July 3, 2012
July 3, 2012
July 2, 2012
In Defense of Felicia?
This weekend there was a bit of a brouhaha on Twitter. I know, right? That never happens!
So anyway, "what had happened was" a Destructoid contributer (Ryan Perez) unleashed a drunken tirade against my future bff Felicia Day. I planned to discuss it here, but today's Geek Out! post is much better than what I might have come up with. I'll just link it here and leave it at that.
July 1, 2012
Songs on Sundays: Bedouin Soundclash
It's just so lovely.
"Brutal Hearts"
Bedouin Soundclash ft. Coeur de Pirate
"Brutal Hearts"
Bedouin Soundclash ft. Coeur de Pirate
Photo Journal: Day 1
Today we had our second day of all-time record-breaking heat (105°F). Yeah...that's pretty hot. But I'm moving to Austin next Spring, so I should probably get used to it. (I'm gonna die there, guys. For real. I'll remember you in my will).
Anyway, I thought I'd jump on board with a "photo-a-day" project for the month of July. This evening we had a pop-up storm that ended up being more wind than anything. It stirred up an annoying dust storm at a nearby construction site. The view from my window:
Anyway, I thought I'd jump on board with a "photo-a-day" project for the month of July. This evening we had a pop-up storm that ended up being more wind than anything. It stirred up an annoying dust storm at a nearby construction site. The view from my window:
July 1, 2012
June 10, 2012
Songs on Sundays: Nouvelle Vague
It's Sunday...time for a song!
This week I've had Nouvelle Vague on repeat. I've chosen this particular fan video because it seamlessly mixes Dance With Me with the classic "Madison" dance scene from Bande à part. It's perfect.
This week I've had Nouvelle Vague on repeat. I've chosen this particular fan video because it seamlessly mixes Dance With Me with the classic "Madison" dance scene from Bande à part. It's perfect.
June 3, 2012
Songs on Sundays: The Apples in stereo
If I stop with the slacking and such, I might make "Songs on Sundays" a weekly feature on this neglected blog. Maybe.
To kick things off, give your eyes and ears a treat with this week's feature, "Dance Floor" by The Apples in stereo. I defy you to listen and not dance in your seat. Actually, why keep to your seat? Get up and shake it like a Polaroid.
To kick things off, give your eyes and ears a treat with this week's feature, "Dance Floor" by The Apples in stereo. I defy you to listen and not dance in your seat. Actually, why keep to your seat? Get up and shake it like a Polaroid.
February 22, 2012
Protect Your Web History
If you have concerns about Google's new across-the-board privacy policy, you should check out these instructions from the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation) on deleting your Google Search History (which includes your searches and the sites you visit). Deleting your history should (theoretically) prevent your sensitive information from being associated with all your Google-related accounts (YouTube, Google+, etc.).
Note: When I attempted to follow these instructions, it didn't quite work. I had to go to my "Account Settings" menu, then click the "Products" link, then click "Web History." From there you can delete and pause your History.
Note: When I attempted to follow these instructions, it didn't quite work. I had to go to my "Account Settings" menu, then click the "Products" link, then click "Web History." From there you can delete and pause your History.
November 19, 2011
Generational Identity Crisis
In
the midst of a webinar recently, the speaker said the Millennial
Generation (or Generation Y) began in 1979. I took particular offense
to that, as I've always fancied myself as riding the little red caboose
of Generation X. It upset me to think my older peers in academia
might view me AS a Millennial, rather than someone qualified to teach one.
I'm 31 years old, born in mid-1980. Some say the Millennial Generation began in the late 70s, others say later on in the 80s, but most (including Strauss and Howe) say 1982. Since S&H are pretty much the experts, I'm going with them. Ultimately that does place me as a child of Generation X.
But the truth is, I don't really belong to either of them; I'm one of the many born on the cusp of two very different generations. Much like being born on the cusp of two astrological signs (if you believe in that sort of thing), I have characteristics of both.
I wasn't old enough to understand the end of the Cold War (or even understand the term "Cold War"). All I remember thinking about the fall of the Berlin Wall was how cool David Hasselhoff looked singing atop it. The Iran-Contra Affair didn't even cross my radar when it occurred, and the greatest implication of Operation Desert Storm on my life was the excitement I felt from writing my soldier pen-pal (acquired through a school program). These events shaped the political views and world outlooks of many true Gen Xers; they were old enough to comprehend them. For me, they passed quietly in the background while I was busy being a kid.
Conversely, I didn't grow up with cell phones, home computers, or social networking and real-time information sharing. I was either almost out of high school or already in college or graduate school when those technologies became so pervasive and affordable to (almost) everyone. I have a great deal of experience using old-school card catalogs and (gasp!) actual print resources. Columbine chilled me, "hanging chads" became a part of my daily vocabulary for awhile in 2000, and I was 21 years old when September 11, 2001 changed the way we all looked at the world.
What does all this mean? At first glance, not much, other than I don't have the "comfort" of associating with a familiar generation. But maybe that's not such a bad thing. In fact, maybe being on the cusp of these two generations puts me in a particularly advantageous position. I came of age when the world was changing, and I can relate well to people 15 years older than me, or 15 years younger, too. I understand the viewpoints of both my older coworkers and the students I teach. Instead of lamenting the fact that I sometimes find myself lumped into a generation comprised of younger folks with a different way of thinking, I should use my in-between position to help bridge gaps between Generations X and Y. After all, if we're going to succeed as librarians, as keepers of information, intergenerational cooperation is as important as anything.
I'm 31 years old, born in mid-1980. Some say the Millennial Generation began in the late 70s, others say later on in the 80s, but most (including Strauss and Howe) say 1982. Since S&H are pretty much the experts, I'm going with them. Ultimately that does place me as a child of Generation X.
But the truth is, I don't really belong to either of them; I'm one of the many born on the cusp of two very different generations. Much like being born on the cusp of two astrological signs (if you believe in that sort of thing), I have characteristics of both.
I wasn't old enough to understand the end of the Cold War (or even understand the term "Cold War"). All I remember thinking about the fall of the Berlin Wall was how cool David Hasselhoff looked singing atop it. The Iran-Contra Affair didn't even cross my radar when it occurred, and the greatest implication of Operation Desert Storm on my life was the excitement I felt from writing my soldier pen-pal (acquired through a school program). These events shaped the political views and world outlooks of many true Gen Xers; they were old enough to comprehend them. For me, they passed quietly in the background while I was busy being a kid.
Conversely, I didn't grow up with cell phones, home computers, or social networking and real-time information sharing. I was either almost out of high school or already in college or graduate school when those technologies became so pervasive and affordable to (almost) everyone. I have a great deal of experience using old-school card catalogs and (gasp!) actual print resources. Columbine chilled me, "hanging chads" became a part of my daily vocabulary for awhile in 2000, and I was 21 years old when September 11, 2001 changed the way we all looked at the world.
What does all this mean? At first glance, not much, other than I don't have the "comfort" of associating with a familiar generation. But maybe that's not such a bad thing. In fact, maybe being on the cusp of these two generations puts me in a particularly advantageous position. I came of age when the world was changing, and I can relate well to people 15 years older than me, or 15 years younger, too. I understand the viewpoints of both my older coworkers and the students I teach. Instead of lamenting the fact that I sometimes find myself lumped into a generation comprised of younger folks with a different way of thinking, I should use my in-between position to help bridge gaps between Generations X and Y. After all, if we're going to succeed as librarians, as keepers of information, intergenerational cooperation is as important as anything.
Fight SOPA and PIPA
DON'T LET CONGRESS CENSOR THE INTERNET. This is nothing
but 1984 masquerading as a benign anti-piracy act. Take a look at the list of supporters for SOPA and PIPA. You think
libraries can stand up to Pfizer? WE NEED YOUR VOICE.
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