Tonight the library sponsored an open house for the RWC students. We set up our table on the plaza outside, set out a few helium mylar balloons, populated the table with "Free Stuff" and encouraged everyone to explore the exotic places in our new building.
For the brave and adventurous, we offered a passport that they could take around to eight different places where we had strategically located staff who could tell them about some unique aspect of the building. We created powerpoint 1 minute shows that we mounted on digital picture frames, and once they had viewed the powerpoint and spoken with the staff person, they got their passport stamped.
For everyone who got some of the 8 stamps, we gave a free highlighter with the library name printed on it or a memo clip with the library logo. For those who got all 8 stamps, they put their passport in a box for the drawing for a free iPod.
For a Wednesday evening with little PR, we got well over 100 students to come through, gave away all the candy and popcorn, and a lot of red pencils with our logo on it, and in general talked with a lot more people who didn't have time to come in then because they had a class or needed to squeeze in dinner between meetings.
75 entered the drawing. For the first time doing an open house, I consider it pretty successful. We reached 100+ out of 1800 students. Might have been as high as 1%. All things considered, not a bad beginning.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Hair Cut
There is a quaint little house on the corner of Buffalo Road and the side street we take when we are walking home. I have often cut across their lawn without paying too much attention. I figure I can't hurt the grass since its all brown from lack of water, and the place seemed to be some sort of business. Its called Beach Fx. I saw a neon sign for tanning, and another one for nails.
I remembered it from last time we lived here, and I think it was a barbershop then. Its right across the street from Pearce Church. Well, I was beginning to realize that its been 2 months since that last disastrous hair cut in Connecticut, and time has arrived to find a hairdresser who can at very least cut my thin hair, not even considering anything beyond that.
So as I was walking home the other day thinking about upcoming events like the student open house, my first choir rehearsal and first Sunday in a new church, the big ribbon cutting ceremony, I knew I had to find a place to get my hair trimmed. I was just at the corner by Beach Fx when I realized that they indeed offered hair dresser services. So I made an appointment for today.
It was a bit offputting when I met the young girl who would be cutting my hair. She had streaks of red, blue, and pink in her own black dyed hair, a nose ring, several sets of earrings and clothes that looked like parts were missing - that intentional raggedy look.
But she had a pleasant smile and a pronounceable name, and greeted me warmly, so I sat in her chair and we chatted about what I had in mind. I wasn't too hopeful - just that I not end up looking strange because of all the upcoming events. She talked about long days, hectic schedules, life being demanding and confusing, and punctuated her dialog with queries about how I wanted things done as she snipped away.
It was a relief not to have to talk much, mostly nod and be understanding. At least I didn't need to tell her how my hair got so thin, how I ended up with these glaring bald spots, howcome I am not coloring my gray hair because that would make me look so much younger.
She didn't comment on anything or make any observations as so many beauticians do. She did not try to sell me "product" or talk me into anything I didn't ask for. She just did what I asked, and did it well and quickly. It was nice. And I ended up with a decent cut. Sometimes looks and names can be a bit misleading. I am not into obtaining any beach effects or strange colorations or a raggedy look. But they accommodated my conventionality without comment.
Now I just have to find a barber for Drew. He has made it quite clear that he doesn't like the "girlie" cuts he has had to endure. I am planning to take him to the Italian shop over by the old IGA. We shall see how that goes.
I remembered it from last time we lived here, and I think it was a barbershop then. Its right across the street from Pearce Church. Well, I was beginning to realize that its been 2 months since that last disastrous hair cut in Connecticut, and time has arrived to find a hairdresser who can at very least cut my thin hair, not even considering anything beyond that.
So as I was walking home the other day thinking about upcoming events like the student open house, my first choir rehearsal and first Sunday in a new church, the big ribbon cutting ceremony, I knew I had to find a place to get my hair trimmed. I was just at the corner by Beach Fx when I realized that they indeed offered hair dresser services. So I made an appointment for today.
It was a bit offputting when I met the young girl who would be cutting my hair. She had streaks of red, blue, and pink in her own black dyed hair, a nose ring, several sets of earrings and clothes that looked like parts were missing - that intentional raggedy look.
But she had a pleasant smile and a pronounceable name, and greeted me warmly, so I sat in her chair and we chatted about what I had in mind. I wasn't too hopeful - just that I not end up looking strange because of all the upcoming events. She talked about long days, hectic schedules, life being demanding and confusing, and punctuated her dialog with queries about how I wanted things done as she snipped away.
It was a relief not to have to talk much, mostly nod and be understanding. At least I didn't need to tell her how my hair got so thin, how I ended up with these glaring bald spots, howcome I am not coloring my gray hair because that would make me look so much younger.
She didn't comment on anything or make any observations as so many beauticians do. She did not try to sell me "product" or talk me into anything I didn't ask for. She just did what I asked, and did it well and quickly. It was nice. And I ended up with a decent cut. Sometimes looks and names can be a bit misleading. I am not into obtaining any beach effects or strange colorations or a raggedy look. But they accommodated my conventionality without comment.
Now I just have to find a barber for Drew. He has made it quite clear that he doesn't like the "girlie" cuts he has had to endure. I am planning to take him to the Italian shop over by the old IGA. We shall see how that goes.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Midnight Moon
It had been a crazy closing. Just when you think you have everything under control, something new pops up. Back doors not locked when they should be, gate keys that won't turn (the locks are new), lights that go off inexplicably - I know this is a new building, but really!
We finally got everything secure, and I walked out the front doors and around the side of the library to the parking lot. My car still had the sun visors stuck in the window to keep the heat of the sun from roasting the steering wheel. No need for that in the middle of the night (OK, I know midnight is not really the middle of the night for most, but it's way past my normal bed time). I pulled the ovals from the windshield and tossed them into the back seat.
The sky was cloudless and bright from the moon's brilliance - a sort of surrealistic clarity highlighted the buildings and dorms. I sat for a moment in the driver's seat and enjoyed the scene. Dark trees silhouetted against cobalt sky. Students wandering about, talking and laughing. Music playing from some distant place.
I realized that the moon, though round and big, was not full. The lower edge was misshapen, waning away. Yet one would not know that from the amount of light it cast. It was still quite effective. That's the way I sometimes feel. After cancer, I am missing a lot of vitality I used to enjoy. I am no longer at my full zenith. But I'll be darned if that will keep me from functionality to the full extent that I am able to still perform. I may be missing stuff, but for the parts that remain, I am determined to function at 100% for as long as I am able.
We finally got everything secure, and I walked out the front doors and around the side of the library to the parking lot. My car still had the sun visors stuck in the window to keep the heat of the sun from roasting the steering wheel. No need for that in the middle of the night (OK, I know midnight is not really the middle of the night for most, but it's way past my normal bed time). I pulled the ovals from the windshield and tossed them into the back seat.
The sky was cloudless and bright from the moon's brilliance - a sort of surrealistic clarity highlighted the buildings and dorms. I sat for a moment in the driver's seat and enjoyed the scene. Dark trees silhouetted against cobalt sky. Students wandering about, talking and laughing. Music playing from some distant place.
I realized that the moon, though round and big, was not full. The lower edge was misshapen, waning away. Yet one would not know that from the amount of light it cast. It was still quite effective. That's the way I sometimes feel. After cancer, I am missing a lot of vitality I used to enjoy. I am no longer at my full zenith. But I'll be darned if that will keep me from functionality to the full extent that I am able to still perform. I may be missing stuff, but for the parts that remain, I am determined to function at 100% for as long as I am able.
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