Sorry Everybody. I know you've been waiting with bated breath for my next post, and it's been far too long. Over a month, wow, I guess I've been a combination of: busy, lazy, uncreative, without Internet, etc etc.

First off, congrats to Jaime on the soon to be born addition to the Ausman family. December 18th...hopefully they'll get a separate Birthday/Christmas ratio of gifts...I always feel bad for December babies for that reason.

Congrats also to the couples that have gotten engaged recently. Traci and John, Michelle and her man, Christy and Scott, Emily and Dan (a while ago, but I'm slow with blog congrats), Katie and Matt and Steve and Victoria. Whew...what this translates into is hope for lots of happiness for the couples - and potential travel and fun for Erik and me.

In an unrelated note...selling the Jackson Pollock Mural from the University of Iowa Museum of Art collection: uhm, DUH! not likely to happen, especially since the intended use of the funds from the sale would be to purchase "other smaller works to diversify the collection" - um, do you remember the museum's mission statement and collection development policy? Much like that of a library, you've got to stick to it. Also the AAM would frown quite a bit on selling that work for the sake of buying others, unless Peggy G. said that was okay when she gave it to the U of Iowa. She did that before the museum was even built, so technically, does it even realy belong to the museum or the U of iowa in general? How does that work? If you want $$ for more art, ask the community to help you out...btw, did you really think it nec. to buy a giant Big Boy statue that you can't even display adequately and where it is now looks like a giant eyesore? And moving the museum downtown? if so, make sure Moen doesn't make you pay an arm and a leg for rent...make sure you get ALOT more actual gallery space to make it worth while, AND don't ahve it on the ground floor. Too easy without full time all night security for drunks and idiots to break windows and destroy works of art afterhours...remember Sweden's issues a few weeks ago? Plus, that building was JUST rennovated, AND it's the surrounding grounds that provide the best atmosphere with the outdoor works nearby that the museum cares for that make a walking tour very easy from teh doors of the current museum around the Iowa River and grounds, rather than downtown. Sure downtown has public art works too and local art galleries, etc...but do we really want a 3 story museum? I'm not sure...plus, consider the parking situtation...Right now, museum employees and patrons can park in the theater lot on the weekends to vist, or after 4:30pm without paying...downtown they'd have to park in a ramp no matter what and fight for parking during festivals and events.
Just my 2 cents...

Why I Like October

Halloween, Anniversary

Been a bit busy lately with work and school, so to tide you over:


Comic
My boyfriend found this one for me. It is nice that he embraces his girlfriend's career choice.

Locating My Grad Carrel

The last week has been quite interesting. I showed up for the first day of my graduate level introductory art history methods class, and it's held in the same room I've been in most of the summer. Hehe. The De Caso Seminar Room at the University of Iowa Art Building West, was paid for by Professor De Caso, who is the mentor of our current director, Dorothy Johnson. His specialty was 19th century art, and he has graciously donated funds to build the room, as well as sent his collection of scholarly materials to the UI. My voluntary position over the summer was as the "collection development specialist" or something along those lines. I am basically in charge of the De Caso books. The first shipment is in the room, stored in the glassed in bookcases along the wall, and I've done a decent job of organizing the materials and arranging a workflow process.
It was funny the first day of class, because there are only 6 people in it, and they are all ta's in the program (besides little ole me). Also that first day our "guest speaker" professor happened to be my own undergrad mentor, with whom I did my honors thesis on the library of Jean de Berri. He was surprised to see me, not knowing that I'd returned to the UI (he'd been on research leave over the summer so never saw me in the building or anything either).
Following the class, he approached me and caught up a bit, and remarked that he'd tell the new grad students he had another resource for them about the area. HAHA. yes, I can tell them were the good places to eat are, and the best places to go for nature moments.
I then joined the colloquim, with the intent to just "sit in and observe" - it was on getting grant monies for dissertations and MA theses, (though hardly anyone pays for an MA thesis), informative yes, in my immediate future, no.
After the talk, the art history department held a reception for the undergrads/grads/and faculty so we could all mingle and introduce ourselves. I was pleasantly surprised and very happy to see that the Undergraduate Art history club still exists. :) :) --This was an organization that I formed with some friends in 2003, because I felt there was a disconnect between the graduate students/undergrads and faculty. The graduates all seemed to have great relationships with the professors, and the undergrads seemed both scared of the grad students (many of them were in fact our TAs at the time) and seemed disillusioned about knowing what you could do with an art history BA, or what was the next step. I am so glad to know that the club is still filling a need and people are still interested in keeping it alive.
The funny thing about my return to the U of Iowa academic arena, is that I'm not technically a graduate student in the department. I am, as of yet, a non-degree seeking student who took a French class and now an art history class. I feel fairly comfortable in the history of art history class though, because I have some training in there from Undergrad...but the higher level of scholarship and forming my "own ideas" about these folks is a little daunting. I'm not saying I take everything at face value - honestly how could I after 5 years of looking at paintings and learning there are different methods to how works are interpreted. Still, I feel sort of as if I am treading water...and if I get to lazy or tired, I might just go under, so I need to stay on top of the reading and get my academic brain back into gear.
I feel so comfortable in the Art Library at Iowa now, and so comfortable with art historical resources, and can even give you the names of scholars in particular fields (especially 19th century haha)
This part of my journey all seems very right, despite last night's small panic over the first presentation and the one page analysis paper I turned in this morning, I think I do truly belong in this realm of discussion of scholars and researching.
The only real drawback is that the school is changing the MA thesis to a requirement for graduation - before it was optional. I'm not adverse to doing the research, as I love reading about art and the interpretations of it, I'm just not sure I"m cut out to give my own ideas on it, sort of the "what qualifies me to say this other than my opinion?" philosophy. I think my mom's thoughts will come back to me many times though, as she was prepping to do a masters thesis in German literature, she sort of realized-her entire bibliography sitting before her-the reading had been fun, but there was no way in hell she wanted to try to put it all into cohesiveness on paper.
Will see if I can overcome the overwhelming desire to follow in her very footsteps.
For now though, the pressure isn't there, and I need to see what the policy is for grad carrels, because if I can get a carrel, I'll feel more official even. Especially since at Indiana, SLIS didnt' have carrrels in the library (it was too small for them) and the FAL's carrels were all reserved by art history masters and phd candidates. Do I really think my full sense of belonging will come from a small glass drawered box to which I have a key? And a nice desktop with a hole for my laptop charger?

Hmmm...yea...I think I kinda do...

Haven't posted in awhile. Been busy I guess, or lazy, or both.
Indiana was fun last weekend. Saw Rena and Christa, the IMA, the Trojan Horse, a newer Turkish resturaunt, Bloomingfoods, and Lennie's. Generally a good time had by all. Rena went to places she's never been in B-town before. I figure every six months or so I aught to go back and expose her to some B-town culture she was unaware of haha.
Schedules have changed, I'm working new hours, and so far so good there.
Start my class athte U I in the art history grad program tomorrow. Wish me luck.

Happy birthday to all the August bday kids out there (there are alot of us!)

Going to St. Louis next weekend (labor day) perhaps with Erik and his sis and bro. fun times I'm sure will occur.

All for now. Outties.

:)

SSBar has internet again. In her new apartment, located in the heart of the arts campus at the U of Iowa. She's also got a job at the Arts Library for fall, in addition to the Coralville Public Library and still some hours at Mercy Hospital, and two graduate level art history courses. She'll also be helping her parents prep for their new housing project of remodeling and expanding. :)
She'll be a busy girl...but she's purdy happy with things the way they are right now. *knock on wood*
The apartment is still in flux...meaning we haven't totally settled, but we're getting there and slowly the needed improvements are being taken care of.
:)

Recap and Future

Recap:
Just finished the audio version of Elsewhere by Gabriella Zevon. Not bad for a YA book.

Now on to City of Ember which I'll listen to in the car on the way to Ames tomorrow to see SPAMALOT.. (woo)

Saw HP5, and Transformers. Both decent shows. I think Erik made good points about Transformers...lines were a tad cheesy in some spots but the movie owns up to its own cheese factor. over all entertaining.
People have been giving mixed opinions on the HP5 movie. Personally I think it is the best in the series so far. If I had to rank them from best to worst it would go: Order, Stone, Chamber, Prisoner, Goblet
People are saying they felt the ending was rushed - I'd agree, but I think they did the least damage to the central plot and character development in this one than Goblet. I also think it has better action sequences than Stone or Chamber, which are much more expository.

Saw the UI Summer Opera: Marriage Contract by Rossini and Gilbert and Sullivan's Trial By Jury. Both were well done - and I"m not just saying that cause I'm biased by the stage manager. I really enjoyed G and S's, though i wish Rossini would have been in Italian rather than translated. But I'll never win that battle with the UI. Accessibility, etc etc...

Future:
Friday I will drive with Erik to the northwest portion of Iowa for a Saturday afternoon wedding, which will be in both Vietnamese and English. I am looking forward to it. It will actually be the first time Erik and I have stayed in a hotel room with just each other. I plan to watch LOTS of t.v. all night and annoy him (haha, really hon....)

Saturday - we'll go to the wedding, and also pick up a copy of HP7. (if you don't know what HP7 stands for skip down another paragraph anyway) I can't believe that folks digitally photographed pages, much less the WHOLE BOOK. jeesh people. DUH....as if you didn't get the idea of violating copyright to start with. Have fun in court...and paying lots of $$$ for your use of technology.

Sunday we'll travel to Okoboji Iowa for my family reunion. This year's additions include Spencer and Arden. Spencer I got to meet when Erik and I went to NYC in Dec of 06, but Arden was just born, so I haven't met her yet. I'm looking forward to having dinner with my grandmother also....and making sure Erik can draw the family tree...with ages ;) (jk)

Monday - lake time = hp7 AND French take home final (ick)

Tuesday - drive back to Ames, and then back to Iowa City.

Wed-Friday - French class/work

Friday - leave for Ames

Saturday - wedding in Ames

Sunday - come back to IC...(remember to water mom's plants)

Monday - Friday - work, and move in to new apartment..(yay)

Friday - to Ames for my central Iowa bday celebration (my first time ever at a drive-in theater!)

Saturday - work at CPL, then out for my eastern Iowa Bday celebration ---any ideas for what we should do? I'm taking requests...

Sunday - actually really move all my stuff into my new apartment and start living with new roomie.

Monday - Friday - work (Ames?)

Saturday - drive to Lisbon for another wedding. :)

Sunday - back to IC.

Monday-Friday -work..possibly see Cassi's sister play at the Mill. http://www.kelliraepowell.com

She's a red headed spitfire with a badass voice and a ukulele.

Friday evening - Sunday -- Going to BLOOMINGTON, IN to visit Rena and Christa and Julie...**

Monday -work

Tuesday - start my class in Art History Methods at the U of Iowa as a "non-degree" seeking student, because I was too lazy and burnt out on school to register and try to get in as "grad student" status again.

sept 15 - speaking of GRE test date.....any help/suggestions/comments/complains about the GRE and its testing process? vent here...:)

that pretty much sums up my busy sched.






**also motivated by the chance to eat at the Trojan Horse and Esan Thai two places that blow the I.C. ethnic food choices of these countries out of the water.

Hey Dollface, I ain't no mam, kiddo.

I was walking to French class the other day, at 8:30 in the morning. I was coming from the hospital where I work as a temp administrative assistant. I was dressed in business attire, and wore my hospital id badge around my neck as I walked. As I neared the building, Philips Hall where language classes are held, I heard a voice call out "Mam, mam,...um...mam."
I would have thought nothing of such spoken words, if it weren't for the lack of people out and about at 8:30 am near this part of campus. Still, I didn't assume the voice was addressing me. After all heading to a college level French class didn't make me suspect I was the object of such 'mam-ing'.
When the girl finally caught up with me and made a frantic gesture to get my attention, I realized she had, in fact, been expecting me to answer her.
"Do you know where the Union is?" She asked, pretty exasperated.
"Oh, " I replied. Typical freshman, I thought to myself, though I didn't notice a yellow orientation folder peaking out of her belongings. "Do you mean the IMU or the Union bar?"
After all, I am a NATIVE, not just a mam from Iowa City, I know the difference between the two. I've spent time in both places. I quickly realized, while having spent time in both places, I was an official full time undergraduate student the last time I was really in either.
"The IMU" She answered.
"Straight down this hill, it's the pentacrest. At the bottom, the IMU will be off to your right."
"Thanks"
And she bustled off in that direction.
Hah, freshman, I muttered under my breath. I came to the conclusion that this was my moment of realization that I've entered the nebulous area between "miss" and "mam". Come on ladies, you know what I'm talking about. That time when someone lumped you into the "old lady" stereotype. I was sure I was one step away from the hairnet-school-lunch-forty-cats-no-husband bracket according to this barely legal blond.
I also realized, fair is fair, and she was judging me with her "mam" as much as I was judging her with "freshman"
The people that call me mam at the library, do it out of respect for my position as an authority figure and to be polite. Since I was on my way to French class, I mussed about all of the different ways we address each other in any given day. In English, Mam or Sir, just about covers it for anyone over the age of 25 as a "safe" bet. Though be careful of calling a "miss" a "mam" too quickly. It didn't bother me after I sat through my class and ironically we were discussing the idea of "jeune filles" as young girls, "madmoieselle" and "madame". Obviously I figured "mam" originates as a shortened still polite form of madame or madmoieselle mixed together.
Southern Gentleman (to play on another stereotype) often use it, it can't be all that bad after all.
With this sudden heightened interest in what people use to address each other. I had two more interesting experiences this past week.
One of the patrons at my library - a male in his thirties (most likely but who really ever knows) finished off our transaction (me checking out his books to him) with a resounding "Thanks, dollface."
Dollface? *gasp* Isn't that like lingo from the misogynistic men of the 1950's? It caught my attention at least.
Then, at work, a co-worker addressed me with "have a good day, kiddo."
Uh?!? kiddo? So in the same week I'm a mam and a kiddo.
Go figure.

Frak! this show was so good...

I first learned of Veronica Mars because I know someone named Ryan Hansen. Ryan posted in his blog about "Self-googlization" and noting that he'd not seen the show in its totality, but that the character on the show seemed like an idiot. He wasn't that far off on the character of Dick in the first season. But, by now, in the third (and probably almost 95% sure) the last season, we were JUST starting to see more of the peeled back layers and dynamics of this character.
More to the point of this blogpost. this is my outlet. this is the first time I have ever considered actually writting to a network or joining a "save the show" movement. When Buffy switched to UPN from the WB, I couldn't watch it because we didn't get UPN here at my home, but I was comforted to know that I had a friend up the street who did and I could watch it loyally at her house.
have i ever been concerned about nielson ratings? Not in the least. I don't think my house is a nielson(splg?) house though. If there was an easy way to convey to the executives at the CW (the UPN WB merged project that happened this year) that Veronica Mars is a great show...it has already been done over and over by the fans of the show.(http://www.saveveronicamars.net) Much in the same way that Firefly was promoted by fans when it was cancelled after one season, i think the Veronica Mars fan presence in the blogosphere and posting threads has spoken to its popularity. yet, people are arguing that the "ratings were terrible" so no wonder it was cancelled.
well, again I point out that the WB put a little known mid-season replacement on the air back when i was highschool called Buffy the Vampire Slayer...I saw the VERY FIRST EPISODE of that show when it aired, and was hooked from day one. with Veronica Mars, I came in late in second season, saw one episode and was again immediately hooked. I went out and bought season 1 on dvd. I even tried to get as many clips as possible via Utube to piece together what I might not have seen first time around.
it is true that word of mouth is a powerful tool..but indeed, not quite as powerful as the "proof is in the pudding" approach, or maybe it is. I have now managed to hook at least 4 female friends in my quote unquote demographic of 25-30. now I feel bad because i've hooked them, and left them with no season four and a nasty cliffhanger to end season 3.
i will most likely be sending mars bars wrappers to the head of the CW network (if i can find Mars bars in my hometown) and as the newest member of my VMARS club suggested, they'll be just the wrappers - because the CW hasn't told us the whole story. They don't deserve a sweet reward of chocolate. They only deserve the outer cover, because that's all they supplied to us. Many of the characters are like Dick, in the respect that they were on a VERY great and realistic development of their arcs. There haven't been many shows where I laugh outloud during each episode at the same time that i notice I am so tense about the season long arc of mystery that I've actually ignored the melting Ben and Jerry's ice cream under my nose. I've already read college film class papers about comparisons of strong female role models and "episodic" structure of both Buffy and VMars. This by a male in the film studies program. this proves men are watching to. Kevin Smith and Joss Whedon, two of my FAVORITE directors, felt that the show was worthwhile enough for them to make guest apperances with minor cameos. Meaning that the show was important enough for them to join, but not "steal the story spotlight" The viewers were also starting to find higher-pofile stars like Paul Rudd lending their talents to the show's plots.
Basically, i think the CW has made HUGE mistake and underestimated their biggest asset. The CW isnt'a major 3 network. Upn and the WB weren't either. These were the networks for the fringe demographics and those people who knew what they were going to watch certain nights of the week. i have heard numerous comments on VMars podcasts and threads that suggest the viewers of this show were not JUST in my demographic. Older women and men, in the ranges of their 40's were also watching because the show is smart and well-written. But it was not promoted well enough outside of CW's own commercials by the CW network. CW relied too heavily on the word of mouth of its cast and the t.v. critics. well, huh. the critics liked the show too. So if the fans like the show, and the critics like the show...i don't see the complicated problem of why not to continue this show.
instead cw's fall line-up includes more reality tv shows, which we all know are over produced looks at people wanting to be on camera, and shows that follow teenage rich girls as they stab each other in the backs. I am highly surprised that the Cw isn't giving vMars another season to prove itself as a viable ratings candidate. I may not have a nielson tv myself, but I do have my voice and a blog. Thank god for the internet allowing us to do these sorts of rants. oh yeah, and I've ranted with those 4 friends too...and they've done likewise.
I think it is true what they say, "one bad experience at a resturaunt doesn't cost the resturaunt one customer, it costs them all the people that customer tells." Well, CW, I think you're going to find yourself with even fewer viewers of your "fine programming" in the Fall 2007 line-up. I only watched gilmore girls and Veronica mars. one it was time to end because the actresses wanted to move on in their careers. The other...was ended prematurely and before the actors could truly develop their characters as they should have been able to do. As a closing remark, I'll just say this. Ryan, I agree, the character the other Ryan Hansen plays is indeed in need of improvement and more dynamic to be more than a "surfing buddy to the lead," but he is a character on one of the best damn t.v. shows I've ever had the pleasure to watch by myself and with friends.
so I'll leave you with this:
Piz: I promise you, karma is going to take care of it for you.
Veronica: I know. I'll run him over with my karma.

Does anyone know who decided that the symbols for the word #$&% should be these??? Just a random curiosity I had while typing in the name of the movie.

I saw my first "in person" MLB game yesterday. MinniTwins and Chi-Sox. It was mostly entertaining, though I learned awhile back that going to watch a baseball game in person is infinantly better than watching on t.v, it was still not as much "riviting sports action" as I'd find watching horses jumping in Olympic qualifiers.
I did find it interesting that the Minnesota fans felt they had to boo a certain White sox player that used to be a Twin. I think I can never be in professional sports, I couldn't take a whole bunch of people boo-ing me before I even made it to the plate. I'd just want to buy them all an ice cream cone and say "can we call it even?"
Anyways, so this guy is apparently a jerk, even according to his new fans, and it seems he proved it, by perhaps stepping on Justin Morneau's foot as he went to the base. Okay, Jerky McJerkerson, you're mean sure, but they should boo you because you're an ass not because you had to switch teams.
Also - the Wrigley Field homerun throwback??? um, yeah right. If I hapen to ever catch a ball at a baseball diamond it will more likely be described as an "oowww, that ball hit me in the head, it now must die" -- though I did like the idea the Twins promoted of throwing the first foul ball in the 5th inning back to the field so the players would sign it. however in days of yore didn't people actually get to meet the athletes if they happened to catch a foul ball and have it signed?
To end my random baseball mutterings with one out of "left field"
Yay for Mall of America ---and I never thought I'd utter that phrase. Leave it to me when I should be honoring those who have done service to this country, instead I go shopping at one of its most recognizable capitalist commercialist establishments, and find what I've looked for at five other stores belonging to this particular chain.
well as they say in the ballpark: three strikes and you're out...

"Tagged"

Well, rather than finish my work, or my book -- currently reading Jodi Picoult's Nineteen Minutes, and she's got a great writing style, though the subject matter is very heavy--I am instead, going to give Traci's blogging game a try...
It's called 8 interesting facts/habits about myself....

1) I broke my collarbone when I was a senior in highschool by falling off a horse. I was told by my instructor to jump over a series of fences with no hands, no eyes, and no stirrups. The first jump was gorgeous -according to those who remember it --second one, I fell off --I don't remember either, as I was knocked unconscious.
At the Emergency Room, they told me I couldn't have pain killers in case I had a concussion and my mom had to wake me up every 4 hours to ask me easy questions like "what day is it" It was during the Clinton Impeachment Trial, so when she asked me who was president, I told her "Clinton, but I'm not sure for how much longer" She likes to tell people I still had a sense of humor and that's how she knew I was going to be okay.

2)I have a list of buildings/architectural and nature wonders that I want to see before I die. --I am an art history nerd afterall.

3)I want to have something published before I die...self-publishing may or may not count - I haven't decided --anybody wanna weigh in?

4)I can tie cherry stems in knots, and unwrap starbursts using only my tongue.

5)I was an English major in undergrad and I admit I am horrible with spelling.

6)I am, however, a grammer snob. I will make note if you say something grammatically incorrect - I will not however make that note vocal. But I may queitly judge you slightly, with an internal thought like "she/he probably didn't learn that while growing up."

7)I have only traveled to two continents, North America and Europe

8)I wish I had studied abroad while in undergrad

I promised to update post Atlanta...well here it is. Sorry it isn't much. The conference was a blast. My first national professional conference as an "art librarian in training" and it was informative, fun, and impressive. Here's the only pic I'm putting on the blog...


more to follow :)

Reasons for Rocking

The Quad City Airport/Airtran rock for the following reasons:

1. fairly cheap non-stop flights to Atlanta 4 times a day
2. Easy and quick check-in. (Of course this is because I was indeed 2 hours early for my 4:30 flight :)
3. They were nice enough to give me a plastic bag at Security so I didn't have to discard my "liquids, gels, and so forth" --which incidently consisted of a small bottle of hand sanitizer (since I"m still battling with the germs apparently)
4. I am currently comfortably positioned on the floor, sprawled out, recharging the laptop battery (i.e. stealing a lill electricity)
5. Mediacom ACTUALLY did something VERY cool. They must be trying to improve their image because they're offering FREE wi-fi in the airport terminals. That's right. Free. It's not a secure connection - but not many free ones are anyway. But I could spend those two hours of early bird worry about the flight shopping on the Internet or something now. (Instead I'm going to plug in the ipod and listen to harry potter 6 on audio)

Hotlanta

Ill be in Atlanta for the next couple of days folks. Ill return with pictures, Southern culture, and a tan (not really). But see you in a few....

If anyone knows of the book 1000 Places to See Before You Die, they'll understand this list. I was inspired to go through the book and mark down what I've seen from the lists because the Travel Channel has a new show dedicated to a newlywed couple who are seeing 100 of the things on this list. If Travel Channel wants to pay me to see others that this couple doesn't get to..I'll more than gladly sign up ;) :) Just point me to the dotted line....
What I've Seen Before I Die (So far)

ENGLAND

LONDON
British Museum
Hyde Park
National Gallery
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Tate Gallery
Westminster Abbey
Shakespeare’s Globe
Harrods

CAMBRIDGE
Kings College chapel


FRANCE

PARIS
Arc de Triomphe
Napoleon’s Tomb
Louvre
Musee D’Orsay
Notre Dame
Cruise on the Seine
Jardin des Tuileries
Ste Chapelle

VERSAILLES
Chateau de Versailles


GERMANY

Bodensee
Alpenstrasse
Romantic Road

Near FUSSEN
Neuschawnstein

MUNICH
Deutsches Museum

OBERAMMERGAU

BERLIN
Brandenburg Gate
“Museum Scene”

COLOGNE
Cologne Cathedral

HEIDELBERG
Heidelberg Schloss

CZECH REPUBLIC
PRAGUE
Castle District
Charles Bridge
Old Town Square

NETHERLANDS
AMSTERDAMN
Anne Frank House,
Oude Kerk,
Red-Light District,
Rijksmuseum,
Van Gogh Museum,

U.S. and CANADA

CALIFORNIA
Monterey Peninsula,
Pacific Coast Highway
Napa Valley (California’s Wine Country)
SAN FRANCISCO
Cable Cars


COLORADO
ASPEN
Rocky Mountain National Park

FLORDIA
Everglades National Park,
KEY WEST
MIAMI
South Beach
ORLANDO
Walt Disney World Resort

HAWAII
Maui

ILLINOIS
CHICAGO
Art Institute of Chicago

IOWA
DES MOINES
Iowa State Fair,

KENTUCKY
LEXINGTON
Bluegrass Country,

LOUISIANA
NEW ORLEANS
French Quarter,
New Orleans Restaurant Scene,

MASSACHUSETTS
BOSTON
Freedom Trail,

MICHIGAN
Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel,

MISSOURI
KANSAS CITY
Arthur Bryant’s Barbecue,

NEW YORK
Hudson Valley
NEW YORK CITY
American Museum of Natural History
Central Park
Empire State Building
Frick Museum
Lincoln Center
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Museum of Modern Art
Rockefeller Center at Christmas
Statue of Liberty
Times Square
Cloisters
Grand Central Terminal
Carnigie Delicatessen
Museum Mile

OHIO
CLEVELAND
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,

SOUTH DAKOTA
Badlands
BLACK HILLS
Mount Rushmore
Crazy Horse
Custer State Park

WASHINGTON, D.C.
National Mall and Its Monuments,
Smithsonian,

WYOMING
Yellowstone National Park
Grand Teton National Park
JACKSON
Jackson Hole

ONTARIO
Niagara Falls

Happy National Library Week for those of you in the profession and those who partake in the offerings of their libraries public, academic, special and otherwise!

What Do You Do with a BA in ENGLISH?*

Write a blog post while sick. I stayed home from work today because I'm in the midst of a nasty little cold. The sadest part about staying home from work during this particular week, is that I have been inundated with news coverage of the Virgiina Tech massacure. I say sadest for two reasons, one: it is very much a tragedy and two: the news coverage sickens me just as much as my physical symptons of a cold. Cassi and I watched a small amount of the coverage on Monday night while a student was interviewed who said something like: he knew what he was doing when he reloaded the gun, like he was trained. And the reporter asked do you think t.v violence and video games played a part? As if this shooters knowledge of how to use guns could be so easily blamed on video games. It was like the reporter was trying to lead and steer the questions into the direction he wanted for his report.
And now, the backlash, people are starting to criticize the media for getting too involved and too personal too quickly with the victims and survivors. Well, I do wonder what a happy balance would be, between intrusive reporting and making sure the news was gathered and information shared. Obviously the shooter knew that NBC would air his manifesto as he apparently wanted. But, really, should they? Why not just turn it over to the FBI and leave it at that? Well, they showed it to the world because it's a news story, and, of course, for the ratings. It's like having an exclusive interview from beyond. People were grasping for the "why" of his design. They thought the video would provide it.
In a class I took in highschool we were posed a scenario in which we were to be a war correspondant. We were granted access to interview the leader of an enemy camp who tells us that they will be attacking American forces at dawn. What do you do? Tell the American forces so they can get out of the area? Or keep it quiet and report on the battle as it unfolds.
The MTV production company had the same moral problem with allowing one of their castmembers to get behind the wheel of a car when they were obviously too drunk to drive and could potentially kill someone. But, their contracts stipulate they are not to be involved with the cast members in anyway.
I don't know what grey line morality exists on, but certainly it is not an easy decision in any situation.
I will say, I am looking forward to getting over this cold, not only so I'm healthy for my conference next week, but also because it will help me escape the reporting of tragedy and all of the fall-out from it.




*I realize, having just found out that the shooter was majoring in English and wrote disturbing plays that this title might seem in poor taste, however I'm referencing Avenue Q's lyrics, so I don't mean to offend anyone.

Recent Ideas

**Art History class focusing on comparing the use/impact of illegal substances (or at one time legal substances) on the imaginary/grotesque/demons in works of artistic merit** ---haha that sounds more like a broad ranging thesis idea no? Basic plan. Bosch and others, particularly early 19th c. artists partook of things like absinthe and opiates when they created their art. IS there any way to know for sure which works they created while "under the influence" and can we compare these to known works made while they weren't? I have no idea...but the thought came to mind while driving with Courtney to see the Clasical Mystery Tour on Saturday evening.

**While watching Classical Mystery Tour in C.R. Symphony Orchestra's theater. Has anyone ever done an architectural survey purely of theaters? Dating from the beginning of "stage" arts to the modern day black box spaces?? Mixing performance art that is "staged" in gallery spaces and travels, to blockbusters like Les Mis...different theaters reflect the time periods in which they were built, the architectural styles/theories that governed those times, and also had to be functional spaces much like other building types.**

**Ideas can't really by copyrighted on the internet can they? If so, I invoke the copyright laws as such - should either of these become fodder for my possible MA thesis in art history...

Upcoming Excitement and Past Fun

Beware, this is "listy"

* Saw La Boheme put on by the U of Iowa Opera department on last Friday night. Fun times. A special friend did the assistant direction, woot.

* Saturday Fondue party at Liz's and Party at the "Quad" in Ames. With the exceptions of taking care of people who partied a little too hard (but were grateful for the assistance) and the guy who LICKED MY CHEEK!!! It was a fun evening. Liz's second choice of white wine, a yummy organic Riesling was supurb.

* Finally getting to start cataloging the collection at the UIArtLib...

*A French class for reading/research - how scholarly - to start in June

*Introducing Erik and his almost common law Iowan butt to the MUSIC MAN. If you are going to date an Iowan Librarian it's required viewing. - I can't believe he got this far without the torture.

*New reading material, Grand Complication. It stars a reference librarian with a prediliction for musty old books and enclosures...I"m on page 20 and so far I"m enjoying it.

*Watching They Might be Giants instruct children in the art of their ABC's.

*ARLIS/NA in ATLANTA! at the end of APRIL (chance to see Traci, and perhaps Kathy)

*Indiana in May

*Mason City for Frank Lloyd Wright's Iowa prairie style home

*Pella for the tulip festival

*White Sox baseball games via traveling with White Sox Fans.

*Return of Veronica Mars May 1st

*SUMMER!!! --It is too freaking cold in Iowa right now. Yesterday it snowed. If it had been the 1st of April I'd have assumed mother nature's april fool's, alas. It's just her cruel joke.

*The End of this Post

Recurring Dream; Things not as they Seem

I used to have a recurring dream when I was in undergrad. It was one of those panicky types we've all had. Basically I call it my own spin on the "show up to class naked." In that dream, I am walking into the auditorium of the old art building at the UI and sit down and open my test booklet. I await the slides. They appear. I know them all. Score...except...the test asks for their titles in Russian. The essays for the compare and contrast section ask me to formulate my response in...surprise Russian. I do not now, nor have I ever studied the Russian language. It is not on the list of expected languages I should know before my master's degree in Art History either (FRENCH and GERMAN). The whole point I guess is that I know the material and I recognize the works, but I just can't do what's asked. It causes me to stress out, and then I usually wake up.

The new version of this cropped up this past September. It begins with me freaking out that I have not actually turned in my final paper for Art Librarianship. It continues with me frantically trying to throw something together the day the paper is due. Realizing that I've failed to turn anything in at all or that perhaps it wasn't good enough (that part is unclear in Susan Dream Consciousness) and surprise...I don't get to graduate.

Now I ask you...why do we do this to ourselves? Dream interpretation books would probably suggest it is a manifestation of our own nervousness in the conscious realm.
Who knows. But man, I wish it would stop. Jeesh, I've graduated, I've gotten the masters degree, can't these dreams stop too? Or is it the future Im worrying about? The next degree, or the next hoop I'm jumping through?

I'm actually pretty happy about my life right now, where I'm at, and the direction I"m heading in...it feels comfortable, with just a hint of unknown and that's causing excitement instead of trepidation...

*shrug*

Marat/Sade

I saw a very interesting theater production over the weekend. I came across the annoucment for it via Facebook (I am both sad to say that, and also embrace the fact). Courtney is involved with the theater department at Cornell College (which by the way, I realized as I arrived, was just as cute a small liberal arts college campus as I remember it from my elementry Writer's Workshop days)
The sun had set, and a drizzling mist had fallen upon the grounds. I parked on the far left side of campus, not entirely sure where the theater was, but knowing I'd have fun wandering around a bit before the performance started. Well, I wound up at the library. (Ironic huh?) The Cornell library is in the middle of the campus, and yes, the metaphorical irony of centrally located and the "heart of knowledge" wasn't lost on me. Courtney called shortly after my assessment to ask where I was. She had secured a ticket for me. YAY! (Initially there was a possibility I wouldn't see the play because it was sold out. Honestly it wouldn't have bugged me to not see it, as really I'd come in order to give Courtney birthday gifts from her brother and myself, and hang out with her. The play was a bonus, and a chance to see her in behind the scenes action. She was the head of the student costume design workshop for the production.) And for sure, telling people that you are going to see the play "The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade" does raise some eyebrows. In fact, Cassi remarked as we were leaving the Sanctuary after dinner, "I'm impressed you could work the word esoteric into any dinner conversation description"
The play was, in fact, quite esoteric. If you don't remember your history book lessons on the French Revolution, this play wouldn't have much substance. You could still marvel at the abilities of present day actors to play mentally/physically ailled patients acting out the death of a man in a bathtub, but the why and the so what would probably be lost. Even for myself, (an avid theater buff, and literary afficianado) I went into the Armstrong theater lobby with a sense of expecting to not understand the real "meaty bits" of themes, character analysis, or plot. And well, as I like to say "if you can't understand the plot, then what have you really got?" Answer: not much.
I can appreciate most theater productions in many aspects. Becuase I have alot of friends and some family involved with theater, in capacities from playwrights and actors to lighting designers and sound mixers, I know some of the "lingo" and some of the more intricate problems that arise with productions.
I can say, this production appeared as a smooth running machine, and that is a hard task to accomplish when three fourths of your "actors" are Asylum patients and vocalizing at seemingly random intervals. I credit my Art History and my AP European History for my ability to remember what happened leading up to and after the French Revolution. I couldn't for the life of me remember the Marquis de Sade. But, because of this painting, I did know a bit about Marat. In fact, a friend that is a current art history major saw my away message about seeing Marat/Sade and asked if it was about Marat from the David painting.
More importantly than the historical aspects of the play, are the themes and questions it provokes(yes I know, how 'english major' of me) You see, basically, all of Marat's efforts, as displayed by debates between the Marquis and Marat, show that, really, no one was better off after the Revolution. In fact, they even stop, right before Corday murders Marat, so that the Marquis can tell him what happens in between Marat's physical death and the date of the play's performance. 1808. In the 15 years since his death, Napoleon took over, and the opression still reigned. Once Napoleon was overthrown, the monarchy was restored. So really, in the Marquis opinion, Marat just signed peoples' lives away. Marat is plagued not only with a skin disease requiring him to stay in that bathtub and not venture into the streets but also with the souls of those who died in the name of the Revolution. I don't want to spoil the ending, but suffice it to say I saw it coming through some great forshadowing, and if it's any indication the rest of the "crowd" was pretty unsure of what to do at the end. Partly this was understandable because usually at the end of a play, the stage lights go down and the houselights go up. If you want to really mess with your audience and what they've been trained to do. Leave the stagelights and houselights on at the end. In a fantastic move, someone began a slow-clap to signal the rest of us that the play was over. We left the theater not from the way we came in, and it was great.

First Comes Love, then comes marriage. and well you know the rest...

The adage, "when it rains, it pours" always struck me as sort of funny, because really, if it hasn't rained in awhile, Nature doesn't usually decide to unleash a massive storm or something. But, in terms of the reality we live in day to day, perhaps it does ring true sometimes. Lately, I have be introduced to a number of couples that are in the stages of post-proposal bliss, or are planning to welcome a bundle of joy, or are entrenched in life with the first bundle. It isn't nearly as hard to grasp these events as "marking the time when we grow up" as it was four years ago.
Four years ago, I was settling into my senior year at the University of Iowa, working on dual degrees in Art HIstory and English. I had a slight inclination that library science was the way I wanted to go career-wise, because I enjoyed my part time job at the Health Sciences Library. I also enjoyed working as a photographer's assistant, partying with my friends, and generally trying to figure out my life. I knew I was taking a fifth year to do an honors thesis so that took some pressure off and allowed me a little more time to prolong that college experience, and avoid the "real world" and "real world" activities.
The first of my close friends to get married was Heather. I was a bridesmaid in her wedding, which seemed to come too quickly, only because we were still in college. She and John were prefectly matched in all ways, and the wedding was really just the formal celebration to their life together, which had begun much earlier. But, when it rains, it pours....soon, I had 7 wedding invites for that summer. The next summer I had a few, and then a dry spell. But now, I again find myself in the "it rains, it pours" camp for proposals..and also...babies.
I guess the point of this post is mostly to wish my friends and friends of friends, and co-workers the best of luck with their new life milestones.

Sorry Everyone, apparently my blog posts have become longer ramblings than even I can stand. From now on, I'll try to limit the posts in both length and content, so they are easier to understand and follow. I am afterall someone with a degree in the English language so we'll see if I can put that education to better use. No promises though...

Vindication that Marketing Makes Holidays and Valentine's Day Mussings

Usually, Valentine's springs to mind with visions of jewelery, big soft bears holding pink hearts, chocolate, cards, and flowers or lonely Misses with Ben and Jerry's and a chick film.
The true origin of Valentine's Day may often be lost on today's couples that get more caught up in the commercial nature of it all. "I have to remember to get my girlfriend flowers this year" or "I hope he'll get me something really special for Valentine's Day, becuase I hand made a gift for him" In fact, the roots of Valentine's Day really depend on which belief you hold. A pagan holiday adapted by Christianity, a priest that died while trying to secretly marry couples to avoid a war draft, the day birds pick their mate, or Hallmark's Ultimate ploy...
I think we all probably remember designing Valentine's Day boxes to hold our cards from fellow classmates, and sorting through the candy and chocolates. We all remember, "Everyone in the class must get a Valentine from everyone else." But you know you gave your friends and secret crushes the best pieces of candy.
I have sucumbed to the world of Valentine's Day cards for many many years...giving them to friends even in college. I'm not jaded, per say. I like reminding people that I care, and that Valentine's Day should really be like any other of the holidays ( a chance to party or hangout with friends/loved ones)
But You see, I have been single for every Valentine's Day except for this one, and the last. And now, it seems my still single, or newly single friends, aren't calling me a "turn-coat" or something, but it seems just below the surface. Because I am now a happily relationship'd woman, I can't possibly understand their pain, heartache, and loneliness.

I have done the following things on past Valentine's Days:

* Made a protest t-shirt that read "Chocolate, My only boyfriend"

* Avoided phonecalls from a stalker, who called to tell me he was sure I had three or four dates lined up that evening, and when I said, I had no plans as ofyet, he tried to invite himself over to where I was dogsitting. I responded kindly that the "puppy is my Valentine this year"

* Went to an art museum with a friend

* Was given a poem of friendship from someone I once had a crush on, but no longer had any feelings for

* Was meant to get a carnation delievered to my 6th hour English class via the HighSchool's fundraiser, and instead, the boy I thought was a friend and only saw as a friend, showed up at my house door at 3:35 with the carnation and a card that read "Love" - to my credit I almost threw up on his well-intending shoes, not from disgust mind you, but because I hadn't gone to school that day as I was wrecked with a 104 fever and the stomach flu.

*the ever loving 5th wheel on a blind date, set-up by another well-intending friend and her boyfriend. My match "made in heaven", ran into his ex-girlfriend and invited her to join us...And yes, the date was already going so badly that I welcomed her addition

*teeth cleaning at the dentist

This year was a lovely and calm celebration. Erik and I went to Fired Up! (as mentioned before). We had fun, and he created a very lovely stick bowl for me to use when I visit him (it says turtle in Japanese on it, and the inside looks like a turtle shell). So, when my mom and I went for her birthday, she created a utensil holder with a cat stamped to the side, and I went a little "star crazy". I wanted to design a stick bowl to compliment Erik's for me, by making one with something he's interested in. I had to go across the street to the ICPL to check out a constellation book because I had initially thought I'd stick the line drawing (star chart?) of the Big Dipper on the inside of the bowl. Unfortunately I quickly realized I didn't know the exact number of stars in the Big Dipper. Having an astrophysicist be the receiver of a bowl that says "Astronomy" in Japanese, and isn't accurate would be plain folley. So, armed with a Summer Constellations star chart, I put Hercules, Draco, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, and a few others in the bottom of the bowl. I was surprised and pleased it turned out as well as it did (I had to scratch the drawings into the glaze, rather than just paint them on)
I also had a good time going to the Habitat for Humanity Valentine's Day celebration with Laura. Chocolate-covered strawberries alone would have been a big enough draw to get me there, but knowing that the organization does a world of good by not only building literal houses, but metaphorically building communities, made me quick to say yes. (On a huge sidebar - if you are in need of a charity to donate to, I'd suggest Habitat -they take cash, checks, older working appliances, new appliances, and will gladly accept your time)
So, as you can see my relationship with Valentine's Days past is tenuous at best, But, that's not quite the point here...and my relationship with the present Valentine's day was amicable, also not the point. The point, my friends, is that I've been introduced to ANOTHER version of Valentine's day. Not just it's history, but the actual day. Sort of a "bizzaro" world Seinfeldian day....
Korean White Day happens on March 14th, and is the "opposite" of Valentine's Day, or at least the opposite of Valentine's Day in Japan. In Japan on Valentine's Day the women give the men candy/chocolate. White Day was imported from the Koreans, and it represents sort of the Saddie Hawkins' of holidays. The men give the women candy/chocolates, and it's suposed to be three times as great, in honor of all the wonderful things the women do for them. According to Wikipedia, and some other sources (speaking of, Wikipedia has now been banned from being cited as a source at a certain small liberal arts college, consult, okay, cite, noway) this was done initially by a marshmallow maker in one Korean town, soon it morphed into chocolate companies and candy shoppes weighing in. So, a holiday perpetuated by marketing? Can't imagine who would believe such a thing exists.
Our White Day was spent at a korean place in Chicago with Melissa and other JETT alum, and then Karoke next door, which was also alot of fun to listen to...and yes, I did actually sing "Goodbye Earl" with Melissa.
For those of you wondering about the single people. Rather than saying Valentine's Day is "Single's Awareness Day" you've got your very own day in Korea/Japan. It's called "Black Day" and you eat black noddles with other single friends, and the couples can't join in. ;) I think the asian cultures have it all figured out then. 3 days should keep everyone happy. Now, if only I could figure out what I'm doing for St. Patrick's day as someone 1/16th Irish...

Well the month of February is coming to a close, and this one has by far been better than last years. (*knock on computer desktop*)
What to report? Really not a whole lot. Promotion at work is fun, I love looking at art books all day. I've also got an actual office at my other job, as the assistant/filing whiz...even have a window...goody.
This past weekend Iowa found itself smack in the middle of a nasty ice storm. Because I am dog sitting on the opposite side of town from my parents and some of my friends, we were all comparing notes about when our power was lost, when it came back on, if we used flashlights or candles, had heat or didn't, fireplaces or no fireplaces, lost trees, cable etc. For my two cents, the furnace here was already on the fritz, so no heat was already being experienced anyways. Poor puppy was pretty stressed by all the people and plows parading back and forth in front of the windows (she's a big protector in a very small body hehe) so I have relocated the center of operations to the basement family room, which is located next to the furnace room, so that I can keep an eye on the thing and reset as needed. This way puppy has no windows to peer out of either, and she's a stitch. She keeps bringing down a different toy each time we come downstairs from feeding her or "playing" upstairs (playing really means she runs around and I chase her good naturedly and then i collapse in a pant and realize that dogs are like children and adults are like adults==translation where they heck do they get all that energy??) Regardless, shoveling the ice off the driveway Sunday morning was okay, and Cas came over to play too. We did a Buffy marathon of sorts, to make up for my lack of power the night before.
Otherwise life in IC is pretty ok.
Things I am looking forward to:
***Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Gnarls Barkley in DM this weekend.

***Starting my volunter Collection Development Project at the UI art library on Friday morning

***ChickFlick with Jaime tomorrow night.

***Picking up Erik's and My Finished creations at Fired Up! on Wednesday (I decorated a vase, he decorated a stick bowl...) and
***celebrating my mom's birthday by taking her to Fired Up! so she can release her inner artist with glaze.

***Wildfire, Veronica Mars, GilmoreGirls (though not so much lately), Heroes, Studio 60 and Scrubs. (Oh yea, way to show my life is ruled by television shows)

***Spring Break for ISU/Iowa which means Chicago w. Erik for "White Day" which is a Japanese Valentine's Day like deal...He can explain it far better than I can. But I had fun at the New Year's gig, and in VERY small world moment ran into one of my NYC cousin's ex girlfriends who is also a JETT alumni...too bad I didn't re-introduce myself haha...I first tried sake with her.

***Lis' return from Boston for Spring Break fun. That girl's had a rough time of it this past year, and I am ready for her to be able to kick back and relax a bit with us. My heart really aches for her for all she's been through!

***La Boheme at the end of March which Cassi is assistant directing.

***Possible visit to Indiana for "my own invented" Spring Break/long weekend

***Seeing Guster at Luther College in Decorah Iowa in April - if I can pose as a Luther student and/or the public is allowed to attend Campus Consciousness tour...

***April 26-May 1st Atlanta for ARLIS/NA and visit to Traci's stomping grounds in Athens, etc. Gwinnett County here I come######

***Possible commitment to Ships and Dip III with Cassi, Pete and my boyfriend???? How cool would it be to go on a cruise to islands with bffs? *I'll take a cue from Andrew and Sam though if I do go and make sure I stock up on the seasickness drugs...

**Ryan and Khahn's wedding in July, which will also be the week of Spamalot at the DM Civic Center AND Harry Potter 7 release. Hahah, we've got it worked out b.c we cannot possibly do a 4am stand in line at Barnes and Noble when we'll be attending a wedding later that day. We'll be amazoning (okay go with me here it's a verb like "googling") the book to my Great Aunt and Uncles in Hinton IA. The wedding is in Sioux City IA, 20 minutes away. We'll see Martha and Alan...pick up the book, and then get to read it on the way back to Ames/Iowa City. Now, question is...audiobook version, or make Erik read aloud to me while I drive us home.....decisions decisions

***Sara Whited's bachlorette party and wedding (also occuring sometime this spring/summer)

***Teaching Cassi to say "Noch ein bier bitte." and many other fun phrases before her European adventure ---and devising a way to fold myself into a little cube so I can fit in her carryon luggage.

It's now 10:30 and time to watch the tape of Wildfire...then streaming video of Heroes/Studio 60...ttfn folks.


######
Apologies Trac, but whenever I pronounce that in my head it comes out with a fake Southern accent that makes me chuckle. And makes me think of that Dialog class with our favorite guest speaker....
######

I joined the pods....again

My 60G ipod has decided to start acting very funny. I will leave it with the "hold" button in the off position, so that I think the ipod is off and the battery is being saved. No such luck, a few hours later I come back to find it has been playing the whole time...but nothing has happened to make the ipod turn on. hold is still in the same spot. no items of clothing or bookish nature have touched said ipod. it is also sticking when I try to play the songs. So, of course, logical course of action...I know have 2 ipods. I bought a video ipod last weekend.
I find it so much fun...especially since I can now take my podcasts on the go. Including Rick Steve's Travel in Europe, Art History in a Minute, NPR Books, Veronica Mars, Photoshop Killer Tips, all of them include video spots.

In an unrelated but truly awesome sidebar. Guster signed my shirt!! :) Hehe, Cassi got it signed during the Ships and Dip Cruise for me...she's awesome, to almost quote Jayne from Firefly/Serenity "it is my very favorite shirt"

Also, those of you still in the Bloomington area...I will most likely be venturing back to town on the 24 of February because Guster is performing there, AND I haven't seen you guys in awhile and miss ya.

There ya have it. Oh yeah, and other good news. Found a temp job for the next couple of weeks, and got a promotion at the public library I work at now...woot. So far my February has started well. I cross my fingers for the rest of you that you get the same results.

Blogarian Burnout

I have been a professional librarian for all of about six months now, working a minimum of 10 hours per week, and a maximum of 30. This is because I am in a position as a substitute librarian at a public library. Now, I will go on record as saying I really do like my job. It makes me more satisfied to know that I also like working in a public library to the same extent as an academic one, at least to a certain degree and capacity.
I don't typically comment on the work, per say, on this blog, because this blog is personal in nature, and I like to think I can keep my "working world" agendas and needs out of this more public space. Also, because I know that my readership is mostly fellow librarians/new professionals and friends/family, I don't particularly think the day to day of my working life pertain or would interest these folks.
I do however read a number of blogs in the "biblioblogosphere" in an attempt to figure out the latest topics, greatest new tools, or what problems/gripes other people in the profession run into. Today though, I realized that most of the more "personal" in nature blogs that I run into, blogs that use swearwords or legitmately seem sarcastic in tone and tell what-I-was-really-thinking-when-soandso-asked-where-are-the-kids-books, when a giant sign says "kids books" right in front of them. Perhaps I have just not come to the point of job burnout. I find it interesting that people choose to use blogs, read by many people as an outlet for this pent-up anger. While I agree it's best not directed at the patrons that ask the not so intelligent sounding questions...I'm baffled that these professionals use the blog format mostly and primarily to gripe. Sure, I tell my parents about the occasional patron that I feel sorry for because they do not know how to use a computer in this Information Age, but I don't really go into how frustrated I am when they don't take my word (5 times mind you) that their floppy disk is corrupt, and despite clicking other icons they will not get their document back.
What did librarians do to complain about patrons before blogs?
I guess I've just noticed in the past few days that many of these blogs that are by professional librarians, aren't talking about what's new and innovative that they have discovered, or what's on the upcoming conference agendas, it is talk of the "actual phonecall from patron to library X, #64" and the entry digresses into the librarian's annoyance that Patron didn't realize the library closes at 5:30 instead of 6:00.
I apprecaite these blogs on another level though, as to the pitfalls of both needing an outlet for frustration at "stupidity" of others, and as to what type of venue is suited for such display.
It is true, I can be accused of recently telling a few of my friends about a patron at the library. I am sure most of us can be accused of such. Anyone that works in a customer service position, or even works with people in general will run across those events/situations that we just HAVE to tell someone else about. But the consistancy of these blogging librarians in their determination of posting stories about the "problem" patrons or the "stupid questions" is fairly prevalent.
Are they all that fed up with the profession?

JETs, Chocolate and Bears

This weekend I joined Erik and Melissa in a visit to Chicago for the JET new year's party. I'll let the pictures speak...

Kelli Rae Powell

Podcasts R Us

I love podcasts. Podcasts with video are even better. Language learning, photoshop techniques, travel tips, audiobooks in the public domain, my favorite bands. Oh yeah, and all for just a little bit of memory on my computer. Everyone should join the podcast generation. Especially because you can control the content you listen to. It's great---flipping the channels on your t.v. and realizing there are 78 channels and nothing you want to watch? Perhaps there's a video podcast for free that will be up your alley...
I've found podcasts for a bunch of my friends, tailored to their personal interests in just a few minutes of scroll through the iTunes list, and yes, there are many more podcasts that exist than those indexed there. Go ye and multiply your casts. ;)

BTW, I know there's been a lot of disgruntled talk over Time Magazine's Person of the Year for 2006. Well, you can probably guess where I fall on that list. As a beginning professional in the field of librarianship, I see this trend every day. Social software and tagging, blogging, user-centered design, it all revolves around the consumer of the resources folks. That consumer is all of us. I think the cover probably cost them more to print than just opting for a photo of their "famous" person year to year. I'd bet that reflective surface bumped up the printing costs a bit. So, in short, cut Time a break, I'm sure by the end of aught seven, they'll have had enough time to weigh candidates and as Steven Colbert pointed out maybe they'll pick "Us" or "We" or "the World".

In A New York Minute

It seems fitting for me to use this title for the first post of the new year. Not only did 2006 retrospectively seem to go very quickly, but I also spent a week in New York City just before Christmas.
To recap the recent trip:


Erik and I spent 5 days in NYC, staying at my cousin's apartment right near the Museum of Natural History. We did a number of activities while there, including art museums and libraries, a broadway show, ice skating, and visiting friends at Columbia U. All in all Erik's blog sums it up pretty well. I'm also happy we didn't want to kill each other after ;)
Also, a recent holiday note: the "Santa" House on my street seems to draw flocks and droves of people every year. I am all for people having the "Christmas Spirit" and enjoying the holiday lights...but seriously, this is causing a huge traffic flow problem in the neighborhood and I'm worried someone will get hurt. This is a semi-circle street so those of us at the bottom of the circle can just opt to go the other way. The problem stems from the people that drive 5 miles an hour down the whole street in what appears to be anticipation of the house. Don't worry folks, it's lit up. You won't miss it if you go 25 miles an hour for the rest of the street. Also, please either stay in your car and TURN OFF your own car's lights, so those of us passing by on the street do NOT think you are going to pull out at a moment's notice and run into us. Also make sure your kids look both ways before they get out of the car and run across the street to marvel at the little train or penguins okay?
Now that that rant is out of the way.
New Year's Eve:
I made turkish pizza for some friends, it was successful: yay for me and basic baking.

We went to the Dublin Underground. It was also fun. I even got the doorman to take a picture of all of us at the end of the night.
So, mostly, my point is, things happen quickly in life. You'll blink and miss something wonderful. So as 2007 is upon us, remember to stop every once in awhile and reflect on the great stuff that happens. It's alot better than stopping to dwell on the negative. Here is wishing you all a happy finish to 06 and a healthy happy start to 07.