My New Hero

Move over, Martha; this woman knows how to DIY!

Pony up

Woah. Harry Potter is all nekkid and horsey! What is this world coming to!?

i keep getting older but the girls stay the same age...

Johnny Lechner is graduating!

the blog goes Google

Tonight I switched our blog to the new Google-ized version of Blogger. Our address and most of the functions the blog will remain the same but you will need a Google account in order to post. I believe that the next time you log into Blogger you will automatically be instructed on setting that up, provided you don't already have Gmail. As soon as you are registered as a Google-ized blogger, your name will reappear as a contributor to the blog and you will have contributed to Google's eminent world domination.

If you have any questions... put your mad librarianing skillz to use and find the answer yourself.

Mark your calendars

Starting this week, happy hour will appear on its new night.

TUESDAY.

Same great time, 8:00pm
Same heavy handed drinks at Genna's.
New night to accommodate more librarians.

Amused Librarians

I just discovered a community in Live Journal in which librarians discuss the bizarre questions they get at the ref desk. It’s called “Amused Library.” I don’t know if the link will work because you have to sign in. Here’s a teaser:

“I work in a medium-sized public library in the circulation department (desk staff/librarian assistant). Recently, our library started offering free wi-fi Internet to patrons (or non-patrons) and we have signs up all over the library advertising this new service.

So five minutes ago, this woman comes up to the circulation desk...

Patron: That wi-fi thing you have...can I use that at my home?
Me: No, that's for use in the library. You can bring your laptop in and use it. The adult services desk would be able to tell you more...(then I got cut off)
Patron: But you're advertising it for free! And it's wireless, so can't I take it anywhere?!”

There’s also a good one about a patron who complains because he can’t check out a copy of the Gutenberg Bible. Incidentally, did you know that Bill Gates obtained a copy of said Bible for the meager sum of 30 million dollars!

OK, now I’ll study…

A great way to start my Sunday

So I have no cute link or picture to accompany this post, but I know that you bitches will forgive me.

I am completely incapable of completing a transaction at a cash register, accepting my change, and putting my wallet back in my purse in anything resembling a timely fashion. Even if I get my wallet out before I reach the register, I can't manage to get away before the person in line behind me starts staring daggers and muttering under his/her breath. Is this just me? Is there some wrist-flicky thing that I'm missing out on? Because I felt some serious wrath at Starbucks this morning...

As it turns out I am also completely unable to walk the short distance between Starbucks and the library without spilling coffee all down my front. What a day!

Movie Chat

Omigod, y'all! It's almost Oscar^® time. Let's talk movies!

Nate and I went and saw The Last King of Scotland last night, and it was very good, though I couldn't get over that I was watching the Scottish Edward Norton. I was happy to see Forest Whitaker up for best actor, too!

I liked Little Miss Sunshine and I really liked Stranger Than Fiction, which I'm sad to see is not on here, but I think I'm a sucker for films about writing. The Prestige was pretty sweet, too, but as Katie C. and I discussed, I don't know if I can separate the movie from the Christian Bale. And I'd make a special Oscar^® just for the deliciousness of Daniel Craig (Most Edible Male Actor), but unfortunately these are not my decisions to make.

What were your favorite films last year? Have you filled out your Oscar^® ballot yet? (That's a PDF, so beware.) Most importantly, who will wear the worst dress on the red carpet? Who will look absolutely smashing? Who will forget their undies and horrify us all?

Fatty Cat!

This is the porkiest kitty I've seen in a while, and his story's pretty cute. Video here; it takes a while to load, but it's good (I watched it three times).

Like so many of us, he's unhappy about the skinny pants trend....

Retail Therapy on the Cheap

I don’t know who among you are H&M fans, but there is a really good deal going on that I just thought I’d pass along. I popped in there today to give an inexpensive boost to my midwinter wardrobe, and discovered that in addition to the sale stuff being half-off, it was also buy one get one free. I got a winter coat, interview-worthy blazer, sweater, hat and PJs for fifty bucks. There was however, one close call. I was trying on what appeared to me to be an innocent pair of corduroy pants, when I suddenly found myself ensnared in the skinniest pants EVER! I swear I’ve worn stockings that were looser about the calves. Fortunately I was able to free myself without staff assistance. So beware the skinny pants, and enjoy the bargains!

International Coffee and Conversation Hour

The first International Coffee and Conversation Hour (ICCH) of the semester is tomorrow. This is a really nice weekly event that I've been attending for two years now.

Free coffee and tea are provided, and there's usually some snacks as well. It's also a nice opportunity to meet foreign students and people from other departments. (Especially Engineering!) There's also information available about other events sponsored by Global Connections, like the "Taste of..." food/culture series, dances, and weekend trips.

When: Fridays while classes are in session, 12-2 pm
Where: Copper Hearth, Room 160, Union South

Happy Hour Returns

After numerous beers at the Angelic last week, it was decided that Happy Hour will return this semester on Wednesday nights circa 8:00pm. Any suggestions for a location? I hope to see you all there, I've missed you bitches.

Have They No Decency???

That's it. This has gone too far. The latest in fashion....MAN LEGGINGS!!!

I could tolerate the skinny jeans on men (especially punk rock boys back in the day....now that was cool), but this is just too much.

Before you ask, yes, I know what mellifluous means

RIP Sandy Cohen
I just don't know what I'll do without my weekly fix of your mellifluous eyebrows...

(I know you bitches can't necessarily understand my pain, but I haven't yet created my own self-indulgent LiveJournal on which to vent my television-related misery.)

maybe she doesn't understand how it happens

Girlfriend needs to stop. Now. No more mini-Feds. Please.

isn't "George W. Bush Library" an oxymoron?

Props to Southern Methodist University faculty members who are protesting the proposed George W. Bush presidential library. Although I think the dude who says that the library will become a terrorist target is a little off the mark. I mean, what are they going to bomb? Three Shakespeares? A Camus? That little goat book? The hungry caterpillar? I really can't imagine that the George W. Bush Library (just try to say it out loud without laughing) will have an extensive print collection.

Gorilla Librarian

In keeping with the previous monkey-themed post... for anyone who didn't see this fun link from American Libraries Direct.

Hope none of us has to go to these lengths during the job hunt!

Monkey sorbet

One of my favorite procrastination destinations is Hi Monkey. Monkeys will always hold a special place in my heart, even the terrycloth ones.

Today, monkey teaches us how to make sorbet using a recipe that is very similar to Lia V's infamous "camping omelettes". Enjoy!

winter break happy hour, anyone?

I propose a Winter Break edition of happy hour this Friday, January 12, at the Angelic. Meet me and my special guest around 7 pm. Single librarians are especially encouraged to attend. Manbrarians, dates, and other hangers-on are also welcome.

I Miss You Bitches (Reprise)

I'm back in Madison and I'm assuming many of you are as well. Thus, I suggest we get together and do what we do best: eat, drink and bitch. Perhaps a happy hour or something of the sort? Suggestions?

Swedish Librarians

Two posts in one day - whew! OK, they are definitely rocking the stereotype here, but when was the last time you saw REAL librarians featured in a fashion spread??? Plus, stereotypical or not, I think some of the outfits are cute ;-)

Seattle?

Hey lovely ladies (and gents) I hope you all are having a fine holiday season. Looks like traffic on the blog has been slow lately – if anyone is in town we should arrange some sort of outing!

I am wondering who among you will be going to ALA in Seattle? I am still on the fence, and am curious what others are doing for accommodations.

Cheers!

US News & World Reports. . .

Says librarianship is one of the hot careers for 2007. Who knew? The part about "placid environment," however, is laughable to anyone who has ever worked in a public library!

Lock the Library! Rowdy Students Are Taking Over

Read this in todays NY Times. All I can say is about time! Kids need to kept out of libraries...hopefully this will become a trend! Users...who needs 'em!