Hello New York Public Library...

...we meet again! :)

Hi Library Lovers! It's Tarra, and I'm back with library adventures at the New York Public Library! YAY! You know you're excited too! ;)

Since I completed one of my internships on Monday, I have time to get back to the job search in one of my favorite places - you guessed it, the library!  The library keeps me more focused when it comes to getting stuff done as well as provides the proper seating area and hard surface to set up my work station.  Yes Rick, as I mentioned before, these tables are good for dancing on! haha

Man...taking pictures in the library is kinda awkward. haha Definitely more comfortable when you're at the UP library!

ANYWAY, it's time to get some work done. The library closes at 8 p.m. EDT, which means it really closes at 7:45 p.m. What?!

Hope you have a great Wednesday! Happy Hump Day! Woot! ;)

Library Lovers Month

Happy Library Lovers Month! I hope you all will take advantage of the wonderful Wilson Clark Memorial Library we have here on campus.

So for the last 4 days, I didn't have the slightest idea about how to write the first blog installment of this month. There are just so many things I love about the library, I couldn't choose just one. But then! An opportunity presented itself. In this weeks edition of The Beacon, one of the staff writers wrote a wonderful article professing her love for our near and dear Library that almost made me cry. =D

As you may already know, my favorite place in the library is the second floor balcony facing the parking lot. When no one is in my spot, it is a nice place to enjoy green soccer fields and without the hustle and bustle of the main entrance. However, its not as quiet and eery as the basement. Another one of my favorite places is white table just adjacent to the main doors in the reference area. Although much more distracting then the second floor balcony, when sitting there I know I will have the table all to myself, with no one sitting too awkwardly closing, which allows me to work on my studies in peace.

So I ask you this, those of you who read The Balcony Beat,

what is your favorite place in the library?

And as I have said before, take advantage of this building. It has so much character, so much history, I would hate for it to go to waste.

Keepin it real from the.......second floor study carols overlooking the pilot house? Change of venue.

Madison

February February February

You can only wonder as to why I titled this blogpost February, when it is clearly still January. In fact, we still have 10 more days until it is February. HOWEVER, February is an amazing month.

Not only because it is black history month, or the month where people spend way too much money on those they love, ultimately contributing to the idea of a corporate holiday.

February is also.............

LIBRARY LOVERS MONTH!

(Thank you Tarra McCurdy)

For a library lover, such as myself, this is the perfect opportunity for one to take pride in their local library, school library as I will, or even personal library, and make the most of it!

So, I have a plan.....

I hope I can follow through on this.

I hope to report each day of February as to why the library is an awesome place.

However, I can't do this alone.

So hopefully, my wonderful library friends and fellow editors, Zack, Tarra, and Rick will be up for contributing to this daily love for their library!

Because the library is definitely a place to love!

HELP US CELEBRATE LIBRARY LOVERS MONTH!

Own it.

Madison Blake

Oh....So.....Quiet.....

Dear Library,

I find your quiet floor quite daunting. Even by typing I feel as though I am being a nuisance to those working diligently around me. Please stop being so quiet. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Madison

P.S. I am trying to work diligently though. I just keep getting distracted by other things that are NOT my paper. Darn you Mark Zuckerberg. =(

I LOVE SUNDAYS IN THE LIBRARY

I'm just being productive.. listening to N'Sync's Christmas album... I feel like I am a 12 year old girl... but that's besides the point! I'm back in the original balcony spot and it feels so good! And there are a bunch of people in here! Its a little crazy... dead week is bringing people to the library... I almost hate them a little bit... I feel like they are imposing on my hangout.. JERKS!

Anyway, back to communication hw...

Peace,

Zack

Wait, who was in the Library?

A common blog topic by Rick Baleros last year on "The Adventures of Rick and Tarra" were people he would happen upon in the library whilst studying. I have not done much of that this year.

Until now.

But why now you ask?

Because. This is someone that is

noteworthy to be in the library.

I will admit, this person was also in the library yesterday.

However, I did not have my computer with me and was unable to snap a photo with this individual outside of his natural setting.

BUT TODAY I DID!

Who is this creature I speak of?

KYLE FREAKING HAMM!

Oh isn't he so hammsome?

Sorry. I just had to.

I'm not going to lie, it was quite weird when he suggested a trek to the library after breakfast. But I did no deny for I knew this would be one of my few chances to actually get a photo with him while he was actually here. In my second home. How glorious.

Oh library how I missed you so due to Thanksgiving break. However, I am back, and ready to learn!

Hope everyone had a glorious Thanksgiving break, and are excited for one more week of school, dead week-which, you can be sure you will see several blogs during the course of dead week-finals, and eventually Christmas break! EEPY EEPY!

Own it!

Madison Delaney Blake

Late.

This has to be by far the latest Zack and I have both been in the library

at the same time.

Its weird.

Check out how much he has spread his wings!

Everything you see is his.

Which is probs about half of the section between the two blue columns

On the second floor balcony facing the parking lot.

While I was at work, there were about 10 villa guys, and 1 girl, that walked through the library in tennis shoes, villa scarves

and their skivvies.

I was confused.

Is that even allowed?

I bet there was some shrinkage......

No doubt.

There may have been snow tonight. HOWEVER!

I have been in the library since 2:00.

You do the math. (thats 9 hours).

New record?

Not quite.

But i'm getting there!

Guess I better get back to work.

Own it!

Madison Delaney Blake

P.S. Zack is a really intense highlighter. His face is so serious.

no way.

It's been too long, and you know what though? I'm kind of alright with it. I definitely miss writing on this blog, which is no longer titled The Adventures of Rick and Tarra. Trust me, if it was still titled that, Zack and Madison would be having some serious identity issues ;)

Seriously though, it's been quite some time since I last wrote, and I do apologize to all of you out there for not having written, but let me tell you a little something-something.

I've barely gone into the library this semester. Let alone go in when it's around the time of 8 PM - 12 AM, which all of you from last year know those were the sweet hours in which you'd see Tarra and me there.

This semester has been a bittersweet one in that I don't spend much time in the library anymore. I have found other places to study and do work without getting as distracted as I did. Take my word though, I definitely miss the library and the adventures that Tarra and I had. That was the thing though, those were adventures were the ones I had with Tarra. I find it so fitting that Madison and Zack are having their own adventures in the library. In fact, I like the idea of the blog having been "passed" down to former readers of The Adventures of Rick and Tarra.

In all honesty, it's kind of like through the original blog Tarra and I were able to let people know that the library isn't just a dull place to study. It's a place where adventures can happen. It's cheesy, but it's true.

So, to Madison and Zack!! Let your adventures being ... well actually .... let your adventures continue!

PS. I was in the library the other day and caught myself in a few pictures with Madison. It's nice to be a reader now ;)

Hello? Can anyone hear me?

I want you to do me a solid and take a look at this picture. DO IT!

Do you see that?

There is no one on the balcony!

NO ONE!

Well there is one person. And thats me.

Provided....

Its Friday.

At 8:30 am.

The morning after the midnight premiere of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows.

I'll see it eventually.

However. I had a test.

Hence, the reason i'm currently sitting on the second story balcony.

Of the Library.

At 8:30 am

On a Friday.

Did I mention its Friday.

........

Madison Delaney Blake

Like A Little

Madison and I have been reunited... and it feels soo good! She's being productive.. and I've been on facebook for two hours.... I have been chatting with people, and not creeping.. so I'm not too upset about it.

On a different note, Madison and I just had some fun with the Like A Little website for UP, what a great way to relax, creep, and pray you find a post that could be you!! I think I'll be productive now... I cant wait :D

by the way. its raining. and the pc's outnumber the macs on the balcony. and some people are in our spot.. ughh.

Keep it real friends!

Peace,

Zack

WHAT IS THIS?!

WHAT IS THIS? WE ARE BOTH HERE AT THE SAME TIME!

However.....

I don't know if you can see the distance.

But there is.

Its because I am an incubus of viral plague.

=(

This may deserve the sad panda box I added.....

Madison Delaney Blake

Its crowded... too crowded.

So I am on the balcony... and its intense. 10 people. 9 computers. 7 macs. 4 water bottles. 2 guys. and only one person actually being productive... and that's the girl without the computer.. hahaha

I have been in the library working on my paper for Dr. Dempsey's prophets course... it has been a killer! Now I get to take some time and revise, ReVIse, REVISE! While listening to Disney music, because there is no other way to talk about conflict in the Bible through the eyes of the prophets...

Also a fun fact, I haven't chilled with Madison in the library in ages... its horrible! I'm sleeping, she's here.. She's working, I'm here... it is a horrible pattern that needs to be fixed... hopefully tonight will be the night!

Alrighty, back to Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Habakkuk, Micah, and Zephaniah. I'll tell them you said hello!

Enjoy your day folks!

Peace,

Zack

8:10 am

Since it is in fact 8 in the morning and no one is awake, there is no better time than now to write a blog.

Oh hey, its 8:12 in the morning and I'm in the library on a Tuesday. Why?

Well, I'll tell you.

Every semester, all of the circulation workers sign up for hours for the next semester, usually right after registration. I wanted to get good hours, and avoid evenings due to the fact that I haven't been sleeping. I have succeeded in my task. I arrived at 7:30 when the library opened, which surprisingly there were quite a few people waiting to get in. It reminded me of an instance in which I had to buy some yarn one morning before I went to breakfast before one of my AP tests in high school. Joanne fabrics opens at 9am. And let me tell you, at 8:45, there were old ladies lining up by the dozen. But it gets better. When the clock struck nine, and the doors had yet to be opened, there were ladies pounding on the door to get let in. Its as if it was there only mission in life was to get into Joanne Fabrics on a Saturday morning at 9am. But wait, there is more. After they had been let in, they went the speed of molasses walking around the store, in search of nothing in particular.

I always wonder who owns that yellow bug in the parking lot. Every time I sit in our spot on the second floor balcony facing the parking lot, the yellow VW Beetle sticks out among all the rest, mostly because all of the cars are either a muted color like silver, beige, or black, or something dull, like light blue or white. I also feel I used muted wrong. Oh well, this is my blog, and I can use adjectives how I want, especially at 8 in the morning on a Tuesday.

I'd say that was quite a tangent, don't you?

ANYWAY! I am quite thrilled to report, the only day that I am working even remotely late is on Tuesdays from 4-8, which I have absolutely no problem with because 8pm is not 12am. =D

Did I mention there is only one other person on the balcony at this time? Its quite nice. I have my dirty chai-when my mom heard that she said that sounded disgusting-disney/avatar soundtrack music, and behavioral neuroscience. Add on that I have a cold, had no sleep and have to study for behavioral neuroscience, and I think it just might weigh out to neutral.

Oh yeah, that was a good stretch. You missed it. =D

So for all of you blog readers, aside from sleep, what is your favorite thing to do at 8 in the morning?

Keep it real. Own it.

Madison Delaney Blake

Unproductivity

Bet you can't guess where I am right now. No. I am actually not in the library. Suprisingly. Here is the story.

At 12:30 I was on my way to the library, which then realized I didn't have the book I needed to study with so I stopped my Maggie May's appartment, at which point I was going to get coffee before studiously studying Behavioral Neuroscience. However, once I got just past Chiles, I realized I had forgotten my charger. To charge my dead computer. In order to take notes. So basically I would have been screwed had I not gone back to get it. So I started walking back, on the fields side sidewalk, of course. Realized, I don't want to have to walk all the way back to the Library, so walked in front of fields/padre and decided just to go to the anchor to get coffee, and then walked back and am currently being EXTREMELY unproductive for the last 3 hours in Joolia Magoolia's room. So far today I have addicted myself to likealittle high quality UP flirting, Smosh Taturdays, listening to Disney Songs, and checked Facebook several times, updating my status every 5 seconds.

Julia is convinced today was just not meant to be for homework. I guess I am starting to agree with her at the moment.

So. Whats up? How's life? Good?

You know what I don't like? When you are walking, you see someone you know, and they say hi, and you say hi, and they say how's it goin, and you say good, how are you, and they say good. But when they ask you, they honestly don't seem to care, unless they actually stop and talk, which no one has time to these days. I like stopping, giving the person a good, quality, personable, hug, and finding out how their day has actually gone. People are just to busy these days. I just want to have one big socializing day. No homework, no studying. No worries. Nothing. But then again I also want to live in a tree. Pipe dream though.

I also find it awkward when you wave to someone as they are coming out of the bathroom. Teehee. I don't give high fives. For obvious reasons......

I think thats all for now. Yay for library posts not in the library!

OWN IT!

Madison Delaney Blake

Rain. Rain. Rain.

Yes. It is in fact raining here. As it does most days throughout fall, winter, spring, and parts of summer. I guess you could say that Oregon has two seasons: Rain and More Rain. I personally have no problem with it, mostly because I have lived here for more than 19 years. However, there are some who don't accustom as well to it. I wonder what my co-auther thinks, since he is a Cali guy........

"California girls, we're undeniable, daisy dukes, bikinis on top. Fine, fresh, fierce, we've got it on lock. West coast represent, now put your hands up! Ooooh Oh Ooooh!"

Speaking of which, Zack, please don't ever wear daisy dukes. Its not right for men to do so. My neighbor did whenever he washed his semi truck. Ironic? Especially because his shorts were shorter then his wife's. Yeah, just let that image fester in your minds for a bit....Oh, and blogger also says your name is spelled wrong.

I've never actually been to California, but I hear it is nice. I also hear the smog is lovely and everyone digs the traffic. However, as wonderful as California sounds in all its glory that I have yet to see due to lack of opportunity, Oregon has many wonderful attributes as well.

1. Changing Leaves: oranges, red's, yellows. We also get the pleasure of jumping in them when they are dry and crunchy. I never miss an opportunity to become a 5 year old again.

2. GREEN!: I've seen some pretty dead places. The amount of life the color green brings to an area really has an impact on one's mood, community, and love of nature.

3. End of the Oregon Trail: Yes, I have to represent the fact that I'm from Oregon City, which also happens to be the end of the Oregon Trail.

4. University of Portland: which by the way, is kick ass. I mean come on, our school color is purple. =D

Can you think of what else makes Oregon awesome?

WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK!

Own it!

Madison Blake

p.s. I am currently sitting on the second floor balcony facing, not the parking lot, but this odd painting that I cant tell if its a bunch of weird trees, or a city with its reflection in some water right below it. I hate it when you can't actually tell what something is.....

New Spot...

Life in the library is difficult considering I have been here for the better half of two hours and still have yet to do anything academic. I blame the change in scenery, from the lovely second pillar to the corner seat... its a tough day on the balcony.

Madison is looking semi-productive and she fed her caffeine addiction with a mocha chai latte with extra whip, non-fat, with no foam and its iced... wait.. I really have no clue what she got... I'm sure it sounds excellent!

I have class soon, so I'm hoping that I will be productive for the next little bit, and I'm hoping the person in my spot with a bright purple cast doesn't make that part of the balcony his home because I will need my productive spot back soon!

I thought the library was supposed to be a productive location, but today it hasn't been. I'll say hi to Public Relations for you!

All the best!

Zack

Halloween!

"Trick-or-Treat! Trick-or-Treat! Give me something good to eat!"

As a child, one of the many days I'm sure all of us looked forward to (aside from Christmas) was Halloween. It was the one day out of the year we could dress up, run amuck, and eat candy until we bled chocolate. Well my friends, that day is today. Halloween day.

And where might you ask am I on this fantastical day? Well the library of course, on the second floor balcony, over looking the parking lot. But don't be down, I have a wonderful view. One of the many great aspects about the University of Portland is its involvement with the St. John's community. Every year, UP invites families to bring their children to trick-or-treat in the dorms, providing a safe, fun environment on Halloween. Sitting in this spot, I have a great view of all of the families and their "G-Hosts" escorting the kids to the varying dorms. I've seen all kinds of costumes, from iron man, to Cinderella, to adorable pumpkins, and the faces of the children remind me of the excitement I felt at that age on this evening.

However, I then see the kinds of outfits college students, especially females, wear on halloween, and the first thing to pop into my head is the quote from mean girls:

"In girl world, Halloween is the one night a year when a girl can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it. The hard-core girls just wear lingerie and some form of animal ears."

Now, this is is not to say I disapprove of the outfit choices because judging only seems to make matters worse, I just feel some have lost the real fun of dressing up for Halloween.

So! I propose the question:

What was your favorite costume as a child?

Mine was my first grade year. My mom made me the best unicorn costume I could have asked for. She was really into making our costumes and I appreciate her deeply, even if the butt she made me hung over the chair by about 2 feet.

Hope you are all staying safe, making good choices, and most of all, having a great Halloween!

Own it!

Madison Blake

Welcome to the Balcony

As a longtime library adventures follower, the lack of posts has truly decreased the amount of joy in my usual internet rounds.. So, I have decided to post, and post well, and post consistently. This blog will be transformed into an electronic medium in which lives will be changed. If this blog truly is life changing, I will be surprised, but I hope that our posts will be a welcome study break to our followers and hopefully it allows you to chuckle or giggle, whatever your preference.

I will not be able to do this alone, so my awesome friend Madison Blake and I will be rocking this blog all year long. We will be doing our thing and communicating the happens of the library, uploading sweet pics, and hopefully have an awesome time in the mecca of learning on the University of Portland campus.

Rick and Tarra, thanks for your work last year, it was awesome, and I hope that we can carry the torch to bigger and better heights!

So friends, welcome to the second half of first semester, its going to be a busy one... I hope that you will enjoy the revival of the blog and that you will come and visit Madison and I on the second floor balcony looking at the parking lot. And if you come up to the second floor and we aren't there, save seats, because we will probably be there soon.

Keep it real. Own it. Choose Love. For Days.

Peace and Love,

Zack

This Day in HISTORY...

In 1842, the Croton Reservoir opened on the corner of 42nd Street and 5th Avenue, the location of the New York Public Library. 

Yeah I know the reservoir really has nothing to do with the library now, but hey! It's still in the same location. Can you believe that?  Instead of a library, there was a fortress of stored water. Hmm...interesting!

Since I'm here talking about the New York Public Library, let me show you the room that I'm in.  It's pretty fantastic! :)

It's pretty, but it makes me wonder where all the other books are.  Also, I was looking at some older pictures of this room, and the chairs and tables are set up the exact same way they were done in the 1920s. The furniture even looked the same. I don't know if the furniture is from the 1920s but what if it is?!

Leaving this room, there is a great mural on the ceiling. You'd think we were in the Sistine Chapel or something. But no...it's just a library! ;)

Er...I think I might have taken the picture upside down. Sorry about that.

I miss going to the library to apply for jobs and such because I'm so busy going to work and doing my internship, but at least I have a job now, right?  I'm definitely going to try to stop by to continue the job search!

Well, hope you're all doing well!  I know this blog hasn't been kept updated regularly, but there might be some crazy changes in the next couple weeks. You never know as we venture past our first 100 posts.

GOOD LUCK with midterms and have a FANTASTIC fall break! :)

100! 100! 100! (and ready for 100 more!)

Can you believe it?! 

This is our 100th post!

Library blog writers on an adventure! :)

 I remember back in elementary school when we would do activities to celebrate the 100th day of school or when the benefactor of our school turned 100 years old.  I made a necklace with 100 beads and another necklace of 100 plastic caps from those little Sunny Delight juice bottles (yeah...promoting recycling!).  I think my sister collected 100 pennies (woo! a dollar!), while my brother made a paperclip chain with 100 paperclips.  It was just a matter of collecting 100 items to visually conceptualize what 100 looks like.  So how shall we celebrate the 100th post of The Library Adventures*?

* Yes, we had to change the title (in case you haven't noticed) because Madison joined our writing crew...

If I was at school, I'd probably bring in 100 cupcakes or 100 cookies to the library and share it with all our fantastic followers (you know who you are)!  The Library Adventures wouldn't be anything without them, as I have stated so many times in my closing statements over the summer. 

Well, I'm sure Rick and Madison will figure out something to celebrate this momentous moment - 100 posts!

So what direction is the blog going to go in for its next 100 posts?  Only time will tell, but good times for sure...

From our start in February of this year, the Library Adventures has definitely grown from their original concept of just recording our adventures in the UP library.  While Rick and Madison are still living up the adventures at UP, I graduated and moved to NYC, recording my adventures at the public library here.   

Although we are miles apart and 100 posts down, 

the adventures still continue!

We've added segments that focus on different aspects of the library, adding some variety to our adventures.  Some of these segments include: Books in the Library and Library Travels.  

As Rick, Madison and other UP students continue into the core of the fall semester at UP and beyond, the adventures will start to get back to some of the antics as the end of last year, but you know with new faces and some new places in the library, you never know what to expect!

I'm excited to see what will happen in the next 100 posts, and I hope you are too and join us on our upcoming adventures!!

Now a word from Rick about 100! :)
----------------------------------------
It's Rick now!! :D

I'm pretty sure Tarra covered what I wanted to say about the momentous event of ours in this here blog. 100 posts ago I definitely wouldn't have thought that the blog would have evolved the way it did. It really did start out merely as just a way to record our adventures. To see where it's come from then amazes me and even makes me chuckle a bit.

Seriously?

- Who would have thought of celebrating birthdays in the library?

- Who would have thought finding different kinds of books in the library would be fun?*
*By the way, keep an eye on that because I have recently found some pretty cool books

- Who would have thought hanging out in the library would have been the cool thing to do?

Most importantly: Who would have thought of making this blog about the library? (haha)

Anyways, I guess I should write something that has a direction as to where this blog is going. As Tarra mentioned, there have been some changes to the blog. One of them has definitely been the addition of Madison to posting.

With Madison posting now, we feel like the blog has a totally different dimension that it never had last year. What I mean by this is Madison might be writing, every now and then, a behind the scenes kind of look at the library. You know? Give us the low down on what's going on in the library that the students, like myself, don't know.

I hope that by adding in this section of the blog it will give the reader's a more in depth look. You know!? bahaha.

As for the posting I'll be doing, it won't change. It'll still stay along the lines of what Tarra and I recorded in the last semester. I should mention that I will really have to work on getting to the library this year and staying there late. Not just for the sake of the blog, but because I really haven't been to the library all that much this year.

Take my word though that I will be a better presence in the library and that blogging will continue and it'll be like old times.

If there's one thing Tarra and I have decided on, it's the fact that we want YOU, yes you the reader, to be involved with our adventures this year. By this we mean that we want you to not just be part of the adventure, but even let people know about your own adventure.

This is your opportunity to add to the blog. Just simply drop me a blog post to my email (baleros13@up.edu) as well as a picture of you taken while in the library and it'll get put up along with other posts. I really hope that you guys take advantage of this because it'll be fun to hear what other people experience in the library!

Again, it'll give a different dimension to the blog. It'll be just more than my perspective and Madison's perspective. Seriously, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS!!

I'm signing out now from the library balcony ;)

Be sure to keep an eye out for future postings. (Postings that hopefully will come more frequently!)