Things I Noticed on My Travels

Just back from the L'ville, Nashville, Birmingham loop. First thing: next time I'm in Nashville I'm going to the Vanderbilt medical library. I've read so many papers out of there this semester, and need to make the time to check it out.

On this trip, things that have come to my attention:

Drivers: yes, it is true I have become a Louisville driver for all the good-bad-and-ugly of it. We run red lights here--lights that haven't been yellow in ages and can hardly be called "orange." Pedestrians here come to corners with a haunted look in their eyes and a tremble in their thighs as they prepare to run for their lives.

Tennessee, or I should say, Nashville, drivers have taken that newly-refurbished Briley Pkwy and consider it their own little autobahn. The sound walls trap all the water on the roadway and it could be four inches deep and rising, but they will drive like Satan is on their asses and gaining fast.

Alabama: I now know why they have those "wrong way" signs on the offramps to the freeway. On a road that clearly went nowhere but the "wrong way" and I was coming off the ramp, a Mustang tootled past me and the driver looked at me as if to say "why are you on my side of the road?" As I watched in the rearview mirror from the top of the ramp, it was evident he finally realized all the cars were coming AT him, and he backed up quickly. Oh, and passing on the right? Not cool, people! Not cool!

All in all, a terrific drive and I'm glad to be back where we ignore red lights, and most cars evidently aren't purchased with turn signals.

Domestic violence as pre-existing condition? 8 states still allow it | McClatchy

I don't know if this is just people who haven't taken it off the books, or places where the insurance companies are still quite happy to take advantage of anyone they can. Either way, it's pretty ugly.

Domestic violence as pre-existing condition? 8 states still allow it | McClatchy

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Yea Sushi and All Things Great, Small, and Edible!

No sushi in the South End you say? Nay! I say to you.

Anyway. Here are some pictures from Fuji in Dixie Manor, where we had some extremely fresh, and well-presented sushi for under $45. Remember, this is only a selection of what we had. The rest, I just horked down without pics. It was not only fresh, when I asked for deep fried shrimp with something still looking at me, I got it. Look at this, with raw tails with some sort of roe (?) and deep fried heads.


The shots below were of a special roll where the outside was done with cucumber. Kou (I think I spelled that correctly) started with a whole cucumber. Glad someone can do it.

Bueno.

Here are the before and after shots.

I can't tell y'all enough, if you can get there, go there! And you can get there!

Maido Meh

I've been meaning to post this since Thursday night when it happened... Maido is this terrific local restaurant and after many a hem and haw, we settled on it for dinner on Thursday. I walked in and was promptly told by the bartender (this restaurant has wonderful sushi but no sushi bar, when you walk in you are looking at a bar-bar), that "Nancy" (names have been changed to protect the guilt), would be right with me. Nancy was not right with me, in fact, another server asked if I had been helped and the aforementioned bartender told her Nancy would be with me when she came inside.

So, we get seated outside and the weather is lovely and eventually our server asks if we would like something to drink. The water arrives promptly, but "I have to go all the way back to the kitchen to get your ice tea." We're now 15 minutes into this visit. The ice tea finally arrives and we place our order. Everything raw. This shouldn't be a big deal. You shouldn't have to fish before the prep. I also made it clear that I would be ordering more as the night wore merrily forward. We sat down at 8 PM, the food arrived at 8:50 PM. A plate of sashimi, and some sort of roll with avocado on the outside, which had been sitting so long it had kind of melted to the top of the roll.

In their defense: it was some of the best frickin' sashimi I ever put in my face, but when we weren't done, it was clear another hour of waiting was not an option. We went down the street to Osaka where our food was produced in a few minutes and where the waitress and all the staff were solicitous and polite. Oddly enough, that always makes the food taste better. Osaka has always been my go-to sushi bar and now I know why. I won't be making the same mistake again.

Ted

I was sitting in a cafe in Kinsale when I learned that Ted Kennedy had brain cancer. I didn't really understand how the Irish felt about the Kennedys until I saw an eight page story about Senator Kennedy and his diagnosis. Today, I can only imagine what the papers look like.

His was not a career I followed closely, and to be honest, when I hear his name I think "Chappaquiddick" but I guess if anyone worked to make up for a horrible mistake it was him. Listening to his grandkids speaking, it's clear they will follow in the family's political footsteps, but perhaps without his style. Few would have the balls to use their own funeral as a political gesture, and I think holding his funeral at a church that has been a home for every immigrant population is definitely a political gesture. A gesture that won't get him anything, but shows that he stood behind what he said.

He gave us a lot of bad punchlines, but he actually worked and asked other politicians some tough questions. Good work.

Damn You Foodies

OK, I do it. Some of you do it. You see a restaurant on TV and have to try it. All I will say is the last time I was in KC, the line at Oklahoma Joe's actually went around the shop and out the door. I couldn't wait, had to get home, but the smell made me tear up as I turned around and walked out.

Like flatiron steak, or your favorite band, it's wonderful to get there first but bittersweet when it makes it big. Recognition is good, but shouldn't there be some sort of wristband for the people who were there first?

Chicago

Ok, so this is quite a bit later, but let me tell you something most of you already know. Chicago rocks! The ALA conference in July was a real success on every level except comfortable footwear (which was fixed with a two dollar pair of flip flops from Walgreens). Their public transportation is great and I never had to wait more than a few minutes for a bus. Also, drivers there do not seem to run "pink" lights the way we do in Louisville. When I got home that was my resolution to myself--stop when the light is changing. You can guess how well that lasted...

Anyway, as for the conference, highlights were listening to Michael Connelly and Ari Weinzweig speak. I can hear you saying, "Michael Connelly I've heard of but who is this Ari fellow?" He runs a conglomerate of businesses up in Ann Arbor and has written a book about good bacon. Of the six producers he recommends, three are in Kentucky. Darnit, this state is starting to suck me in with the pork!

Connelly was great because he didn't talk about the writing until people asked questions about it, instead he focused on how libraries have been important in his life. A really refreshing approach and it became a mutual appreciation society--him explaining our value and we returning the favor with questions about his writing.

The other conference highlight was definitely the scholarship bash at the Chicago Art Institute. Holy moly! That place has everything! American Gothic? Check. Nighthawks? Check. Terrific small pen and paint by Pollock? Check. You get the idea. When I arrived I thought there was absolutely no way I could spend four hours, especially after a full day of events. Four hours flew by. If you haven't gone. Go. I plan on going back and giving it a full day. One complaint here. While this was a catered affair (simple sandwiches, cheese and fruit) and the bar was "open" if you had collected some "bash cash" earlier in the day, it was slightly embarrassing to see a herd of librarians muscle through the collections and straight to the food. It was more embarrassing to see most people were not tipping the bartenders. Doh! You're representing here, cough up a buck and pretend you care about culture a bit.

The final note is about a little bar I found by the hotel. OK, this place has no signage outside and while I was told it had a name, I can't remember what it was. It used to be a funeral home and still has a casket they trot out for special occasions or when someone needs to sleep it off. So there I am in this old funeral home, having a beer with the locals (hi everyone!) when several well-dressed women come in and proceed to hold a "candle party," you know, where they sell candles and knick-knacks out of a catalog. Surreal.

Everyone in town was wonderfully friendly and I can't wait to go back.

Ohio Libraries

Here's my rant to the Ohio Governor, whose new budget cuts public library spending by 50%:

Closing libraries is a downward spiral. In a few years when there is more crime and gang activity, and more money has to be spent on prisons, libraries will lose again.

Only by thinking in the long term and realizing the value of a safe place for children, teenagers, immigrants, and people from all walks of life to congregate in a positive atmosphere that engenders understanding and good will, will you do a service to your state.

Paying a corporation to open a Chuck E.Cheese? Kroger needs your money? or the NFL? You can find these funds.

You don't have to be a resident to voice your opinion. Think of what your library has done for you. Here's how to contact Gov. Strickland. And here's a nice article for another good cause which explains where those funds can be found.

Public education, a tenant of this democracy, is going the way of the dodo bird. Don't let them take away the last place we can all obtain an equal education if we want to--and if you've been to your local library, you know we do. If you haven't been recently--Go!

Happy Sunday

Cooking unknown greens from Mr. Brodbeck's garden, which I think are going to be fabulous.

Another burner is working on the German potato salad. Never having made it before--I didn't think I would ever say these words--there is such a thing as too much bacon fat. I'm removing extra grease in increments, adding flour to some of it in a slury and then reintroducing. Keeping my fingers crossed.

If you're intrested in breaking into my house, I'll be leaving for Kansas City on Thursday, back on Sunday and then off to Chicago the 9th to the 12th of July. If you decide to break in, please clean up my work area as it is a mess. I think I need another filing cabinet. Cookie dough is in the freezer, the jacuzzi bathtub is working and there's plenty of music on the harddrive. You know what they say, leave it cleaner than you found it, or something like that.

I'm seriously considering a new smart phone and plan so I can keep up with everything while away.

Betty Crocker, Scaring Kids Since 1936

I don't know what started me down my Betty Crocker hunt today, but hunt I did, and this Web site with its images of the "official" Betty Crocker scared the bejeezus out of me. I think I started because it was about one of the first cookbooks I owned as a teenager and while basic, it served a good introductory purpose, but if someone had put this lady on the cover, I would have thought twice. No I wouldn't have needed twice to walk away from this Arsenic and Old Lace school of cookery.

The chick from 1955...maybe I would have let her cook for me, or even write a recipe, but the others look like Nazi dominatrixes or Stepford Wives. Vould you like your beating now or avter the peach melba?

But overall, my favorite is the 1996 "subtely multiethnic" Betty...what I like to think of as "Botox Betty."

Oh yes, you can darken her brows and eyes, and take away that Teutonic I vill cook for you but I vill never enjoy it!-look, but it seems that every Betty embodies the shame of her generation. Even here you can see her wanting to frown, or possibly drop a brow, but alas, it is not to be.

Calling all Roomies

Anyone going to the ALA conference next month interested in a roommate to split costs?

I'll be there the 9th through the 12th and while I don't have a room yet I'd be willing to bunk with someone or get the room myself and have someone bunk with me.

Pass it on y'all!

It's Your Job

If you are a horse race announcer, you know you are going to see Spanish names, both from riders and horses, so I find it unacceptable that the Monmouth announcer repeatedly called Hermosillo, Her-mo-sil-o.

Even the new announcer at Churchill has some problems along this line (although Johnson is probably following that British tradition of ignoring pronunciation if it isn't English. I notice that even Gordon Ramsey makes Pie-ella). Luke prided himself on getting the names right. Let's get back to that shall we?

More Reasons Librarians Rawk!

Wandered down to the library last evening to pick up some of the books I have scheduled for the summer. Had on my Ozomatli tee and this librarian asks if it is, in fact, an Ozomatli tee. She not only knew who they were, but gave me the names of a couple of other artists I might enjoy and still tried to rope me into the Saturday language cafe. Multitasking at its best.

Forgot to ask her name, but wherever you are cool librarian, thanks! Hope I turn out half as well as you did.

PS: been walking home from work and really enjoying the weather.

ALA bits

Two things. A new collaborative called In the Library with the Lead Pipe looks like an interesting resource for librarians and provides some overview and review of library-centric matters. One word of warning and praise, it is text intensive. After so long reading short articles with a plethora of hyperlinks, you'll have to turn on a couple of extra brain cells. This weeks article is a review of ALAConnect, a new ALA site that looks like it can work on several social levels for current members.

Second, my excitement about attending the annual ALA conference has been tempered by the fact that I will miss Sherman Alexie on Monday afternoon. Quandry.

Back to The Regularly Scheduled Madness

So, my 636 class is over--library technology? computer use in libraries? I don't know, something like that--and I can return to blogs about things I really care about, like meat cards. These are the kinds of people I really want to meet. I'm sure with enough liquor and time we could rule the world. I would hand out my meat cards with a side of bacconaise (yeah it's kosher and vegetarian but I can overlook that).

I used to put these up on MySpace, but really, how many social networking sites can one undermotivated chick keep up with? Well, if you're this undermotivated lump o' female, the answer is one.

Mooshu

My baby had a pituitary tumor and after a couple of weeks of hand feeding and watering she finally gave in on Monday night. I think this picture says it all. What a good girl.

Library Geeks Unite

It's not library technology, it's technology about librarians.

Maureen Clements has some links in her Library Week article that might prove fruitful, but will definitely prove fun for that librarian in your life.

That's right, get out there and be a Shover and Maker!

Eeeekkk!

If you're ever in need of something to keep you awake at night, aside from normal anxiety attacks, try this...http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/blog/

Better Than It Was Before. Better, Stronger, Faster.

Ah the continuing image problem of the public library. Once again, when I've told friends about how badly our public libraries have it right now, the inevitable response is "I just saw something on the news that says more people are using the library than ever." Yes, the bad economy means more people are in the library, but that doesn't create funding. Our public libraries are now all closed on Sunday. The mayor put out this brilliant piece of spin when it first occurred.

The real tragedy is that just as libraries are really at a point where they can use interactive technology to make the library more and more relevant, there are fewer and fewer funds available to do it. First we rejected a new tax, which regardless of the politics surrounding it, would have provided funds. Those who said we didn't need the tax claimed that a bond proposal would take up the slack. Of course after the tax didn't pass no one heard another word about a bond.

We hear about tax revolts...well maybe it is time for the librarians to revolt. That's right, let's see what happens if we go Lysistrata on the public's ass.

Dinner with Gloria Zamora

So, on Tuesday I'm going to a dinner with president of the SLA, Gloria Zamora. Report will be forthcoming. If anyone can't attend and has questions you'd like me to ask, go ahead and post them here or email me.

Since she lives in Santa Fe, the only question I have right now is whether she will bring me crepes from the pasty shop/cafe in the Hotel La Fonda. The savory ones with the cheese please!

RIP...

Libraries For the Future

Pity Party, Pass the Ice Cream Please

Due to the previously thrown pity-party I was unavailable for about a week and a half. Regular snarkiness shall resume shortly.

ALA as the Well-Meaning Hippy

The ALA distributed this item, decrying possible destruction of artifacts and libraries in the Gaza Strip recently.

One thing about technology is it has made us more aware of what is really going on in the rest of the world, but it has also overloaded us with information. How many people will see this resolution? Can it have any impact? It's not like here in the US where the ACLU will hop to our defense and suddenly file a lawsuit.

On the other hand, I like being associated with an organization that stands up for what it believes in--that clearly states the First Amendment is inviolate and you can take your Patriot Act and put it where the sun don't shine, and that even takes a possibly Quixotic stand against the destruction of history and knowledge.

Ooh, Michael Connelly!!!!

Yes, I signed up for the ALA July conference in Chicago. I don't know how I will afford to go. I don't know where I will stay. I wasn't even sure I would go...until today. Today I finally read some of the goings on and one is an authors' speaking series. Yes, there will be speakers like Junot Diaz (about whom I should probably be more enthusiastic) and Melba Pattillo Beals, who was one of the students who helped desegregate Little Rock Central High School. But the one that made my heart go pitter-patter and start looking for hotels is Michael Connelly.

Holy moly! This guy is right up there with Elmore Leonard! This is reading-under-the-covers, don't-put-it-down-or-shower-until-it-is-finished reading. In a world that allows action/mystery bestsellers to include rehashed storyline galore, if the writing is adequate--Harlan Coben I'm talking to you--or even where the writing is drivel--too many to list here--evocative, clear prose; a deep protagonist; and a good plot are like finding gold.

Lawrence Block, you still rawk and I'd come to see you speak if you were there too.

Lecture

Last night I went to a lecture at the United Way on "Social Determinants of Health vs. Social Determinates of Equity" by Dr. Camara Jones. While I refuse to jump on the guilty-white bandwagon, (possibly because I'm broke and without health insurance myself), her arguments and evidence were compelling. With both Native Americans and Hispanics, if they identified themselves by the ethnic group, but generally other people perceived them as white, their health-level was commensurate with the white population; while those who were usually perceived as Hispanic or Native American had lower levels of general health.

While her focus was on attacking some of the underlying "social determinates of equity" (in this case racism), it made me think about the continuing move not only towards taking responsibility for your own health education, but also the move towards making that information available electronically. As we push towards educated health consumers, are we inadvertently creating a system that will make it increasingly difficult for some segments of our population to become educated health consumers?

Ah, that new magazine smell, and other touchy-feely things

I haven't had a magazine subscription in years so when my first New Yorker arrived yesterday it was bliss. I read it online but I had forgotten the sheer pleasure of starting at the front and reading straight through. I stood outside, I lounged on the couch. It travelled well and I didn't have to pick something to read, I just flipped through. Bliss.

On another note, today's link is a friend of mine who is a terrific writer of prose and poetry. Here are a few poems to get you through the day.

What a time to be in library and information sciences!

So much is happening right now in medical informatics! This Washington Post link is just one example of how those of us in "library school" will impact your privacy over the next few years. It's a good thing we are an altruistic bunch who love children and bunnies and think your privacy should be consideration numero uno. If we're the ones designing the systems, the senate won't have to worry about their willingness to cut corners.

Shame on those senators who would sell out your medical records for a few bucks from a business interest. (Yeah, as if they aren't going to hell already). I do love that we have truly reached the Orwellian age when the "Confidentiality Coalition" includes Blue Cross/Blue Shield and their spokeswoman says "We want to make sure that privacy provisions don't become a barrier..." It's kind of like, "I believe in the First Amendment, but..."

And for another thing!

OK, this is just a little piece of personal fun. I live in, what I like to refer to, as a trailer park without wheels. During the winter the steam heat is just uncontrollable and I often have the front door open to circulate some air. Evidently my neighbors see this as an invitation. Do you have some sugar, do you have a potato, a light, a beer, a battery?

Oh yes, I know this is curmudgeonly on my part, but when it is a guarantee to be interrupted during homework every few minutes, it does wear. I'm thinking of posting a price list on the front door, dropping out of school and work and run one of those little home stores. You remember those? They were cool.

Ed Zachary!

Those of you who know me from Facebook know that I was mentioning the proposed stimulus package and the fact that it seems everyone wants something for nothing--"just give me the money!" While when we look back to the recovery from the Great Depression it is clear that most people were not simply handed a check but were put to work for the good of the country. This wasn't just back breaking labor but also those who were paid to write, or to create art or architecture. I doubt the Chinese are going to be erecting any bronze statues that serve no purpose, on their Three Rivers Dam. I know we don't do it anymore.



I don't know if two people can be considered zeitgeist but Carla Blank in the San Francisco Chronicle today has some similar ideas. I liked her idea of using either the Library of Congress or the National Archives to house the works of a National Writers' Project. It reminded me of StoryCorp but with a broader objective.

One for my homies.

Here's an interesting story that relates to the OCLC's stance on record ownership, even if those records are created outside their oversight, that many people in the library community have been worried about.

If it doesn't make sense to non-librarians, you can either choose to learn more or ignore it. Trust me, if you learn more you might find out we do more than reshelve books. That's right, don't make me use my librarian voice.

Going Luddite

I'm having one of those technology days. You know...those days.


I bought a USB hard-drive reader to pull some of the information off old hard-drives and onto my new external storage. Too bad it only reads SATA drives and most of the ones I really need read are IDE. Back to the mwave store I guess.

The best though was my quiz this morning. I had about five tabs open and so switching over to email and clicking on a link took me out of the quiz--can't get back in. Cleared my cookies and files, cold-reboot. No love. The system recorded that I started the test so have a nice day.

I also got my new 19" flat-screen monitor yesterday. I think I'll leave it in the box until tomorrow.

Artsy-Fartsy

Much to my pocketbook's discontent one of my favorite things, and a possible area of librarianship interest, is art. I'd rather go to a museum (or aquarium, but that's another story), than nearly anything else.

As such, although not a Catholic, I love what the Vatican has done with their Web site and their links to their archives, library and especially museum are fascinating.

Note: the images don't seem to want to load in Firefox but do load well in Explorer. The Egyptian and Etruscan rooms might not be something you expect from the Vatican, but there they are. I hope they take the time to upload more images and add more interactivity. The one thing they do well is give information about each piece.

On the other hand the Met has a wonderful Web site which allows you to search their permanent collection and the zoom function on the pieces is pretty amazing.

Oldie but a Goodie

I had to link to this here even though it is relatively old. It made me smile.

Happy Thursday. Now Check This Out!

Flickr isn't all about creating cool Moo cards, oh no! The Library of Congress has a new project that is--dare I say it?--brilliant! Historical photographs which until now were only available by visiting the actual Library of Congress are now posted to Flickr in high-res and without the full-cavity search necessitated by air travel.

This is only one example of history on celluloid. The only drawback I'm seeing is that anyone with a Flickr account can not only comment on the photo but tag the photo and like anything else public, someone is likely to be an asshat.

Ask Not What Your Library Can Do For You...

...because I'm about to tell you.


If you live in Louisville our library is a wonder of technology available free of charge (so pony up on those taxes you slackers!).

• Books-on-tape your style but you want to step into the 21st Century? Check out free downloadable audio books!
• Use your RSS feed to find out about new releases (and trust me, our library gets 'em the same time as the bookstores).

Don't worry my Southwest friends, you are not forgotten.
Tucsonans, use the QuickLinks on the left-hand side of the Pima County Library site to find out different technology options. (I think my card is still good so I might try it out too. Nice when distance doesn't make a difference... Heh, just did that and maybe it isn't so good. I still owe $4.50!)

Handily enough they also have a Facebook page so you can keep up while you are killing time at work. Check out the bottom of the homepage for additional links to MySpace and Flickr among others.


Ah, home sweet home! I should have known when I called this library and they were so helpful, that they weren't the same old library I remembered from my childhood. The Las Vegas-Clark County Library has all the options above plus an interactive site that includes online book clubs and free downloadable music.

So, my fellow Americans, enjoy this inaugural day and celebrate your freedom with a trip to your library, or at least your library's Web site.

Beg, Borrow and Steal

One area of information science I'm pursuing is in medical informatics. So, here I plan to post some links that can help people looking for medical information for themselves or others. Some of it will be for a consumer; some of it will be technical. Almost all of it will be brought to my attention from somewhere else. Consider me the b3ta of the medical information Internet.

Classmate Pam Duncan brought this gem, on how surgeons can prevent medical errors, to light.

Our esteemed instructor, Dr. Huber, also recommended this site from the US Department of Health and Human Services with several links to patient safety and judging your hospital.

Welcome

Welcome to my blog which will document some of my travels through library school, the technologies I encounter and think you might find interesting, and probably some whining and moaning along the way.

Want to see the rest of my "real" life? Try my Facebook page, MySpace, or check out my photos at Flickr.