Category: Blog

Podcast Recommended List!

I only recently got into the activity of listening to podcasts on my daily commute to and from work. It is definitely different from reading a book or watching television so it took quite a while for me to adjust to. I know I need to get into audiobooks sooner than later when it comes to reading my book backlog however I feel positive and accomplished I got out of my shell to listen to podcasts. I’m all about visuals! 

Speaking of podcasts, I’m excited to say I was invited and recorded an episode of Read ‘Em & Weep, talking about one of my favorite literature topics ever: Graphic Novels. It was a very invigorating experience to speak clearly with a consistent speed without going off the rails within a time limit. It was tough to talk about graphic novels without graphics because, that’s one of the best visually appealing characteristics about graphic novels! A challenge? Yes! Was it fun? YES! Read ‘Em & Weep host Kimberly has done it again! For information, look under “Ep 3 – Illustrated History”.

Read 'Em & Weep Graphic
Credit: Kimberly Jackson of Read ‘Em & Weep

Recommended podcast list:

  • Stuff You Missed in History Class. Holly and Tracy are excellent researchers, hosting an engaging podcast that feels as if you’re sitting at the table with them. History has never sounded so awesome!
  • The Classic Tales Podcast. Award-winning narrator B.J. Harrison reads classics, ranging from novels to short stories.
  • Binge Mode. I love listening to hosts Mallory and Jason talk shop on pop culture topics such as “Harry Potter” or “Game of Thrones”. They take information from both media and books so be wary of spoilers. (Warning: Features adult content)
  • Welcome to Night Vale. A story of magical realism and paranormal horror, enjoy the soothing voice of Cecil Baldwin as you attempt to determine what is real and what is imaginary.

Dungeons and Dragons “Don’t Split the Party!” List

Planning my fall programs and I’m super excited to say we’ll be hosting a Dungeons and Dragons program! I collaborated with my friend and this was the result, a resource list for both new and seasoned players ages 10 and up who are interested in Dungeons and Dragons.

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“Bwhahaha” Best pose! I’m ready for this! via giphy

I’m grateful that a local group of friends came together and created the Aloha Adventurer’s Guild. Their aim is to teach and guide players in creativity, communication and teamwork by playing tabletop gaming!

To note, the listing of stores are located on Oahu only. I hope one day to visit all game-related stores through the islands!

What is Dungeons and Dragons?
DnD, for short, is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game set in an imaginary world loosely based on medieval myth.

Why 5th Edition?
The 5th Edition of DnD gives flexibility and functionality to players while making room for more creativity. The aim is to create a unified edition that both seasoned and new players can enjoy.

Browse these non-fiction sections for more at the library:
Indoor Amusements: 793
Adventure Games: 793.932

Authors of Dungeons and Dragons Novels:

  • Norton Andre
  • Richard Baker
  • Bruce Robert Cordell
  • Troy Denning
  • Erin M. Evans
  • Tracy Hickman
  • Paul S. Kemp
  • A. Salvatore
  • Robert J. Schwalb
  • Lisa Smedman
  • Margaret Weis

Online Resources:
Wizards of the Coast – https://bit.ly/1CM4pXY
Introduces DnD to new players. Official resource and website related to DnD.

Dungeon Masters Guild – http://www.dmsguild.com/
Official source for Dungeon Masters.

DnD Adventurers League – https://bit.ly/2AXMWqR
Official DnD league offering materials and support running games.

DnD Beyond – https://www.dndbeyond.com/
Includes useful tools such as character generators.

RPG Tool – https://roll20.net/
Easy-to-use digital tool that can evolved from pen and paper.

5th Edition Rules/Reference – https://5thsrd.org/
Open rules related to 5th edition. Players are suggested to refer to start with Player’s Handbook.

Local Stores on Oahu:
Check out these stores to get your Dungeons and Dragons adventure started!

Armchair Adventurer
Dole Cannery, 650 Iwilei Road #160
Honolulu, HI 96817        Phone: (808) 843-1250
Carries everything from Warhammer 40k model kits to pop culture-inspired tabletop games. Book a separate room or join a game and meet new adventurers!

Dragon’s Lair
Space E-10, 95-1840 Meheula Parkway
Mililani, HI 96789           Phone: (808) 597-6981
Comic book store carrying Dungeons and Dragons manuals, dice, and kits. Check out their large comic book selection to get you inspired!

Other Realms
1130 North Nimitz Highway C-140
Honolulu, HI 96817        Phone: (808) 596-8236
From private rooms to comics and collectibles, Other Realms has a large stock to get your adventure started!

Westside Comics
590 Farrington Highway #538
Kapolei, HI 96707          Phone: (808) 674-2866
It isn’t just comics this shop sells on the west side, check out their Elite Membership program to earn points to grab special deals!

Dealing with Burnout

Feeling fatigued? Want to stay in bed and recharge? See the bags under your eyes despite sleeping 8+ hours?

That could mean a lot of different things but what if it revolved around your work?

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I know that feel too via GIPHY

Tips to get yourself recharged and energized for work!

  • Do not bring work home. As a librarian, reading is part of the job, even if it means previewing a book in case patrons have questions. Sometimes you can feel overwhelmed when it’s the weekend and you’re waiting on confirmation for a program or anxious because you forgot to finish something before closing time. It’s okay. You’re not alone, I need to repeat it every day at closing. For reading, read something you want rather than reading something off your work list.
  • Log out of your email. It’s tempting but do not enable work email on your phone or your home computer. Nooooo. Nope. Nada. Keep that at work.
  • Stress-less hobby. Rather than saying “mindless”, do something that doesn’t cause you stress. For me it’s playing video games or doodling in my bullet journal. With video games, I need to monitor my stress levels and need to listen to myself when it’s time to quit a game.
  • Take a walk. Fresh air, greenery, just walking around outside is a nice change of pace after being cooped up in the office.
  • Treat. Your. Self. Finished a program you’ve been planning for 3 months? Treat yourself. Successfully completed a reference transaction? Pat yourself on the back and treat yourself. Got a negative reaction from a situation you could not control? Learn and treat yourself.
  • Vacation or Sick Day. Take a mental health day or plan a few months in advanced a couple days to refresh yourself. You need to recharge yourself but do not feel bad that your coworkers are picking up your slack. They’d want you at 100% rather than 25% and unable to provide teamwork. I feel bad calling in sick but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Self-Reflection: Stress Relief and Composure

So here and I doing my thing. It’s the last meeting for the Teen Library Council. Unfortunately all but one teen couldn’t make it. So here I am, one on one with our Teen Library Council, asking for feedback and reflect on the past year. This member is a huge anime and manga fan and is very good about suggestion which series are popular among friends and classmates in high school. We’re talking story, it’s a very chill atmosphere, and I drop my “official” demeanor and let slip some of my fangirl persona since we’re discussing a topic we mutually like.

giphy

We must have been very relaxed because the member mentioned how I act like Retsuko of Aggretsuko fame. At the time I wasn’t familiar with the character, only knowing the anthropomorphic red raccoon was a new character amongst the cute Sanrio characters I knew of when I was a kid. Essentially the conversation turned to how, as a librarian, you present yourself professionally then you let loose with your favorite hobby. The Council Member is a huge fan of the Netflix series and encouraged me to watch it to understand how Retsuko acts. As I watched the series later that night, Retsuko is a salary woman working in accounting for a big firm. She deals with the day to day with a calm demeanor then unleashes her stress and rage at night in her own private sanctuary: a karaoke room.

aggretsuko

Self-reflecting on our conversation, I got this thought (and please feel free to comment). That we present ourselves as professionals to the public. My Teen Library Council had asked me questions about the job: Do you need a Master’s degree? What kind of experience would be good to work with the public? Now I look back a question I’m sure they had since it was the same when I was a kid which was How can you keep your composure? Just like Retsuko singing karaoke, my outlet is reading manga!

We all have our different ways of expressing and releasing stress from keeping a professional composure. How do you reflect your professional life? What are ways you do to release stress?