Emerging Trends

The library world, like all professional fields is relatively small. I am very happy to be a part of the library world here in Charlotte, NC where one emerging trend came into being. The public library system of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County (PLCMC) created a program called 23 things. My blog was originally made because the library I work in was having its employees go through this program. If anyone reads my blog, it is likely that they too are bloggers. At any rate in my reading for my Master's in Library and Information Studies, this program comes up time and again and is being used all across the nation. So, for those of you who may be interested in learning more about Web 2.0, here's the link: http://plcmcl2-things.blogspot.com/#23

Enjoy it, I did. :)

Renewal

I don't know why I've always felt that fall is a time of renewal. Maybe it's the result of being raised in an academic world and living my entire life in semesters. This fall has been such a time. I got my new job at Pfeiffer University library as the evening librarian and I am also putting the final touches on the interior of my house.

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas. They'll both be quiet holidays this year but right now I'm ready for some time where I can just relax and enjoy the new surroundings I've created for myself.

Well: I was going to put something of amusement up but I've got nothing. I'm calling it a night.

Home Sweet Library

These days most of my time is either spent in a library or reading about libraries. Not that I mind, I love libraries which is good for me because I'm currently employed in two. I am happy to be working in the second one because it is the first time I've ever done library work on a professional level and received credit for it. Hopefully, the experience will serve me well. I already feel I've learned a lot.

I did not get to see that second Tina Fey skit so let me know if you have a live link to it.

Here's something for the road: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwTCNJOsDNk

That's my friend Vicki's favorite scene from Old School. I love that movie.

Summer's Over and you know what that means...

Live from New York it's Saturday Night. That's right, Saturday Night Live had it's season premiere over this past weekend and it was pretty funny. Michael Phelps hosted. I'm getting a little tired of Will Forte but the rest of the cast is okay. They're not back up to where theywere when Will Ferrell was on but I loved Tina Fey's guest appearance as Sarah Palin. They showed it again on Good Morning America today. It's not up on youtube because of copyright but here's a link to a picture: http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bal-te.to.review15sep15,0,375092.story

Well, I can't believe it came and went so quickly. Fall session started back August 25th. I'm taking Emerging Trends in Technology and Storytelling. Both are interesting. The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman is one of our books for Emerging Trends and it is truly a must-read for any thoughtful person living in this day and age.

Emily's senior pictures are already back and Steven is off his R&R and back working in Afghanistan. That's it for now, mostly I just wanted to put a plug in for SNL.

Long Time, No Post

It's been a long summer. I've been busy with fixing up the inside of the house and working on this class I've been in. Information Literacy is the title of the class. I went to a conference about the subject in the early part of June which was hosted by the Metrolina Library Association. It was informative. Currently, I should be writing my paper for this class instead of updating my blog but I need to get the creative juices flowing. That's assuming I have any.

In addition to painting and generally cleaning up the place I've also made sure I make time for family this summer. In June I went to Florida with my sister, my nieces, my daughter and my dad. It was a good time. I've been going to visit my grandmother and mom on a regular basis, too. My grandmother has now succumbed to Alzherimer's. It's kind of sad. She can't remember driving anymore and she loved to travel. She drove all over the country. Yesterday, I took my mother-in-law out for her birthday. We went to see Mamma Mia. It was really wonderful. Very upbeat. I've seen that and Get Smart this summer and recommend both highly.

I'd also like to add that tomorrow is my 7th wedding anniversary to Mr. Steven Smith. I wonder if he'll remember. He hasn't called in days.

Finally, I leave you with a plug for the Centrist party. I attended an online discussion of the by-laws a few nights ago and the Centrist movement seems like the first reasonable stance in politics for many years. Learn more about the Centrist party at: http://www.americancentristparty.net/

Report on Lars and the Real Girl

Last night I watched a really wonderful movie with Ryan Gosling called Lars and the Real Girl. This movie was about a man who orders and falls in love with a life sized doll. The whole town plays along with his delusion until such time as Lars is ready to let go of that delusion. Such community support is rare in today's world and it is the kind of support that I miss. I miss the days when eccentricities were chalked up to "that's just the way so and so is." Today's society, despite our "political correctness" seems far more judgemental than the climate in which I was raised. Anyway, it was really good. I would recommend it. Especially to those who miss that salt of the earth kind of logic.

Trailer for Lars and the Real Girl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1XxILVnt1w

Ethiopia Reads

This link was sent to me by a co-worker. It is a literacy program in Ethiopia. After completion of my MLIS I hope to be a part of the creation of South Africa's public library system:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/04/30/heroes.ethiopia/index.html

Although the National Libray of South Africa has been established the creation of branch locations is still underway:

http://www.carnegie.org/reporter/11/natlibsa/

Humor and Fun

An old friend has actually been perusing my blog and enjoyed some earlier post with jokes. I haven't put anything gun up in a while... here's a joke about Charlotte's own, Billy Graham:



Billy Graham was returning to Charlotte after a speaking engagement. When his planearrived there was a limousine there to transport him to his home in Montreat. As he prepared to get into the limo, he stopped and spoke to the driver. "You know" he said, "I am 87 years old and I have never driven a limousine. Wouldyou mind if I drove it for a while?" The driver said, "No problem. Have at it." "Billy gets into the driver's seat and they head off down the highway. A short distance away sat a rookie State Trooper operating his first speed trap. The long black limo went by him doing 70 in a 55 mph zone. The trooper pulled out and easily caught the limo and got out of his patrol car tobegin the procedure. The young trooper walked up to the driver's door and when the glass was rolled downhe was surprised to see who was driving. He immediately excused himself and went back to his car and called his supervisor. He told the supervisor, "I know we are supposed to enforce the law but I also knowthat important people are sometimes given certain courtesies. I need to know what I should do because I have stopped a very important person.""The supervisor asked, "Is it the governor?" The young trooper said, "No, he's more important than that." The supervisor said, "Oh, so it's the president." The young trooper said, "Not, he's even more important than that." The supervisor finally asked, "Well then, who is it?" The young trooper said, "I think it's Jesus because he's got Billy Graham for a chauffeur !!!!!



Hah! I didn't see that one coming. And now for a fun website, Billy Graham was returning to Charlotte after a speaking engagement. When his planearrived there was a limousine there to transport him to his home in Montreat. As he prepared to get into the limo, he stopped and spoke to the driver. "You know" he said, "I am 87 years old and I have never driven a limousine. Wouldyou mind if I drove it for a while?" The driver said, "No problem. Have at it." "Billy gets into the driver's seat and they head off down the highway. A short distance away sat a rookie State Trooper operating his first speed trap. The long black limo went by him doing 70 in a 55 mph zone. The trooper pulled out and easily caught the limo and got out of his patrol car tobegin the procedure. The young trooper walked up to the driver's door and when the glass was rolled downhe was surprised to see who was driving. He immediately excused himself and went back to his car and called his supervisor. He told the supervisor, "I know we are supposed to enforce the law but I also knowthat important people are sometimes given certain courtesies. I need to know what I should do because I have stopped a very important person.""The supervisor asked, "Is it the governor?" The young trooper said, "No, he's more important than that." The supervisor said, "Oh, so it's the president." The young trooper said, "Not, he's even more important than that." The supervisor finally asked, "Well then, who is it?" The young trooper said, "I think it's Jesus because he's got Billy Grahamfor a chauffeur !!!!!

And now for a fun website: Billy Graham was returning to Charlotte after a speaking engagement. When his planearrived there was a limousine there to transport him to his home in Montreat. As he prepared to get into the limo, he stopped and spoke to the driver. "You know" he said, "I am 87 years old and I have never driven a limousine. Wouldyou mind if I drove it for a while?" The driver said, "No problem. Have at it." "Billy gets into the driver's seat and they head off down the highway. A short distance away sat a rookie State Trooper operating his first speed trap. The long black limo went by him doing 70 in a 55 mph zone. The trooper pulled out and easily caught the limo and got out of his patrol car tobegin the procedure. The young trooper walked up to the driver's door and when the glass was rolled downhe was surprised to see who was driving. He immediately excused himself and went back to his car and called his supervisor. He told the supervisor, "I know we are supposed to enforce the law but I also knowthat important people are sometimes given certain courtesies. I need to know what I should do because I have stopped a very important person.""The supervisor asked, "Is it the governor?" The young trooper said, "No, he's more important than that." The supervisor said, "Oh, so it's the president." The young trooper said, "Not, he's even more important than that." The supervisor finally asked, "Well then, who is it?" The young trooper said, "I think it's Jesus because he's got Billy Graham for a chauffeur !!!!!


Here's a fun youtube video called crazy worms: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjNhyeje0g0&NR=1

If that doesn't take you to it just go to you tube and type in crazy worms, they're fun. I also recommend muffinfilms.com and Evil Strawberry: I believe both of those are on earlier posts.

Slick Willy

I can't believe I didn't post this the day it happened, but on April 4th, 2008, Bill Clinton visited the campus of UNC-Charlotte. I was thrilled at the idea of actually getting to see a living president, I had seen Slick Willy in the hall of presidents at Disney World, but the real thing. I could hardly believe my luck. The speech he made was very moving. Although he was here to promote Hillary's campaign, since it was the anniversary of MLK, Jr's assasination the mood was much more somber than that of your normal rally. He was quite eloquent and at the end of the speech I was able to shake his hand. It was a truly thrilling experience.

Party Time Approaches

Finally, the end of the semester is here. I have 3 more cataloging classes and two more reference classes and for better or worse that's it. I'll have a break until June 27th when I start my Information Literacy course and when that's over I'll have completed 15 out of 36 credits.

Something to think about...

Having trouble deciding on a candidate to vote for? I am. Think the party you've been true to for low these many years has betrayed you? I do. Then consider becoming a member of the Centrist Party... http://www.uscentrist.org/ They make good sense, which is something we're really lacking these days. I believe common sense needs to make a come back.

For my cataloging buddies

This semester I'm taking cataloging and reference. When asked about my course work around the family table, I tend to change the topic. Some subjects are simply not interesting fodder for dinner conversation. However, if cataloging is your passion or you need (as I do) to do some cataloging homework this is a very helpful link: http://www.loc.gov/marc/bibliographic/ecbdhome.html

Have fun!

Military Chaplains, a rare breed

Wednesday I went to Fort Jackson and John Brinsfield, historian in residence led me, Steven and my dad all around the campus. My primary focus was the museum and the library. I was able to look in the museum archives and discuss future plans with the curator. Military chaplain enrollments have dropped off significantly so by 2010 Fort Jackson will be the chaplain school for not only the Army but also to the Navy, Air Force and Marines. There is an interesting article about military chaplains at http://www.csmonitor.com/specials/chaplains/. They are working on a documentary as well. Their blog is http://www.inhisserviceandyours.com/. They've done a good job at conveying the responsibilities of chaplains in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Good Blog

I ran into this blog today and it happens to belong to someone I knew long ago. It had some interesting commentary. Check it out: http://randomthoughts-phoenix.blogspot.com/

Life is but a dream

Steven went to Afghanistan and then he came back because he cut his tendon clean and had to have surgery on his hand. My friend, Jacqui said "wasn't he due". Meaning that he was due for another otj injury. He's not the most cautious soul. Meantime I'm enjoying having him at home. Tomorrow we're going for a little trip to Fort Jackson in Colombia, SC. We're going to see the Chaplain's school for my project in Reference. My topic is military chaplains. My dad and his best friend are both Army Chaplains and I always thought they were kind of a strange breed. You can visit the Army chaplain school website at www.usachcs.army.mil.