Is It Me, Or Does Genealogy Look Like its Being Mispelled?

I am sitting in a DaysInn, just off Route 69 in Ft. Wayne, IN. Why does that sound like the beginning of a bad, somewhat tastelss joke? Maybe because, to some it could very well be, to others it might be the set up to a very scary story. In fact, its neither. Its just the truth. I am sitting at a desk that is a bit too high for me to use my laptop comfortably, in a DaysInn just of Rt. 69.

I am attending the first two days of the Federation of Genealogical Societies. Said conference is being sponsored by Allen County Public Library. Today was called Librarians' Day. That is a free day (main reason why I'm here toda, actually). I got a nice tour of the new library here in Ft. Wayne... goodnight, is a beautiful building. I was awed. The genealogy room is more than impressive... its truly impressive. You have to know what you're doing in there in order to get anything done properly. Sure, you can go in the poke around and maybe get lucky with some information, but I'd reckon that the Allen County Genealogy room might be frightening to a rookie, it was to me and I wouldn't consider myself a rookie genealogist... maybe not a tested veteran, but I can work the ropes a bit.

The funny thing about Ft. Wayne to me is this: the one way streets. I don't have a problem getting to my motel from the library, its getting from my motel to the library that is a bit more difficult. I feel like I'm doing loop-de-loops and going around in circles as I navigate the one ways. I can see the library, but I always seem to be in the wrong lane and miss the turn, so I go around and around again. Not so bad, though, aside from the goofy oneway streets, Ft. Wayne isn't too bad.

I did a little genealogy research myself this evening, I didn't come very prepared, though, I don't have the requisite first pieces of info one needs, mainly Names and dates and if possible places. I have a few names in my head, but not the dates. I was able to find one piece of info, but it was something I already had, however, it might lead to other discoveries, so I photocopied it.

Tomorrow I'll be going to some seminars dealing with various aspects of genealogy and they will be a bunch of displays by companies that deal with all things genealogical. Is it me or does the word genealogy just look wrong, like its mispelled. Its not, I double checked, but it just looks funny to me.

The Next Two Days

I will bein Ft. Wayne on the 15th and 16th attending a conference. It is the Gederation of Genealogical Societys Conference. I took a genealogy class earlier in the summer and I enjoyed it. This is an annual conference. The reason it is being held in Ft. Wayne is Allen County Library has just completed a large scale remolding of their genealogy department. From what I understand, the genealogy library is the third biggest draw of tourist dollars they have in Allen County. I do know that the Allen County Library Genealogical branch is world known and rivals the Mormans.

I haven't been to Ft. Wayne in a long time, the last time I remember being there was when I was checking outt he seminary. I don't remember much of it other than it was just your typical small city in the midwest.

Well, that pretty much brings you up to date.

Buy This Book and Read It

I just finished reading the book American Band: Music, Dreams, and Coming of Age in the Heartland, by Kristen Laine. And it was probably one of the best non-fiction titles I've read in the last year. It was quite simply amazing. Its 318 pages and every page is gripping.

American Band follows Concord High School's marching band. Concord is located north of Indianapolis. Laine became part of the band for all intense and purposes. She interviewed and followed band members and the band director and literally became a part of their lives.

I was never in the band in high school, but I have always enjoyed listening to high school bands. I knew a lot of work went into the field shows, but I never realized how intense it could be. There are many layers to this book. Not only do we have a ringside seat to the practices the band goes through, but also some of the internal struggle the kids find themselves dealing with.

There are times in this book that I read with a lump in my throat. I found myself rooting for the kids and fearing to turn the page because I didn't want a bad thing to happen.

Laine did a great job of story. Its difficult sometimes to make a non-fiction book read like fiction and have the same story arcs and cliff hangers that fiction can have, but she did an amazing job in that regard. She had me hooked and I couldn't let go if I wanted to. I had to know what happened.

There is teenage angst in here, that is expected, but then there is also incredible teenage "steppin-up" that resounds throughout the book. Grant, one of the main characters of the book shines through. He is not only the sould and leader of the bad, but also the soul of the book. His personal struggles and personal tragedies are, to say the least, gripping. And the story arc dealing with freshman Adilene Corona is truly inspiring.

I feel like I'm gushing about this book, which I am, but I haven't read a book like this, that was this good in a very long time. I may have to actually buy the book for my collection. Yes, it was that good.

Blessings

It feels strange to be done with school to be officialy done, not in an in-between-semesters kind of way, but honest to goodness, waiting-for-the-final-grades kind of way. I completed my course work for my masters of library science degree on Friday. As I walked out of the class and threw my arms in the air and grinned as big as I could a feeling of relief and contentment and not a little surprised-- I did it without doing myself harm. I was able to balance a fulltime job with fulltime school. I felt a little, as Dr. Voelz would of said, "Chuff." I felt proud of myself. It just felt good.

Now, I feel a bit weird. I've been taking the last couple days to get used to the idea that I don't have to be worrying about doing school work, or reading a text book, or worrying about what goes in what cataloging field. I'm getting used to having freetime. Its a weird feeling. That sounded strange, but it is a weird feeling. I can relax and enjoy a baseball game, like I am now (Mets v. Cubs). I can sit and watch a movie and not worry about the fact that I'm "wasing time" instead of "enjoying myself."

I am a man of cententment. I am man in the midst of blessings. I have a job I like, I accomlished a goal that I have had for 17 years. I feel great. It feels great. Life feels great. I am blessed, my cup runneth over.

How You Guys Find Me, Redux

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A Movie Night

Last night I sort of took the night off. I had my homework done for the week and I didn't have much else to do, so I decided a movie would be good to watch. A few weeks back I bought Carnival of Souls, a weird, early 1960's horror movie that was filmed in Lawrence, Kansas and a place called Saltair that is right outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. I had bought but not gotten around to watching it, yet (that happens a lot, sadly). So I watched it and it really is kind of creepy, but it awfully campy, too. The creepy organ music really got to me, but I think that is because it was more shrill than anything else, the organ music is important because the main character of the film Mary Henry is an organist. If you get a chance and you have a couple hours, check it out. Its good (albeit, weird and campy) movie.

After I finished Carnival, I started to watch one of my favorite movies Kicking and Screaming but I started to fall asleep. For some odd reason, I just love that movie. If for no other reason than it has some great oneliners.

I watched those two movies last night because I wasn't in the mood to read a movie, i.e. a foreign film. Thought, I did almost watch 8 1/2, but I decided I wasn't in the mood for Fellini.

An aside: does anyone know of a good (fairly inexpensive) hotel in Ft. Wayne? I'll be in the Ft. in August for a conference and I'll need a place to stay. Just wondering. (Like anyone'll respond to that! lol)

How You'se Guys Find Me, Again

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