The Six Degrees….

You’ve heard of the theory that every actor is six connections, or degrees from Kevin Bacon.  I find that this concept has been occurring in my life.  Probably it comes from age–the longer you live, the more you experience, the more “small world after all” moments you have.

Here shall commence some ramblings based on the interconnectedness of the world, even though we’re not connected in the traditional sense of how people were connected decades ago. 

I grew up in a “real” neighborhood.  A place where every mom knew every kid and all the kids played together while the moms drank coffee.  The connections were straight forward–right next door. 

Then I went away to college and was part of my dorm family, which was part of the campus neighborhood.  Later, I got married and moved to an apartment…and knew no one.  Everyone kept to themselves.  Even later, when I move to a neighborhood, I only got to know a few people.  The people at my job became my neighborhood, and I tended to socialize with them instead of the people who lived right next door.  Connections were still happening, but not like they used to. 

These days, you never know how one thing might lead to another; what sorts of connections might happen.  For example, Mr16 is a talented saxophone player.  He auditioned and was selected for the Ft. Lewis College Select Band.  This event is held in Durango, Colorado.   While Mr16 was learning saxophone, I became a librarian.  I met and became friends with author Will Hobbs as part of that job.  Will and his wife Jean live in Durango!  Unfortunately, they’re out of town the Select Band weekend, and we won’t be able to see them.  But!  I’m also friends with someone who owns a coffee shop–The Coffee Studio.  Her shop buys some of its coffee beans from Desert Sun Roasters.  Desert Sun Roasters is in Durango!  I posted a question on their Facebook wall asking for their favorite Durango coffee shops.  They provided a nice list and invited me to stop by and visit them, too.

Isn’t it great that we really do live in a small world?  I like feeling a connection to people around me. When these little pieces of serendipity happen, it reminds me to continue nurturing friendships, and to continue expanding my experiences.  You never know when you’ll meet someone that will lead you to a new opportunity. 

When I’m in Durango, I’ll have my second cup in a shop recommended by the folks at Desert Sun, and maybe….maybe I can get them to teach me how to pour a rosetta in a cappucino–something I’ve wanted to learn!  (Watch the second video)

Image attributions:  Kevin Bacon   Saxophone  Desert Sun

Once a Gator, Always a Gator

26 years of stuff gone through, packed, loaded into my truck, and now in a stack in the garage.  I left my office nearly empty of books and doo-dads and decor.  All that remains is stuff going to a friend next Tuesday,  stuff bequeathed to the new librarian, and the soon to be replaced computer. 

I feel so fortunate to have been a part of MGMS.  It’s the third middle school of my career.  I was at WMS for the first 8 years–the years before CSAP.  Then RMS–Camelot to me, “The Academy” (insert sarcasm font) to those not lucky enough to get a position there–for 13 years, and now the last 5 at MGMS–the Swamp–home of the Gators.  MGMS is a rural school, drawing mainly from a low SES population.  We struggle with test scores, but we LOVE our kids.  The staff continually searches for whatever will help our kids connect to their learning.  The building re-invented itself into a culture of reading these last few years, and continues to move forward to help our kids–they who probably have no books at all in their homes. 

It feels weird to disconnect myself from this.  I drove home in tears.  I knew this was the end of my career, thought I was ready, and now I feel teary and a bit lost.  Kind of like I felt at the end of The Book Thief.  I knew exactly what would happen–any story narrated by death just cannot end well–and then the ending I expected happened and I wasn’t prepared for it at all.  I sat on the couch, sobbing ’til my face hurt.  So here I am at the end of a story, wondering what to read next and hoping for something as fabulous as the last one.  I’m sad, but excited for the next chapter of my life. 

I said my “so longs” to the literacy staff today.  So long because we want to stay in touch.  We’re thinking book club and other get-togethers.  I’ve stayed in touch with friends from RMS, and have every intention of doing so with the Gators too.  I’m keeping my Twitter name: @gatorgoddess, because my heart belongs to MGMS.  I’m proud to be experiencing what I’ve heard said by others who have left MGMS before me:  Once a Gator, always a Gator. 

(The picture is my collection of gators, sitting on the “new books” cart in the library that was my home for the last 3 years.  The gators came home with me today.)