Distractions, distractions...

It's still January, only just, but I think the old brain has had a good work out for the beginning of the year. My physical self is a bit out of shape and in need of aerobic activity, but there's plenty going on in my head. If only that burned calories like running, and if only I had time to write down all the ideas in my head...maybe then the book I dream of writing would get down on paper/screen.

This week's thing is all about social reading. I plunged into my account on Vision with lists and more lists. I commented on one thing - a costume drama, of course - and found someone to follow. After spending far too much time doing that I created an account on Goodreads. Why did I never do this before? It's fantastic. I'm a real follower of recommendations, so both Vision and Goodreads are great tools for finding new books to read. I liked the instant suggestions Goodreads came up with every time I rated a book. There's a lot to play around with. I found some new titles from an author I've enjoyed reading already.

The big question for me is read more or write more? With only limited free time in my day, I want to read so I'm a better writer, but if I don't get on with writing soon I will be very old before I finish anything. My Dad would say, as he tells me about authors who get up at 4am to write their books, 'Just get on with it!' I'm trying, but January mornings are not conducive to putting my toe out from the under the covers at that hour. Maybe my resolve will be better in February...

In other news Mr Selfridge is back for season two.

Week 2 - Twitter meltdown

So onto the second week of 23 Things. Twitter. I logged onto my long neglected Twitter account with enthusiasm, determined to find some amazing things to comment on, started following a few new people, news organizations and papers, a couple of libraries, a few things I'm interested in and then...big gasp...became overwhelmed and did not know what to say to anyone. Thankfully I found one of my sisters and found my voice again for a moment.

I'm not keen on making mistakes in public and twitter seems very public. Say the wrong thing and strangers could shoot me down for hashtagging (?) the wrong words or something. The fear is real to me. With use maybe I could overcome this irrational fear of that little # symbol. Maybe I haven't found the right things or people to follow yet who would make me want to comment. We'll see.

I'm going back to cutting out some kids craft for storytime for now.

Here goes...

My mind is still unscrambling after the busy time that was Christmas. I'm getting used to the idea that we are now in 2014 and now I'm starting a new blog - not my first - but the new year is good for a new start. Sometimes I need a little push to get going and the 23 things training at work is as good as any.

I work in a library in a friendly corner of Canada. I'm quite new so I've learned a lot about how libraries work in the last six months. I love books and meeting other people who love to read. I get to have fun doing story times which sometimes require being really silly...and if I'm lucky a bit of dressing up. People say they like my accent, one person said I should be a reporter for the BBC, but I tried that when I was seventeen and didn't get the job, so here I am. Actually to my friends and family back home in England I sound more mid-Atlantic by the day.

I'm good at starting, not so good at finishing so consistency will be my biggest challenge as I make another mark on the blogosphere.

So, I'll finish today with this. I am a hopeless romantic. I love a good costume drama and while the adaptation of Pride and Prejudice below was not my favourite - apart from the scene where Darcy's and Elizabeth's hands first touch, this is how I'd really love to dress up.