If you're not interested in reading complaints don't read this.
< rant >
1. New Brunswick
I hate it. I like Rutgers, my classmates, and my apartment but I hate this "city." The one coffee shop just closed. The only bookstore is the college bookstore. The restaurants are overpriced. It's just an incredibly boring town.
2. Classes
My classes are ok but at the same time are totally pointless. I read boring articles and write boring response papers. I sometimes make up shit just so I'll have something to say. I have to read the following articles for tomorrow:
A Flexible Interface Design for Web Directories to Accommodate Different Cognitive and Investigating the Roles of Knowledge and Cognitive Abilities in Older Adult Information
Note that these have nothing to do with my project.
I have written 9 papers for one of my professors and have not received an response. Now I have to write a seminar paper for him. This is very annoying.
3. Haters
I'm on (yet another) dating website and someone sent me this lovely note:
Your cute and all and no offense but bald women remind me of men. If you had cancer or something then i could understand. You should let your hair grow. I know that's your style and what not. But try to think about it like this. If i was a neurotic person and i now that the majority of women don't like neurotic men, for the sake of finding someone i would either mask that part of my behavior or just wait until i find someone who would except me for me. the latter sounds wonderful and almost magical. but have you ever seen and old single lady with no kids who's miserable and works at a library. i have
update omg i just read your profile in order to see if you where Afrocentric in an effort to pass your question filter and noticed you where a librarian.
There are so many things wrong with this:
a. I'm not bald
b. I won't date you even if I grow my hair
c. I won't be a different person for you
d. There are many happily married librarians
e. Is having a short natural not "Afrocentric?"
f. You wrote me BEFORE reading my profile
Actually my main beef with this is that he bothered to write it in the first place. I know he's an idiot and a tool but jeez. Do other people get this kind of stuff? I love how men always think they are the first person to ever give you advice. I could say more but it's pointless. If you don't like my hair, I can't help you.
4. The Book
I'm just...stuck. I'm now on the most important chapter and it's freaking me out.
5. Pundits
Just shut up about the Obama team. The man's not even sworn in yet. We'll see what happens. And you guys keep being wrong about The Clintons (TM) so why don't you just wait and see what happens.
6. Men in General
Last summer my friend S.P. told me the following: "You know, Emily, men are human beings too." I still have to remind myself of this. Over and over again. (See number 3 and I'm sure many other posts).
7. The Entertainment Industry
My friend N. is one of the most talented people I know but her industry sucks. She gets rave reviews in everything she does but it doesn't seem to make a difference. I don't understand this. Yes, I know life isn't fair, etc.
< /rant >
Other than that my Thanksgiving was excellent. And you should go to Co Co. Sala in DC. Delicious.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Sameness
In his column today George F. Will informed us that "Still, McConnell believes that although Hispanics, the nation's largest minority, gave Obama two-thirds of their votes, they are entrepreneurial and culturally conservative, and therefore are not beyond the reach of Republicans."
This kind of stuff annoys me to no end. Why is it that white people are allowed to have all sorts of opinions (Liberal, Conservative, Libertarian, etc.) but "Hispanics" are entrepreneurial and culturally conservative. All Hispanics. Everywhere. All those millions of people are "entrepreneurial." Yeah sure.
What Will doesn't seem to understand is that talking this way about entire groups of people denies them their humanity. Yes, that's highfalutin language but what else can you call it.
Please stop doing this. If you want to get the Blacks and Hispanics in your party, you'll have to learn to address us actual people. Not as some sort of desirable demographic that will simply allow you to win elections.
This kind of stuff annoys me to no end. Why is it that white people are allowed to have all sorts of opinions (Liberal, Conservative, Libertarian, etc.) but "Hispanics" are entrepreneurial and culturally conservative. All Hispanics. Everywhere. All those millions of people are "entrepreneurial." Yeah sure.
What Will doesn't seem to understand is that talking this way about entire groups of people denies them their humanity. Yes, that's highfalutin language but what else can you call it.
Please stop doing this. If you want to get the Blacks and Hispanics in your party, you'll have to learn to address us actual people. Not as some sort of desirable demographic that will simply allow you to win elections.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
The Path to the Dark Side
"But beware of the dark side. Anger...fear...aggression. The dark side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will, as it did Obi-Wan's apprentice."
Is this what the Republican party has become? We are finally seeing the outcome of the Southern Strategy: the sea of white people at the convention, the lack of any people of color in the entire Congressional delegation, and pure hatred at political rallies.
This is the party of Lincoln? Eisenhower?
Is this what the Republican party has become? We are finally seeing the outcome of the Southern Strategy: the sea of white people at the convention, the lack of any people of color in the entire Congressional delegation, and pure hatred at political rallies.
This is the party of Lincoln? Eisenhower?
Monday, October 06, 2008
Pain
"I've never been prejudiced in my life," said Sharon Fleming, 69, the wife of a retired coal miner, who spends hours at the union hall calling voters on behalf of Obama. "My niece married a black, and I don't have a problem with it. Now, I wouldn't want a mixed marriage for my daughter, but I'm voting for Obama."
Reading this article is incredibly painful. So, painful that I'm not really sure what to write. Those people are talking about me and my family. And what the hell is "a black"?
I don't think about racism a lot. If you don't like me because I'm black that is your problem. But the Obama campaign has brought bunch of issues up to the surface. There are a lot of white people who just don't like us. We make them uncomfortable. They think Obama will enslave them. (Why would Obama enslave his own family?) What the quote above shows is the total irrationality of racial prejudice. This poor woman can't even figure out what she believes.
I have always thought that you don't know people true racial prejudice until you ask them whether or not they would want their children to marry someone of another race.
When I was in 7th grade or so, a friend of mine told me that his parents would disown him if he ever married a black person. I had been to this family's house and they were perfectly nice to me but, clearly, I was not worthy solely on the basis of my skin color. Black meant "not good enough for my son."
It seems to me that white America is frightened. American means white and having a black guy with the Muslim middle name just doesn't feel right. His wife is even worse. Her blackness freaks them out even more. If you don't want your kids marrying one of those people you certainly don't want them stomping around one of the prettiest houses in the nation.
Reading this article is incredibly painful. So, painful that I'm not really sure what to write. Those people are talking about me and my family. And what the hell is "a black"?
I don't think about racism a lot. If you don't like me because I'm black that is your problem. But the Obama campaign has brought bunch of issues up to the surface. There are a lot of white people who just don't like us. We make them uncomfortable. They think Obama will enslave them. (Why would Obama enslave his own family?) What the quote above shows is the total irrationality of racial prejudice. This poor woman can't even figure out what she believes.
I have always thought that you don't know people true racial prejudice until you ask them whether or not they would want their children to marry someone of another race.
When I was in 7th grade or so, a friend of mine told me that his parents would disown him if he ever married a black person. I had been to this family's house and they were perfectly nice to me but, clearly, I was not worthy solely on the basis of my skin color. Black meant "not good enough for my son."
It seems to me that white America is frightened. American means white and having a black guy with the Muslim middle name just doesn't feel right. His wife is even worse. Her blackness freaks them out even more. If you don't want your kids marrying one of those people you certainly don't want them stomping around one of the prettiest houses in the nation.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Honors
Last weekend I traveled from New Jersey to Maryland to South Carolina and back in the space of about 72 hours. Kind of crazy but totally worth it.
My uncle, Rudolph Gordon, worked for Greenville County Public Schools (SC) for 40 years moving from teacher to assistant principal to principal to various district-wide offices until finally becoming superintendent of schools in 1996. He retired in 2000 to spend more time with his family.
In 2005, the school board voted to honor my uncle by naming a new elementary school in his honor. On Monday, my family and I gathered in South Carolina for the dedication of the Rudolph G. Gordon Elementary School (Home of the Gordon Gators).
It was a wonderful event and such an honor for my uncle who had to fight back tears when he found out they named the media center for his recently deceased wife, a former librarian. Totally worth the 24 hours in the car.
P.S.
The kindergartners wanted the mascot to be a reindeer but they were overruled.
My uncle, Rudolph Gordon, worked for Greenville County Public Schools (SC) for 40 years moving from teacher to assistant principal to principal to various district-wide offices until finally becoming superintendent of schools in 1996. He retired in 2000 to spend more time with his family.
In 2005, the school board voted to honor my uncle by naming a new elementary school in his honor. On Monday, my family and I gathered in South Carolina for the dedication of the Rudolph G. Gordon Elementary School (Home of the Gordon Gators).
It was a wonderful event and such an honor for my uncle who had to fight back tears when he found out they named the media center for his recently deceased wife, a former librarian. Totally worth the 24 hours in the car.
P.S.
The kindergartners wanted the mascot to be a reindeer but they were overruled.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Grad School
What is grad school like? I read this sentence today:
Inspection of eigenvalues and the scree plot revealed that a five-factor solution was the most adequate and parsimonious factor structure.
Eventually this sentence came along:
The solution was subjected to a orthogonal varimax rotation as none of the correlations between factors were greater than .4.
SCREE!!!!!! That's so varimax.
Honestly, I don't know what those sentences mean and that is what grad school is like. A lot of reading of things of thing I read in the past but have forgotten or things I haven't read and sometimes don't understand. Then writing a paper about it that's supposed to show that I understood what I read.
I am either reading or typing. Reading. Typing. That is what I do. My whole schedule is off. I somehow started going to sleep at 2 and waking up at 10.
Honestly, I haven't had this much work to do in a very long time. My legs hurt from sitting. My arms hurt from typing. I make myself go to the gym but I have to wear my timer so I don't spend more than an hour working out.
I just wrote the crappiest paper ever about culture, thick description, and the purpose of ethnographic research.
The best news I received this year is that I can use the book as the basis for my Lib. and Info Science seminar paper. I almost cried when the professor said it was okay.
At least someone has taken the time to write a comic about this crazy life.
Inspection of eigenvalues and the scree plot revealed that a five-factor solution was the most adequate and parsimonious factor structure.
Eventually this sentence came along:
The solution was subjected to a orthogonal varimax rotation as none of the correlations between factors were greater than .4.
SCREE!!!!!! That's so varimax.
Honestly, I don't know what those sentences mean and that is what grad school is like. A lot of reading of things of thing I read in the past but have forgotten or things I haven't read and sometimes don't understand. Then writing a paper about it that's supposed to show that I understood what I read.
I am either reading or typing. Reading. Typing. That is what I do. My whole schedule is off. I somehow started going to sleep at 2 and waking up at 10.
Honestly, I haven't had this much work to do in a very long time. My legs hurt from sitting. My arms hurt from typing. I make myself go to the gym but I have to wear my timer so I don't spend more than an hour working out.
I just wrote the crappiest paper ever about culture, thick description, and the purpose of ethnographic research.
The best news I received this year is that I can use the book as the basis for my Lib. and Info Science seminar paper. I almost cried when the professor said it was okay.
At least someone has taken the time to write a comic about this crazy life.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Electing a President
Background: One of the email lists I'm on had a short exchange on politics this today. One of the members brought up Nader (!), Obama not wanting to debate, and democracy in America. This is my reply.
There's only problem with your analysis: In the national presidential election there is no such thing as a three-way race. There's not even a two-way race. Either you win all the electoral college votes or you win none.
I understand that you want to see someone speak truth to power, but it's not really possible if you're seeking power in the first place. What I want is to elect someone who will use power constructively.
I'm sure many people have pointed out the vast differences b/n Obama and McCain. In the end, one of them will be president no matter how many votes Nader/McKinney/Barr/Various Write-Ins get.
So which one do you prefer?
I really think that we on the left have to get over our need for perfection in our candidates. Most of the country does not agree with my positions and I have to recognize that. I want someone in office who at least somewhat agrees with me on the issues.
I keep thinking about the weeks of ridiculousness inflicted on our nation when President Bush threatened to veto SCHIP. You know--the State CHILDREN'S Heath Insurance Program. How can you possibly wake up in the morning and say to yourself "I'm going to veto this program b/c these kids' parents suck and clearly that is the kids fault and why don't they work and get healthcare like all other Americans. I'm sure lemonade stands come with BlueCross BlueSheild." Even if Obama isn't able to push through national healthcare at least he won't freaking veto it.
Re Debating. McCain can ask for all the debates he wants but it is the Obama campaign that will decide how many there will be. You only want to debate if you aren't doing well in the polls and think a debate will help. And really, are we not familiar with their stances on the issues? Do you really think there will be any surprises? All you can really hope for is for one of them to miss one of his talking points.
Finally, when it comes to the office of the president we do not live in a democracy but in a republic. All you can do is vote every 4 years, cross your fingers, and hope for the best.
There's only problem with your analysis: In the national presidential election there is no such thing as a three-way race. There's not even a two-way race. Either you win all the electoral college votes or you win none.
I understand that you want to see someone speak truth to power, but it's not really possible if you're seeking power in the first place. What I want is to elect someone who will use power constructively.
I'm sure many people have pointed out the vast differences b/n Obama and McCain. In the end, one of them will be president no matter how many votes Nader/McKinney/Barr/Various Write-Ins get.
So which one do you prefer?
I really think that we on the left have to get over our need for perfection in our candidates. Most of the country does not agree with my positions and I have to recognize that. I want someone in office who at least somewhat agrees with me on the issues.
I keep thinking about the weeks of ridiculousness inflicted on our nation when President Bush threatened to veto SCHIP. You know--the State CHILDREN'S Heath Insurance Program. How can you possibly wake up in the morning and say to yourself "I'm going to veto this program b/c these kids' parents suck and clearly that is the kids fault and why don't they work and get healthcare like all other Americans. I'm sure lemonade stands come with BlueCross BlueSheild." Even if Obama isn't able to push through national healthcare at least he won't freaking veto it.
Re Debating. McCain can ask for all the debates he wants but it is the Obama campaign that will decide how many there will be. You only want to debate if you aren't doing well in the polls and think a debate will help. And really, are we not familiar with their stances on the issues? Do you really think there will be any surprises? All you can really hope for is for one of them to miss one of his talking points.
Finally, when it comes to the office of the president we do not live in a democracy but in a republic. All you can do is vote every 4 years, cross your fingers, and hope for the best.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Update
I have moved to a state known for its highways. I have a car and car insurance. My apartment is pretty small but only a 5 minute walk from the library/gym/student center. I bought a blender but haven't used it.
I feel kind of old on campus. I suspect this feeling will get worse once the new first years (class of '12 and born in 1990) arrive on Saturday.
I signed both a book contract and a library consulting contract.
The new Star Wars movie is okay but would have worked just as well as a tv movie. Not worth 11 bucks.
I have five boxes worth of weeded books to get rid of.
New Brunswick has a classic Carnegie public library with the second level glass floor. (Yes, I've already visited and I couldn't get a card because I didn't have two forms of id.)
I'm ready for school to start.
I feel kind of old on campus. I suspect this feeling will get worse once the new first years (class of '12 and born in 1990) arrive on Saturday.
I signed both a book contract and a library consulting contract.
The new Star Wars movie is okay but would have worked just as well as a tv movie. Not worth 11 bucks.
I have five boxes worth of weeded books to get rid of.
New Brunswick has a classic Carnegie public library with the second level glass floor. (Yes, I've already visited and I couldn't get a card because I didn't have two forms of id.)
I'm ready for school to start.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Just check anything but black...
I joined Chemistry.com earlier this month. I've joined most online sites at different times in my life: Yahoo, eHarmony, Match. So I decided to give Chemistry a try and it's okay. Like eHarmony you can't search profiles, the company sends them to you. Like all dating sites, many of them men don't take time to actually write a decent personal statement, but the ratio of decent statements to crappy ones is fairly high.
Chemistry.com, however, needs to fix their search algorithms. On dating sites you get to pick the ethnicity of the people you're interested in. (I check no preference.) Chemistry keeps sending me guys who are interested in the following:
American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian
White/Caucasian
Hispanic/Latino or Spanish origin
Notice what's missing? I've written Chemistry twice letting them know that they keep sending me guys that aren't interested in women of my race. I've received two stock answers: "Please trust we are currently working on this problem and hope to have any trouble resolved soon. Thank you for your patience."
The "ethnic preference" info is at the bottom of profiles so you read through the whole thing before realizing that the guy doesn't want black girls. I've taken to scrolling to the bottom first so I can archive them right away.
It's a pain (and painful) and I'm not going to renew my subscription.
My friends and I joke that they should just create a check box for "Anything but Black." That way there won't be any confusion.
Chemistry.com, however, needs to fix their search algorithms. On dating sites you get to pick the ethnicity of the people you're interested in. (I check no preference.) Chemistry keeps sending me guys who are interested in the following:
American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian
White/Caucasian
Hispanic/Latino or Spanish origin
Notice what's missing? I've written Chemistry twice letting them know that they keep sending me guys that aren't interested in women of my race. I've received two stock answers: "Please trust we are currently working on this problem and hope to have any trouble resolved soon. Thank you for your patience."
The "ethnic preference" info is at the bottom of profiles so you read through the whole thing before realizing that the guy doesn't want black girls. I've taken to scrolling to the bottom first so I can archive them right away.
It's a pain (and painful) and I'm not going to renew my subscription.
My friends and I joke that they should just create a check box for "Anything but Black." That way there won't be any confusion.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Good Products
Amazon.com MP3s
I suppose that Amazon's download store is not really a product, but I have spent so much money there I have to talk about it.
Unlike the rest of the world, I don't have an iPod. I have a Creative Zen Vision:M which means that I can't use iTunes without going through a whole lot of mess. (Download song. Copy to CD. Upload song. Copy to Player.) So I was thrilled when Amazon started it DRM-free store. It doesn't have as much music as iTunes, but everything is reasonably priced.
If I'm really honest with myself though, my favorite thing about the store is the Specials. Every Friday at they have 5 for $5. Every day they have some ridiculously low priced album in the top right hand corner. I bought Aretha Franklin's I Never Loved a Man for $1.98 the other day.
Sometimes entire albums are free. Granted most people probably aren't excited that Naxos Very Best of Early Music is free but I am not one of those people. (The Kyrie eleison Christian-Arabic Tradition from Lebanon is sublime.)
The whole thing is a money sink. I should really stop.
Oh look, Bernstein conducts Gershwin...
I suppose that Amazon's download store is not really a product, but I have spent so much money there I have to talk about it.
Unlike the rest of the world, I don't have an iPod. I have a Creative Zen Vision:M which means that I can't use iTunes without going through a whole lot of mess. (Download song. Copy to CD. Upload song. Copy to Player.) So I was thrilled when Amazon started it DRM-free store. It doesn't have as much music as iTunes, but everything is reasonably priced.
If I'm really honest with myself though, my favorite thing about the store is the Specials. Every Friday at they have 5 for $5. Every day they have some ridiculously low priced album in the top right hand corner. I bought Aretha Franklin's I Never Loved a Man for $1.98 the other day.
Sometimes entire albums are free. Granted most people probably aren't excited that Naxos Very Best of Early Music is free but I am not one of those people. (The Kyrie eleison Christian-Arabic Tradition from Lebanon is sublime.)
The whole thing is a money sink. I should really stop.
Oh look, Bernstein conducts Gershwin...
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Canada!
I'm in Canada and it's beautiful. This is rather surprising to me. I like to make fun of Canada--it's such an odd country: American...but not and with some French thrown in.
The American Theological Library Association meeting is in Ottawa this year and I am excited to see the Houses of Parliament. Really. I've only seen them from a distance but they look totally amazing.
The conference is pretty good. The director of University of Ottawa Libraries gave the plenary this morning. The US could learn a lot from the cross provincial projects the libraries up here conduct. Not only does Canada have national healthcare, they also invest in their libraries. It took me awhile to identify the emotion I was feeling the speech, but now I realize it's jealousy.
Blame Canada!!!!
The American Theological Library Association meeting is in Ottawa this year and I am excited to see the Houses of Parliament. Really. I've only seen them from a distance but they look totally amazing.
The conference is pretty good. The director of University of Ottawa Libraries gave the plenary this morning. The US could learn a lot from the cross provincial projects the libraries up here conduct. Not only does Canada have national healthcare, they also invest in their libraries. It took me awhile to identify the emotion I was feeling the speech, but now I realize it's jealousy.
Blame Canada!!!!
Friday, June 06, 2008
Good Products (A New Occasional Series)
IKEA 365+ Food Saver
One of the worst things about living alone is that it's almost impossible to eat all the food you buy. I buy tiny quarts of milk and don't finish them. Little jars of spaghetti sauce get mold spores. Unless you eat toast every day for a month, it's difficult to finish a loaf of bread.
I freeze things but lots of food ends up with freezer burn because it's been packed away too long.
Lettuce is a killer. Eating an entire head of lettuce is almost impossible. Salads everyday is too much to ask of anyone.
About a year ago I bought an Ikea food saver. Some show on HGTV discussed Tupperware food savers but Tupperware is often difficult to find and expensive. Finding a way to keep lettuce fresh for weeks, however, was worth any effort. Ikea to the rescue.
My $10 Ikea 365+ Food Saver keeps lettuce fresh for up to a month. It is truly amazing. Lettuce stays crispy and green. No more wasting money on lettuce that I can't finish.
One of the worst things about living alone is that it's almost impossible to eat all the food you buy. I buy tiny quarts of milk and don't finish them. Little jars of spaghetti sauce get mold spores. Unless you eat toast every day for a month, it's difficult to finish a loaf of bread.
I freeze things but lots of food ends up with freezer burn because it's been packed away too long.
Lettuce is a killer. Eating an entire head of lettuce is almost impossible. Salads everyday is too much to ask of anyone.
About a year ago I bought an Ikea food saver. Some show on HGTV discussed Tupperware food savers but Tupperware is often difficult to find and expensive. Finding a way to keep lettuce fresh for weeks, however, was worth any effort. Ikea to the rescue.
My $10 Ikea 365+ Food Saver keeps lettuce fresh for up to a month. It is truly amazing. Lettuce stays crispy and green. No more wasting money on lettuce that I can't finish.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
The Takeaway
For the past few weeks, I thought I was managing my mornings okay even though WNYC started running a new show, The Takeaway at 6 on FM93.9. The show isn't totally horrible. It's just...not very good. But I was okay with it. NPR (or actually PRI in this case) is just experimenting with something "new" and "edgy" because that's what the "young folks" want. Like guitar in church or something.
Then this morning something happened at the station. At 8:00 they cut to The Takeaway instead of Morning Edition. I was suddenly in hell. "What the fuck???" I yelled at the radio, "You've got to be KIDDING me."
Someone realized the mistake. Dead air. Then Morning Edition. *Whew* All was right with world.
Do Not Mess With My Morning Routine. Mornings mean Morning Edition. Every weekday morning. Four hours straight.
Please get rid of that newfangled chatter-y crap.
Thank you.
Then this morning something happened at the station. At 8:00 they cut to The Takeaway instead of Morning Edition. I was suddenly in hell. "What the fuck???" I yelled at the radio, "You've got to be KIDDING me."
Someone realized the mistake. Dead air. Then Morning Edition. *Whew* All was right with world.
Do Not Mess With My Morning Routine. Mornings mean Morning Edition. Every weekday morning. Four hours straight.
Please get rid of that newfangled chatter-y crap.
Thank you.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Good Sound Quality
I saw my first Blu-Ray disc Monday at Circuit City. A-Ma-Zing! I couldn't stop staring.
I want one. But, not yet.
Why?
Because Star Wars isn't available.
Let me explain. Star Wars has been playing on Spike TV for the last month or so, but even though I'm a huge fan I don't bother to watch. What would be the point? For Star Wars to be Star Wars you need excellent picture quality and sound. Especially sound. Since I bought my Onkyo 5.1 home theater system, I can't watch sci-fi movies without it. When the THX logo comes on, my living room shakes. The lightsabers are wonderfully electronically whoosh-y. And, most importantly, the sonic detonator sounds awesome. When that guitar comes through my speakers it's the most beautiful sound. (And yes, I know that in space no one can hear you scream so that sound is impossible.)
I love watching Star Wars at home.
But none of the Saga is available on Blu-Ray and Lucas has no plans to release them in the format. When he does I'll be first in line.
I want one. But, not yet.
Why?
Because Star Wars isn't available.
Let me explain. Star Wars has been playing on Spike TV for the last month or so, but even though I'm a huge fan I don't bother to watch. What would be the point? For Star Wars to be Star Wars you need excellent picture quality and sound. Especially sound. Since I bought my Onkyo 5.1 home theater system, I can't watch sci-fi movies without it. When the THX logo comes on, my living room shakes. The lightsabers are wonderfully electronically whoosh-y. And, most importantly, the sonic detonator sounds awesome. When that guitar comes through my speakers it's the most beautiful sound. (And yes, I know that in space no one can hear you scream so that sound is impossible.)
I love watching Star Wars at home.
But none of the Saga is available on Blu-Ray and Lucas has no plans to release them in the format. When he does I'll be first in line.
Magic
Book Proposal. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.
Something about not wanting to write.
Something about good medicine.
Something about research.
(It just might work.)
Something about not wanting to write.
Something about good medicine.
Something about research.
(It just might work.)
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Book Proposal
I'm trying not to think about the book proposal. I turned it in on Monday and now I have to wait for the publisher to get back to me. If I get the contract I'm going to be working on this thing all summer so I'm giving myself a break. But I keep thinking I should do something on it. Maybe some research? Start the intro?
Then I remind myself that I will be OBSESSING over this thing all summer. I deserve some time to think about other things like the Ekumen and vampire love.
Then I remind myself that I will be OBSESSING over this thing all summer. I deserve some time to think about other things like the Ekumen and vampire love.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Romantic
I am a total romantic. I hadn't truly realized this until about two weeks ago. I can only remember two books I've read in one night: Umberto Eco's the Name of the Rose and Frank Herbert's Dune.
Two weeks ago, I finally picked up Stephanie Meyer's Twilight . It had been sitting on my self for a few months and look like an easy read. I finished it at 4 in the morning.
The next day I went out and bought the next two books in the series and devoured them as well.
This would not be a big deal except that I've been reading some part of them for every night since. I crawl into bed and turn to my favorite scenes: the near-death by van, the meadow, the car ride, the rescue, the Volturi, the ring, the death by beheading. Hmmm...I should probably explain that the books are about a teenage girl who falls in love with a vampire.
There is a huge online community dedicated to the Twilight books. The teaser trailer for the new movie has been viewed more the 2 million times. (I think I've seen it ten times myself)
Why? I don't really know. All I can think of is that books hit some deep seated desire in (mostly) women to be wanted by someone who loves you so much that they will deny themselves what they want most (in the case of Edward--Bella's blood).
I don't like thinking of myself this way. I don't really believe that there is such a thing as true love anyway. But I guess I love escaping into a world where it exists.
Two weeks ago, I finally picked up Stephanie Meyer's Twilight . It had been sitting on my self for a few months and look like an easy read. I finished it at 4 in the morning.
The next day I went out and bought the next two books in the series and devoured them as well.
This would not be a big deal except that I've been reading some part of them for every night since. I crawl into bed and turn to my favorite scenes: the near-death by van, the meadow, the car ride, the rescue, the Volturi, the ring, the death by beheading. Hmmm...I should probably explain that the books are about a teenage girl who falls in love with a vampire.
There is a huge online community dedicated to the Twilight books. The teaser trailer for the new movie has been viewed more the 2 million times. (I think I've seen it ten times myself)
Why? I don't really know. All I can think of is that books hit some deep seated desire in (mostly) women to be wanted by someone who loves you so much that they will deny themselves what they want most (in the case of Edward--Bella's blood).
I don't like thinking of myself this way. I don't really believe that there is such a thing as true love anyway. But I guess I love escaping into a world where it exists.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
More Book Stuff
I received my proposal comments today and I have to get the revisions back by Monday(!). The editor mentioned in the email that they are nitpicky and he wasn't kidding. I have NO IDEA what I'm doing with this book thing.
Must...think...good...writing...thoughts...
Must...think...good...writing...thoughts...
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Book News
I heard back from the publisher the day I wrote the blog. Murphy's Law.
The outside reviewer liked it. Now I have to add his recommendations to the proposal and send it back in. The executive board will vote on it sometime in May. If they say yes, we go into contract talks.
I can't believe this is happening. At least it will be good practice for the dissertation.
Right?
The outside reviewer liked it. Now I have to add his recommendations to the proposal and send it back in. The executive board will vote on it sometime in May. If they say yes, we go into contract talks.
I can't believe this is happening. At least it will be good practice for the dissertation.
Right?
Monday, April 28, 2008
Waiting
On September 9, 2005 I noticed a Call for Articles for the Journal of Interlibrary Loan, Document Delivery, and Electronic Reserve. Little did I know I would still be thinking about that Call for Articles two and a half years later.
I decided to write a short article on "On-the-Fly" interlibrary loan departments. My primary topic was: How do you get ILL done if you don't have time to do it? The article was published (Yay!) and I didn't think about it again.
Then on September 26, 2007, I received a jaunty email from a publisher asking me if I was interested in writing more. "Of course," I wrote, "but not until after we complete the library move." You know when you say something because it's the right thing to say? This was one of those occasions. I figured that the guy would forget.
How wrong I was.
January 22, 2008: Hope the move went well! Still want to write the book?
"Sure," I write, "What do I need to do?"
The proposal itself took forever. I became obsessed with ILL thinking about it on the train, the plane, in church, at work, watching tv.
I really freaked myself out: If this is what it took to write the proposal, what would the book take?
I sent in the draft and received comments from the publisher. I corrected the proposal, sent it back and waited. And waited. And waited some more.
Finally two weeks had passed and I sent an email. "Any more comments?" I asked. "No, we sent it around. It's out for review with an expert" (!!!!) What???? Out for review??? But, but, but....
This really might happen. I'm probably going to have to write a book. In one summer.
On interlibrary loan.
I decided to write a short article on "On-the-Fly" interlibrary loan departments. My primary topic was: How do you get ILL done if you don't have time to do it? The article was published (Yay!) and I didn't think about it again.
Then on September 26, 2007, I received a jaunty email from a publisher asking me if I was interested in writing more. "Of course," I wrote, "but not until after we complete the library move." You know when you say something because it's the right thing to say? This was one of those occasions. I figured that the guy would forget.
How wrong I was.
January 22, 2008: Hope the move went well! Still want to write the book?
"Sure," I write, "What do I need to do?"
The proposal itself took forever. I became obsessed with ILL thinking about it on the train, the plane, in church, at work, watching tv.
I really freaked myself out: If this is what it took to write the proposal, what would the book take?
I sent in the draft and received comments from the publisher. I corrected the proposal, sent it back and waited. And waited. And waited some more.
Finally two weeks had passed and I sent an email. "Any more comments?" I asked. "No, we sent it around. It's out for review with an expert" (!!!!) What???? Out for review??? But, but, but....
This really might happen. I'm probably going to have to write a book. In one summer.
On interlibrary loan.
Friday, April 25, 2008
DVDs vs. VHS
In order to prepare for school, I'm trying to buy all the things I would like in my apartment while I still have an income. None of these things are necessary, just stuff that would be nice to have. They include:
1. Warm dress winter coat that fits well.
2. Black leather boots with 2' heels.
3. Food processor
4. Blender
5. Printer/Scanner/Copier
This stuff isn't particularly expensive but it will all add up.
Also, do I replace my VHS tapes with DVDs? I have them all sitting in my Amazon cart. Ready to go. But the cost seems TOTALLY unjustifiable. I already have them movies. This is more a collection thing than a "I'll watch these movies all the time" thing.
I guess I'll let them sit for a little while longer until I make up my mind. (I really shouldn't obsess about this stuff so much.)
1. Warm dress winter coat that fits well.
2. Black leather boots with 2' heels.
3. Food processor
4. Blender
5. Printer/Scanner/Copier
This stuff isn't particularly expensive but it will all add up.
Also, do I replace my VHS tapes with DVDs? I have them all sitting in my Amazon cart. Ready to go. But the cost seems TOTALLY unjustifiable. I already have them movies. This is more a collection thing than a "I'll watch these movies all the time" thing.
I guess I'll let them sit for a little while longer until I make up my mind. (I really shouldn't obsess about this stuff so much.)
Sunday, April 13, 2008
T Magazine Time!
Awww Yeah! It's that time ladies and gentleman. What time? T Magazine time where we learn about ridiculously overpriced and funny looking fashion!
I was happy to see Emily Blunt on the cover. (Devil Wears Prada is MUCH better than you might think. Watch Streep when she discusses the women on the US Supreme Court. Classic. And telling.)
This issue was kind of a letdown. Most of the fashion wasn't awful and only mildly overpriced. Until you get to "Drama Queen." Grown women should never, EVER wear minis with thigh highs unless they're in the business. And spending $39,500 for a jacket is just silly. Especially one that looks like that.
I was happy to see Emily Blunt on the cover. (Devil Wears Prada is MUCH better than you might think. Watch Streep when she discusses the women on the US Supreme Court. Classic. And telling.)
This issue was kind of a letdown. Most of the fashion wasn't awful and only mildly overpriced. Until you get to "Drama Queen." Grown women should never, EVER wear minis with thigh highs unless they're in the business. And spending $39,500 for a jacket is just silly. Especially one that looks like that.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Hair
The barber cut my hair short today. Really short.
He's supposed to use a 1.5 guard. But he used a 1. I was sitting in the chair thinking "Ask him if he has the right guard on. Ask him. Ask him now." But I didn't. Two strokes and it's over. Almost bald head. No choice but to keep going.
*sigh*
The 1 is 3.0mm (1/8 inch) while the 1.5 is 4.0mm (5/32 inch). This might seem like a minuscule difference in hair shaft height but it isn't. With a 1.5 I look like I have some hair but with a 1 I look like my hair is just growing in. It's subtle but important.
The main problem with the whole really short hair thing is that I have to CONSTANTLY think about my eyebrows. The shorter the hair the more prominent the eyebrows and I'm not much of a groomer. I wash my face. Put on moisturizer and that's about it. Short hair means that I have not only think about my eyebrows--I also have to pluck them. Everyday. One of the reasons I have short hair is so that I don't have to think about it.
This too much hair coming off my head thing happens every so often. The worst time was when some poor woman shaved my head. Totally bald.
Of course, no one really noticed. "Oh, Emily, you got your hair cut! Looks good!"
If you only knew of the tears that came earlier.
He's supposed to use a 1.5 guard. But he used a 1. I was sitting in the chair thinking "Ask him if he has the right guard on. Ask him. Ask him now." But I didn't. Two strokes and it's over. Almost bald head. No choice but to keep going.
*sigh*
The 1 is 3.0mm (1/8 inch) while the 1.5 is 4.0mm (5/32 inch). This might seem like a minuscule difference in hair shaft height but it isn't. With a 1.5 I look like I have some hair but with a 1 I look like my hair is just growing in. It's subtle but important.
The main problem with the whole really short hair thing is that I have to CONSTANTLY think about my eyebrows. The shorter the hair the more prominent the eyebrows and I'm not much of a groomer. I wash my face. Put on moisturizer and that's about it. Short hair means that I have not only think about my eyebrows--I also have to pluck them. Everyday. One of the reasons I have short hair is so that I don't have to think about it.
This too much hair coming off my head thing happens every so often. The worst time was when some poor woman shaved my head. Totally bald.
Of course, no one really noticed. "Oh, Emily, you got your hair cut! Looks good!"
If you only knew of the tears that came earlier.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Libraries at Night
Tonight I walked home from the Prospect Park YMCA (which isn't all that close to Prospect Park.) It was nice out so I decided to take the scenic route by Grand Army Plaza, Mount Prospect Park, the Botanic Garden, the Museum, and the Library.
Walking up to the library, I noticed that there were people sitting around the brand new plaza. That wasn't much of a surprise--I figured a few homeless people found their way there every night. But then I saw that a couple of the people were sitting on benches with their computers open.
The library closed at 6 pm tonight (and it was 9 by the time I walked by) but people were still using the library's resources. Everyone can appreciate free wi-fi in a beautiful on a brisk almost spring evening.
Walking up to the library, I noticed that there were people sitting around the brand new plaza. That wasn't much of a surprise--I figured a few homeless people found their way there every night. But then I saw that a couple of the people were sitting on benches with their computers open.
The library closed at 6 pm tonight (and it was 9 by the time I walked by) but people were still using the library's resources. Everyone can appreciate free wi-fi in a beautiful on a brisk almost spring evening.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Phoning Librarians
Every Wednesday, my former classmate Greg Schwartz, moderates Uncontrolled Vocabulary a podcast for librarians.
For the second time ever, I called in. It always makes me a little nervous; the library I work at is much different from others. If you listen, you'll notice that I have absolutely NOTHING to say about the Swift/Computers in Libraries thing.
I get the Computers in Libraries glossy promo but there is no way my boss would pay for me to go. We're still trying to get our copiers networked. And I don't think I have a cable for our scanner. I didn't even know what Swift was.
But, if you're a librarian, you should listen to Uncontrolled Vocabulary. It's a great way to find out what's going on in the library world.
For the second time ever, I called in. It always makes me a little nervous; the library I work at is much different from others. If you listen, you'll notice that I have absolutely NOTHING to say about the Swift/Computers in Libraries thing.
I get the Computers in Libraries glossy promo but there is no way my boss would pay for me to go. We're still trying to get our copiers networked. And I don't think I have a cable for our scanner. I didn't even know what Swift was.
But, if you're a librarian, you should listen to Uncontrolled Vocabulary. It's a great way to find out what's going on in the library world.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The Speech
Did you hear it? Incredible. A presidential candidate speaking about race.
"The profound mistake of Reverend Wright’s sermons is not that he spoke about racism in our society. It’s that he spoke as if our society was static; as if no progress has been made; as if this country – a country that has made it possible for one of his own members to run for the highest office in the land and build a coalition of white and black; Latino and Asian, rich and poor, young and old -- is still irrevocably bound to a tragic past. But what we know -- what we have seen – is that America can change. That is true genius of this nation. What we have already achieved gives us hope – the audacity to hope – for what we can and must achieve tomorrow."
Just take 37 minutes and listen. Really listen.
"The profound mistake of Reverend Wright’s sermons is not that he spoke about racism in our society. It’s that he spoke as if our society was static; as if no progress has been made; as if this country – a country that has made it possible for one of his own members to run for the highest office in the land and build a coalition of white and black; Latino and Asian, rich and poor, young and old -- is still irrevocably bound to a tragic past. But what we know -- what we have seen – is that America can change. That is true genius of this nation. What we have already achieved gives us hope – the audacity to hope – for what we can and must achieve tomorrow."
Just take 37 minutes and listen. Really listen.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Nueva Jersey
Spitzer
What are we to make of powerful men who can't keep it in their pants? Or at least can't keep it in their pants in a discrete manner.
I don't know. I think Bing's assessment is fairly apt--powerful men tend to be assholes.
What I think is more interesting are the ten million stories regarding the legalization of prostitution and additional ten million stories on the "Stand by Your Man" phenomenon.
I don't really think about prostitution much. My problem with the discussion is that it assumes that all types of prostitution are the same. The woman on the street working for her pimp is really nothing like Ms. Dupre These are two completely different levels of body selling. Maybe the best remedy for prostitution is decriminalization rather than legalization. This would protect the women on the street but let the high-class call girls continue their (apparently highly prized) services.
The Stand by Your Man thing has got to stop! Please, political wives, just let him stand there and look stupid. He deserves whatever comes his way because of it.
I don't know. I think Bing's assessment is fairly apt--powerful men tend to be assholes.
What I think is more interesting are the ten million stories regarding the legalization of prostitution and additional ten million stories on the "Stand by Your Man" phenomenon.
I don't really think about prostitution much. My problem with the discussion is that it assumes that all types of prostitution are the same. The woman on the street working for her pimp is really nothing like Ms. Dupre These are two completely different levels of body selling. Maybe the best remedy for prostitution is decriminalization rather than legalization. This would protect the women on the street but let the high-class call girls continue their (apparently highly prized) services.
The Stand by Your Man thing has got to stop! Please, political wives, just let him stand there and look stupid. He deserves whatever comes his way because of it.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Figuring stuff out.
I've thought about getting my Ph.D. since I was in grade school. First, it was going to be in Mathematics, then Psychology. The life of a professor really appealed to me. The teaching, the office, the idea of tenure.
I majored in Religion in college and immediately embarked on my academic career.
It was the biggest mistake I ever made. After two years of grad school, I was burned out. I was in tears when I heard my last papers had to be in two weeks early in order to graduate on time. I wrote the papers (they were incredibly crappy) and graduated. I had applied to and gotten into the Ph.D. program, but turned it down. I was 24 and had been in school since I entered pre-kindergarten at 4. Enough was enough. I needed to work.
But then, I couldn't find a job. All that education and nothing. I temped for awhile and finally got a job at a law firm as a legal assistant's assistant. The work wasn't bad and it paid well but I didn't want to do it for the rest of my life. So, I went to library school.
I really like being a librarian. I get to help people find stuff and the work isn't overly stressful.
But, I've decided to go back to school. Again. I think it's a good career moves.
But I'm not always sure this is the best idea. I'm excited about my topic but maybe I should just make some money. What if I do all this school and, once again, have trouble finding a decent job? Do I really want to spend the next four years or so living on a students salary? It was one thing when I was 22 and library school was only one year--at 32 it's a whole different story. I'll be uprooting my entire life for what? More education? Will having this education truly raise my earning potential? I wish I could see that this will be worth it because at the moment, I'm just not sure...
(I promise not to have too many diary entries on this thing. I'm just not thinking about much else at the moment.)
I majored in Religion in college and immediately embarked on my academic career.
It was the biggest mistake I ever made. After two years of grad school, I was burned out. I was in tears when I heard my last papers had to be in two weeks early in order to graduate on time. I wrote the papers (they were incredibly crappy) and graduated. I had applied to and gotten into the Ph.D. program, but turned it down. I was 24 and had been in school since I entered pre-kindergarten at 4. Enough was enough. I needed to work.
But then, I couldn't find a job. All that education and nothing. I temped for awhile and finally got a job at a law firm as a legal assistant's assistant. The work wasn't bad and it paid well but I didn't want to do it for the rest of my life. So, I went to library school.
I really like being a librarian. I get to help people find stuff and the work isn't overly stressful.
But, I've decided to go back to school. Again. I think it's a good career moves.
But I'm not always sure this is the best idea. I'm excited about my topic but maybe I should just make some money. What if I do all this school and, once again, have trouble finding a decent job? Do I really want to spend the next four years or so living on a students salary? It was one thing when I was 22 and library school was only one year--at 32 it's a whole different story. I'll be uprooting my entire life for what? More education? Will having this education truly raise my earning potential? I wish I could see that this will be worth it because at the moment, I'm just not sure...
(I promise not to have too many diary entries on this thing. I'm just not thinking about much else at the moment.)
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Change might be coming....
Healthcare
Just watched 60 minutes. They featured a segment on the health care crisis in America. A group called the Remote Area Medical goes around the country providing medical care to the un- and under- insured.
Remote Area Medical was originally created to go to remote areas in the developing world and war zones. Not the United States.
Like the woman at the end of the segment, I wonder why the richest country in the world can not take care of it's own citizens. It makes no sense. It's ridiculous and embarrassing.
No matter who gets elected, I hope they will work for universal coverage.
Remote Area Medical was originally created to go to remote areas in the developing world and war zones. Not the United States.
Like the woman at the end of the segment, I wonder why the richest country in the world can not take care of it's own citizens. It makes no sense. It's ridiculous and embarrassing.
No matter who gets elected, I hope they will work for universal coverage.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Ridiculous Fashion
It's that time of year again. Fashion Week is over so the New York Times publishes its cash cow, TMagazine.
And what craziness we have this year. Under "The Goods:The Must Haves" you'll find a $36,000 purse. That's THIRTY-SIX THOUSAND dollars. For a purse. I couldn't even bring myself to buy a $400 handbag at the Coach Outlet.
The Times also features some poor model wearing these "shoes". No, they don't have a heel. Do you think women need a heel on 5.5 inch platform shoes? What's wrong with you? Fashion is pain.
And what craziness we have this year. Under "The Goods:The Must Haves" you'll find a $36,000 purse. That's THIRTY-SIX THOUSAND dollars. For a purse. I couldn't even bring myself to buy a $400 handbag at the Coach Outlet.
The Times also features some poor model wearing these "shoes". No, they don't have a heel. Do you think women need a heel on 5.5 inch platform shoes? What's wrong with you? Fashion is pain.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Back...maybe.
So I'm thinking about starting this thing up again b/c I have a lot going on and it's fun to tell the whole world.
Things that are happening:
1. I applied to Ph.D. programs and have been accepted into two so it looks like I'll be going back in the fall.
2. I was asked to submit a book proposal based on the article I published. I should be working on it right now but instead I'm writing this blog.
3. My relationship with my boyfriend is overly complicated at the moment.
4. Obama! (but I'm voting for the democrat no matter what)
Things that are happening:
1. I applied to Ph.D. programs and have been accepted into two so it looks like I'll be going back in the fall.
2. I was asked to submit a book proposal based on the article I published. I should be working on it right now but instead I'm writing this blog.
3. My relationship with my boyfriend is overly complicated at the moment.
4. Obama! (but I'm voting for the democrat no matter what)
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