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.

trailers and books

We all have a favorite book that we stumble on from time to time. For some reason, you really like this or that book.

It's like... you can really feel the character(s) and you almost mentally leave your present space and fold into the pages of the book. I can think of a few books that I've read in which I wanted to play the character. For whatever reason, you can just relate and that's what make's it one of your favorite books.

That's exactly what some teenagers are doing in Tucson, AZ with the help of the Pima County Public Libraries. The project is called That's My Take. Teenagers learn from professional filmmakers how to make short films. Fifty-three teens at five branch libraries and two partner locations worked with youth mentors to produce eleven trailers that dramatize their favorite books, including The Lightning Thief, Maximum Ride, Night, and World War Z.

View trailers http://www.library.pima.gov/teenzone/trailers/2009.php

Pretty awesome project I would say.

What would you do if you had the chance to do this?

Well, let's say you're not really digging the filmmaking thing. It is most definitely a lot of work if you don't have the help and support. However... what about making a trailer for you favorite book? A trailer, you know, not like the ones you camp in but the ones that are made to promote movies. A book trailer is the same thing; instead of promoting a movie you are promoting a book.
This is how it's done.

1) Think of a book you want to promote.

2) Write out a storyboard; what is going to happen in each clip. words, sounds, pictures...

3) Don't steal from the net

4) Look for images and sounds that you want to use. If you want to be really creative, take the pictures yourselves and upload them to your computer. Or download certain music from your personal collection into the computer. (I guess if they are personal they probably are already on your computer.)

If you want to get images from the Internet, you need to get creative due to copyright issues.

Yeah, unfortunately, you may not want to copy and paste that image if you are going to make a book trailer out of it and post the trailer to youtube or a social networking site. (I think we have all done the copy and paste but for this try not to.)

There are a number of sites where you can get pictures and sounds from and it's legal. They are:

shuttershock http://www.shutterstock.com/

neosounds http://www.neosounds.com/

fotolia http://us.fotolia.com/

dreamstime http://www.dreamstime.com/

5) Put it all together with a filmmaking software program that is usually already on the computer you are working on. If you have a Mac use iMovie and if you have a PC use Movie Maker.

I used windows movie maker before and it's pretty easy to use. The only advice I have to give is to be patient because a good product takes some time, you'll see.
If you are using a Mac and therefore, iMovie, make sure your Mac is working on Snow Leopard (a specific upgrade to the operating system.)

6) Take a look at what others have done.
Here are some websites that have book trailers on them
Digital Book Talk (This one is okay but you may find other sites better.)
http://digitalbooktalk.com/
WatchTheBook
(If you use this one, scroll down, look to the right of the page. Select a genre.)
http://www.watchthebook.com/
Youtube (I would use this one. In the search box, type in "YA book trailer" or "book trailer.")
http://www.youtube.com/

It's all just some thoughts to throw out. You know you want to try it out or just see for yourself.

And maybe, you'll hook a librarian into helping you.

-a highly wired lady

Battle

For the past two years our libraries have been trying to get you instrumentally gifted people into the library to show your skills. Seriously.
This year, there is going to be a "Battle of the Bands" contest @ Taylor Ranch Library which is on the Westside of town. It will be sponsored by Grandma's Music and Sounds here in 'burque.
If you are solo musician, belong to a band, dj, or a singer(s), I encourage you to bring it. Show your skillz... don't be shy. After all... we are just a bunch of librarians; that's nothing to be afraid of. Maybe you can show us something new.
There is a rule: you have to be between the ages of 12 and 18 to compete.
Of course, there are going to be some pretty good prizes awards.

If you want to know more, call a good friend of mine at the Taylor Ranch Library:
Jason @ 897-8816

-a highly wired lady

The First Penguin

These are not my words. They come from a book (our library has it); it's called

"The Last Lecture."

This professor at Carnegie Mellon University wrote this book when he was dying from cancer a few years ago. His name was Randy Pausch. He is the creator of Alice.org. It's a link on this blog. Look to the left.

This is one of my favorite passages. And I want to share it with you. Look at it however you want it. It's called Be the First Penguin.

Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted.

That's an expression I learned when I took a sabbatical at Electronic Arts, the video-game maker.

It just stuck with me, and I've ended up repeating it again and again to students.

It's a phrase worth considering at every brick wall we encounter, and at every disappointment. It's also a reminder that failure is not just acceptable, it's often essential.

When I taught the "building virtual worlds" course, I encouraged students to attempt hard things and to not worry about failing. I wanted to reward that way of thinking. So at the end of each semester, I'd present one team of students with a stuffed animal--a penguin. It was called "The First Penguin Award" and went to the team that took the biggest gamble in trying new

ideas or new technology, while failing to achieve their stated goals. In essence, it was an award for "glorious failure," and it celebrated out-of-the-box thinking and using imagination in a daring way.

The other students came to understand: "First Penguin" winners were losers who were definitely going somewhere.

The title of the award came from the notion that when penguins are about to jump into water that might contain predators, well, somebody's got to be first the first penguin. I originally called it "The Best Failure Award," but failure has so many negative connotations that students couldn't get past the word itself.

Over the years, I also made a point of telling my students that in the entertainment industry, there are countless failed products. It's not like building houses,where every house built can be lived in by someone. A video game can be created and never make it through research and development . Or else it comes out and no wants to play it. Yes, video-game creators who've had successes are greatly valued. But those who've had failures are valued, too--sometimes even more so.

Start up companies often prefer to hire a chief executive with a failed start-up in his or her background. The person who failed often knows how to avoid future failures. The person who knows only success can be more oblivious to all the pitfalls.

Experiences is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted. And experience is often the most valuable thing you have to offer.

-A highly wired lady

(P.S. Failure is subjective.)

you think you know it all.

I don't know about you but I get frustrated sometimes looking through the Internet's various websites relating subjects we need for school. In fact, sometimes I feel like I waste my time. The library does a pretty good job for certain subjects. But when you want to learn basic facts on a subject, you need help, no one is around, and you're staring at the Internet screen frustrated ready to throw your computer out the window...
Let me show you something I found.
Go to the library's website www.cabq.gov/library
Once you are there look under research assistance which is on the left part of the screen, you might need to scroll down a little. Once you are there, click on Internet for Kids. Yeah, I know, you are not really kid but trust me on this one.
Once you are on the next site click on Awesome Library.
Take a look at the subject links before your eyes. There a lot of different links but if you look towards the top of the links you will find a link that says teens. Click on that one.
Good... Now you have made it to the Awesome Library for Teens. Take a look at the school subjects. Pick one and take a look. I can't really explain what you will find. But most likely, you find what you are look for. YOU HAVE TO BE PATIENT. Trust me on this one. You will get there easily if you just look through the subject content and the links inside the subject link.
I found the Math link to be very useful. The Math will take you up to Calculus. Also, I noticed that once I was in a subject, you could find links to news, projects, papers people have written on the topic, periodicals... you get the idea.
You'll see that some of the subject content is better than others. Think about it though, I can easily spend an hour on youtube, and so can you, so you may want to check it out for like fifteen minutes. Maybe the next time you get lost in a subject... this may be a good resource for you.

I have to end with a quote I recently found in a book I read called "Against the Stream" by Noah Levine. Yes, I am proud to say I am a quote fiend.

"...certainly don't believe me. Study the texts, study your own mind, and the highest truth will be revealed. All of what you are looking for is in your own direct experience."

-A highly wired lady

down the rabbit hole...

I'm into poetry.
And since I talk a lot about libraries, information and whatever else... I have to include some straight up classic literature.

A new "Alice in Wonderland" book just arrived the other day. It's a reprint. Probably due to the psychotic-looking movie that just came out. No, I haven't seen it yet. I'm sure I'll make it there eventually. I think I need to read the book again first though.

Here is a poem at the beginning of this book. I had to read it silently and then I had to read it aloud, and now, I'm going to have to read it a few times more because it's a little intrigueing.

All below belongs to Lewis Carroll

All in the Golden Afternoon

All in the golden afternoon
Full leisurely we glide;
For both our oars, with little skill,
By little arms are plied,
While little hands make vain pretence
Our wanderings to guide.

Ah, cruel Three! In such an hour,
Beneath such dreamy weather,
To beg a tale of breath too weak
To stir the tiniest feather!
Yet what can one poor voice avail
Against three tongues together?

Imperious Prima flashes forth
Her edict 'to begin it'--
In gentler tone Secuna hopes
'There will be nonsense in it!'--
While Tertia interrupts the tale
Not more than once a minute.

Anon, to sudden silence won,
In fancy they pursue
The dream-child moving through a land
Of wonders wild and new,
In friendly chat with bird or beast--
And half believe it true.

And ever, as the story drained
The wells of fancy dry,
And faintly strove that weary one
To put the subject by,
'The rest next time--' 'It is next time!'
The happy voices cry.

Thus grew the tale of Wonderland;
Thus slowly, one by one,
Its quaint event were hammered out--
And now the tale is done,
And home we steer, a merry crew,
Beneath the setting sun.

Alice! A childish story take,
And with a gentle hand
Lay it where Childhood's dreams are twined
In Memory's mystic band,
Like pilgrim's withered wreath of flowers
Pluck'd in a far-off land.

Down the Rabbit Hole

Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, 'and what is the use of a book,' thought Alice, 'without pictures or conversations?'"

And this is mine below:

What is the use of a book without pictures or conversations in it?

The imagination builds itself,
The dreams take a fly,
The synapses spark,
The attention becomes hard to pry,
It may be a lie,
but to you it may be the only truth you really believe inside.

-A highly wired lady.

boxpunx

The other day, a fellow I work with at the library introduced me to these things called box punx. He found them on this website: http://harlancore.com/boxpunx/

I have to admit, they are pretty interesting. They are like these little creatures made out of paper all folded in odd ways. I had a hard time making myfirst one. I thought it was a little tougher than origami but young adults/teens seem to pump them out like a mini box punx factory.

If you decide to make one, you have to print out the template first. It prints out as a piece of paper with one odd shape on it. The instructions are towards the bottom of the paper. You cut this odd shape out and fold it according to the instruction and voila... you've created a box punx.

Don't ask me, I just work here.

-a highly wired lady

Can you teach yourself?

The other day I was speaking to a friend of mine on the phone. It was a usual conversation with this friend since. We spend a lot of our time talking about engineering, math, computer science, physcis and what some people would "nerdy" stuff. As we kept talking he told me if I had ever heard of MIT OpenCourseWare. And I said no. He began to explain what it is and he also gave me the website, which I will share with you.
MIT OpenCourseWare is this website (published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is for those who are looking to bone up on specific subjects or, if you are ambitious, dedicated and self-motivated... to go through an entire course online. Now, it's not like you are signed up for the course or you pay anything (yes, it's free.) It is courses that were offered in the past to MIT students, undergraduate and graduate level that are now posted to the public. Now, almost all of the coursework, including the syllabus, video lectures, lecture notes from the professors, exams, assignments, texts needed... it's pretty much all there. Just download it and work. There are no time constraints, you work at your own pace
I couldn't believe it when I found it. I was looking through the various majors, the coursework... it just seemed surreal. Now, it's not really an online course if that's what you may be thinking. There's no credit. And, I would be pretty sure that MIT is not going to offer any course online for free. There are a lot of reasons to use the site. For example, say you are an older young adult and you are looking to test out of a certain course. If you study and do the coursework, you can test out of it without having to pay for a class at the university or community college.
I guess it just depends on your style of learning. If you can learn this way and retain what you've learned through this methodology... then I would say, go for it. Especially if you are strapped for cash and time.
I had to mention it because it is an amazing resource, totally unbelievable.
I remember my friend saying "well you're the librarian, you should know about this." And I just shook my head because I knew it was true. It wasn't meant as an offense (what my friend said) but it just made me think.
So, you want to know how to find this... put in your address bar... ocw.mit.edu
Look to the left of the page. And, like I said, this is probably for the older young adults, but it's also for those who want to peek.
And that's about all.
-a highly wired lady

why I post and post and post

A Librarian, who I work with, presented an article to me today, "Librarian, cybrarian tribute is long 'overdue'; Here's a love letter to cool needed pros" By Craig Wilson.

This article appeared in on the front page of the USA Today newspaper; the date published is Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010.



There is a quote at the top of the article that reads "We have had this huge burst of information, yes, but how do you know what you want or need? That's where a librarian comes in: to usher people through."



This above quote is one of the major reasons I write this blog. Because information is at you everywhere. And it is accessible to the majority of the population in one way or another. Librarians' job is to know how to help you find the information that you need, that is appropriate for whatever info request you may have. It's not our job to give you the answers to things (no, we do not everything; people seem to think this.) It's our job to help you find your answers and that is through either teaching you how to use various information resources or steer you in a direction where you may be able to find them yourselves.



The past weekend. There were two ladies from our library system that went to an event called "School to World". They were there to represent the libraries by showing tweens and teens what we do and what we can offer them, for free. That we exist. That we are alive and well, for the most part. To me... this is the part of librarianship that is most important. The public needs to know how we can fit into their lives and the community. And, it is so important for the young adult generation to help us librarians learn how they are using information resources to find knowledge or their truth. What they are using to write their papers. Sometimes, I'm more interested in what they can show me and what I can learn from them versus what I know and can show them. But, it's always good to trade methods.



This generation will soon be the next information professionals or librarians. And they use and perceive information through different routes and in diverse ways. I believe that it is my job to help me create the library based upon what I know and their needs. And, how am I supposed to know if they do not know how important their you-tubing is or their wiki stuff. I used to think Myspace and Facebook was like "their" domain and now I'm starting to think... they have this whole other social networking web-world that most of us are unaware of unless we ask.



I just spoke with a woman on the phone during a reference question and after I explained to her some things about our library she was thankful and said that she didn't realize how important it is that our tax dollars go to libraries.

In my opinion, for whatever it counts, it is important to support libraries.

I had a friend awhile back tell me that he wants to be able to access whatever information he wants, any type of information, for free, whenever. Me, being a librarian... I was like, well... that's sort of possible but there is some information that is not free, that's just the way it is right now. However, Libraries subscribe to a wealth of information that is normally not free and un-google-able. This information is found in databases (each database is like a library of its own.) Databases are never free. The library pays a lot of money to subscribe to them and we offer them to our patrons/customers for free, as long as you have a library card.

Librarians are good people to help you with databases. There is a ton of information in these but if you don't know how to use one, you can spin in circles and eventually feel like throwing the computer out the window. Trust me.

So that's a good reason why you need libraries and librarians.

Don't be afraid to ask. Don't be afraid to ask to learn.

Because of the wealth of knowledge that exists in libraries... "Libraries are an arsenal of liberty"
Think about that one.

I even get on TMI overload sometimes.
-a highly wired lady

I actually had time to watch tv

This post is related to something I saw on TV, which is, an information resource so I can talk about it here.

Before I begin though, I have to let you know of an unforgettable quote from my friend and volunteer's blog. She writes, "I say thank-you and more than that, maybe next time you'll let me have my own ideas." Her blog is http://xxlikeitorleaveit.blogspot.com
You can find the link on the left hand side of this page.

Okay, so now I can talk about TV. I am not a usual watcher of TV except for the Olympics that just finished but one evening I sat down, just before the closing ceremony of the Olympics was going to air. And, of course, the national news was on.
So, big deal right? Honestly, I don't really watch the news, I like to listen to NPR but that's a different story. So, anyways... the news is on, blah, blah, blah and I'm lying on my catch listening to story after story of news coverage that is negative and maybe you could say paranoid? I don't know that's my opinion, but it was like, all of a sudden, I felt inadequate about something. Then, and this is the ta-dah, the commercials. No joke, almost every, if not all the commercials, were dedicated to pharmaceuticals advertising their newest drug. It's odd with those commercials. You never really know what sort of treatment the drug is for. A little misleading, but go ahead and talk to your doctor about it, right.

So why would I bring this up? How does this have to do with libraries. A lot actually. Especially if you want to be informed of good resources for health information. Now if you are a hypochondriac sort, I wouldn't use this because you will think you have every disease or illness that exists. I'll put out one really good source for now... http://medlineplus.gov It's called Medline Plus. It is a creation of the National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health. It's consumer-based health information, which means it was and is made for the public.

Okay, let me go back to the commercials. You may find this interesting or not. When I was in library school I took a class at the law school called advanced legal research. Now, let me tell you first that libraries at law schools are completely different in so many ways; yes there are other types of librarians out there.
In the course I had to do a project on the prescribing of off-label drug use. So this means... a doctor/physician prescribes a drug to you for an illness, condition, whatever, but it has never been approved by the FDA (federal drug administration) for this use. Some say this could be illegal or malpractice (thus where the law came in.) Physicians actually do prescribe certain drugs that have not been approved by the FDA for this specific condition, but they do it because of their experience and knowledge. However, it has been known that pharmaceutical companies have been known to push specific drugs onto younger docs or just docs. And sometimes, it has been noted that drugs pushed are pushed for off-label use. Well, the pharmaceutical company can't really do that, or they're not supposed to.

Anyways... going back to the commercials. When a pharmaceutical company advertises it's drugs on television you better believe they are approved by the FDA for that use. They are. But it's funny... you see I used to be a medical librarian and I remember having to do research for this one doc on this drug called Abilify. This medication is considered a anti-psychotic medication. But now, five or more years later, I see that this medication is now being commercialized as an add on to an anti-depressant. Weird huh. So, five years ago, if this drug were advertised as an add on to a anti-depressant, a law suit would have been slammed on the drug company for advertising the use of an off-label drug. It's weird, I know. If you've read this far.

But now, maybe you see how Librarians and Information Professionals play a role in this research process. They find the information that these doctors, lawyers, and scientists need.

Just goes to show you... you better know your information... and more importantly... how you display it to the public.
Does that make sense?

And seriously, can the news be a little more negative? No wonder why pharmaceutical companies put their ads in these slots.

-A highly wired lady.

cloudy competition

This is going to be short but important.

I had four winners for the Cloudy Competition I did here at the LT Library.

They were all girls, young ladies.

My winners were:

One teenager and three girls ages 12 and under.

I'm not going to name names because I want to be discreet. But I do want to say thank-you for participating and spending a few minutes on something that won you a pretty good prize.

I went out and bought four, $20 gift certificates to Borders so they could pick out whatever they wanted. I don't think they expected this prize, but it was good for them. We all need a little reward sometimes.

But one thing they may not realize yet. The reward for this competition will follow you through your studies and your life. It's worth way more than a gift card.

So, someday, when the LT library opens again. Maybe we'll do something else. I've already had some suggestions.

Or, who knows, we could always do it through the blog.

-a highly wired lady

a request

A young lady who has volunteered for our library in the past came in to say hi yesterday. I was happy to see her. I knew that she had been absent because of her load with school. I wish I had have been that dedicated to my school work when I was in high school. Actually, I wish I would have run x-country. That doesn't matter anymore.

She had a suggestion for me. A suggestion to write about a controversial topic. And I was like... what? Controversial topics are everywhere. But she had a hard time giving me an answer. So I told her to let me think about it and maybe something would pop up.

Music, the stuff that we listen to, the stuff that makes us dance (if you do that sort of thing, I do). Who doesn't like music and who doesn't have a preference for specific types of music?

Or, maybe you are someone who plays an instrument. I don't play an instrument, but I always wanted to learn how to play the drums and spin and scratch turntables. Now, I feel too old to play with turntables but maybe it will happen.

Any two people can get into a conversation about music. So... I thought it would be a good topic to bring up in regards to being controversial.

Where do I begin? I guess I can just tell you about my story and what I think and then if you want to argue or point something out, put it out there. Like what's your story?

I have been surrounded by music all my life. I used to watch my dad lay down beside his record player and listen to music. It was the way he relaxed and now I do the same thing.

Then, it was my older sisters who had a huge impact. Especially my oldest sister. She used to be into rap when it first started coming up and out... you probably don't know about these guys but they called themselves Run DMC. I can still remember some of those songs even though I was probably in kindergarten or first grade when she used to play it full blast in her Volkswagon bug. And yes, it was on a tape player. I used to get so mad when she played it that loud and now I do the same thing. Ha, ha, ha. There were other artists of that sort but I can't remember them off the top of my head right now.

My mom used to flip out that she would play "that kind of music", especially with younger siblings around. It just wasn't acceptable music, she would say. So what is acceptable music? Some of the best musicians were not considered "acceptable" when they came up.

I'll move on. Well "that sort" of music has stuck with me; the "type" that my sister played.

As I got older I remember listening to rap music and then it was eventually called hip hop. Okay, now I'm getting controversial.

I remember really getting into Cypress Hill, Naughty by Nature, Paperboy, Pharcyde, De La Soul, and then some of the R&B that went along with it. My parents hated it. They would get so mad that there was swearing in the music and sometimes offensive lyrics. But it never stopped me.

In high school, I found friends that listened to the same music and it was like I fell into this group of people; most of them were guys. We exchanged music and that's how I began to find underground hip-hop, that was when all those lyrics began to become poetry and the beats blew the speakers out. This is also around the same time that I took a creative writing class and began to learn how to rhyme myself or just write stuff down that I saw.

I never went to many parties, but when I did and I got to be the DJ, it was on. I swear, no lying. It was just an ironic thing because "girls" did not know or listen to this music. And so there was shock in many girls' faces that I played it. I got a lot of you know what from girls in high school. And, one reason was because I was different that way. Yeah, I listened to the radio, but then I had this whole other side that was like... "she's weird." All because of music.

A lot of the lyrics were stories, and very true ones. You just had to listen. I have had friends tell me that they liked this or that but then they said they never listened to the words. And I was like... what dude?

Or, even better, I used to dance classical ballet and remember that the beat of the music told me when to do what and one time I had a girlfriend that said... how do you know how to do that at that time. And I said... "can't you hear it?" And she looked at me like I was crazy. Umm yeah. Been called that a few times.

In college, I still listened to the same music and I was still dancing classical ballet (hmmm, that's an odd thing.) I remember it was like an extension from high school. I learned Wu-Tang Clan lyrics, Mos Def, Outkast way way way before they ever hit the scene like ten years later, Common, way way way before he had a middle-age crisis with the last album he put out. There was Busta Rhymes, KRS-One, Talib Kwali, Gangstarr, Das-EFX, Redman (saw him in concert, like the best concert ever.) And how could I ever forget Tribe Called Quest and Souls of Mischief. Not too long ago I bought a Del the Funky Homosapien album. You can laugh, but I couldn't believe that he was still at it. And I couldn't believe I bought it. But I have to admit, half of those lyrics I could so relate to.

There's too many awesome artists to name. I'm thinking of my CD collection (yes, I have one) and I can't even think of all the those CD's I have, that trashy, gangster music, as my mother and other people would say. But I'm not into gangster music, I never was.

I'm like... don't hate the game if you can't hear the rules.

My dad later admitted to me that he liked some of the music I played. He liked the beats, he just would never admit it. And once in awhile I would watch him dance around and I thought he was making fun of me but then I realized that he liked it.

I will admit, I really dislike where the mainstream hip-hop has gone... it's like do you have anything really interesting to say? And a lot of the artists sound the same. They use the auto-tron. A specific device that changes your voice when you sing into it; a device that was created to hear specific frequencies of animal sounds in the ocean. It's like, if you can't sing and you can't rhyme then what are you doing? Who signed you?

I'm 30-years-old and I still blow my ears out with this stuff sometimes. Now, just because I've

written an essay all about my b-boy hip-hop love doesn't mean that I don't feign for other genres. I love indie/folk, some r&b, crazy instrumental, Sublime, MGMT, old jazz like Etta James and Bo Didley, and I have even rocked a Miley Cyrus song. I'm a music junkie. I love making CD's for my friends and I love getting them from them. It's like one of the best gifts.

I'm sure that everyone has their opinion and favorites and stuff that they cannot handle.

But if I have to say one more thing... it's about selling out. The Black-Eyed Peas, who have taken over during the past five or more years... shoot, I remember when I graduated from high school and they put out their first album... sans Fergie. The song that I most remember is called "Falling Up".

I'll never forget some of their lyrics in this song and how they represent themselves now, look below...

"I see you try to diss our function by stating that we can't rap,

is it 'cause we don't wear Tommy Hilfiger or baseball caps,

We don't use dollars to represent,

We just use our inner sense and talent,

If you try to dis the Peas you'll get handled by Apple Beavy,

Alligator, numero uno creator,

Black Eyed Peas be more than a playa,

Don't gotta represent no set just so I could get some respect,

Ga, ga, ga, ga, ga, ga, coooool,

A lot of feelings so I can get through,

Because the way that you did it I think you done corrupted the whole

Hip-hop sound so now I gotta follow up."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puQF3w9ZzX8&feature=PlayList&p=92A65138C681CA22&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=1

The video to this song is old so I couldn't find it on Youtube, but I did find the song. And if you want to hear how they have changed, listen. Remember, this was before Fergie.

I gotta go, this is too long.

But before I do... if you would like to hear a song that is old school, underground hip-hop that talks about selling out... take a look at this old "Roots" video. Remember, you have to listen to the words. And there may be some offensive scenes, but I'm a librarian, I don't censor and if you truly hear the words you'll see that those scenes are a parody. "Never do what they do."

So this blog, or essay is a shout to Nicole... my volunteer. And, I have to say... your teacher who told you your creative writing blog is to racey needs to be checked. Sorry. Your opinion is way more valuable.

I was once a staff writer for a newspaper when I was 20 or so. I'll never forget an editor telling me that if you never write anything that doesn't stir someone, you are not writing well.

Never sell out.

-a Highly Wired Lady

Clouds in the Sky

Remember the "Cloudy Competition" I did here at the LT Library? If you don't remember or you want to learn more, look at the previous posts.
The competition ended on January 29th and I looked over the answers for those who participated the following day.

here were two age groups. The Young Adult/Teen and the Juvenile or those ages 12 and younger. Of the two age groups, I have to say that the Juvenile group did really well. In fact, I had a three-winner tie. So, now I'm trying to figure out how to split this prize for this age group.
I did have one winner for the Young Adult/Teen group.

There were a little over ten entries altogether which is more than I expected. Everyone did well but there was something lacking. There was one rule: tell me where you found your answers. That disqualified a lot of good entries. I hated to do that but that was a rule and I don't really like rules but I had to follow this one because it is so important that when you find an answer to something or you discover new information, you need to be able to retrieve it or tell someone else where you found it.
This is a lame example but think of a situation where you and a friend are talking about something you learned and you're just passing it along. They are probably going to ask you where you heard that from or found that answer. If you don't know, or if you're not sure... well would you trust them. Think of it as gossip. Someone says this, someone says that, the chain moves on and the next thing you know... what was passed along is maybe 5% of the truth. That is why writers and researchers cite or create a bibliography of their sources (where they found their information.) Otherwise, it's like... who are you to say that and why should I believe you?
Maybe now you see why it is a little more important. Or maybe not.

I'll announce the winners on the blog after I have called them and picked out the prizes. I'm sort of struggling with this (the prize part.)

I had a friend that used to always say "Where is your scientific proof?" I'll never forget this.

-a highly wired lady

Wii's upcoming competition--Natal

When one new shiny piece of technology comes around, then there is always someone or some creators around the corner that are getting ready to pounce on it and create a newer and shinier piece, right. It's just the way it is.
I promised I would write about this but it's taken me awhile, longer than I hoped, to sit down and write it.
We all know about Wii and the remote sensor controllers they created. The best example is when playing Wii sports. The controller is not attached to the console and you're moving and working with the buttons on the controller at the same time.
Well, Xbox 360 (Microsoft), is definitely giving the Wii a run for it's technology.
Natal basically takes away the controller. So who is the controller? You are. Your body is the controller. Players will have the ability to manipulate on-screen characters via natural body movements. Think of the computer scientists and others that studied the actions of the body in order to create the sensors that this new game-playing technology uses.
Natal consists of a depth sensor that uses infrared signals to create a digital 3-D model of a player's body as it moves, a video camera that can pick fine details such as facial expressions and a microphone that can identify and locate individual voices.
Natal will be released towards the very end of 2010. Gee... I wonder how much it will cost.
I found this information in an article I read in this magazine called "the Scientific American".
If you want to see a short video clip of how Natal was designed and how it is intended to work, go to the following website http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=microsoft-project-natal
The name of the article: "Binary Body Double: Microsoft reveals the science behind project Natal for Xbox 360"

P.S. Don't ever get lazy with technology. You will be sorry. Just a heads up.

-a highly wired lady

Presenting, Interface, User-friendly

I've been thinking about this topic for awhile but just haven't sat down and wrote about it. And right now, I'm having a hard time explaining this... it's just one of those afternoons.

So... here we go. Computers. We all use them, hopefully. I'm not going to talk about the processing or the hard drives or how fast or slow or this or that... I'm going to talk a little about design.

Wether we realize it or not, computers drive our society. They are in every facet of our lives. I think something that bugs me is when someone says... "I don't like or use computers." Okay, so they don't like them but they can't ever say that they don't use them or they don't affect their lives.
I'll give you one example: a cell-phone. Cell phones today are micro-computers. So if you can use a cell phone somewhat, than you can use a computer. If you can drive a car, you can use a computer. If you can use a calculator, you can use a computer. I know this sounds weird but even today's sewing machines that make your awesome clothes that you want so badly, are programmed by a computer.
Back to the cell-phone. The interface of your phone. This means the face of your phone, the screen of your phone. The design is based on touch. This design has exploded. It's fun, it's easy to use, it's visual.
Notice that before they existed with cell phones, they were at check-in kiosks at the airport, and many restaurants had their staff enter your orders into a touch-screen based interface.
I'm not positive about this, but I think this really grew in popularity with the iphone.
If you check out books at the library, I'm sure you have noticed the self-check machines. These have a touch-based interface. You use the machine by touching a screen, not a keyboard.

What does this have to do with libraries, and whatever?
Think about it. Wouldn't it be nice if someone came along and redid our computer catalogs. Making them more user friendly by adding a touch-based screen with more icons and less jargon and words to get mixed up with. To me, this makes sense. Especially for younger audiences who really have a hard time typing out or correctly spelling the title of a book. And really, nowadays, I think the computer catalog would be less offensive if it were familiar to people of the public, not just academics.

I'm not going to lie. I think the computer catalog needs to be improved in a creative manner. Otherwise, it's just confusing. They are confusing to me and I'm a librarian.
And, with every library, the catalog changes (they way it looks from the outside), it's interface, changes. Making a trip to the library more like a learning session of how to use the computer catalog to find a book or the information you need.

Why hasn't it happened? Has it? Where does it exist? What do you think? Or, do you even think about it?

When I read about the sensitivity of these touch-based screens, there is a lot to be said about improvement. Improving the sensors. But don't ask me. I'm just reading about something.

-a highly wired lady

My next post, if you pay attention, has to do with the XBox and how it's going to dominate by the end of this year with a design called natal.

clouds in the sky competition

I made sort of a dorky competition here at the library.

It's called "Clouds in the Sky"

This is how it works.

At the library, in the young adult area, there is a box with cloudy things written on it. Below the box are entry forms. On top of the box are the instructions.

They are as follows:

Name all the different types of clouds that can be found in the sky.

Rule (of course there has to be one, even though I don't like rules): In order for you answers to be valid you have to cite where you found your answers/information. Basically, you tell me what sources you used to find the answers.

There is a Bonus Point: Which clouds indicate rain or snow?

Prize? Yes, there is a prize involved. It's a surprise prize. I'm not telling you what it is. That's because I'm waiting to see what kind of answers you give and where you found your resources.

So, you really are competing for your prize. And, the prize is worth the answer.

Why do I do this? Someday you will know why. Don't ask those questions now because you wouldn't be able to live the answers.

-A Highly Wired Lady