Hadn't planned to watch the gold medal match between the U.S. and Canada. But its now tied 2-2 in overtime. So I'm watching. :)
Librarianintx
Update: That was quick! Canada won.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Learning
I just learned how to put CNN and Weather Channel apps on my BB for quicker access. Blogger doesn't seem to offer that, but I've saved the page to my bookmarks, so that will help. Fun stuff!
librarianintx
librarianintx
Friday, February 26, 2010
Spectacular!
I was most excited to see the men's figure skating at the Olympics this year, and it certainly was an exciting night of great performances (Johnny Weir was robbed!) But I must apologize to the ladies for underestimating their competition. WOW! A thrilling night of unprecedented performances! History was made three times during the ladies figure skating section of this Olympics. Kim Yu-Na won the first Olympic gold medal in ladies figure skating for South Korea, AND she posted the highest score ever witnessed in the sport, with a combined score of short program / free skate of 228.56.
Her rival, Mao Asada, took the silver medal for Japan, and skated into the history books as well. She is the first woman ever to land THREE triple axles at the Olympics, one in the short program and two in the free skate. I don't think a woman has ever even landed one triple axle at the Olympics.
Our American ladies did very well, even though they didn't medal. Sixteen year old Mirai Nagasu skated an excellent routine to finish in fourth place, edging out Miki Ando from Japan. And Rachael Flatt also skated a great routine. She finished in seventh place because several of her jumps were downgraded due to boot placement when she landed.
Congratulations to all the ladies!
librarianintx
Her rival, Mao Asada, took the silver medal for Japan, and skated into the history books as well. She is the first woman ever to land THREE triple axles at the Olympics, one in the short program and two in the free skate. I don't think a woman has ever even landed one triple axle at the Olympics.
Our American ladies did very well, even though they didn't medal. Sixteen year old Mirai Nagasu skated an excellent routine to finish in fourth place, edging out Miki Ando from Japan. And Rachael Flatt also skated a great routine. She finished in seventh place because several of her jumps were downgraded due to boot placement when she landed.
Congratulations to all the ladies!
librarianintx
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Johnny Weir
http://www.nbcolympics.com/news-features/news/newsid=444997.html#weir+wants+critics+think+make+apologies
Weir wants critics to think, not make apologies
VANCOUVER (AP) -- Johnny Weir
var hb4 = new HelpBalloon({dataURL: '/athletes/athlete=2368/library/_flyout.html'});
is looking for understanding, not an apology.
Broadcasters on French-language RDS who made derogatory comments about the American figure skater's masculinity need to consider the impact their words will have on others, particularly impressionable youngsters, Weir said Wednesday.
"I want them to think before they speak. I want them to think about not only the person they're talking about, but also other people like that person," he said. "What people as a majority need to do is think, and think about who they're affecting. ... I don't want, 50 years from now, more boys and girls to go through this same thing."
The Quebec Gay and Lesbian Council demanded a public apology from RDS after one commentator said Weir hurts figure skating's image and another said Weir should be made to take a gender test. The remarks were "outrageous" and "homophobic," CQGL said in a statement on its Web site.Mark Tewskbury, a gold medalist in swimming at the Barcelona Olympics, called the remarks "totally unacceptable."
"I think Johnny Weir adds a fantastic element to men's figure skating," Tewskbury said at a news conference at Whistler Pride House, a venue designed to support gay and lesbian athletes and coaches. "It doesn't send the message that you have to be Johnny or be like him. It shows that all kinds of people take up figure skating, and all kinds of people can be excellent at figure skating.
"I was actually quite shocked that that is still happening in 2010."Although Weir said he found the comments "offensive," he supports free speech and doesn't think the broadcasters should be punished. He also doesn't really care if people criticize him.
But he does worry that the broadcasters' comments and the attitudes they foster will hurt kids who are different and are trying to find their place in the world. Or cause parents of those children to be less supportive.
"I hope more kids can grow up like I did and more kids can feel the freedom to express themselves," he said. "Out of ugly, I think the most important thing in life is to make something beautiful."
Weir is one of skating's most oversized personalities, and he enjoys challenging convention. He was targeted by animal-rights activists after adding white fox fur to his free skate costume for last month's U.S. championships, and he once posed for a photo shoot in a skirt and stilettos.
But he repeatedly has avoided questions about his sexual orientation, and did so again Wednesday. People shouldn't be defined by labels, Weir said.
"I don't think the fact I'm a figure skater matters. I don't think who I sleep with matters. I don't think where I'm from matters. I want people to see me for who I am, not what I am," he said. "I don't feel there's anything that anybody has to be out and about about. I think you should be out about being yourself. You need to be out and really own who you are."
End of article
I put in red the quotes I liked the most. Johnny expresses himself so well, both on and off the ice. If only all of his talent was respected, and he could be who he is without being ridiculed. Every person deserves that. I'm glad he has very supportive family, friends, and fans.
librarianintx
Weir wants critics to think, not make apologies
VANCOUVER (AP) -- Johnny Weir
var hb4 = new HelpBalloon({dataURL: '/athletes/athlete=2368/library/_flyout.html'});
is looking for understanding, not an apology.
Broadcasters on French-language RDS who made derogatory comments about the American figure skater's masculinity need to consider the impact their words will have on others, particularly impressionable youngsters, Weir said Wednesday.
"I want them to think before they speak. I want them to think about not only the person they're talking about, but also other people like that person," he said. "What people as a majority need to do is think, and think about who they're affecting. ... I don't want, 50 years from now, more boys and girls to go through this same thing."
The Quebec Gay and Lesbian Council demanded a public apology from RDS after one commentator said Weir hurts figure skating's image and another said Weir should be made to take a gender test. The remarks were "outrageous" and "homophobic," CQGL said in a statement on its Web site.Mark Tewskbury, a gold medalist in swimming at the Barcelona Olympics, called the remarks "totally unacceptable."
"I think Johnny Weir adds a fantastic element to men's figure skating," Tewskbury said at a news conference at Whistler Pride House, a venue designed to support gay and lesbian athletes and coaches. "It doesn't send the message that you have to be Johnny or be like him. It shows that all kinds of people take up figure skating, and all kinds of people can be excellent at figure skating.
"I was actually quite shocked that that is still happening in 2010."Although Weir said he found the comments "offensive," he supports free speech and doesn't think the broadcasters should be punished. He also doesn't really care if people criticize him.
But he does worry that the broadcasters' comments and the attitudes they foster will hurt kids who are different and are trying to find their place in the world. Or cause parents of those children to be less supportive.
"I hope more kids can grow up like I did and more kids can feel the freedom to express themselves," he said. "Out of ugly, I think the most important thing in life is to make something beautiful."
Weir is one of skating's most oversized personalities, and he enjoys challenging convention. He was targeted by animal-rights activists after adding white fox fur to his free skate costume for last month's U.S. championships, and he once posed for a photo shoot in a skirt and stilettos.
But he repeatedly has avoided questions about his sexual orientation, and did so again Wednesday. People shouldn't be defined by labels, Weir said.
"I don't think the fact I'm a figure skater matters. I don't think who I sleep with matters. I don't think where I'm from matters. I want people to see me for who I am, not what I am," he said. "I don't feel there's anything that anybody has to be out and about about. I think you should be out about being yourself. You need to be out and really own who you are."
End of article
I put in red the quotes I liked the most. Johnny expresses himself so well, both on and off the ice. If only all of his talent was respected, and he could be who he is without being ridiculed. Every person deserves that. I'm glad he has very supportive family, friends, and fans.
librarianintx
Clay
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35569821/ns/entertainment-celebrities/
RALEIGH, N.C. - More than a year after disclosing he is gay, Clay Aiken is speaking before a gay-rights event in his hometown.
Aiken will deliver a speech about gay rights this weekend at the Human Rights Campaign Carolinas gala in Raleigh, The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Wednesday. Actress Meredith Baxter, who recently said she is a lesbian, also will deliver a speech.
The 31-year-old Raleigh native, pop singer and 2003 "American Idol" runner-up said he wrote his own speech after remarks provided for him proved too political, including a slam aimed at former President George W. Bush.
"I don't feel like this is the place to be horribly politically charged and bash people and talk about the wrongs that have been done," he said. "My goal is to be hopeful, that it's time for everyone to have equal rights."
Aiken says his goal is to urge Americans to support equal rights for all. He says that means allowing homosexuals to marry and enjoy rights that heterosexual couples take for granted like inheritance and hospital visitation. Aiken said that goal may take decades.
"It's more important to me, as a parent, that my son have all the rights — if he's gay — than it is for me. I don't want to do anything today that's going to inhibit, or be a detriment to, his rights," he said.
Aiken's son, Parker, was conceived via in vitro fertilization and born in August 2008. Parker's mother is music producer Jaymes Foster.
Foster, who lives in California and Aiken, who lives in the Raleigh area, share custody.
Aiken said he would probably attend Saturday's event with his bodyguard and without family members or friends.
Some family members have handled news of Aiken's homosexuality better than others, he said.
"Some Southern families like to sweep things under the rug," he said. "We just don't talk about it."
End of article.
I think this is fine. I don't think you have to be political in the fight for equality. Actually, I think some people will listen more if you leave politics out of it. Obviously Clay will be speaking to an audience that is already on board with his cause. However, if his comments are made more public through his fanbase, I think keeping politics out of his speech might help him reach a wider, more diverse audience...one that would not be receptive to Republican bashing.
I do have to say, what a difference a few years can make. Clay spent so long trying to convince everyone he was straight, including mocking homosexuality on television shows and in his concerts, which never sat well with me. I am impressed that only a little more than a year after coming out, he is making a speech for the HRC. Good job Clay.
librarianintx
librarianintx
RALEIGH, N.C. - More than a year after disclosing he is gay, Clay Aiken is speaking before a gay-rights event in his hometown.
Aiken will deliver a speech about gay rights this weekend at the Human Rights Campaign Carolinas gala in Raleigh, The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Wednesday. Actress Meredith Baxter, who recently said she is a lesbian, also will deliver a speech.
The 31-year-old Raleigh native, pop singer and 2003 "American Idol" runner-up said he wrote his own speech after remarks provided for him proved too political, including a slam aimed at former President George W. Bush.
"I don't feel like this is the place to be horribly politically charged and bash people and talk about the wrongs that have been done," he said. "My goal is to be hopeful, that it's time for everyone to have equal rights."
Aiken says his goal is to urge Americans to support equal rights for all. He says that means allowing homosexuals to marry and enjoy rights that heterosexual couples take for granted like inheritance and hospital visitation. Aiken said that goal may take decades.
"It's more important to me, as a parent, that my son have all the rights — if he's gay — than it is for me. I don't want to do anything today that's going to inhibit, or be a detriment to, his rights," he said.
Aiken's son, Parker, was conceived via in vitro fertilization and born in August 2008. Parker's mother is music producer Jaymes Foster.
Foster, who lives in California and Aiken, who lives in the Raleigh area, share custody.
Aiken said he would probably attend Saturday's event with his bodyguard and without family members or friends.
Some family members have handled news of Aiken's homosexuality better than others, he said.
"Some Southern families like to sweep things under the rug," he said. "We just don't talk about it."
End of article.
I think this is fine. I don't think you have to be political in the fight for equality. Actually, I think some people will listen more if you leave politics out of it. Obviously Clay will be speaking to an audience that is already on board with his cause. However, if his comments are made more public through his fanbase, I think keeping politics out of his speech might help him reach a wider, more diverse audience...one that would not be receptive to Republican bashing.
I do have to say, what a difference a few years can make. Clay spent so long trying to convince everyone he was straight, including mocking homosexuality on television shows and in his concerts, which never sat well with me. I am impressed that only a little more than a year after coming out, he is making a speech for the HRC. Good job Clay.
librarianintx
librarianintx
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
AWESOME!!
Whoo-hoo! Another reason to love my CrackBerry suppliers! Thank you!
A very excited
librarianintx
A very excited
librarianintx
Will it work?
I'm trying to blog using my BlackBerry. Is it going to work? We're about to find out. I'm just using a browser, not an app. Here goes...
From the sublime...
...to call this person ridiculous would give him too much credit, and be way too nice. I hate to even soil my blog with his demagoguery, but the way I see it, unfortunately sometimes you have to bring evil into the spotlight. If you don't, people will not know about the danger that lurks, possibly until its too late. How many times in history has religion been used to spread such filth?
http://www.newsleader.com/article/20100222/NEWS01/2220318
State Delegate Bob Marshall of Manassas says disabled children are God's punishment to women who have aborted their first pregnancy.
He made that statement Thursday at a press conference to oppose state funding for Planned Parenthood.
"The number of children who are born subsequent to a first abortion with handicaps has increased dramatically. Why? Because when you abort the first born of any, nature takes its vengeance on the subsequent children," said Marshall, a Republican.
"In the Old Testament, the first born of every being, animal and man, was dedicated to the Lord. There's a special punishment Christians would suggest."
Marshall was among more than 20 people, mostly Christian pastors and clergy, who gathered for the press conference in the General Assembly Building.
They called on Virginia officials to eliminate state funding for Planned Parenthood because the organization provides abortions...
I'm not signing my name after this, even a screen name.
http://www.newsleader.com/article/20100222/NEWS01/2220318
State Delegate Bob Marshall of Manassas says disabled children are God's punishment to women who have aborted their first pregnancy.
He made that statement Thursday at a press conference to oppose state funding for Planned Parenthood.
"The number of children who are born subsequent to a first abortion with handicaps has increased dramatically. Why? Because when you abort the first born of any, nature takes its vengeance on the subsequent children," said Marshall, a Republican.
"In the Old Testament, the first born of every being, animal and man, was dedicated to the Lord. There's a special punishment Christians would suggest."
Marshall was among more than 20 people, mostly Christian pastors and clergy, who gathered for the press conference in the General Assembly Building.
They called on Virginia officials to eliminate state funding for Planned Parenthood because the organization provides abortions...
I'm not signing my name after this, even a screen name.
Quote
"Kristin will show us all how to laugh when others are frowning, how to dance when others are sitting in the corner, how to keep trying when we have all not gotten it right on the third or fourth tries. Kristin will continue to be a life coach, defining me, calibrating me, inspiring me. I know that she has given me gifts that I could never repay over a lifetime, no matter how hard I try."
by Brian Skotko, M.D., M.P.P, from his essay, "Driving Forward," included in the book Thicker Than Water: Essays by Adult Siblings of People with Disabilities, edited by Don Mayer (Woodbine House, 2009, ISBN: 978-1-890627-91-1)
In a perfect world, all siblings who have brothers or sisters with disabilties would feel this way...and would be able to express themselves so beautifully.
librarianintx
by Brian Skotko, M.D., M.P.P, from his essay, "Driving Forward," included in the book Thicker Than Water: Essays by Adult Siblings of People with Disabilities, edited by Don Mayer (Woodbine House, 2009, ISBN: 978-1-890627-91-1)
In a perfect world, all siblings who have brothers or sisters with disabilties would feel this way...and would be able to express themselves so beautifully.
librarianintx
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Abilities Expo
http://www.abilitiesexpo.com/houston/index.html
This is a national exhibit of products and services for persons with disabilities and also features workshops. There are usually four exhibits a year throughout the country. The link is for the Houston show during the weekend of August 27th - 29th.
librarianintx
This is a national exhibit of products and services for persons with disabilities and also features workshops. There are usually four exhibits a year throughout the country. The link is for the Houston show during the weekend of August 27th - 29th.
librarianintx
Monday, February 22, 2010
new tagging sites
They may not be new, but they're new to me. I saw these and thought I would mention them. I think they're similar to delicious.
Reddit
www.reddit.com
from the site:
reddit is a source for what's new and popular online. vote on links that you like or dislike and help decide what's popular, or submit your own!
StumbleUpon
www.stumbleupon.com/
from the site:
StumbleUpon helps you discover and share great websites. As you click Stumble!, we deliver high-quality pages matched to your personal preferences. These pages have been explicitly recommended by your friends or one of 8 million+ other websurfers with interests similar to you. Rating these sites you like [with a thumbs up icon] automatically shares them with like-minded people – and helps you discover great sites your friends recommend.
librarianintx
www.reddit.com
from the site:
reddit is a source for what's new and popular online. vote on links that you like or dislike and help decide what's popular, or submit your own!
StumbleUpon
www.stumbleupon.com/
from the site:
StumbleUpon helps you discover and share great websites. As you click Stumble!, we deliver high-quality pages matched to your personal preferences. These pages have been explicitly recommended by your friends or one of 8 million+ other websurfers with interests similar to you. Rating these sites you like [with a thumbs up icon] automatically shares them with like-minded people – and helps you discover great sites your friends recommend.
librarianintx
Librarian 2.0 Step 9: Chat and Instant Messaging
I skipped another section for now. Here are my thoughts on chat and instant messaging:
This was a quick section for me to finish, because I have some experience with chatting. I have chatted using AIM and Yahoo! Messenger. I have chatted in a message board chat room. And I have chatted using Facebook and Facebook games. I have also chatted (texted) on my cell phone.
With the exception of the message board, everyone I have chatted with is someone I know personally, not through the computer. The message board was a fan site of a singer I like, and I consider the people I chatted with there to be safe. Otherwise I do not chat with people I don't know. Its just a personal decision. I think chatting with people you don't know in person can be done safely; I just choose not to do it.
Chatting can be a lot of fun! My nights of message board chatting were often quite hilarious. I also have a lot of fun texting on my phone with my nieces and two of my friends from Houston. Its immediate, and it helps you feel close to the people you're chatting with. One of my nieces doesn't like to talk on the phone, but she enjoys chatting. One of my friends is disabled and talking is often tiring for her; its easier for her to chat.
Also, sometimes you might want to call someone, but you're concerned that its too late or too early in the day. If you see them online through chat, you know they're awake and its okay to call.
These days many people no longer have land line phones, and they may be limited on their daytime cell phone minutes, so texting is a good alternative. My nieces chat so much that my sister has a family plan for their cell phones that features unlimited texting and a smaller number of talk minutes.
Chatting can be very beneficial for people with disabilities or health problems that prevent them from attending social activities. Night or day, there is always someone in a chat room somewhere who is ready to have a conversation. Chatting can be a social outlet, a place for advice, a source of comfort, an area to discuss common interests, a platform for debate...and in all of these situations, all parties involved need to consider personal safety issues when chatting with people they don't know offline.
I also have skype. Skype is great!! You can see and hear the person, just like you're in the same room with them. Skype can open up a whole new world for people, especially people with disabilities. Oprah uses skype. :) I'm sure many businesses use skype. It can cut down on the need for travel. There is even a chat function in skype, in case the audio is having problems, or for the transmission of links and other information.
I am a big fan of skype. The software is free. You only have to pay for the webcam, and some computers have a web cam already built in. Web cams can be used with both laptops and desktops, so you can skype with people from anywhere. I have a friend whose college-age daughter was in a long distance relationship for more than a year. She would take her laptop to the library, to Starbucks, to Panera, and have study/coffee/lunch "dates" with her boyfriend via skype. :)
librarianintx
This was a quick section for me to finish, because I have some experience with chatting. I have chatted using AIM and Yahoo! Messenger. I have chatted in a message board chat room. And I have chatted using Facebook and Facebook games. I have also chatted (texted) on my cell phone.
With the exception of the message board, everyone I have chatted with is someone I know personally, not through the computer. The message board was a fan site of a singer I like, and I consider the people I chatted with there to be safe. Otherwise I do not chat with people I don't know. Its just a personal decision. I think chatting with people you don't know in person can be done safely; I just choose not to do it.
Chatting can be a lot of fun! My nights of message board chatting were often quite hilarious. I also have a lot of fun texting on my phone with my nieces and two of my friends from Houston. Its immediate, and it helps you feel close to the people you're chatting with. One of my nieces doesn't like to talk on the phone, but she enjoys chatting. One of my friends is disabled and talking is often tiring for her; its easier for her to chat.
Also, sometimes you might want to call someone, but you're concerned that its too late or too early in the day. If you see them online through chat, you know they're awake and its okay to call.
These days many people no longer have land line phones, and they may be limited on their daytime cell phone minutes, so texting is a good alternative. My nieces chat so much that my sister has a family plan for their cell phones that features unlimited texting and a smaller number of talk minutes.
Chatting can be very beneficial for people with disabilities or health problems that prevent them from attending social activities. Night or day, there is always someone in a chat room somewhere who is ready to have a conversation. Chatting can be a social outlet, a place for advice, a source of comfort, an area to discuss common interests, a platform for debate...and in all of these situations, all parties involved need to consider personal safety issues when chatting with people they don't know offline.
I also have skype. Skype is great!! You can see and hear the person, just like you're in the same room with them. Skype can open up a whole new world for people, especially people with disabilities. Oprah uses skype. :) I'm sure many businesses use skype. It can cut down on the need for travel. There is even a chat function in skype, in case the audio is having problems, or for the transmission of links and other information.
I am a big fan of skype. The software is free. You only have to pay for the webcam, and some computers have a web cam already built in. Web cams can be used with both laptops and desktops, so you can skype with people from anywhere. I have a friend whose college-age daughter was in a long distance relationship for more than a year. She would take her laptop to the library, to Starbucks, to Panera, and have study/coffee/lunch "dates" with her boyfriend via skype. :)
librarianintx
Librarian 2.0 Step 7: Tagging, Folksonomies, and Social Bookmarking
I've skipped a few sections, but here are my thoughts on tagging using delicious:
Honestly, I'm still confused by delicious. It seems really cool, but it also seems confusing to me. It feels too unstructured. I like folders. I like compartmentalization. To have a list of random bookmarks seems unorganized to me. Maybe I just need to learn more about it. I like LibraryThing a lot, and I like the idea of patrons being able to add links and reviews and make the library experience more interactive. I enjoy creating guides and pathfinders, so the idea that tagging and bookmarking might make those documents obsolete doesn't sit well with me. But having information be timely, accessible, and easily updatable is important to me. So I'm keeping an open mind and I want to understand tagging better.
librarianintx
Honestly, I'm still confused by delicious. It seems really cool, but it also seems confusing to me. It feels too unstructured. I like folders. I like compartmentalization. To have a list of random bookmarks seems unorganized to me. Maybe I just need to learn more about it. I like LibraryThing a lot, and I like the idea of patrons being able to add links and reviews and make the library experience more interactive. I enjoy creating guides and pathfinders, so the idea that tagging and bookmarking might make those documents obsolete doesn't sit well with me. But having information be timely, accessible, and easily updatable is important to me. So I'm keeping an open mind and I want to understand tagging better.
librarianintx
Friday, February 19, 2010
Olympics
Johnny Weir was ROBBED!
Johnny Weir was ROBBED!
*deep breath*
Seriously. Two solid, beautiful programs. He landed every jump. He did two triple axles in his long program. Wonderful artistry. And he finished in SIXTH place, behind TWO skaters who both fell in their long programs. WTF?!
Sigh. I am happy for Evan Lysechek. He skated two fantastic programs. He deserved the gold medal. And in my opinion, Johnny deserved the bronze. He certainly didn't deserve sixth place.
Keep smiling, Johnny. You're fabulous!
librarianintx
Johnny Weir was ROBBED!
*deep breath*
Seriously. Two solid, beautiful programs. He landed every jump. He did two triple axles in his long program. Wonderful artistry. And he finished in SIXTH place, behind TWO skaters who both fell in their long programs. WTF?!
Sigh. I am happy for Evan Lysechek. He skated two fantastic programs. He deserved the gold medal. And in my opinion, Johnny deserved the bronze. He certainly didn't deserve sixth place.
Keep smiling, Johnny. You're fabulous!
librarianintx
Rick Allen
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/resiliency-radio
I didn't get a chance to listen last night (see my next post for the reason why) so I hope it will be available this weekend.
For more on Rick and his wife Lauren's foundation, visit http://www.ravendrumfoundation.org/
When I have some time, (this weekend?) I want to blog some thoughts about resiliency.
Update: I'm updating this post on 2/22 with a big "Duh!" The radio show hasn't happened yet. Its scheduled for THIS Thursday. However, I probably won't get to listen this Thursday either, again because of the Olympics. Its ruling my life! :) I bet it will be available to listen to after, though. Hopefully.
librarianintx
I didn't get a chance to listen last night (see my next post for the reason why) so I hope it will be available this weekend.
For more on Rick and his wife Lauren's foundation, visit http://www.ravendrumfoundation.org/
When I have some time, (this weekend?) I want to blog some thoughts about resiliency.
Update: I'm updating this post on 2/22 with a big "Duh!" The radio show hasn't happened yet. Its scheduled for THIS Thursday. However, I probably won't get to listen this Thursday either, again because of the Olympics. Its ruling my life! :) I bet it will be available to listen to after, though. Hopefully.
librarianintx
Amazing Race
I shouldn't be watching since I already have more than 25 shows to watch. But its such a good reality show. This season one of the teams is a grandmother / granddaughter pair. The grandmother is 71 years old...and she runs half marathons! Great inspiration when I'm being a couch potato.
A quote on the first episode made me laugh out loud. One of the teams was getting into a cab, and a guy said to the driver, "Drive it like you stole it, brother!" Probably not the best thing to say to a stranger in a foreign country, but I thought it was really funny.
librarianintx
A quote on the first episode made me laugh out loud. One of the teams was getting into a cab, and a guy said to the driver, "Drive it like you stole it, brother!" Probably not the best thing to say to a stranger in a foreign country, but I thought it was really funny.
librarianintx
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Kudos to Vancouver!
...for including a paralympian in the torch carrying ceremony! Rick Hansen, an eight-time paralympic medalist, was the first person to bring the flame into the stadium, with the torch mounted to an apparatus on his wheelchair. As far as I know this is the first time that a paralympian has been included in an opening cermony for the Olympics, although technically this is not the first time a person with a disability has been a torch bearer. Muhammed Ali, a person with Parkinson's Disease and a former heavyweight champion, carried the torch at the summer games in Atlanta in 1996.
Way to go Canada!
I also really liked how highlighted and involved the indigenous people of Canada were in the ceremony.
librarianintx
Way to go Canada!
I also really liked how highlighted and involved the indigenous people of Canada were in the ceremony.
librarianintx
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Quick thoughts on recent sci-fi shows
"Dollhouse":
The finale was kind of "meh" for me...Seemed quite different from the other episodes, and if you didn't watch the never-aired part 1 that was only available on the Season 1 DVD, you would have been really confused. That being said, there were some standout moments for me. I was of course very happy that Pria and Anthony (Sierra and Victor) got their happy ending. I loved watching Adele evolve during the last few episodes into the caring human that deep down she always has been. Her scenes with Tofer were so gentle and motherly. And my darling, wonderful Tofer...I figured he would be the one to save the world, and that he would have to die to do it. Sigh. I loved wacky, brilliant, adorable Tofer. I also loved Anthony/Victor as the "Tofer doll." Man, he was GOOD! He had the manerisms, the voice tone and cadence, everything. Hilarious, and VERY impressive!
The episodes leading up the finale rocked my world! I so enjoyed all the twists and turns. I started watching soap operas at a very young age, and even though I enjoy them, I am almost always able to figure out the plot twists before they occurr. So its very exciting when any show can surprise me, and Dollhouse definitely did that.
"Caprica"
I'm still in mourning for BSG. I did not like most of the BSG finale, but that's for another blog. I like Caprica so far. Its very different from BSG, but there's enough of a BSG influence to hook me. Its intriguing. And Eric Stoltz is one of my fave actors. I'm sure I'll have more to say later. I still want to go back and re-watch all of BSG. In my spare time, along with the 25 shows I'm currently watching. (Okay, I just counted on my fingers. I may have missed a few, but I counted 20 right now. And five shows that have been on hiatus will be returning in March and April, so soon it will actually be 25.) Yikes. :)
"Lost"
I'm a Lostie. I have all the DVD sets. I'm so obsessive, I take notes on the episodes. Do I love the show? YES. Do I understand the show? Not a bit. Do I "get" all the literature/biblical/scientific references? Heck no. Does it keep me from enjoying the show? Uh..uh-uh. :)
All that being said, I do get frustrated sometimes. I have given up on the show in seasons past, but I came back. This season didn't kick in for me until we saw Claire at the end of this week's episode. I mean, I thought the premiere was good, but I wasn't happy to be introduced to yet MORE characters, more others, and all the toggling back and forth between the plane not crashing and what was happening on the island...
I'm sad that its almost over. I'm going to miss the ride. But I think there are some people out there that will need professional help when this show ends; that is how "into it" they are. This may sound weird, but I don't care that much about how it ends. I'm actually not watching for the resolution, for the answers. I'm interested in the characters, what happens to everyone. I don't have expectations for the finale, and I certainly don't have any theories as to what's going on and what it all means. I just enjoy being surprised every week, even though many times I say, "What the heck?!" (Actually, I usually say "WTF?!") :)
Its very interesting that I have become so involved in sci fi. I was never a sci fi kid growing up. I was a "Little House on the Prairie" girl. Seriously! I wasn't even into fantasy, and I'm still not. I have not seen a single "Harry Potter" movie or read any of the books. But I do like a lot of science fiction - BSG, Babylon 5, and Star Trek especially. Its all because of my friends, beginning in undergrad and continuing through graduate school. They got me hooked.
librarianintx
The finale was kind of "meh" for me...Seemed quite different from the other episodes, and if you didn't watch the never-aired part 1 that was only available on the Season 1 DVD, you would have been really confused. That being said, there were some standout moments for me. I was of course very happy that Pria and Anthony (Sierra and Victor) got their happy ending. I loved watching Adele evolve during the last few episodes into the caring human that deep down she always has been. Her scenes with Tofer were so gentle and motherly. And my darling, wonderful Tofer...I figured he would be the one to save the world, and that he would have to die to do it. Sigh. I loved wacky, brilliant, adorable Tofer. I also loved Anthony/Victor as the "Tofer doll." Man, he was GOOD! He had the manerisms, the voice tone and cadence, everything. Hilarious, and VERY impressive!
The episodes leading up the finale rocked my world! I so enjoyed all the twists and turns. I started watching soap operas at a very young age, and even though I enjoy them, I am almost always able to figure out the plot twists before they occurr. So its very exciting when any show can surprise me, and Dollhouse definitely did that.
"Caprica"
I'm still in mourning for BSG. I did not like most of the BSG finale, but that's for another blog. I like Caprica so far. Its very different from BSG, but there's enough of a BSG influence to hook me. Its intriguing. And Eric Stoltz is one of my fave actors. I'm sure I'll have more to say later. I still want to go back and re-watch all of BSG. In my spare time, along with the 25 shows I'm currently watching. (Okay, I just counted on my fingers. I may have missed a few, but I counted 20 right now. And five shows that have been on hiatus will be returning in March and April, so soon it will actually be 25.) Yikes. :)
"Lost"
I'm a Lostie. I have all the DVD sets. I'm so obsessive, I take notes on the episodes. Do I love the show? YES. Do I understand the show? Not a bit. Do I "get" all the literature/biblical/scientific references? Heck no. Does it keep me from enjoying the show? Uh..uh-uh. :)
All that being said, I do get frustrated sometimes. I have given up on the show in seasons past, but I came back. This season didn't kick in for me until we saw Claire at the end of this week's episode. I mean, I thought the premiere was good, but I wasn't happy to be introduced to yet MORE characters, more others, and all the toggling back and forth between the plane not crashing and what was happening on the island...
I'm sad that its almost over. I'm going to miss the ride. But I think there are some people out there that will need professional help when this show ends; that is how "into it" they are. This may sound weird, but I don't care that much about how it ends. I'm actually not watching for the resolution, for the answers. I'm interested in the characters, what happens to everyone. I don't have expectations for the finale, and I certainly don't have any theories as to what's going on and what it all means. I just enjoy being surprised every week, even though many times I say, "What the heck?!" (Actually, I usually say "WTF?!") :)
Its very interesting that I have become so involved in sci fi. I was never a sci fi kid growing up. I was a "Little House on the Prairie" girl. Seriously! I wasn't even into fantasy, and I'm still not. I have not seen a single "Harry Potter" movie or read any of the books. But I do like a lot of science fiction - BSG, Babylon 5, and Star Trek especially. Its all because of my friends, beginning in undergrad and continuing through graduate school. They got me hooked.
librarianintx
profile pic
Okay, I am now only semi-anonymous. I added a profile pic yesterday. I was tired of that outline that didn't look a thing like me. :) Well, the picture I used is almost two years old, and I've cut my hair since then, so it looks a little less like me. It looks better than me, though, so that's why I used it.
If I'm going to be a blogger, I need to learn how to compose quickly and not be so perfectionistic (I deleted part of this sentence twice, trying to get it to sound the way I wanted it to.) Stop that! :) Think it, and type it, and let it be out there for anyone who chooses to read it. I'm realizing that I have a lot to say, and not enough time in the day for all I want to do, including blogging, so I need to learn to say it fast and be happy with whatever way it sounds.
That's a run-on sentence.
Who cares! Its a blog, not a research paper!
Is anything I have to say important...meaningful? Probably not. But I'm going to say it anyway.
librarianintx
If I'm going to be a blogger, I need to learn how to compose quickly and not be so perfectionistic (I deleted part of this sentence twice, trying to get it to sound the way I wanted it to.) Stop that! :) Think it, and type it, and let it be out there for anyone who chooses to read it. I'm realizing that I have a lot to say, and not enough time in the day for all I want to do, including blogging, so I need to learn to say it fast and be happy with whatever way it sounds.
That's a run-on sentence.
Who cares! Its a blog, not a research paper!
Is anything I have to say important...meaningful? Probably not. But I'm going to say it anyway.
librarianintx
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Librarian 2.0 Step 4: RSS Feeds
I like RSS. Its cool. I like the idea of the news coming to me. I check CNN and MSNBC several times a day, so I plan to subscribe to their general feeds in the near future. I hope to not sign up for too many feeds, however, because I think it could get overwhelming. One factor I already find myself struggling with is do I sign up for a popular feed that is really active and might take a lot of time to scroll through, or do I sign up for a less popular feed with fewer postings? I have already unsubscribed to one feed because I realized it has not been updated in months. So I plan to try to hit a happy medium between the two options.
Update: I've added a few more feeds, but they're not work related.
There is a reader application for Blackberrys, but its not free. Darn. I'd like to have that, but I'm not going to pay for it.
librarianintx
Update: I've added a few more feeds, but they're not work related.
There is a reader application for Blackberrys, but its not free. Darn. I'd like to have that, but I'm not going to pay for it.
librarianintx
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