"When Polly's In Trouble, I Am Not Slow...."

Whenever I think of Halloween, I can't help but remember all the goofy costumes I put Tristan (18 years old next month) in. This one - when he was four - is by far, my favorite. I don't even know if he was aware of who Underdog was, but if the character was a superhero, that was cool with Tristan.

Later, he opted for more "mainstream" costumes like Spiderman, Batman, Power Rangers, Men in Black (are you seeing a pattern here?). But I will always remember fondly a little doggie in baggy shorts and felt ears ready to save the world. Simon Bar Sinister.....beware!!!

(PS: He'd kill me if he knew I posted this)

Skelly Man

Something to watch while the 'puters are down.

Turn up your audio. It's a real rib-tickler.

H-E-L-P ! ! ! ! - Chicken Soup for the Circ Assistant's Soul

Is this our next assignment?? Ok, ok...we GET IT. We need computers!! Now put Horizon back up....pleeeeeese!!! Waaahhhh. (((sob!)))

Technology: More Than Meets The Eye - Week 7, #17

Technology is a wonderful thing. I'm old enough to remember a life without computers, microwaves, cell phones or space shuttles and I can state unequivocally that life is better with technology than without. Those people who wax poetic about slow cooking or the peaceful quiet before cell phones obviously don't remember slaving for hours over hot cooktops or being stranded on a freeway overpass and having to walk 2 miles to a pay phone. These are probably the same ingrates who love camping. Ahhh....the great outdoors! No air-conditioning, no indoor plumbing...just sweaty, dirty you, squatting behind a bush with the mosquitoes! No thanks.

Personally, I embrace technology. I don't want to go back to a time when a Blackberry was something that dribbled down your chin and your lap top was just a place where you put your napkin to catch the juice. For now, technology makes life just a little bit easier for all of us. Who knows if computers and robots will, if they haven't already, take over the world and turn us into their techno-dependent slaves. Nah....that's just science fiction. Gotta run...anyone seen that new movie, "Transformers"?

Wiki Wiki? Pupule Kela! - Week 7, #16

In this exercise I learned about Wikis and how their name is derived from the Hawaiian word for "fast." Cute. I guess speed is essential but so is accuracy. My Dad, who was from Hawaii, would say "Pupule Kela!", or "Are you crazy?" This would usually be followed by a swift thump to my forehead, "No kahako!" (No brains!) Ouch. Huh?

Initially, I liked the idea of sharing information. Like a bulletin board in a global village, if you'll indulge my metaphor. Trouble is, you know who lives in the village? That's right...the local idiot. And for some reason, he likes to share his thoughts. A lot. Seriously...can't get him to shut up. (By the way, there's no real reason why I chose to say "he" rather than "she." *smirk*) Not to say that there's not a lot of good, mostly accurate information in Wikis, but are we qualified enough to be able to discern the difference? Can we sift through the chaff to get to the grain? Discard the husk to crack open the nut? According to the video, Wikis are merely a starting place; a point of origin, and not a podium. Hopefully, someone told the idiot.

Mahalo.

Out Of The (Broom) Closet

photo courtesy of cuteoverload.com

Resistance Is Futile...Or Is It? Week 6, #15

I just read a news blurb (thanks, Bloglines!) reporting that, as of yesterday, Best Buy will no longer sell analog televisions. In preparation for the big switch to digital on February 18, 2009 (when broadcasters will stop transmitting analog signals) consumers can only purchase digital - flat screen or HD - TV's from Best Buy. No more rabbit ears. In other words, get with the program people! This brought to mind a conversation I had with a co-worker about blogging, computers and technology. This particular person...oh heck, let's call him "Vincent"...is not only reluctant to enter the modernization of the information era, he's got his feet planted firmly on both sides of the door frame daring someone to push him in. "Vincent," I said, "You know that resistance is futile." "Oh no it's not." he replied calmly. Gotta respect the guy's commitment to the status quo.

The articles on Library 2.0 were all very interesting and I couldn't agree more with A Librarian's 2.0 Manifesto. I think it's shortsighted (and perhaps a tad trigger happy) to propose to do away with what we've always known libraries to be, but if we don't adapt to what it's fast becoming, we are in danger of going the way of the VCR or the 8-Track tape...or the analog TV. Obsolete-a-ville. While "Vincent" remains unconvinced, our customers are plunging into the unknown - some more timidly than others - but plunging, nevertheless. Today I helped an elderly gentleman, who had just been diagnosed with cancer, look up information regarding his condition on the internet.....for the first time. He actually said to me, "Now when you say 'click on it,' what do you mean?" I was glad I was able to help him. It's important that, as library employees, we're informed enough to help ease the transition for our patrons. Like it or not, ALL of us will have to embrace change willingly or else find ourselves assimilated without our permission. The cube is calling.

WTF! Out of the Gutter and Into the Fry Daddy - Week 6, #14

Blogs are a great way to get your ideas "out there" to total strangers. I'm just not sure if I'm ready to be on a "watchlist." It kinda freaks me out to know that *I* have subscribers. No....Martha Stewart has subscribers. I'm lucky if I have eavesdroppers. Still, it's fun to see what other people are interested in. Many of the Top Blogs are technology based, which I'm only mildly interested in. I'm already subscribed to Boing Boing and Cute Overload always puts a smile on my face. Where else could I find this:

WTF was not what I was thinking it was. (Remember, I have a teenage son) Where's The Fire (WTFs) are short blurbs, catch phrases of hot subjects people are interested in right now. Another commentary on fast food journalism that I won't get into. In truth, people are strapped for time and it's easier to quickly scan headlines than to pick up a paper. Perhaps instead of WTFs, they should be called McNuggets. Quick, bite sized, questionably-nutritional and deep-fried. Unfortunately, my first assumption on the acronym was probably more true. Do I really need to know how to make a duct-tape wallet?

Susp.icio.us About Del.icio.us - Week 6, #13

First of all, the term "social networking tool" is just a turn off to me. I am reluctant to network - which always sounds like I'm catching someone in my sticky web - with people I don't know but with whom I supposedly share some small aspect of my life. We all wear glasses when we drive so....here's the 411 on the rest of my personal life. Maybe we all eat the same brand of yogurt. Is this necessary for me to know? I guess it's okay but WHO could possibly have so little else to do in their lives that they'd be remotely interested in MINE?? Still, if del.ici.ous is a way to have a "remote access" to my bookmarks, then I suppose that aspect of it is useful. I get it. But do they have to give it a name that sounds like someone is salivating?

screamingmeezie

Another avatar. A perfect get-away.

Myself the Elf - Week 5, #12

At first, I thought that Library Elf was a silly tool. After all, reminders are provided by our own library without having to register at yet another site. But after closer inspection, I noticed that it's very organized. I like the handy calendar so I can actually see when my items are due and on which day of the week I need to bring them back. And it's convenient to have all your checkout, holds and due date information on one page. If I were like some customers, with a stack full of cards (belonging to every member of their family), Library Elf might make life a lot less complicated. That is, IF they use it. After all, keeping track of five cards with 15 books on each one is SO much easier than having one card checked out to the max.

(( silence - insert sound of crickets chirping))

Sarcasm...just one more service I provide.

I Know My Library Card Is Here Somewhere

It's A Library THANG - Week 5, #11

The idea of cataloguing my books at home is waaay too organized for me. This is for people who alphabetize their CD's, group their DVD's by genre or label their shoeboxes in their closets (yeah, you know who you are!). Here's how I catalogue my "library" at home: Take out bookmark. Throw on shelf. Done. Do I have that title? Ummm...yeah, I think so. Library Thing (or "Thang" as we say in these parts) is probably useful to some. I suppose if anyone is interested enough in what I'm reading they can go to my Library Thing widget (on the right sidebar) and take a look rather than ask me. I do like the "suggestion" tab, however. Who knew that, based on my library collection, I might also like "Siddartha" by Hermann Hesse? It's a good thing I work in a library.

The Real Me - Week 5, #10

There are many ways to create images of yourself through avatars and they're SO REALISTIC. Pppppfffftttt!!! Okay, I knew I couldn't write that without spewing something. Well, I suppose it's true IF you're 14 years old and weigh 65 lbs. Otherwise, another option is to look like a Weeble.

For this blog, I chose to Simpsonize myself. Take a look at screamingmimi as a Simpsons character, on the right sidebar of this blog. The Simpsons are tongue-in-cheek and irreverent, just like me. Hilarious to see yourself "yellow," (or *more* yellow, in my case) especially if you're a fan, like I am. Mmmm...donuts.

There's a Fine Line Between Collecting and Mental Illness

In my profile, I describe myself as a "pack-rat." Alas, it's true but only in the sense that I consider myself less a pack-rat and more a... collector. I still own my first Barbie, I have my own pink baby shoes, the first toy I remember owning (Cecil the Sea Serpent plush - I later found his friend, Beanie!) and... my first teddy bear.

"Cubbie" was a gift from Santa in 1967 and he arrived with a note asking me to take good care of him and not to throw him on the ground. I guess Santa had had a peek into my messy room.... I also have a photo of that particular Christmas and of me, with Cubbie. Cubbie now resides in a cabinet full of bears, most of them older than he is but none less loved. They are my "hug" of bears and I am a self-confessed "Arctophile," that is, a bear collector.

I bought my first antique bear in 1985, in Arlington, Vermont. He's an American "stick" bear (which referred to the straight shape of their arms and legs) probably made in the 1920's. I was enchanted by the idea that this small bundle of mohair, straw and shoe buttons brought happiness to a child once - or maybe to more than one child - and I wondered what stories he could tell. Did Arlington (named for where I found him) occupy a place of pride on someone's pillow? How many secrets were whispered into this tattered, lop-sided ear, now hanging by four threads? The fur is rubbed off on one side of his head....from too many kisses or hugs? And what about this worn off spot on his tummy, just about the size of a child's thumb?

Over the years (and thanks to Ebay - Master Enabler to all of us bitten by the collecting bug) I've collected many bears. Some extremely old, like Eddie, who just celebrated his 102nd birthday. Like Eddie, most of them are German, manufactured by the "Cadillac" of bear companies, Steiff. Some are very valuable and some are just like Cubbie, a birthday or Christmas present, meant simply to be a child's toy. But ALL of them have stories: of long-ago trips across the ocean, eager and desperate hugs, tears dripped onto their soft faces, and dreams whispered into furry, tattered ears.

Just so you know, Arlington still listens...

Looking for Mr. Sidebar - Week 4, #9

Okay, pretty cool. I suppose if one is going to keep up-to-date on the latest news on the net, one should know WHERE to find said news. Feedster, Topix, Technorati and Syndic8 all seemed like useful search tools but I will probably use Technorati, if any. I need something that's easy to use and doesn't confuse easily-muddled people like myself.

Besides, where else would I find out about this little gem, TIOTI (Tape It Off The Internet), a real find for TV junkies like myself and just launched today! The title is a little misleading because you can't actually tape anything, but if you're looking for that old episode of "Frasier" where Niles proposes to Daphne on the night before her wedding to Donny....bingo. A lot of sites offer current series episodes - and this site does as well - but sometimes it's difficult to find shows you thought were long-gone to that great Zenith void in the sky. Use my TIOTI search box in the sidebar of this blog and start watching now! Partridge Family, here I come.

With Six You Get Blogroll - Week 4, #8

Good grief, another "new" way to view news? I was just getting used to the "old new" way to view news! CNN was my homepage! And what about the "old old" way to view news? I only just recently canceled my subscription to the Houston Chronicle! What was the "old, old, old" way? Viewing the news with my own eyeballs? Well, I am nothing if not open to better ways of doing things, if indeed, it proves to be better. I have subscribed to Bloglines and can now see everything I need/want to know on one page. Congratulations to me, I am more efficient. We shall see.

Wouldn't it be cool if we had one personal page to turn to every morning that would give us a heads up on what to expect each day? Auto: half tank, running at medium efficiency......Weather: cloudy, take an umbrella.......Hair: Crunchy, should have deep conditioned.....Outfit: Good lord, you're not wearing that, are you?.....Overall Outlook: Ehhh...could be better. Hmmm. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.