffed with students since Peoria is a college town. She had no idea what to do since maintenance was not at the hotel so I asked for another room immediately. She brings me to a room with a free standing jacuzzi tub right next to the bed. I looked at her and said, "Are you kidding me?" So we went to another room, a suite with a separate room with a kitchen and living room. About time.

Got home to Chicago on Thursday night after 4 days in Peoria, was home for 24 hours and left to tailgate at Indiana University on Saturday. My son's best friend Peyton (#59) is a starter on the IU football team so I went down with friends to tailgate, IU against Ohio State. Being an Ohio University alumnae, I like the opportunity to watch any team give OSU a run and IU had a great game against the Buckeyes.

Friends and I (4 women) stayed at the Motel 6 in Bloomington that is within walking distance to the IU Memorial Stadium. Being a motel this place is tailgate central for parents and friends visiting for games. Lots of pickup trucks pulled up directly to the rooms, doors open and tailgating in the parking lot. Who needs more than a bed and a sink when visiting a college? Well that's about all we got. The bed was so concave it was like sleeping in an egg. But hey tailgating was super fun and partying with the football players until 3 am reminded my why I'm glad my college years are over. Picture below is Peyton and I after the game.

So I am home. Finally. No more hotels for me for at least 2 weeks? :)

18 weeks later...

My son is home. My Navy sailor. He's tired, nearly 40 pounds thinner, and so happy to be home with his family, the Beagle and his friends. Have a great weekend with those you love.

How Do You Lunch?

A recent post, The Art of Lunch: Paris vs. London on one of my favorite blogs, HiP Paris Blog explores the differences between lunch culture in Paris and London. While those are 2 of my favorite cities, it could translate to other metropolis areas around the world. During the years I worked in downtown Chicago, lunch was a quick networking or business meeting at local restaurants near my office or food was grabbed on the go from the market in my building. If it was a warm day lunch was a cup of coffee while I shopped at my favorite stores on Michigan Avenue. It wasn't until I moved outside the City and  my commute went from 1 hour to less than 5 minutes and freed up more time in the office that I started to enjoy the art of lunch...catching up with friends over lunch at new or favorite restaurants, enjoying a picnic on my patio with my dog, and long coffee breaks at Starbucks. So what is your lunch "culture"?

Enjoy the article and the suggestions for where to lunch when you are in London.