Stress of proofreading

As you can imagine, I do lots of proofreading in my little cube in the Publications Office. I sit with my reading glasses - now proudly hanging from my neck on a gold chain - under a hot halogen lamp that illuminates the page like noontime sun. As you can also imagine, I get to proof some pretty juicy stuff - donor lists, newsletters, catalog copy, letters to constituents, and more. On my left, The Chicago Manual of Style, AP Stylebook, big dictionary, and the Harbrace handbook. On my right, several red pens and sharp Dixon Ticonderoga pencils.

It can get pretty tense.

Today, for example, I was editing a newsletter with an astonishing number of typos, misspelled names, and just plain jumbled sentences. Would I make it to the end without running screaming into the hall? No, the outcome was worse. After popping two pieces of Eclipse super mint blast gum into mouth, followed by a swig of cold water, I felt something hard hit a molar. I fished out a piece of tooth that had broken off.

I hate to admit this to anyone, but I will tell you: I haven't been to the dentist in four years. The last time I went work was being done in the area now in question and I experienced, to quote an ex coworker, "mindbending pain." The dentist provided shot after shot of Novocain and they didn't numb that tender area between the tooth and gum. I gave up complaining and he continued to drill, scrape, and pick. When he was done, my face was white as a sheet and I had to peel my hands from the vinyl on the chair. I staggered out to my car, vowing never to visit a dentist again as long as I lived.

Well, then, today, what to do with this chunk of tooth in my hand and a gaping hole in my jaw?

I opened the phone book. "We cater to cowards," one ad said. "We can see you today," another offered. "Gentle dentistry." I dialed one of the numbers and a cheery voice answered. They could get me in at 2:00.

I made it to the office and sat nervously in the waiting room. When I was called back I told them I didn't know if I could do this and I told them my husband's number, feeling sure I'd pass out in the process. Before the technician left, I told her I had the tooth in my purse, if they'd like to see it. I produced a clean white envelope. She opened it and exclaimed, "it's a crown - we can probably just glue that back on."

And that's what happened. No shots, no drugs, no drill, no whirring high-pitched equipment shoved in the mouth. Just some icky cement and pressure.

But, the dentist said. You need to have the tooth next to it looked at when you have time. We'll see.

Love the Library

On my recent visit to the Bradley library, I brought back my overdue book, which I placed in the appropriate bin. I found a new book to read and proceeded to the circulation desk. I was worried my overdue book would be noticed and I wouldn't be able to check out another one. "No problem," the young man said. "It must be because you are faculty/staff." After a friendly conversation, he told me the book would be due back next October. The book, a complete collection of Eudora Welty's novels, might take me that long to finish, I laughed.

I left feeling good. No fines, no holds, no reprimands. It reminded me of my trips to the Topeka Public Library when we lived in Kansas. That library welcomes visitors with a colorful, comfortable children's section by the front door. Next, you walk through a huge movie, music, and new book section that reminded me more of a being in a store where many treasures could be found. The main part of the library had stacks and stacks of good books. The best part about this library, however, was that they never charged late fines. When you checked out a book or CD, you were provided a due date, but were not treated like a criminal if you didn't return the item in time, as you are at so many libraries.

A recent item in the Peoria Journal Star told of the Peoria Library waiving late fines if patrons brought back their overdue items with a donation to the local food pantry. "People fear library fines more than parking tickets," the library director told the paper. So, why bother with them? People should love their public library, not fear it. Every library should be open and inviting with friendly staff. I believe that if people feel good about their library, they will return the items even if fines are not charged. Of course, some people won't. But isn't that true even with fines?

From the current Topeka Public Library website:

Question / Issue

What are the overdue fines?

Answer / Solution

No, we don't charge overdue fines.
However, we will charge replacement costs for items long overdue or for damaged
items.

Stand up and cheer on your Bradley Braves!

Since working at Bradley, I have, over time, become a Braves basketball fan. I learned a lot about the players when researching for a publication after the Braves went to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. I was very impressed by what I read, saw, and heard about these remarkable young men. Every once in a while I would see them on campus and was very impressed by how they interacted with others. They spend so much time in the spotlight but maintain humility.

I followed the team closely this year, so, when they played the first round of the NIT tournament at home, I had to get tickets. The atmosphere from the get go was electric as we took on a Big East team, Providence. The teams seemed very evenly matched and the score stayed quite close. I totally got into the game and wanted to cheer on our players, who were outmatched in size, but not in heart or determination.

I stood up, jumped, threw my fists in the air, and cheered on the team.

"Ma'am, could you sit down," I heard someone call.

"What," I said, turning around, "this is very exciting."

"I know," said the gentleman, "but my wife can't see. There's an appropriate time to stand."

I sat down.

Bradley's lead dropped. The game tied.

In the post-game show on WMBD, Coach Les and the players said they couldn't believe the support they received from the crowd. "They were loud.!"

Bradley players have a lot of heart. Bradley fans love their team, but have a disconcerting habit of being a little staid. They cheer and stand at "appropriate" times. If they'd look across the arena at the student section, however, they'd see some people who love the game and their team. They'd see people on their feet and cheering for the entire game.

Jim Les is trying hard to build an exciting, first-class program. Fans need to join in that effort, remember this is basketball, not the symphony, and stand up and cheer!

Whenever they feel like it.

A visit from Cedar Waxwings

Never in my life have I wanted a tree to be cut down. At my current residence a Golden Rain Tree was planted right near the driveway. In early spring, it drops bushel basketfuls of yellow, sticky berries. These cling to your shoes and the dogs' paws. They end up in the carpet, on the couch, and on the car floorboards. In fall, more bushels of little twigs fall down. If lightening struck this tree, I would be overjoyed. I would plant, in its place, a chinquapin oak.

I awoke the other morning to a choir of squeaky chirps. I looked up and the Golden Rain Tree was filled with 60 or 70 Cedar Waxwings. They love berries, but this is the first year they have visited our tree. They are doing a great job of clearing away the berries. They even swoop down to the drive and suck up berries that have already fallen. Their cousins the cardinals have noticed the acitivity and seem to be trying the berries themselves. Some of the waxwings have moved to the maple tree in the back yard, which is dripping sweet sap. I hope these birds stay until their migratory instincts tell them they have to move on.

I would pay them to come back next year and eat these berries.

more evidence on the value of napping

Here's another article suggesting the importance of napping - even at work. One company provides a nap room, with leather sofas, pillows, low lighting, and, of course, an alarm clock.

Go to the CNN story about napping

A cot in every cubicle

I am an avid napper. When Napster was having trouble I thought about seeing if I could buy their domain name and fill it not with music but with nap-related tips and stories. I have designated two stations on my XM satellite radio receiver as official nap stations - one is sort of New Age "space" music, the other is the Folk Village. On Saturdays I often get up, work a bit, and then fix a big bowl of pasta with steamed vegetables. Then, of course, I'm ready for a major nap. I have three Labs (renowned for being serious nappers). Carlos lies on the floor by the couch. Lucy keeps my feet warm. The 89-pound Banjo slips between me and the couch. I'm not sure how he does that but as long as he doesn't push me off, it's fine.

You can see why the following AP story caught my attention. Once the study is complete, I think nappers should unite and invite monsieur Bertrand to the US. He's a hero already!

Just imagine how much more productive we could be if, when feeling a bit weary, we could take five and then fix a cup of coffee and hit the keyboard refreshed.

By Associated Press
Updated: 1/31/2007

PARIS

The French already enjoy a 35-hour work week and generous vacation. Now the health minister wants to look into whether workers should be allowed to sleep on the job.

France launched plans this week to spend $9 million this year to improve public awareness about sleeping troubles. About one in three French people suffer from them, the ministry says.

Fifty-six percent of French complain that a poor night's sleep has affected their job performance, according to the ministry.

''Why not a nap at work? It can't be a taboo subject,'' Health Minister Xavier Bertrand said Monday. He called for further studies and said he would promote on-the-job naps if they prove useful.

France's state-run health insurance provider will send letters explaining the importance of good sleep. The Health Ministry's Web site offers tips on how best to get a good night's rest.

The ministry's online ''Passport to Sleep'' recommends cutting down on coffee, tea, colas, and athletic activity after 8 p.m., shunning TV time or working late in the evening, and listening better to the body's own sleep signals, such as yawning.

Bertrand said sleepiness causes 20 percent to 30 percent of highway accidents across France each year.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

At least I don't have the bug going around

My lower back has been painful for the past week, a typical "hitch in my giddyup." If I sit in one place too long I can't stand up straight. I awoke this morning and turned over to hit the snooze button and the pain took my breath away. For a few moments I felt paralyzed. I eased myself out of bed, hung onto the stairwell, and made it downstairs for a cup of coffee. When I sat down on the couch, the pain hit me like a train again.

I was supposed to take our old dog, Carlos, in for tumor removal surgery this morning. My husband said he would take him, thank goodness. I went back upstairs to lie down. Andy came up to get ready and said I should hang from my arms to straighten out my spine. Uuggh I shouted back. He assured me it would really help.

"But where could I hang from?," I asked, ignoring the fact that I know Andy hangs from the tree outside every morning (which probably startles some passersby in the early haze).

"The magnolia tree outside."

"It's cold!"

Finally I crawled back downstairs, put on coat and shoes, and went outside. I did the prescribed "hang." I couldn't make it back upstairs so I fell asleep on the couch. I slept very soundly. When I stood up, I could unbend a little better.

The vet called to tell me he was starting Carlos' surgery and we discussed which tumors would be removed. His voice sounded hoarse and raspy. He said it had started with laryngitis and then, he thinks, has progressed into walking pneumonia. He said he felt good enough to do the surgery but says this bug is hitting older people really hard.

Andy lost his voice for about four days last week, which apparently is the first symptom of this nasty bug. He didn't seem to get any further symptoms, but for people with compromised systems, it can get pretty bad. The vet told me he had an uncle die from pneumonia and another is currently in the hospital with it.

Well, I haven't lost my voice and don't have a cough. That's a blessing, since I didn't get a flu shot this year. I guess if I keep doing hang-from-the-tree therapy, I'll soon be better.