Obsolete technology

I used my personal checkbook today to write an actual paper check. The last time I did so was June 2005. It just struck me as something that nobody talks about, but is quickly happening - the obsolescence of paper & currency in financial transactions.

I've heard an increase in the use of this phrase, "I just don't carry cash anymore". More and more people use debit (or credit) cards for everyday transactions. Coins are becoming collector items more than currency, in my opinion.

I remember in the late 70s or early 80s, my mom gave me a comic book about the "Story of Money". Part of the story was a prediction that "little plastic cards" would take the place of currency. Maybe that day is finally coming.

I would encourage your comments on this idea. What do you think?

Tag! Yer it!

Rules: Write a journal entry for this meme with six random facts about yourself. Then pick six of your friends list and tag them – no tag-backs! These rules should be included in your entry.

1. I've never had a broken bone, even with my natural clumsiness and being in a rather significant car wreck.

2. I avoid caffine now. This was a major change as I used to down 2-3 20oz. Mountain Dews each day at work.

3. I dislike the taste of chocolate.

4. I have a soft spot in my heart for 80s music.

5. I still own some of the comic books that helped learn to read when I was young.

6. I owned my first mp3 player many years before the iPod was introduced.

Tag'd:
Stacy R.
Angela B.
Jason B.
Jim W.
Erica T.
Stuart E.

MPLA Leadership Institute

I could try to go over everything I learned at the institute, but that would probably take a whole week. I'm still trying to figure out how to use what I learned, but I'm sure that will come when the opportunity arrives.

The setting was certainly impressive. Ghost Ranch was some of the most inspirational scenery I have ever seen. I can understand why artists and writers go to New Mexico in search of their muses.

I hope to remain in touch with the people I met, but first I need to get through the shock of coming back into the "real world". At the institute, I had time to stop and think and reflect; the real world schedule isn't conducive to that type of thing.

NLA/NEMA Conference

I started my conference experience with a field trip to Brownville. It is a neat little village with a lot to offer. Julie & I plan on going back next Sunday to see the grand opening of a book store there. Maybe we can see Whisky Run Creek winery as well.

The keynote by Stephen Abram about Library 2.0 was great. Hopefully it opened the eyes of some of the people there that the clientele of libraries is changing. I know I got my eyes opened in another session given by Rick Wallace about the history of African Americans in the state of Nebraska. I must say that the sessions were very good this year.

As far as the sessions I did, I felt they went well. The room was filled both time;, all the seats filled, people standing along the walls and people sitting on the floor. Both were crowds that were bigger than I had been used to talking to, but things went very well. Lots of good questions from the audience, which is always a good thing for me.

The most important part to me about the conference was the chance to reconnect with people I hadn't seen in a while. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to talk to every one I wanted to, so I'll have to try to get in touch with the later.

All in all a good learning experience.

The brain dump begins tomorrow...

Tomorrow I hope to catch up on the NLA conferance, the MPLA Leadership Institute, the Ms. Wheelchair Nebraska pageant, and life in general.

Tomorrow.

Because today I'm still digging out from being away for so long. I don't know how people who spend much more time on the road than I do handle it.

Sitting in the Denver airport, waiting for my connecting flight back to Lincoln. I hope to do a massive update once I get a real connection.