count bleep

My friend Bryan posted this on facebook. It's funny enough to share here. Watch it!

repeal day

I never understood how crazed fanaticism overtook an entire nation enough to ban alcohol. It's the same hysterical frenzy that caused marijuana to be labeled as some kind of death trap - which it's not....at all. Lo and behold, they legalized alcohol again and put a tax on it to make some needed cash - smart idea, that! But we're still too stupid to do that with pot. No, we'd rather fill the jails with people who don't belong there; make a little money in court fees - very little by comparison to taxation; get people killed over a little weed; and deny sick folks some relief. For all the good things this country has come up with, we've done some pretty stupid stuff, too. Banning marijuana is but one of those stupid things. 

So, let's all toast to repealing one stupid move! Then,  let's hope the idiots among us piss off so marijuana can be legalized before more people are incarcerated or die for nothing.

Oh, and NPR has a great bit on the 75th anniversary of the repeal.

rainy sundays

She's had a streak of good days lately but that doesn't prevent the inevitable nor does it diminish the fact that she's simply not ok. She's whiter than she used to be; she's got what I call "Old Dog Nose" (it's really a fungus that attacks, well, old dogs on their noses); and in almost every picture from the last two years her cataracts show up better than almost everything else in the picture.

Still, when I go outside with her, she runs like she's 5. In fact, one day last week, she spotted a roaming cat and chased it into the neighbor's driveway. I'm sure she would have chased it further if she could have seen it. The next day, that same cat lay in wait behind a tree, then did some kind of bizarre faux attack before taking off across the yard as if the dog was in hot pursuit, which she wasn't. She was so surprised she just stood there as if to say, "What do you think you're doing, you stupid cat? Can't you see I have absolutely no interest in you? And yet you choose to blindside me. Chicken! Coward! Moron! Now, go away or I shall taunt you a second time." OK, the last bit is my voice, clearly. I love that old dog.

I can only think of one other thing that could possibly be more gut wrenching than putting her down and I can't even entertain the thought so, I won't. One horrible decision is bad enough.

Dog is God spelled backward

this is outstanding

I can't tell you how excited I am about this. Above are the three regional winners for the MET competition in Kentucky. The woman at the rear I don't know but the other two, I do. I have the great honor to hear Chris Conley sing at First Pres Church nearly every Sunday. He's so sweet and sings just as sweetly.

The bigger deal, though, is Andrea Trusty. Andrea and I are from the same small town, West Liberty. I've known her dad for years. About two years ago I got an email from Andrea who found me online via my website. She confessed that I had been a big influence to her as a child when I came to her elementary school one day and gave a clinic on music. I thought it was so sweet of her to find me all those years later and tell me what a difference I had made in her life. Sometimes, when you're no longer doing what you love, it's hard to remember how many lives you can touch with music.

So it is with great, great pride that I saw her announced as a regional winner via Rich Copely's fantastic blog Copious Notes. Not that she will ever see this post but just let me say it out loud for both of you other readers - Way to go, Andrea. you are MY hero!

saturday musings

I've got a few thoughts quickly before I dash off for the day. Of course, it has to do with the election.

1. When I heard Brian Williams announce Barck Obama president, I turned all Pentacostal; threw my hands in the air, thanked Jesus, God, and the Holy Ghost, and cried my eyes out. I can't remember a time I was so overcome with that much joy. It's a wonderful feeling to be on the right side of history.

2. John McCain, though I did not vote for him, is a stand-up guy and if he had run as a younger man, against another oponent, he might have won. Even though I'm not a Republican, I always said I liked John McCain and it would be tough for me if he ever ran. Of course, that's before I knew who Obama was - so, when the time came, the decision wasn't hard at all.

3. Shame, shame, shame on McCain top aides for raking Sarah Palin over the coals. I didn't think she was qualified but I did not dislike her as a person. How dare they be nasty to her. Campbell Brown said it best and I urge you to watch what she had to say about these nasty people. If the GOP had any sense at all, they would never hire these people again - for anything, not even gophers.

44

Hats off to John McCain who gave a helluva speech. If he had been so eloquent and chosen a different running mate, this election might have been different. Thankfully, he did not. And, so, a change has come. No more excuses.

worrisome

After I voted, I went to the grocery (Kroger). I was in the veg aisle where workers were restocking shelves. That's when I heard one worker say to a customer, "There's no way I'd vote for him (Obama). He's not a patriot." She went on to drag Obama through the mud and I couldn't help but think, "Are you the woman NBC polled in Kentucky after the primary who said you didn't vote for Obama because he's Muslim?"

No wonder people away from here always look at my feet to see if I have shoes.

35 minutes well spent

Peace be with us all

this is a scream!

I wear lipstick....and you're a dipstick......

What am I going to have to laugh at after this election? 

Well....it depends who wins, doesn't it?

if shrubby can't do it....

my pal, Stacy, and I watched Barack Obama's 30 minute infomercial tonight after which we discussed other election tidbits from the day....like the absolutely disgusting and humiliating Obama effigy they found hanging from a tree on UK's campus this morning. (Kudos to UK President, Dr. Lee Todd, for taking swift and apropriate action)

Anyway....Stacy mentioned she had also watched this morning a Christian fundamentalist on CNN who claims that electing Obama is certain to bring about the Apocalypse. Stacy's response?

"If George Bush couldn't bring on the Apocalypse, Obama sure can't!"

'Nuff said.

all in good fun

another great find

my pal Josh has a pretty funny blog. Today he turned me on to this chart from a blog by Aden Nak - I laughed out loud :

It pretty much sums up what I thought of her. I still can't get over how some people actually thought she did a good job. A good job at what? Reading the cue cards? Remembering what John's "boot camp" team told her to remember? What am I missing here?

I will say this, though; I truly do feel sorry for her. She is clearly out of her league and it must be painful to know that. Surely she's not so ignorant taht she doesn't realize it.

Oh, one last thing, being raised a Pentecostal myself, I can tell you that no self-respecting Pentecostal would ever be caught dead, in church or out, in those 3" red pumps she had on. Me thinks the McCain team needs to learn a thing or two about the Pentecostal culture. The idea is to be humble (flats or low heels in Earth tones), not slutty (3" red fuck-me pumps). Then again, there are false prophets among us......

Pirates! In my adventure

Somebody asked today if I'd be a pirate. My answer was, yes, but not today, as in not this minute but yesterday; a classic pirate. Problem is, I don't think there were women pirates. Women who "serviced" pirates, sure, but pirates? Someone who knows piratical history better than me could answer that. What I know of pirates you could fit on the head of a pin.

However, I adore the pirate books by Gideon DeFoe.He's like Monty Python meets Christopher Moore. My personal fav of the series thus far is Pirates! In an Adventure with Ahab, though Pirates! In an Adventure with Communists is pretty good, too. You should really check out his website - he's a funny dude, then read the books.

stiff and laughing

Yesterday I did what everyone else seemed to be doing - I worked outside on my house and in my yard. It was a perfect day - few bugs, low humidity, nice temp. I needed to have a talk with God about a number of things anyway. So, it worked out for me, the house, and the yard! Best of all, I didn't turn my computer on - not once!

Problem is, I'm so damn stiff today I can't turn my head. Slight return of the headache that plagued me all of last week, I spent the evening on the couch atop a heating pad watching college football because I was afraid this might happen. But, in this this election year I can always count on something to make me laugh at least once a day and here it is....from a friend's email....

this might be fun

I found this while reading the dream life. It comes from another fun blog sunday school rebel. You are encouraged to take it to your own blog!

Song you love: Jaime's Crying by Van Halen

Word you love: complicate

Academic subject you love: folklore or Appalachian studies and creative writing

Hobby you love: tonic: arts and music magazine

Type of baked good you love: pineapple upside down cake

Type of sky you love: the Oklahoma sky at any time

Beverage you love: chai latte with skim milk and 2 packets of Splenda

Vacation you love: Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Grand Tetons, Badlands, Black Mountains, Deadwood - something like that

Restaurant you love: Azur

Way of getting around that you love: My TC

Person you love: puuuuuulease, there's not just one and I won't choose

Room in your home (or ideal home) you love: sunroom (Ideal home)...but since I don't have an ideal home, I'd say my living room is about as close as I can get

Movie you love: The Sound of Music

Book you love: The Four Noble Truths, The Dalai Lama

City you love: St Louis

Future plan you love: Going to Oklahoma

Form of communication you love: email

Junk food you love: ice cream, any kind

observations

It's been a weird week. A childhood friend's dad was buried today and during last night's visitation I saw many people I haven't seen in years. That got me thinking:

1. Life is entirely too short for everybody
2. I'm probably the most blessed person I know
3. Funeral visitations are the best place to socialize (honestly...where else will you see people you haven't seen in years and actually be in a situation to sit down and talk to them beyond 'How are you'?)
4. The nicest artists are usually the most gifted (and thankful)
5. We're screwed if Sarah Palin...uh, I mean McCain, wins the election
6. Being a liberal stands in stark contrast to my increasingly conservative family
7. I'm so thankful it wasn't my dad in that solid copper coffin
8. Dogs are much easier to deal with than children...on so many levels...and they're cheaper, too
9. Doctor turned DEA agent is weird
10. Cop turned golf pro is even weirder
11. Drummer turned librarian - weirdest of all
12. What are the situations that make us feel old?
13. SEE #11
14. The Dalai Lama is very, very wise
15. Computers are overrated
16. September 11th should be a national holiday

god bless gloria steinem

Read her op-ed piece here

this is snorting funny

Sarah Palin as Deloros Umbridge?

You bet!

who's yer daddy?

The weekend started with a rousing volley at work over McCain's choice of Sarah Palin. Some rediculous thing about shoring up the base. The base of what...Idiots? That's an insult to good Republicans, and yes, there are good Republicans. Not to mention an insult to women. But I digress.

Yesterday I had a dinner party where the rumor was that Palin was covering up a daughter's unwanted pregnancy by claiming the baby as her own - her youngest.

Today, on what was to be the first day of the GOP convention altered because of Hurricane Gustav (conveniently eliminating Dubya's speech), we learned that the rumors aren't true because Palin's 17 year old is currently pregnant. Oops.

So, I figure tomorrow we'll see those Palin nude pix everyone is talking about. What? They're actually her daughter? Oops again. Then what? Oh, that's right, Troopergate.....and, oh shucks I thought the bridge to nowhere was a great idea but changed my mind...give me that gun, dang it, I got me a caribou in the way of my oil drill!....FIRE.....tasty.

And to borrow sentiments from my pal Josh...see the McCain/Pailn Campaign photo below

Priceless!

I want to believe - the unexpected grief

There's something about this picture that really bothers me.

I've been haunted ever since the democratic primary when I cast my vote for Obama. Momentum was on his side and I got caught in the wave like everybody else. It's not that I don't like him - but, as I heard someone say recently, it wasn't his turn. Dammit - it was Hillary's turn - she'd earned it, deserved it, knew exactly what she was doing and was about to fulfill so many things she tried to fulfill before the boy's club pushed her back into the kitchen. Well, I'll be damned if they didn't do it again. Here we go taking a backseat to the boys...again.

That said, there's absolutely no denying that Barack Obama has the ability to rally the troops, as it were. It is a skill that all great presidents have had - Lincoln, Kennedy, Clinton. It is a sign of great leadership, in my opinion. And while Clinton and Obama sounded identical on many levels, he has managed to unify people inside and outside the democratic party as no one else ever has, and doubtless few ever could. He is a smart, confident, competent man and I believe him.

I miss Hillary and I don't think I'll ever get over not voting for her but I trust Barack Obama to do what's right, to be a stand up guy for everyone, to be the man who makes sure my veteran parents are never denied health care, or someone's children are never denied a decent education, or that people are allowed to love who they want without fear of persecution, that women will be paid the same as men and given the same opportunities, that our civil liberties are reinforced without closing our borders, and that we fight only the wars that really have to be fought.

Now, wouldn't it be great if his first act as president would be to strip Dubya and Cheney of all their assets to help repay the money they've flushed down the toilet with Haliburton and the rest of their snake oil debacles....or, better yet, why not use those assets to rebuild New Orleans! And just after seizing the assets, try them both for high treason against the United States and send 'em to Guantanamo....or maybe Anthrax Island. Or maybe just lock 'em in a sound proof cage in the middle of Capital Hill where they'll have to watch the country grow into what it's capable of instead of being reduced to the lowest common denominator they left us.

I'm extra proud of the Democratic party, too. I came away from this convention feeling as if we are the party of the educated, the kind, the tolerant, the compassionate, the understanding, the caretakers and caregivers, the strong. We're a good bunch and we are made up of every facet of American there is. How cool is that?

I still don't like that picture though.

here - this is very good

http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/

why this guy?

OK, I'm the first to admit that I'm not a brilliant political strategist. Heck, I didn't even pay attention to politics until I was in my late 20's (though I did vote regularly). I had far better things to do than worry about America's foreign standing or our economic stability. But, as with most adults, these things increasingly concern me, among so many others like health care, for instance. And, now, after 8 years of complete and utter stupidity in the white house (and that nasty man, Cheney, who we all know is really calling the shots), even young folk are getting involved. Thank God for that - we might have a chance to get back up on our feet with them pulling for Obama. The down side: I have a sinking feeling that someone will off Obama (some crazed racist is just evil enough to do it, you know they are) so, for me, who he chose for his running-mate was nearly as important as running himself.

So....somebody explain to me why Joe Biden is a good choice for VP? Yeah, I've read all the reviews - all the pontificating about his being an insider (as if that's a good thing), a foreign policy guru (could have chosen a number of people for this bit), filling in Obama's gaps (that's what a cabinet is for), yadda yadda yadda. I look at Joe Biden and I see a white man with bad hair who's the same old political bullshit we've had forever and a day.

So much for change.

I feel like change has been traded for votes - soothing all those independents who can't seem to understand how bad the Republican party has screwed us over, all of us - that somehow electing a war hero (with little else going for him as far as I'm concerned) is a good thing... forget that Grandpa doesn't even know how many friggin' houses he owns (doesn't really matter, though - his wife is the one with the money).

I'll still go for Obama but I have serious doubts about his winning now - and about his commitment to real change. You just can't scream change then turn around and hire a guy like Biden and expect me to believe change is really what you want. The only thing I see changing now are the leaves.

Disappointed.

a total bummer

All the comedians are dying (Bernie Mac was the latest) and now it seems all the great musicians are following suit....first Isaac Hayes then, yesterday, LeRoi Moore of one of my all-time favs; Dave Matthews Band. They called it "complications". hmmm I wonder if it's similar to the "complications" that killed Bee Gee Maurice Gibb? I'm sure there's a ton of other "complications" that I can't think of off the top of my head.... a real pity and a real loss one and all.

R.I.P. LeRoi

Pic from Dave Matthews Band website

history

...and then he stood alone with #8 - way to go Michael!

i like fun stuff

like these... and more found here

Imponderable Questions

• Before they invented drawing boards, what did they go back to?
• Can vegetarians eat animal crackers?
• Do fish get cramps after eating?
• Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?
• Do Roman paramedics refer to IV's as "4's"?
• Does the Little Mermaid wear an algebra?
• Doesn't 'expecting the unexpected" make the unexpected expected?
• How come abbreviated is such a long word?
• How come Superman could stop bullets with his chest, but always ducked when someone threw a gun at him?
• How do I set my laser printer on stun?
• How do they get the deer to cross at that yellow road sign?
• How do you tell when you run out of invisible ink?
• How does Teflon stick to the pan?
• How is it possible to have a civil war?
• How much deeper would the ocean be if sponges didn't grow in it?
• If a deaf person swears, does his mother wash his hands with soap?
• Why is bra singular and panties plural?
• Why is it called "after dark" when it really is "after light"?
• Why is it called tourist season if we can't shoot at them?
• Why is phonics not spelled the way it sounds?
• Would a fly without wings be called a walk?

what's happening to me?

what's happening is this - I'm getting my life back!

I finished that god awful degree and slept.....and slept and slept and slept - reluctant to go out in the yard, go anywhere, do anything, I wasn't even inspired to paint the house (which is in serious need of a paint job). I thought something was wrong with me. Turns out I was right. Something was wrong - I'd just finished something horrendous that I never wanted in the first place! Last week I had a long, much overdue conversation with my PhD pal who said she'd done the same thing after defending her dissertation - it's a common phenomenon with academics. When you ought to feel free and light, you shut down instead. It was in that moment that things turned around for me (I love my friends). And, except for a massive migraine on Wednesday, I proceeded to have an incredible week!

Monday I was lucky enough to play, for the second year in a row, for the Girl Scouts at Camp Judy Layne (my pal Stacy sometimes calls it Camp Mary Jane, other times Camp Mary Kay) with my pals Melanie Johnson and Marianne Sherman. Now, such a gig may sound trivial. It's anything but. I would play that gig long before I'd go play The Hoosier Dome again... or CBGB's, the Stone Pony, you name it, every great gig I've ever played I'd give up to play for these girls. Why? Because they love it - I don't think music has ever given me more joy than seeing the look in their eyes when they hear us three women play and realize they can do it, too. You can see the light bulbs come on in their brains - the excitement is infectious. It makes me feel like I make a difference; something sorely lacking in my current "day" job.


The Lexington Herald-Leader got wind of what Melanie has been doing with these girls and the story became the front page lead in yesterday's paper. (be sure to watch the video). Someone apologized to me that Marianne and I weren't mentioned by name (we were referred to as "two of her bandmates") - I said, "I don't care - Melanie is way overdue her 15 minutes - I've had mine!"

So, I flipped the front page and there's a large, albeit horrible, picture of Alison Krauss and Robert Plant from their show the night before at Rupp Arena (watch the video provided on their website).


And could somebody tell me what it is about newspaper editors that cause them to pick pictures that make people look retarded? Seriously - the H-L did it to me years ago and I thought it was something personal but when I saw the pic on the inside of the paper of Alison looking just as retarded as I had, I knew it really was a deplorable lack of sense on their part (they had enough sense to not post it online, at least). She's beautiful and to choose a pic that makes her look like she just got off the short bus is just stupid.....oh bother.....


Anyway....I'd seen Robert with Jimmy Page back in '95 - one of the best shows ever. I've seen Alison God knows how many times and I don't think I've ever heard her hit a flat note (I don't think I can say that about another singer). Their show together was a religious experience - like seeing The Who in the late 80's with Simon Phillips on drums. My pal Stacy looks at me by the third song and said, "As long as that man's alive, women will never need Viagra!" She's so right - it was like a 2 hour orgasm. And it wasn't just him, the music was impeccable, ethereal, otherworldly and not at all what you'd expect. I can only describe it as taking American music to a completely uncorrupted level. Buddy Miller was along and you can never, ever go wrong with him on a stage - easily the most underrated American musician touring today. T Bone Burnett is no slouch nor is Stuart Duncan who really showed his stuff. My only criticism was the drums - there were times when I wanted the fancy big drum sound to let loose with some serious rock and roll groove. Stacy loved them but I equated the sound to a big man with small balls. Sometimes you just need big balls and there were a few instances where some big balls would have come in really handy!

It was a full moon Friday night and I had a blast!

Imagine my surprise when Saturday I went to see Mamma Mia....the week-long fun was continuing! (how bout the Abba-ites at the premier below?)

It was a roasting hot day - perfect for a matinée. The singing bordered on bad most of the time but, strangely, I didn't care. It is such a feel good story, Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnon are so handsome together, the scenery so beautiful, that you just don't care that they can't sing their way out of a paper bag. It is a total chick-flick and, despite myself, I loved it. I ate buttered popcorn, raisinettes, a large diet, then went to Frisch's for a Big Boy, fries, and a chocolate shake - what more could you possibly want out of a hot day?

And did I mention that I interviewed author Gwyn Hyman Rubio last week, too, who's uniqueness and kindness was an inspiration to me? Here's a woman who had a bestseller (Icy Sparks), her next book was a let down because some suit pushed her for a deadline, then she stood up and said, "ya know what? I don't work that way and you're not worth it to me or my writing." Girlfriend is writing her next novel on her own terms. I LOVE that.

I was also sent a copy of Janis Ian's autobiography and will be talking to her soon. That won't be boring - talk about a survivor! The list of good stuff happening to Tonic lately just goes on and on...

Today is Sunday. I have to go back to my "day" job tomorrow. I can only hope that the energy and creativity that's filled my life outside the library this past week somehow find a way this week to overtake the digital doldrum that is my life during the day.

living in a fish bowl

The neighbor next door to me is having a party today......for 300 friggin people! That's not an exaggeration - that's how many have been invited (well, 301 if you count me)!!!! I wake up to some thumping, a few voices, and a barking dog. I opened the blinds to find his entire back yard littered with white cloth tables and fold out metal chairs (Those won't be fun today - it's 90+)....and then the loud polka music started. Aren't you sorry you're not here for the spaghetti polka cookout for 300 Catholics? So, this is a birthday party for him and three of his fellow parishioners. Why they couldn't do this at the church is a mystery.

Said neighbor, we'll call him....Tim....has a penchant for wigging out the neighborhood on a normal day. He teaches violin (NOT fiddle) - Suzuki method [insert motorcycle rev here] - so, there's a constant parade of mini-vans ferrying children smaller than their instruments. Sometimes, when the appointments overlap, I find the mini vans in my yard - not in front of my yard, no, they're not smart enough to keep the wheels on the pavement, no, right side wheels in my grass. Lovely. 

When the weather permits (and the humidity is low) he opens the windows! I must say, there's nothing more effective for running off neighborhood cats than a 10 year old learning Bach. In the spring and fall the cat shit collection in my flower bed diminishes a great deal :-) I suppose I should thank Tim for the relief...but I won't.

(looking at Tim's fence, gate to right of tree, weird vine stuff behind Rhododendron)

Adding to his oddness, what tries to pass for a privacy fence between our yards has a gate. The gate opens from his side so, apparently, Tim put it there for reasons yet to be understood. I invested in a lock. Creep. Said privacy fence is a joke - the slats are so far apart that I might as well not have a fence - I see everything, as does he. In fact, the place would be much improved without it for he doesn't keep it up, literally. He's allowed this odd vine thing to grow to such an extent that the roots, in at least five places along the fence, have become trunks, interwoven between the slats - for, remember, they're wide. They've become so heavy that they're pulling the fence toward him. From his side I'm sure he doesn't notice, from my side, it looks like white trash took a dump between the yards.

Back to today's shin-dig, just as he announced the ping pong table was open, the winds picked up and, according to the local radar, he's about to get rained on. Better take that PA in the house! But wait, it's not raining yet so there's plenty of time for all the fat women to attack the dessert table - which they are....because I can see them through the f-ing fence!

...wait......crack of thunder.......scream..........sweet, delicious rain.......

I love Saturdays!

...but, wait, there's more........

With a short lull in the storms, the hordes returned to the yard, brought their guitars and congas, and began to sing. I heard faint whispers of Kumbaya  - I'm not kidding. They circled the faux apple tree, clapping in time with the conga, and sang. The rains returned. (what happened? ...the anglo equivelent of a rain dance?) Anyway, I heard Happy Birthday in there somewhere - the rain poured - unperturbed the singing continued. Arms stretched to Jesus - remember, I can see through the fence - the rain grew harder, the singing grew louder....hallelujas sounded....maybe they're not Catholic after all....I'm thinking evangelical Baptists. Oh Lord, I'm going to Frisch's.

smokin'

ok - new fad - weeds on Showtime. Watched the entire 3rd season and the first 4 episodes of the 4th season in a week's time. LOVE it. Go there now - find out more, outstanding cast! Mary Louise Parker (Fried Green Tomatoes), Elizabeth Perkins (Big), Kevin Nealon (SNL), Justin Kirk and a bunch more.

riddle me this, batgirl...

So, remember my pal, Melanie Johnson, I mentioned a few days back....has the video on YouTube singing an Aimee Mann song? Well, Miss M has a groovy, funny as hell, band called The Bats. Lo and behold - who should show up on YouTube yesterday but.....you guessed it, The Bats. Be sure to listen carefully to the words - you won't be disappointed.

see - I told you!

May 29th blog said "Korman died just days after Dick Martin (Laugh-in) died! Is the universe cleaning house of comedians?"

George Carlin is dead now. I'm afraid my poor attempt at a joke may not have been a joke after all. Eddie, Ellen, Judy, et al - better take your vitamins, have a physical exam, drink lots of water...it's gettin' scary.

R.I.P. George

deep thoughts...NOT

Yesterday I edited an interview I'd done last week with sci-fi novelist William Gibson. This is the guy who coined the term cyberspace (from his debut novel that's won every award known to man called Neuromancer) . He single handedly (for the most part) created the cyberpunk genre and the generation that follows. I knew his book but I didn't know him.

When the interview was going down I really liked him and liked what he was saying. During the editing, I understood more of why I liked him - he brought me out as much as I brought him out. It wasn't his job; his job was to talk, not listen. Now, as the throngs of you who read this rush to listen to our exchange, I'll warn that you'll be disappointed. I took out my 20 minute diatribe on the evils of the music business. So, I've cheated you (or spared, depending) but, for me, it was cathartic somehow. Here was a guy who is a sponge - that's part of how he writes these incredibly accurate (scary accurate) stories - who was genuinely interested in my career, my take on the business and just how nasty it can be.

The more I talked, the madder I got. 15-20 years out of the major leagues and it still pisses me off. I think it's fair to say that I'll go to my grave pissed off at Clive Davis and his mafioso cronies for wrecking a perfectly good opportunity. I see him now and just wanna puke, especially when he's being hailed as some kind of rock-n-roll savior - he's a smarmy businessman, but nobody wants to talk about that part. For every star he's found, there are thousands of careers he's wrecked along the way (One of the guys from Milli Vanilli - another Clive debacle - killed himself, for example). That's not an exaggeration - I was actually one of the lucky ones - my record got made and put on the market - there were 20+ bands under his purview that same year that never got out of the studio.

Despite the ruffled feathers, the good thing is this: Now I play because I love music - which is why I started playing in the first place more than 30 years ago. The business can wreck that for ya, at least, it did for me for a while. Today, I have more gratification playing for the Girl Scouts than I ever had being on MTV or playing the Hoosier Dome. (and, yes, that's a summer gig I have; playing at Girl Scout camp for little rockers - easily the most appreciative audience on the planet).

In the end, I reckon it was worth it if for no other reason than to appreciate where I am right now.

fun with balls

So, if you didn't like Peter Gabriel before, maybe you'll like him after Big Blue Ball - a huge collaboration with musicians from all over the world. My kingdom to be surrounded by this much talent!

With the exception of Sinead O'Connor's track and the last track, title track unfortunately, it's bloody brilliant. I can't stop listening.

Go, now - read about it, then - crank it up or put your headphones on. You won't be sorry.

youtube-mania

My pal, Melanie Johnson, has a GREAT video on YouTube as part of the Aimee Mann song contest. Check her out.

sunday readings

A friend recently loaned me his autographed copy of Chris Offutt's The Same River Twice. The memoir by the Kentucky born writer had long been on my reading list but I'd never gotten around to it - though I have read most of his first release Kentucky Straight. I have no lasting impression of it which, to my way of thinking, says I needed to make space on my hard drive of a mind and it wasn't important enough to keep.

There has been much ado about The Same River Twice by Kentuckians who think it's portrayal of us natives is less than stellar, less than accurate, less than kind. I withheld judgment until I'd read it from cover to cover.

Offutt is from Rowan County - neighbor to my home; Morgan County. I've long thought that Rowan County was....different. When I was in high school, rumors were rampant that devil worshippers sacrificed cats and goats on Clack Mountain - a tall hill near the Morgan/Rowan County line just beyond Cave Run Lake. They said the head warlock was a prof at MSU and that ritual orgies were the nightly norm. Me and friend took a chance and drove around Clack Mountain looking for what we'd been told were satanic symbols leading the way to the ritual site. We found symbols on rocks, painted in red. Clack Mountain was desolate - a dirt road marking the spine of the ridge, more symbols as we went further into the woods, trees started closing in, the road become narrow and pitted with holes where the grader no longer tread; we turned back - considering ourselves brave enough to have gone as far as we did without admitting we were too chicken-shit to go any further...even though we knew full well that anybody who'd heard the rumors was the likely hieroglyph artist.

Still, I never liked Rowan County.

Concerning Offutt's book, the only bit I took exception to was where he says that, if you're a man, porking your cousin, your sister, or a barnyard animal is OK but another man is strictly forbidden. He says it near the bit where he was getting friendly with a NYC hooker, grabbed what he thought was her pistol only to find it to be her hard, throbbing gristle! Freaked him out - as it would anyone, I'm sure.

So, ok, he doesn't agree with gay sex - a lot of people don't. But do they, in Rowan County, really condone sleeping with beasts and relatives long before other men? Is this some mountain guy thing that I somehow missed out on? Does he mean to say that all the boys I dated in high school (which was a LOT) somehow never let it slip that, before our dates, they'd relieved themselves in their nanny goats? That I was in competition with their sisters? That my own father would let me lose in the world and not warn me about such things? I'm sorry - I don't buy it - I think he's full of shit and, that if there is such a pact, it belongs to his family alone rather than some cultural norm. There's nothing normal about it.

I'll grant you this: my dad has told me about a family in Perry County (where he was born) who were well known to inbreed - everyone knew it and looked at them with pity. He said, "They didn't know any better than to not sleep with their sisters." This family was so inbred that deformities were the distinguishing family features, like square jawlines or beady blue eyes in other families. Apparently, you could spot them a mile away, what with their abnormally off-centered noses, distended bodies, and crooked eye sockets. All this to say, normal mountain people, normal people period, do not sleep with their sisters and cousins! And, sorry, inbreeding, where it really does take place, isn't confined to Eastern KY - hello - this country is full of incest, the world is for that matter!

So, I gotta go with his critics on that one - just perpetuating the stereotype, he is. Otherwise, I thought his book was extremely well written and provocative. Though, in all honesty, I felt dirty after reading it. I felt like I had mosquito bites, unshowered, hungry, stinky, sticky, hungover, longing for a bed instead of a floor, a place to belong. Of course, that's the mark of a good writer - you felt everything he went through. But it's not an adventure I'd take again.

things that happen on a saturday

First up: Hillary Clinton's concession speech

Despite knowing I did the right thing casting my primary vote for Barack Obama I still feel like a traitor. Today's concession speech just drove that point home. As tears dripped down my cheeks while she graciously spoke of Obama (to her credit - though he did right by her, too), in my mind I saw both my elderly grandmothers, 95 and 92, being denied the right to vote. While neither of them are/were the type of women to cause a ruckus, much less as suffragettes, they were, none the less, born before women had the right to vote - their lives, in many ways, played out as benefactors of that suppression. Being keenly aware that their opportunities denied were now mine to explore, I was overcome with shame and guilt that, in the end, I had not worked harder to see our gender uplifted to the country's highest office.

Despite that, I still know Obama stands to be our best presidential candidate and that all those women who sacrificed their lives and livelihoods so many decades ago did not do so in vane. Their ambitions were wholly fullfilled when I cast my vote even though I did not do it for one of our own. I voted for a man whom I believe will do his utmost for everyone - not just women, not just blacks, but every single person in this country. Had Hillary been as eloquent and passionate a speaker, as generous of spirit and candor as Obama, had she been as gracious throughout her campain as she was in her speech today, we may very well have seen his concession rather than hers. But, as she rightly pointed out, it's never good to say "what if" but better to move forward. I believe Obama is the person to get that done and it would be to his credit to have her as vice-president. But even if he doesn't (and if he doesn't, I will trust his judgment), there can be no doubt that what Clinton did in this race was historic. She has made it easier for the next qualified woman to run. And for that, we should all be truly grateful - even if you were always an Obama supporter.

Before I end my confession, let me finally say that, for all her faults (and she's got plenty, Lord knows), Clinton was right to campaign to the end and right to host a concession "party" days after many called for it. The media, and even myself, said more than once at points in this campaign that "she should throw in the towel". But, in fact, she won the popular vote and her supporters would have felt disenfranchised had she done so. Likewise, I don't believe for a second that she stalled in her concession for any other reason than losing is hard and she had supporters who were extremely loyal - it's the least she could do for them. And if she stalled for position? She is nothing if not smart. I believe history will show that both those decisions stand to unify the party rather than divide it - everyone's voice had a chance to be heard - everyone's vote had a chance to count. That's important.


And, now, as with the presidential election in which Al Gore really won the presidency - we should, as a country, suspend the use of delegates and let the popular vote guide our outcomes. Nothing is more disenfranchising than to work toward a common goal only to have antiquated politics overrule the will of the people. Had such a change been made sooner, we would not have had Dubya and Cheney in the White House, we would not be in a bogus war, we would not be suffering the largest unemployment rate in more than 20 years, we would not see our stocks plummeting, we would not be faced with Global warming without being proactive and signing the Kyoto protocol, etc. etc. etc. And, I dare say, we would have Universal health care by now - my grandparents could afford their drugs without choosing between that and food, and I would have the option to leave my job for another if I want to.

Next up: The Belmont stakes wherein Big Brown stands to be the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years. The great thing about this race: there's no delegates - you either win, or you don't. Worse case scenario, it's a photo-finish. It's not inconceivable that they could tie....though that would be historic, too.

judy-ism

I mentioned Judy Tenuta in my last post - lo' and behold, an anonymous commenter replied that Judy is alive and well, performing in Denver this weekend. Too bad I'm nowhere close to Denver - I'd go. But if you are - here's her website

Location aside, I was glad to hear The Goddess is still making people laugh with her IUD. Call me stuck but I still quote lines from her appearance with Rodney Dangerfield (HBO special as I recall) back in the 80's (giving away my age now). One of the funniest shticks I've ever seen - still!

Seems I saw her again a few years later - the bit about mountain girls - that wasn't quite as funny. Of course, I did take some offense to that particular bit and, to be honest, that's the only part of the routine I remember. Because she pissed me off or because she wasn't that funny? Hard to say really. Anyway, I'm sure she meant no harm and I love her just the same. We're all fair game in the world of comedy, as well we should be, after all. But I seriously never heard a peep about her after that. You can't blame that on me - I have nothing to do with HBO programming. If I did, I'd have....running water and shoes... :-D

bummer

I'm bummed about Harvey Korman dying. I'll be way bummed when Carol Burnett dies. I'll be bummed when Tim Conway, Vicki Lowrance, and Lyle Wagner die, too. And Korman died just days after Dick Martin (Laugh-In) died! Is the universe cleaning house of comedians this week? Who's next - Goldie Hawn? Rita Rudner? Judy Tenuta? (Whatever happened to Judy Judy, BTW?)

Thank God Ellen DeGeneres and Eddie Izzard are still kicking or we'd be left with a host of mediocre comedians until we, too, die. OK, so, Mike Myers and Steve Martin are very funny and they're still alive....and Jamie Lee Curtis plays great comedy roles (when she's not screaming at men in masks with machetes)...and the world will never be totally over as long as John Cleese, Michael Palin, and Jennifer Saunders are still around - God bless 'em one and all, those witty Brits.

I still miss Lucille Ball and the Three Stooges. Corny but true. There's nothing better than a good physical comedy stint. In my next life I want to be a comedian. Well, actually, I want to be a meteorologist/storm chaser but....in the life after that I wanna be a comedian.

the tudors

so, I said to a friend today that The Tudors on Showtime is one of the hottest shows going. If you're fascinated at all with the 1500's and you really like beautiful men (contrary to the portraits of Henry VIII), The Tudors is what you're looking for. Lord help me - I feel like Mrs. Robinson but being middle aged does not mean dead - which is what you'd have to be to not notice a fine specimen like this....

And he's just the king! (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) How about a king with a best friend (Henry Cavill) that's just as beautiful as he is!

The list goes on - there's no end to beautiful men or talent in this show - from Sam Neill to Peter O'Toole (as Pope Paul III, no less), even the theme is moving, haunting, memorable. It's really a great series. Go, now...

here's the deal

So far my vacation has consisted of a funeral for an errant uncle, grocery shopping, dinner at O'Charlies, digging up Rose of Sharon bushes, a massive allergy attack with a migraine that landed me in bed for 24 hours, another round of poison ivy, and total boredom. How sad is that you want to go back to work because you're too damn bored to stay home? This is what my life has been reduced to - boredom. There was a time when I couldn't be at home enough - there was so much to do, so much to create. Now I just feel completely overwhelmed, underpaid, over-taxed, undervalued, and basically....depressed. That's it - depressed. I've got to get a creative job or I'm gonna go off the deep end.

To make it worse, I voted my heart with Obama and have felt like a complete traitor to the female gender ever since. As if every woman who fought and suffered to earn me the right to vote was slapped upside the head, spat on, and called dirty names. Shit!

preakness

WOW - can you say "second coming of Secretariat"?

OK, that's a bit heavy but, still, both wins have been MORE than impressive. If Big Brown's feet hold up, I don't think there's another horse that can challenge him. The only one that could is dead now :-( I guess that means I'll vote for Barack Obama :-)

mother's day

It's not that I don't love my mother, Lord knows I do, but I've decided that Hallmark is responsible for all of these holidays that require cards, gifts, dinners, travel, or other devices that cost money. Money none of us really have but are shamed into spending anyway for fear of seeming ungrateful. Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentines, Halloween, Memorial Day - ok, not Memorial Day - thank God they've unsuccessfully rallied the troops behind Secretary's Day, Bosses Day, Grandparents Day, and a host of others. You know someone is bound to be left out - how about Convicts Day? Junkie Day? Gardeners Day? McDonald's Employee Day, Grandchild Day? Daughter's Day? Son's Day? Nephew's Day? Meteorologist's Day? Arborist's Day? [Insert your title here] Day.

I'd write more but I'm due 100 miles away in a few hours for, you guessed it, Mother's Day dinner!

Eight Belles

R.I.P. big girl. You did great things.

Derby Day

Ya know, I've been praying for rain; for the new plantings/transfers and so I'd be forced to stop working in the yard to stay inside and do a few things that need to be done here...like clean the house, update Tonic, and fix the myriad aesthetic things wrong with my new website. But I didn't mean "rain on Derby Day" for heaven sake! 6:30 a.m. Derby Day - pouring. The dog was most unhappy and, as usual, blamed me for the wetness she had to endure as she trolled the yard for a dry place to....make wet. How rude of me! Even the cat, the indoor cat, seemed somewhat put off as rain sprayed through the screen door and rudely slapped him in his little kitty face. My fault, of course (he's in cahoots with the dog). How rude of me!

Still, this is a welcome respite from dirty nails, aching back, and nosy neighbors. Don't get me wrong, I love my neighbors - I'm very blessed actually - but I don't always want to talk to them. Especially if I'm looking my very worst in ball cap, uni-boob i.e. sports bra, and fat-dimpled, white-as-snow legs. My ass stuck up in the air should be enough to keep their tongues wagging without actually talking to me. Then again, maybe that's why they talk to me - not because my fat ass is attractive but because they want to know the person who's stupid enough to hike the double bun-ed wide-load to the sky instead of bending at the knees like a normal person.

Whatever.

All this to say - I'm putting my money (if I had any, which I don't) on Eight Belles. The only filly running for the roses today. So few fillies make it to "The Show" that, when one does, us similar gendered humans must support her. The jury's still out on Hillary though....

it's been a while

I haven't had time to say much lately but that doesn't mean I haven't been paying attention to things. In fact, I've been paying a LOT of attention to my neglected yard for the last two weeks.

I bought my house one year ago last Monday and I've hardly had time to touch anything outside. It showed. We've had a stretch of great weather and my dad was sweet enough to trade his truck for my sports car. I've hauled three loads of brush, four load of rock and stepping stones, transplanted god knows how many bushes and plants that were scattered willy nilly all over the yard, bought and used a pick ax on some pretty tenacious honeysuckle stumps (still working on those), tilled and planted a garden...ok, a friend with a tiller actually tilled it but I did the rest..let's see, what else? I'm the recipient of a ton of creeping phlox and a lilac bush that I'll pick up Thursday from a very generous friend, yesterday I planted a Japanese maple, tomorrow I'll plant four azalea bushes....and then it's time to invest in some herbs for the tiny herb garden I'm putting next to the kitchen door!




Oh, and today I finally cleaned my house after I stopped by my favorite Fayette Seed and bought corn and bean seed.

The other thing I've finally had time to do is go back to working on Tonic. Last Friday I interviewed James McMurtry. I was expecting a tough time - he's notorious for not saying much and it's not like I have years of experience with pulling the best out of rocks like that. As luck would have it, though, not only did he talk quite a bit to me, but he cracked a few jokes and was genuinely kind...in a detached "I've done this so many times I'm just going through the motions" kind but kind none the less. If I didn't know where he was coming from I might think otherwise.




Anyway, it was a big deal for me to talk to him because his first record (yes, I still call them records the way God intended!) was a long time favorite of mine. I think I got an advanced copy or something - my manager at the time had some gig going on in the Mellencamp...camp...so, that's how I found out about James. I hardly took it out of my CD player. Somebody finally stole it - that someone shall remain nameless - I know who it was. I never had the heart to replace it until last week and man, it's like finding an old friend. Tons of great memories came flooding back and what a breath of fresh air that was! Turns out James is only a few years older than me so, it really was like finding an old friend. And it was nice to hear how much he's matured over the past 19 years even though Wasteland is as good today as it was then. Wish I could say the same for me :-D

spring is springing fo sho

it's been a helluva week and it's only Wednesday!

dad survived surgery; grandma Terry survived a heart attack; I passed comps; I'm having a vacation day tomorrow to take advantage of the incredible weather and clean up my yard while I have dad's truck since he's recovering from his surgery; I saw my good friend Kate Kelly for the first time in her professional position as the Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce Tourism Director (freaks me out a little) you can see her, too redfernfestival.com (be sure to let the video load); I had Starbucks once and Qdobe 2x; I helped a friend with a door and met her fab little dog; I have great neighbors; I have the best co-workers; I had great conversations about tonic and it's future; the list goes on and on and on

Yup - it's been a helluva week and it's only Wednesday

this is too sweet

Kathryn Lybarger, as part of Blue 2.0, made the sweetest little video ever. It suits her, too. She's a woman of few words but mighty when she uses them. The creation reflects the creator.

Blue 2.0 - the final episode

So....I believe the last thing that's required for Blue 2.0 is a flickr account, a podcast, and a YouTube video review.

Here's the short and the long of it......

Flickr = http://www.flickr.com/photos/tahlequah8/

Podcast = http://www.wuky.org/tonic choose any podcast that lists me in the blurb (I suggest going through the literary archives and listening to the 3 part Rita May Brown interview - it was one of my earliest and still one of the best.

YouTube =


a blast from the past. See if you recognize anyone you know. :-) That's really the only comment I'll make. Prolly the only one I need to make.

Blue 2.0 update

I've been a bit pre-occupied of late but am taking the opportunity to update a bit on our Blue 2.0 requirements.

MySpace: I've had an account for well over a year - probably 2, in fact. It's been long enough that I can't remember when I did it. Here's the URL: http://www.myspace.com/kopana I use my Blogspot blog for blogging, not MySpace, and I never did much of it there either. Until recently, and I've said this before, I just didn't see the point - my life is extremely busy. So, I'm busy living it instead of writing about it. However, there are certain things a blog is great for but....not on MySpace.

Here's the deal - I don't like all the ads and I don't like that I have to login all the dang time. I don't really care for all the cutesy stuff either - the little emoticons and moods and all that. However, I do think it's a great place if you're a musician or other artist that needs a web presence and you don't have the resources to have your own domain - for whatever reason. I also think kids love it and love hanging out with each other in this virtual space. Personally, I'd rather go out for dinner - it surely tastes better than licking the screen but...to each his/her own I guess.

Anyway, I've got a few friends but I haven't gone out of my way to collect them. I know people who just horde all these friends like it's the next big thing and, I guess for them, it is. It just never took over me like that.

Then there's Facebook - I feel the same way about it as I do MySpace. I hate to sound so poo poo about it all but I just do not have the time to devote to either one to the degree that so many people do. But I'll tell you the truth - my biggest issue with both of them is the whole logging in, logging out business. See, with Blogspot it's simple because I used Firefox's Scribe add-on to publish directly to the blog and never have to login. Oh sure, I could do it with MySpace, too, but Blogspot looks better - but wait, we were talking about Facebook weren't we?

Yeah, well, I think I've said all I should say about either of them for fear my friends will leap out of the screen and choke me. But please don't Poke me - that damn superpoke stuff gets on my last nerve. I have a friend in VA who tries to Superpoke me all the dang time, throw tire irons at me, send Santa to flip me off, God knows what else - I got so tired of being poked I just stopped playing. Remember what I said about not having time for this?

I just sound like a total stick in the mud, don't I? I swear, I'm not. I'm just busy.

I did Classmates.com so many years ago I don't have a clue what my name or password are now - which should tell you what I thought of it.

As a third alternative, I signed in to Linkedin - I've come across a few people who are "linkedin" just recently and find that it could be a really, really useful tool. As long as they make it easy and quick, I'm good to go. In fact, here's the url: http://www.linkedin.com/in/kopana

I like it! I'll probably try Ning and Orkut later when I'm not so tired. But now me thinks there's something good on the History Channel (And why, or why, can't we get History International in Lexington without paying out the nose for it? It's sooooooooo good)

enough already

re-inventing the library

Yesterday I had a very engaging conversation with two co-workers. One has been a librarian for 20+ years starting in reference; today she's directing the efforts of Preservation and Digital Programs. That trajectory of positions may not, on the surface, make much sense but, given the changing landscape of technology in libraries, it makes perfect sense. The other is the head of Digital Programs proper who has worked diligently over the last 8-10 years, sometimes as a one-man show, to build important, lasting content for the digital arena. So it was with great interest that I listened to these two very different people, who take very different approaches to both content creation and management, be a somewhat united front in the face of problems libraries face in how to better engage users and, perhaps more importantly, remain relevant in the face of the Googles of the information world.

This morning, I read a recent article in the Educause Review from Peter Brantley, Executive Director for the Digital Library Federation (DLF), wherein he said, verbatim, what one of my co-workers said--which just happened to be the thing that stuck in my mind from yesterday's conversation:

"No one goes to libraries to find things anymore."

Sounds fatalistic, doesn't it? But it's true -- sad, but very true. The whole of Brantley's thought says (which is not quite as verbatim as the co-worker's single sentence but pretty darn close):

"Digital library collections are useless unless they’re seen. No one
goes to libraries to find things anymore. That is the rightful business
of search engines; it is what they do well. Libraries must work to make
their collections easily discovered by people—not just by sophisticated
librarians. They must be able to open up access to their collections
through many different doors. Libraries must be available everywhere."

Brantley says a lot of other interesting things - things that will surely piss off a lot of traditionalists. But part of our conversation yesterday not only involved where libraries need to go but why we haven't done it yet. Brantley doesn't answer this question quite as pointedly as yesterday's conversation --He sort of tiptoes around it-- but our talk shot straight to the heart. The most intriguing pontification I heard is that librarianship offers a home for certain personality types; those who are forward thinking, adaptable and welcoming of change; and those who hate change even at the expense of their own demise. The latter may be why Brantley says;

"Those of us in the library field have not done a good job of letting go
of the way that we have defined ourselves in the past. We have not done
a good job of redefining ourselves in the world today...And we have not
actively innovated in important areas that will help define our
existence and our own preservation in the years ahead."

The one thing Brantley says, and what I have believed from the start of my journey in digital libraries, is that the relationship with IT, whether it be campus IT or library IT, is the relationship to foster; besides funding, it is the single most important facet of library livelihood in existence today, though, sadly, it is the relationship that has lagged the furthest behind all others (probably because libraries have such a hard time changing from who we were to who we need to be).

I can't speak to other libraries and their IT situations but it has been my experience that IT is the single most detrimental force holding back the forward motion of library digital initiatives. I'm not talking about "digital libraries" as the textbooks define it but, rather, the library as an information entity in the modern world. You can have all the forward thinking, innovative, smart ideas you want but a lackluster, stubborn, unimaginative, understaffed IT department will bring forward momentum to a screeching halt with one fell swoop. I've seen it happen. People get mad, they get their feelings hurt, all the personal crap comes out and still nobody stands up and talks about the elephant in the room. You have to have an IT department that is innovative, properly staffed, and knowledgeable about today's library environment or you're gonna get run over, plain and simple. Libraries, on their own, can not make the technological changes they need to survive. It takes IT expertise to turn ideas into reality. Most librarians aren't programmers and, those rare few who are, don't have time to both shepherd their jobs and invent/create necessary technologies!

Finally, Brantley says:

"...these are not “library problems.” These problems are shared by IT
communities. They are shared by publishers. They are shared by search
engines...solutions to these problems will come about through the ability of
libraries to collaborate among themselves and also with IT communities,
publishers, search engines, for-profit content providers, and others.
These are collaborative problems, and they will be solved with
collaborative solutions."

But, as a librarian, I think they are library problems first and foremost. All these other entities Brantley mentions are commercial at their core and, as such, they work for profit. And profit fuels a LOT of innovative thinking. Libraries are primarily non-profit beasts with little or no monetary incentive to move forward. In fact, we usually face budget restrictions that make innovation hard to damn-near impossible. So we have little choice but to get it together; learn to play with everybody and each other or in 10 years time we'll all be looking for jobs at Google.

Now I sound fatalistic. Truth is, I have faith will pull our heads out of our behinds ane do great things. After all, librarians are some of the most ballsy, innovative people going -always have been - should always be! Maybe we ought to add that to our Code of Ethics:

1. Equitable Service and Access
2. Intellectual Freedom
3. Right to Privacy
4. Respect of Intellectual Property Rights
5. Respect Colleagues and Co-workers
6. No advancement of private interests @ the libraries expense
7. Personal beliefs separate from professional duties
8. Continued professional development
9. Constant innovation and collaboration

Just one girl's opinion :-D

mensa invitational 2008

this from an email forward (printed here by permission from no one). If it's old, sorry, it's new to me and made me laugh out loud. #2, of course, is my favorite (though it is NOT new - I've heard it before...apparently the mensa who came up with it isn't as smart as the hillbilly he/she would like to be)...

The Washington Post's Mensa Invitational once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.

Here are this year's winners. Read them carefully. Each is an artificial word with only one letter altered to form.

1. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
2. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.
3. Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
4. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period.
5. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.
6. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
7. Inoculatte : To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
8. Hipatitis: Terminal coolness.
9. Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)
10. Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's, like, a serious bummer.
11. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.
12. Glibido: All talk and no action.
13. Dopeler effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.
14. Arachnoleptic fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.
15. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.
16. Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.
17. Ignoranus: A person who's both stupid and an asshole.