House decision Pending

So we have looked at 21 houses in the last 2.5 days. We have narrowed it down to 3. So which will it be the smallest house (2711 Sq ft) in the newer subdivision with the great views but the maybe scary driveway and a triple garage? Or the 3600 square foot house built in 1974 on the golf course? Or the 3300 square foot house all on one level with the great kitchen, the sun room, the billard room complete with pool table and the great porch with large jacuzi? I feel like I am on househunters. I wish I could just wait for the commerical to be over and find out what we picked. We are seeing all 3 of them again in the morning. Stay tuned.

Book Opinion -- "Crucial Conversations"

Elizabeth, this post is for you. While I was at the Florida Library Association Conference in Orlando last week I finished reading Crucial Conversations: Tools for talking when stakes are high. This book was recommended by Jill and I did enjoy it. The premise is that when it really counts we tend to let our emotions get in the way of important conversations. I read another book (OK so the memory isn't what it used to be -- I don't remember which one) that talked about the short time between action and reaction and how we can use that moment to choose our behavior. This book uses that moment and the moments during the conversation to recognize that: this is a crucial conversation, what is our own behavior, to recognize behaviors in others and WHAT to do about those behaviors. It includes a self test to see what areas the reader is weakest in -- what behaviors we are most likely to employ. Do we use flight or fight (and the different techniques for each) -- how can we change that in ourselves and in others. I really liked the last chapter which recognized that this was alot of information at one time and made suggestions for application and change one piece at a time. The book is full of examples from the work place and from personal relationships as well. Did I identify some of my own behaviors and some of Mark's? You bet. When Mark and I go househunting next week, we will be having several "crucial conversations" Having read this book, I believe that our discussions will be more productive with less stress. Time will tell.

A Day of Anticipation

Yesterday the book I was reading (Camel Club by David Baldacci) the book I was listening to on my Mp3 player (Good Guy by Dean Koontz) and the book I'm listening to in the car (Treasure by Clive Cussler) were all at pivitol points in their plots. It was a day I could read, listen or go for a drive. What did I do? I went to Bible Study. Sigh so much excitement. I did finish Good Guy in the afternoon while cross stitching for someone yet unborn. And I did finish the book before I went to sleep last night. Now, I just have to wait for Tues when I drive to Orlando for FLA to finish Treasure. In the mean time I have started Hoot by Hiaasen on the Mp3 and The art of Crucial Conversation (or something like that) in book form. I'm thinking about Marie as she finishes her last day in Fort Smith.

Fair Warning to Followers

To all my professional friends who are following this because of 23 Things... This blog is going personal. My daughter and her husband have recently started blogging and were surprised to find out that I had been doing it for 6 months already. So this is your warning. This blog is about to go "family" very little professional content will be found. There.... you've had your warning ... now don't blame me if you get bored -- my life just isn't that exciting.

Thing 23 -- Final Survey

All Done

Thing 22 -- Staying Current

Time for reflection. Hmmm. I was really looking forward to 23 Things. I mentioned it at every staff meeting from the NEFLIN Annual Meeting until it actually started. Did it live up to my expectations? OK brutal honesty time. It was too much. I consider myself pretty tech savy and it overwhelmed me. Too much in each thing. WAY too much. I feel more overwhelmed now than I did in January. I'm like, "why bother" -- I can't keep up with all the new stuff. I'm having trouble cherry picking what is useful for me. This is someone who was using myspace, facebook, delicious, youtube, rss feeds and podcasts. I can't imagine how anyone to whom all 23 things were new handled the onslaught. If I were to do it for a group of newbies I would do it over a year. A new thing posted every Monday -- small bites.
Will I keep up my blog. Why? People followed it because of 23 Things. I'm not working so what would I have to say that professional friends would find interesting?
Positives? I did add several RSS feeds and started using Google Reader rather than MyYahoo. I had to discontinue my Life Hacker feed as it was just too prolific and had far too many posts. I signed up for PaperBack Swap and have already mailed off a paperback of mine and received on from someone else.
What did I learn today (actually yesterday since it is too early for much leaning today)? I do not want to move to Kingsport. It has a huge Chemical Plant and a stinky paper mill. See not very library oriented. I did visit the library, however. Reading rooms on 2 floors with high or normal ceilings. Stacks are on three floors and low ceilinged (height of the 2 floors plus a little lower level divided by 3). The floor creaks alarmingly and you have to wonder if the historic building was designed to carry the load of a library. Sitting out bad weather today -- doing Things, reading and cross stitch. On to Cleveland, TN tomorrow.

Thing 21 Student 2.0 tools

I compared Assignment Calculator and Research Project Calculator. The dates for each came out similar with what seemed to be a little more time in the definition portion in Research Project Calculator. I also liked that the RPC had an evaluation section for after it was over. However I did like the e-mail alerts available with AC. I looked at the teacher tools available . I did not download any of them as I am traveling and the hotel Internet connection is not the strongest. I would like to take a closer look at Boolean Basics and Google Seach Tip Sheet.
I can't really see using these personally other than to get suggested dates. I used a white board in my office for similar project tracking and prefer something before my eyes. I'm just a visual learner.