1-30-04: Ludacris goes to the library
Aw yeah. When Ludacris is looking for some new moves, he knows exactly what to do. In the video for Splash Waterfalls, he goes to the library and checks out the Kama Sutra. (It helps that the librarian is available for live demonstrations.)
Normally I don't get into the whole "Oh, look, a librarian in the media!" blogging thing, but I'm excited to see librarians making it into hip hop. What next, a Coolio READ poster? To quote the ALA store:
Coolio's music and lyrics attract the attention of rap, hip hop, and pop fans.
Oh yeah, ALA, you down wit dat.
1-29-04: baby, it's cold outside
These might not be record low temperatures. It might not be record snowfall. But it is relentless. I will be happy with the weather if I can go for 24 hours without shoveling my driveway sometime this week. These photos are the icicles that greet me whenever I open my front door.
At least, I've always assumed that when people tell me, "You don't look like a librarian!" that what they really mean is, "You are the sexiest person I've ever met and I can barely control my passion in your presence." I've even changed the image on the diy librarian front page from cowgirl to Spanish rose (really! I took the photo in Ronda) in honor of my sexiness. Other librarians have discovered this about themselves as well: ladies, meet Aaron, a self-proclaimed "sexy, sexy beast". And Holly explains why Librarians are SEXY. I found that via Anne, and, while I can't vouch for her sexiness since she doesn't mention it on her web site, she is a librarian, knitter, rocker, punk band guitarist/singer, zinester, and owner of two Boston terriers, which must count for something. And I found that via Open Stacks. If you want more librarian sexiness, then just head on over to Jessamyn's naked librarians page. Probably best if you don't do it at work, though...you never know what might be lurking in the stacks.
1-27-04: of snow, librarians, and anime
SLA Leadership Summit was a lot of fun, personally and professionally. I had been told it was just a lot of politicking, but it was much more than that. I got to know some people I had met before a little better, and got to meet lots of other people. I also got to know a lot of people in airports, especially since I was stuck in the Cincinnati airport (CVG, or "Cincinnati - Very Good!", so they claim) for nearly 24 hours due to the snow. When I have a layover, I always try to go sit in a bar, not just to enjoy a nerve-relaxing libation, but also in the hopes that I can strike up a conversation with someone, preferably someone not tied to a cell phone, laptop, and briefcase. No one I met believed that I really am painfully shy. Perhaps my tactic of putting myself in situations where I have to strike up conversations with strangers or speak in front of groups really is paying off.
I have to give the sleeping accomodations in the Cincinnati airport an F, though. After hearing Ann Rhoades, keynote speaker for the SLA meeting, speak about the customer service values she promotes at Jet Blue, I was very disappointed by the way Delta treated both the passengers and crew on my flight--which sat on the runway for 5 hours before being cancelled and returning to the terminal.
Several people told me I was the first librarian they'd ever had a conversation with. I hope I represented well for the profession. In turn, I met several salespeople who were quite nice--not at all the stereotypical travelling salesman. I continue to assert that we librarians are not the only profession struggling with our image (or with the names of our professional associations, either).
Speaking of librarians and breaking stereotypes, I just read an article about a librarian who is also an anime voice actor. ("Popular anime series features North Texas vocal talent", North Texas Daily, 1/21/04) [via Free Range Librarian]
I'm indulging in a little cultural procrastination before heading off to Albuquerque for the SLA Leadership Summit. I love you, internet!
Cover me. My feelings about cover songs have already been documented. The BBC takes a look at covers, and I think John Peel is quite eloquent on the subject [via MetaFilter]. Ordinarily an album of roots Disney covers (O Mickey Where Art Thou) would strike me as a very bad idea, but the list of artists involved makes me think it just might not be that bad [via Boing Boing].
Football. Anyone who knew me prior to my college graduation would say I could care less about football. Anyone who has met me in the last couple years would say I become somewhat obsessed during the season, especially if Eddie George, the Titans, or the Patriots are involved. Or all three! So it is with the following qualifications that I submit my application for the position of head coach for the Oakland Raiders: 1) No one else seems to want the job. 2) I won't mind being fired after one dismal season.
Anti-aging beer!! No further comment.
Top 2 movies I've seen in a theater in the past year. 1. Kill Bill Vol. 1 2. 28 Days Later. Yep, I think those were the only two--good thing I liked both of them. It's not that I don't like seeing movies in the theater--I love it. But I usually only go to the movies if I can walk there, and the one theater I can walk to after work hasn't been playing anything I've wanted to see.
Therapy. When all else fails, play Mah Jong.
There is an editorial about library funding in Pennsylvania in my local newspaper this morning. I don't normally blog about general library issues, since they get so much attention on other library blogs, but this is local news for me--and hits close to home since I used to work in a public library in Pennsylvania.
I love knowing that libraries are among the most worthwhile institutions in our communities and that all of the standardized tests, state-mandated curriculum overhauls and teacher-evaluation programs in the world are worthless compared to the contributions libraries make toward the education of children. ("Remember library funding when you vote", Centre Daily Times, 1/20/04)
Jesus is not with librarians? He is with carpet layers, insurance agents, French horns, and clowns, but not librarians. What gives?
Textural classification. This thread about an imaginary record collection is interesting stuff in and of itself, but then in one of the posts I came across this:
There was a blind couple in Kansas City who would remove all of the jackets from their LPs and replace them with new covers. The back cover would be all braille describing the songs, etc., while the front would have a certain type of tactile material (say sandpaper or felt) that would let the couple know what kind of music was inside the jacket. Country was felt, rock was sandpaper, jazz was this construction paper material...really interesting system of classification.
[via MetaFilter]
Top 10 country songs. I haven't posted a Friday list in a while, so here is the diy librarian top 10 country songs. I base my selections on both songwriting and performance--hence I've listed both the songwriter and performer.
- Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain (written by Fred Rose, performed by Willie Nelson)
Willie Nelson has a sense of musicality that is difficult to top in any genre, and this song's subtlety brings it out. - My Tennessee Mountain Home (Dolly Parton)
I don't think Dolly gets enough credit for being one hell of a songwriter. Plus, that voice! Listen to her "I Will Always Love You" and repeat after me: "Whitney who?" - Movin' On (written and performed by Hank Snow)
Hank Snow is often left off of country lists (why? something against Canadians?). Many great singers have covered this song, but nothing tops the original. - Mama Tried (written and performed by Merle Haggard)
That steel guitar at the beginning just sends chills up my spine. - Six More Miles (To The Graveyard) (written and performed by Hank Williams)
It's difficult to pick just one Hank Williams, but this one really brings out the desolation in his voice. - Black Rose (written by Billy Joe Shaver, performed by Waylon Jennings)
One of the greatest voices singing one of the greatest songwriters. - Crazy (written by Willie Nelson, performed by Patsy Cline)
Another match made in heaven. - Guitar Town (written and performed by Steve Earle)
The song that makes me wish I had a baritone guitar. - I Walk the Line (written and performed by Johnny Cash)
Johnny Cash, telling it like it is. - Guitars, Cadillacs (written and performed by Dwight Yoakum)
"Guitars, cadillacs, and hillbilly music..." What else is there? Oh, yeah, tight pants and cowboy hats!
I wonder if the Curse of Blondie is related to the Curse of the Mekons? Just wondering.
And speaking of curses, fuck you, FCC. I didn't watch the Golden Globe awards, but I guarantee you that Bono saying "fucking brilliant" was about the least "patently offensive" part of that broadcast.
And, I don't think there is any cursing on this site, but I'm voting for Quimby in 2000. It was Lenny's endorsement that won me over. [via MetaFilter]
Michael argues that "movie people" (people involved in the movie business) see the connection between art and trash, but "book people" (people involved in the book business) do not. This is an interesting argument. Consider: in a bookstore, "literature" is generally in a separate category from genre fiction (science fiction, romance, mystery) but there is no "film" category for movies. But I think there is more to it than the personality differences between book people and movie people. I enjoy a bad movie, but not a bad book. A less-than-literary book, on occasion, to be sure, but I can't imagine enjoying the written equivalent of Road House. You can watch a movie casually, without devoting your concentration to it, with other people. When you read a novel, it's just you and the book. [via LISNews.com]
Note: Michael's post loses serious style points for the frequent use of one of my least favorite words, "IMHO", but gains them back for the use of the oft-neglected "ept".
1-12-04: books--not just for reading any more
When I stumbled across a $3,000 book on Amazon.com the other day, I thought it was just an anomaly. But apparently I had stumbled across a new trend:
More important, books such as Sumo and GOAT represent an understanding that books aren't simply just for reading any more. Naqvi acknowledges that GOAT isn't even aimed at average readers —who can easily afford 99 per cent of Taschen's catalogue, he adds — but higher-end collectors and those who dabble in the art market, visiting auctions to snap up their latest acquisition. ("$10,000 book club", The Globe and Mail, 1/9/04)
[via MetaFilter]
On a somewhat related topic, Tangognat writes:
I think only in comics would you find people suggesting that customers have an obligation “to the industry” to purchase product in a certain format (monthly form as opposed to trade paperbacks) or that if you purchase both monthlies and trades you have claim to some sort of moral superiority over lesser fanboys/girls.
I guess if you want publishers to consider a certain format viable (e.g., CD's, trade paperbacks, $10,000 coffee table books), then you should buy in that format. But I don't think purchasing the same content twice for the sake of the industry is reasonable. And Tangognat is right--only in the comics industry. Is this because the industry is so small (compared to, say, the movie, music, or book industries)? Or is it because comics fans tend to be collectors (at times to the exclusion of being readers)?
And, in unrelated news, I finally know why I spend so much time working out. Well, I'm off to the gym for my fix.
mimi smartypants writes:
More football playoffs should be played in super-cold weather, in super-cold climates, you know why? BECAUSE OF THE STEAMING HEADS! THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN WHEN SOME PLAYER SITS DOWN ON THE SIDELINES, TAKES OFF HIS HELMET, AND YOU GET TO SEE HIS HEAD STEAM! Sorry to shout but it is the truth, LT has even been known to back up the TiVo so I can see the steaming head three or four times.
And how! I am so looking forward to the New England Patriots hosting the Tennessee Titans tonight. Firstly, because William roots for the Pats and I root for the Titans, so there will be plenty of shouting, name-calling, and pillow-throwing, and at least one of us will be mighty pleased with the outcome. Secondly, because there is the distinct possibility of seeing a steaming Eddie George head. I stand by my assertion that Mr. George is the owner of the most perfectly shaped head in the NFL. The only thing that could make this game better is tons and tons of snow.
GO TITANS!
1-9-04: linking constitutes a violation of distribution rights?
Miramax claims that Kung Fu Cinema has infringed on its distribution rights to certain Asian films simply by linking to overseas businesses selling legal copies of these films:
Miramax doesn’t have the power to affect these stores since they are located overseas. To bypass the problem they have decided to hit the information resource web sites that North American fans use to share and learn news about Asian cinema. These sites, which actually promote Asian films in advance of North American releases, do not sell imports and in Kung Fu Cinema’s case, have ceased to earn commissions from overseas affiliates once it was made clear that this was a violation of Miramax’s copyrights.
...
As mentioned in the Copyright and DMCA information it is not illegal to hyperlink to another Internet resource, but from the Miramax point of view, apparently linking to sites that do sell imports is a violation and an accessory to crime.
According to a legal representative of Miramax Films who spoke with Kung Fu Cinema’s owner Mark Pollard, the company also claims that individuals caught importing a film into the U.S. that is owned by Miramax could face legal action. These DVDs are legal in their respective country and it is not illegal to import no more than one copy for private use only (Legal Information Institute, Section 602). (Open Letter to Miramax)
Note to Miramax: Please note that I have linked to Kung Fu Cinema and not to Miramax. Release Shaolin Soccer, already, and stop hassling potential customers.
The idea that simply directing someone to an information source could have legal implications should be disturbing for librarians everywhere. [link via Boing Boing, thanks also to William, who alerted me to this situation earlier]
More about the Miramax fiasco can be found here:
What Miramax is too blind to realize is that the people who are buying these imports are using what is currently the most ethical way to obtain copies of these films that they desperately want to see. It's much easier (and less expensive) to buy a bootleg than it is a legit import. And if you know what you're doing, it's even easier to find a version for download.
More information and calls to action at Web Alliance for the Respectful Treatment of Asian Cinema.
Also, for a book publishing perspective on a similar issue, see the November/December issue of Críticas (Whose Rights Are They Anyway?):
Since rights agreements aren't enforceable (they are more like gentlemen's agreements), the issues and the relationships can become thorny.
Happy (belated) Birthday, Earl Scruggs! Earl Scruggs turned 80 on Tuesday, and his musical friends threw him a party. Unfortunately they forgot to invite me. [via Blogcritics.org]
I am an author! My article, A Day in the Life of an Information Core Director, has been published at The Young Librarian. Check out the site--Katie's got a great thing going with TYL.
1-7-04: you go, Little Steven!
KINGBLIND reports that Little Steven is creating a programming stream for Sirius radio. (That, and touring with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, producing his radio show, acting in The Sopranos, etc.) I'm thinking more and more that I should look into satellite radio. I have fond memories of listening to the radio late at night in my bedroom, but lately I haven't been listening to radio much at all. Not that I have a huge problem with pop music, but I've already heard those ten songs on the radio at the gym. I want a real, live DJ who can introduce me to some real, live new music! I haven't yet determined if satellite radio will in fact do that, but if it can, I would consider doing the unthinkable and paying for radio. (Yes, RIAA, you heard me, I will pay for music!) What the heck, cable companies already convinced us to pay for television channels, so why not radio stations? In the meantime, I can listen to Little Steven's Underground Garage online.
Read an interview with the Librarian Barbarian! [via Library Stuff] But I of course am not satisfied with that and must know more about this boxing librarian. I'm not big on boxing myself, but I'm all for librarians fighting marines!
I hope everyone had a great holiday season, spent, as it should be, forming resolutions to break and year-end best-of lists to argue over.
The Blank Generation goes to the library - Richard Hell's papers are going to NYU's Fales Library ("Punk for Posterity", New York Times, 1/1/04). I find it interesting that Tom Verlaine is referred to as "Mr. Verlaine" in the article, but Richard Hell is simply "Hell".
Best Comics of 2003 - Four Color Hell (hooray! it's back) has a roundup of year-end roundups. It's depressing how many of these are sitting on my shelf that I haven't read yet. (I smell a resolution sneaking up on me...) And, there is no relief in sight for me. Sequential Tart already has an article about comics to come in 2004.
Newspaper Comics - Several people have lamented the sad state of newspaper comics these days. I have to admit that I skip most of the comics in my daily paper, but Mutts alone makes the price of my newspaper subscription worthwhile. Yes, I know I can read it online, for free, with a two-week delay. But I need my daily Mutts fix first thing in the morning, just like I need that first cup of coffee. Recently, my local paper ran a readers poll to determine which Sunday comic strip would go to make room for the new Opus, generating all kinds of humorous letters to the editor about the merits of this or that comic strip. Personally, I've thus far been unimpressed by the new incarnation of Opus and would actually prefer (if not actually read) Prince Valiant, but at least we still have Mark Trail's daily adventures to entertain and educate us. Congratulations, Prince Valiant, you join Ann Coulter in the ranks of those who have been fired by the Centre Daily Times!
It's Resolution Time! - Modern Drunkard Magazine (who knew? an alternative to Modern Bride, at last!) has thoughtfully provided 365 Reasons To Get Soused.[thanks, William]
1 National Day of Resolutions. Can't break 'em unless you make 'em. Bloody Mary.
Note - Like producers of alcoholic beverages, diy librarian promotes responsible drinking.
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