More exciting news on the work front . . .

Ok, maybe not so exciting, but I finally published something else besides photographs, and somewhere else besides a blog.

The American Association of Law Libraries publishes something called "Spectrum". The May 2008 issue contains an article I wrote, beginning on page 5 of the CRIV Sheet (an individual publication that is inserted ...I think quarterly, into Spectrum.)

Click here for the pdf version of the CRIV sheet...I'm on page 5. (Smile)

Washinton D.C., part 2 (aka, a long story made longer)

I realized, once I'd gotten to that Long Beach airport, and it was too late to do anything about it, that while I HAD brought the charger for my camera battery, I had not brought any extra memory cards. This didn't stir me as the disaster it was because what hadn't occurred to me was that there were already several videos on the camera card from the Elton John concert Don and I had been to a few weeks earlier (see SoCalDaytrippin). I'd totally forgotten to unload them from the 512 memory card. So the last image the card would take was my candle shot in the previous post.
I realized it only after taking a few blurry hotel lobby pictures, while deleting them. I didn't think there was anything to do for it accept be discriminating about what I photographed, but by Sunday night I'd already hit the end...several times, and was no longer willing to delete anything on the card. So Sunday evening I walked to CVS on Connecticut where, after waiting in a long line, I tried to make a quick decision about which card to purchase (quick because all of the choices were hidden from sight until I was at the cash register). None of them looked like the one in my camera, but I was desperate and ready to take a chance that a different brand would work as well.
"Well, sure, I don't mind using a different brand...but the shape doesn't look quite right." thought I. Never-the-less, I let the gentleman behind me convince me that the 2g Sun card would work and I'd never need another, assuming from his assured manner that he was familiar with the camera I'd shown the clerk (although the, serve me for life was suspect, as Mr. Fellow CVS Customer didn't know my "shoot everything in site, multiple times" compulsive photography habits). Back in my hotel room I got the package open and attempted to insert the card. ...sideways, right side up, up side down, forwards, backwards. ARGH! There was no getting around it, the card was too long--the receiving slot too shallow.
It was not yet dark, so back through the drizzle I trudged. A sign had gone up on the photo desk at the back of the store saying the one hour photo was out of order. Thinking I heard someone in the processing room, who would surely be out soon if the processor was down, I waited.....and waited....and waited. What would I do if they didn't have an exchange? Would this card fit one of my other cameras? One Don uses? Should I just keep it and return to the hotel? I really didn't think they had one that would fit. Near the store's entrance I saw a gentleman straightening items on a shelf and though I felt pretty sure he was the same young man who'd sold me the card, I didn't want to interrupt his straightening of shelves, now that I'd decided there wasn't much he could do for my plight of needing a card that fit my camera anyway. Seeing him did alter my path toward the exit though. It decided me that I needn't keep the card and could just return it at the front register.
In the process of returning it and explaining it didn't fit, I showed the clerk the card from my camera that DID fit, but was full. She called the young man over, and glimpsing the card, he agreed they didn't have a substitute. That was probably a life lesson of some sort---"When there is a choice between showing someone where something that you need is going to go (camera), and exactly what it is you need (card), despite the delay in doing the later, do it." Will that lesson come in handy later in life? I rather hope not.
The clerk completed the return by stating that I could try "Radio Shack".
"Where is Radio Shack?" I inquired feeling the answer would be akin to a foreign language since I had no idea what lay beyond Calvert (Omni hotel's address), 24th (between Omni and Connecticut), and Connecticut (CVS's address). And indeed, "on Columbia" was meaningless, but I thanked her and left.
Back at the hotel, happy to be reunited with my dollars but sad to be in the same predicament I'd been in an hour before, but twice as exhausted, I checked a map I'd procured earlier from the conference registration area for "Columbia". I was pleased to find it appearing to be not so very far away. At once I started packing my hotel key and dollars into my little purse...but when I checked the clock and it rudely proclaimed 7:00 p.m., I wondered if the place was open. Deciding to call, I picked up the hotel phone and called 411. Receiving the number I punched it in, again using the hotel phone (acts I would regret later at check-out time). I'd have thought a Radio Shack would have had some sort of message device to greet me if the place was empty of people, but there was no answer what so ever.
Instead of embarking on what was promising to be another fruitless excursion, I called Don and settled in for the evening.
The following morning, reluctant though I was to miss any part of the conference, even an opening reception and speech, I set off under the same gray drizzle I'd met with the evening before, in hopes of quickly locating Radio Shack and procuring my memory card. At 8:30 a.m. there was again no answer at Radio Shack. Hoping they opened at 9:00, I set out wearing my windbreaker that *seemed* like it would repel water, and my gray felt hat (yes, the goofy one of the day before in Part 1). It was also just barely inclement enough to excuse my olive green fingerless gloves. As I passed Tanya on the way out, she suggested an umbrella. Because Don had strongly encouraged me to bring his, I did have one, but couldn't be bothered.
Over Calvert and right on Connecticut I briskly strode, admiring the lush green grass, wonderful trees, (Potomac?) river beneath the long bridge, and the various buildings. Finding Columbia I made my left turn to follow it's distance to Calvert---figuring I'd find Radio Shack somewhere in-between since Connecticut to Calvert appeared to be the entire stretch of Columbia. My plan being that after finding my card I'd continue on to Calvert, where I'd go left to complete the last leg of a triangle back to the hotel.
Enjoying the cool dampness, I passed a group of two gentlemen and a lady--all dressed in bright blue slickers that looked like expensive trash bags with neck holes cut in them. I didn't take a close look at these fashionable garments, but that was the after image. I smiled as I passed these folks who were engaged in trash barrel Rolling, inviting their smiles and the foreshadowing query from one as to whether I like the rain. Apparently challenging the gods, I declared "I do! Good thing, hah?"
Soon after, I sited Radio Shack, entered, and delightedly paid for a 2G memory card that was an exact match to the full one in my camera except for it's larger memory capacity--AND it was half off! Not far from their door, I decided I must return to have them open the package for me....I was anxious to take pictures again.
Starbucks was a block back the other way. As I waited for my coffee the girls behind the counter were discussing the rudeness of patrons who, although they put their hand out to receive the cash, throw the cash on the counter. The one I was about to hand money to, then said, "But sometimes you can tell they just aren't thinking and in that case it's forgivable." Unable to stop myself, and thinking it would come out more humorous and friendly than it did I said, "Yeah, you're just covering your tracks because you know I'm listening." If there's an expression that is the opposite of a smile, that's what I got when she took my money and slid my small coffee toward me without a word. I counted myself lucky that she didn't spit in the cup...but 30 or so minutes later I wondered if she'd jinxed me and somehow accomplished the equivalent, when I was passing the very same corner with a coffee cup more full of cold rain than coffee, wishing I was back in my nice cozy hotel. But I'm rushing the story (oh do, Tracie, please, feel free to rush the story)...
After assembling my camera I took a moment to re-examine my damp map. This was a trolley / subway map and was therefor somewhat sparse with identification of lines. An advertisement displaced the street lines just above the juncture where I'd be turning from Columbia back toward the Omni. Briefly I considered whether I should just walk back the way I came, since I was certain of that route. Drawn, however, toward the unexplored (and un-photographed) territory of the remainder of Columbia and all of Calvert and sensing that I must be close to the point I'd go left, I re-committed to following my original plan....."or wait, just before that advertisement, is that an intersecting street that crosses Columbia and Calvert ....? What is that? Do I need to turn on that? 20th? OK, yeah. That's what I need to do. Find 20th street and take that to Calvert.
Stepping out of Starbucks with coffee cup in hand, and map and camera tucked in my jacket pocket I started forth. Up one block and then...."Well, wait. What if I go left here? Would I meet up with 20th quicker?" I tried it. "No, now I'm at 18th and my street is veering left so that it soon will parallel 18th, but in the wrong direction, the direction I came. With no hope of 20th street appearing before me now or in the future if I continued ahead and with a yearning to figure out where I was, I aimed for the sheltered chairs I saw ahead in front of a small hotel. I'm not sure exactly when the light misty precipitation had matured to actual rain, but as I took stock of my thoroughly drenched attire, I had to admit, an umbrella would have been the better choice. And according to the map, the junction I was now at didn't exist. The fact that it didn't even occur to me to enter the hotel and ask directions might suggest I was tired, but while I'm in a confessing mood I should probably also admit that even if it had occurred to me, I probably wouldn't have. I've always thought the pop-psychology distinctions between men and women completely ridiculous, because I am always the last to reconcile myself to the need of asking directions--and Don has no problem with it.
Back on my feet, I returned to Columbia and turned left. Again, pursuing the course I'd previously plotted. I walked..... and walked....and walked....and walked. "Are these numbers getting smaller? 14th Street? The next should be 15th if this is the way to 20th.
Not every street was a number but I confess by the time I reached one called Harvard I was not optimistic about encountering 20th--especially since I'd been at 18th before I ever started in this direction.
At an unsheltered park bench I set my coffee, now cold, and diluted (despite the cover's rather small sip hole being the only leak into the cup), down to take a few photos of the grand architecture surrounding me. 'Oh dear. The camera is getting wet. Just a couple shots and I'll return it to my dry (???) pocket."
A block or two beyond this intersection I realized I'd forgotten to retrieve the coffee cup from the bench. "Oh well, too late now."
But by 11th street I conceded that there was nothing for it but to turn back.
As I passed the bench I snatched my forgotten coffee cup back up and tested it's contents. "Blackkkk! Not in the least satisfying" .
Walking as fast as I can now, I'm slowed by a man walking a tiny Boston Terrier. Normally I'd be charmed by the cute little dog, but, treading either side of the walk, they were blocking my path with their leash.
"Finally! An opportunity to overtake them!"
"Argh! And there they go, across the street ahead of me again, while I patiently (?) wait for the walk sign to be in my favor...and they don't.
Aggravated at being trapped behind them again, I turned right when I recognized a street name I'd seen on the map as one meeting 20th, Biltmore.
Indeed, it lead to 20th, where I cheerfully turned left...but not before passing 18th again and realizing I was just a block or two from where I'd sat at the hotel to read the map.
Speeding along 20th at my best clip, I found that I couldn't help but be enchanted by these residential streets, with their lovely houses and landscaping, and I slowed to take at least one or two pictures. I reached into my pocket..."Yikes, there's no doubt about it, it's wet! The inside of this pocket is wet! Uh-oh. Well, there's nothing I can do about it. How about this pocket? Yup, 'cell phone's wet too. Great. Use the cell phone? Call for a taxi? NO! I'm no quitter. Besides, waiting for one might easily take as long as walking all the way back....I just couldn't stand in one place in this rain, waiting. OK, well, as long as everything is wet anyway, might as well take that picture. (Not a good picture as it turned out--water spots.)
When I reached a street I recognized as one I'd passed while on Connecticut, I decided to forgo finding out exactly what 20th street did and hurried over to Connecticut. So happy to be on familiar ground and so close to the hotel, I jogged back across the bridge. (Later remembering that I'd once read that, if allowed, horses will take off at a gallop when their cozy barn is in sight.)
It was 11:10 when I reached the hotel. I bounded up the 4 flights of stairs, water sloshing out of the gutter of my hat brim, having chosen to avoid an elevator ride full of people bound to wonder why I'd showered in my hat and clothes.
One warm shower and blow dryer later I got downstairs by 11:40 a.m.. Tanya wasn't answering her cell, so, satisfied to be on schedule for the first session, I joined the line of fellow conference attendees gleefully filling plates of food.
After the sessions, a little rest and some aspirin (my right knee hadn't liked the whole walk/run in the rain thing or the bounding upstairs after), Tanya and I walked to the National Cathedral. Happy to have my new memory card, I took lots of photographs...until my battery died. Just what is with this day??? Oh well, it was dark by now anyway. We were invited to a (fabulous) lecture by Rabbi David Rosen, but decided not to stay through the entire Q and A session as we were slightly anxious about getting back in the dark and wanted the walk over with. We exited out the front door, only then realizing what a big photo op we'd missed, having entered, apparently, from a side door. We'd have to return in the morning.
More aspirin, and I felt good to go on Tuesday morning. We walked back and photographed the front of the Cathedral and the Cathedral gardens, returning to the conference in time for our 9:00 a.m. sessions.
By the time I returned to the hotel, my knee was again bothering me---perhaps sitting in the cold rooms was not as good for it as keeping it moving might have been. Anyway, after our sessions Han showed Tanya and I to the zoo, through the front entrance, which I'd missed my first time there on Sunday. Again, my battery died. "Argh! I killed it at the Cathedral this morning. I could have had that battery charging all day while we were in the sessions!" And it wasn't long before my knee was quite uncomfortable again as well. But I think I made it without complaining. If I complained it was in a state of delirium that I've since forgotten.
Han must have been a bit exhausted as well, as she went home after the zoo. Tanya and I stopped on the way back to the Hotel at a Thai restaurant, where I was too tired to remember the difference between scallops and shallots and insisted that shallots would make me sick. Somehow, Tanya managed to mention onions and I suddenly realized that no, I like shallots its scallops that won't stay in my stomach. I can't imagine I was much fun to be around that night...tired, achy, and cranky for having let that battery die.

I'm pretty sure these buildings are all at the corners of Harvard and Columbia:



Not sure if I am on Columbia or 20th, although I think I did know at the time:

This is 20th St., looking into a little ally--I'd just realized both of my pockets were wet:

This is my last picture--I'm thinking that even though both pockets are wet, the items will still get less wet in them than out of them.

Hotel lobby around 11:45 a.m. Monday (first day of Conference--Sunday was pre-conference) is devoid of new guests--rooms are doubtless all filled by now.

Lest you think the hotel empty, I'll show you the East/West corridor where fellow conference attendees bustle to and fro:




Yes, I even dared to back outside without (soggy) hat or umbrella. This is the entrance to the Omni:


Corner of 24th and Calvert:




Looking the opposite direction down 24th:


OK, this is getting boring and I'll put a link at the end of these in case someone wants to see ALL the images--but like I said I take (multiple) pictures of everything--so lets fast forward to a few shots of the Cathedral (Monday evening and Tuesday morning)--with one or two of the walk there:

Monday evening














Tuesday morning


















OK, hopefully I haven't overloaded old Blogger here.
The rest of the Washington D.C. images--some of the Marriott across the street from the Omni, more of the Cathedral and it's grounds, and a few of the zoo, can be found ...
HERE ON FLICKR

IUG Conference April 27-April 30, 2008

So, I whined a lot to my friends about having to go to Washington D.C., leaving poor Don to tend to all of the critters on his own. And the whining was warranted--I miss Don when I go someplace new because I love exploring with him....going someplace new without him is like opening a gift from him when he isn't there...or not getting to see him open a gift from me....or what it must be like for a parent who doesn't get to be with a child for the first Disney Land visit. It's just not right! But I have to admit that getting to see Washington D.C. was pretty cool. I didn't do the usual patriotic things--see the National Mall, Library of Congress, or the Smithsonian because I didn't feel there was time, and I felt like ANY part of D.C. was explorable, so why not just focus on the area near the conference hotel?
Tanya, my cataloger friend, was my travel companion. We went to different workshops and sessions at the conference so didn't see each other much mid-day, but before and after the conference we managed a couple of walks to the National Cathedral, and with another friend, Han, who now lives in D.C., an amazing tour of the zoo.

Saturday, April 26th, 2008
Long Beach Airport (CA)

Now, I'm not one to admire babies--not human ones anyway, but this little girl, Samantha, was pretty darned adorable. Each time Tanya or I looked in her direction she'd smile broadly. This made feeding her a bit challenging for her Mom here, but I suspect she was used to her daughter being a sensation.
Our plane had left at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Standard time and arrived at about 6:30 p.m. Eastern Standard time (3:30 by my watch).
Just before our East Coast landing:

By 9:00 p.m. D.C. time we were eating dinner at Murphy's, just up the street (24th) from the Omni Hotel where we were staying. Our waitress offered to take our picture when she saw me pull out my camera.

My actual intention in pulling it out was to photograph the musician playing a guitar, harmonica, and singing "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald". Our waitress is here at the end of the counter.

A bit farther up 24th, the street merges with Connecticut at which point there is a subway station that from the top of this escalator looked like a very long way down. Once at the bottom here, I was praying the power wouldn't die.

I just love hotel lobbies--isn't this pretty?

In the center of the room above is a floral arrangement. This is a flower in that arrangement.

I also love chandeliers!

And I just adore a room that doesn't announce that I hate to clean! (smile)

The next morning I grabbed a few morsels at "Morsels", went to my 9:00-12:00 workshop and spent lunch walking down to, and then along this river.
Down to....
and along the river.

And suddenly I was at a tropical rain forest in a zoo.

. . . with a window looking into the river where HUGE fish drifted about.

. . . and a colorful parrot.

And then back to the conference for a session by Corey Seeman on "Milstats"

And then there is a session on Funds, also presented by Corey Seeman.

And then a little walk up 24th street brings me to the Marriott where I simply must stake out the Starbucks that a sign on the street promised me would be here.

. . . and soon, after talking with Don cell to cell, I'm settled in for the evening with my new jasmine scented candle from Omni's gift shop.
Speaking of settling in for the night...I'm afraid I'll have to finish this another time...
Goodnight.