Score one for the nerds

Congratulations to Neil Gaiman, whose book The Graveyard Book has won the Newbery Medal!

Inauguration Day

We've got a giant TV set up so people can watch the festivities. Also, there are flurries outside! It's an Inauguration Day miracle!

Manners

I was working the reference desk (duh), and I heard a huge belch come from over by the computers. I looked over, figuring it was some dumbass kid, and no. It was a young woman, at least 18 years old and not the least bit embarrassed. What the HELL. At least say, "Excuse me"!

Juxtaposition

Among the regular computer users is a young man who dresses the way kids dress around here. Baggy pants around the knees, heavy gold chains, do-rag under a slightly askew baseball hat. Not one you would expect to have a recording of "La Donna è Mobile" as his cell phone ringtone. It was so awesome I didn't have the heart to ask him to silence it.

Opening Lines

IO9.com's Great Opening Sentences from Science Fiction

Of course, now that I'm looking at this list, I can't think of any of my own favorites.

Crossing boundaries

Miss F. is a sweet little old lady who does a lot of work with the daily Friends booksale. She's approximately 147 years old, always wearing a skirt and jacket, very friendly and active. But she is an old southern lady, this liberal yank is still adjusting to southern culture, and never did like to talk politics at work. Or sex or religion, for that matter. The three things you don't talk about in polite company.

Miss F. came over to my desk the other day.
Miss F: (regarding the Indiana/NC primaries) What did you think of the election results?
SL: (panicking slightly) I think they turned out all right. What about you?
Miss F: I like it! I think Obama would be a good president.
SL: (resisting the urge to hug her) Me too! I like him!

I should have known. Miss F. rules.