Days in new job - The ton (100)

Different libraries worked at - Six

Christmas meals eaten with different teams - Four

Wrong things said at the wrong time - Definitely two

Number of children read to at one time - Thirty-Five !!!!

Boy, was I so wrong.

Whenever my eight-year-old nephew and five year old niece come to visit, they love their stories - and just sometimes, you can pick the right story so that you get that magic moment where you glance over at them while you're reading and they are spellbound. Open mouth. Silent. Genius times.

So, when my time came to serve on the library services Reading Rocket (that's the mobile service that goes around the playgroups, nurseries and schools of our city), my bosses said to me "Nothing to it, matey. Usual issue of books, telling stories every so often - it'll be a good day out for you." No problem then.

Until you arrive in the parking lot and let the teachers know that the Rocket has arrived. Suddenly you look out the window and see the whole cla$$ descending on the van (with teacher leading the way). It's like the moment in films with a war assault or charge - close up on defenders face. Moment of panic. Instant gulp.

I'm not a teacher - my school days are well and truly behind me. If I wanted to be responsible for education, I would have visited the gym more often , bulked up, learned the mantra "If your name not down, you're not coming in" in a deep throated growl and become a security guard. All of a sudden, I am the librarys sole representative around the suburbs. Eeeeek.

Anyway, it's all about the three I's : INTEREST, INTERACTION and I-CONTACT. (Har Har Har). I've determined my best series of books which I term "the voices". As long as I listen to the voices, I'm fine.

No seriously, books with monsters, large bears or young children are fine because l adopt the voices and everythings great. Hell , if it worked on Jackanory , it can work here. With the monsters , you get a great reprise from the kids just like on Monsters Inc. You tell them to repeat after me - a phrase followed by a great roar and hands in the air. Still get a shiver down my spine whenever that works out.

Plus, in a moment of madness, I agreed to don the red suit and white beard on Christmas Eve in the Santa storytime. No pics unfortunately (cause the parents have to sign a form to say its OK and my colleagues didn't want to spoil the "mood".) Anyway, of the two sessions we had, I said I would only do one (to gather information and tips). I know for a fact that parents were coming up to the desk on the first one and saying "I think Santa looks as if he would rather be somewhere else - he's a bit embarrassed". Just as well given that our first choice had gone out and drunk a few too many falling down waters known as Vodka. Now that would have been a real Bad Santa. So by the time my turn came around, the get-up had the full works - books as presents , bells, a little plush Toy Santa that was just the dogs (just for the record , I decided to save the line " Which of you wants to hold Little Santa" until I hit the clubs - surprisingly successful!).

Otherwise , you know the drill. Carols, Ho-ho-ho, "whose been good this year" (both the kids and my managers had been), "if you've been bad, all you get is a bowl of cold gruel" and plenty of shaking of bells. I even had the kids running after me as I disappeared back to ride Rudolf. It was lovely but somehow I think I've inherited the gig for future years. I'm sure the bookings in place for late this year.

Having not updated my blog for two months - I know am such a slacker - lot of media reviews to catch up on - some excellent new documentaries to add to my ****c list , also have finally caught up on Lost S3 and 24 S6 as well as the finale of Heroes S1. All very worthwhile great shows , but they've impressed me for different reasons during 2007. The continuing writers strike in America looks to have put pay to the new S4 and S7 for spring 08 , so I've got time to reflect and smile. I've also got my album reviews to drag through, so you can laugh at what ear mangling garbage is in my top ten for the year. So a couple of HTML heavy lists to get through and then I can start 2008 with a clean slate.

And the big day itself?

Well, my sister and both my nephews and niece were around for the present opening. Great to have them here and a chance to experience the first run at a new family dynamic since this was the first Christmas without my two granddads who both passed during the past year. So as you would expect , very different , younger scene and a refreshing change if that isn't too cruel an observation. It was great to take the kids attention away from smashing up the house for a couple of hours allowing Mum to get on with the important work - looking after the youngest, getting the food ready etc. Finley is really into jigsaws at the moment, so the late morning right through to Xmas dinner time was taken up with one of those new globe jigsaws with curved pieces that you build up to form the world. I sorted the pieces, he speedily zapped them into place and we were all finished before the table was set. I felt I had dodged the bullet in terms of time - he's only eight , so imagine the trauma if we hadn't have finished...

So the day went ; Sleep in, Practical presents, Tricky jigsaw completed to time , lots of turkey and pud, Happy Feet on DVD, lots more turkey and cake , plenty of champagne and strong lager. Good times.

Plus I managed to save Angus (the youngest) from a watery end by grabbing him from the edge of the pond at the local park.

I'm a bit of a hero and all round saint really. Just hope that some more people appreciate that through 2008.

A late Happy New Year to all and hope the leap year is a good one. Sis xx