Cupcakes (Num num num)

The library recently decided that new books should be shelved by Public Services. While shelving is not my favorite of tasks, it does have it's own benefits. Unbeknownst to me, Martha Stewart recently published a book just for me. What you can't see in the image is the fine print. Real title: Martha Stewart's Cupcakes for Dana to Make for Chriss. Angela later pointed out that in even finer print it says (and Angela).

Well, my picture book twin ALSO just published a book just for me....

 

 Aren't I special? (or something)
 

The Power of ME

Ok, so I admit that I am SLIGHTLY... um... silly... bizzare... creative... ORNERY. Yep, that's the word! I give lots of kids tours at the library, and I always find it important to let kids know people's names and practice what we should say when we need help and and blah blah blah.

Sometimes we even tour the bookmobile. After all, who doesn't think a traveling library is just... like...the coolest? We also practice saying HI to Mr. Eric our bookmobile driver. hehehe No, I'm serious. We smile big, do a half circle wave and say HI MR. ERIC in a bubbly voice. After all, Mr. Eric doesn't get to give tours, but we need to show our love.... Right?

So a few weeks ago, I gave a tour to a fairly large group of homeschoolers... and for some reason, they kept giggling... the whole tour. I did check and there was no broccoli stuck in my teeth. Several parents told me later that their kids think it's HILARIOUS that I say "friends" and "silly geese." Hey, we've all got our quirks.

ANYWAY, a mom came up last week and said that her kids practiced ALL DAY and giggled through dinner one night at just the thought of going on the bookmobile and saying "HI MR. ERIC!!!!" And do you know what? They did it!

Eric's response

Chriss put you up to this, didn't she?

 ** snicker**


Well, we couldn't just leave it right there, could we? Nope. They've been given a new mission for the next bookmobile excursion. I think I happened to mention his love of dancing....

 

Oh, and today.... I was told that Angela is my minion.

Oh, the Power of Me!

Superhero TWIN

Ok, I have a slight confession to make. This blog post has NOTHING to do with libraries or silly songs.

So, um, recently, I've become addicted to YouTube. Aside from Dr. Pepper, I don't think I've ever been addicted to anything before, so as far as addictions go, I think this YouTube one is fairly safe. ANYWAY... I found this cool new band called Sons of Admirals. FYI: Their names references an old English theater troop. They only have one song together, but all 4 guys are teens and record independently and YouTube silly stuff fairly often.

ANYWAY Does anyone find it funny how many times I say "ANYWAY?" Charlie is in charge of their videos and webpage and today released a new video... where he becomes a superhero and wears tights. 

Now my question is... WHY do all these people get to be superheroes, yet I can't get my own Super Chriss action figure? HUH??? Life just doesn't seem fair anymore.


 

Oh, and my favorite quote from the whole video....

And as someone who has an entire drawer in their bedroom dedicated just to dressing up clothes....

Yep, yet another twin found on YouTube.

Breaking Out into Song

So last year I was invited to this cool conference in San Francisco. YAY for winning cool trips... especially when they happen on my bday.... So attendees had to stand up, introduce themselves and tell some random fact that no one would ever guess about them. Mine? That I randomly break out into song and dance. 

Now for those of you who follow my blog or know me in person, I'm sure you're not surprised. BUT from other people there, I got a lot of funny looks. Totally randomly my sister Amy also won a trip to the same conference and she was like... "Um, NO, for real, she does." Of course I had to then perform the banana chant... in front of a bunch of people... and on camera. BTW, if no one has ever seen a room full of adults perform the banana chant, it's a sight to see.


ANYWHO, so I have decided I want an iTouch. Not because I can listen to music or surf the Internet in random places sans laptop or even because I'm a Mac fan. No, the whole reason why I want an iTouch is because I found this cool app that if you sing a song into it, it will automatically put it to music. Um instant record. I randomly told a few coworkers thinking they would be so excited and like "OMG, that is SOOOO you and I can't wait to hear!" Well, they did say "OMG," but they sounded rathered pained when they did....


So this morning, I was surfing YouTube and came across an old video by John Green, author of 2010 Gateway nominee Paper Towns. John and his brother Hank cofounded the Nerdfighters Movement, and Hank like myself is a little... um... obsessed...dedicated to breaking out into silly songs. It's like we're twins or something. 


Sometimes John doesn't appreciate his brother's talent so much....

Hank, I want to begin by congratulating your rap song yesterday. Uh, I laughed a lot. I wasn't always laughing with you, but I laughed a lot.

It so reminded me of a few certain people who get tears in their eyes when they see me doing my thing.
 
BTW, randomly cool fact.... John is totally obsessed about cataloging his home library. Fiction is separated out by living and dead authors.

So further proof that Hank and I are like total twins... or something....

After the Lights Go Out...

PA SYSTEM: May I have your attention please. The library will be closing in 5 minutes. Please take any books and other materials to the checkout desk now. Again, the library will close in 5 minutes.

YOUNG CHILD: Whaaaaaaahhhhhh! I don't wanna go!

MOM: But honey, the library is closing. And if you don't leave, the library monsters will eat you.

OK, so I've never head a mom tell their two year old that a library monster will eat them, but parents do tell their kids some weird stuff to get them to leave.... Like the mom that said we would lock the kids in and not let them leave until morning... which actually made the child want to stay even longer.

So.... What really happens when libraries close for the night?

Unfortunately, childrens and teen librarians at 
Oshawa Public Libraries let out secrets slip.  Evil Canadian librarians!

Book Nerd Paradise

I SOOOOOO want to be this guy when I grow up....

And BTW, yet ANOTHER person bragging that they got to go to ALA and I DID NOT. **humph** I think we should boycott libraries worldwide until TPTB decide to send me, too! I mean, who wouldn't want me there?!?!? I'm beginning to think it's a conspiracy to keep me away from my Mo....

My favorite quote of it all.... "This conference is kinda like the highlight of the young adult literature social calendar." And again, it mentions how superheroes are in libraries... even if they aren't wearing capes and superhero masks... like me.

Maybe I need to again petition for my superhero action figure...

Plus, he got to meet another of my favorite authors David Levithan. 

Oh, and BTW, whomever goes to ALA next year... without me AGAIN..., I soooo want that gavel swag.

The Insulting Librarian

We've all had those patrons at whom we've wanted to scream "WTH?!?!?!" Come on. You can admit it. I won't tell anyone. PROMISE.


Some of us even have little homemade voodoo dolls... and an extra stash of stick pins at our desks.... Not that we've ever used them or anything... but.... Well... ok... may once... or twice....


Anyway, we've all met the patrons who have had enough, but what do you think happens when it's the librarian who has no constructive release of bad energy? like my voodoo doll....

Pigeon knows Mona Lisa?

Today Aimee and I were flipping through some art books, and do you know what we found?

Like OMG, you really aren't going to believe this.....

I feel betrayed.  I mean who knew that Leonardo da Vinci was the real creator of Pigeon and my beloved Mo Willems just took the credit for him.

I really must think this through.

It changes the whole meaning of life....

Come to think of it though, maybe Pigeon is why Mona Lisa looks a little perturbed....

Idea : How to Get Teens Into the Library

Known Fact: Libraries struggle to get teens into the library. I have tried my best to bring in the masses with Summer Reading Dances, pet rock training schools, and good old fashioned bribery, but it's just too hard to compete the the average teen's busy life style....

Or it WAS....

I found the solution. No need to thank me. Ok, if you REALLY want to, do so by nominating ME for the I LOVE MY LIBRARIAN AWARD. No pressure.... Have you started the application process yet? **sigh**


 Oh yeah..... Solution. Wait for it.... 

Wait for it....

Library Flash Mob Dance Parties!  **wild applause**

Did I hear skepticism in your applause? You don't quite believe it will bring teens in en mass?  **sigh** Skeptics. Just check out what happened at the Seattle Public Library earlier this summer.....
  


Told ya so!

Oh, Melissaaaaaaaa!!!!

The Power of Twitter

Librarian Andy Woodworth tweeted

ATTN LIBRARIAN TWEEPS: Need help getting @oldspice guy to say a few words regarding libraries. RT plz. Thanks.

Wanna know what happened???

Come on.

Guess.

Give up yet?

Hmmm....  I need this power o' the tweet.


MAYBE if I tweeted...

@The_Pigeon : Plz visit. Will let you drive bus. Promise.

 Anyone think it will work?

If Librarians Had Super Powers

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? from Library Beat on Vimeo.

What would happen if librarians could have a super power? Think they would use it for good?

Librarians at NSLS were asked just that. What super power would you have??? Answers run the gambit from flying to invisibility to "brewing coffee in my mouth." Anyone think Greg has a twin in Illinois? Kinda scary thought, I know.

 

Well, I already know what my superhero costume would look like. We all know how super fly I look in my pink feather wig, lipstick face mask, and Super Grover Super Fly tee. 

But as far as super POWERS???

• Turn into Fancy Nancy at will....
• Convince Sarah that yes, we really DO need to have the Pigeon Party come to town and perform "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" just for me... and have Mo in the audience... and then the audience would BEG me to do my rendition of DLTPDTB... and then I would get standing ovations... and Hollywood contracts... and Mo would dedicate his next Pigeon book to me.... Mo Willems adores me. It's TRUE, I tell you. A person can't just make this stuff up....
• Be awarded the I LOVE MY LIBRARIAN award due to thousands of patrons nominating me as the greatest library lady... ever.
• Oh, yeah, and world peace.

Oooohhhh, then I could get me own action figure....

Would anyone else care to share their own coveted super power?

Can You Help Me Now?

I've gotten calls from several states away before..., but from the half way around the world???


Glad to know librarians have my back in case the need arises....

PROTEST: Library Commercial SANS Moi

I am OFFICIALLY jealous! 




I am DENIED my inalienable right to star in a silly library commercial... and then they put a serious one up on YouTube.  **sigh**   I'm feeling a little unloved here people. A little unloved.

Does anyone else have flashbacks of Pigeon upon seeing Hilary behind the wheel???

My ONLY consolation.... At the time of this posting, MY library YouTube video has more viewings than Jr. Now I'm SURE that if a certain library director would have asked me to do the Banana Chant while wearing a pink boa in the Jr. video, it would have gone viral by now.  **grumbles**  

Maybe next time, they'll learn. 

Dolly’s Been Kidnapped

Thursday night Ruby went home and told her mom Luna and dad Cole about how much fun she had with Dolly. (She left out the Dolly thinking she's a horsey bit. No kid wants to shock her parents that much.) So Kirsten invited Dolly and Esmé over for a doggy play date.

 

I SWEAR Kirsten and I only had our backs turned a minute and Dolly, Cole, and Luna were all gone. Only a crumpled note remained….

We have Dolly. She will make a lovely squeaky toy if our demands are not met. Bring several dog treats, a feather boa, a sequined gown (German Shepherd size), 3 new squeaky balls, and a lot of cash to the back fence by high noon. If our demands are not met, Dolly becomes a squeaky toy. See enclosed picture to see we mean business.

 

Of course we had to pay the ransom… even as high as it was. Pam would kill me if anything happened to her baby. It took awhile (as Esmé didn't have any sequined gowns that would fit Luna) and we had to make homemade dog treats (not just any old treats would do). We made the drop point with only minutes to spare.

 

What Cole and Luna didn't know… Esmé's a member of the CCP (Canine Citizen's Patrol). She takes her job very seriously… and had to haul her friend Cole to doggy jail. Unfortunately, Luna escaped, but we have every reason to believe she will be apprehended soon.

Dolly, relieved to be safe again, had a long chat with Mr. Bill. (I know. She's a little young to flirt, but it was a rough morning for her….)

 

Dolly's calmness didn't last for long. She was soon back to her old antics. (I'll spare you the details.) Let's just say that Dolly, too, spent a little time in the slammer. Luckily Kirsten had a pair of handcuffs just Dolly's size. They're currently with Dolly's traveling luggage in case the next host families need to restrain her, too….

Mo Willems Adores Me

I know. I know. Who doesn't? Right? Well this is an EXTRA special case. Now almost everyone I know knows just how much I adore Mo.

• I call story time dibs each time a new Pigeon book is published.
  
• I have perfected the Pigeon temper tantrum.
  
• I joined AWLMO… a fan club for Adults Who Love MO.
  
• I made my own Pigeon tshirt.
  
• I even got Aiden his 1^st Pigeon book BEFORE he was born.
  
• Even Esmé has a Pigeon book or two. (Dogs like Pigeons, too.)
  

 

Need I go on? Or do you get just how much I adore Mo? Anyway… back on topic… MO WILLEMS ADORES ME!!!

 

This year, Mo and his BFF Jon Scieszka MCed the Sixth Annual Book Cart Drill Team World Championships at ALA 2010 in DC. I begged…. I pleaded…. I even tried bribing my boss to let me attend, but alas she refused. **humph** I even tried throwing my very bestest Pigeon fit, but Sarah was NOT amused. **grumble, grumble, grumble**

 

What to do? What to do…? Start a Facebook campaign. Aside from being Esmé's godmother, Cindy D., is also the director of a college library… and at the conference. Hmmm….

(Exact quotes from FB)

CHRISS: Are you going to meet Pigeon's most wonderful creator tomorrow??? **sigh** He and Scieszka will be at the Book Cart Drill Team competition. **double sigh**

CINDY: Probably not. They were both in the hall today but the lines were crazy long!

CHRISS: **sigh** I need the Pigeon's autograph. **goes off to bribe Angela to get it** BTW, Esme sends puppy kisses.

**went off to harass Angela**

CHRISS: (Angela) I need Pigeon's autograph. He's in DC Sunday.... Pretty please?!?!? I'll never ask for anything ever again. Pinky Swear!!!... FINE! **throws self down** WAHHHHHH!!!!

BRANDY: I saw Jon at his book signing at the S&S booth. I wish I could have gotten a pic without looking like a creep-o.

CHRISS: Rub it in Brandy, rub it in. **grin** Now, if you see his BFF Mo, I expect you to look like a creep to get me that pic.... I'm on a mission.

ANGELA: Wish I could...would be the best gift ever !!!!

CHRISS: LOL, first Brandy not taking creepy pics of Jon, and now you, too! **sigh** =0)

 Then a few hours later….

BRANDY: Chriss, ask and ye shall receive. Check out my photo album called "Caldecott Magicness."

Now, I'm sure all of you are wondering exactly how Brandy made me squeal with joy and do a little jig….

Shortly after Brandy's first message, she left for the Caldecott/Newberry awards banquet... and seated at her table… Mo's agent Shelly. (Anyone think Karma must like me???)

As Brandy didn't record the whole conversation, I must paraphrase… and try to fill in the gaps.

BRANDY: Like, OMG. I was just torturing Chriss about Mo just a few hours ago!

MO'S AGENT: Chriss?

BRANDY: Chriss ADORES Mo. She won't let anyone else do Pigeon for story times. She designs her own Pigeon tees. She….

MO'S AGENT: (interrupting) WAIT! You mean the SAME Chriss who founded AWLMO?

BRANDY: Yes! She's even researched grants to get the Pigeon Party theatre performance to come to town.

MO'S AGENT: Like… OH… MY… GOD!!! Mo's gonna FLIP. He ADORES Chriss! Where is she??? They've got to meet!

BRANDY: **deep sigh** Alas, Sarah, Chriss's boss, refused to allow her to come to ALA 2010. **brightens** BUT it'll be so much fun to torture her with this story. **claps cheerfully**

**Enter Mo.**

MO'S AGENT: MO! Brandy works with THE CHRISS!!!

MO: Like OMG! The same Chriss who founded AWLMO?!?! Where is she? I ADORE her. We must meet.

MO'S AGENT: **grumbles about "someone named Sarah"**

MO: **steals Brandy's camera and shoves it at passing Jon Scieszka** JON! Brandy knows CHRISS!!! Take a picture of me for her so she will know how much I adore her.

BRANDY: **sigh** That Chriss has all the luck.

And that my friends is how I got a photo of Mo Willems taken just for me.

Other fun Chriss/Mo links...

• "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" Library Program
• Dolly tries to steal the bookmobile after reading Pigeon book
• Mo Willems in the New Year
• "I Love My Librarian" Award (OK, it's not really Mo related, but I'm sure he will be nominating me. **grin**)
• Mo gives Esme ideas
• My Pigeon tee

 

Party with the Stars

Friday, I hosted an afterhours program called Party with the Stars. Dolly grabbed some satin and hopped in the car before I could even ask if she wanted to come to work with me…. I hadn’t a clue as to what she wanted with the material, but… well… Dolly’s weird… and I’ve learned it’s best not to ask questions with her. It makes my head hurt.

We stopped by The International Café for takeout and got some falafel, hummus, tzatziki sauce, and spinach pie. It’s important for Dolly to try new foods. Silly me let Dolly hold the food in the car. SHE ATE ALMOST ALL THE PITA BREAD AND TZATZIKI SAUCE BEFORE WE GOT TO THE LIBRARY!!! **humph** Well, I guess she’s found some new foods she likes. **grumble, grumble** I made her eat off a plate when we got to work. Did I mention how she ate almost all my pita and tzatziki?!?!?!

ANYWAY, Dolly helped me set up for the program. For some reason, she fashioned the satin material into a dress. “Why?” you ask. When Dolly heard “Party with the Stars,” she thought she would be dining with Peyton Manning, Mo Willems, and Fancy Nancy. **head thump**

Luckily she wasn’t too disappointed after getting to see rainbows around the full moon, the International Space Station, Jupiter, and a new comet called McNaught.

Dolly and another little girl had a hard time using the telescope, so I was able to focus my camera through the telescope lens to capture a few pics they could see. Check out the details on the full moon. You can even see rings of green and blue around the edges.


Well, she did get to see some pretty big "stars…." **snicker**

Dolly Misses Mommy

Now we all know that Dolly’s mommy Pam is one crafty lady. My girls absolutely love Pam’s recycled bottle dog toys. Feeling a little homesick, Dolly asked to come with me to my Yarn Party craft program where we teach kids how to knit and crochet. Knowing it was something her mommy would enjoy, she thought learning a new craft might make her feel better.

My friend Kirsten volunteers for the program (and has the patience of a saint), so I asked her to teach Dolly how to crochet during a slow point. We learned a few things... the most important of which is that thumbs are important when crocheting.... 

It got a little busy and I'm ashamed to say that I lost track of Dolly for a few minutes. Imagine my mortification upon seeing Dolly riding Kirsten's service dog Ruby.  **AGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!**  DOLLY!  Get off Ruby NOW!

Ruby gently reminded Dolly that she is NOT a horsey... or a lion statue... or a tiger statue.... 

Thankfully Ruby is patient with little girls and the two parted friends.  **deep sigh of relief**

 

Hot Rod Dolly

Dolly met my friend Otter this week. Otter’s another fun, free spirit that likes to rock out on her drums. Plus, she and her son Julian (who publishes a fun magazine about cheese) have been following Dolly’s adventures in Columbia. Knowing they would become fast friends, I wasn’t shocked when Dolly asked to be dropped off at Otter’s house for a little fun. I assumed Dolly had asked for a drumming lesson… or wanted to meet their cat Blaze… or….

Imagine my shock when Dolly came out dressed in a black, pleather boustier and yellow biker shorts.


Remember Dolly’s ride on Shirley’s Harley and Tom’s scooter? She found out Otter has one, too, and finagled a ride. Who knew Dolly would like the wind blowing in her hair so much?

Dolly: Summer Reading Super Star

Summer reading began June 8^th, and we've already signed up over 2,400 kids and 230 teens!!! Dolly saw what fun the kids were having (and saw little kids got a free book if they finished) and DEMANDED to sign up, too. No worries, Pam. I made her ask nicely. I know she was excited, but that's no reason to be rude.Dolly signed her name and age on a yellow ducky.

 

Miss Angela explained the program to her. She's supposed to put a sticker on the calendar every day that someone reads to her. When she uses up all 30 stickers, it means she read for 30 days and can come back and pick out a free book to keep forever and ever.

 

Dolly was so happy that she wanted to shake Miss Angela's hand.

 

Dolly wanted to get started on her reading right away. She picked out Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems (one of my FAVORITE books). She wanted to give Pigeon the keys. Unfortunately the Bus Driver came back early. Mean Bus Driver!

Dolly hung out with the story time puppets while I worked during the afternoon... or so I thought. When I couldn't find her, a thorough search began.... Anyone want to guess where we found her???

That's right.  She was trying to steal the new children's bookmobile. Apparently Eric left the keys in the ignition.

Before leaving for the day, Dolly found her ducky on the wall of other summer reading rock stars.

Dolly Visits Mizzou

Dolly visited Stephens and Bossypants’s college, so I thought she might like to visit a big university, too! Mizzou is home to over 30,000 students, the world’s first journalism school, Thomas Jefferson’s 1st grave maker, and claims several famous alumni (including Tennessee Williams, Sheryl Crow, Mort Walker, and Chase Daniels… Brad Pitt lacks only 1 credit hour to belong to the illustrious group).... Oh, and there’s also a lot of stuff to get Dolly in trouble.

The Chinese government gave two Ming dynasty lions to the School of Journalism. Legend has it that if you talk while walking between them you will fall in love with whomever is in the passageway with you…. Dolly saw a cute college boy approaching, climbed on one of the lions and started singing at the top of her lungs. **red face**

We stopped at the Art History and Archeology Museum next and saw a mummy shroud with twelve toes… which made Dolly realize she has no toes.

Sunday Dolly met George Washington at Shelter Gardens.

She was ecstatic to get to meet yet another president. Convinced Thomas Jefferson needed her expertise writing an article, she decided to “help.” She’s so… helpful (???)… at times….

We also saw Jefferson’s original grave marker. She tried to climb it…, but it was too steep. Thank goodness for small miracles.

Next we went to the Anthropology Museum where we saw a 19th century parka made from seal intestine. Dolly was glad there are no seals in Hawai’i. I will spare you the rude noises she was making.

DOLLY STOP PICKING HIS NOSE!!! Oh, wait…. That’s David R. Francis. Students pick… um…rub… his nose before tests to bring good luck.

Dolly HAD to visit Beetle Bailey. Beetle was created by Mort Walker while a student at Mizzou. Early cartoons even featured a Columbia restaurant called The Shack.

We also visited Ellis Library (where they do NOT wear lobster hats or sing Baby Shark or act silly at ALL in story time)…

... and Memorial Union.

We ended our visit with Truman.

DOLLY!!! NO!!!