If I'd Been Given This Book, I'd Never Have Become a Librarian

Okay, I was weeding some books and came across this one.  Take a look at the little boy in front.

Need a closer look?

I saw this and decided he must be thinking, "This is the most terrifying bedtime story I've ever heard.  What the f*#^?!"

What is hilarious is that I showed it to a coworker, and the first thing he thought was that the little boy in back was…ahem…perhaps acting a tad inappropriate?

Either way, this little boy's expression is hysterical, and I can't believe this painting is on the front of this textbook.  And yet I'm so glad it was.  HA!

I Love My Cubicle. I'm Serious.

And I may be the only person in the United States who loves his/her cubicle this much.  But an office?  Where I can think?  And concentrate?  This is a very novel experience for me, and I am so appreciative of it.

Okay, first you need to know that I've been given a double-wide cubicle!  The space is amazing.  I haven't even filled it all.  But don't worry, I will.  Here is side one, where I do most of my work.  Notice how neat the desk is.  It does not look like that anymore.

Between my two cubicles…windows!  And get this, they open.  Not only do they open, but I am allowed to actually open them!

This is my other cubicle.  It will fill up very quickly.  It looks so pitiful and empty now.  No children's librarian's space should look so sad.

Now I'll share some pictures of the Maine State Library itself. 

The MSL shares a building with the Maine History Museum and the Maine State Archives.

It's called the Cultural Building.

The Cultural Building is on a campus with other state departments.  The Capitol itself is right across a parking lot.

They're doing work on the dome.

One thing I've never had to think about before…I've been told that during the legislative session, parking is nearly impossible to find.  Luckily, I am part of a van pool, so I don't have to worry about that.  But what a strange thing to consider.

I Walked Around Portland, and What Did I See?

I now live in Portland, ME.  As I walk around town, I've been seeing the funniest things.  I finally remembered to bring my camera, so here are some of my favorite sights!

You will probably not be shocked that this is outside of a church, but it still cracks me up.

Okay, here's what you need to know about this picture: other than the red awning (and the blue-roofed information hut), the front of that building is painted.  Yes, it's true!  Those archways?  Painted.  The balcony?  Painted.  I think this is mind-blowing.  It just looks so real!

In fact, you can walk closer and closer, and it still looks real.  (The brown fence and fairy lights are real -- the patio is a restaurant.)

This cracks me up, because the window pane cuts Ms. or Mr. Treworgy's name in a very unfortunate place.  I mean, unless it's a secret message.  I find it amazing that Ms./Mr. Treworgy didn't notice this.

Okay, more to come!  This is just a taste.

P.S. I love it here.