katakat.com bytes from a participant observer

Ok, so I've been really bad about updating my blog. But, hey, lots has happened these past few months. I started the PhD program in April, finished up my old job in June and took a few weeks off, got called for Federal jury duty the whole month of June, started my new job two weeks ago, and just got notice of County jury duty in August. (What the hell? In a county of several MILLION people, I get called to serve in two different jurisdictions in the same summer?) So, in a nutshell, there you have it. PhD is going well, though is quite a time drain. New job title is Electronic Resource Librarian, and it's an 11-month contract, so I've got a lot more days off (to spend on my PhD). The library is new, and the librarians I'm working with are really cool, so I'm learning a lot and am trying to get projects underway (like a new web site) before fall classes start in September. Mom and Dad seem to be adjusting well to life in CA, though the hot temperatures are driving them nuts--they've been trying get air conditioning installed in their home for over a month now. Dad is still looking for employment and a way to stay out of the house. Mom is just ... Mom. She got a new electric scooter a few weeks ago. Candy-apple red. I want to get a flag for it, so people see her coming; maybe one with a skull and crossbones....