One of My Cats Snores

Yes, he does. He is right now.

Guess which one?

Call Me Mentor

This afternoon an undergrad came to see me about becoming a librarian. It was one of those random things how she found me, but she did. She has a list of questions ranging from, "What is your day like?" to "What kinds of librarians are there?"

I could barely answer some of them. I showed her what I was working on: creating research guides for undergraduate classes and why I was making them. What kind of librarians are there? Well, if you've ever heard me talk about or ask questions about what happens in tech services, you would know that I really don't know what happens outside of the reference department. I know it is all important and necessary, but I barely understand it. Which is why we are all lucky I am not in tech services.

She wanted to know the difference between a public library and an academic library. Having only worked in an academic setting, I had a limited view. I told her why I wanted to work in an academic setting. I explained what I saw as the biggest draw to being in a public library--the strong sense of community service. She asked me what my research areas were and why. User behavior, mostly. I like observing people and what they do. They fascinate me.

I explained the difference between some library schools--mainly the L versus the I in LIS. If she wants to be a public librarian, look at a program with a more traditional library setting. Some schools will require a thesis and comps, some won't. I told her it was a professional degree, so look for programs that emphasized work, practicum, etc., over research. The theory is important and needed for a base, but what she will find most helpful is what she learns on the job.

If she visits a school, ask if there is help finding a student job or assistanship. Ask if the library school works closely with the library system. That may hint at the amount of job possibilities available on campus.

Turns out she is looking at UW-Madison. I talked up Madison and told her it was wonderful and explained the program to her. Get some work experience in a library--either now or when she was in library school. I told her if she went to school straight from her undergrad she would probably be one of the youngest people there. If she decided to go to UW to move to Madison, get a studio apartment and a job and have absolutely nothing to so with the university for one whole year. Out-of-state tuition is crazy expensive. I had several friends who did this so they could get in-state tuition.

She is also looking at a school closer (not The Other UW). It's a program I have heard good things about, too. In the end, go to an ALA-accredited school. If she doesn't she may as well throw her money out the window. If the other school works better for her monetarily, geographically, go there. Get the degree and get some experience. That what is most important.

I also told her that she will hate library school. She and everyone around her will complain about it nonstop. If they don't, there is something wrong with them. I almost gave her the speech I got when I went through orientation at UW: At the end of your first year half of you will love library school and the other half of you will fucking hate it. But I decided not to crush her spirit so early.

Honestly, though, I love being a librarian. I also like making fun of librarians. But like many people I know who went to library school, when I began to figure out what I would be doing, what the purpose was, it just made sense.

Annoy Sarah Palin, Read.

With it being Banned Books Weeks and all, I think this is the best time to think about John McCain and Gov Palin and the absolute disaster they would be if elected.

Reading is Fundamental, Gov Palin. Leonard Pitts Jr., Seattle Time.

I haven't watched SNL regulalry in years...

I think I may have to start...

Pray for Tauscher

Mark Tauscher, #65 for the Packers.

Why? Because I just bought his jersey. So far, I have bought two other Packer jerseys--Mark Chmura and Brett Favre. Something bad happened to them (or something bad was done by them) shortly after I bought each one. I feel somewhat jinxed.

I had been trying to find a used Gilbert "Gravedigger" Brown jersey, but they turned out to be kind of hard to find. So, I went with Tauscher. He played for the UW Badgers. He has a master's degree. He's a native Cheesehead. It seemed right.

If he get injured or traded.... feel free to blame me.

Overheard at Convocation

I went to convocation last night. The new university president welcomed the incoming freshman and transfer students. At one point they showed a video on how to lead a healthy life. It turned out to be a bunch of changing slogans. Some of them were cute, and the students enjoyed it.

One of the suggestions was something like "Wear outrageous underwear under conservative clothing." And a (male) student behind me said, "Dude, I'm totally wearing a thong."

Nice to know.

Welcome to the Pacific Northwest

This is what it will be like for the next six months.


No wonder coffee is a necessity around here. By the way, behind that bank of fog, there is a big hill.

Oriented, y'all.

I am oriented.

I went through new faculty orientation today, and I don't remember a damn thing.

We had breakfast. We had introductions. I don't know what the deal is, but there was a strong Wisconsin streak present (both Madison and Milwaukee).

We had a campus tour that consisted of moving from room to room in the main administration building. Then we went to the union where we had more food, some weak coffee (c'mon... this is the pacific northwest, weak coffee is not acceptable), and door prizes. Y'all, several of us were so slap happy we started laughing and could not stop. One person, under her breath, said, "Oh. snap. You're in trouble," about something random, and I started to giggle. And the giggle turned into a laugh. And it never really stopped. Someone actually asked us if there had been a party that they missed.

There was a reception at the president's house, more food (and alcohol), and plans for a new faculty bowling league. Bowling? As long as no one minds that I can't bowl more than a 65, I'm down with that.

I can't tell you how nice it is to meet people outside of the library....

Dear Project Runway,

I'm bored with you. With each new crop of designers it has always been hard to become interested in some of the designers and challenges--there are too man at the beginning. As their styles come together and I get to know their aesthetic, I get more interested and invested. But this year? I don't care.

Every season, Project Runway, you say it is the most talented group of designers yet. I'm not so sure that is the truth this time. Let's take Kenley as an example. I love her structured '50s style. I like her personal style. But I am bored with her. I don't like her as a person, either. Not one bit. She has grown so full of herself that she is no longer open to any outside suggestions or ideas. She thinks she is the bee's knees. It makes her and her designs unattractive. How can that ever be a good thing? I like Korto. I like Jerrell. I adore Leanne. I think they are the ones I like the most. I feel they have the most talent and vision. I pick Leanne to win. Suede? He still needs to shut the fuck up. Joe? I keep forgetting about him.

I hate to say that you have become predictable, Project Runway. I hate to say it because I still love the concept. I feel you have become too concerned with characters your designers can create. And you have lost yourself in the process. Maybe the change to Lifetime is the change you need. Or maybe the change to Lifetime will mean we'll get lots of soft lighting and stories about how women facing adversity found themselves and their true love. I don't know. But I whatever it is, I hope it is more interesting than this season.

Yours in Boredom,
Yankee Librarian

Be Afraid...

Palin Strikes Fear in Libraries

The more we hear about Palin, the less we trust her

Francine Fialkoff -- Library Journal, 9/18/2008 2:16:00 PM

My favorite Sarah Palin cartoon circulating on the web is one showing a huge moose, Alaskan no doubt, with a cartoon bubble saying, "BE AFRAID…BE VERY AFRAID!"

That pretty much sums up my feelings about the number two on the Republican ticket (and the number one as well), though we’ve been journalistically judicious at LJ about the censorship and other library-related allegations against Palin. Actually, a librarian I respect took us to task recently for not being quick enough to slam Palin because we waited to verify the facts about her censorship efforts. Nevertheless, News editor Norman Oder has tracked the developing story extensively, moving back and forth among the LJ Insider blog and news at LibraryJournal.com and in the magazine (see p. 14ff.), as the various threads came together and evidence emerged.

...Read more from Library Journal...

Reference Questions of the Day

Local Crazy 1: Do you know John*?
Me: John Smith*?
LC1: No, John Doe*. I knew him when I worked at the mall. But that's another story.
Me: --blank stare--


Local Crazy 2: --general rambling about how the government is restricting the import of marijuana into our society as a way to fill up the jails by arresting people for marijuana posession. More rambling about how hemp is better than cotton but the government restricted the import of marijuana to keep the cotton farmers in business--
Me: uh huh.
LC2: And the sticker said [indecipherable mumbling]
Me: Hmmm
LC2: It's sad...
Me: Right


I can't wait for the students to get back.

*fake names, of course

The $1.50 Store

I don't go to the mall very often, but I was there today. I wanted to buy some jeans and swing through Target--and Target is at the mall. (You know, as much as I wanted a Target, I don't go there very often, probably because I have other choices closer to where I live.)

I don't like the mall. It's a mall. It's hot. It's full of people. Whenever I go I am accosted by these yahoos working at some cell phone kiosk. Last time I was asked if I was from Iowa (based on the t-shirt I was wearing). Thinking he might be from Iowa, I stopped. No, he was just trying to sell me a phone. Today some dude from the kiosk actually walked up to me and asked me what kind of phone I had, and if I had "that new cool one." I glared and kept walking. But, seriously, what the fuck? Who thinks that will work? What manager is telling these yahoos to accost people walking through the mall? Going to the mall is one of those things that makes me grumble about how much I hate people.

But, today, on my way out I noticed the Daiso store. I'd never heard of Daiso, I had no clue what is was. But let me tell you, it is several kinds of awesome. It's kind of like a Japanese dollar store, except "everything" is $1.50. Or $2.00. Or $8.00. Or $12.00. I could have spent hours in there just playing with all this crap. And the kitchen section? Full of unfamiliar yet wonderful things

Luckily, the Daiso store is between Target and the crappy cell phone kiosk. Next time I go to the mall I can hit both of them and avoid being accosted by moron trying to make a sale.

Persnickity

I have to share my newest knitting accessory: My Persnickity Knits knitting bag. They're sold at a local store that carries items sold by local artists and craftspeople. And, I guess they are bag and purse people. And knitting people. I had walked by the store several times but had never stopped. A few weeks ago I saw yarn and this cute little purse. I stopped and found out the cute little purse was a knitting bag. A little bag that could be put inside another bag--exactly what I was looking for. Knitting with style. And a new bag. I grabbed the medium-sized bags (the Fi Fi). The small one would be good for someone who only made small projects like socks and scarves. The largest one seemed just a bit too big. The medium was juuuuust right. I can also say that it fits a baby blanket.

They didn't have it in red or teal (at lease not the big bag), so I went with the basic black.

I am completely in love with this bag. It has snaps on the side to make the bag a little more snug for smaller project but allows the bag to accomodate things like baby blankets. There is a look for circular needles. There are little pockets for row counters and scissors and crochet hooks. I can set it next to me on the couch, close the flap, string the yarn through the little hook and knit. This is great because then the cats can't shed all over the yarn. They even sleep in the bag and the yarn and projects stay relativley cat-hair free.

And, if you are concerned about leather or animal products, they are made out of a leather alternative.

Vegan v Vegetarian

I became a vegetarian for several reasons--health issues, not wanting to eat animals, foot and mouth disease. seriously, this is what pushed me over the edge; I got really grossed out by the images piles and piles of dead cows. I had been eating a non-meat diet for a little while but I wasn't sure I wanted to commit to it. Then those pictures hit the airwaves and that was the end of it.

Living where I do, when I tell people I'm a vegetarian their first question is usually if I am a vegan. I'm not. I never thought I could be. It takes a lot of commitment and work and I don't know if I have it in me to do that. Plus, I didn't think I I would be able to take on a true vegan lifestyle.

The last couple of months I began to change my diet. I had hoped to lose some weight after moving here--both from the food and the increased amount of walking I would be doing. And then I gained weight. I realized it was time to do something about this.

I began to monitor what I ate. I needed to completely rethink what I was doing. I joined Weight Watchers online. I had no desire to go to the meetings--I wanted the guidelines and information, not the public weigh-ins. I've done WW before, and I know if you commit to it, it can help a person not only lose weight but completely change their diet.

I want to lose a total of fifty pounds. My goal has been to lose twenty pounds by mid-October. I am just shy of the fifteen pound mark. I'm pretty proud of myself. I eat much differently. Lots of whole grains, fresh vegetables, and fruit--much of it local and organic. And like when I began to eat more vegetables and vegetarian items over meat, I noticed I am eating a more vegan diet. I've noticed I don't crave the foods I used to.

I don't know if I could ever take that complete plunge into a vegan diet. I didn't think I could commit to a vegetarian diet and I did. I don't know that I could live the full vegan lifestyle, but moving towards the vegan side of things is very appealing.

But all I know is that for the first time in a long time, I feel healthy. And it feels good.

Can You Hear Me Now?

You know I've gotten over my dislike of cell phones in the library. Usually, people aren't any louder or more stupid than they are when they are talking to a person sitting next to them. They key word is usually, of course. But I could go for banning cell phones just so I don't have to listen to people say, "Can you hear me? Hello? Hello!? I can hear you, can you hear me?!"

Well Said, Mary

"Actual responsibilities", my ass, Ms. Palin. The comment about how mayor was kind of like a community organizer but with actual responsibilities was an insult to anyone who has ever served their local community in any way. You, Ms. Palin, and your absolute short-sightedness disgust me.


Speaking of bullshit... The Daily Show correspondents were asking people at the RNC what "small town values" were. Seems they had some problems doing just that. Having grown up in small towns in Iowa I can tell you from experience what that means: It means supporting your community. It means serving your community--whether it was in an official or unofficial fashion. It's about taking care of the others in your town--regardless of their politics, their problems, or their social status. It is about making your community the best it can be. My dad was the epitome of small town values. That small town (population 1500) meant more to him than anything. He was That Guy. Every small town had That Guy. He was The Guy you went to when you needed something done, when you needed help--no matter what it was, who you were, or if he even knew you.

Vancouver in a Day

So, I mentioned earlier how strange it felt to be able to be able to jump into my car and drive to Seattle? It's even stranger to be able to be in Vancouver, British Columbia in a little over an hour (thank you, five minute wait at the Peace Arch crossing).

We didn't do all of Vancouver in one day, but we did a whole hell of a lot of walking. It was a gorgeous day. We could see the Canadian Rockies as we were leaving (it was too cloudy in the morning) and got a good view of Mount Baker in the US Cascades, too.

I didn't take as many pictures as I planned. I kept forgetting my camera was in my purse. I also didn't want to look like a tourist, and then at a certain point I decided I didn't care. The one thing I didn't take a picture of was the sign we saw just after going across the Canadian border: A big sign that said, "Canada" with a arrow. It was there because the border crossing is under construction (being made bigger for the Winter Olympics in 2010, so it can be a bit confusing how to get to the highway. But still. It was funny.

It's easy to forget you were in Canada until you saw a speed limit sign that said "100" (km per hour) or gas at $1.39 (per litre). Or Canadian flags. Or have you have to ask, "Do you take American [dollars]?"

What did we do? Shopped. We hit a couple of areas and lots of shoe stores. And did I buy a pair of shoes..... They are heals and pointy and very awesome.


They aren't nearly as uncomfortable as the look. I couldn't do a whole lotta walking in them, but they aren't so bad. There were more shoes than I knew what to do with and at a certain point I stopped going in the stores--I kept seeing all the same shoes.

Lots of various ethnic food. We settled on Indian and it was all kinds of yummy. After we ate I saw a Baskin Robbins. We didn't stop, but I noticed Baskin Robbins has 32 flavo[u]rs in Canada.


After we walked down Robson (one of the main shopping areas), we made our way to Chinatown, and to get there we had to walk through some sketchy neighborhoods. They seemed to be areas that were pre-gentrification. The old buildings (things like empty drug rehab buildings) with shuttered windows on one side of the street while new condo developments were being built on the other.

And then we got to Chinatown. Like most, there was a gate thingee:

We walked by the various Chinese stores: clothes, videos, trinkets, etc. We went to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. There was Dr. Sun Yat-Sen statue, the Chinese years, (I'm the year of the Dog), Coy fish, more Chinese trinkets, and more tourists (like us).

Dr Sun Yat-Sen statue

Year of the Dog

We wandered farther into Chinatown, hit a Chinese Flea Market where we were the only non-Asians in the building. From there we wandered through an area of food markets. I don't know what half of that stuff was, but there was some weird-ass stuff. I think these were the weirdest:

I have no clue what you would do with these

We wandered back to the car with a stop off in a market where I said things like, "Hey, I could buy Canada Dry Ginger Ale in Canada." (I didn't.)

We drove to Stanley Park, a big-ass park just off downtown, where we stopped to wander a bit. It felt like half of Vancouver was in Stanley Park, but considering that it would be one of the few nice clear days before fall kicks in, I can understand why.

I don't know if there is a rush hour for ships, but if there is, it was about the time we were there. We saw two gigantic cruise ships and one cargo ship leave the port.

A Princess Cruise Lines ship--you know, like the Love Boat. And the hills in the background are not mountains, they are foothills. I know because I asked.


Do any of those cargo thingees ever fall off?

Other things:

A replica of the figurehead from the S.S. Empress of Japan.


The Girl in Wetsuit sculpture.


Me: Are those Canadian Geese? SB: Yes. [pause pause ....] Me: Oh, right.

By this time it was almost 6:00 pm, I was exhausted and more than ready to head back. Oh, the other nifty thing in Stanley Park, there was a little play area where they had big water-guns hooked up to a water line. They didn't seem to be working, but they looked like fun. Right across from that was this thing called a "Kid Dryer." It was shaped like a little cottage, and it did just what it said: It dried off the kids with hot air blown of out big air vents. Brilliant!

After that it was the short ride back across the border. The people at the US Border were doofuses. I don't know why, but they just sounded like they didn't believe anything you told them.

I was going to write a semi-snarky entry about how Canadians have better style--the clothing and furniture stores were full of nifty stuff. And how I saw all kinds of signs for So You Think You Can Dance Canada and walked by the CTV store (one of the Canadian channels I get). And so on and so forth, but y'all, I am completely exhausted.

Oh, Canukistan

Y'all, I'm going to Canada this weekend. A day-trip is being planned.

I am seriously in love with Canada right now. All in all, they are smarter, funnier, and more sarcastic than we are. At least according to their TV shows and commercials they are.

Pictures will be taken. I'm having problems transferring pictured from my memory card to the computer right, though. If I ever figure out what the problem is, I will post them.

Everything I Do...

So this must be Bryan Adams' year. He was on both American Idol and Canadian Idol. On American Idol he was featured in the finale since "(Everything I Do) I Do for You" was sung by David Cook. But on Canadian Idol he has the whole hour to himself (final three) to be the mentor and shit.

Guess this makes the summer of '08 be even better than the summer of '69. You know, the best days of his life.