Librarians, Guns, and Books

Inresting Reading.

2008-08-26T09:08:00.001-07:00

The Answer Maven turned me on to this.

Shankman is spot on with his assessment.

Why aren't libraries following this model. If you don't like the game, change the rules

Out of the mouths of babes

2008-08-20T08:51:00.000-07:00

A colleague over in the IT side discovered this interesting tidbit on students and Web 2.0. It confirms what students have been telling me for a while. They really don't want us in their space. When one thinks about it, I was not much different as an undergrad.

Nothing more need be said

2008-08-20T08:11:00.000-07:00

As seen on Fail Blog.

Andrew Keen

2008-08-14T12:31:00.001-07:00

Is dropping knowledge like its hot!!!!!!

The Great Seduction: Home college: one simple truth for bringing America's schools back to reality

If you haven't , you should check out his Cult of the Amateur for some eye opening.

Well.....

2008-08-13T08:53:00.001-07:00

It is now official... World, This Hand basket. Hand basket, this is world. The road to hell is over there to the right. Watch your first step.

Mad Cow Rules Hit Sperm Banks' Patrons - washingtonpost.com

A pretty good day

2008-08-06T13:31:00.001-07:00

Today has been a pretty productive and rewarding one.

First, I given this awesome poster from a colleague.

I must have more Rex Libris

Second, I was reading my daily dose of blogginess and ran across this post from a friend. Colleen is a good egg and an excellent librarian. You should get to know her.

Third, I turned in a project that has been due for a while.

I think a G&T and a nap are in order

The Walmart Virus

2008-08-04T09:20:00.001-07:00

BoingBoing brought this to my attention.

Watch the World's Largest Retailer spread across America. Welcome to Wally's World.

BTW FlowingData is a really interesting page with applications for reference work.

For Something Complete Useful...

2008-08-04T09:12:00.001-07:00

And entertaining.

Bibliodyssey

Yeah Boyeee!!!

2008-08-04T09:09:00.001-07:00

Talk about your bad days.

After the jump

From FailBlog.

Can I get some Government Money

2008-07-22T19:43:00.001-07:00

Those who know me know I can not abide ALA. I find their size and politics repugnant. So you can imagine my surprise when a colleague forwarded the following to me.

Library Journal
Diverse Issues in Higher Education

It appears that I am an endangered species. Fascinating aint it. Didn't know librarians needed protection.

Once again the profession and ALA have amazed me with their shortsightedness and naivete . All one has to do is hold up a mirror.

Librarianship is predominantly white (nothing wrong with that), predominantly female (definitely nothing wrong with that), and extremely underpaid (plenty wrong with this). It will be this way until we make some changes.

To my thinking if we want a more diverse population, we should focus on reminding users/patrons what we do well and assigning an appropriate market value for our skill sets. Librarians find stuff. Librarians teach stuff. Librarians organize stuff. This hasn't change from day one to Web 2.0 It is time to rid ourselves of modesty, stop playing video games at work, and get the word out. The American culture is one that recognizes and rewards accomplishment. This what many young people are looking for and been taught to expect. When the public knows the variety of jobs in library diversity will take care of itself. Our competing professions do not give away their services nor do they let a day go by when the public is not aware of their successes.

In the mean time, I think I will wait for my letter from CITES and try to turn it into a pay raise.

War.. What is Good For

2008-07-22T19:19:00.001-07:00

I was catching up on some gun and policy reading and happened across this article. The article tells the story of photog Warren Zinn and soldier Joseph Dwyer. The two met in Iraq when Zinn was embedded with the 7th Cav. Zinn's reflections reminded me of the terrible price our young men and women in the armed forces continue to pay in freedom's defense.

Afterwards I was curious to some of Zinn's other work. I was not disappointed.

Say It isn't So

2008-07-22T19:01:00.001-07:00

Another bit of my teenage years is due for destruction. It appears that TomKat is in need of some more money. There go my memories of flying around Lexington in Ginger listening to Danger Zone.

Check it out

I knew I worked in a Dirty place...

2008-07-14T10:27:00.001-07:00

But this is disgusting.

I was reading one of my gun blogs, when this popped up.

Wash your hands!!!!!!!!!!

UW Study

New Firefox add on

2008-07-05T08:19:00.001-07:00

I was reading some blogs and found a mention to the this software. It is ScribeFire. I can now post directly to my blog from Firefox. I will let you know how it works

Strange Indeed

2008-06-23T12:49:00.000-07:00

Ok I found this a little disturbing. A friend from TN sent it my attention.

after the jump

Now this is Awesome

2008-06-12T13:33:00.000-07:00

Rumor has it that the grandmonsters are moving closer. When they do, I hope this will be them after a few years. Thanks to Breda for posting this.

I wish my Tap, Rack , and Bang was as smooth

Catching UP

2008-06-12T13:30:00.001-07:00

I have some interesting political stuff peculating in my head..... but for now... some stuff about good people.

One my favorite patrons stopped by and told me she has moved on with her career. MaryJean is very good egg. We met when she was working on her Master's Thesis in History. Her topic intrigued me since I had and have relatives in the horse business. This led to many a conversations about the history of Lexington and horse racing. She is one of the patrons that make it a joy to be a librarian.

The Somerset Cousin has launched a new business. She is now the ANSWER MAVEN and is freelancing the information needs of lost souls in search of answers. So I you have any stray business type connections who need business and/or legal research help; send them her way. You won't be sorry.

OK.

2008-06-06T09:48:00.000-07:00

So I discovered a new site to play with. Another from Failblog

more funny fail pictures at FAIL Blog

I think I am in this business

A day to wish for.

2008-06-06T09:34:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of failblog.

more funny fail pictures at FAIL Blog

I'M BAAAACK!!!!!

2008-06-01T20:15:00.000-07:00

Of course who really cares.

Anyway this blogging thing is sometimes good for the soul.

Yesterday I pasted some time watching C-SPAN. In previous times this was my favorite way to waste time and absorb some political information.

I saw and heard about three interesting thing.

First, I watched The DNC Bylaws and Rules Committee discuss the Florida and Michigan Primary situation. Talk about your goat rodeos. While he is not the best choice, the "Shriveled up White Dude" may win yet. If a party can't take an election that is being given to them, they have no hope.

Second, I watched Barry Obama resign from his church. To my political mind, this move may have cost him the election. Who wants a coward for president, particularly after we have suffered through eight years of the Village Idiot. I guess change is good when it is the only thing you know and you have no plan for the future. By the way, what is this resigning from church thing. I never knew that church was a political office or a job that you could leave when times got rough and hold a press conference.

Third, I watched one very entertaining Catholic Priest. He did speak truth, especially about the Hillary, and intrigued Mama L to no end. So much at last count, she has watched it five or six times. Laughing all the way. Check it out if you haven't already.

The Perfect Sunday Evening

2008-06-01T19:59:00.000-07:00

I must say it has been the perfect end to the weekend.

1) I did a good deal of finishing work on my summer LIS class.

2) I had a cigar and a bourbon on the back deck, enjoying the pleasant weather, listening to baseball.

AND

3) I watched an episode of The Unit. It does the heart good to view good well-armed men fighting for the American Way.

Monday may just be doable after all.

A Pretty Good Weekend

2008-03-30T19:39:00.000-07:00

A bad weekend fishing better than a good week of work. In this case, it was a good weekend shooting.

My "Somerset Cousin" was in town and asked to go to the shooting range. Always looking for an excuse to punch holes and introduce someone to the shooting sports, I agreed.

We drove down to Buds in Paris on Sat. Afternoon. The Place was jumping. It was good to see a number of people having fun. For our little expedition, I brought along my S&W 22A, Ruger P95, and Springfield XD. However before a trigger was pulled, some things had to be discussed. I sent her the four rules:

1. All guns are always loaded.
2. Never point the gun at anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target (and you have
made the decision to shoot).
4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.

These are unbreakable and not up for discussion. Breaking any of them can lead to a dangerous and life threatening situation.

I also sent her some other reading material on how to handle common malfunctions with semi auto pistols: How to clear a misfeed and How to Clear a double feed. Thanks to Kathy Johnson at Cornered Cat for clearest explain for failure to feed and failure to extract. The only thing I forgot to cover adequately was how to properly rack the slide. This was remedied by some advice spoken against the background of pistol fire.

We paid for the hour and let it rip. Here are photos of our targets.

This is our first target. It contains a mixture if .22lr and 9mm. My cousin did fine with the .22 with a good number of center mass. Next we tried the 9mm. The hits to the left are hers. I solved the problem by correcting her grip. The ones to the right are mine. Not the best but all in the black.

This is our second target. My groups were better and went I aimed. Looks like I am in need for more dry firing

This is the third target. My "Somerset Cousin" had this one all to herself. All her hits were center with a few flyers.

We are definitely going back.

Afterwards, we adjourned to Lynagh's for beer and burgers. All in all it was a good day.

Oh the Joy

2008-03-20T19:25:00.000-07:00

Saturday before the UK-UGA , I had some extra Birthday money, thanks to Mama L, burning a hole in my pocket . She is an awesome lady and a fine mother who understands the Second Amendment.

So I was faced with a problem. What new gadget/toy/tool to get. Several options trickled into my addled librarian mind.

Perhaps an Xbox 360. It certainly would be useful. I could play Call of Duty 4, Rainbow Six Vegas, Gears of War, Halo, and stream music from my server to my receiver. But would about longevity. Like all video games played before, my interest would wane in a few months.

Perhaps a Sony Playstation 3. It would have most of the above and a Blu-Ray player. But the PS3 would also have the same problem. So I discarded it as a possibility.

Perhaps some new camera equipment. But what I wanted cost two to three times my largess.

Finally I settled on something. In the car I jumped and trundled off the Paris. That's Kentucky not France. After an hour at Buds, I came home with this.

It is a Springfield Armory XD in 45 ACP. Quite possibly this slickest sidearm I have every owned. It popped right out of the case; shooting straighter than I ever could; waiting to punch holes in paper and accompany me on my summer travels. Watch out you stray zombies and B-27s

BTW a shameless plug. Buds is the best gunshop in the area. My wanderings and questions have been treated with nothing but understanding, respect, and patience. More importantly they treat Mama L with respect and courtesy. "If Mama aint happy, no body's happy " So if you are up for a trip to the range, just let me know. We'll go and make some noise.

Barack, Barack, and other thoughts.

2008-03-20T18:36:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, Senator Barack Obama delivered a speech on the state of race relations in America. Here is the text. I read the speech. I always read all political speeches. I find the words much more understandable, much more meaningful when I am not distracted by applause or by incessant standing ovations, or by poor delivery. (If you don't believe me, read W's speeches. I think his speech writers want to "van Gogh" their ears whenever he gives one.) I found the speech very moving and articulate. However I did not agree with his easy handling of his pastor. Jeremiah Wright is a racist on the level of Al Sharpton, Pat Robertson, Louis Farrakhan, and Bob Jones and should be denounced a such. Senator Obama's candidacy would have been better served with a full break from Wright. The campaign could have possibly transcended many of the divisions in America. In the end, I came away with the feeling that all politicians are politicos and only have their election or reelection in mind and nothing else.

To lift my mood, I went in search of levity and comfort. I think I found it. Perhaps you will too.

Stuff White People Like
Black People Love Us
Stuff Educated Black People Like
Cobb: Strictly Old School

March Madness

2008-03-20T18:22:00.000-07:00

is in full effect.

My beloved Wildcats lost. Oh well there is always next year. ( I know I sound like a Cubs fan.) Perhaps Billy Clyde will have his stuff together and realize what it means to the coach of Kentucky come Midnight Madness.

On a happier note, for me at least, I did pick Marquette to win the game. So at least my brackets are in pretty good shape. And to my colleagues, I am not a Super Traitor just Super Realist.

Other proof--- Duke almost lost to a 15 seed. Not bad for a team from a small Nashville private school and coach who only makes $ 228,000 a year. While my brackets would have suffered, what is March without a few upset.

Legal Help

2008-03-18T11:32:00.001-07:00

I am not a lawyer nor do I play one on TV but here is something that may help. The website Photojojo has posted a nice informational piece on your rights as a photographer. In this Post 9/11 world, review of these might not be a bad idea.

The Legal Commandments of Photography

Librarians in Action

2008-03-12T13:04:00.000-07:00

One favorite blog, the Heretical Librarian, has written an interesting post about one of us in the Sandbox.

He ran across it in LISNews.

We are not NUTS

2008-03-12T10:20:00.000-07:00

Here is an article for all the anti-gunners. Will wonders never cease.

Gun Collecting

thanks to Michael Bane for pointing this out

Intriguing

2008-03-12T07:30:00.000-07:00

Isn't it.

I know everyone is writing about this man. So I won't. But I am amazed at the price. I can imagine a lot of things but none of them would be worth $5K. This money could by me one of these, one of these, and one of these. Or go a long way to the purchase of this

More pressing matters.....

Things are rotten in Washington, D.C. Adm. William "Fox" Fallon resigned as CentCom commander. To my mind, he was the one sane voice in the administration with regards to Iran. Gone are the days when the military of this country can fight the two major wars. Why? Because the military has been systematically been gutted to preform a mission it was not equipped to win. Our military has historically been good at breaking things and vanquishing foes not policing the world.

Anyway here is the article that started the uproar. The author, Thomas P.M. Barnett is no neophyte policy wonk. He has spent years consulting with the Pentagon and private industry about future conflicts which resulted in tow books everyone should read: The Pentagon's New Map and Blueprint for Action. He also has had a long term admiration for Adm. Fallon and his vision for waging the peace. So I agree with Dr. Barnett refusal to comment on Adm. Fallon's resignation. He only reported what he saw and heard.

On another note, here is the presentation that turned me on to Barnett. If you have some free time check it out. I wonder if he needs a full-time librarian.

Thomas Barnett draws a new map for peace

BLUE 2.0 Happy Hour

2008-03-11T06:52:00.000-07:00

We had another successful Happy Hour at Pazzo's yesterday. Fun was had by all. Of course we had CHO sightings. Here is the evidence.

If you don't know

2008-02-28T07:38:00.000-08:00

Don't ask

"on the bed

on the floor

on a towel by the door

in a tub

in the car

up against the mini bar"

Go Google it.

Now I am Bummed

2008-02-27T12:40:00.001-08:00

A very interesting American died today. Whether you loved him or hated him, William F. Buckley played a major part in late 20th Century politics. He certainly opened my mind and spurred my imagination on many a Saturday afternoon and hooked me on PBS after Sesame Street.

Read what others are saying

Joe Klein
NPR
(check out the Terry Gross interview)
New York Times
Washington Post
National Review
Newshour Interview from 2004

Godspeed Bill.

The Presentation Season.....

2008-02-26T09:10:00.000-08:00

Is upon us.

If you are like me, you have suffered through bad presentations and have been inspired by good presentations.

To make sure you are excluded from the former, check out this information.

How to Present like Steve Jobs

How to Cut Crutch Words

18 Tips for Killer Presentations

And my personal favorite:

Beyond Bullet Points Cliff has it going on. For my last few presentations, I used his planning method and it worked. So much so that I purchased his book and the Microsoft Office Add-ins. His whole point is to get the attention of the audience off your PowerPoint and on to you!

Turning 40

2008-02-25T20:00:00.000-08:00

It has been a month since I turned 40.

That's right its has been forty trips around the sun for me.

In the intervening month, I have thought about a lot of stuff. Nothing earth shattering-- just stuff.

1) Libraries are doomed. Why? Because we are too busy becoming community centers and funhouses.

2) Librarians are doomed. Why? Because we are the only profession that actively seeks to put itself out of a job. I really don't see lawyers or doctors giving away their trade secrets.

3) Life is short and getting short. But I can still double my age and get a viable number.

4) I am getting a new hobby. Look out IPSC, IDPA, USPSA

5) I am getting a new handgun or two or three.

6) I need a new job.

Oh well. Getting old is not for the faint of heart.

Bourbon

2008-02-21T09:24:00.000-08:00

A great event occurred last Wednesday. Blue 2.0 hosted a very friendly Happy Hour at Charlie Brown's. During the evenings festivities, a good time was had by all. We were even graced by an appearance of the CHO. Needless to say the evening quickly spiraled out of control.

However before insanity ensued, there was one intelligent conversation that did not relate to the workplace. The topic was BOURBON. This wonderful American Elixir holds a special place in my pantheon. Bourbon has paved the way to many an interesting bar conversations. Some quite memorable. Some quite forgettable. And some that will be only disclosed on my deathbed, if then.

But I stray.

So what is Bourbon. Here is the definition from the Guvment

Bourbon must be made in the United States.
Bourbon must be made of a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn
Bourbon must be distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof.
Bourbon must be 100% natural (nothing other than water added to the mixture)
Bourbon must be aged in new, American, charred oak barrels.
Bourbon which meets the above requirements and has been aged for a minimum of two years, may be called Straight Bourbon.
Bourbon aged for a period less than four years must be labeled with the duration of its aging.

All of this leads to a fine mellow brown liquid that is the cure for what ails you.

When folk ask for recommendations, I have a ready list of all occasions

For sitting around and sipping: Knob Creek, Booker's, Baker's, Basil Hayden's

For impressing people and gift ideas: Rowan's Creek, Noah's Mill, Pappy Van Winkle's

For people you don't like (or who like a sweeter bourbon): Maker's Mark

These are just my opinions. Go out and form your own. Here is a good place to start.

StraightBourbon.com

Keep on Drinking in the Free World

Don't Call It a Comeback. They've Been Around for Years.

2008-02-21T09:09:00.000-08:00

I am very happy about the return of the men and women of blue. This news story brought back warm memories of lazy hazy Sat. Mornings in college. Man I miss 'em.

Bloglines

2008-02-05T13:07:00.000-08:00

I have been using Bloglines for about two years. It has made my morning routine infinitely easier. Instead of surfing from newspapers to newspaper, I just open Bloglines and volia-- instant access.

I also use Bloglines to keep up with various others feeds about politics, libraries, and photography.

Here are a few of my favorite blogs:
Politics
Day by Day

Thomas P.M. Barrnett

Global Guerillas

Libraries
Annoyed Librarian
Heretical Librarian
Tame the Web
The Uncommon Commons

Guns
The Urban Shooter Podcast
Front Sight Press

Music
Coverville

Photography
Better Digital Photography
Conscientious
News: Digital Photography Review

Tech
Engadget
Gizmodo
Lifehacker

Misc
Mustaches of the 19th Century
Urban Word of the Day

Happy Reading!!

OK.. Now for something completely different

2008-02-01T12:51:00.001-08:00

Be glad you don't live in MS. And have a crush on McDonald's. Check it out.

Campus Security and RKBA

2008-01-30T10:14:00.000-08:00

A most interesting wave is sweeping the Commonwealth.

In the wake of the Virginia Tech Shootings, legislators of KY have submitted this bill
. It advocates the carrying of concealed weapons in ones car.

I find the intent admirable but the execution lacking. What is good is your licensed firearm locked in a car going to do. By the time you get there and back, ther incident is over.

What needs to happen is the extension of the current law to include colleges and universities. For all of you who are worried about wild shootouts on campus, have no fear. CCW holders are better licensed and control that the coeds who drive around campus. Here are the requirements for CCW in Kentucky. Here are the requirements for driving in Kentucky.

And the whole point of CCW is not to advertise.

Cloverfield or Monsters-R-US

2008-01-20T11:54:00.000-08:00

I just returned from a showing Cloverfield. Must say it was a hella movie. It has been quite a while since I saw a complete, tight thriller. Usually thrillers that float my boat involved spies and intrigue, and soldier, so i was extremely skeptic of Cloverfield ability to hold my interest. i was wrong and happily so. This movie had it all ---, cinematography, plot, thrills death and destruction. Way to go Bad Robot (Think Lost, Alias) Cloverfield is well worth your hard-earned librarian money.

SPOILER ALERT....

Also you got to love a movie where the main characters and the Statute of Liberty get "got"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the end credits music is an homage to Japanese Monster Movies

Crikey--- Something Worked and has kept Working

2008-01-17T12:12:00.000-08:00

I started this blasted post two weeks ago so it has expanded

First---
A small group met to discuss plans for the fall information literacy push.( library instruction to old people like me). It was a very well planned meeting. We listed our problems and the listed viable solutions. The most viable were then narrowed and organized to short, medium, and long term objectives. And to further stretch my feeble mind, we actually passed out assignments and due dates. Before I know it the floor and jumped up and hit me. More on this when plans move along.

Second---
I just returned from the SLA Leadership Summit held in L-ville. We of the Kentucky hosted the event.

The Turnout and Company was good. I also feel refreshed after touching base with friends far and near. I am now suffering from house and audio system envy. ( I am really looking forward to my first adult house)

In addition KYSLA through one bodacious hoedown and the Slugger Museum. Drinks were flowing. Bats were swinging. Networking was everywhere. I had never been to the Slugger. I was impressed. Especially by the batting cages. 40 mph is fast when a bright yellow sphere is a approaching. We even had a sighting of the "Chapter Ho".

All in all it was a good conference. I have another post about my problems with Leadership