Humans Vs Zombies

On Tuesday I saw these students walking toward Honnold Library, and their bandanas altered me to the fact that this semester's round of Humans Vs Zombies is underway at the Claremont Colleges. You can read the entire set of rules for the colleges here.  You can see a short youtube video from a game in 2011 here. According to the official website, this game of "moderated tag" started at Goucher College in 2005. There is a link at that site to a documentary about HvZ which I have not seen, but may watch during spring break next week.

Vavara

I recently discovered that a friend of mine has started a blog. She lives near the ocean and walks along the shore daily, taking photos and posting not only a photo, but thoughts about life. Her site is called Vavara and her subtitle is Pondering the Ocean as Art.

Earthquake Damage

We certainly felt the La Habra earthquake last Friday night at 9:09. Here in our house we felt a jolt, a brief pause and then shaking for maybe 5 seconds (it felt longer). Nothing was disturbed in the house, or so I thought, until a few days later I saw this sad scene in the music room. Poor Mozart had fallen off of his stool, and his music stand was on the floor. I can't say I am used to earthquakes. They still make my heart flutter.

85 C - More!

After our filling Dim Sum lunch, I wondered how far away the Irvine 85 C Bakery and Cafe might be where we could have a little dessert and/or sea salt coffee. Much to my delight, I discovered that while I was not looking, 85 C has opened up a total of 9 stores in the southland. I remember my excitement of finding out that one had opened up in Hacienda Heights and then another one in West Covina. Yesterday we went to the one in Garden Grove which is just a mile away from Sea Food Paradise.

Sea Food Paradise

When our daughter went off to college, she thought we would enjoy meeting her friend's parents, so she made a point of introducing us (first via the internet and IM - remember IM?). Then we officially met them when they were visiting So Cal. At that time they were living in Kansas City, but now they live in Carlsbad, which is not too very far from here. In December they were taking their son to Rancho Cucamonga and Claremont was on their way, so we reconnected for the first time since our daughters' graduation in 2007.

We decided to get together again, this time to meet somewhere between Carlsbad and Claremont, and they suggested their favorite Dim Sum restaurant in Westminster. We had not had Dim Sum in quite a while, and as soon as we sat down and saw the amazing amounts of diversity rolling around on the carts, H immediately said that he wanted to return, and very soon. The food was excellent, and it was worth the 40-minute drive. Apparently, Sunday is the best, and busiest day to go. The selection is greater and the food fresher. We arrived by 10:45, so we were seated immediately. The bottom picture shows a little bit about how big the place is.

Garner House

On my way to the historical exhibit yesterday, I first went into the main building of the Garner House. I wandered through the downstairs before I found someone to let me into the exhibit. I've lived in Claremont for 28 years, and I have never been inside this building. Claremont Heritage has been headquartered here since 2001, but it never occurred to me to check it out. Now I know someone who is going to use this as a venue for a wedding this summer, which I think is so well-suited for a Claremont girl.

The living room, facing north

The living room, facing south. You can see the music balcony in the upper left.

The lending library. If you are a Claremont resident, you can check out books from here about local and California history, as well as home restoration.

Several plaques

The courtyard

Claremont Library - 100 Years Old

I did not make it to the Opening Party for the Library's Centennial last Saturday, but I wanted to see the historical exhibit about the library's past 100 years. My postcard from the Friends of the Claremont Library altered me to the fact that this exhibit is very temporary - closing this coming Sunday - so I got over to the Garner House in Memorial Park this morning.

I am not one for reading long articles hanging on walls in exhibits, but I read just about every word in this show. When you are reading about something in your own life (and the library is a big part of mine), it becomes infinitely interesting. 

I asked the young man who let me in if this information is collected anywhere besides this ephemeral exhibit, and he said that it will soon (in a month or so?) be on a website somewhere - either the historical society or Friends of the Claremont Library. It was not clear to me, but I will be on the lookout for it - or perhaps someone will let me know!

The exhibit is open today until 1:00, tomorrow through Sunday from 1-5, and it is free. Go!

The exhibit is in the back of the Garner House.

I really like maps, especially old ones. This is part of a very large map in the exhibit.

Here are photos on one board of the original library, a Spanish Revival building which sat where the current library does. It's too bad that the building was too small and could not be expanded. Most people agree that the current structure is visually unappealing. (Except for the newly renovated Children's Room.)

I did not know that the Friends of the Claremont Library began in 1957. I have only been aware of it for the past 10 or so years. 

The Unintentional Gatekeeper

You might be able to guess that I like to communicate with people. I like to talk. (Really, I love to talk. I'm just wired that way. Sorry if that's a problem. I don't mean it to be.) I write letters, send cards, mail the occasional package. Obviously, I blog. And, I email.

When email first became available, back in the day, I was right on it. First I had one account, then I somehow ended up with four or five. Now I've pared it down to two. Along the way I kept up with the technology, and it became easy for me to set up group email lists. I also understand the difference between reply and reply all, and I hope that I am very careful in using them correctly. There is also an important difference between reply and forward.  (I have been on the receiving end of a reply email meant to be forwarded and not meant for my eyes. That was interesting.... and yes, it is all sorted out now.)

Because I am quick to email, I became the de facto informant for several of the groups I'm involved with which shall remain nameless. I don't recall that I ever suggested that I be the actual leader of these groups, but I intended to act as a secretary.

Somewhere along the line, though, some people have assumed that I am the only one in the group who can send out a group email. Now, I hope it's not because they think I am the only official gatekeeper of information. I hope that it is because they have not figured out how to set up a group list or how to save one email with everyone's address and hit reply all.

I am here to say that I would like to liberate myself from the role of the only gatekeeper. First of all, this fall when I am off on sabbatical, I will set aside my secretarial duties for the year of all my groups. Second of all, if you would like everyone to know something, I do not need to be the filter. You can share the wealth. You can send out an email yourself. It's not really difficult to do.

Now, back to your regularly-themed posts.

Allergy Season in Full Swing

I know that my friends and family in other parts of the country are waiting and waiting for spring. I remember that feeling. March is just dreadfully long and it seems as though warm weather will never appear. However, right now, I am ready to spend 2-3 days somewhere where there is no PollenCast like these ones I just saw on weather.com right now. I am taking Claritin every day, and while my eyes don't itch and water, my sinuses are acting up. 

Inland Valley Music Together

My dear friend teaches Music Together classes - for "children and the grown-ups who love them." This week she has lost her voice and asked me to come in and help her sing with this morning's class. Cute kids and music? How could I say no? Although she thought I was doing her a favor, I was actually learning and observing and thinking about more ways of teaching music to children, but mostly I was having fun. You can see her page here.