World Book Night 2014: Kitchen Confidential

I didn't think I could top last year's World Book Night when I went to McCurdy's Comedy Club in Sarasota to perform my literary comedy and give my favorite book - The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - to the entire audience (click here to see that post) BUT...

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
is a must read for any F&B employee!

Having been a waitress like 15 times, I couldn't help but to request Anthony Bourdain's delicious tell-all Kitchen Confidential about the food & beverage industry for World Book Night 2014.  Bourdain is a real bad ass and an incredible chef who loves to travel and get into trouble...so I guess you could say he was right up my alley.

Because the book was about working in the F&B industry, I already knew I was going to give it out at a restaurant.  It made sense.  Plus, there was a chance I could get free food!  It was only the night before - typical of most of my brilliant ideas - that I thought 'Hey, wouldn't it be fun to revisit all of the those restaurants that I used to work at?'  The question I should have been asking was 'Would I have enough books?' Or 'Would they let me back in the door?' 

I kid I kid.  I only got fired from a couple.  I mean, who tips a quarter?  And, maybe that dude didn't really need a cappuccino at 11pm at night!  Anyway, I've been writing a book about my journey into becoming the Stand-Up Librarian and sadly, I've had to relive a lot of those server jobs, but thankfully most of them were run into the ground by the idiots managing them so I was left with just a few to visit.

So because I am a huge hoarder (and it also makes sense to take my future bestselling book to the stage with original costumes), I have kept all of my server outfits - collared shirts, aprons, bow ties and check presenters.  I grabbed an old Fleming's bar apron, covered the logo with a Geisha check presenter, added the standard 3 pens and wine key (in case they asked me to work), and on April 23rd, headed to four of my old restaurants ready to celebrate some of the hardest working people I know with free books!  Here is a photo journey of where I went...

Wearing my old bar apron from Fleming's to pass
out free copies of Kitchen Confidential for WBN 2014!

Giving free books to all of the cooks at the Sweet Sage Cafe.
I worked here in 2004! Thanks to owner John Messmore.

Giving the waitstaff at Lee Roy Selmon's free books!
I worked here in 2006 when I started my Masters degree.

I visited my old co-workers Chris, Roy & Greg at
Ya Ya's Flame Broiled Chicken to give them free books.
This was my very first job in 1990! I was a cashier
but I loved cutting the chicken with the butcher knife.

Finally, I had a few books left to drop off with
Jeremy at the Daiquiri Deck where I worked in 2005
while trying to write my first book.

Lastly, I met up with my mom and helped her pass out 100 Best-Loved Poems to those enjoying the beach at sunset.  It seemed a great way to end World Book Night with the soft white sand at my feet and a heart made out of seaweed.  

I LOVE World Book Night!

What's more poetic than a seaweed heart?

DIY - The Power of YOU!

It was just last month that I celebrated my one year anniversary with The Home Depot.  I had originally applied there because they were one of the few companies that offered part-time employees health benefits (plus the single girl in me thought it might also be a great way to meet some dudes! ha ha)  So while the men turned out to be either crazy or already married and the health benefits went away at the end of the year due to Obamacare, I found that the one thing The Home Depot kept giving me was the opportunity to work as a librarian!

 

Starting out as a Cashier was like working the circulation desk, making sure each patron found everything they needed in the store and giving them great customer service. 

Circulation Desk, Los Feliz Library, 2009

Cashier, The Home Depot, 2013

Then as a Greeter, it was like working the reference desk, assisting patrons with information and helping them find certain products in the store.  Then if we didn't have it, showing them how easy it was to use the in-store computer to find it online.  Plus I was able to wear all of my fun outfits!  I actually got my first Homer award because a woman wrote in saying how much she loved them. 

Reference Desk, Los Feliz Library, 2009

Greeter, The Home Depot, 2013

In leading the Kids Workshop on the first Saturday of every month, I was like a Children's Librarian doing fun arts & crafts with the kids, while teaching them how to hold hammers and express themselves through paint. 

Children's Program, Los Feliz Library, 2009

Kids Workshop, The Home Depot, 2013

As Captain of the Do-It Herself Workshop, it was like book club but instead of books, we discuss how to use power tools to build storage trunks or the purpose of grouting tile for that fabulous floor.  In place of free bookmarks, the ladies get DIH gift bags and are able to take home all of the projects they make - for free!

Book Club, 2012

Do-It Herself Workshop, The Home Depot, 2014

Now as a Paint Sales Associate, I've not only learned more about the differences in paint and stains, but I've applied that knowledge to my library renovations at home!  Thanks to my experiences at The Home Depot, my card catalogue is truly one-of-a kind...a checkerboard effect to represent both the librarian and the comedian, and holds all of my sewing supplies for my literary fashion business.

Card Catalogue - Before

Card Catalogue - During

Card Catalogue - Today

The point is...I am a librarian and I will always be a librarian no matter where I work.  In addition to my job at The Home Depot, I am also a librarian promoting libraries and literacy in my literary comedy shows.  The audience are my patrons and the stage is my reference desk.  When you open yourself up to experiences outside of your comfort zone, you will always see the results in ways you never imagined.  Just last week, I performed my first non-literary parody song "The Power of Tools" and told jokes inspired by my experiences working in home improvement.  I certainly never imagined that would ever happen!  But if there is one thing I have learned over this last year it is this - YOU HAVE THE POWER so stop waiting for others to help you or realize your potential, just DO IT YOURSELF!   

Performing some home improvement comedy & "The Power of Tools" 

live at ARTpool Gallery on April 12th. For a direct link, click here.

Thank You FL Antiquarian Book Fair!

I can't believe it has been one month since the 33rd Annual Florida Antiquarian Book Fair!  It seems I have been going nonstop ever since (mostly sewing over 20 custom orders from the fair) but I have finally forced myself to sit down for a few moments to share some of my thoughts and favorite moments...

What a fantastic weekend!  I was so proud to be the spokesperson for the book fair this year and I absolutely must thank Book Fair Manager Sarah Smith and All-Around Media Guy Allan Smith for that.  We met two years ago and discussed working together and it finally happened!  I had a blast running around St. Petersburg with Allan meeting local business owners and interviewing some of my favorite people in the community about books.  Allan did an incredible job of taking photos and shooting video footage which he later edited into videos to promote the fair online.  We worked together to publicize the fair utilizing both print and social media which resulted in the largest (and youngest) attendance at the fair in many, many years!  To view those video interviews, please visit my YouTube page here.

With Sarah Smith and Allan Smith of the Book Fair.

As spokesperson, I got the chance to open the book fair with a performance on the front steps of The Coliseum and was also featured in some of our local media where I discussed my journey into becoming the Stand-Up Librarian and my love for my hometown of St. Petersburg.  Thanks to Creative Loafing, Tampa Bay Newspapers, and Articulate Creative Pinellas for those wonderfully written articles.  You can read those pieces on my press page here.

Performing a medley of my literary parody songs
on the front steps of The Coliseum.

However, what I was most thrilled about was being an actual vendor at the fair selling my literary fashions!  I sold my first literary purse there in 2012 thanks to a wonderful woman named Edie, and I would not be still making these if it wasn't for her encouragement and support.  Thank you Edie!

With Edie in 2014.  She bought my first literary purse
in 2012 & still uses it: a cats & books fanny pack!
This year I gave her a messenger bag.

It was also a family affair at the book fair with my parents, brother, aunt and uncle helping me at my booth.  Plus, just a few days before the fair, I decided to make literary bow ties and while I knew how to sew them, it was my dad who was able to actually tie them!  So thank you Dad and to all of the people who bought them.  I sold out the first night!

With my parents at my booth on the opening night
of the book fair. Bow ties all around! 

There were so many wonderful people that I met over those three days from vendors and booksellers to miniature book collectors and aspiring librarians.  It makes me very happy to see so many different types of people come together to promote literacy and the preservation of our books.  Thanks again to everybody that bought items from Stand-Up Librarian Designs or just stopped by to stay hello.  I am so grateful.  See you next year! 

Thanks to John who bought my first bow tie...
before the fair even opened!

With Ian Kahn from Lux Mentis - a bookseller in a kilt
is a great friend for a librarian in a book skirt!

Future librarians!

Sisters Kathy and Deborah almost cleaned out my booth.
Thank you ladies!!!!!

The Coliseum filled with book lovers. Perfection!

Interview w Larry the Cable Guy, The Dali Museum, Bow Ties & Performance at Book Fair!

We are only 2 days away from The 33rd Annual Antiquarian Book Fair and I have saved my best interviews for last...more on those in a minute.

First, I wanted to announce that I will be performing my literary parody songs on the steps of The Coliseum to open the book fair at 5pm on Friday night so get there early if you have ever wanted to see a librarian dance on a book cart singing about books!  To see some of my literary music videos, visit my You Tube Channel here.

"THE RAVEN is Hard to Handle"/
Edgar Allan Poe tribute 

Secondly, to honor my first literary purse sale two years ago at the book fair, I will be debuting my first literary fashion accessory for men: book-print bow ties!  But let's be honest, ladies can rock these bow ties too, so stop by my Stand-Up Librarian Designs booth (#96, near the food area) to say hi and be one of the very first to own one!

Book-print bow ties will make their
debut at the book fair!

Finally, for my last two video interviews, I went to the two places I love the most: the library and the comedy stage.  It was in the mid-nineties that I met a funny guy named "Larry" in Sanford, FL who inspired me to want to try stand-up comedy.  Over 15 years later, Larry the Cable Guy is insanely famous yet he continues to make time for me to discuss jokes, the industry, and yes, the importance of reading!  I also went to The Dali Museum Library where I spent a majority of 2013 as a volunteer librarian cataloguing the entire collection.  Volunteers are such an important part of museums and libraries across the country so I wanted to speak with Pam Whiteaker (who leads that charge for The Dali) about how others can get involved with serving their community.

For a direct link to my interview with Larry the Cable Guy, click here.

For a direct link to my interview with Pam at The Dali Museum, click here.

Thanks to Larry the Cable Guy, Pam Whiteaker, and most importantly, to Sarah Smith and Allan Smith of the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair who got me involved as the spokesperson this year.  Allan and I had a blast running around St. Petersburg meeting so many book lovers and talking with them about the book fair.  To see more of our videos, please visit the Book Fair You Tube channel here. 

I hope everybody comes out to the book fair this weekend - we are going to have so much fun!!!

Florida Antiquariam Book Fair

March 14 - 16, 2014

The Coliseum

535 Fourth Avenue North

St. Petersburg, FL

Friday: 5 - 9 pm ($10 for 3-day pass)

Saturday: 10 - 5 pm ($6 daily admission)

Sunday: 11 - 4 pm ($6 daily admission)

Free admission for children under 12 and students with ID.

Free parking.

*Proceeds from ticket sales support The St. Petersburg Public Library

Interviews with American Stage, The Palladium & ARTpool Gallery!

We are just one week away from The 33rd Annual Florida Antiquarian Book Fair happening at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg, FL March 14 - 16!  I hope you have enjoyed getting to know some of the incredible people that make St. Petersburg such a wonderful city to live in.  Today I have included interviews with Todd Olson, Artistic Director at American Stage Theatre Company, Paul Wilborn, Executive Director at The Palladium Theatre at SPC, and Marina Williams, Artist/Owner/Curator at ARTpool Gallery.  

  

For a direct link to the video with Todd at American Stage, click here.

For a direct link to the video with Paul at The Palladium, click here.

For a direct link to the video with Marina at ARTpool Gallery, click here.

I also continued my walk down Central Avenue and Beach Drive making sure to say hello to local business owners and employees.  Here are a few more that I met!

Red Cloud Indian Arts.

Savory Spice Shop.

Karen at Plain Jane has only been open 3 weeks.
Welcome to St. Pete, Karen!

Thanks to Photographer Chuck Vosburgh at The Morean
Arts Center for my Andy Warhol-style portrait!

For more information on tickets and vendors, please click on this link: The 33rd Annual Florida Antiquarian Book Fair

Interview with St. Pete. Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin

Once again, I have spent the past week out and about in my hometown of St. Petersburg promoting The 33rd Annual Antiquarian Book Fair happening March 14 - 16th at the historic Coliseum.  It was with absolute joy that I was able to meet up with my best friend from Boca Ciega High School (who is now the new Deputy Mayor of St. Petersburg), to talk about our love for St. Petersburg (we are both fifth-generation natives), the importance of libraries and reading (hence meeting up at The Mirror Lake Public Library), and of course, uniting the community in literacy!  Thank you, Kanika!

For a direct link to my interview with St. Pete. Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin, click here.

I also continued my walk down Central Avenue and Beach Drive making sure to say hello to local business owners and employees.  Here are a few that I met!

Love the cubans at Bodega!

Support local art at The Florida Craftsman Gallery!

With Mark Ferguson at Ferg's Sports Bar -
a must before and after Rays games!

I can always find an assortment of Rooibos Tea at Hooker Tea!

For more information about the book fair, please visit www.FloridaBooksellers.com  

Interviews with Haslam's, Tampa Bay History Center & Schakolad!

It has been a busy week promoting The 33rd Annual Antiquarian Book Fair happening March 14 - 16th at the historic Coliseum. In addition to putting up book fair posters and visiting local businesses in downtown St. Petersburg, I have also had the opportunity to interview some of my favorite people in the community to learn more about them and their favorite books growing up, all with my mission to unite Tampa Bay in literacy and a love of reading!  Thanks to Ray Hinst at Haslam's bookstore, Rodney Kite-Powell at the Tampa Bay History Center, and Lori Clapp at Schakolad Chocolate Factory  - please visit them and show them your support!  

For a direct link to my interview with Ray at Haslam's, click here.

For a direct link to my interview with Rodney at the Tampa Bay History Center, click here.

For a direct link to my interview with Lori at Schakolad Chocolate Factory, click here.

With Sara & David at Brew D Licious.

Might have to adopt this Poky Little Puppy!

Putting up a book fair poster at Kilwins.

For more information about the book fair, please visit www.FloridaBooksellers.com and of course, I'm sure to keep you up to date here at www.StandUpLibrarian.com!  

My Love For The FL Antiquarian Book Fair

For a direct link of the video, click here.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! If there is one thing I love more than flowers & chocolates, it is The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair!  It has books, supports libraries, and it was the place where I sold my very first literary purse back in 2012.  I am so honored that this year they have asked me to be their official spokesperson to help promote literacy throughout Tampa Bay.

Incorporating this year’s 'Pages of Wonder' theme celebrating the enduring charm and influence of children’s literature, I will utilize the weeks leading up to the fair to unite the community thru interviews with local book lovers and appearances at some of my favorite hot spots, which will then be incorporated into a series of online videos.  

The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair is the oldest and largest fair of its kind in the Southeastern United States and features more than one hundred specialized dealers from all over the country.  Visitors will find books of every age and about every conceivable topic, with additional materials including maps, prints, postcards, ephemera, autographs and other paper collectibles.  And if things couldn't get any better, I will also have a booth where my literary fashions and accessories at StandUpLibrarianDesigns.com will be available for all of you!  

The fair runs from March 14 - 16th at the historic Coliseum located at 535 Fourth Avenue North in downtown St. Petersburg with ticket sales benefiting the St Petersburg Public Library.  Money going to a library?  Jeez, this thing keeps getting better and better!

For more information and to enjoy my video interviews leading up to the fair, please visit www.FloridaBooksellers.com and of course, I'm sure to keep you up to date here at www.StandUpLibrarian.com!

Meeting Book Fair Manager Sarah Smith
at the book fair in 2013.

Joking around at the book fair in 2012
wearing the literary purse that would result
in my very first sale! I used the money to
buy that book flask.

"The Power of TOOLS"

"The Power of TOOLS" - Meredith Myers from Meredith Myers on Vimeo.

*For a direct link to "The Power of TOOLS" video, click here.

To honor the incredible women that come out to my Do-It HERSELF workshops at The Home Depot, I created my first non-literary parody music video called "The Power of TOOLS" - mashing up power tools with one of my favorite 80's songs.  I am constantly amazed at the power of WOMEN!!!  We really can do anything with the right instruction and encouragement and I thank each and every one of you for reminding me of that every third Thursday of the month when we come together at the workshop to learn a new home improvement skill.  I also want to thank The Home Depot for allowing a creative and comical person like myself to still find a useful purpose in an environment where most of the time I am not exactly an expert.  Hosting these  Do-It HERSELF workshops has truly become the highlight of my time spent in the orange apron! 

I have included the lyrics of the song in this post because that is what is most important in this video, not my cute tool outfits (even though I loved making them.)  This song is called "The Power of Tools" but more importantly, it is about the "Power of YOU."  Anything is possible ladies, so as they say on those orange buckets...Let's Do This!

“The Power of TOOLS” 

by Meredith Myers

The POWER of TOOLS

Is a curious thing

Make one MAN weep,

Make another WOMAN sing

SAND a DOOR

TILE a FLOOR

More than DRILLING

That's the power of TOOLS

TOUGH like HAMMERS,

ROUGH like SAWS

Stronger and harder

Than HOMER'S dreams

Make a bad project good

Make a wrong one right

Power TOOLS

Might keep you up all night

(Chorus 1)

Use a ROLLAR
To PAINT that FRAME

Might need a PLUNGER

To clear that DRAIN

It's strong and it's sudden

And it's cool sometimes

You might just save some TIME

That's the power of TOOLS

I love POWER TOOLS

First time you try it,

It might make you mad

Next time you use it

It will make you glad

But you'll be good, LADY

When you've found

POWER TOOLS

Make the world go' round

(Chorus 2)

Use a ROLLAR
To PAINT that FRAME

Might need a PLUNGER

To clear that DRAIN

It's strong and it's sudden

And it's cool sometimes

You might just save some TIME

Some say WHAT I WEAR is really WEIRD

Yeah, but I don't care

But you'll know what to do

Thanks to my WORKSHOPS here

And with a little help from above

You feel the power of TOOLS

Feel the power of TOOLS

Want to feel it?

Hmmm

(Guitar solo)

(Chorus 3)

Use a ROLLAR
To PAINT that FRAME

Might need a PLUNGER

To clear that DRAIN

I’m TOUGHER than DIAMONDS

And STRONGER than STEEL

You won't feel nothin'

Till you feel

You feel the POWER?

Just the power of TOOLS

That's the POWER,

That's the power of YOU

YOU feel the power of TOOLS

I feel the power of TOOLS

I SEE the POWER in YOU

Thanks to all of my wonderful workshop ladies
at Home Depot store #6304.

Sick of New Year's Resolutions

It seems only appropriate that I was sick as 2013 merged into 2014.  For too many years, I have been obsessed with the symbology of dates and committing to holiday traditions that often my plans and resolutions got in the way of me actually enjoying anything.

This holiday season (and for the first time in my life), I was sick for the weeks leading up to Christmas and into the New Year.  It was a real wake-up call to the things that are most important.  Family?  Yes.  Eggnog?  No.  Today is the first day that my head is actually clear enough for me to write and perhaps attempt to go to the gym.  I also said that on Monday but I chickened out.

As a result of being under the weather for such an extended period of time, I had to learn to let go of some of the plans I had made so I could instead lay in bed and do absolutely nothing.  Often out of boredom and a deep need to not let people down, I would down a few Dayquil and try to show up for a friend, a family member, or commit to a work obligation, but as a result, I would be back in bed the next day feeling worse, the sickness cycle starting all over once again.  It was then that I realized I wasn’t going to be able to please everyone.  I would have to accept the fact that I was defeated by health conditions that were beyond my control and would simply have to allow the virus to take its course, however long that would take.

It was after I embraced this weakness that I then allowed myself to sleep till one in the afternoon and do nothing but watch movies and drink tea.  Aside from an occasional coughing attack, laziness was actually pretty fun!  I soon began using ‘being sick’ as a reason to not work hard or be responsible.  I quickly traded in my fabulous clothes for one set of flannel pajamas that I would wear 24/7, along with a hairstyle that rats would consider moving into.  I found that in giving in to my ailments, I had given up on who I was in the process. 

That is why today I am writing and going to the gym.  There are days to give yourself time to rest and heal, but there are also days when you need to get off your ass and start living again.  My wish for 2014 is for all of us to simply live each day to our full potential with or without resolutions or plans.  A plan is a good guide to establish a path or a sense of direction but often it is what you do without the plan that really counts.

Eating blackeye peas and painting the left eye
of my Japanese Daruma Doll for luck in 2014.
OK, so I'm still a little superstitious... 

   

  

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

Perhaps too much gingerbread made me sick?

Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas (and Happy Holidays to those who don't celebrate it.)  I am celebrating the invention of DayQuil and Chloraseptic spray because I have the flu and apparently have given it as a gift to the rest of my family!  Oh well, even as we sit around the table tonight and tomorrow coughing and blowing our noses, I am still glad that once a year we can come together to honor our family traditions and the love we have for each other.  I hope that you and your family & friends are not only healthy but use this time to spend it not on expensive gifts but on the time you have together.  Life is too short not to tell that person you love them even when they have Kleenex stuffed up their nose and resemble the Heat Miser from "The Year Without Santa Claus."

Merry Christmas.  Happy Hanukkah.  Happy Kwanzaa.  Happy anything else! 

Home Depot Holiday Power Tools Do-It HERSELF Workshop: Nov 21st at 6:30pm

DO-It HERSELF Workshop/Seminole - 

A FREE, FUN & FABULOUS Way To Home Improvement!

This month's Home Depot Do-It HERSELF workshop will be all about POWER TOOLS!!!  We will use various power tools including a drill press, sander, and nail gun to then make easy birdhouse ornaments (bird not included.)  This will mostly be an active workshop of everybody trying out the power tools and assembling the pieces of the ornament so come ready to participate and once again, be artistic with paint!

In order to prepare the art materials and food & beverage for everyone, please RSVP here (*making sure to sign up for the Seminole store for mine if you are local.)  We will also have giveaways, refreshments, and plenty of time for you to ask our experts about any of your current home improvement projects or gift ideas.  Remember, this is absolutely FREE!!  And just a heads up that there will be no DIH workshop in December but we will be back on in January.

Hope to see you there but if not, have a happier holiday...with POWER TOOLS!!!

Operating a Drill Press to make holes
in the birdhouse ornament.

Making ornaments is easy with the right
power tools and instruction!

The finished product after using a combination of
Behr & Martha Stewart textured paints! (bird not included)

My holiday-themed DIH workshop display at the store.
Power tools make great gifts...for EVERYONE!