Millions of reasons to celebrate

The San Francisco Giants just celebrated the 50,000,000 person to come to a game at their home field. There was a big brouhaha and much ado and feting of the lucky individual.

Most organizations have similar milestones available to them. The millionth search; millionth interlibrary loan; millionth customer; etc. I think these are all worthy of celebration and are probably very easy to arrange. When I was a Santa Clara University, it was easy to figure out when the 1,000,000th search on out catalog was done. At 999,990 I began to count down and when I saw the milestone search I went to the reference room and casually asked who had done a particular search. When I found the person I congratulated her and had her picture taken and made as much of a fuss as I could. She felt great; so did I.

So much of what we do we take for granted; it is the nature of business. But when the opportunity arrives to cheer and especially to involve a customer/client in the process I don't think that opportunity should be forsaken.

So go ahead. Get some balloons; a camera; a special award; and make that millionth of whatever sort the big deal that it is.

Tom Swifties

The theme in this morning's (5/18) New York Times crossword puzzle was Tom Swifties. Do you remember these. They were once a fad of terrific proportion. For example: 

"And that's another plus for you," said Tom positively.
"Can't we get this balloon to fly any faster," said Tom blowing hot air.
"I can get there faster than you," said Tom swiftly.

(See http://www.fun-with-words.com/tom_swifties.html for more examples.)

In any event, it could be fun to create these little puns out of your workplace environment. 

"I'll help you find that source," said the librarian searchingly.
"I can negotiate the contract," said Tom tactfully.

You get the idea. It's a game for one and all, and the winner can say, "I won," triumphantly!

May 14th - Chicken Dance Day

Okay, you know what you have to do on Chicken Dance Day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOgC5ZwaMwI

As the lyric says: "Do the chicken dance; make you happy for sure."

Edward Lear - Creator of the Limerick

May 12 is the birthday of the wonderful Edward Lear, creator of the limerick. In his honor, and with all suitable apologies to his skills, I offer the following trifle.

May 12 is the birthday of Edward Lear,

Who deserves a most rousing cheer,

He developed the trick,

That lead to the limerick,

A poetic form that we now hold most dear.

For more on Mr. Lear: http://www.biography.com/people/edward-lear-9376108

I Like Limericks

Limericks seems to be the theme that people who visit here enjoy the most. I refer you to http://humorinlibraries.blogspot.com/2010/10/library-limericks.html for examples.

And here is one from Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!

This librarian has a new role. 
The stacks I no longer patrol. 
The patrons all flip as they check out my strip. 
I'm dancing and working the pole.

The connection? "Mayfield Public Library in Scotland is hoping to attract new membership and interest in the library by offering a free pole dancing class this weekend, during an event called "Love Your Library Day.""

Dr. Seuss Day

According to one of my calendars or another, today is Dr. Seuss Day. What a great occasion to read from his works - especially if your place has a childcare facility; or an adult break room for that matter - or to make up some poetry in his inimitable style. Some cousins of mine had great fun adapting Green Eggs and Ham to Green Eggs and Sam, for example. In any event, a little Dr. Seuss goes a long way to relieving the tension of a work day - or any day - so channel your inner Lorax, Cat in the Hat, and other favorite character, and Hop on your Pop to a fun Dr. Seuss Day!

Fear of Friday the 13th and other Phobias

I like that there is a name for the fear of Friday the 13th - triskaidekaphobia. I do not have that phobia. I do suffer from snakephobia and can get  the cold sweats just thinking about snakes of any sort. (And yet I derive a perverse pleasure in watching specials on this or that continent's most venomous snakes!) 

But I digress.

The point here is to see how many common phobias your team and co-workers can identify  and here is a link to help - http://www.phobia-fear-release.com/types-of-phobia.html - and/or if you can create phobias specific to your workplace, e.g., libraryphobia; and/or you can schmooze about things you are afraid of and see if there it is an appropriate phobia (or if you can make one up).

I played this once and the most surprising thing was when someone admitted to a fear of ants and we checked and yes indeed there is a phobia for this:  myrmecophobia!

(There may soon be a phobia that reflects fears of postings from Fred - fredpostophobia!)