Last night was the brightest moon of the year for 2009 – got that out of the way quick. Of course it looked much better IRL – as there was a halo filtering through the clouds – and the moon was a solid mass – not this amorphous blob of light.

The skies opened up and sent heaven’s dandruff to the earth today – and Moses enjoyed himself thoroughly. This is just the beginning of what will likely be a long, dark, and cold winter. Michigan is apparently low on salt supply – so it’ll be interesting to see what happens as the days and months go on – and the snow continues to fall. The tires will likely be slipping all over the road at a much greater degree than in years past. Oh well — it’s always fun to enjoy the first snow…

My interest in Guys Read stems mainly from being a guybrarian. Our library has already initiated the program, but I was looking to gain a deeper understanding of the goals and issues that make-up the movement. As a member of the Adult Reference staff, I was a bit concerned about the relevance of my presence – especially considering our already sailing efforts. But I do serve the young adult population and I am the only guybrarian between the two branches – so I am reconciling my guilt and recognizing the generosity of my library in allowing me to attend. I’m leaving the preconference with fresh knowledge looking to be turned to wisdom. I will share what information I can here –

These are admittedly – very – very shorthand notes and observations. The preconference packet contained numerous handouts – which probably dissuaded me from taking stellar notes. Basically I’m just gonna capture the salient points from the day — those that stuck with me – because I’m a selfish prig. Perhaps not the best use of the word prig – but its use is what mattered to me in this moment. I’ll make separate posts for the different panels at some point later today – but for now just an incredibly brief mention of the keynote:

Jon Scieszka, children’s author and founder of Guys Read opened with some lighthearted but pointed commentary detailing the need for the program, spotted with points that would be reiterated throughout the day. Goals were identified – how to pitch it to your library, and how to get the funding. One benefit of libraries getting involved with the Guys Read program is that we aren’t tied down by curriculum or parenting – we are free to be the other – allowing the guys to read whatever they like, be it novels, graphic novels, magazines, and video game narratives. It’s the reading that’s important.

Brevity.

Photogamer – Green, originally uploaded by Kevin Yezbick.

This one swirls.

Just figured I needed to get something up on the front page.

Me Not Dancing, originally uploaded by Kevin Yezbick.

Go with the flow.

There are lots of reasons I love Bon Iver’s album For Emma, Forever Ago. A lot of it is covered here – via picturegift.

You can judge for yourself.

	Bon Iver – For Emma
	Found at skreemr.com

Photogamer – Looking Up, originally uploaded by Kevin Yezbick.

This photo was for the photogamer challenge.

It is not meant to be confused with this:

Fashionistas, originally uploaded by Kevin Yezbick.

Last night I headed to the East Side of Detroit and the Atwater Brewery to pitch in on a fundraiser for the residents of the Forest Arms Apartments. A few weeks back the apartments were gutted by fire leaving hundreds homeless, many of them students of my alma mater.

I met up with Carlie and Eva, had a few drinks and a really good time. I heard about the event via motorcityblog, saw Carlie online and threw it out there for something to do. An hour later we were all gangbusters at the bar and getting reacquainted after not seeing each other for many months.

There were DJs and Bands and a Fashion show – which was rather interesting and can be seen above.

It was good to get out of the house. Tonight it’s Ferndale and the New Way.

Things I find in my mailbox. (3), originally uploaded by Kevin Yezbick.

I’ve begun collecting pictures of the random things people place in my mailbox at work. They will be in a set on flickr entitled, and this is creative, "Things I find in my Mailbox at Work"