Twitter can only be the work of the Father of Lies himself, because all my great ideas for posts get condensed down to 140 characters. (Hey, that would fit!)

Little of note has been going on lately; I have mostly been working and doing little else, although I did go this weekend to see The Princess Bride at the Music Box Theatre’s midnight show. I went with David and his fianceé Mel and a good time was definitely had by all.

Summer has definitely cashed its check here in Chicago and so we’re about to begin the long slide that ends with single-digit temperatures in January, February and March. On the upside, it’s October, which means it’s time to prepare for Hallowe’en. That is certainly a Good Thing.

Officially, I’ve been transferred to the Woodson Regional Library of the Chicago Public Library system, but right now, it’s a paper transfer, since I’ve been detailed (i.e., loaned) back to my original branch. However, I should be moved over in person sometime between now and January 1. We’ll see what happens.

I have been following the election, but only with moderate (enjoy that political humor, fellers) interest. I’ve actually reached a point where I don’t dislike the McCain/Palin campaign any more and I just feel embarrassed to see the depths to which they’ve sunk in order to try to scare up votes. Part of me can’t believe this is the same guy I really liked and wanted to win in 2000. I’m also amazed at how well Barack Obama’s campaign has been run. I think we’re looking at the Jack Kennedy of our generation (only with less Marilyn Monroe sex).

A conversation we had last night:

Brenda: Ugh.
Rob: What?
Brenda: I’m watching this television show about parents who worship the ground their kids walk on. This kid is totally spoiled.
Rob: Wow; didn’t they learn anything from the Oompa-Loompas’ song?
Brenda: I don’t think I’d want to take advice from a bunch of slaves who work in a chocolate factory.
Rob (after a serious bout of laughing): Okay, good point.

I have neglected blogging again. Damn.

Last week, I spent most of the week in downtown Chicago, at the New Reference Staff Orientation that Chicago Public Library holds every year or so for new-ish staff. It was a lot of fun; we had two days of conference stuff, one day of touring libraries around the central and south districts and one more day of conference stuff. The touring was a lot of fun; I got to see a number of other branch libraries that I normally wouldn’t, including the beautiful Hall library (where Langston freaking Hughes used to come) and a host of others. More than anything, those four days restored my faith in my job, because in all honesty, I’d been feeling rather out on my own lately. I suppose that’s a symptom of just going “work, home, work, home,” etc. I met many new (and new-ish) librarians and library associates; I met the Commissioner of Chicago Public Library; I met wonderful senior staff and branch heads. All in all, it was a marvelous experience and reminded me why I’d gotten into this line of work. It’s renewed my faith in my choice of careers and I’ve promised myself I won’t let myself run dry as I think I had in the last month or so.

I have also started exercising again.

It’s been years (how sad is that?) since I had an exercise regimen and as a result, I have become what John Cleese used to refer to as a “pepperpot”. However, I don’t want to be one. While I wish I had the metabolism I had when I was eighteen, we all know which hand fills up first when you wish in one and defecate in the other.

Part of the reason is that two of the branch heads I met last week have run in at least four Chicago Marathons and it reminded me that when I was eighteen, I wanted to run a marathon. I’ve a long way (a very long way) before I can hope to complete such a trial, but it is my hope that I can stick with regular exercise and eventually, perhaps I can run a marathon.

There are a lot of things I’ve neglected with my schedule and blogging regularly is one of them; however, I want to get back in the habit of doing more than going to work, coming home and flopping down on the couch with a DVD. That way lies peril and ill health.

In other news, I have now had my new car (a silver 2008 Nissan Sentra with a stick shift) for almost three months and I still don’t have a name. Suggestions would be appreciated. Don’t bother with “Silver Bullet” (that was the name of my old Volvo) or “Silverado” (that was my sister’s old car). My car needs a name, so help me!

A (paraphrased) conversation with the city:

Me: Why did my request for direct-deposit get returned?
City: You need to send the direct-deposit form to X.
Me: But…the form says to send it to Y. It doesn’t ever mention sending the form to X.
City: No, it wouldn’t.
Me: The direct-deposit form wouldn’t tell me the correct place to send the direct-deposit form?
City: No.
Me: (boggles)