Halsted Mencotti Bernard @cygnoir@mastodon.social

Whoops, I never did a proper #introduction!

I often describe myself as a:
* #writer of fiction … I write and perform stories
* chronicler of foibles … I am an online #diarist
* wrangler of chaos … I am a #librarian and database designer

My about page has more:
https://cygnoir.net/about/

What I'm up to now:
https://cygnoir.net/now/

Finished knitting project: pebbly autumnal cowl. 🧶

What a fantastic idea! 🔗 Starting a Food Pantry in an Academic Library https://mrlibrarydude.wordpress.com/2019/09/13/starting-a-food-pantry-in-an-academic-library/

I'm in! 🔗 I Spent the Night at a Library in Wales, and You Can Too https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/i-spent-night-library-wales-and-you-can-too-180973040/

"Libraries can push back against fear with the power of free information and a space that says no matter who you are, you are welcome." 🔗 Challenged but not dying, the public libraries are more relevant than ever | Jutland Station http://www.jutlandstation.dk/challenged-but-not-dying-the-public-libraries-are-more-relevant-than-ever/

Solid read. 🔗 Emotional Intelligence: The Social Skills You Weren't Taught in School https://lifehacker.com/emotional-intelligence-the-social-skills-you-werent-ta-1697704987

What an interesting and rewarding opportunity for creative professionals! 🔗 Considering a Sabbatical? The National Parks Want You https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/04/travel/considering-a-sabbatical-the-national-parks-want-you.html

📚 Read: You Should Have Left by Daniel Kehlmann

This is a quick, creepy read that plays with form and language a bit to build tension. I enjoyed that part but thought it could have done more. Still, this was a fun dip into scary-story season!

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2958759357

;🎬 Watched: Over the Garden Wall, 2014

This was recommended to me ages ago, and like a fool, I waited this long to watch it. I’m already looking forward to watching it again, each year, around this time of year.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ https://letterboxd.com/cygnoir/film/over-the-garden-wall-2014/

📚 Read: Munmun by Jesse Andrews

Brilliantly-written satire that is also truly fun to read? Munmun is funny, heartbreaking, strange, and poignant. Andrews lambastes the absurdity of socioeconomic strata in this YA genre-bender.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2945511814

Snow affogato at @cafe_sorosoro! 🎥: ... https://honk.cygnoir.net/2019/08/26/snow-affogato-at.html

I saw a lamprey at the zoo today. Terrifying. Then when we were passing by a second time, my friend helpfully said, “Lampreys, don’t look!” And I looked. What is wrong with me? I might never sleep again.

Look at this one hundred percent good girl. 😻

Beer & BBQ chicken at @groundbreakerbrewing with @ilovemesomesharks, who is visiting for the week!

I’ve been eagerly awaiting this for months. Have you read it yet?

Happy #CityHallSelfie Day!

Zen has had a rough week. Nevertheless, she persisted.

It wasn’t my brightest idea to bake chicken wings on one of the hottest days of the year, but they were still delicious.

★ Liked “Libraries are fighting to preserve your right to borrow e-books (opinion) - CNN“

Librarians to publishers: Please take our money. Publishers to librarians: Drop dead. https://www-m.cnn.com/2019/08/02/opinions/libraries-fight-publishers-over-e-books-west/index.html

The 24-hour news cycle is overwhelming and upsetting. Regardless, we owe it to each other to be responsible readers and sharers, so let’s check our facts. FactCheck.org is nonpartisan and a good place to start. https://www.factcheck.org

Happy August!