This and That

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This is one of my rare weekends off of work, so you get to put up with a "special" post from me on a Sunday!

On My Nightstand
The BOSS!

BRUCE!

I'm really enjoying Bruce's autobiography.  I don't want to stop reading.  The same voice that comes through so clearly in his songs is so very clear in his book.  His lyrical compelling look back at his life will leave you laughing and shaking your head, and sometimes in tears as you contemplate his honest look back at his own life.  I admit - I've been flipping through the book, reading things well out of order. (And I've enjoyed every minute of it!)

Bruce's voice was a part of the soundtrack of my coming of age in the 80's.  His music has always resonated with me, and carried me through times both good and bad. Reading his book, I realize that his music has been the focal point and strength that has carried him through his own challenges and joys.

The power of music.


The Towels!
Normally I work weekends, so I don't get to see the husband in action on a Saturday.  I get to see the results when I get home, but not all of the work that goes into making things happen.

So, husband washed towels yesterday and decided to dry them outside.  He came in to eat lunch and got sidetracked.  Keep in mind, I had NO idea that the towels were outside.  I was in my usual clueless state, quilting, cleaning the bathroom, and complaining that the kids don't call often enough (Hint, hint..Oldest Child....) when all of a sudden we hear the crash of thunder.  We look outside to see buckets of rain pouring down.

Now, my philosophy is, if it's raining that hard and you've got clothes on the line, just leave them.  The sun will eventually come out and dry them out again.  Not husband.  Nope.  Off he ran to go rescue the clothes from the line.  The towels were soaked and so was he.  It was a sight to behold!

Mike Rowe
Do you follow Mike on Facebook at all?  I adore him, love his blog updates from his dog, Freddy, and really enjoy the letters that he shares from his Mom.  Yesterday, he posted a text that he had received from his mother about his father out walking in the heat.  I don't want to step all over his copyright by publishing the tweet, but if you follow this link to his page and scroll down to the bottom of the page, you'll see the text message.  Do it!  You won't regret it!  http://mikerowe.com/

Man, I would love to have tea with Mike's mom! 

Damn Hot Flash
I know I'm fortunate.  I don't get many hot flashes.  Ever since I tracked down all of my food allergies, I have maybe one or two hot flashes a year.  I just felt I needed to qualify that, since I'm about to share a moment with you.

I was invited to a job interview last week.  There I am, in a conference room with 3 wonderful people, wearing one of my hated business suits with my hair down. (I never keep my hair down in the summer.  I always pull it up.  What was I thinking? It's hot with that much hair flapping around in my face at the best of times.  But on a 90* day?)    What should happen but the great grandmother of all hot flashes.  Bright red face, sweat pouring down my face, my hair seems to be holding in all of that heat - so even my scalp starts sweating.  What to do? Mention the obvious hot flash?  Laugh nervously?  Keep going?

I kept talking and used my resume to fan myself, but dear God, it was horrific.  No surprise that I didn't get the job, and I'm going to blame the hot flash for that one. 


An Incident in the Building
Last week at work, I was minding my own business on the reference desk, people watching and hoping that someone would come ask me a question.  A fun, challenging question.

Suddenly, a tone that sounded something like the tone you hear in the movies when a ship is about to explode, or enemy fire is at hand came out of our intercom system with the disembodied robotic voice calmly reciting "ATTENTION - an incident has been reported in the building.  Please evacuate the building immediately.  Do not use the elevators."

What is your first thought when you hear the phrase "there has been an incident in the building"?  Let me tell you, some interesting thoughts race through your mind.  None of them are warm, fuzzy thoughts, either.

You know, I had read an article the day before about how people tend to freeze in emergency situations.  It went on at length to state that because of our own natural confusion, we will be the cause of our own demise in an emergency.

Let me just say that in this case, the answer was NOPE.  We had people up and moving out of that building before we got our walkies out.  I went to make certain that my half of our floor was clear, and people were gone before I could get there.  They were stuffing laptops into bags as they walked down the stairs.  Calmly and quickly, they moved out and did not linger.  That building was cleared in record time.

I can hear you thinking "But wait, Bettina... what was the incident?  Was everyone OK?  Did anyone get hurt?"

The pipes for the water sprinklers on the first floor ruptured.  We had water everywhere.

Fortunately for us, the break was over a fairly empty spot.  We did lose some materials, but not as many as we could have.  None of our electronic equipment was damaged, and the water never got close to the electrical outlets.  The library closed for the rest of the day, but we were up and running the next day.  Ceiling tiles were replaced, and the carpet was clean and dry!

Our facilities management team rocks!

Enjoy your week!