New Stuff

School is about to start. For you and me. Yes, I'm going back to school. But I will always have my Master's Degree in Library and Information Science. That won't change. This means I can still help. Help you.
I've been working through this blog and making changes. I'm getting ready to add some lists of the Best Books for 2010, both fiction and non-fiction. I'm also creating a list of websites you may want to take a look at from time to time. Just like books and the Internet is a resource, so are these links.
I have found a lot of cool things over the summer to play with. But, I'm not going to tell you until I can get this organized better.
As I add things, I will tell you how to use them.

Enjoy your last few days of freedom, or maybe this was your last day!

-until later,
A Highly Wired Lady

I've been trying to do a better layout for this blog but it is driving me nuts. I'll come up with something better. Right now, this is under serious construction.
-a highly wired lady

Links for thought

I've been looking around and I've found some links: websites, blogs, other stuff that you might be interested in. Some of you may already know about these. Here's the list below, the link, and a brief description of what's inside. I have to admit, even for someone as old as me, there's pretty good stuff in here.

A Little Bit on the Awesome Side:
http://albotas.com/
Brown Kidd is the king of all things rad. His blog highlights the best in otaku culture, video games, street art, toys, gadgets and TV + Film.

That Girl's Site:
http://www.thatgirlssite.com/
A blog dedicated to random cool thinks like "video games, movies, comics, manga, toys, zombies, and other geeky stuff."

Unruly Media's Top 100 Viral Videos (I just posted about this link)
http://viralvideochat.unrulymedia.com/?items=100
Find out what all the cool kids are talking about via Unruly Media's Top 100 Viral Videos list.

Hype Machine:
http://hypem.com/popular
Hype Machine scans all the music blogs to find out whose a buzz in the music blogosphere.

Kotaku:
http://www.kotaku.com/
The freshest gaming news around and constantly updated. Filled with videos, interviews and hilarious commentary.

Polyvore:
http://polyvore.com/
All the hottest fashion trends and styles. Inspired by fashionistas compile their favorite pieces into style sheets for the whole world to gleam over.

VEVO:
http://vevo.com/
VEVO is all about music videos. You'll find all the hyped music videos on here, plus all your faves from the past.
(Honestly, I still like youtube better for this. I didn't find a lot of music videos that I wanted to see. It's limited.)

IHEARTCOOLSTUFF:
http://iheartcoolstuff.com/
This whimsical blog is dedicated to the cute and awesome things found in the world of art, video games, vinyl toys, and comics.

4-Color Rebellion:
http://www.4colorrebellion.com/
Dedicated to the pop culture side of video games.

The Girl Gamer:
http://4thegirlgamers.blogspot.com
Video game news, viral videos and best in geek chic.


I will most likely link these website to the blog so that they are always around.


Until another day, "a highly wired lady"

Viral Videos

A viral video. I'm sure that you all know what a viral video is. Recently, I've been finding more and more and more of them. This happens especially when I'm searching through youtube videos for a music artist's song I want to see. And then, I find a video that I think is the real music video and it's this crazy parody of the song. It's hilarious in a lot of ways. Some are better than others. I know you know what I'm saying.
I think making these videos is a really good way to just laugh but to also know your editing skills when making videos. You learn basic stuff about the various editing softwares out there. Most computers have them already built in. Some are easier to use than others. I hate to say it but I'm partial to Mac, just because I used to be a journalist and I work with a lot of photos and art and a Mac is made for that type of work.
Considering the actual taping and making... what you use is up to you. Think of quality when viewing. I have to say... I hate pictures that are like a 3 megapixel photo. And yeah, I know your phones have those cameras on them. And, I know that some of them do the recording as well. If you are going to put the work into it, really make it so someone can see it.
A'ight.
Maybe you already know about this site but I found it recently:
Unruly Media's Top 100 Viral Videos
http://viralvideochart.unrulymedia.com/?items=100

Here's a viral video from a very, very old Beastie Boys song that I found. It's on the Paul's Boutique album and it's called the "Sound of Science"
They were pretty creative with this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCc33KtP0ng


Have fun.

Soon, I will be telling you about other things do audio/visual; always good though.

-a highly wired lady.

one-of-a-kind summer opportunity

Here's the deal...

Some of you may have jobs this summer, but some of you may not.

I, as sole professional woman attached to no one but myself, would like to offer you an opportunity that you may be interested in.

There is a "Summer Camp" at the Challenger Learning Center/New Mexico (located at 1776 Montano NW Albuquerque, NM 87107) that offers special "camps" throughout the summer for various age groups that are interested in Space, Science, Engineering, Rockets, NASA (you know the government agency.) Honestly, these camps are not just for the space or science minded, they are for anyone that is interested in building, playing, and creating simulations.

Take a look at the website http://www.challengernm.org/

I would like to sponsor one young adult/teen to attend a camp called "NASA's Tiger Team."
Learn more about this specific camp http://www.challengernm.org/summer-camp-programs.php Click on Tiger Team. Here's the basic explanation and the dates and times.

TIGER TEAM
July 12 – 16
12:30pm – 3:30pm
Gr. 6 – 12*
$125
Step up to the plate as a member of the Tiger Team to solve unexpected problems that arise during a space mission based on real NASA situations. Campers will devise solutions, test, modify, and retest their solutions to save the astronauts! Many fun problem solving activities and games abound!

If you are interested in doing this, you need to send me a one paragraph note telling me why you want to attend. Why? Because I am sponsoring you, meaning you would not pay the tuition. I can only sponsor one person so that's why I ask you to write something up for me.

If you are chosen, we will get you registered and voila.
Remember, you will need a ride to get there if you are chosen.

One more thing you may want to know about the Challenger Learning Center.
The Challenger was a space shuttle. It is known for it's explosion after lift-off on January 28, 1986. Since the entire nation watched the explosion and the loss of the crew inside it was a pretty dramatic and sad event. I still remember when it happened. The family members of the crew who were lost decided to ban together and create a foundation of learning centers around the country (there are few) to do things like this for young people.

If you want to try to do this... email me lesquerra@hotmail.com a paragraph stating why you would like to do this. Make sure you provide me with your full name and contact information. In the emails subject line, put "Challenger Learning Center Space Camp"
The camp begins on July 12th so I'm setting a deadline for you to get this information to me by Wednesday, July 7th.

Give it a try, you never know where it may lead.

-A highly wired lady.

Dude Perfect and Basketball

Seriously, we cant't be too serious all the time. I tend to get in that habbit. I know that I'm a Librarian and I'm all about serious information but this is definitley some good information (if you haven't seen it already.)
These "Dude Perfect" guys are crazy amazing with their basket ball shots. If you haven't seen them, take a look. I know you watch Youtube because I see you do it all the time. Youtube is a very good source of information.

Take a look for yourself:

http://www.dudeperfect.com/
And click on the videos.

This is my favorite shot. The airplane shot... it doesn't get better than this.
http://www.dudeperfect.com/?page_id=82


Now that is some good information. And we'll get serious later.

-a highly wired lady

Volunteering

It's been awhile since I've written,

I need to tell you something about volunteering for the libraries this summer when school is out.

Most of us, for some reason, including I, will be a volunteer in the future or have been one in the past. Every summer our libraries provide you with the opportunity to volunteer. Basically, you volunteer for the library's summer reading program. Each of our libraries has one.

What do you do? It depends on the library branch you volunteer for. But the general idea is to have you help out the librarians and library staff with the summer reading program. This means, giving out prizes, signing people up for the program, assisting with the summer reading events and activities that each branch plans, keeping records (easy.) Sometimes, you may help us out with other work we do. Nothing tough. A volunteer usually has a schedule for the summer reading program; sort of like a job. You would be here at this day and at this time every week. Usually you cannot work more than two hours a day. And, if you are between the ages of 12-15, you are allowed to work no more than 8 hours a week. Like I said before, each branch handles their volunteer hours and schedules a little differently but we all abide by the same rules.

If you are interested in volunteering, visit one of the libraries and fill out an application. You can also download the application from our website http://www.cabq.gov/library
Make sure your parent signs it and you provide a valid ID (this can be a school ID.) The deadline for applying is June 4th. I know, that doesn't give you much time.

If you don't feel like volunteering, that's okay. But one thing that you may want to do that is super easy is to sign-up for the summer reading program. You sign-up as a teen.
You are given a card when you sign-up. You put your name on it and contact info. Keep the card with you. Every hour you read, you make a mark on the card. After ten hours of reading, you drop your card off at the library, get a new card, and we enter you in a drawing to win some nice prizes. There are weekly drawings and the grand prize drawings (the grand prize drawings happen at the end of summer reading.)
Prizes for weekly drawings include: Movie Passes, Dion's Gift Certificates, Hinkle's Passes, Hasting's Gift Certificates, and Books.
Grand Prize drawings include:$100 gift card to shope at the mall, $100 gift card to shop at Target, $50 gift card to Active Imagination, Digital Camera. REMEMBER, THE DRAWING FOR THE GRAND PRIZES ARE AT THE END OF SUMMER READING. The more you read, the better chance you have to win one of these prizes.

Even if you can't or don't feel like volunteering I understand, but you should sign-up for the summer reading program. It's easy. You can read anything, someone can read to you, or you can listen to an audiobook if you like those the best.

Many of our libraries are also having special teen activities and events planned. If you look on our website http://www.cabq.gov/library you will find a pig splashing into a pool (yes, I know.)
Click on find out more and you will find the different activities and events going on at each of the libraries around town.

I'll be in touch soon.

-A highly wired lady.