tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144703462024-03-23T15:01:32.425-04:00tales of a traveling (almost) librarianalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-87892654213573337222007-01-08T16:47:00.000-05:002007-01-08T16:49:22.490-05:00There's been a change...You should be redirected to a new site within a few seconds of reading this page. However, I think it feels like longer than the five seconds it is supposed to be, so, if you're impatient, click <a href="http://larsh.ca">here</a>.alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-53904386414104135932007-01-01T19:39:00.000-05:002007-01-01T20:09:38.839-05:00hello 2007!<div align="justify">Okay, I have to admit. I'm not much one for New Year's Eve. Its busy and expensive and overrated and people are just trying so hard to have a darned good time that it always seems that people are disappointed. In order to avoid this, I didn't plan anything. The day before yesterday, a few friends and I semi got our plans in order. But, it was less plans and more mutually planned hanging out.<br /><space><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">By nine or so, my living room was nicely filled by the usual suspects. Tasha, Court, Stephanie and Eddie, his brother Bert, Julia and I hung out in living room while, with breaks to the deck to visit Jarrod and Chris, or to the kitchen to pour more wine or treats. I think it was pretty quiet until Tasha brought out the mojitos. Then it got really rowdy--I mean, we played Trivial Pursuit. On the Xbox, so at least we didn't have to worry about losing any pieces.<br /><space><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Even with static-y (we don't have cable) Nathan Philips Square coverage on to announce the New Year, I think it was one of the most enjoyable. I have had exactly one other New Year's that was excellent. It was three or four ago now, but, it was the only time I bought a ticket, got dressed up, and went out with girlfriends. Actually, when I think about it, maybe going out for New Year's isn't so bad. Maybe next year.</div>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-20415145075935970262006-12-29T12:58:00.000-05:002006-12-29T13:10:05.263-05:00The Swing of Things<div style="text-align: justify;">I'm having trouble getting back into the swing of things. For instance, yesterday I actually had to work. My supervisor had sent out an email a while back offering Christmas hours. Part of the email said, "Its quiet, so bring a book." It was not quiet. And even though I brought a book, there was no reading to be done. There was real work to be done, people to help, UTORdial accounts to troubleshoot, and I did not like it one single bit. I had expected a semi-quiet day and I hate not getting what I expect.<br /><br />I love breaks. I love not knowing what day of the week it is, even if it means that I miss garbage day. I love sleeping in. And reading three books in three days. And big breakfasts with eggs and toast and sausage and coffee because there's time to enjoy it. I love staying up late and watching the James Bond movies that Jarrod downloaded.<br /><br />There was a time when I would have said that I needed something to keep me busy and productive. And while I know that I would start feeling like that after a month or so of breaking, that I would get a bit antsy, right now, a week into the world of relax, I would say that I could live like this forever and not worry about being productive again.<br /><br />I'm going to go eat breakfast at one o'clock, read a book, and visit my dog. Maybe work out. Maybe not. Because, hey, I'm on break.<br /></div>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-44362442218594399472006-12-22T23:51:00.000-05:002006-12-23T14:28:55.403-05:00Dear Aunt Lynn and Uncle Doug,<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">I just thought I'd take a second to thank you for my Christmas present. I know that the tickets weren't given in the best of circumstances, but, we did have a wonderful time.<br /><br />We got all dressed up, which meant that Jarrod wore his really nice suit. And Jarrod even gave me my Christmas present early so that I could wear it (you can see it when we get to Windsor). Dad gave us a lift down there, so we almost arrived in style. I have a bit (read: a lot) of a cough left over, so I was afraid of being kicked out. But, things all went well, seeing as how I was full of cough medicine and brought a bottle of water.<br /><br />We loved the show. Okay, there are some things that I would improve. But really, have I ever seen a movie or read a book that there wasn't something I would change? The dynamic between the two women was fantastic, but, if Galinda kicked up her leg one more time...<br /><br />Thank you thank you thank you for giving us an evening we otherwise would not have had.<br /></div><br />Merry Christmas!<br /><br />xoxo<br /><br />Allialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-37593651621311944492006-12-20T18:02:00.000-05:002006-12-20T18:09:33.559-05:00Alli's Method of Beating the Hell out of the Common Cold:<br /><br /><ol style="text-align: justify;"><li>Mope around for a few days, so that it thinks it is getting the better of you. Extra points if you fake it so well that you start to believe yourself that it is getting the better of you.</li><li>Make friends with Buckley's. When you start to like the taste, you're know you're getting better.</li><li>Learn to sleep sitting up. Not only will you cough less, you'll also freak out anyone who walks into the room during the night. Yesterday, Jarrod started a conversation with me because he thought I was awake. In his defense, not only was I sleeping sitting up, I also had my Nalgene bottle on my lap.</li><li>Water. Lots of water. When you feel that damned cough coming on, drink it.</li><li>Tylenol with codeine, over the counter from the friendly neighbourhood pharmacist. No, seriously, codeine is a cough suppressant, and when combined with the wonderful DM, it almost makes you feel human again.</li><li>Rolling up kleenex into a little sausage and sticking it in your nose. Prevents the nasal drip and is uber hot.</li></ol><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, I can't guarantee this method, seeing as how, well, I'm still rather coughey. But I will mention that this is the best that I've felt in a week, so, I think I'm on to something.</div>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-66369064480479488452006-12-18T19:21:00.000-05:002006-12-18T19:34:52.989-05:00<div style="text-align: justify;">There are very few things that could make a girl like me (and by that I mean one who is sick even though its been FIVE days) feel better right now: soup or ice cream. I'm working tonight, because I figured the only thing worse than writing a paper while ill is to be writing a paper while ill when you could be getting paid to write it. So, at work, after suffering through a few short but cough filled calls, its finally my break. And I go upstairs to grab, oh, I don't know, maybe some soup? Lo and behold (that's for you!), the whole cafeteria is torn apart. Not only is there no chance of me getting soup, there's no chance of my fracking getting anything.<br /><br />I realize though, that there are vending machines. And, there's ice cream in them. The thought of smooth cold ice cream on my sore tender throat was enough to get this gal a salivating. But, I only had a new Canadian five, and of course, the machines just kept rejecting it. I am telling you, after a day like this (and the previous five sicky ones), I was about ready to burst into tears. You know that feeling you get when things are just too beyond your control but something really simple would have made it all better? That was how I felt, standing there, looking at the ice cream, with a stupid new fiver in my hand.<br /><br />You had better believe that if the convenience store by my apartment doesn't have the ice cream that I want, I am going to go absolutely postal.<br /><br />On the upside, my paper is officially seventeen pages. That is so much closer to eighteen than I ever expected to get. And my foot notes are done. I'm not sure its English, but, hey, they can't fail me. Knock on wood.</div>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-59825506260977048872006-12-16T17:58:00.000-05:002006-12-16T18:06:47.039-05:00Things that make meThings that make me miserable:<br /><br /><ol><li>A sore throat that I thought was getting better but was really only going into hiding to execute a sneak attack at four am this morning, wherein I was awake and trying not to swallow for over an hour.</li><li>Not knowing where my Knowledge Ontario book/pamphlet is, which is terribly important to reducing the number of hours that I have to spend on my stupid advocacy paper.</li><li>The thought of cleaning my room. No, seriously, its really really bad right now.</li></ol><p>Things that make me Not miserable:</p><ol><li>Having friends come into town, who I don't have to entertain and don't seem to think it is anything out of the ordinary for me to be writing a paper two days before its due.</li><li>Jeff flying in from Halifax, and remarking, within ten minutes, that he thinks he might be stupid.** Which leads me onto the running joke, entitled: "Proving to my guidance counselor that I should recieve special compensation in academic matters because I was born stupid."</li><li>The opening scene of Troy where Brad Pitt kills the shit out of that big guy.</li></ol><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>** I do not mean to insinuate in any way that I actually do think Jeff is stupid. We all know that I make the jokes about the hockey, but, really, he's a very smart kid. </p>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-90809032021604245512006-12-15T09:21:00.000-05:002006-12-15T09:40:27.292-05:00<div style="text-align: justify;">I went to an SLA (Special Libraries Association) Christmas Party munchies thing last night. I won my ticket by correctly answering who was going to be the president-elect in the upcoming year...you know, because I can google with the best of them. I won this weeks ago, long before I knew just exactly how busy these middle days of December were going to be. But, after the auction, Mike Mac was going, and that terrible sense of responsibility (I mean, someone else who wanted to could have gone, right, if I didn't?) would not just let me go home to watch the second part of The Lost Room. Actually, I'm really glad I went. My practicum supervisor, Frank, was there, and it was really nice to see him in a social situation. Also, he turns out to have a wicked wit. I spent my time observing the general meeting, barely retraining myself from laughing. See, this very large, very brightly dressed woman, started the meeting standing up against the wall. Everyone was sorta leaning up against a wall, or sitting in one of the few chairs, because, for some reason, the middle of the room was empty. Just carpet, no chairs. (Yes, I just sat down at the back. Being young and all.) But this one woman, who was already blocking the view of the people behind her, kept, I don't know...spreading out as the meeting went on. First, I could see three quarters of the front. Then, half, and then...yeah, I just nursed my water. But after, Frank just said, "would it have been rude to offer her my seat?" Sometimes you never know what you're going to get when you see your supervisors outside of work...I wish I had known earlier!<br /><br />The auction went surprisingly well. Although the turn out was probably not what they were hoping for, we did manage to raise over $500. Which is nice for the kids and all, but really, I was fine with it after my book sold for $15.00. Mom had to go and rain on my parade and mention that really, it took longer than 3/4 of an hour to make, and considering my wage at my real job...all in all, it means I won't be quitting the commons any time soon.<br /><br />Also, I'm sick. So if you see me today and happen to notice that I clearly slept on this ponytail and am talking like a deaf person, please blame it on the sore throat.<br /></div>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-34913935662838672782006-12-13T14:14:00.000-05:002006-12-13T14:32:15.032-05:00<div style="text-align: justify;">Whenever I post something and then have second thoughts about it, I add another post really quickly. See, about the below, I like the stocking idea (because unlike some people I don't hate joy and love and Christmas and snow and hot chocolate...I'm talking to you <a href="http://spinstertasha.wordpress.com/">Tasha</a>), because its cute. And there seems to be something about the holidays that make me feel like, for a week or two, maybe its okay to be a little sentimental and maybe a little more friendly than normal. A lot of the time I just feel like, well, I'm mean to people. Or judgmental. Or, at least, not the way that I wish I could be. Not that, say Jesus or Santa Claus are <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">particularly</span> my behavioural icons, but maybe we can still take a few things nice from it all.<br /><br />Are we surprised at the fact that I can be so ridiculously sappy? I am a girl, you know.<br /><br />By the way, I did watch some kind of crap holiday special for 7Th Heaven. Holy mother of God. That was probably supposed to inspire some kind of nice feelings, but really, it just makes me want to kill people.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Also, I am donating a hand made book for the auction tomorrow and I'm a little nervous that no one is going to want to buy it. Or that it will go for, thirty cents. In which case I am bidding thirty five and taking it home with me. However, the thought of not donating something for want of my stupid fears, seemed entirely at odds with the Christmas spirit I am clearly trying so hard to embrace.<br /><br />Besides, embarrassment only makes us stronger, right? <br /><br /></div><br /></div>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-68714493872912648402006-12-11T18:37:00.000-05:002006-12-11T18:58:10.847-05:00<div style="text-align: justify;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">We all know I cannot resist pyscho-analysis. I am wonderfully self-absorbed, so, of course, I love seeing how much tests "get me." However, after taking <a href="http://arpha.org/">Alex'</a>s <a href="http://www.colorquiz.com/">The Colour Quiz</a>, I refuse to post my results.<br /><br />This is because, well, I'm a baby and its my blog. But dude, this test is harsh. I mean, basically, it said...wait, should I quote from it? That would make my case more substantial, right? Let me grab something.<br /><br />First result: </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sensitive; needs esthetic surroundings, or an equally sensitive and understanding partner with whom to share a warm intimacy.</span> <span style="font-family:georgia;">Well, that sounds fine enough. I mean, sure, I'm a crier, and yeah, I'd like a partner who does make fun of me when I'm being touchy. </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Second result: </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The existing situation is disagreeable. Feels lonely and uncertain as she has an unsatisfied need to ally herself with others whose standards are as high as her own, and wants to stand out from the rank and file. This sense of isolation magnifies the need into a compelling urge, all the more upsetting to her self-sufficiency because of the restraint she normally imposes on herself. Since she wants to demonstrate the unique quality of her own character, she tries to suppress this need for others and affects an attitude of unconcerned self-reliance to conceal her fear of inadequacy, treating those who criticize her behavior with contempt. However, beneath this assumption of indifference she really longs for the approval and esteem of others.</span> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Okay, Okay, I'll admit it. This strikes close to home. Fine, I make fun of people to make myself feel better. I'm a big bully. Happy? But really, come on, for the most part, I think I'm a pretty understanding and non-judgemental person. I mean, sure, I bitch, but my bark is much louder than my bite. And really? I admit my faults. Some of them are: I whine a lot, I'm bitchy when I don't get my way, and I expect people to know what I am thinking without me having to tell them. I think this makes me...human. And what existing situation? My life? In general? We were talking about relationships previously, is that what they mean? Can I get some clarity here? </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Third Result: </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Disappointment and the fear that there is no point in formulating fresh goals have led to anxiety. Desires recognition and position, but is worried about her prospects. Reacts to this by protecting at any criticism and resisting any attempt to influence her. Tries to assert herself by meticulous control of detail in an effort to strengthen her position</span>. Oh, frack off. Seriously? Do people buy this crap? Its not even English. "reacts to this by protecting at any criticism" Huh? What? I mean, I think I can take the spirit behind the words, but you lose all credibility with me when you publish something with grammatical errors. (Blogs, excluded of course) And I'm easily influenced. I offer these examples: I wanted a Mac and was talked out of it in one conversation. I never gave money to the homeless, but then was told that these are often the people that have been mistreated at homeless shelters, so now I've been known to. I never played poker till I dated a guy who did. I also never ate big breakfasts, till my current boyfriend got me onto it. I can't make a single decision on my own! Or apparently, I just do what my boyfriend's do. Which, I hope, if you know me, will realize is absolute bunk and I'm just being overdramatic.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">Lame. I much prefer the IQ tests that tell me I'm a genius. So what if I've memorized the answers. That just means I'm smart and savvy. And have a great memory.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">For the record, if you want the test, its at <a href="http://www.colorquiz.com/">The Colour Quiz</a>. Let me know if it ruins your day too.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-37031479807040654752006-12-04T16:28:00.000-05:002006-12-04T16:39:18.062-05:00<div style="text-align: justify;">so, seeing as how my new hobby is book binding, I though I had better start attending the shows. Absolutely I spent part of my Sunday wandering around OCAD, looking at various books as art. Now, see, the thing is, I like books first and art second. What this means is that the book needs to be first an excellent example of technical skills (ex. excellent sewing, symmetry, solid construction) and less about, oh, odd materials and bizarre lay outs. For example, I love Robert Wu's <a href="http://www.studiorobertwu.com/">work</a>. The man says that it takes him about three months to make a single volume. Now, that is skill and dedication and it shows in the incredible works that he creates. And I would still consider his works works of art, despite not being made of plastic, or having weird cut outs, or oddly stitched spines. I did however come across several neat ideas, which I hope to put to use ASAP.<br /><br />Actually, this weekend was great. Mike and Ciara are home for the holidays, and, after not seeing them for over a year, well, it felt really great to wander around Toronto with them. There is nothing like having good friends see where you exist to a) make it seem like no time has passed at all and b) excite you about your own life again. Several things that I have begun to take for granted were all made new with their enthusiasm. Plus, after a good afternoon chat, we headed down to Queen St. for some shopping, and, of course, ran into another good friend from undergrad. What are the chances? So, Becky, if you're reading this, send me a fricking email, cause you sure didn't call like you said you would. Besides, you can't show up with a handsome man and expect me not to ask questions and want answers, two years having passed or not.<br /></div>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-16599633005709509702006-11-28T22:56:00.000-05:002006-11-28T23:06:27.081-05:00a belgian secret<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/3274/1766/1600/752538/CIMG1534.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/3274/1766/400/515858/CIMG1534.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Okay, so, after showing Court the other day my buttonhole book, and to very little praise, might I add, I've decided to post pictures of the second type of binding that I learned a few weekends ago. Above are two examples of "Secret Belgian Binding" that I've made at home the past week. I've pretty much created a monster, and if you ask, I will not admit the total monetary investment that I have made in my new hobby.<br /><br />Now, the story behind the name is much less elusive than the name suggests (some librarian at some large library found an example of this type of binding in some basement box and, realizing it was from Belgium, said something along the lines of 'oh, you know those Belgians and their secrets,' as if this is some kind of known fact), this binding produces a simple and sturdy little book. I used chiogami paper for the cover of the smaller book and Japanese tissue paper for the cover of the larger. Both are bound with waxed linen thread. Each has eight leaves, are blank, and would be good for writing. Well, that's just my opinion.<br /><br />I'm pretty proud of these little mofos. Please act surprised on Christmas.<br /></div>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-80101976644707812422006-11-26T21:59:00.000-05:002006-11-26T22:08:49.032-05:00Amazing Race 11? Best Season Ever?<div align="justify">Okay, okay, I'll admit it. I watch Reality TV. I watch Survivor. In residence, I watched Temptation Island. With a dedication that was much greater than that turned towards my education. I even like The Apprentice, well, the first couple of seasons anyway.<br /><br />But the show I really like is Amazing Race. Last season, I gave my heart to the Hippies. I love love love them. And I was so glad that they won $1 million. But, they aren't my favourite team. My favourite team was...ready?...Rob and Amber. Damn, they were awesome. Rob was just so good at the game. And Amber, well, she's pretty. But the thing is: they actually communicated like a couple. They never fought, they encouraged each other, they were partners. Unlike some teams that made me cringe in my comfy sofa chair when watching.<br /><br />What is the point of this? That there's going to be an All Star edition of Amazing Race. Next Spring. And Rob and Amber are confirmed. No word on my hippies yet, but I have not given up hope. I promise you, I will be watching every single second.<br /><br />Also, I just watched the preview for the next episode of Veronica Mars. (Thanks a lot <a href="http://arpha.org">Alex</a>, you tease!) Better than Christmas.</div>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-32780349712973942612006-11-21T16:27:00.000-05:002006-11-21T16:28:28.659-05:00Talent, Lifer or Mandarin?<h2>I'm a Mandarin!</h2><img src="http://www.tomorrowland.us/tlm/kingsfield.jpg" /><img src="http://www.tomorrowland.us/tlm/lahti-small.jpg" /> <p>You're an intellectual, and you've worked hard to get where you are now. You're a strong believer in education, and you think many of the world's problems could be solved if people were more informed and more rational. You have no tolerance for sloppy or lazy thinking. It frustrates you when people who are ignorant or dishonest rise to positions of power. You believe that people can make a difference in the world, and you're determined to try. <p><h3>Talent: 46%<br />Lifer: 44%<br />Mandarin: 54%<br /></h3>Take the <a href="http://www.tomorrowland.us/tlm">Talent, Lifer, or Mandarin</a> quiz. <p>of course, the problem with all of this is the simple fact that I still don't really know what a Mandarin is. The orange? The language? Some juicy language drink?</p>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-45963242431603120282006-11-21T12:17:00.000-05:002006-11-21T12:52:29.338-05:00Al Schmore<div align="justify">I think we might be getting suckered. By Al Gore. Whom everyone seems to think is some kind of hero because he's the star of the supposedly eco-friendly documentary "An Inconvienient Truth." I hate this movie. Not because its boring (which it is) or because it lacks flashing editing (which it does), but because it just doesn't make sense.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />Al Gore drives around in an SUV. He jetsets across the world. Talk about two polluting forms of travel. Heck, his family money comes tabacco and cattle farming, two of the most environmentally invasive crops (well, if cattle are grown) known to the world. hello methane! Although he talks the talk, he does very little walking. What I would have loved to see is him jumping in his hybrid, or, heaven forbid, taking public transit. If he's going to set an example, he could at least do so for the span of the movie. Now, I know you are going to say that's he's been involved with this cause (cause?) for decades. I don't care. It means even less to me if someone preaches and then keeps on sinning. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br>Also, dude, what's with those graphs? They don't even have axis labels! It means nothing without values! Please. I've taken intro to statistics. I know my shit. Also, its lovely to present temperature graphs for the last millenium (which is, I know, all we've got) but seriously. The world is what? Billions of years old? Its a little difficult to conclusively prove anything with such limited scale. I get it, its the best we can do. But still. I know, I am making myself sound like a sceptic. I am not. I truly believe that human beings are doing terrible things to the planet. I really do think that we need to lessen the impact of our foot prints. I do think that we are going to end up killing our species and probably take along a lot of other species with us. Deep down, I'm even terrified that this is going to happen within the next couple of generations. Or our generation. Or tomorrow. What I dislike are silly graphs that don't really reflect anything. Graphs are just too easy to manipulate.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br>But I am really sick that Al Gore gets all the credit for being some kind of environmental advocacy genius when there's tonnes of hardworking Americans/Canadians who have spent lifetimes dedicated to actually living what they believe. They are the examples. Not the man who "used to be the next president of the United States." Which is a line that should have been absolutely hilarious and which he couldn't even pull off. I know I was supposed to laugh, but I just couldn't. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br>Now, all that being said, at least this movie has gotten people talking. Which is so much better than nothing at all, especially if it leads to greater awareness and to more action towards reduction. Even more so if it leads to cleaner energy sources. I mean, we aren't all bad. Life expectancy is high, diseases are being cured, technology is rampant...we just need to work on creating more balance. And no, I have no idea how that will actually happen.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-58575565544527790912006-11-20T17:49:00.000-05:002006-11-20T17:57:41.888-05:00<div style="text-align: justify;">My faculty is having an auction for charity this year. I actually think its a great idea. We are all asked to donate things to be auctionned off. for myself, having just learned to bind books (okay, only two styles), I am going to donate one of those. They are homemade, yes, but they look great. My room mate is donating view master slides of the Library of Congress. She bought them on ebay. After hearing about the auction, our book binding session leader offered us a spot in one of her workshops. I really love the idea, especially at Christmas, of giving a little something to people who do not have so much.<br /><br />But what I do not like is the choice of charity that the faculty made. We are donating the profits to Sick Kids. I get it: no one likes a sick child. i know. but. they are a huge corporation with a huge budget for fundraising and for raising public awareness of the funds they need. And, they often pay their fundraisers. what, you think those people with the binders on every street corner are doing it out of the goodness of their hearts? I think not. My point is this. They have fundraisers. Could we not have chosen a charity that perhaps needed the assistance a little more? A local charity? Perhaps even one related to libraries? I would even feel better if we were donating a collection of books to the Sick Kids library. Or, we could subscribe to an electronic database on behalf of one of the public libraries. Or we could donate to Librarians Without Borders, a venture launched by students at the Western. We could have done something that was a little more in tune with, well, us. It would be nice to see library students raising awareness , and advocating for, library needs and library users. who knew I was so keen, hey?<br /><br />That being said, Sick Kids is a better charity than no charity, and I am happy to help out.<br /></div>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-64449288539823705802006-11-16T14:06:00.000-05:002006-11-16T14:13:33.682-05:00<div style="text-align: justify;">we lost our semi-finals volleyball game last night. we got beat pretty bad. they were so good, it was like not only were they hitting the ball back to us, hard, they were placing it as well. see, you can be okay volleyball (me), very good at volleyball (half our team), and excellent at volleyball (michelle and chris). I just pray the ball goes back over to the other side. Michelle and Chris make it look very very easy. and pretty. I am so so jealous. the other team, last night, was of this caliber. meh, maybe not. they had this one guy who spiked it so hard, I had to be impressed. and one guy, you in the red shirt I am looking at you...he could just see it and place it wherever. that kind of skill requires admiration. it was funny too, cause he wasn't tall or super athletic. he was just smart. which, really, is the most dangerous kind of athlete of all.<br /><br />Tonight, Jarrod and I are meeting my parents for Korean Barbecue. It is perhaps the most delicious experience on the planet. well, other than gorging one's self at mandarin, but my recent clothes shopping experience has pretty much kiboshed that for the near future. basically, you sit at a table with a grill in the middle of it. and then you proceed to cook your own meat. its all you can eat, its delicious, and its fresh. now, you can upgrade to lamb and shrimp, however, really, all you want is the chicken and beef. so don't do it. you'll be stuffed. and somehow, since it isn't carbs, you don't feel to stuffed. just that heavy kind of full that isn't all that bad.<br /><br /></div>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-1163619073168348232006-11-15T14:26:00.001-05:002006-11-15T14:26:05.562-05:00<div align="justify">We recieved in our inbox today an email about a new decision: the admissions committee for the Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto is debating whether or not to add a student to the "deciding who gets in" mix. We were asked to, informally, choose whethe we were yay or nay on having a student representative on the committee.<br /><br />I do not think that there should be a student on the admissions committee. At first glance, there seems to many reasons why a student should be on the committee. They are the ones who are experiencing the process--they are fresh out of school, they are living the challenges of applications, they know how difficult it is to attain a certain academic schedule while maintaining other aspects of life. Having been there, and quite recently, it seems to make sense that a student would be a welcome addition to the admissions committee.<br /><br />Unfortunately, it is for precisely those reasons that a student would be a terrible idea. My fellow students are no more qualified to choose who enters our program than I am. I am quite happy to leave it to professors (who are interested in being on the committee, but that's a whole other can of worms) with experience, both in life and in education, to choose who enters the program. I have to think they might know a little something more than us.<br /><br />Also, the point was suggested that perhaps we should get used to peer to peer evaluation. Which is absolutely true. If we were evaluating professional articles set to paper with the intention of being reviewed. This is personal character that we are talking about, private things that need not be made public and that need not be known by peers. There is a difference between personal scholarship and private reference letters, private appeals for acceptance, and of course, personal grade transcripts (especially from that year in res where no school work was done!). The committee is not around for Pub Nights, or study groups, the committee is a professional group, not of peers, but of superiors.<br /><br />Someone suggested that the acceptance process was akin to the hiring process and that this would be good experience for one's future professional life. However, there are a few major differences. 1) You are not hired by your fellow level one employees. You are hired by someone who is ahead of you, who's been through it before. 2) The manager who does the hiring, or the department, is trained to do so. Plus, they have their own professional reputation to maintain. Their employees are a reflection of themselves and they could be putting their own reputation on the line when hiring. This is also exactly why I hate group work as students. There is no chain of command, no "boss," no "project manager," there is no one to ensure someone stays on track because it will be their butt if someone does not. If we want to talk about the real world, let's talk about professional reputation, being called on bullshit, and being fired. Okay, I can't talk about group work anymore without, oh, still wanting to kill members of previous groups for being so unbelievably selfish. Christmas, this year, you will be enjoyed.<br /><br />The word 'authority' is extremely important in these situations. This whole situation is about authority and responsibility. A student does not have the right qualifications or the right distance or the right standing in the hierarchy of education to make these decisions. And everyone in the room will know it: Do we honestly think that student's voice is going to outweigh a professor's? A long time administrator's? It will not. Now, that's the real world for you. What are we imagining: sending in some charismatic twenty something to defend our rights to personality? Seriously.<br /><br />What could be more powerful in this situation is a statement prepared by students that details what exactly they are looking for in fellow students. Bright, dynamic personalities, whose heads filled with practical know how and dedication to studies. But, also, someone who will make a trustworthy and informed information professional. How do you tell all of that from paper? You can't. And that is the real issue here. Not who does the choosing, but how we apply. Why not have an interview process? Why not submit something a little bit more creative? Why don't we get to show ourselves a little bit more?<br /><br />Isn't this the root of the problem? That we want the people in power to know that there is more to us than transcripts or job experience. If we want change, we need it where it matters. Not a superficial band aid that causes more controversy than any one program needs. </div>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-1162754646000053312006-11-05T14:06:00.000-05:002006-11-15T14:26:05.480-05:00Hallowe'en, Part Deux<div align="justify">These pictures, of course, should have been added a week ago. However, it never seemed to work out that I had my memory card and a lap top at the same time. now though, sitting at my parents place, doing laundry and waiting for them to get back from their walk, i not only have the card, access to a computer, but, and get this, i actually have the time to write a little something. i know, its crazy shocking.<br /><br /></div><p align="justify"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1155/1149/1600/CIMG1257.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1155/1149/320/CIMG1257.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />see, now, when I first saw Heather in her costume, I got it totally wrong. Well, I mean, I got the fifties prim and proper housewife part right, but see, I thought she cut off her own hand and just proceeded to bake it, because, well, baking is what good wives do. But, in truth, it was a slightly more sinister. See, she had cut off someone else's hand and baked it. This is obviously a much better story. She won for the best costume, which, of course, is excellent.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1155/1149/1600/CIMG1261.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1155/1149/320/CIMG1261.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is robin being entirely unimpressed with her boyfriend, kirk, who's resting a glass on her head. She's dressed as Dorothy, which is entirely appropriate for her cute little self. Of course, she had to compete with another Dorothy, who was called, rather appropriately "Whore-thy" for the evening due to the shortness of the skirt and the prescence of garters. At a library party. I am not sure I will ever understand the notion of "sexy" hallowe'en costumes. The whole point is to dress up as something other than one's self, and well, if you dress up as a whore, I think it might be because, and this is a shocker, you're a whore. Just because its Hallowe'en, you aren't tricking anyone else into thinking anything other, so, really, you little slutty girls, you're just a treat and no trick at all. Which is just so terribly boring. I think that's why it bugs me so much. You have this opprotunity to do something funny or clever or different...and so many people just march to the beat of average.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1155/1149/1600/CIMG1264.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1155/1149/320/CIMG1264.jpg" border="0" /></a>This is, of course, Jarrod as a "space banker." The pictures of this costume really turn out excellently, even if no one else knew what he was. As far as costumes go, his was certainly unique. Thank heavens. If Jarrod had pulled "sexy space banker" I am not really sure what I would have done. </p><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1155/1149/1600/CIMG1280.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1155/1149/320/CIMG1280.jpg" border="0" /><p align="justify"></a><br />This is me as a zombie prom queen. I'm clearly attaching two people, who, instead of looking frightening, just look like they are humouring. Do they not understand that I'm a zombie? That I suck the life out of people and spit them out just wandering shells of their previous selves? That's some scary shit and they just aren't feeling it. </p><p align="justify">Hallowe'en was actually a pretty good time this year. As always, I left the costumes till the last minute. And I spent more money than I had expected to. (So if you see me with a plastic cup and coffee from home, you now know why.) But, we got two nights out of our costumes, which seems to make it a better bargain. I do not have any pictures from the second night, at <a href="http://www.seanward.net/theseanwardshow/">The Sean Ward Show</a>, because, although I brought my camera, I forgot the memory card. Story of my life.</p>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-1162501243973274612006-11-02T15:23:00.000-05:002006-11-15T14:26:05.406-05:00okay, i am considering something. that something is more school. are you shocked? you know, seeing as how i'm twenty five and haven't really not been in school yet. but, for a while there, i really thought that this year was it.<br /><br />but, well, i've decided that i want to be a "digital services librarian." this means that i'll be taking on the responsibility of maintaining and developing the technologies that my library uses, everything from webpages to learning sessions to implementing new services and products. I want to be "that guy" who knows what she's doing. and to get there, to be self-sufficient, i am simply going to need more skills. its like i'm a skills junkie: i got my first taste with cataloguing, then with SQL, now...its all about the web. so, this is what i am thinking: Humber College, six months, $5900, Web Development Certificate.<br /><br />Is this ridiculous? Can't I learn the skills on my own? and the answer, sadly, is no, i cannot. sure, i can do the basics, case in point, the header on this blog. but, i don't really 'get it.' and i want to. i'd like to. and i think that might be my real motivation. i would like to do it. it would make me feel pleased and proud of myself.<br /><br />plus, i have all of these dreams of freelancing and pulling in some extra moola. and learning how to use a mac. for the real reasons: graphic design.<br /><br />i am weighing ups and downs, worrying about job prospects, wondering what it is that i actually want to do with that whole thing called life.<br /><br />pretty much, i have no idea.alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-1161961350922198152006-10-27T10:37:00.000-04:002006-11-15T14:26:05.177-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7016/3128/400/halloween_suits_01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7016/3128/400/halloween_suits_01.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">You know what I hate about hallowe’en? The costumes. Yep, I hate them. Not because I think its silly or because I’m a adult, but, because, the good ones are so damn expensive. I mean, last year, jarrod and I went out as hicks. I was pregnant with a magnum of wine, he wore a beater and a flip flops with socks. We both wore mullet wigs. And talked in southern drawl. (it got worse as the night went on) but the wigs were each twenty bucks. For wigs! And the rest of the costume we made ourselves. And by made, I mean, were shocked when we discovered how easily our wardrobes suited being trailer trash. And this was our “cheap” costume. Originally, we had ideas about renting costumes from Malabar. Which is just stupid. If you could even get in the door, who would want to pay a hundred bucks for one night of costume renting?</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>I blame this on my new thrifty side. I will admit it. This summer was pretty rough. Financially. In every other way, it was great. But, having no money coming in, and worse, no savings to fall back on (education shmeducation), really meant that I was pinching the proverbial pennies. And suddenly, all the Larsh went out of me and I was filled with the McIntosh spirit. Its like I am possessed. I can feel myself being miserly. I’ll debate on whether to buy a really great book. In the past, I’d have bought the good book, the book beside it, and another, just to make sure I had my tastes covered. Its certainly a shock, let me tell you.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">And this year, come hallowe’en, it’s the same all over again. I love the though of dressing up and I hate the thought of doing it. I remember during my undergrad, dressing up as a baby and my girlfriends killing themselves laughing at me because I hadn’t spent a cent on the costume. I mean, what’s the point? I am going to get drunk and fall down. I might as well be doing it in old pyjamas rather than some slutty dress that I want my deposit back on.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">So, tonight, when it comes to dressing up, I guarantee I will be one of these things: a gypsy, a hippie, an old lady, or a baby. I hate all of these costumes equally. Maybe that’s why I am driven to the drink.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">And damn it, I know I can’t compete with a tyranawhorus sex.</p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">oh, and i just thought the shark was funny.<br /></p>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-1161662992671718312006-10-24T00:04:00.000-04:002006-11-15T14:26:05.086-05:00<div style="text-align: justify;">i am always surprised to find where hate shows up. see, i moved into this apartment thinking i would hate lee's palace. i don't hate lee's palace. the other night, robin was in here, and after about an hour of chatting she looked at me and was like, "hey, when did the music start?" neither of us had noticed. but, it turns out, the people that i hate are the tenants upstairs. they are jocks. they are loud. they play music at all hours of the day. and night. the other day, while reading in my room, i heard one guy go, "yeah, dude, let's watch some porn. what channel is it again?" and then three or four other male voices all yelled, "39!" glad to know there is some self love going on upstairs cause i sure ain't hearing the ladies very often. <br /><br />i finally feel like i have my room organized. i moved the closet bar waaaay up high (i can barely hang things on it) and i can get right into my closet. this has served to open up the room immeasurably. I was not inclinded to give my sliding-over-the-bed table, and, in order to still be able to, oh, i don't know, walk around the room, i had to move the dresser. we're not living in a big space here, jarrod and i, but it sure is feeling a lot bigger now.<br /><br /><br /></div>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-1161306884072987942006-10-19T21:03:00.000-04:002006-11-15T14:26:05.012-05:00<div align="justify">i've had a very excitign couple of days. yesterday, at my practicum, i made a shocking discovery. the almanac that i was cataloguing was not actually missing pages. no, indeed, the pages were complete, they were just, get this, mis-numbered. and me, being the sleuth that i am, figured out that the pagination was just fine if you counted, but not if you actually looked at the number printers. fortunately, i had another copy with which to compare and to prove my shocking results. </div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">i am being completely serious. this totally made my day.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">see, i feel like there might be people out there who might question my dedication to this profession or my natural inclination. even though i detest school, and lectures, and papers, and discussion, i do truly love this profession. i just need days like yesterday every once in a while to remember it.</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">lest you think i've totally changed stripes, i did spend the day chatting on gmail with my favourite online compatriots, <a href="http://mcgeekan.blogspot.com">kristen</a> and <a href="http://spinstertasha.blogspot.com">tasha</a>, who, of course kept me abreast of the fact that lindsay lohan is corrupting rumer willis (is anyone else surprised that she isn't more good lookin'?) and that some paramour's are just not worth the effort. or the email.</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">right now, this second, i am taking a brief pause from my advocacy report. or powerpoint. i'm working with a partner from western, which has actually turned out pretty well despite my worries, and its her turn to look things over. when she sends it back, i have to do a audio recording.</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">i am afraid i am going say either "god mother fucking damn this course is terrible" or "like*" (in a valley girl type tone). these two fears are equal, because, well, i don't have control over my mouth when i say either of those things.</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">i will maintain that it was not my fault.</div>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-1160671040290547752006-10-12T12:10:00.000-04:002006-11-15T14:26:04.915-05:00<div style="text-align: justify;">i know, i know, its been a while. and you've missed me terribly. i know. i promise to be better in the future. see, the great thing about this blog is that i can make promises like that. and then not keep them. with no repercussions, except that i feel mildly bad.<br /><br />so, these past few weeks have been busy. busy to the point where i feel like if one more thing falls on my plate then i will just start crying. its been a stressful time for the whole family, with dad's illness, with moving, with everything...there just don't seem to be enough hours in the day. this is how i know that i am all grown up, because i say things like, "there just aren't enough hours in a day." i also offer this example of grown upness. yesterday, a friend mentionned that she got stuck in a corridor without a pass card and could not get out. all the doors required security clearance, which she did not have. i, of course, was shocked and said, "well, that's such a safety hazard!" yes, that is what i said. i went on about how unsafe it was to have a situation wherein people get stuck. fortunately, someone else came through the door. with a pass. otherwise maybe there'd be a party in there by now. (hey! party...maybe i am young still!)<br /><br />i have managed to hurt my thumbs. one of the guys at work roped (and by roped i mean, mentionned, and i jumped at the chance) into playing intermural co-ed volleyball. its a total blast. its not too serious, but serious enough that you are excited when you win or when you make a good play. just my level. it also feels good to get out and do something physical, something other than just solo running. which actually i should be doing as well. i've pulled out of the race, but <a href="http://anuttersperspective.blogspot.com">annetta</a> is running in my spot. i think i might still tell people i am running so that they'll be uber impressed with my time. i am still going to go out and cheer for her! go annetta go! i don't know what she's been eating for breakfast to have all her motivation, but i give her a lot of credit for it. we're playing ultimate frisbee intramurally as well, and i am going to bust out my carleton ultimate show for intimidation. but then they'll expect some skill from me.<br /><br />the new place is alright. actually, its great. there was a while there when i could not even write about it. i was upset with the moving process, i felt so bad for robin (who kinda got swept up in the tide of alli-planning, which is never a good place to be), i was adjusting to the noise (thank you lee's palace), there were so many other things to just "get done." but now, it feels like home. both robin and jarrod have put so much time and effort into our place that, although it is not perfect, it is the best home. i have never seen jarrod so much in his element, and that is pretty priceless to me. especially since i plan on dragging him across the country next year, wherever my employment takes me. thank you <a href="http://spinstertasha.blogspot.com">tasha</a> for making me think way too much about that!<br /><br />also, that jacket that i invested in at lululemon. totally worth it. i've been caught riding my bike in the rain no less than five times since i bought it.<br /></div>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14470346.post-1159407148944201072006-09-27T21:11:00.000-04:002006-11-15T14:26:04.833-05:00<div style="text-align: justify;">its here. today, it came. i've been waiting all week for the packages to complete jarrod's birthday present, but, unfortunately (i am smiling inside because i'm a terrible person), it was my little present to myself that came first. and by present, i mean, classic switcheroo. dad wanted to be able to listen to some music to pass the time, and since the new ipods were only available online and he'd have to wait, so, i gave him mine. now, i'm sticking my bazillions of gigs back onto my itunes. please don't ask me why i have to do this. oh, okay, since you begged. i moved my folders around. and of course, itunes can't keep up, so i have to add everything again. and its taking a long long time.<br /><br />we've booked movers for this weekend. i have to admit, the thought of moving all of this stuff, again, keeps me up at night. i wasn't sure how to get it done, i wasn't sure who i could impose on to help me, it just...stressed me out. and frankly, i have enough to worry about without worrying about moving. so, i booked movers. seriously. oh, we're still doing a lot of grunt work on sunday, moving boxes) but we're leaving the beds and the book shelves and the couches for the men. yes, i said it. the men. who have man strength. for lifting. and i will watch them, with a coffee, and think to myself about how this is the best money that i have ever possibly spent. especially since it is being split four ways.<br /><br /><br /></div>alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455971677454153038noreply@blogger.com1