This is the first week of classes for the MLIS program. That it coincides with Frosh week creates some interesting senarios.  First of all, it seems that part of Frosh week at Western requires wearing matching t-shirts and walking around en masse. Yesterday we saw only purple shirts, the colour for today was orange. Reflecting on the faces I saw (which alternated between scared silly and openly anticipatory) I can only say that I am pleased to be finished with that aspect of my life. Not that I want to sound like an old codger, but I remember the mistakes I made as a freshman. I am just pleased to be done with that, though I realize that mistakes are part of living, it is just that the type of mistakes that are waiting for these freshman are way behind me! I wonder how many hangovers are the order of the day each morning. Some of my colleagues who are living on campus are reporting parties of monumental proportions.

So, it was a fracture of sorts, as it turns out and I will be returning to campus with a walking cast for the next 5 weeks. Not that I mind terribly, as it is definitely easier to get around now with the cast rather than using crutches. It is just that I would have preferred knowing from the beginning and having the walking cast from the beginning as well. Today I actually went grocery shopping. That is the most time spent out of the house in nearly two weeks. Pathetic, really.

So the doctor called me today to arrange for another X-ray. He said that the first X-ray shows that there may be a fracture, and that they need another look with the swelling down to be sure. Thankfully, the swelling is down and I will go in tomorrow to the hospital for another "picture" session.  I am hoping that I will not need a cast, I have been getting around easier in the last day or two, and thought I was on the mend. Keep your fingers crossed.

Somehow, two of my blog posts have disappeared from this site (I know, that brings into question my numeric ability again - hence the “ish” attached to this one). The two that have disappeared make my post before this one unintelligible.

So, to catch anyone up who missed one of those posts, I am on break now, finished my website in time and it is functional (http://www.imc.uwo.ca/~pthomas/nexus_public_library/index.html if you want to browse it), and was just getting into the swing of the relaxation when I fell down the deck stairs at the cottage (in my defence, it was early in the morning, dark and the stairs were dew soaked) and am now on crutches, again.

Call me slow witted, but it wasn't until my sister called and reminded me that I realized I have been on crutches for a sprained ankle for every post-secondary degree that I possess.
 
In undergraduate (McGill University) I was on my way to a weekly baby sitting job when I fell. It was in the middle of winter and the snow plows were on strike. There had just been a snow storm and I did not realize that I was stepping so close to the curb when I fell over onto my ankle. I was closer to the baby sitting job than I was to my dorm (which by the way was up the mountain). It just so happened that two good Samaritans were walking by. One man was with his significant other, well dressed and kind if rather shorter than I was. The other was a man who had obviously spent most of the day drinking, likely from the brown paper bag he was clutching with great enthusiasm, and was about my height. They both agreed to help me to the apartment (a second floor walk-up). By the time we got to the door we looked quite the disreputable  and disheveled crowd. Before I could explain myself to Mrs. W when she answered the door she said, "Peggy, I do not mind you bringing friends but I do expect you to arrive sober!"

Although I am quickly closing in on the final weeks of my second term, the end still looks very far away indeed.  I only have three more assignments to finish, but two of them are looking to finish me first.

I now officially take my hat off (actually, I rarely wear hats...but you understand the meaning) to all of the self-professed geeks out there who actually enjoy using GarageBand, Audacity, iMovie, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Fireworks and so on... I have to be honest, my blood pressure starts to mount just thinking of those courses and the assignments left to do. One friend suggested I enlist the help of my son, who is proficient in many of these programs, but that was a disaster. Although proficient, he is not patient, and that was one ugly moment as hetried to explain things to me. No injuries, but no joy either.

So this semester I am taking two technology courses. In one, I am building a website and in the other we are exploring varying software programs with broadcasting capabilities.

In theory, I absolutely see the need for incorporating technology in the library, no matter what silo. We need to be relevant to our public, and people are embracing technology like never before, they are both using and creating content, we need to be responsive to this. That is why I am taking these courses. That said, I am not enjoying them. On a creative level I love it, on a technical level, I am totally confounded, befuddled and frustrated...one wrong click (and I seem to make many) and it all goes south.

There have been moments during this adventure that have made me feel very mature (read old). Most of the students in my program are much younger and the sheer number of undergraduates at Western are staggering. I often get an askance look when I profer my student card for a student discount. But then there are other moments...like in the grad club this week. I went to the bar to get a drink (a Pepsi, if you are wondering) and the barman (age of my son) commented on how great I looked. I thanked him, thought he was angling for a tip, but thought no more of it.

It was brought to my attention that it has been awhile since I have posted an entry.

Part of the reason is the busy-ness of the season for me, trying to balance home, school and family with the added bonus of cottage season upon us.
With the opening of the cottage comes a compressed time at home to accomplish all that needs doing as well as the work around the cottage. Not that I am complaining, I love having a place to go on Georgian Bay that is relaxing and free of all technological contact (you really do disconnect there). In fact, we have been able to go in the water already this year, a feat not accomplished until late July last year.

It is truly funny how you can take time away, relax and refuel, and then, once the race begins again, feel as if you have never been away! That is how I feel right now, having just completed 4 assignments due on Tuesday. Yes, I went to Bermuda. Yes the pink sands and turquoise waters were exquisite. And YES, the "Dark and Stormy" is a thing of beauty (a wonderful drink that even I could become addicted to), but it all seems so long ago!