Tuesday, July 12, 2011
very important question
do you remember that time she made lemonade with heavy cream and vodka? yeah, me too.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Servicey!
Lots afoot these days. But seeing as how I've been awake before 7am everyday for the last two weeks, I'm going to take it easy on myself and give the update in an abbreviated list format.
1. I'm a real live librarian!
I weathered the post grad school slump (12 months of moodiness behind me!) and scored a job at the lovely Brooklyn academic library I've been interning at since the fall. It's true what they say, networking/working for free is the best way to get your foot in the door, but I still feel quite lucky that it's all worked out so well. My commute is a 15 minute walk and, once I'm here, I spend the day working with some pretty sharp librarians. Also, the library has plans for an Information Commons and I'll be helping to implement that. New tech hardware! Digital resources! Instruction! A bibliographic dream come true.
2. I've caught up with so much YA and comics
Infernal Devices, book 1, a good start.
Mortal Instruments, book 4, so glad Clary & crew are back!
Forrest of Hands and Teeth, such a good zombie tale (everything in the story it needs, no detours) I missed my subway stop.
The sequels (Dead-Tossed Waves, Dark and Hollow Places) solid, but the pacing wasn't as brutally good.
Sandman, onward ho!, I go (honestly, I can't call myself a comic geek until I get this under my belt). You'll be excited to know, Neil Gaiman still holds up as a genius.
Walking Dead, after Forrest of Hands and Teeth I need a break, but I'll pick it up again. Too many scary zombie dreams for the time. (a rewatch of the AMC series is not out of the question, however)
Where She Went, sequel I loved more than the original (If I Stay). Extreme circumstances at play (rockstars, tragic car accidents..), sure, but the drama reads like true life 20-something struggles. The novel gave me postpartum depression.
Lost Girls, those Victorian ponces, the Extraordinary Gentlemen, would be scandalized by this other work from Alan Moore. Fairytale heroines aside, this is erotica in its finest sense - no innocent childsplay here. Not offended, but not a thing I'd read in public.
3. Good things come in threes
Spring is here (sorta, like autumn with more brunch)! Summer's on the way! And, there are always Dr. Who screenings in the meantime.
1. I'm a real live librarian!
I weathered the post grad school slump (12 months of moodiness behind me!) and scored a job at the lovely Brooklyn academic library I've been interning at since the fall. It's true what they say, networking/working for free is the best way to get your foot in the door, but I still feel quite lucky that it's all worked out so well. My commute is a 15 minute walk and, once I'm here, I spend the day working with some pretty sharp librarians. Also, the library has plans for an Information Commons and I'll be helping to implement that. New tech hardware! Digital resources! Instruction! A bibliographic dream come true.
2. I've caught up with so much YA and comics
Infernal Devices, book 1, a good start.
Mortal Instruments, book 4, so glad Clary & crew are back!
Forrest of Hands and Teeth, such a good zombie tale (everything in the story it needs, no detours) I missed my subway stop.
The sequels (Dead-Tossed Waves, Dark and Hollow Places) solid, but the pacing wasn't as brutally good.
Sandman, onward ho!, I go (honestly, I can't call myself a comic geek until I get this under my belt). You'll be excited to know, Neil Gaiman still holds up as a genius.
Walking Dead, after Forrest of Hands and Teeth I need a break, but I'll pick it up again. Too many scary zombie dreams for the time. (a rewatch of the AMC series is not out of the question, however)
Where She Went, sequel I loved more than the original (If I Stay). Extreme circumstances at play (rockstars, tragic car accidents..), sure, but the drama reads like true life 20-something struggles. The novel gave me postpartum depression.
Lost Girls, those Victorian ponces, the Extraordinary Gentlemen, would be scandalized by this other work from Alan Moore. Fairytale heroines aside, this is erotica in its finest sense - no innocent childsplay here. Not offended, but not a thing I'd read in public.
3. Good things come in threes
Spring is here (sorta, like autumn with more brunch)! Summer's on the way! And, there are always Dr. Who screenings in the meantime.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Drifting Through My Open Mind
Thanks to a generous friend in the publishing industry, I scored an advanced copy of Beth Revis' Across the Universe last month. Unfortunately, I don't have a complete review prepared (I got side tracked by this killer zombie tale. More on that later.), but I can say that I can't wait to get through to the end.
Imagine you're me. If you've got your thinking cap on correctly, this means you appreciate stories with melancholic trappings, visual aides, and you spend considerable amounts of time denying your love of sci-fi/fantasy (then, eventually, giving in to Battlestar Galactica weekend marathons).
Lucky for me/your imagined me/us, this book seems to have it all. Girl frozen in intergalactic transit: check (bonus points if you're humming The Smiths right now). A map of the spaceship she's riding: check. Murder! Intrigue! In space!: check.
What could be better? Oh, I know. A book trailer narrated by my 90's idol, Lauren Ambrose!
Imagine you're me. If you've got your thinking cap on correctly, this means you appreciate stories with melancholic trappings, visual aides, and you spend considerable amounts of time denying your love of sci-fi/fantasy (then, eventually, giving in to Battlestar Galactica weekend marathons).
Lucky for me/your imagined me/us, this book seems to have it all. Girl frozen in intergalactic transit: check (bonus points if you're humming The Smiths right now). A map of the spaceship she's riding: check. Murder! Intrigue! In space!: check.
What could be better? Oh, I know. A book trailer narrated by my 90's idol, Lauren Ambrose!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Observing Protocol
so, last week i sped through Incarceron. maybe it was because i'd heard great things, maybe it was because i wanted to get the jump on the sure-to-be-sixpack-ified summer blockbuster (seriously. taylor lautner, he of the wolfy Twi-abs, has signed on to be our protag.)*, but i was anxious to get to the end. and i'm glad i did so quickly.
*disclaimer: this is to say, i wanted to read the book before the theatrical release and save myself from imagining his underage torso in every scene. but, now that i've described this motive, i can't help but picture it. blech.
set in the future within the confines of a living prison, Incarceron is dark, violent, and all the other things that parent groups are afraid we'll expose children to. and i have to say, i'm really digging this dystopic trend that's taken over YA. part of me thinks this low morale in YA is because prospects in the adult world look pretty bleak right now.
of course, i am a part of that adult world and probably not the most objective person on the matter. my perspective is such that, while reading this story about a queen who's tied her court to the conventions and punishments of a past Era, i could only think of the impenetrable librarian code.
now, let it be said that i am proud member of several librarian groups. i attend conferences, make local meet-and-greets, keep an active virtual presence, and volunteer within/create my community. i'm not saying that to toot my own horn, but to illustrate the fact that i'm not just sitting on my ass or cowering in the corner - i'm getting out there! nevertheless, i can't escape this feeling of... being rebuffed by my elders. case in point:
1) the polite inquiry
last spring i asked a professor for his recommendations on getting some pre-professional experience. its no secret that, with the shortage of paid positions, new librarians have to hustle their skills for free. that's fine by me so, when the prof threw out the name of a contact at a choice institution, i ran home and sent out an email. i kept it short and sweet cause i hate 'cold calls' too.
weeks went by and nothing.
then i spotted mr. colleague at a conference. i approached to give the elevator speech but got the brush off instead. ok, fine. he was busy.
a week after that, i got an announcement for an internship (what i had inquired about months before) in mr. colleague's institution, with all cv's sent to his attention.
truth: look, i'm not naive enough to think that upper-ups will drop what they're doing every time i have a question. but, fact is, professional courtesy doesn't just extend to mid-career professionals. in this case, a simple acknowledgment would have sufficed. and maybe my frustration with the whole library world is because of this slight. but that's because i've found this "do as i say, not as i do" attitude a bit too often.
2) the quizzical case of recruitment
when this young brown woman hears of "diversity recruitment" sessions, you can be sure she'll show up. even when the talks are aimed at established librarians, hr, and admissions, i take the time to go because knowing exactly what future employers want gives me a great advantage.
that said, the last time i sat in on one of these i walked away insulted, not informed. i love powerpoint presentations just as much as the next guy but i wanted to know where they were going with this hoopla. during q&a i asked what were specific goals of minority recruiting efforts these days and what could a recent grad do to smartly position themselves to be recruited when things pick up. i was hoping for more news about the future, and less rumination on the past. one panelists first answer? "well we're not hiring..." followed by some garble about the importance of diversity. no answer to any of my questions.
truth: i know no one can tell me how long this job crisis is going to go on for, but if you don't know what your goals are (ie. 15% increase in students of color by 20xx, more collections with minority focus, 2 more minority interest groups represented at the next meeting...) how can i, as a candidate, meet them? also, recent grads (ahem) are acutely aware of the ins and outs of this job market, no need for disparaging and patronizing remarks.
3) mentor-tormentor
of course, the worst professional failure to date: outreach programs with no follow through!
last august, i joined (read: spent a good chunk of change on memberships to) organizations with mentor programs. i signed up for those programs! i need all the advice i can get.
its february. i have yet to be assigned a contact. (the "thanks for joining" automated email does NOT count as contact)
truth: if it's important to professionals that i stay involved, then the participants/managers of these groups ought to meet me half way! there's so much talk about bringing us youngins under your wing, cultivating the next generation of librarians, but these orgs are starting to seem more like exclusive clubs, than inclusive groups. organizations can't be blamed for the tone certain individuals set (believe me, i have seen enough job protectiveness in the last year to last a lifetime), but if no one takes responsibility for how these groups function it will only be a matter of time before they don't.
silver lining
look, virtual meetings at ala! finally, evidence of the web connectivity we're always going on about.
needs work
this is list of groups through ala connect. how do i navigate that?
*disclaimer: this is to say, i wanted to read the book before the theatrical release and save myself from imagining his underage torso in every scene. but, now that i've described this motive, i can't help but picture it. blech.
set in the future within the confines of a living prison, Incarceron is dark, violent, and all the other things that parent groups are afraid we'll expose children to. and i have to say, i'm really digging this dystopic trend that's taken over YA. part of me thinks this low morale in YA is because prospects in the adult world look pretty bleak right now.
of course, i am a part of that adult world and probably not the most objective person on the matter. my perspective is such that, while reading this story about a queen who's tied her court to the conventions and punishments of a past Era, i could only think of the impenetrable librarian code.
now, let it be said that i am proud member of several librarian groups. i attend conferences, make local meet-and-greets, keep an active virtual presence, and volunteer within/create my community. i'm not saying that to toot my own horn, but to illustrate the fact that i'm not just sitting on my ass or cowering in the corner - i'm getting out there! nevertheless, i can't escape this feeling of... being rebuffed by my elders. case in point:
1) the polite inquiry
last spring i asked a professor for his recommendations on getting some pre-professional experience. its no secret that, with the shortage of paid positions, new librarians have to hustle their skills for free. that's fine by me so, when the prof threw out the name of a contact at a choice institution, i ran home and sent out an email. i kept it short and sweet cause i hate 'cold calls' too.
weeks went by and nothing.
then i spotted mr. colleague at a conference. i approached to give the elevator speech but got the brush off instead. ok, fine. he was busy.
a week after that, i got an announcement for an internship (what i had inquired about months before) in mr. colleague's institution, with all cv's sent to his attention.
truth: look, i'm not naive enough to think that upper-ups will drop what they're doing every time i have a question. but, fact is, professional courtesy doesn't just extend to mid-career professionals. in this case, a simple acknowledgment would have sufficed. and maybe my frustration with the whole library world is because of this slight. but that's because i've found this "do as i say, not as i do" attitude a bit too often.
2) the quizzical case of recruitment
when this young brown woman hears of "diversity recruitment" sessions, you can be sure she'll show up. even when the talks are aimed at established librarians, hr, and admissions, i take the time to go because knowing exactly what future employers want gives me a great advantage.
that said, the last time i sat in on one of these i walked away insulted, not informed. i love powerpoint presentations just as much as the next guy but i wanted to know where they were going with this hoopla. during q&a i asked what were specific goals of minority recruiting efforts these days and what could a recent grad do to smartly position themselves to be recruited when things pick up. i was hoping for more news about the future, and less rumination on the past. one panelists first answer? "well we're not hiring..." followed by some garble about the importance of diversity. no answer to any of my questions.
truth: i know no one can tell me how long this job crisis is going to go on for, but if you don't know what your goals are (ie. 15% increase in students of color by 20xx, more collections with minority focus, 2 more minority interest groups represented at the next meeting...) how can i, as a candidate, meet them? also, recent grads (ahem) are acutely aware of the ins and outs of this job market, no need for disparaging and patronizing remarks.
3) mentor-tormentor
of course, the worst professional failure to date: outreach programs with no follow through!
last august, i joined (read: spent a good chunk of change on memberships to) organizations with mentor programs. i signed up for those programs! i need all the advice i can get.
its february. i have yet to be assigned a contact. (the "thanks for joining" automated email does NOT count as contact)
truth: if it's important to professionals that i stay involved, then the participants/managers of these groups ought to meet me half way! there's so much talk about bringing us youngins under your wing, cultivating the next generation of librarians, but these orgs are starting to seem more like exclusive clubs, than inclusive groups. organizations can't be blamed for the tone certain individuals set (believe me, i have seen enough job protectiveness in the last year to last a lifetime), but if no one takes responsibility for how these groups function it will only be a matter of time before they don't.
silver lining
look, virtual meetings at ala! finally, evidence of the web connectivity we're always going on about.
needs work
this is list of groups through ala connect. how do i navigate that?
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Quip Pics
sometimes spreadsheets and powerpoints aren't enough for me, you know? as much as i love the usual infographics, i think even simple clip art is trying to tell us something. back in 2006, i experimented with a little 'truth in clip art' presentation. it seemed to go over well, so i came back for more a couple of weeks ago.
i hope i don't ruin microsoft for you.
i hope i don't ruin microsoft for you.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
more than one way to Skin a cast
when word got out last week that a buffy feature was going ahead without joss whedon at the helm, joss had a couple of words on the subject. his response was honest, and cynical, and witty - all the things you would expect of him. and, while i'm incredibly miffed that this project is happening (as is the rest of the internet, it seems), i was so impressed with his tiny takedown of the hollywood machine that i forgot to be angry for a moment.
"feeding off the carcasses of beloved stories", as he puts it, is nothing new. but it doesn't feel like things are even given enough time to decay or disappear from the pop cultural conscience anymore. case in point: Skins.
not a beloved story exactly, but this british tv series only premiered in 2007 with two really amazing seasons, another two fairly good seasons with a second-generation cast followed, and a third generation for season 5 was just announced in august.
this show is alive and well in the uk (with a substantial american following), not long dead and buried, which used to be the prereq for a reboot. nevertheless, mtv's decided an almost shot-for-shot remake is what america needs right now.
now, i'm not a purest - some of my favorite shows have been reboots (battlestar gallactica), revamps (baz luhrman's r + j), pastiches (every campy minute of BtVS), etc. what i am, however, is someone who believes reviving something before it's dead is a big waste of time. and, in the case of Skins, the disappointment comes from knowing that the version american audiences will settle for will be a dressed up, watered down half hour of tv.
the genius of Skins was showing kids (not near 30 year-old actors) do and say the things you know they shouldn't (but really do anyway). sanitizing the on-screen drug use and sex, replacing normal looking teens with impossibly attractive cast members... this is only going to make the Skins reboot mtv's undressed, part 2. and, really, what's the point? the grit of the uk Skins didn't insult my (read: the teenager inside me) intelligence. but, you know, that's something mtv lives to do these days (i'm looking at you, jersey shore).
as long as these easy-bake remakes make advertising dollars, there's really no stopping the studios from popping them out. but i will say this, if i could get paid for turning in my co-worker's project, i guess i wouldn't be too picky about the quality of the copy either.
"feeding off the carcasses of beloved stories", as he puts it, is nothing new. but it doesn't feel like things are even given enough time to decay or disappear from the pop cultural conscience anymore. case in point: Skins.
uk cast, 2007
not a beloved story exactly, but this british tv series only premiered in 2007 with two really amazing seasons, another two fairly good seasons with a second-generation cast followed, and a third generation for season 5 was just announced in august.
us cast, 2010
this show is alive and well in the uk (with a substantial american following), not long dead and buried, which used to be the prereq for a reboot. nevertheless, mtv's decided an almost shot-for-shot remake is what america needs right now.
now, i'm not a purest - some of my favorite shows have been reboots (battlestar gallactica), revamps (baz luhrman's r + j), pastiches (every campy minute of BtVS), etc. what i am, however, is someone who believes reviving something before it's dead is a big waste of time. and, in the case of Skins, the disappointment comes from knowing that the version american audiences will settle for will be a dressed up, watered down half hour of tv.
the genius of Skins was showing kids (not near 30 year-old actors) do and say the things you know they shouldn't (but really do anyway). sanitizing the on-screen drug use and sex, replacing normal looking teens with impossibly attractive cast members... this is only going to make the Skins reboot mtv's undressed, part 2. and, really, what's the point? the grit of the uk Skins didn't insult my (read: the teenager inside me) intelligence. but, you know, that's something mtv lives to do these days (i'm looking at you, jersey shore).
as long as these easy-bake remakes make advertising dollars, there's really no stopping the studios from popping them out. but i will say this, if i could get paid for turning in my co-worker's project, i guess i wouldn't be too picky about the quality of the copy either.
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