Monday, December 31, 2007

FBI In Your Library?

I came across these signs on librarian.net and found them humorous but CREEPY reminders of the times we are in. How will this trend, of 'protecting' us by taking away our right to privacy, progress in the new year of 2008? Time will tell... but for now, as my last post of 2007, I present these signs that might be displayed in your local library, to let you know if Big Brother, er, I mean the FBI, has paid a visit there:










For more info on the impact of the Patriot Act on American freedom of expression and access to information, click HERE to go to the Free Expression Policy Project site.

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Three Aspens With Cloud

Here is a painting of mine, done a few years ago,
showing three aspen trees and a cloud.


click on image to view larger

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

A Jigsaw Puzzle

Click to Mix and Solve

Click on the arrow above if you're in the mood for doing a little jigsaw puzzle. I confess I did way worse than average on this thing - almost ten minutes... But I was compelled to put the cat's face back together again!

Monday, December 24, 2007

Moon Angel

This was the moon going down last Sunday morning, when it was about five degrees below zero outside. It looked like a fat, luminous angel, slowly sinking down through the sky.

.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Finding Balance

Last night at work I was criticized by one of my co-workers for being inflexible and judgmental of other staff. We were able to discuss this, and the situation that sparked her comments. We also talked about the differing perspectives we bring to our work- She tends to be more aware of the bigger picture of what we're doing here, while I tend to be more aware of the details. (Hey, that's why a big part of my work is with data management!) Both viewpoints are valuable and needed, and I think we each recognize that. Also, with such divergent viewpoints it's probably not surprising that conflict will arise between us at times.

We talk a lot about boundaries where I work- holding boundaries, having healthy boundaries with the youth we work with... it's important. The image below is one I drew and posted one night at work, about a year ago, after the kids had been testing me on some of the boundaries set into the program structure.




I've tended to be fairly firm on following the rules (as they are actually written, not as I choose to interpret them), while some other staff are far more flexible. Their leniency can make the job more difficult for those of us who hold firmly to the rules. The kids, obviously, prefer the staff who are more easy going. I like the clarity of knowing what is expected from me, from other staff, and from the youth. Sometimes that makes me too rigid, and perhaps makes things more difficult than they actually have to be. Being too casual around the expectations also leads to problems later on. It doesn't work to be a total authoritative 'cop' enforcer type, nor does it work to try and be a 'friend' to the youth. They need adult guidance and support from staff, not cops or friends.

There is a middle road, a place of BALANCE, which is probably best for all involved. This provides the needed structure, but without being so anal about it... allowing for compromise when the situation calls for it. But it is easy to wander off that middle road. Its location can shift from moment to moment. One of my goals for the future is to keep myself more often ON that middle road of balance, and also to be more aware of when I've veered off it. This may push me outside my comfort zone, and force me to examine some of my beliefs which I'd just as soon not examine. But I can see it is for the overall good of both staff and youth, and will contribute to a more harmonius workplace.

Here's to 2008

the year I find my center of balance!

.

Friday, December 21, 2007

What To Get Jesus?

So, Christmas is almost upon us now. I tend to ignore this holiday as much as possible, and I don't get involved in all the present buying frenzy. However, I was thinking about how it is also Jesus' birthday, so it seems like He really should get a Christmas gift. But what would be a good present for Jesus?




Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Life With Fluffy & Fido...

According to recent surveys, 69% of US pet owners let their pets sleep in bed with them. And 65% of pet owners purchase Christmas presents for their pets.


The dogs do slightly better than cats in the Christmas present booty, with 8% more dogs getting a gift than cats. But 2% more cats are sleeping in bed with their humans.

The survey also found that 23 percent of pet owners cook for their pets, and 18 percent like to dress their pets up.

For myself, three of my cats sleep with me- Rexie either shares the pillow with me or gets under the blankets, Gracie sleeps on top of me, and Tobias is at the foot of the bed (where my feet would like to be). Some of the other cats visit now and then in bed, but aren't regulars. The dog, Lucy, sleeps in a dog bed on the floor near my bed. Unless some of the cats steal it, as they sometimes do... then Lucy has to sleep on the floor.

I don't get my pets Christmas presents, though I do say 'Merry Christmas' to them. I think most of the cats are Buddhists anyway.

So what about YOUR pets? Are they sleeping with you? Is there anything waiting for them under the Christmas tree??

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Chilly Saturday Morning

We've had more snow the past few days...Here're some pics from my yard:

The cats' path


The summer chair


Big front yard tree


Snow branches and sky


Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
It's 7 degrees outside!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Icicle Images


Here in northern New Mexico, we've just gotten socked with a big snow storm. I was outside looking at the ice sickles that had formed above the front porch. (OK, yes, I really was just putting off shoveling out the driveway.) I took a few photos. In the one below I saw a couple of interesting shapes. Do you see any?


Below are the two shapes that I saw:




click on any image to view it larger

Monday, December 10, 2007

Trusting Cat

My intention is:
To come to trust mySelf
as much as my cats trust me.



Thursday, December 6, 2007

Atlantean Memories...

This was something I drew a couple of years ago. It's just some scribbles really, and I'm not sure what it's all about... but still, I wanted to preserve it here.


click on image to view it larger

Egyptian Past Life?


click on image to view it larger

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Identity Theft Sucks!


I am dedicating this post to Amazon. A few days ago I got an e-mail from Amazon, notifying me that some fraudulent activity had taken place in my account with them.

Some creep had hacked into my account, changed the account's password, and also changed the account's email address to bujdtmzg@trashmail.net. Trashmail.net seems to provide services that are perfect for this sort of unscrupulous behavior.

The thief then tried to make a large purchase of electronics, charging it to my credit card which was on file from previous purchases I had made. Amazon recognized this as suspicious activity and did not process the purchase. Then Amazon also completely shut down the account and notified me by e-mail of the attempted fraud.

Unsure how the criminal accessed my Amazon account, or what other private info they might have on me, I spent several hours closing credit cards and bank accounts, and also changing many passwords to my various online accounts. It was a pain in the butt, but all the while I was aware that the situation could have been far worse. I am very grateful to
Amazon for looking after the security of their customers' information.