Okay, so I am one of those people (and maybe the only one) who have always felt that Ebenezer Scrooge, from Dicken's classic "A Christmas Carol", got a bad rap. Sure he was miserly with his money, but where would ineffectual Bob Crachit and his needy family be at the end of the story if Scrooge had not stockpiled his hard-earned savings instead of spending them like a wanton profligate?
And, with his low-paying clerical job, where does Bob Crachit get off having six kids without first having the means to support them? Isn't this just a tad irresponsible? Maybe he and Mrs. Crachit should have practiced a little birth control before poor little Tiny Tim came along. At least Scrooge was self-sufficient, which is more than can be said for Bob Crachit.
The problem with Scrooge isn't that he made a lot of money or even the manner in which he amassed his fortune (primarily through money lending.) Scrooge's big sin is that he hoarded his money and didn't spread it around. Money must be shared and spent to keep the economy and society happy. I'm sure Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg would agree.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Fuck You, Bob Saget!
So, a few nights ago a forty-something friend and I went to see Bob Saget. I mention our age only because I think it might have been relevant to our level of enjoyment of his show. (That and our relative level of intelligence.)
When my friend phoned to invite me, my first thought was Bob Saget? You mean the guy from "Full House" and "America's Funniest Home Videos"? That Bob Saget? He does stand up comedy? I was to learn that yes, indeed, Bob Saget does stand up comedy and he is in fact quite raunchy and filthy while doing it.
That's not why I didn't really enjoy the show. I like raunch and filth as much as the next person. I enjoy no-holds-barred, irreverant, politically-incorrect comedy. Bring it on! But it still has to be clever comedy. Sadly, this was not.
I should have had an inkling from the audience demographic. It was overwhelming young and male. There was a lot of beer and testosterone in the room.
For those uninitiated in the ritual that is Bob Saget comedy, basically it involves a lot of audience interaction, most of it quite unpleasant. I would categorize it as "humour by humiliation." And it seems to be an accepted two-way street judging by the guy sitting behind me who, in the middle of the show, yelled out at the top of his voice: "Fuck You, Bob Saget!", followed by much laughter and cheering from the audience. Bob apparently doesn't mind and will tell you to "shut the fuck up", too when he's not telling rambling stories about his Dad.
I think I laughed once -- maybe twice -- during the whole show when a girl in the audience said her name was "Hailey, like the comet." Bob's witty comeback: "Does that mean you only come every 22 years."
Okay, that was clever. But not worth the price of the ticket. Thank God we didn't pay other than in the wasted time we will never get back.
When my friend phoned to invite me, my first thought was Bob Saget? You mean the guy from "Full House" and "America's Funniest Home Videos"? That Bob Saget? He does stand up comedy? I was to learn that yes, indeed, Bob Saget does stand up comedy and he is in fact quite raunchy and filthy while doing it.
That's not why I didn't really enjoy the show. I like raunch and filth as much as the next person. I enjoy no-holds-barred, irreverant, politically-incorrect comedy. Bring it on! But it still has to be clever comedy. Sadly, this was not.
I should have had an inkling from the audience demographic. It was overwhelming young and male. There was a lot of beer and testosterone in the room.
For those uninitiated in the ritual that is Bob Saget comedy, basically it involves a lot of audience interaction, most of it quite unpleasant. I would categorize it as "humour by humiliation." And it seems to be an accepted two-way street judging by the guy sitting behind me who, in the middle of the show, yelled out at the top of his voice: "Fuck You, Bob Saget!", followed by much laughter and cheering from the audience. Bob apparently doesn't mind and will tell you to "shut the fuck up", too when he's not telling rambling stories about his Dad.
I think I laughed once -- maybe twice -- during the whole show when a girl in the audience said her name was "Hailey, like the comet." Bob's witty comeback: "Does that mean you only come every 22 years."
Okay, that was clever. But not worth the price of the ticket. Thank God we didn't pay other than in the wasted time we will never get back.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
THISLDO
Driving home tonight I saw the following personalized licence plate: THISLDO. It was on a Hyundai Touring SUV. It made me smile, because I really believe our consumerism has been running amok during the past decade. People have been completely spending beyond their means to buy bigger and more "stuff." We are working longer hours (thank you, Internet and cellphone for making this possible) to make more money to buy even more stuff that we really don't need and often will never use.
So, it was refreshing to see THISLDO and the sentiment it encapsulates: I'm happy with what I have and I don't need more. I don't need to "keep up with the Joneses."
Listen, these days the Joneses are in bankruptcy protection because of years of greed and profligacy. There's no need to keep up with them anymore because they are totally f*cking broke.
Two years ago in November, a security guard was crushed to death by a seething horde of shoppers pressing to enter a Walmart in the U.S. This was on "Black Friday", the big shopping day following American Thanksgiving when companies "in the red" hope to get back "into the black" through a big day of consumer spending.
When the value of a human life becomes less important than saving a few bucks on a flat screen TV we are in big, big trouble.
So, good for you THISLDO. Maybe there's hope for us yet.
So, it was refreshing to see THISLDO and the sentiment it encapsulates: I'm happy with what I have and I don't need more. I don't need to "keep up with the Joneses."
Listen, these days the Joneses are in bankruptcy protection because of years of greed and profligacy. There's no need to keep up with them anymore because they are totally f*cking broke.
Two years ago in November, a security guard was crushed to death by a seething horde of shoppers pressing to enter a Walmart in the U.S. This was on "Black Friday", the big shopping day following American Thanksgiving when companies "in the red" hope to get back "into the black" through a big day of consumer spending.
When the value of a human life becomes less important than saving a few bucks on a flat screen TV we are in big, big trouble.
So, good for you THISLDO. Maybe there's hope for us yet.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
A toilet by any other name would still smell as bad!
I'm reading Bill Bryson's new book "At Home: A Short History of Private Life" and in it there is a section about the small rooms off the bedchamber, including the cabinet and the privy.
"In England the cabinet became the most exclusive and private of all chambers -- the innermost sanctum where the most private meetings could take place... Often this private room had a small cell or alcove off it, generally known as the privy but also called, among other things, jakes, latrine, draughts, place of easement, necessarium, garderobe, house of office, or gong. Whatever it was called, this room contained a bench with a hole in it, strategically positioned over a long drop into a moat or deep shaft." (p. 61)
I feel a real affinity for Bill Bryson and love all his books. They are full of fascinating details like this. And, in fact, during my summer holidays this year, I spent some time pondering all the various synonyms for the word "toilet." (Yes, this is actually how my mind works.) I thought it would make a neat party game, if you were to put a blank sheet of paper (and pen) on the door to the washroom in your house and have your guests fill in all the different words for "washroom" (past and present) that they can think of before "spending a penny." It would truly be a lexicographic laugh-in!
Here's some of mine, to get the ball rolling:
washroom
toilet
head
porcelain throne
water closet
bathroom
powder room
ladies' room/men's room (or "little girls' room" if you are being cutesy)
facilities
john
loo
can
dunny
bog
outhouse (okay, this last one is kind of a cheat, since it would be located outside the house itself. Ditto, porta-potty.)
I can't think of any more right now. And, besides, I have to take a break and use the necessarium.
"In England the cabinet became the most exclusive and private of all chambers -- the innermost sanctum where the most private meetings could take place... Often this private room had a small cell or alcove off it, generally known as the privy but also called, among other things, jakes, latrine, draughts, place of easement, necessarium, garderobe, house of office, or gong. Whatever it was called, this room contained a bench with a hole in it, strategically positioned over a long drop into a moat or deep shaft." (p. 61)
I feel a real affinity for Bill Bryson and love all his books. They are full of fascinating details like this. And, in fact, during my summer holidays this year, I spent some time pondering all the various synonyms for the word "toilet." (Yes, this is actually how my mind works.) I thought it would make a neat party game, if you were to put a blank sheet of paper (and pen) on the door to the washroom in your house and have your guests fill in all the different words for "washroom" (past and present) that they can think of before "spending a penny." It would truly be a lexicographic laugh-in!
Here's some of mine, to get the ball rolling:
washroom
toilet
head
porcelain throne
water closet
bathroom
powder room
ladies' room/men's room (or "little girls' room" if you are being cutesy)
facilities
john
loo
can
dunny
bog
outhouse (okay, this last one is kind of a cheat, since it would be located outside the house itself. Ditto, porta-potty.)
I can't think of any more right now. And, besides, I have to take a break and use the necessarium.
Technological Selection?
The Globe & Mail Focus section on Saturday, September 25th had an article on cellphones and cancer. An epidemiologist, Devra Davis, has even written a book about it called "Disconnect."
I have always been one of the cellphone holdouts, staunchly refusing to jump on the bandwagon, or cellwagon as the case may be. But this has been for more private "I'd-rather-be-unlugged-and-unavailable" reasons. And how f*cking annoying people can be when talking on their cellphones in public spaces. Therefore, each article I read linking cellphone use with health problems just reinforces my dislike for the insidious little devices. (Reading Stephen King's novel "Cell" where cellphone users turn into zombies didn't hurt either.)
According to the Globe article: "Several studies, including an exhaustive review released this year by the World Health Organization's cancer-research agency, find that people who have used cellphones for half an hour a day for more than a decade have about twice the risk of glioma, a rare kind of brain tumour, on the side of their head where they hold the phone. Glioma is usually fatal."
The article explains that "cellphones operate on microwaves, sent and received by antennas on the back of the devices. Some people compare holding these phones to pressing tiny microwave ovens next to our heads." Or groins, for those who clip their phones onto belts.
So, I can't help but wonder if years from now (since brain cancers can take decades to develop) there will be whole segments of the human population weeded out by "technological selection", that is systemic health problems and death due to the use of harmful technology like cellphones. Think how many people use cellphones now on a daily basis. (The article estimates there are a whopping five billion subscriptions worldwide!)
With "technological selection" we will only have ourselves to blame.
I have always been one of the cellphone holdouts, staunchly refusing to jump on the bandwagon, or cellwagon as the case may be. But this has been for more private "I'd-rather-be-unlugged-and-unavailable" reasons. And how f*cking annoying people can be when talking on their cellphones in public spaces. Therefore, each article I read linking cellphone use with health problems just reinforces my dislike for the insidious little devices. (Reading Stephen King's novel "Cell" where cellphone users turn into zombies didn't hurt either.)
According to the Globe article: "Several studies, including an exhaustive review released this year by the World Health Organization's cancer-research agency, find that people who have used cellphones for half an hour a day for more than a decade have about twice the risk of glioma, a rare kind of brain tumour, on the side of their head where they hold the phone. Glioma is usually fatal."
The article explains that "cellphones operate on microwaves, sent and received by antennas on the back of the devices. Some people compare holding these phones to pressing tiny microwave ovens next to our heads." Or groins, for those who clip their phones onto belts.
So, I can't help but wonder if years from now (since brain cancers can take decades to develop) there will be whole segments of the human population weeded out by "technological selection", that is systemic health problems and death due to the use of harmful technology like cellphones. Think how many people use cellphones now on a daily basis. (The article estimates there are a whopping five billion subscriptions worldwide!)
With "technological selection" we will only have ourselves to blame.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
A weird nugget
A few weeks ago a women in the States went ballistic at a McDonald's drive-through because they would not sell her chicken mcnuggets. Apparently chicken mcnuggets are not available during the "breakfast menu." (Does anyone remember Michael Douglas in the movie "Falling Down"?)
So, in a fit of rage, this woman got out of her car, reached into the drive-through window, and started punching the McDonald's staff members. Not content with this, she also smashed the window, before speeding off, mcnuggetless. She later explained her behaviour by saying that she was drunk. Hmmmmm. I'm thinking this is perhaps not the best defence for an incident involving a drive-through. Or a drive anything.
I think it's pretty clear there's more impairment involved in this case than just the alcohol-induced kind. Because, really, chicken mcnuggets aren't all that tasty. It might be worth going postal for the french fries. Sure, that would be totally understandable. But not the mcnuggets. Sheesh!
So, in a fit of rage, this woman got out of her car, reached into the drive-through window, and started punching the McDonald's staff members. Not content with this, she also smashed the window, before speeding off, mcnuggetless. She later explained her behaviour by saying that she was drunk. Hmmmmm. I'm thinking this is perhaps not the best defence for an incident involving a drive-through. Or a drive anything.
I think it's pretty clear there's more impairment involved in this case than just the alcohol-induced kind. Because, really, chicken mcnuggets aren't all that tasty. It might be worth going postal for the french fries. Sure, that would be totally understandable. But not the mcnuggets. Sheesh!
The Running of the Fools - a poetic tribute
Apparently, the month of August is "Running of the Bulls" month as well as bad poetry month. So, I have composed a poem about this barbaric tradition. I call it "The Running of the Fools." Hope you enjoy.
There's a spectacle in Spain
That gives me great pain
The annual Running of the Fools.
These "Einsteins" want to play
The adventurous Hemingway way
By wildly running with the bulls.
But one is inevitably crushed under
And I am left to wonder
THIS is evolution?!
But then a few days after
There is merely laughter
Another confirmed retard
For the Darwin award
Sometimes the sight of blood is good.
Now there is one less fool
Contaminating the human gene pool
Run, bulls, run!
There's a spectacle in Spain
That gives me great pain
The annual Running of the Fools.
These "Einsteins" want to play
The adventurous Hemingway way
By wildly running with the bulls.
But one is inevitably crushed under
And I am left to wonder
THIS is evolution?!
But then a few days after
There is merely laughter
Another confirmed retard
For the Darwin award
Sometimes the sight of blood is good.
Now there is one less fool
Contaminating the human gene pool
Run, bulls, run!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
A Comics Coming Out
I just read that in an upcoming September issue, venerable Archie Comics plans to introduce the first openly gay character. He will be called Kevin Keller. So, as a long-standing reader of Archie Comics (I still occasionally treat myself at the end of a tedious grocery shop to an issue of Betty and Veronica Double Digest), I pondered how this new character might influence the dynamics of Riverdale. Here's what I think:
Kevin will develop a crush on Archie, giving Betty and Veronica yet another person to fight for Archie's affections. Archie, of course, will be naively oblivious to the attention and will still happily pursue all the hot babes on the beach.
Reggie, with a more finely tuned gaydar, will be simultaneously offended and jealous, because shouldn't everyone be enamoured of his inherent fabulousness, even if he wouldn't touch them with a ten-foot pole?
Moose, the traditionalist and real man's man, will avoid Kevin like the plague. And take comfort that he doesn't have to worry about Midge with this one.
Dilton will want to dig into the whole nature/nurture debate. Are we born gay? Is it part of our genetic code?
African American Chuck will wonder what all the fuss is about. Hasn't he been living as a successful minority in Riverdale for years?
And Jughead, in a brilliant awakening, will discover this is why he has never had an interest in girls. He and Kevin will eventually become a couple (once Kevin realizes that his love for Archie will remain unrequited), causing Big Ethel to have a mental breakdown.
Kevin will develop a crush on Archie, giving Betty and Veronica yet another person to fight for Archie's affections. Archie, of course, will be naively oblivious to the attention and will still happily pursue all the hot babes on the beach.
Reggie, with a more finely tuned gaydar, will be simultaneously offended and jealous, because shouldn't everyone be enamoured of his inherent fabulousness, even if he wouldn't touch them with a ten-foot pole?
Moose, the traditionalist and real man's man, will avoid Kevin like the plague. And take comfort that he doesn't have to worry about Midge with this one.
Dilton will want to dig into the whole nature/nurture debate. Are we born gay? Is it part of our genetic code?
African American Chuck will wonder what all the fuss is about. Hasn't he been living as a successful minority in Riverdale for years?
And Jughead, in a brilliant awakening, will discover this is why he has never had an interest in girls. He and Kevin will eventually become a couple (once Kevin realizes that his love for Archie will remain unrequited), causing Big Ethel to have a mental breakdown.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
What a Caulk Up!
Sigh...the home improvement shows make it look so easy.
A small task today (while I'm on holidays) was to caulk around a small shed window. The other day I bought some caulk and a caulking gun in preparation. I should have known by the sheer range of choices available in the caulk aisle that a difficult adventure lay ahead of me.
It seemed an eternity to decide on the caulk. Did I want Silicon Rubber (I) or just Silicon (II)? What colour/tint? For Windows and Doors or Bathrooms and Kitchens? I almost left the store without the caulking gun until I overheard another woman talking about it and realized it would probably come in handy as a delivery device.
Tip #1 about caulking: Adequately prepare your area! My first "kick at the caulk" I forgot to tape the areas I didn't want sticky, gooey, difficult-to-clean caulk to go. (See also Tip #3.)
Tip #2: Before loading the caulk in the gun, cut the top off AND pierce the inner nozzle. I forgot to pierce and as a result had sticky, gooey, difficult-to-clean caulk coming out of the bottom of the caulking gun. Trust me, this is about as much fun as unanticipated anal sex.
Tip #3: Always have A LOT of paper towel handy as there will be a lot of sticky, gooey, difficult-to-clean caulk EVERYWHERE! (The cats are still cleaning themselves!)
Tip #4: Try to live near a Home Depot, so you can keep going back for more supplies when you f*ck up.
Tip #5: Throw away all the evidence before your boyfriend gets home so he doesn't see how many times you actually did f*ck up before finally getting it right!
A small task today (while I'm on holidays) was to caulk around a small shed window. The other day I bought some caulk and a caulking gun in preparation. I should have known by the sheer range of choices available in the caulk aisle that a difficult adventure lay ahead of me.
It seemed an eternity to decide on the caulk. Did I want Silicon Rubber (I) or just Silicon (II)? What colour/tint? For Windows and Doors or Bathrooms and Kitchens? I almost left the store without the caulking gun until I overheard another woman talking about it and realized it would probably come in handy as a delivery device.
Tip #1 about caulking: Adequately prepare your area! My first "kick at the caulk" I forgot to tape the areas I didn't want sticky, gooey, difficult-to-clean caulk to go. (See also Tip #3.)
Tip #2: Before loading the caulk in the gun, cut the top off AND pierce the inner nozzle. I forgot to pierce and as a result had sticky, gooey, difficult-to-clean caulk coming out of the bottom of the caulking gun. Trust me, this is about as much fun as unanticipated anal sex.
Tip #3: Always have A LOT of paper towel handy as there will be a lot of sticky, gooey, difficult-to-clean caulk EVERYWHERE! (The cats are still cleaning themselves!)
Tip #4: Try to live near a Home Depot, so you can keep going back for more supplies when you f*ck up.
Tip #5: Throw away all the evidence before your boyfriend gets home so he doesn't see how many times you actually did f*ck up before finally getting it right!
Postal Playground
Something observed in my neighbourhood: the kids simply love climbing on the super mailbox. This in spite of the fact that there is some perfectly good playground equipment located 100 yards from said mailbox.
While going for the post today, I decided to canvas the two wee children who were perched on top of the mailbox. I asked them why they weren't playing on the playground equipment instead of blatantly risking the mailman's wrath. The response was "it's boring."
Now I would be the first to agree that playgrounds aren't what they used to be. Remember how high we could get on the old-style swings, the ones with flat wooden seats that you could stand up on? Or how fast we could go on the merry-go-round, trying to jump on and off while it was whizzing around? And how about those great teeter-totters that let us give endless butt-numbing bumps to our best friends? Ah, those were the glory days.
Ever since "child safety" became such an unhealthy obsession, the spontaneous fun has been sucked out of a lot of things, including playgrounds. I kind of feel sorry for the bubble-wrapped, imagination-challenged, adventure-starved little 'uns, reduced to humping a Canada Post box for kicks. It's not right.
We need to put the thrills (and, yes, danger) back in the playgrounds -- before it's too late!
While going for the post today, I decided to canvas the two wee children who were perched on top of the mailbox. I asked them why they weren't playing on the playground equipment instead of blatantly risking the mailman's wrath. The response was "it's boring."
Now I would be the first to agree that playgrounds aren't what they used to be. Remember how high we could get on the old-style swings, the ones with flat wooden seats that you could stand up on? Or how fast we could go on the merry-go-round, trying to jump on and off while it was whizzing around? And how about those great teeter-totters that let us give endless butt-numbing bumps to our best friends? Ah, those were the glory days.
Ever since "child safety" became such an unhealthy obsession, the spontaneous fun has been sucked out of a lot of things, including playgrounds. I kind of feel sorry for the bubble-wrapped, imagination-challenged, adventure-starved little 'uns, reduced to humping a Canada Post box for kicks. It's not right.
We need to put the thrills (and, yes, danger) back in the playgrounds -- before it's too late!
Chip, Chip, Hooray?
I recently received a new chip-embedded debit card from my bank. Thank God, I didn't have to change my PIN or online password or I would be screwed. I have already forgotten the PIN on my chip Visa, not once but three times! (Hey, they say you're not supposed to write it down, so...)
I believe a perfect storm is coming with these "secure" chip cards. We have a rapidly aging population (the so-called "Silver Tsumani" is on the horizon) and dimensia rates are expected to climb dramatically, if not exponentially. Frankly, that's a lot of PIN codes to forget.
In 25 years will we be wandering around shopping malls wondering how we got there, what we were going to buy, and what our goddam PIN numbers are?! We can thank the banks, who always have our best interests at heart. Not to mention our inaccessible money.
I believe a perfect storm is coming with these "secure" chip cards. We have a rapidly aging population (the so-called "Silver Tsumani" is on the horizon) and dimensia rates are expected to climb dramatically, if not exponentially. Frankly, that's a lot of PIN codes to forget.
In 25 years will we be wandering around shopping malls wondering how we got there, what we were going to buy, and what our goddam PIN numbers are?! We can thank the banks, who always have our best interests at heart. Not to mention our inaccessible money.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Time to Wake Up and Smell the Goat!
I had occasion today to call up a kid and tell him he had won a book prize in a reading contest. His response rather than "Cool!" or "Wow! Really!?" was simply "okay." He was distinctly underwhelmed. I felt like saying to him "Listen kid, this might be the best f*cking thing that will ever happen to you in your life! You could sound a tad more enthusiastic. Books don't grow in trees, you know!" (Well, okay, maybe not that last bit, since books grow from trees, if not in them.)
My point is: kids seem to have such high expectations these days and don't think there will be a goat on their horizon. Let me explain.
Remember that game show from the 70s, "Let's Make a Deal", where lucky contestants (if so chosen by the affable, yet God-like Monty Hall) could get the chance to choose a prize behind door number 1, 2, or 3? There was a lot of hand-wringing tension in this decision, because those in the know were savvy to the fact that while there was likely a very nice prize behind two thirds of the doors, inevitably opening the other one would reveal a goat.
Decisions had consequences and a bad decision could result in a pungent, gamey goat.
In kids' contests and competitive games these days, it seems everyone gets to win and nobody gets stuck with the goat. They don't expect the goat, so they aren't wary of encountering it in the choices they make.
Kids, I'm here to tell you: the goat is still here and sooner or later it's going to bite you in the ass (and chew your pants off while it's at it.) So, wake up and smell the goat.
And when you win a free book, act excited for Christ's sake!
My point is: kids seem to have such high expectations these days and don't think there will be a goat on their horizon. Let me explain.
Remember that game show from the 70s, "Let's Make a Deal", where lucky contestants (if so chosen by the affable, yet God-like Monty Hall) could get the chance to choose a prize behind door number 1, 2, or 3? There was a lot of hand-wringing tension in this decision, because those in the know were savvy to the fact that while there was likely a very nice prize behind two thirds of the doors, inevitably opening the other one would reveal a goat.
Decisions had consequences and a bad decision could result in a pungent, gamey goat.
In kids' contests and competitive games these days, it seems everyone gets to win and nobody gets stuck with the goat. They don't expect the goat, so they aren't wary of encountering it in the choices they make.
Kids, I'm here to tell you: the goat is still here and sooner or later it's going to bite you in the ass (and chew your pants off while it's at it.) So, wake up and smell the goat.
And when you win a free book, act excited for Christ's sake!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Which is more annoying: the medium or the message?
I went to see a movie today and during the interminable "pre-show" there was a reminder to turn off cell phones and smartphones, and not to be an annoying "Tommy Texter." It then proceeded to show several ads/contests asking people to send a text! WTF!
Remember the good old days when you went to see a movie and the only "pre-show" was a few short trailers of coming attractions? Those halcyon days are gone, my friends, and we are now full captives to the corporate advertisers. No wonder people stay home and watch TV or rent DVDs. At least you can mute or skip over the commercials. In the theatre you can only sit tight and wonder if the actual movie you paid $12.75 to see is going to start before you expire.
But the absolute worst marketing intrusion I have ever encountered has got to be inside toilet cubicles with those strategically placed ad screens on the inner door. Please, to all the advertisers out there foaming at the mouth for my consumer dollars, you have me every other minute of the waking day. Can you please just let me take a pee in peace?!
Remember the good old days when you went to see a movie and the only "pre-show" was a few short trailers of coming attractions? Those halcyon days are gone, my friends, and we are now full captives to the corporate advertisers. No wonder people stay home and watch TV or rent DVDs. At least you can mute or skip over the commercials. In the theatre you can only sit tight and wonder if the actual movie you paid $12.75 to see is going to start before you expire.
But the absolute worst marketing intrusion I have ever encountered has got to be inside toilet cubicles with those strategically placed ad screens on the inner door. Please, to all the advertisers out there foaming at the mouth for my consumer dollars, you have me every other minute of the waking day. Can you please just let me take a pee in peace?!
Monday, May 31, 2010
A Sense of Accomplishment... and the Journey Continues!
I'm proud that I have successfully completed the twelve-week Web 2.0 schedule of exercises. I'll admit, I was nervous at the beginning (back in March) that I would find the whole thing too overwhelming, difficult, or scary. But the way the training was structured, with small, manageable, self-paced tasks to complete each week made it at times even enjoyable! I have particularly liked blogging as a means of self-expression and reflection. I will also continue using LibraryThing to keep track of my favourite books.
Thanks to the trainers for putting it all together for us!
The journey continues!
Thanks to the trainers for putting it all together for us!
The journey continues!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
The Grass is Always Greener...
Okay, I admit it. I have lawn envy. Now that I'm a home-owner in the Burbs again, I have started obsessing about the state of my lawn and drawing unfavourable comparisons with the neighbours lovely, thick green thatch.
Our back lawn looks half-decent, but the front is just sad. Uneven coverage, with little patches of brown that look strangely like crop circles. (No, we don't have a dog.) A friend calmly advises that it is just a bit of "winter kill," but that doesn't stop me obsessing about fertilizer and watering cycles.
Yesterday I bought a bag of grass seed, from the multitudinous choices available, to fill in the gaps. I swear I stood there for 20 minutes trying to decide which particular blend to get! I finally selected one that is apparently "ideal for thickening thin, abused lawns." Abused lawns... like I go out there and beat up on it!
One mystery of the universe I would like solved: why does grass grow robustly where I don't want it (such as in flower beds and between cracks in the pathway) while the front lawn (which everyone can see!) remains patchy and forlorn? This must be how the bald guy with a hairy back feels.
Our back lawn looks half-decent, but the front is just sad. Uneven coverage, with little patches of brown that look strangely like crop circles. (No, we don't have a dog.) A friend calmly advises that it is just a bit of "winter kill," but that doesn't stop me obsessing about fertilizer and watering cycles.
Yesterday I bought a bag of grass seed, from the multitudinous choices available, to fill in the gaps. I swear I stood there for 20 minutes trying to decide which particular blend to get! I finally selected one that is apparently "ideal for thickening thin, abused lawns." Abused lawns... like I go out there and beat up on it!
One mystery of the universe I would like solved: why does grass grow robustly where I don't want it (such as in flower beds and between cracks in the pathway) while the front lawn (which everyone can see!) remains patchy and forlorn? This must be how the bald guy with a hairy back feels.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Social grooming for narcissists
I love that expression: "social grooming." It conjures up footage of groups of primates picking the nits out of each others fur, a way to bond socially as well as stay clean and tidy. Apparently, Twitter is also a form of social grooming, although I look on it as more a form of narcissism gone wild. This need to share your thoughts and opinions with the wider world on a 24/7 basis.
The dictionary defines twitter as "a short burst of inconsequential information." Emphasis on the word "inconsequential."
Yeah, okay, Twitter has proven to have a bit more substance as a communication platform during emergencies/disasters (e.g. Haiti) and periods of political dissent (China, Iran.) I can almost get on board with it for substantial, life-altering things like this.
But, I could really do without "tweets" regarding something called "Wanker Whiplash" or the fact that "May is Zombie Awareness Month." Has anyone correlated chronic Twitter usage with ADHD? Maybe they should.
I don't know if I should be more worried that Lady Gaga has been named the top fashion icon for teen girls or the fact that the library felt the need to share this nugget of information.
I think the best application of Twitter for the library would be for program/event announcements or important information about our collections and services. Ecopalooza and the Teens Create contest are two good recent examples.
Someone named Kingsully tweeted: "Why am I watching Lindsay Lohan on CNN when there are millions of gallons of oil in the gulf and troops dying overseas?" I couldn't agree more. Now if he could have just kept his tweet to himself.
The dictionary defines twitter as "a short burst of inconsequential information." Emphasis on the word "inconsequential."
Yeah, okay, Twitter has proven to have a bit more substance as a communication platform during emergencies/disasters (e.g. Haiti) and periods of political dissent (China, Iran.) I can almost get on board with it for substantial, life-altering things like this.
But, I could really do without "tweets" regarding something called "Wanker Whiplash" or the fact that "May is Zombie Awareness Month." Has anyone correlated chronic Twitter usage with ADHD? Maybe they should.
I don't know if I should be more worried that Lady Gaga has been named the top fashion icon for teen girls or the fact that the library felt the need to share this nugget of information.
I think the best application of Twitter for the library would be for program/event announcements or important information about our collections and services. Ecopalooza and the Teens Create contest are two good recent examples.
Someone named Kingsully tweeted: "Why am I watching Lindsay Lohan on CNN when there are millions of gallons of oil in the gulf and troops dying overseas?" I couldn't agree more. Now if he could have just kept his tweet to himself.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Love that Library Thing!
Library Thing is a true revelation and one of the most enjoyable exercises we have done during the Web 2.0 assignment. I find it quite user friendly (with some assistance from "Help") and have already added 17 titles to my Library Thing collection! It is a highly addictive activity!
This is definitely something I will use in future on an ongoing basis, particularly as a way to keep track of books I've read and enjoyed. The search engine works well, provides images of most book covers, and the collection titles are really easy to sort and re-sort. I contributed a review for one of the books in my collection and (once I figured out how) added rating stars for all the rest.
I like being able to link quickly with other members and their book reviews. This is a great tool for finding recommendations and connecting with other bibliophiles. Based on my existing catalog and profile, Library Thing has already offered me a whopping 144 reading suggestions! And many are spot on!
One thing I could not figure out is how to share my catalog list without also giving people access to my profile. In spite of several attempts, I was unsuccessful at embedding the approproate "widget" in my blog. Bummer.
This is definitely something I will use in future on an ongoing basis, particularly as a way to keep track of books I've read and enjoyed. The search engine works well, provides images of most book covers, and the collection titles are really easy to sort and re-sort. I contributed a review for one of the books in my collection and (once I figured out how) added rating stars for all the rest.
I like being able to link quickly with other members and their book reviews. This is a great tool for finding recommendations and connecting with other bibliophiles. Based on my existing catalog and profile, Library Thing has already offered me a whopping 144 reading suggestions! And many are spot on!
One thing I could not figure out is how to share my catalog list without also giving people access to my profile. In spite of several attempts, I was unsuccessful at embedding the approproate "widget" in my blog. Bummer.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Book recommendation of the week
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
(Alan Bradley)
The young protagonist Flavia de Luce is a sassy, nerdy and doggedly determined joy. Who knew the Periodic Table of Elements and British penny stamps could be so much fun?
Monday, May 10, 2010
Google Calendar and Docs: Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?
I had heard about these online productivity tools through a recent conversation with a colleague who uses them all the time, for instance as a way to coordinate his schedule with his spouse. I find the applications of Google Docs far more appealing that the calendar. I must admit I much prefer carrying around a "hard copy" daytimer where all I need to make a scheduling update is a pen! I do not always have ready access to a computer to make these updates online.
But I can see myself using Google Docs to create, edit and possibly even share documents online, without having to worry about saving them to a hard drive or memory stick. It all sounds very liberating. And I appreciate the fact that you can choose who can access your documents online (e.g. "viewers" vs. "collaborators")
However, two annoying things I encountered with Google Docs during this exercise:
1. There was a disconcerting delay in the time it took the characters to appear on the screen as I typed them. I don't know if this is a regular feature of the application or because (once again) "Google Docs is not supported in your browser." The former case would absolutely preclude me from using it.
2. I tried to post a Google document I created into my blog, but just ended up going around in circles at the Google Docs site. I published my document to the web somewhere, but have no idea where in Cyberspace it now resides! The help menu did not help.
I can see these online productivity tools taking away from costly, licensed MS-Office software. Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?
But I can see myself using Google Docs to create, edit and possibly even share documents online, without having to worry about saving them to a hard drive or memory stick. It all sounds very liberating. And I appreciate the fact that you can choose who can access your documents online (e.g. "viewers" vs. "collaborators")
However, two annoying things I encountered with Google Docs during this exercise:
1. There was a disconcerting delay in the time it took the characters to appear on the screen as I typed them. I don't know if this is a regular feature of the application or because (once again) "Google Docs is not supported in your browser." The former case would absolutely preclude me from using it.
2. I tried to post a Google document I created into my blog, but just ended up going around in circles at the Google Docs site. I published my document to the web somewhere, but have no idea where in Cyberspace it now resides! The help menu did not help.
I can see these online productivity tools taking away from costly, licensed MS-Office software. Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Quote of the Day
"I know no method to secure the repeal of bad or obnoxious laws so effective as their stringent execution."
- Ulysses S. Grant
- Ulysses S. Grant
Monday, May 3, 2010
Flickr and You Tube: What would Warhol think?
Of the two Web 2.0 products, I think I would be more inclined to actually use Flickr. I like the way you can organize your photos into different categories (and apply tags) and limit access through privacy settings. Temporary "guest passes" are also available for those without a Flickr account. The coolest stuff is under the "Make Stuff" category: cards, calendars, collages, posters, and even your own photobook! What a great blending of photography and creativity.
I noticed there was a difference depending on if I simply searched for photos of an object versus seeking Flickr groups on a topic. For instance, a search for "composter" yielded 2,460 photos (including one featuring a baby titled "Ardyn plays in the new composter"!) whereas there are 132 members of the "Compost" group with only 390 photos in this group. Definitely more exclusive.
One figure that struck me on the main Flickr page: 6,791 uploads in the last minute! That translates to 407,460 uploads per hour and almost 10 million uploads a day!!
As soon as I got to You Tube I was passively agressively warned that my web browser is "no longer supported" and that I should "please upgrade to a modern browser." I feel like a woman wearing a girdle during the sexual revolution. Sigh.
Nevertheless, in spite of my prehistoric browser status, I was able to view several video clips, including "Dramatic chipmunk" and Star Wars inspired "Darthmatic chimpunk."
And I have discovered I am addicted to video clips of laughing babies! Is this weird?
Summary: Flickr seems more useful; You Tube more entertaining.
I noticed there was a difference depending on if I simply searched for photos of an object versus seeking Flickr groups on a topic. For instance, a search for "composter" yielded 2,460 photos (including one featuring a baby titled "Ardyn plays in the new composter"!) whereas there are 132 members of the "Compost" group with only 390 photos in this group. Definitely more exclusive.
One figure that struck me on the main Flickr page: 6,791 uploads in the last minute! That translates to 407,460 uploads per hour and almost 10 million uploads a day!!
As soon as I got to You Tube I was passively agressively warned that my web browser is "no longer supported" and that I should "please upgrade to a modern browser." I feel like a woman wearing a girdle during the sexual revolution. Sigh.
Nevertheless, in spite of my prehistoric browser status, I was able to view several video clips, including "Dramatic chipmunk" and Star Wars inspired "Darthmatic chimpunk."
And I have discovered I am addicted to video clips of laughing babies! Is this weird?
Summary: Flickr seems more useful; You Tube more entertaining.
Monday, April 26, 2010
RSS Feeds
I can see the point and convenience of RSS Feeds and, yes, it was very easy to sign up for the service, requiring only an email address and password. And it was quite fun to pick out which Feeds I would like to receive from the recommended list, based on my areas of interest -- much like picking out favourite foods from a menu. (No wonder I enjoyed it!)
I had no problem adding an additional site (cbc news), but did encounter difficulties when I tried to add a blog (miss information). After much dicking around (during which my Millennium vintage computer crashed twice!) I ended up adding the blog to my blogger.com Blog dashboard instead of my bloglines favourite Feeds. The fact that I actually understand what I just typed must mean this exercise is working and I am learning!
I will now be keeping a keen lookout for the orange RSS icon as I surf the web. So nice to know what this symbol means and what it actually does!
Now the only problem remaining is: when will I find the time to read all those wonderful Feeds?! I can barely carve out an hour a day to watch the National news.
I had no problem adding an additional site (cbc news), but did encounter difficulties when I tried to add a blog (miss information). After much dicking around (during which my Millennium vintage computer crashed twice!) I ended up adding the blog to my blogger.com Blog dashboard instead of my bloglines favourite Feeds. The fact that I actually understand what I just typed must mean this exercise is working and I am learning!
I will now be keeping a keen lookout for the orange RSS icon as I surf the web. So nice to know what this symbol means and what it actually does!
Now the only problem remaining is: when will I find the time to read all those wonderful Feeds?! I can barely carve out an hour a day to watch the National news.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Just Google It!
What would we do without Google? Actually think and tax our brains? I have caught myself saying "Oh, just Google it" and do it myself for difficult crossword puzzle clues where I can't cheat and peek at the answer. Google has become one of those indispensable tools of our daily online lives.
The Google product I would like to recommend -- especially for all those news junkies out there -- is, of course, Google News. It is a tab on the main Google search screen and also featured in the "Even More" menu.
Google News is well-organized by category: World, Canada, Business, Sci/Tech, Entertainment, Sports, and Health. So you can easily link with news items in which you are interested. (I guess, lately, Tiger Woods would be featured under several.)
The information is extremely current and sources are listed (e.g. Globe and Mail, 20 minutes ago.) We love our sources, don't we?
My one complaint is that some of the features cannot be accessed unless you have a Gmail account. For instance, accessing "Starred" stories or emailing any news story with the "Email" link. This type of barrier is annoying.
The Google Labs product I tried to look at was Aardvark, created in February 2010. (I say "tried to" because most of the text was cut off on my screen.) Apparently, you can "ask any question and Aardvark will discover the perfect person to answer in minutes."
Well, there goes my job as a library reference assistant! Thanks a bunch Google!
But I am really tempted to ask it what's the Colonel's secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices? I wonder if anyone would get back to me...
The Google product I would like to recommend -- especially for all those news junkies out there -- is, of course, Google News. It is a tab on the main Google search screen and also featured in the "Even More" menu.
Google News is well-organized by category: World, Canada, Business, Sci/Tech, Entertainment, Sports, and Health. So you can easily link with news items in which you are interested. (I guess, lately, Tiger Woods would be featured under several.)
The information is extremely current and sources are listed (e.g. Globe and Mail, 20 minutes ago.) We love our sources, don't we?
My one complaint is that some of the features cannot be accessed unless you have a Gmail account. For instance, accessing "Starred" stories or emailing any news story with the "Email" link. This type of barrier is annoying.
The Google Labs product I tried to look at was Aardvark, created in February 2010. (I say "tried to" because most of the text was cut off on my screen.) Apparently, you can "ask any question and Aardvark will discover the perfect person to answer in minutes."
Well, there goes my job as a library reference assistant! Thanks a bunch Google!
But I am really tempted to ask it what's the Colonel's secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices? I wonder if anyone would get back to me...
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Funnier than they sound... Honestly!
This month I read two books that you would not think were even slightly amusing from the serious subjects they deal with, but they are both really quite funny. Belly-laugh funny.
Devil in the Deta
ils: scenes from an obsessive girlhood
(Jennifer Traig)
As an adolescent, she suffered from a hyper-religious form of OCD called scrupulosity. I had never heard of it before, but it certainly made me feel much better about my own mild case of OCD.
Devil in the Deta
ils: scenes from an obsessive girlhood(Jennifer Traig)
As an adolescent, she suffered from a hyper-religious form of OCD called scrupulosity. I had never heard of it before, but it certainly made me feel much better about my own mild case of OCD.
Curtains: adventures of an undertaker-in-training
(Tom R. Jokinen)
This former CBC employee spent a year working at a funeral home in Manitoba, to get to the bottom of all things "funereal." If you never thought you could laugh at death and dead bodies, you haven't read this book yet.
(Tom R. Jokinen)This former CBC employee spent a year working at a funeral home in Manitoba, to get to the bottom of all things "funereal." If you never thought you could laugh at death and dead bodies, you haven't read this book yet.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Face-time vs. Facebook
This is another aspect of Web 2.0 that I was not looking forward to and I was only willing to do it anonymously. There is no way I would want to put my real name on Facebook.
Why is Facebook so popular?
Perhaps it is to connect with long-lost friends and relatives -- although we must ask ourselves honestly, how and why did they become lost from our lives? (And like bad photo-day haircuts or awkward moments at the grade 7 "shag", aren't they best left relegated to the compost pile of the past?)
Or, perhaps it is because people have heaps of time in which to share heaps of information about themselves, and they aren't afraid to do it.
I was quite startled, while signing up for an account, at how MUCH information a person can share (willingly or unwillingly) about themselves: birthdate, hometown, schools, place of employment, current position, personal relationships, etc. And while you're at it, throw in a photo or two so everyone knows what you look like. To me this is a frightening amount of information to be sharing online and possibly (if - whoops! -- you forget to set some important Privacy Settings) to people you don't even know. What normally takes months or years in a process of "getting to know you" now can happen in seconds with the click of a mouse. Scary.
Perhaps (and this is the cranky cynic in me) our society is just becoming increasingly narcissistic and social networking sites just give us a plum opportunity to talk ad nauseum about ourselves and every little thing we are doing or thinking. (The hardcore narcissists would use both Facebook and Twitter, and probably at the same time!)
I don't feel the need to search for "Classmates", since I graduated many moons ago and have kept in touch with those I wanted to since before we had Web 1.0 let alone 2.0. I don't really give a fig what the rest are up to these days.
I don't feel the need to look for "Coworkers" either since I see them pretty much every day at work.
In their "New User Guide" Facebook states:
"Most of Facebook's features depend on the idea that there are people in your life that you like to stay in touch with and connect with."
And there's the real nub of the issue: I do that with face-time, where the other person has my actual in-person undivided attention. (With perhaps a preliminary phone call or e-mail to set up that real face-time.)
And that's why I don't find Facebook useful or meaningful.
Why is Facebook so popular?
Perhaps it is to connect with long-lost friends and relatives -- although we must ask ourselves honestly, how and why did they become lost from our lives? (And like bad photo-day haircuts or awkward moments at the grade 7 "shag", aren't they best left relegated to the compost pile of the past?)
Or, perhaps it is because people have heaps of time in which to share heaps of information about themselves, and they aren't afraid to do it.
I was quite startled, while signing up for an account, at how MUCH information a person can share (willingly or unwillingly) about themselves: birthdate, hometown, schools, place of employment, current position, personal relationships, etc. And while you're at it, throw in a photo or two so everyone knows what you look like. To me this is a frightening amount of information to be sharing online and possibly (if - whoops! -- you forget to set some important Privacy Settings) to people you don't even know. What normally takes months or years in a process of "getting to know you" now can happen in seconds with the click of a mouse. Scary.
Perhaps (and this is the cranky cynic in me) our society is just becoming increasingly narcissistic and social networking sites just give us a plum opportunity to talk ad nauseum about ourselves and every little thing we are doing or thinking. (The hardcore narcissists would use both Facebook and Twitter, and probably at the same time!)
I don't feel the need to search for "Classmates", since I graduated many moons ago and have kept in touch with those I wanted to since before we had Web 1.0 let alone 2.0. I don't really give a fig what the rest are up to these days.
I don't feel the need to look for "Coworkers" either since I see them pretty much every day at work.
In their "New User Guide" Facebook states:
"Most of Facebook's features depend on the idea that there are people in your life that you like to stay in touch with and connect with."
And there's the real nub of the issue: I do that with face-time, where the other person has my actual in-person undivided attention. (With perhaps a preliminary phone call or e-mail to set up that real face-time.)
And that's why I don't find Facebook useful or meaningful.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
It's a Wiki World After All
Some neat things I learned today:
*"Wiki" is a noun and Wikipedia is not the only "wiki" out there in Cyberspace, although it seems to be the one to beat.
* You can edit Wikipedia articles without actually having an account or any real expertise on a topic. (However, without an account your computer's IP address will be "public" which freaks me out big time.)
* There is an actual "Wikipedia Day": January 15th, when we can all bask in our communal knowledge and the ability to share it worldwide in many different languages.
* And finally, there is a Canadian indie rock band, based in Montreal, called "Tricky Woo." Obviously no longer just the fictional moniker for a fat, over-indulged Pekingese from the Yorkshire Dales. Who knew?
If I had more time (and let's face it: the interactive Web 2.0 is all about having TIME, lots and lots of TIME, to upload -- or is it unload? -- your "content") I would create a Wikipedia entry (currently non-existent) about my favourite diorama artist, Sloane Tanen. And by the way, if you haven't read her books yet, you are missing out! Check out "Bitter With Baggage Seeks Same: The Life and Times of Some Chickens." It is life-changing. And hilarious.
In summary, Wiki gets a thumbs up from me, especially as a launching off point for research. I use it kind of like I use Google: to find out more about what I am trying to find out about, especially if I've never heard of it before. And you can't beat it for current information. (During the recent Winter Olympics, athlete biographies were updated almost instantly, including cute little olympic medal icons.)
And then there's this marvelous little paragraph from the "About Wikipedia" section:
"One advantage to having amateurs write in Wikipedia is that they have more free time on their hands so that they can make rapid changes, especially when someone dies or if an earthquake or train wreck happens."
Nice to know someone's always on the job!
*"Wiki" is a noun and Wikipedia is not the only "wiki" out there in Cyberspace, although it seems to be the one to beat.
* You can edit Wikipedia articles without actually having an account or any real expertise on a topic. (However, without an account your computer's IP address will be "public" which freaks me out big time.)
* There is an actual "Wikipedia Day": January 15th, when we can all bask in our communal knowledge and the ability to share it worldwide in many different languages.
* And finally, there is a Canadian indie rock band, based in Montreal, called "Tricky Woo." Obviously no longer just the fictional moniker for a fat, over-indulged Pekingese from the Yorkshire Dales. Who knew?
If I had more time (and let's face it: the interactive Web 2.0 is all about having TIME, lots and lots of TIME, to upload -- or is it unload? -- your "content") I would create a Wikipedia entry (currently non-existent) about my favourite diorama artist, Sloane Tanen. And by the way, if you haven't read her books yet, you are missing out! Check out "Bitter With Baggage Seeks Same: The Life and Times of Some Chickens." It is life-changing. And hilarious.
In summary, Wiki gets a thumbs up from me, especially as a launching off point for research. I use it kind of like I use Google: to find out more about what I am trying to find out about, especially if I've never heard of it before. And you can't beat it for current information. (During the recent Winter Olympics, athlete biographies were updated almost instantly, including cute little olympic medal icons.)
And then there's this marvelous little paragraph from the "About Wikipedia" section:
"One advantage to having amateurs write in Wikipedia is that they have more free time on their hands so that they can make rapid changes, especially when someone dies or if an earthquake or train wreck happens."
Nice to know someone's always on the job!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Delicious Leaves a Bad Taste in the Mouth
I wasn't looking forward to this part of the exercise, because I will admit I am NOT a fan of Delicious. First of all, it takes ages to load on my Millennium-vintage PC, which is frustrating. Then when I finally "get in", my linear brain is confused by the apparent randomness of the site and it's myriad of tags. I find it difficult to both search and navigate.
Having said that, I do use Delicious for things like looking up "recommended" websites on health/medicine, phone books, and government sites. And I demonstrate the advantage of these recommended links to customers taking our technology programs (e.g. CyberSeniors.) As part of this Web 2.0 exercise I used Delicious to find the new "Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship" guide (Citizenship tag) and also information about the upcoming Calgary Youth Employment Fair (Jobs tag, then Youth tag.)
So, while Delicious is usable, it is definitely not my first choice for information. It would rank higher as a reference tool if it wasn't so convoluted and was more intuitive and user-friendly.
It's a dish with way too many spices for my taste! I prefer simpler fare.
Having said that, I do use Delicious for things like looking up "recommended" websites on health/medicine, phone books, and government sites. And I demonstrate the advantage of these recommended links to customers taking our technology programs (e.g. CyberSeniors.) As part of this Web 2.0 exercise I used Delicious to find the new "Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship" guide (Citizenship tag) and also information about the upcoming Calgary Youth Employment Fair (Jobs tag, then Youth tag.)
So, while Delicious is usable, it is definitely not my first choice for information. It would rank higher as a reference tool if it wasn't so convoluted and was more intuitive and user-friendly.
It's a dish with way too many spices for my taste! I prefer simpler fare.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Spring Weeding ... Library-Style
To anyone other than a librarian, Spring weeding conjures up images of getting outside and digging in the soil to prepare it for planting. To library folk it means getting into the stacks and digging through the collection to discard older, rattier books in order to make room for the nice new ones. (Does anyone else get excited over the feel and smell of new books?)
I have been weeding in the 800s area and came across an inspirational little treasure called "Write What You See: 99 Photos to Inspire Writing." Each page (with photo) is an exercise in creative writing. There are accompanying quotes, such as this little ditty from Albert Einstein:
"The gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge."
In case the photo itself doesn't inspire you immediately, there are also several "Ideas for Writing" and even "Possible Key Words" you could use.
If you want to flex your writing muscles, give it a try! It was published in 2009, so it won't be weeded out for a while!
I have been weeding in the 800s area and came across an inspirational little treasure called "Write What You See: 99 Photos to Inspire Writing." Each page (with photo) is an exercise in creative writing. There are accompanying quotes, such as this little ditty from Albert Einstein:
"The gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge."
In case the photo itself doesn't inspire you immediately, there are also several "Ideas for Writing" and even "Possible Key Words" you could use.
If you want to flex your writing muscles, give it a try! It was published in 2009, so it won't be weeded out for a while!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
It's the End of the World as we know it... and I feel fine!
So, the world is supposed to end in 2012. If you can believe the Mayans, Nostradamus, and John Cusack. The Apocalypse, the Great Deluge, the Reckoning. In this case, the great deluge is the number of books being published on this topic, fueling the fire and feeding the frenzy. I saw just a sampling in a recent library journal. And I have the feeling this is just the tip of the (rapidly melting) iceberg.
But I'd like to look on the bright side of the (alleged) coming catastrophe. I think this will be a good chance to weed out some of the crazies who will be gathering on mass in their brand new Nikes for special Kool-Aid parties where, let's just say, no designated drivers will be required.
And if I'm wrong? Well, it simply means I will get out of paying the remainder of my 20-year mortgage. Lemons, lemonade. (Or Kool-aid, depending on your point of view.)
But I'd like to look on the bright side of the (alleged) coming catastrophe. I think this will be a good chance to weed out some of the crazies who will be gathering on mass in their brand new Nikes for special Kool-Aid parties where, let's just say, no designated drivers will be required.
And if I'm wrong? Well, it simply means I will get out of paying the remainder of my 20-year mortgage. Lemons, lemonade. (Or Kool-aid, depending on your point of view.)
Thursday, March 25, 2010
I Like Mike
I'm about a third of the way into a biography of my favourite Prime Minister, Lester B. (Mike) Pearson. It's one of the "Extraordinary Canadians" series edited by John Ralston Saul. And, by the way, let me say how disappointed I was that Lester B. was not voted the Greatest Canadian in that CBC national public vote several years ago. He did waaaaay more for Canada (and the larger world) than Tommy Douglas, who was voted #1!
Anyway, I noticed a strange little factoid in the chronology in the back of the book: Mike is buried in Wakefield, Quebec! Now WHY would such a strongly nationalistic Canadian who did so much to promote Canada domestically and on the world stage be buried in the only province that actually proclaims to want to separate from this same beloved country!? (Okay, okay, I know it's not the whole province that feels this way, but just enough to annoy us on an ongoing basis.)
I am tempted to jump ahead in the book to find out why, but I will wait and let the story unfold. However, in the event that Quebec does separate from Canada one day -- and, really, this is probably as likely as the 35-year old unemployed guy moving out of his mother's basement -- I just have one thing to say: We want Mike back! D'accord?!
Anyway, I noticed a strange little factoid in the chronology in the back of the book: Mike is buried in Wakefield, Quebec! Now WHY would such a strongly nationalistic Canadian who did so much to promote Canada domestically and on the world stage be buried in the only province that actually proclaims to want to separate from this same beloved country!? (Okay, okay, I know it's not the whole province that feels this way, but just enough to annoy us on an ongoing basis.)
I am tempted to jump ahead in the book to find out why, but I will wait and let the story unfold. However, in the event that Quebec does separate from Canada one day -- and, really, this is probably as likely as the 35-year old unemployed guy moving out of his mother's basement -- I just have one thing to say: We want Mike back! D'accord?!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The Scary Part of Starting a New Journey
Starting a new journey is exciting... and, yes, it can be scary, too. Because it's unchartered territory. Is the earth actually round or will we sail right over the edge, never to be seen again? Web 2.0 feels a bit like that to me.
I picked a book off the new book cart today. It's called "The Digital Pandemic: Reestablishing Face-to-Face Contact in the Electronic Age," by Mack R. Hicks. I think the title sums up one of my main trepidations with the Internet and Web 2.0: the loss of human connection in a non-digital way. I am rather tired of trying to communicate through phone trees, distant call centres, 1-800 numbers, and remote web servers, to "customer care" agents who seem as though they really could care less. I would much rather sit down and chat with someone face to face, than keep in touch with their myriad goings-on on Facebook or Twitter. I'm also concered with privacy issues, which is why I have chosen a pseudonym for my Web 2.0 journey.
Maybe I will find my own "Room with a View" on this new frontier. Time will tell.
I picked a book off the new book cart today. It's called "The Digital Pandemic: Reestablishing Face-to-Face Contact in the Electronic Age," by Mack R. Hicks. I think the title sums up one of my main trepidations with the Internet and Web 2.0: the loss of human connection in a non-digital way. I am rather tired of trying to communicate through phone trees, distant call centres, 1-800 numbers, and remote web servers, to "customer care" agents who seem as though they really could care less. I would much rather sit down and chat with someone face to face, than keep in touch with their myriad goings-on on Facebook or Twitter. I'm also concered with privacy issues, which is why I have chosen a pseudonym for my Web 2.0 journey.
Maybe I will find my own "Room with a View" on this new frontier. Time will tell.
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