Mothers Day Madness

Did you get anything fab for your Mum on Sunday? I was over the moon with my pressies. My Mum just loves a phone call, which is handy because I am the slackest in the world when it comes to sending cards. I actually think that cards are a waste of money and resources. How many trees are cut down every year for Birthday, Christmas, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Valentine's Day, Get Well, Bon Voyage, Congratulations and Oh God you just got promoted, demoted, denoted??? Well, I am making a stand.
I will no longer buy into the card wastage. Every card that you give somebody, unless it is home made when it will be kept until too dilapidated to be read, will be in the bin the next day anyway. So, tightfists and environmental saviours unite!!! Let's stop the bilge of believing that a card actually means something when a phone call is more personal, able to communicate more and a lot cheaper. If you don't feel that this works for you, how about recycling an old card. No, not the 'whack into the recycling bin' way, but in the 'use liberal amounts of white out to remove previous recipients and senders of cards and insert your own details' way. So what if you are giving a Christmas card for their birthday, or a congratulations card when they have broken their leg. I think that the only one that you need to buy is the bereavement card. After all, I think that you will really send the wrong message if you deliver a 'Congrats on you recent promotion' card at a funeral. Though there are some that would see it that way.

Marvellous May

It's getting colder and once again the flanny jim jams make their appearance. The time for hot chocolate, movies and books has arrived. I'm hoping for a long chilly winter this year. This is only so that I can become an actual hibernating creature. I have just finished the PhillipPullman triligy. It was heavy going. I find it hard to believe that so many people found the book riveting. I found it tough going at times. The narrative is a bit long winded and I felt like there was a lot of time wasting. GET TO THE GOOD BITS ALREADY!!

Having whinged about that, what do you think? Have you read them or did you see 'The Golden Compass'? That movie was adapted from the first book, 'Northern Lights'.

Enough of that, I'm re-reading the 'Chronicles of Narnia' at the moment. I'm looking forward to 'Prince Caspian' being released. That is my absolute fave of the Narnia stories. It looks pretty good too.

Also keeping a close eye on the trans tasman trophy. The Firebirds are still going off, but last nights games between the Vixens and the Swifts was a nail biter. Big Hurrahs to the Vixens who managed to giddy up by just one goal. That would be why Sharelle is the best. We love you Sharelle.

Back to the usual grind.

What a fabulous Youth Week!! The movie night on Friday night was FAB! fancy being paid to watch a movie and eat some pizza. I have the dream job. I love X-Men.

Back to the usual grind this week, for all of us. We are having a bit of a think about the next Finally It's Friday and what would be a good thing to do. Any ideas? We are always looking for more ideas, both practical and impractical. After all, we need to have something to say NO to.

Have you been keeping an eye on the Netball? My team, Melbourne Vixens, formerly known as the Phoenix, had a convincing win over the Firebirds over the weekend. Now, while I love the Firebirds, I HAVE to support my Sharelle. Especially when I begged her parents to take me in, you know, old age adoption!

She looks fierce in this photo and that is exactly how she plays. FIERCE!!

Keep an eye on the competition as the Melbourne Vixens are, naturally enough, the DREAM TEAM. If only Sharelle had believed me when I told her at the World Cup that I can shoot too. Though Caitlin Thwaites is taller, younger, SO WHAT? Okay, that will do for my self advertisement. Go Sharelle.

Youth Week 2008

Youht Week kicked off last Saturday with a cartooning workshop at Gordon White Library and what wonderful artists we have in Mackay. Heaps of fun was had by all and if you missed it I'll bet that you are kicking yourself right about now. It isn't too late to get in on the action though. We have a movie night for 12 - 18 year olds on Friday night. X-Men, pizza, soft drink and a movie, what an excellent way to spend a Friday night. We also have activites for 6 - 12 year olds this week at 3 of our branches. You can come on along and make your very own Superhero costume. If you want to check out some cool competitions you can log onto the Youth Week website and peruse the possible fun stuff http://www.generate.qld.gov.au/
Other news? The trans Tasman Trophy kicked off on the weekend with the Firebirds posting a narrow win. The games were terrific and it is great to see players from all over the world. We normally only see them at the World Cup or maybe the Commonwealth games. I'm sure that this will improve the netball from all nations and we will have a bit more difficulty in Singapore in 2011. Keep track of all the fun and frolic of netball at http://www.tasmantrophy.com/

Post Easter Blues

I love Easter! Who doesn't love the opportunity to eat more chocolate than is good for a small African nation? Yes, those who are allergic, but my motto is 'Less for you means more for me'.
I apply this as often as possible, that explains everything doesn't it? Well, to more exciting stuff. We have now opened our School Holiday Bookings and we are ready to have some Superfun!! We will be kicking off Youth Week April 5 at Gordon White Library with a cartooning workshop with Harry Bruce. He is going to help you to create your own Superhero! Then on Tuesday April 8, 9 and 10 we begin our round of library mayhem. We will be creating our own Superhero costumes complete with cape, mask and wristband. there will also be some games to play and our usual lucky door prize. Then to finish up Youth Week we will be screening X-Men on Friday April 11 at Gordon White Library. Remember to book so that you don't miss out.

Mackay Regional Council

Welcome to the Mackay Regional Council LIbrary Service. What a mouthful! Thankfully I haven't had to get used to that tongue twister as yet. But, what does that meant for you? Just that you will be soon having more stuff happening in a wider area. Yes, but what does it mean? I don't really know, except that now we are going to be bigger and better than ever. I know that you reckon that if one really wants to get bigger then you can just eat more takeaway and drink stupid amount of soft drink and take the exercise level down to nil. I would argue that I do that already. Except for the soft drink.

Now to the fun stuff. We are gearing up for Easter. WOW- chocolate!! That pretty much covers Easter for me. We are also madly trying to finalise our activities for School holidays and boy do we have some fun planned. Since 'Superheroes' is the theme we have decided to become our very own 'Superheroes'. I have the super power of book location. Come on, what do you mean that doesn't sound like a super power? Have you ever tried to locate a book when the only information that you are given is that it is red, about *this* big and it has a boy and a dog in it? Well, have and let me tell you that requires Superpowers.

Swappsies.

We have now swapped the PS2 and X-Box360. If you want to try some different games, in you come. I am so looking forward to playing these different games. Yes, I know that only 12-18 year olds are allowed to play, however I am only 16, in my own mind, and I have to know how to play the games in case anybody requires assistance when they wish to play. So there! Star Trek : Legacy is the one, the absolute one, and Amped is a close second. I love to think that I am able to do some serious snow boarding and wicked tricks. Stop laughing and pointing at me, I know that I cannot actually do that, but I am more than capable of turning out a few virtual tricks. Or should that be virtually capable? I leave it to you to decide.

March Madness

Mad as a March Hare! That phrase was coined in England and the simile refers to the beginning of the breeding season in what is their spring. It's Autumn here though that doesn't mean that we can't always be a little crazy around this time of year. That would explain why I thought that it was a good idea to be in an ENORMOUS play and learn obscene amounts of dialogue. Have you been thinking about coming to see 'Agnes of God'? You should come on along. The response has been very positive from all our audience so far and we are looking forward to another 2 weeks of rave reviews. The play asks each audience member to think about and question the basis for, their faith. It is a thought provoking piece and very demanding for the 3 cast members. We don't do all the work though, we need the audience to become immersed in the story and feel the trauma that all the actors are experiencing. Oh, come on, you know that you love a bit of drama with a dash of madness and a smattering of laughter.
On a library note, we will be swapping the PS2 and X-Box 360 locations next week, so a whole new raft of games and a different machine on which to play them. Yippee!!

Just Bead It

Finally It's Friday kicks off with a beading session this Friday, February 29th, 3.15pm at Mackay City Library. Just an opportunity to chill out and enjoy some therapeutic jewellery making. If you want to come along call 49571 787 or 49443000 to make sure that you have a space. While you are here you can check out the Earthquest exhibit.
Settling into the new year of school also means settling back into interminable assignments and that can be a drag. Have you had a look at Your Tutor? Just click on the link and it will take you to the front page of our website and follow the online tutoring link. You will find a live person to help you with your research. http://www.mackaylibraries.com.au/ How cool is that?

Mackay Floods

Hope none of you guys were adversely affected by the flooding last Friday. The rising water missed coming in y front door by only an inch. It was very scary. I had my daughter, my dog and a bag of essentials and was ready to evacuate. Luckily the water peaked just an inch below my front door. The water was coming in the back and it didn't look good. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/gallery/0,23816,5029554-17382-1,00.html This is a look at the hospital bridge, as you can see it was 2 metres over the bridge. It all happened so fast and that is the scariest part of the whole experience. Let me know how you guys went.

Sladie Slaughter

Due to the really rubbishy weather we are having, yet another skate comp has been cancelled. First it was the Australia Day comp at John Breen Park and now the annual Sladie Slaughter has been called off. What can I say, except that sucks. I know that we need the rain, but come on, 40 days and 40 nights is getting a bit much. Enough about the weather whinge, how about the Earthquest exhibit at City Library and Gordon White Library, it's terrific. I have whiled away a couple of lunch hours having a look see and touch feel of the exhibit and I'm pleased to say that I have solved the puzzles correctly. Okay, so not so much of a biggy, but YEAH!
There is no seguay into this so I'll just say that you need to check out this site, it has a quiz and it actually does some good http://www.freerice.com/ I have spent quite a bit of time on this one. Extending my vocabulary and helping to feed the less fortunate, does it get any better than that?

Library Lovers Month

Everybody loves a lover, or that's what sucky lovestruck loons would have us believe. However, in the case of libraries, don't we just love them all the time? After all, a book never gets cross with you, never tells you that you have a case of bad breath or looks in an obvious 'Oh God! Is that an enormous pimple that is right on the end of your nose?' way.
A book can take you anywhere without fear of disease, natural disaster (unless the title is 'Natural Disasters of the World'), or maxing out the already screaming credit card. On a rainy day when there is nothing to do and nobody wants to go anywhere, a book can take you on a flight of fancy, and let's face it, the read / doze / read / doze on a Sunday afternoon during the long dark teatime of the soul is just the way to bring to an end a busy weekend. Much better than doing the ironing, as if I actually do that ;>P I would probably be tempted, if I could iron out the wrinkles ... on my face, but other than that, what a bore!!
Libraries are feeling unloved most of the year but during February we are looking for affirmation, for enthusiasm, for love. If you come in during 'Library Lovers Month' you can enter competitions, let us know what your fave reads are and you can have a 'blind date with a book' Yes, you did read right, we are having a lucky dip. You grab a wrapped book from the blind date bin and check it out, take it home and read it. Hopefully you will be able to enjoy a whole new author or genre. Yes, we are expecting that some folks will be unhappy with their choice, but when was the last time YOU took a chance and read a book out of your comfort zone? I have already grabbed one and I'm sure that I will enjoy 'Coyote : a novel of Interstellar Exploration' by Allen M. Steele. Okay, well maybe I won't but the point is that I will TRY!!

BACK TO SCHOOL!

Thank the 'Powers That Be', school holidays are finally over. Now this may not be your idea of a good day, but getting back to ME! While we all had a great time over the hols with our activities, parties and movie night it is fantastic to sink out teeth into a whole new year. 2008 the chinese year of the 'Rat'. No, this doesn't mean that you can be a ratbag, though I do my best to be a ratbag regardless of the year. We have already been working hard to make this a great year. I would tell you more but that would spoil the surprise.

I'm hoping that our PS2 and X-Box 360 will become even more popular over the coming months. Remember that we have a different game each day and you can come in after school and have a relaxing play with your mates while waiting for your internet time, or after your research.

Enough about the library, have you been keeping an eye out for the new Trans Tasman trophy teams? You can have a look at all things queensland netball at http://www.netballq.org.au/ . I know, you think that I have said all there is to say about netball after my mammoth trip to the Netball World Cup, but trust me, it is my obsession. Right up there with George. Speaking of George, did you see that he has been nominated for an academy award? This is long overdue and well deserved. I am shaking out my frock already, just in case he needs a date. I loved this movie. George and Kath sitting in a tree.... Okay, so her name isn't Kath, but it easily could have been ...........

Party! Party! Party!

Parties all week at Mackay Libraries! We had the 'Paradise' party to mark the end of the Summer Reading Program this morning and it went off very well with all our participants enjoying the chips, cheezels and fairy bread. Well, all except one family from the UK who had never seen fairy bread before. This sounds crazy doesn't it? How can anyone manage to reach the ripe old age of 12 and never eaten fairy bread? That's okay because that is no longer the case.
We are having some fun with our second week of School Holiday activities this week. We shall be making box jellyfish, a swaggie's hat and doing a dot painting. Nothing like a bit of creativity to while away the few remaining hours of freedom before the start fo the next school year. For our teens we are launching 2008 'Finally, it's Friday' on January 25 with a movie night. Is there a more quintessential Aussie movie than 'The Castle'? We don't think so, so call us and make your booking so that you don't miss out on the fun.
Back to school next week means that you will all be looking for new ways to fry your brains with heaps of work, so don't forget to go to www.mackaylibraries.com.au to check out all that we have to offer in the way of help with your school work.

Life Long Learning? Hrrumph

I'm feeling a bit down today as I look at the rain and mourn the lack of holiday time that I have. I have been trying very hard to learn my lines and find myself going to great lengths to avoid the necessary and spend time doing the pointless and inane. Wouldn't you think that by the time one 'grew up' that one would be smart enough NOT to offer to work hard in spare time for no pay? Obviously, I have yet to grow up.
So, what have I been doing? Investigating more anime titles for possible purchase. Hang on just a cotton picking minute!! Didn't I just say something about NOT doing unpaid work in my leisure time? Well, it wasn't real work. I LOVED R.O.D. [Read Or Die] I watched the first 3 episodes on the weekend and it's great. I love the fact that there is a Superhero Agent that attacks with paper. Yes, Miss Paper, this is her codename, loves books and uses paper to overcome the bad guys. We do have some of the manga in the library, but it is called Read Or Dream. I prefer the first title. Wow, big surprise from a Library worker yeah?
This series was lent to me by one of our trusty trainees and now I want to see the movie, which is apparently heaps better. Not such a trusty trainee, fancy having the inferior series and not the superior movie! I have enjoyed watching heaps of anime, just to get the feel so that my collection is of the highest standard of course, and I'm hoping to update the collection again very soon. Any thoughts?
Speaking of thoughts, did you know that we are having a movie night for our Young adults? yes, we are showing ' The Castle' on Friday January 25, 6pm at Gordon White Library. Booking s can be made by calling any of our branches. We will be having Pizza, Australian is WITH pineapple. It should be a fun night and I look forward to chilling out with pizza and a movie and YOU.

2008 is going to be great!

I like to start the year on a positive note. D. I like D, it is a good note, neither too high nor too low. It has strains of joy. Enough of that mallarkey, have you read a good book lately? I am struggling to learn my lines and haven't read a good book all holidays. Though I did have a bit of a skim through Wil Anderson's book [actually just a collection of various columns he's written]. I have to admit that 'Survival of the Dumbest' seemed like a great title to help me come to terms with the effervescent life force of complete and utter idiots, random fools and the occasional imbecile. Yes, I did drive a long distance over the Christmas break.
So, I mentioned that I am reading/learning a script. Those who know me, even just in passing, will understand the difficulty that I shall face playing Mother Miriam Ruth in 'Agnes of God'. Yes, I shall be wearing the whole penguin suit. Apparently, so says the director, he has been dying to get me to play this role. I think that it's because he has no life and has to torment people and so have a good point and laugh at their expense. Okay, I'm kidding, I am really looking forward to this meaty and challenging role........... but I would rather read a book!
This could be because I have a deep seated need to do as little as possible. Ha! As if that is unique to me.
Anyway, how is the Summer Reading Club coming along? Here's hoping that you are all reading and reviewing up a storm. Don't forget the party.