She Blinded me with Library Science!

Jaspers!

2012-02-09T08:33:00.000-08:00

One of my all-time favorite families, who happen to be my dogs breeders welcomed their latest lovely additions the Jaspers! This is the third litter for Bonnie & Anton, two of the hands down best dogs I know!

The stone Jasper is known to lift negativity so one can fully appreciate blessings - something I know these pups will be to their new families!

Congratulations Biscay Waterdogs!

Flashback

2012-02-08T13:45:00.000-08:00

From wayyy back this august, when Gambit was 7 months! I think. Maybe. ... ish.

Gamble Everything for Love

2012-02-07T18:10:00.000-08:00

Time in Waterloo is always fun for Gambit, something about an acre vs. a condo being a good thing. I generally side with him on that - who wouldn't prefer some space?

I'll admit it. I love the snow. You probably hate me for it, but I miss having a good winter, with a lot of snow. Part of that may or may not be because I hate mud. I hate mud, because Gambit loves mud. I have NO USE for mud. It is not necessary.

I just got a whack load of hits

2012-02-01T10:55:00.000-08:00

From some Russian Troll site. Not like, trolling the internet (though maybe) But like, actual trolls. Sort of. ... ... confusing. Um, Hi?

Something other than Laurel K. Hamilton.

2012-02-01T10:50:00.000-08:00

Look. I have nothing against her as an author. I liked Anita Blake (quite a bit) up until Obsidian Butterfly, but I felt that after that the books lost all sense of plot and were just sex sex sex. Which is fine. Her Merry Gentry series had a lot... a lot of sex, but it always felt like it worked better with the plot. Anne Bishop's Black Jewels series has a core of sex, sexual slavery and sexual control through it. But it works. It works well with the plot, and you don't feel the urge to just skip till you find the plot, like I did by the time I gave up on Anita Blake. I think it bothered me the most because I really did like Anita Blake. It was a great series, with characters I could get behind and a plot I enjoyed. Que Sera.

At any rate here are some suggestions of female authors other than Laurel K. Hamilton.

Anne Bishop. The Black Jewels Trilogy is fabulous. So fabulous, she kept it going (and I admittedly don't love what comes before/after the original trilogy, but the trilogy itself is wonderful. My roommate suggested I read it, and it's hands down one of my favourite series'. There is sex, and quite... intense sex at that, but it's a really really worthwhile read.
Ilona Andrews. On the Edge and Kate Daniels are both solid series. I personally like Kate Daniels a bit more, because I feel it's just a little bit tighter and cohesive. I randomly grabbed it off the shelf after ignoring it for a long while, which, was dumb. I started reading them about a year ago, and am excited for what's coming up next
Kim Harrison. Arguably the best Urban Fantasy writer out there (I feel), and at least one of the top 3. The Hollows series is brilliant, I know more then a few people who read it, and are avidly waiting for the next installment (coming soon!). Just read her, this series I can promise you won't regret it
Seanan McGuire. Rosemary and Rue is a fantastic series. There's nothing wrong with it, at all. Great plots, great characters, a fascinating take on Fae. This being said, I read Newsflesh (Written as Mira Grant) and did not love it. I wanted to, but didn't. I am still giving InCryptid a chance.
Patricia Briggs. I've really only read the Mercy Thompson series, and I kid you not I avoided it for years because I always felt the covers were too trampy. I have no clue why I thought this, but it's an oddly popular mindset. My roommate and I were discussing how we really had nothing to base that on, because compared to most of the other urban fantasy covers it's really not that bad. Like... really. Either way, it's a good series. Don't be ridiculous like I was.

So remember how I'm a librarian?

2012-01-30T00:05:00.000-08:00

Sort of. Sometimes. Hopefully soon. In a recent job interview, I was asked what it is I'm reading. So, here's a list. First of what I'm reading, and then what I'm looking forward to reading.

The Night Circus is a phantasmagorical fairy tale set near an ahistorical Victorian London in a wandering magical circus that exists only from sunset to sunrise. Le Cirque des Rêves features such wonders and "ethereal enigmas" as a blooming garden made all of ice and a fire-breathing paper dragon. Its truly magical nature is occluded under the guise of legerdemain. The curious circus develops avid fans who distinguish themselves to each other by wearing the black and white of the circus tents, with a splash of red. The magicians Prospero the Enchanter and the enigmatic Mr. A.H— groom their young proteges, Celia and Marco, to proxy their rivalry with the exhibits as a stage.

Why I'm reading it: Because I'm a sucker for a good cover. No, really. I am. Really though, when I was a kid, one of the school librarians once told me to "Read the first five pages, and if you're hooked, get the book." When I read the first five pages, I was drawn into the story, it seemed just fantastical enough, excellently written, and most importantly, I didn't want to put it down.

Thebes, 1999, the run up to the end of the year: the Scales family must deal with a matriarch driven half mad by a blow to the head by a statue of the Virgin Mary, while gay choirmaster Jeremy must find a practise space for his band, which may draw him into a collision course with the local nuns.

Why I'm reading it: Because I *loved* Wicked and Confessions of an Ugly Step Sister. I'm also admittedly a sucker for an author who writes out of their comfort zone.

Burned-out private dick Michael McGill needs to jump-start his career. What he gets instead is a cattle prod to the crotch. The president's heroin-addicted chief of staff wants McGill to find the Constitution-thereal one the Founding Fathers secretly devised for the time of gravest crisis. And with God, civility, and Mom's homemade apple pie already dead or dying, that time is now. But McGill has a talent for stumbling into every imaginable depravity-and this case is driving him even deeper into America's darkest, dankest underbelly, toward obscenities that boggle even his mind.

Why I'm reading it: Because I was told to. I was aimlessly wandering the rows of Chapters, as I do, debating if I should bite the bullet and buy Patricia Briggs book (it was a thing.) and I ran into a friend of a friend I knew from Twitter, and met once at a TFC game. We got to chatting, found out we have very very very similar literary tastes, and she informed me I could not leave without it. Good enough for me.

What I'm looking forward to:
Seanan McGuire's Discount Armageddon. I love her Rosemary and Rue Urban Fantasy Series. Love love love. Comes out early March.
Kim Harrison's A Perfect Blood. I LOVE her Hollows series. Arguably more than anything else I've read recently. So does everyone else who's read it, or who I've given it to. Comes out late February.
Jim Butcher's Cold Days. I also LOVE the Harry Dresden series. Who knows when it will be out, but Ghost Story is one of my favourite books.
Rosina Harrison's Rose: My Life in Service to Lady Astor. Already out, and been recommended to me a few times. Already out, looking forward to it.There are more that I am both reading, and looking forward to.
I'm on a bit of an odd Urban Fantasy kick, usually I tend more towards straight-up fiction. I think it's in rebellion to 2 years of Academic reading about Information.

One in every crowd

2012-01-29T15:00:00.000-08:00

A good friend of mine from undergrad just turned 30. We had a bunch of our friends crash in our condo, and I realized how much I miss being around not only these guys, but all the guys from my undergrad. I had a job interview for pretty much my dream job in my hometown, and another one for a pretty great job in NWT. Both would be awesome (though I would vastly prefer the one in my hometown). I'm ready to settle down, grow some roots and start life.

30th Birthday celebratory Hendriks and Tonic, with cucumber - because not ALL of my life revolves around my dog. just like, 70%. apparently. Or so this blog would have you think. I swear I have a life. I do stuff. I read. ... ... ...

Something like that

2012-01-27T15:01:00.000-08:00

This is the back of my business card. I use it for consulting in research, libraries and grant writing. In LIBRARY SCHOOL they teach us about the reference interview, and in the reference interview, sorry Reference Interview, our job is to find out what the real question is. The real question is usually easier to answer, then to figure out.

I'm feeling vague about what the real question in my life is right now. Excited, but vague. So many great options, just getting there is proving a challange.

Either way, this weekend I'm celebrating the 30th birthday of one of my favourite people. Happy Birthday Mr. Smith. Remember when you were still in your 20's? Good times.

Window Height is a big deal

2012-01-26T19:08:00.000-08:00

It's cool though, my dog can be a problem solver. Just don't tell my mom how he problem solves, and it'll be fine. I mean, she's totally cool with his furniture re-arranging. Mostly. Probably. For sure.

For What it's worth.

2012-01-25T21:17:00.000-08:00

People sometimes ask me why I show Gambit like I do. I don't go to practice classes, I don't train him, I don't do EVERYTHING I CAN to get him to win. The answer is pretty simple, if long:

He's not perfect (I don't believe any dog is) but he's a very nice representation of his breed.
His breeder is a good friend of ours, and she asked nicely. Plus, it means I get to hang out with her - always a bonus!
I *like* the people I go to the shows with. We have fun, joke, get coffee and empathize at waking up at 5am.
I don't have to show groom him. I keep him in a natural coat, that I would anyways, and he goes in the ring as-is. As ALL our breeders dogs do.
He likes it. I don't know if every dog does, but I know that my dog does. I know, because 99% of the time, you can't drag him away from me and my boyfriend. He'd rather be on our lap, with us. When he's at the ring, you put him in the show lead, and he trots off with his handler without a backward glance - which he won't even do when I try and walk him in the opposite direction of my boyfriend in the morning. He focus' in the ring. It's his job, and he gaits with the best of them. He has fun in the ring - he wags his tail, gets treats and focus'
There aren't that many Barbets in Canada, about 300. I believe in getting this breed out there, and showing people how lovely it is.
I meet really cool, interesting people. I don't want to breed dogs, show professionally or tour a dog. I'm not even looking for a new breed. But some (a lot) of the people at the shows are great. They care deeply about their dogs, and their breeds and have a passion for what they're doing. They're open, and want to talk to you about their dogs, rare breeds and not. I've had perfect strangers, whose dogs are competing against mine walk up to me and tell me they think my dog is lovely.

So, there you have it!

Field to Ring

2012-01-24T06:40:00.000-08:00

So I don't talk about it much, because it's not really that big a part of my life, but my Barbet is shown in Conformation. He's only been in 3 shows, and is doing pretty well for a dog we don't practice with... actually at all.

At any rate, my dog goes from this:

To:

and this:

(above, is when a dog is stacked. Gambit hasn't been, the brown one has. To give you an idea, the day before, the brown dog took breed, the day above, Gambit beat the brown for BOO, and the day after, a female took breed!)

I love my dog, win lose or draw. And he has won, lost and drawn. He's perfect to me, covered in mud, or fully show groomed. Which, really, for the Barbet is clean, free of matts and sprayed with water to get the poof out. I dig having a dog who shows in his natural coat - field to ring I can get behind!

Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow

2012-01-23T20:20:00.000-08:00

Not many people realize that line is actually the second line of the Mac--th. The first.... more depressing, and the following sets up nicely for the tragedy that Mac--th is. I've been out of theatre for... 6 years, and I still can't bring myself to say the name.

Anyways. As I've said, I grew up in Stratford (Canada). When you grow up in Stratford, you grow up surrounded by the Festival - we got tickets at school, camp, from actor boarders and later, when both my Mom and I worked there. We also (luckily) had most of the plays explained to us in school - something most other elementary schools weren't so lucky with. I remember the first time I saw Mac--th. It's not my favourite play (Pericles) but it's always resonated with me. I'll always remember sitting there, a little too young to understand, and hearing:

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools

I might not have fully understood where it was going, but it always resonated with me. Too young to understand the specifics I felt, and feel to this day, that what matters isn't the past, it's the future. We always look back with more knowledge then we had.

I have a job interview tomorrow. For it, I turned down a job offer out west.

So, here's to hope, dreams and the future.

2012

2012-01-17T17:18:00.000-08:00

Seeing as this year may be the end of the world, I thought I'd make a list of 12 things I want to do this year

Get my drivers license.
Get a job
Go on a vacation somewhere cheap
Cook more new meals
Present a seminar
Successfully grow an herb garden
Buy a car
Pay off one of my school debts
Plan a vacation somewhere amazing
Start singing again
Read 1 (good) book a month
Keep better track of my life
Enjoy life more. Last year sucked. A lot. This year, will be better.

Oh, 13? Oh well. It's lucky I guess.

Tell me what you know about dreams

2012-01-16T21:47:00.001-08:00

I am a bit superstitious when it comes to the job hunt. Wanting certain jobs more than others. So, here’s what I know about dreams:

“So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life’s A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you’ll move mountains.”

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”

Thanks Dr. Seuss.

What's Past is Prologue

2012-01-08T22:00:00.000-08:00

Then:

Now:

I don't even care if I am that person.

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children

2012-01-06T22:01:00.000-08:00

Summary: It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow-impossible though it seems-they may still be alive.

Why I recommend it: Because I read it and enjoyed it. It's not vampire fiction, werewolves, fallen angels. It's just a good book, that's sci-fy enough to be a good read, fantastical, reminiscent of X-Men a little. It's great. The pictures are a little disturbing, just look at the cover. It may not be my favourite book, but it's well worth a read!

Ocho Candelas

2011-12-28T21:55:00.000-08:00

It's not a secret I love Christmas and Hanukkah. I also see no reason why I can't have both!

Walk the Earth

2011-12-17T21:52:00.000-08:00

Angelina Ballerina

2011-11-23T18:56:00.000-08:00

Summary: With Katharine Holabird's lively writing and Helen Craig's charming illustrations, the original story about the feisty little mouse who wants nothing more than to dance still keeps young ballerinas leaping with delight.

Why I recommend it: (There's a theme) because I loved it. It may not have made me want to be a ballerina, but I loved Angelina. I had a stuffed animal and everything.

Back in the New York Groove

2011-11-22T22:41:00.001-08:00

It's not overly common knowledge, but certainly not a secret (or a surprise to those who know her) that my mom's a New Yorker. We used to spend summers in Queens, were I'd watch the local older kids play handball in the park, eat the lemon gelato in the tiny cups with a wooden spoon and wander around the neighbourhood to get a soda or play with kids I only saw once a year. In an attempt at bribery, we would go to a few Broadway shows (Crazy for You and Will Rogers Follies were favourites) and I'd otherwise entertain myself surrounded with family.

I loved it - I'd go from small town Stratford, or (I thought) big city Toronto to Queens New York City, where by the time I came home I almost didn't speak understandable English, with the mix of spanishyiddishslangnewyork spoken at a speed that only New Yorkers can master with an odd accent that would usually fade by October.

There is a point to this. The point is I always came back from Queens with a new perspective - or as much of a perspective as a kid can have. I feel like that now.

of shoes and ships and sealing wax

2011-11-16T16:22:00.001-08:00

I don't think I'll ever understand job hunting. I had an amazing interview a week or so ago, where everything was perfect. The people interviewing me were great, the library was amazing, there was growth it was perfect as I said. What wasn't perfect is that it's 4 provinces away. I applied on a whim, not thinking at all that I would even get an interview. But I did - and not only did I, I had a great interview - and now they're flying me four provinces away for a second interview.

I should be thrilled. OK, I am thrilled. It just got me thinking - every friend I tell here the first thing they say is "why aren't you just taking a job here?" I tell them I haven't had any callbacks, and then the inevitable "wait - Library X is FLYING you four provinces away... and nowhere close by is even calling you back?"

So... what this tells me is all I need is a chance, and I can do great things.

I miss my dog.

2011-11-15T18:08:00.001-08:00

I'm in Waterloo house-sitting for mom. My boyfriend decided he couldn't emotionally handle (no seriously) being away from his baby (no seriously) for 2 weeks, so he has him in Toronto this week, and I'll have him here next week. I've not determined I'm that person. Maybe it's because usually when I'm here alone, Gambit's here. We go to the river, meet up with his siblings and generally have a good time.

Now, all I have are mom's cats. While I love them dearly, it's just not the same.

Where the heart is

2011-11-14T14:53:00.001-08:00

I'm house/cat sitting for my mom while she's in Hawai'i for two weeks for her peace corps reunion. I love being out in the country - I feel like I can breathe again. I love the city just as much, but something about coming out here is so... relaxing.

When we moved here, it was in the middle of nowhere, all farms, pastures, orchards and the river I've posted so many pictures of. It was so quite when I was 15 and first came here from Toronto. I remember not being to sleep - even when I lived in Stratford we lived down the street from the hospital and sirens were a constant. Here there was nothing - I woke up last night wondering what the noise was, and lo, it was rain.

I'm still not sure where my homes is - I'm pretty certain it's not Toronto, I don't know if it's W'loo but I do know that it involves a fireplace, several animals and a herb garden, an outdoor that's big enough to not see the neighbours, and a house big enough to have everyone over.

Why I remember

2011-11-12T15:00:00.000-08:00

Remembrance Day is a hard day for me.

My Grandpa was from Newfoundland, and was a rock - little could phase him, and he always looked for the best in people. He was in the Merchant Marines during WWII - he was on the great lakes, and while he had a few close calls, he had an easier experience then most. He spent the last half of the war doing construction in Canada for the Army - close to home and safe. The Legion was a huge part of his life - he was there with "the boys" every Thursday through Sunday inclusively. I remember him taking me to sell Poppy's, and how he'd always pin one on me, and tell me he was so thankful he could. He could never tell me why he was thankful. I remember him asking and him telling me he would tell me when I was older.

I don't know if he ever knew how well I understood what he could never put into words. My mom's side of the family was on the flip side of the same coin during WWII. I have relatives who were in Auschwitz Birkenau, Treblinka and Chelmno. Some survived, most didn't. Of my Bubbies 12 siblings, 3 lived, and of my Zaidy's family he and his brother survived.

I'm not going to get into the details, but my mom was born in a refugee camp in Germany in '46 - my grandparents were in a mix of internment camps and on the run in Siberia during the war. They escaped, but they knew their families didn't. My Grandpa never needed to tell me why he was thankful, because I already knew. I remember being sat down as a child, and being shown the numbers tattooed on my great aunt's arm. My mom was horrified - she thought I'd have nightmares. I didn't have nightmares, but to this day it's something I have trouble with - I only dwell three days a year, and Remembrance Day is one of those days.

I'll never forget any of my grandparents. Neither side of them knew the other well, but they taught me to remember, to hope, and to never give up.

Dog Days of Fall

2011-11-06T14:22:00.000-08:00

It's a Book

2011-10-28T18:51:00.000-07:00

Summary: Playful and lighthearted with a subversive twist that is signature Lane Smith, IT'S A BOOK is a delightful manifesto on behalf of print in the digital age. This satisfying, perfectly executed picture book has something to say to readers of all stripes and all ages.

Why I recommend it: Because I just got it last year, and I love it. It's my go-to present for baby showers, kids birthday's and pretty much anything. I give it to Adults, kids, and even the odd teenager. It's pretty fabulous

Man of The Century

2011-10-25T19:35:00.000-07:00

Summary: "I am the spy of the century," said Woodrow Lowe, age 108, to his interviewer. "I was also a white slave, a heavyweight contender, the ruler of China [until the Dowager Empress cruelly deposed him], and the man who started World War I; and if you don't believe me, you can get out of my house." Were the ancient husk's pronouncements those of a liar or madman? At first it seemed the answer to both was yes. Yet over the years emerged unimpeachable evidence of these and many other feats. Man of the Century is Woodrow Lowe's story, unlike any ever remembered or read. He fought John L. Sullivan in the Dakotas; he was the first man up San Juan Hill during the charge of the Rough Riders and stood with Teddy Roosevelt at his Second Inaugural (Teddy bailed him out more than once). He carried off Archduke Franz Ferdinand's assassin, never to be heard from again. He was a slave of the Dervish in the Sudan. Diamond Jim Brady met his match in Woodrow. He was the blond boyo who, a club fighter with a distinctive cauliflower ear (thanks to John L.), found himself mixed in with a century of American and world history, and, remarkably, lived to tell about it in his fashion, at once a rollicking, shrewd recital, dramatized to the hilt, that defied the challenge of the dry historiographies, and created a fulsome story filled with characters - real and some mythic you'll never forget.

Why I Recommend it: This is in no way the best book ever written. It's not overly popular, well known and I believe it didn't even make it to paperback printing. The thing is, I have no idea why. I read. A Lot. And this book is wonderful. I love it. It's funny, well written, the characters are appealing and it seems at the same time fantastical and realistic. I love it, though I can't put my finger on why. It's more than worth a read if you can find it, your best bet is ABEBooks or the Library.

Carl at the Dog Show

2011-10-13T18:39:00.000-07:00

Summary: Madeleine''s mom has to help Carl''s Cousin, Gamble, get ready to compete in his event at the dog show, and she tells Carl and Madeleine to meet her by the show ring. Do Carl and Madeleine listen? Of course not! They immediately set off to explore--they help groom other dogs, have a snack, test out dog beds, create an agility test of their own--all with hilarious results and mom none the wiser. With its minimal text and Alexandra Day''s signature art, CARL GOES TO THE DOG SHOW is sure to please Carl fans, Rottweiler lovers, and dog enthusiasts of all sorts.

Why I recommend it: My dog is technically a show dog, and I'm always struck by how many kids are at dog shows. I'm not a rabid pure-breed fanatic, I think rescue is important, and have done my fair share of rescue. That being said, I also usually suggest that for first time dog owners, a purebreed dog from a reputable (and I can't emphasize that enough) breeder gives you some security in what you're getting out of the dog, and support for the dog. If you're getting a pure breed dog, looking into the breed is important, and one of the best places for meeting the dogs, seeing what they're like in full show coat, and seeing how the breeders treat their show dogs. It's a complicated world, but it's usually a good sign of how a breeder treats their dog at home, with how they treat them at a show!

The Balloon Tree

2011-10-12T18:59:00.000-07:00

Summary: Balloons! They are the favourite playthings of Princess Leora. When her father, the king, goes to a neighbouring kingdom to participate in a tournament, he tells Leora to signal him with balloons if anything goes wrong. But the archduke, planning to take over the kingdom, promptly locks the princess in her room and orders all the balloons in the kingdom to be popped. With the help of a wizard and a boy with the only balloon left in the kingdom, Leora is able to plant a balloon tree that blossoms into thousands of balloons. But will it be in time to save the kingdom?

Why I recommend it: Oh, hey. Look! It's Phoebe Gilman again! She's brilliant. Read everything.

Stratford

2011-10-11T12:32:00.000-07:00

I went to Stratford the other week, for a few reasons. I stayed with family (obviously) and while I was rifling through the attic (what else do you do when you go to family?) (clearly you rifle through the attic) and I found a few pictures of when I was a kid. As my cousin said to me after posting them on Facebook, I still look the same. No really. I even have the same haircut - that's a little creepy.

So, here's to yester-years, and the future. Here's to good choices, and bad, here's to hindsight being 20-20 and there's to taking risks and adventure.

Enchanted Forest Chronicles

2011-10-06T19:19:00.000-07:00

Summary: Cimorene, the youngest princess of the Kingdom of Linderwall, is frustrated by her cloistered, sheltered life. Unlike her petite, blonde, blue-eyed sisters, who can "gaze up through their long eyelashes" at their various suitors, Cimorene, tall, dark-haired and intelligent, is not satisfied with the stifling and close-minded interests of her parents and their kingdom. She is bored with her "proper" lessons in etiquette, embroidery, dancing, and how loudly to scream when being carried off by a giant.

Why I recommend it: This series is second only to the Immortals, and even that is arguable. It's a princess, who doesn't want to be a princess, who runs off to live with Dragons and refuses to be rescued. This is another series that to this day I re-read, recommend and love. Brilliant. Strangely, Patricia C. Wrede also wrote Snow White and Rose Red, fairytale fantasy (for adults) (no really, it's way more... mature), being a retelling of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale "Snow White and Rose Red" (not "Snow White") set in Elizabethan England and including elements of the Thomas the Rhymer ballad as well

Siblings: Gambit (Vader) & Vegas

2011-10-04T19:47:00.000-07:00

Sharing the stick:

Gambit gets the stick and makes a break for it.

Gambino

2011-10-02T16:58:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, I wonder what's wrong with my dog. Sometimes, I also wonder what he's thinking. He's pretty shaggy, and I'm pretty sure he thinks he's a human (no really, not in the crazy way that like "oh he's my baby" but in the way I'm fairly sure he thinks we're idiots. Maybe not a human. Maybe just a cat) like in the picture below.

Why doe he need a pillow? We don't GIVE him the pillow, he'll steal it off my roommates bed. And then drag it to where he wants it. And then steal the other pillow off the bed and put it on top of the first pillow. That... is totally normal. Right Please?

Then there's this one. First Gambit decided he had to take the bottom part of his bed out. Then I'm... fairly sure the Tigger toy kicked him out of his bed, but I'm unsure how it managed to take Gambit on and win. I picture it as some sort of a death match, but that's just me.

I'm unemployed guys. This stuff keeps me up at night.

Super Secret Guilty Reading Pleasures.

2011-09-09T16:13:00.000-07:00

I have a theory that everyone has some sort of guilty pleasure reading. There's always a scale of how guilty a pleasure it is - something you fess up to openly, to close friends and to nobody. So, in light of full disclosure, here are my top 5 guilty pleasure books, authors or series:

1. Spider Robinson: Callahan's Crosstime Saloon. This book was publishes in 1997, and found it I believe in about 1999. I was still in high school, and seeing how it's set in a bar I have no idea how I managed to find it. I LOVED it - my copy of it is pretty much destroyed, it's been with me for every move, and it's still my go-to novel to read when I want a laugh. Not only is Spider one of my favourite authors ever, as is almost everything he wrote, this book set the tone for why I love Sci-fi.

2. Tanya Huff's Wizard of the Grove is a compilation of 2 of her novels, and is the first of her many series I've picked up over the years. I love this book - I got it about the same time I got Callahan and it's why to this day I have a bad habit of fantasy books. I proceeded to read almost every series she's written, and not only have I loved them, but everyone I've recommended them to has loved them too!

3. David Eddings - pretty much everything. Yeah, I'm one of those people. I read the series backwards, starting with Polgara the Sorceress, and then read most of what he's written (except the Elder Gods series, for which I have no actual good reason to not have read. I got this book the same time I got Wizard of the Grove, and I loved it. I love everything he's written - his writing defines my relationship with one of my closes friends, it's what kept us in contact for years.

4. I'm going to cheat for this one. #4 is urban fantasy - from Jim Butcher to Seanan McGuire right now when I want mindless fun this is the genre that I look to for for something that will make me laugh. It took me forever to go here - I was a traditionalist when it came to sci-fi/fantasy for years. I'll admit I was a snob about what I read, and what I read was the classics: Heinlin, Lackey and the like were who I looked towards. Now, I've broadened my horizons!

5. J.D Robb's In Death series. Yeah. I'm going there. I love this series. Of ALL the things, I started reading it with my mom as a bit of mindless fluff when we needed something entertaining for a trip to Mexico a solid 10 years ago. Mildly inappropriate? Perhaps. But to this day I can't wait to buy the latest copy of this futuristic NOT ROMANCE romance series.

Bonus! Clive Cussler. When I first started dating my boyfriend, we started talking about favourite series. I told him what I liked, in a rare fist few dates bout of honesty, he gave me the weirdest look and then lent me Raising the Titanic. I was baffled. I tell him my secret reading is fantasy, and he hands me a thriller? I LOVED it. Finding out it was a movie? I will watch that movie anytime, anywhere - even if it's horribly not true to book form. I love this series (and I love more Clive Cussler is that much of a lunatic in real life.

Jillian, Jillian Jillian Jiggs

2011-09-06T18:42:00.000-07:00

Summary: No one can keep up with Jillian Jiggs. With boundless energy and imagination, Jillian rushes from game to game. One minute she''s a robot, the next minute she''s a tree. How can she take time to clean up her room when there are so many wonderful things to make and do? No one knows what Jillian will think of next- especially not her mother!

Why I recommend it: I Loved this book when I was a kid. Loved. I remember Jillian Jiggs and her pigs. It's funny, endearing, and memorable. Read it, you'll love it.

To a new year (sort of, not really) and summers past.

2011-09-01T20:55:00.000-07:00

I don't know if it's because the majority of my life has been spent in school, or working with kids IN school, but I've always felt that September is the new year - not January. So, here's looking back at some of my summers.

I've had some pretty amazing summer jobs. My first ones in high school were at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Arts Alive! day camp & a few other arts camps. In university, I also lucked out - I ran my own company for a summer selling fair trade bags made of recycled materials, went on an archaeology dig in Italy then went to China. After I went to China, I was faced again with needing a summer job, but living in Waterloo meant most of the summer jobs there were already taken by local students who didn't go learn Mandarin & Chinese history for a summer.

In a mild fit of panic, in my last week in China I applied to a job at a summer camp in Waterloo, the day of my flight home I confirmed that later the day I landed I had an interview for the job. I wasn't entirely sure what I was thinking, but I stumbled off the plane, explained to my mom I needed a shower and a ride, and went to the interview. I remember having the interview, and at the end of it, looking at my (future) boss and telling her "Look. I just got off a 18 hour flight. I'm a little bit crazy, but I love working with kids, I love art & I promise I'm usually more coherent". Turns out, that's what got me the job.

That's kind of how I feel right now - like I just got off a plane and am looking for that one right job. It's almost perfect timing: Autumn, new year, new job is coming, and the weather is getting cooler.

So, here's to Autumn.

The Immortals Series

2011-09-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

Summary: The Immortals quartet, by Tamora Pierce, is the story of Veralidaine Sarrasri (known as Daine), an orphan with an unusual talent: she can speak with animals. Veralidaine (Daine) Sarrasri who was orphaned when raiders attacked her village. Daine has an unusual (and extremely strong) gift of wild magic which is mistaken as insanity because she is unable to control it . Though convinced she has no magical Gift, it is discovered that she has 'wild magic' - a magic that is not uncommon, but for some reason is a disregarded branch of magic. What is rare is the amount of it that Daine possesses, and what she is able to do with it. This magic gives her a unique connection with animals. Her abilities manifest gradually throughout the series, allowing her first to speak with animals, to heal their injuries and eventually to shape-shift into animal forms. The series covers a timespan of four years, following Daine as she learns to communicate with humans, animals and Immortals.

Why I recommend it: This is arguably the best series for teenage girls ever written. Daine is identifiable, courageous and entertaining. Most of my friends read this growing up, and each of them had the same reaction I did - to this day we still re-read it, and name it as the best series we ever read. The covers change, but the series is always more then worth a read. Every one of Tamora Pierce's series is well worth a read, but start with this one - no matter how old you are!

SHHHHH.

2011-08-30T17:40:00.000-07:00

Danger in the Painting Field

2011-08-22T17:59:00.000-07:00

"Meanwhile, in the painting field, Old Witch laughed her "heh-hehs" and "he-he-hes" while swooping here and there, picking up egg after egg (rocks) and ravenously swallowing them whole, eating them as appetizers for the real feast to come - rabbits!"

Shortening up a lot of moving, I spent most of my childhood in Stratford, and most of my time there was spent at the library. I remember getting books on tape for trips (remember when books came with a book AND a tape? in the plastic bag with a handle? yeah. awesome), I remember story time, I remember getting so excited on friday night when I got to take home a movie and I remember going through the children's section for HOURS for a new few books to take home and begging my mom to take just one more book home. I also remember loving certain books, and taking them out again and again and again, a trait that's continued on to this day.

The Witch Family, by Eleanor Estes was one of those books. I LOVED this book. I remember reading it so many times, mom caved and bought it for me (though, I'm not sure it was caving, books weren't a present in my house, they were a fact) and I read it again and again and again. I forgot the name of the book for years, and on a whim Googled "Witches on a glass hill" and found the book today. I was shocked at how many people were looking for the same book - for the past 35 odd years, people have loved this book.

I'm not going to lie - I just bought it again.

""May I go down tonight?" asked the little witch girl. "please, please, please say yes. I'd love to be seen on my broomstick in the light of the moon."

Barbet Fanciers Picnic!

2011-08-21T22:10:00.000-07:00

I skitzed out, and forgot to use my camera I very carefully remembered to bring. So many thanks to Judy Preston who took the pictures I'm posting!

A lot of time at the River

2011-08-18T11:58:00.003-07:00

I'm taking advantage of the fact that I'm right on a river, with a lovely trail, and a 5 month old puppy who's SUCH a good boy off leash!

Where I'm going, where I've been.

2011-08-17T17:22:00.000-07:00

My mom's in NYC for the week - she grew up there and can only handle staying away for so long. So, I'm house-sitting. More exactly, cat-sitting, but that's semantics. It's strange being in the house I grew up in (from grade 9-12, but still) alone. I went from having an amazing job at a huge grocery chain's head office, to nothing when my boss quit and the company threw me under the bus in... punishment? I don't know. After he left, it was awful - weeks of not doing anything, sitting at my desk and listening to people whisper about me.

The point is, when I left the company, I was faced again with What do I want to do with my life. I was never sold on a corporate job - I fell into the position with extreme luck, and was fortunate enough to have an amazing boss who taught me a huge amount in a short short time. When that finished, I don't know if there's much in that world for me. What I DO know is there there's a lot outside that world for me. When I was there, I missed everything I loved about the information field - working with people, different people to solve every changing and dynamic problems, answer fun, intriguing, interesting and complex questions, meeting new people and most importantly, helping people find what they need.

Coming to Waterloo, to mom's (sometimes) dark and scary (usually) peaceful and beautiful acre on the river helped me get my priorities in line. I applied for a job in Edmonton, and withdrew my application. I'm not ready to leave and go west to the different and unknown. I think I wouldn't mind it, but I think I'd rather go back out East if I have to move, but really I'd rather stay in Ontario - anywhere in Ontario. I'm ready for another adventure, and I'm ready to figure out exactly what it is that I want out of life. My feelings about living in Toronto are generally complicated. I love this city, it's where I was born, raised on and off, and where I came back to. I love the people, the feeling, and the energy. But I do miss the quiet. I love my field, I just need to figure out what I love the most about it - what my niche is, and where in it I belong. I miss working in the community, and being part of a community. I don't like I can't volunteer because I don't want to make a commitment that I might have to break.

So, here's to not knowing what you want, not knowing where and how to find it, but knowing that you will.

You would almost think it's different dogs...

2011-08-16T21:53:00.000-07:00

Water Dog in Water:

Water Dog on Land:

It occurs to me this blog is boring. Unless you're a librarian.

2011-08-16T13:20:00.000-07:00

And maybe you like Barbets. SO.

Mojitos:
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp simple syrup
Juice of 1 lime
2-3 sprigs mint
Soda Water
Havana Club Rum

Muddle (aka crush) Sugars, lime, mint. Add Soda water and Rum. Maybe Ice. To change it up, throw in some fresh cherries, passion fruit or cucumber!

Sangria (Roja):
1 Bottle Red Wine (I like Torro)
Fresh Fruit (Lime, Grapefruit, Orange, Peach, Cherries, Strawberries, Passion Fruit... anything)
1 cup Orange Juice
1 can Fanta Naranja (orange) or Lemon (Look, I lived in Spain. I know this is what they do. really)
2 cups mixed fruit Juice - AYTHING. no really, any mixed fruit juice works

Throw fruit in a jug. Mix in Juice. Stir. Drink. Good for 2 days! I made this batch with just citrus - change it up!

Then, and now.

2011-08-16T12:21:00.000-07:00

Then:

Now:

Gambit SORT of Retrieving.

2011-08-15T17:22:00.000-07:00

Mom's house.

2011-08-14T14:51:00.000-07:00

One of the things I love most about the "information field" is the same things I love about being at mom's house - finding completely obscure books.

I love that mom has these books. She mostly buys mysteries or heavy heavy biographies these days, and leaves the buying obscure & ridiculous books to me, so I love finding things like this, she's had forever and I for some reason never noticed.

All in all, a good way to spend the week while housesitting!

We might not practice Santeria....

2011-07-24T13:30:00.000-07:00

Tell the world, that I came home.

2011-07-23T20:52:00.001-07:00

True Love

2011-07-20T17:13:00.000-07:00

I'm currently in the small, small town where I went to university, and last weekend was the wedding of two friends from undergrad. I can't possibly tell you how amazing it's been being back with everyone. So, I'll show you.

Yeah. This is the life. And if you ask when boy and I are getting married? Here's your answer:

The Gypsy Princess

2011-07-19T18:48:00.000-07:00

Summary: "Cinnamon is a gypsy girl who can read fortunes in a cystal ball, speak to the wind, and dance with a bear. But Cinnamon longs to be a princess."

Why I recommend it: In a quick follow-up to Something from Nothing, my Mom bought me this book because it's by the same author. I loved it. Even at the so mature 13, for months after reading this book, I didn't just dream of being a princess, but a Gypsy. It reminds me to this day, to always remember to dream.

Something from Nothing.

2011-07-13T18:45:00.000-07:00

Summary: Throw it out! Cries Joseph''s mother. So Joseph runs to his grandfather with his favourite blanket. Grandpa can fix anything. From the tattered blanket, Grandpa makes a handsome jacket. With a few passes of his needle, a vest becomes a Sabbath tie. And snip! Snip! A ragged handkerchief turns into a brand-new button. But when the button is lost, what''s to be done? Even Grandpa can''t make something from nothing! Phoebe Gilman''s loving portrait of shekel life will endear Joseph and his family to readers young and old.

Why I recommend it: The Rabbi at the synagogue I went to to get Bat Mitzvah'd at gave this to each of us. Odd choice for a bunch of 13 year olds, maybe, but I still loved it. It reminded me that at the very least, I'll always have memories.

Gambit

2011-07-08T12:19:00.000-07:00

FYI I'm now that annoying dog person.

Well, I can cook too.

2011-06-24T16:05:00.000-07:00

I don't really blog about it (mostly because I can rarely get my act together enough to photograph when I cook, and who cares about me talking about food, unless there are pictures. Right? Right.). Here are 4 of my absolute favourite books

Lucy was a friend of my mom for years, I've spent a few of the High Holidays with her and her family, it was at one of her Sedar's that the Jewish child's right-of-passage of drinking kosher wine, and thinking it's grape juice happened. Either way, Lucy is an amazing cook, and a lovely person. The recipes are simple, clear, and delicious - I'd recommend to anyone (And I do, to everyone)!

Arguably my favourite single recipe in any cookbook is in this book - Saute de Veau aux carottes la boutarde. Basically, carrots, veal and wine. Yes, please! I grew up refusing to eat veal (it's a long story that involves a pet baby calf) and a hatred of cooked carrots. This recipe changed that. This is a brilliant book, and if you don't have it quite simply, you should. Every recipe is a winner, and it has some great stories and explanations to go alone with it!

If you ever, ever, buy only one cookbook, this should be it. Granted, I may be a little biased because this cookbook is basically Ashkenazim comfort food that I grew up with. My chicken soup (which, is amazing) (no really, it is) is basically the recipe from this book. My borscht (which, also, is amazing) is basically the recipe from this book. Matzoh balls, brisket, chicken, every recipe is pure comfort, even if you aren't Jewish. It's what these foods should taste like, and has the details you need, like throwing a beat in SO FAST to give chicken soup broth the right colour. Buy it. PLEASE. It's out of print. I suggest ABEbooks.

Mary's another of my mom's friends. She and my mom have been friends for... almost 40 years. ahem. wow. Anyways. Almost 40 years, and I grew up eating some amazing food she cooked. By day, she's a Librarian in the Toronto District School Board (See, Librarian, Chef, totally possible) who also runs cooking classes and spends a good few months every year in her house in Tuscany. It's traditional, wonderful Italian and Italian Canadian (there's a difference) food.

So above are four great cookbooks, that I think everyone should have in their collection. They aren't fancy, but I promise, you'll love them!

Graduate. Suma cum what now?

2011-06-15T17:06:00.000-07:00

I don't even know. I remember when I got my BA I was all like "I AM NOW A GROWN UP" well. Now that I have my Masters let me prove you wrong. Here is a picture of me, while my Dean was giving the speach texting my mom telling her to stop texting mom. This is important.

Being a grown up is overrated. In other news, check out me, wearing my hood like a hood like it is supposed to be word or why would they call it a hood? Please note that it is hot pink. Or magenta. WITH BLUE LINING. Librarians are wild. I mean cool. obviously cool.

I have a dog now

2011-06-04T19:15:00.000-07:00

The puppy's name is Gambit yes after the x-man (or the chess move if you ask Boyfriend which I am not) and he's adorable. FYI I'm now that person. He's also kind of the devil, and has us sleeping on the floor in the hall to make him not literally howl all goddamn night long.

Cute though, no?

I'm thinking in cliches...

2011-03-30T12:58:00.000-07:00

Cliches and song lyrics. I remember this happened to me when I graduated from my undergraduate degree too, maybe it’s the fear of the unknown. I am so sure I made the right choice with getting my MI degree, I’ve love the degree and when I look at all the possibilities for where I can go I just keep getting more and more excited. The problem, is I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. It’s all so interesting, I keep looking at jobs and thinking “yes yes yes, this is what I want” but when it comes to writing knock their socks off cover letters I just want to write “I love this. please give me a shot.” I also don’t know where I want to be – I feel drawn back to the East Coast of Canada, but I’m also tempted to stay in Ontario. Do I apply for the long shot job in Spain?

My cover letter contains the phrase “ One of my passions in both my studies, personal and work experience is towards exploring emerging trends and innovations in relation to technical services. I strongly feel that it is through these trends and innovations that libraries will better be able to serve their users.” I feel so passionately about the future of libraries – there is such an amazing movement to embrace new technologies and innovations that is rarely seen in many other career paths. The flip side of it is I’m currently working with an organization that deals with the consortium of Ontario libraries. I’m loving seeing first hand the partnerships that can grow out of creative thinking and would love to be able to work with a collaboration of libraries. As I get closer to graduating, I grow more and more interested in Academic Librarianship – I would love to be able to continue to research in the Information field, and help students and professors.

Who knows, all I know right now, is that my new puppy is four weeks old today.

2011-03-16T16:00:00.000-07:00

I’m about 23 days away from graduating with my MI degree (but who’s counting?). I’ve been thinking a lot recently about what I want out of life, where I want to be, and what I want to do. I’m left with a world of possibilities, and all I can think about is 2003-2004, and being a freshman undergrad and going into residence. I was terrified. I had decided that I wanted to go ~away~ for school – my mom’s American and in the States, you go away for school. So, I applied away – I got in everywhere, and was left with how far away I really wanted to go. I could have either gone to U of G, about an hour away, McGill, one province away, or Mount Allison & Acadia -small liberal arts Universities in New Brunswick & Nova Scotia. I chose MTA. I was so excited, and I remember getting their welcome student in the mail. Part of that was a questionnaire to fill out to determine which residence you were going to be in.

I looked at everything, and finally decided to go into Hunton – a residence that described itself as “the family residence” in no small part because our Don’s had two young kids living with them in their first floor apartment. this was arguably the best decision I made academically wise. We were by no means the “tame” house, we had house parties, and more then let loose on Friday nights, but we always understood there were two kids sleeping downstairs. Our house had the lowest drop-out rate on campus, I imagine because our problems were dealt with by people who were parents themselves.

In my twitter feed the other day a link popped up from MTA talking about their small residence approach. If you’re going to university, have kids going to university, know someone who does, check it out. It made a huge difference to me moving across the country. http://www.mta.ca/news/index.php?id=3543#3543

Part of what being at MTA gave me was the desire for a community. I’m faced with finding a job and while most of my classmates are looking in Toronto and Southern Ontario I keep thinking back to what an amazing time I had at MTA. I still have very good friends scattered across the East Cost, 1 god-child (and another a month away!), my boyfriend still owns a house and we go out there as often as we can. I’m not just looking in Toronto and Southern Ontario. I would love to be able to go back out east, and have even just a little bit of what I had for my undergrad.

So, my advice to you is when you look at schools, don’t go safe – go away. I was pushed academically and personally and I came out a better person. A friend of mine’s daughter is going to UPEI for a music degree next year, and I hope she has an even better time then I will (and I’m 100% sure she will). When I graduate, I’m not going to go safe – I’m going to make the most out of whatever opportunity presents itself.

What I've learned in Library School

2011-03-11T19:00:00.000-08:00

I’ve recently been contacted by several people considering library school, who are interested in the academic/ government/ management slant that I’m working towards. I was asked a variety of questions about if the choice of school mattered, and this is something that has stuck with me as I’ve answered questions like “is it hard” “is it worth it” “what if I don’t want to be a librarian” and the way more complicated “well what do you DO in Library school.” When people ask me these questions my initial instinct is to brush them off, and tell them to find someone who wants to be a ‘real’ librarian, because they can better answer these questions. The fact of the matter is that while I would love to be a librarian (preferably in an academic, or legal library) what drew me to my school is I saw the opportunities to make this degree flexible to fit my interests for my future. I could take courses in Data mining, management courses, critical thinking and deep reference. Don’t know what deep reference is? It’s basically finding information that no one else can find. The ultimate treasure hunt. I also personally have a passion for the idea of managing libraries – I know how valuable they are, and want to be a part of taking them to the new places I believe the field is going.

The question of if the choice of school mattered is a tough one for me. I do not think it matters in some senses, and in some I do. I know people from all ranks of library schools who wound up at U of T, Guelph, Acadia, and a plethora of other schools – what matters is your skills and your devotion to the field. Being a librarian is about having a desire to have a life of constant learning, in not just one field you find interesting but in a variety of fields. One thing that does nag at me, is that to some extent the school does matter – I do not mean reputation wise, but in the sense that each school offers different focus’. One of the reasons I chose University of Toronto’s iSchool was because of their focus on information as a whole, and not just within the library sphere. There are collaborative programs on Information Systems, Critical Thinking, Making and Management. I work at a law library, and have loved every minute of it. I also work for a organization that works in partnership with every library in Ontario – two very different jobs, both related to library school and using skills I have learned at the iSchool.

The skills/attributes/traits/knowledge that I consider most valuable for my work would include:

Communication skills, in writing and in person
Presentation skills
Critical thinking skills
Problem solving ability
Intellectual curiosity
Autodidacticism (yes. I can use big words. It's ok. I promise not to)
Knowledge of academic subjects/ scholarly communication

The above skills were learned roughly 50/50 at library school. Some came more naturally, and some (like public speaking) were ones that I had to practice. I feel that all of these skills are very transferable out of the field of Information, and I learned them/ knew them because I enjoy them. The idea of intellectual curiosity has been a trait of myself for my whole life, I enjoy reading and assimilating information. I feel this is not something I developed while training to be a librarian, but something that led me to the field at large. Similar intellectual traits such as critical thinking or problem solving ability were honed during years of college and graduate school, but follow the same intrinsic part of me that I believe led me to information as a fiel. The knowledge I have about academic subjects and everything else has increased since library school, but the foundation and development were independent of library school itself – I would argue that my undergraduate university had a much stronger development of my knowledge of academic subjects, and passion for learning and teaching.

But what did I learn in library school? As I noted above, there were things I learned before library school, but that I could have learned there. I had to write various papers, give presentations, plan projects, etc., just like everyone else. I had to do hours and hours and hours of reference research for finding government, data and legal sources. The fact that I learned a lot about writing or presenting before library school doesn’t mean that others didn’t benefit. I also learned enough about cataloging to know I didn’t want to be a cataloger. I learned enough about library management to know that it wasn’t a short-term goal. I learned that while I loved doing reference, I hated giving the information to someone else to deal with. I learned I actually liked government, data and legal research. I learned I liked academic librarianship but that I would need another Masters before it would be an option. I learned that I could write about reference as a method of competitive intelligence. I learned that ethics are more complex then I ever imagined. I learned all about public librarianship and thought I would leave that for people who LOVED it. And I learned enough about library buildings to realize how badly designed most of them are.

These might sound like bad lessons, but really they weren’t. I entered library school without much of an idea about the wide variety of things librarians actually do. I knew from talking with various professors and administration that the degree could be flexible, but I did not know just how valuable and flexible the program would be to me. That’s a benefit to library school that might go unnoticed amidst complaints that library schools don’t train people with the right skills to become librarians. Nobody who hasn’t worked in a library is going to leave library school able to do traditional library work well from day one. Library school is about exploring and eliminating possibilities, not advanced training in one particular area. It gives you a short introduction to a lot of different areas, but what it really teaches you is that only practice in those areas makes one good. In the meantime, I learned a lot about how libraries work, even in areas I didn’t want to work in.

Personally I have loved being at the iSchool. The path is not for everyone, but there are so many more options and paths then most people will ever realize.

This is also related to the oft heard complaint that library school is boring (which I rank right along with all librarians are girls, wear glasses and shush people). Parts of library school are boring, but different people find different parts boring, so it’s hard to generalize. I found cataloging boring, and liked working with students at the reference desk. Some of my friends thought working with students tedious, but loved cataloging. Much of the work at the master’s level and even above in any field will be boring, because you’re still exploring to see what you like. The trick is not to let your schooling get in the way of your education.

A little bit pregnant.

2011-03-07T13:02:00.000-08:00

In one of the highlights of my time at the iSchool, Canadian-born, England-based science fiction author, activist, journalist and blogger, Cory Doctorow (boingboing.net, craphound.com) headlined a University of Toronto student conference, Boundaries, Frontiers & Gatekeepers, on March 5, 2011.

Want to hear it? Listen to A Little Bit Pregnant by Corey Doctorow

A little Bit Pregnant

(Below from iSchool website.)

In the keynote speech, Doctorow discussed the dangers that overzealous regulation of computers pose to our future.

The March 4 to 6 conference was organized by U of T’s Faculty of Information (also known as the iSchool) for students from both its own graduate program and those of other universities, among others.

The Saturday night keynote was highly anticipated as Canadian-born Doctorow is well respected and revered as the co-editor of Boing Boing (boingboing.net) and the author of Tor Teens/HarperCollins UK novels like FOR THE WIN and the bestselling LITTLE BROTHER. He is the former European director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation and co-founded the UK Open Rights Group. Born in Toronto and is now based in London, England.

The concepts of Boundaries, Frontiers & Gatekeepers was, in the content of the conference, related back to information studies. Papers, posters and talks ranged from Collaborative Consumption: Loyalty Cards, Surveillance and Social Sorting, to Evidence and Memory into the Future of Archives.

Here are some key points from Doctorow’s speech:

“Designing general purpose computers that sneak around their owners’ backs is a terrible idea. We’ve already seen what happens when you add just a little bit of control to networks and computers – most recently we saw Iran’s and Egypt’s secret police mining Facebook to figure out whom to arrest. Virus writers and identity thieves have already figured out that when there is a technology, that is supposed to prevent copying, running on a computer, that prevents certain programs from being seen or modified by users, that those are the programs you’d want to infect with your viruses because they also cannot be seen by the user of the computer.

[...]

Once we create the facility to lawfully intercept terrorist communications, or to speedily take down copy-right-infringement or to interdict pirate software, or to remotely prevent bad radios from running, we create the tools by which tyrants, crooks, snoops and jerks will spy on and control us, even if for the best of reasons.

[...]

Building a general purpose PC that is just a little bit locked down is like finding a woman who is just a little bit pregnant. Once the facility can be used for a legitimate purpose, it can also be used for illegitimate purpose…”

Highlights and above audio (from Singularity Blog)

Major Employers Speak

2011-02-20T13:04:00.000-08:00

Everyone always asks me what exactly I’m doing with a degree in ‘information.’ Am I going to be a librarian? What is an ‘information professional?’ This session, which took place on at U of T’s iSchool on February 9, featured major employers across the MI degree spectrum. What are employers seeking when they recruit? How are their needs changing? If you want to know the answer to these questions, and more, here are the videos. They may just help you get that dream job!

Major Employers Speak at U of T’s iSchool – videos

The Yiddish Policemen's Union

2011-01-20T19:50:00.000-08:00

Summary: The novel is a detective story set in an alternative history version of the present day, based on the premise that during World War II, a temporary settlement for Jewish refugees was established in Sitka, Alaska, in 1941, and that the fledgling State of Israel was destroyed in 1948. The novel is set in Sitka, which it depicts as a large, Yiddish-speaking metropolis.

Why I read it: My mom's family spoke Yiddish, and it won the Nebula and Hugo awards (among others). I also love exploring alternate universes/realities/timelines. It's a pretty great read, and well worth a look!

The Twitter.

2010-12-15T13:05:00.000-08:00

The title of this post comes from a conversation I had with my dad, about why exactly he should care about ‘tweeting’. (It's interesting how my parents tend to throw "the" in front of words- my boyfriends mom still calls it "The Bell")

It took me a long time to jump on the Twitter bandwagon. It took me relatively less time to jump on Facebook way back when, but I was bribed with the ability to find friends and travel mates pictures from our group trip to China. I’ve always been iffy about what I publicize about myself, and I found it weird that people would base judgments of me on 140 character statements. Also, I didn’t overly understand why exactly I (or you) would care about what I bought for groceries, that I’m getting take out, that I’m mildly bored, or, as one of my recent tweets stated as I awkwardly sat with a roomful of librarians at an AGM watching me awkwardly from my glass surrounded office right beside the board room where in a roomful of librarians, every one of them over 60 has an ipad, and everyone under 40 has paper. The rest have laptops.

The longer I’m on it (and I’m past a 1000 tweets, for better or worse) the more pleasantly surprised I am by it. I’ve found some interesting professional and personal relationships and as a way to get up to date information it’s invaluable. I’ve found colleagues around the world with similar interests, am able to follow news of my undergraduate degree and I even have a Direct Message (ok, so secret) book club where we chat about all of our guilty pleasure books. I’ve connected colleagues in relating but separate fields of film and music, to web designers and grant writers, had off the wall late night study decompression tangents, and even created a Toronto trivia team like no other. Twitter, blogging and other social media outlets can be a great way to both connect and stay connected but are also an amazing tool for staying relevant.

Government information vs. Freedom. Round... who knows.

2010-12-10T14:09:00.000-08:00

Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs Withdraws Its Warning to Students About Leaked Diplomatic Cables

Last week, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs Office of Career Services sent an email to students saying that an alumnus who works at the State Department had recommended that current students not tweet or post links to WikiLeaks because doing so could hurt their career prospects in government service since many of the diplomatic cables disclosed by WikiLeaks are classified. That warning has filtered down to some law school career services professionals. Boston University School of Law’s career services office, for example, issued a similar warning [text of email via ATL].

The Dean of Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, John H. Coatsworth, has now withdrawn its warning to the School’s students. Quoting from his email:

Freedom of information and expression is a core value of our institution. Thus, SIPA’s position is that students have a right to discuss and debate any information in the public arena that they deem relevant to their studies or to their roles as global citizens, and to do so without fear of adverse consequences. The WikiLeaks documents are accessible to SIPA students (and everyone else) from a wide variety of respected sources, as are multiple means of discussion and debate both in and outside of the classroom.

Should the U.S. Department of State issue any guidelines relating to the WikiLeaks documents for prospective employees, SIPA will make them available immediately

Why take notes when you have voice recognition software?

2010-12-06T13:07:00.000-08:00

Texting in Class: Survey Findings and Recommendations

There was recently a case at the University of Toronto where in a first year physics class, a professor was distracted/frustrated/angered/hurt/annoyed by students meowing in his class. This situation is one of many examples of what happens when class sizes get too large, and students feel they are part of a system, not a person.

Deborah Tindell and Robert Bohlander, Wilkes University psychology professors, surveyed 269 students anonymously about students texting in class. They found that:

95 percent of students bring their phones to class every day.
91 percent have used their phones to text message during class time.
Almost half of respondents said it was easy to text in class without instructors being aware.
99 percent said they should be permitted to retain their cell phones while in class.
62 percent said they should be allowed to text in class as long as they don’t disturb their classmates. (About a quarter of the students stated that texting creates a distraction to those sitting nearby.)
10 percent said that they have sent or received text messages during exams, and 3 percent admitted to transmitting exam information during a test.

(Emphasis added.)

None of this surprised me. I graduated with my undergraduate degree in 2007 from a very small liberal arts university in New Brunswick. I don’t want to say I was there ‘pre’ phone, because that’s a bit ridiculous – we all had cell phones, but at the same time very, very few of us had smart phones. I don’t know if it was the vibe on campus, but in addition until my last year of school most of us didn’t bring laptops to class either. This may have been because of small class sizes – in a class of 3-15 you notice when one person isn’t paying attention, or is texting – but for whatever reason, we actually paid attention to the professor.

The authors offered the following suggestions based on feedback:

Have a clear, written policy about cell phone use and enforce it consistently. State that phones must be out of sight and turned off during class. Make penalties clear, such as losing points or dropping a letter grade for unauthorized cell phone use. Penalties can be applied to attendance or participation credit by assuming that if a student is texting in class, they are not “present.”
Classroom design is an important component in curtailing cell phone use. The smaller and more intimate the classroom setting, the more difficult it is to text, students say. Desks that do not permit hidden cell phone use are helpful as well. If the classroom contains columns or other visual obstructions, instructors may want to prevent students from sitting in seats that are obscured from the instructor’s view.
Instructors should circulate around the classroom, and spend some time in the back of the classroom. Teachers should avoid focusing their attention on the blackboard, lecture notes, or on projected images at the front of the room, and instead pay attention to the activities of the students, making frequent eye contact. Survey respondents indicated that it is easier to text in class when the instructor is not paying attention to the students in the class.

(Emphasis added.)

I think the recommendations are vital but it’s also an important discussion on classroom politics in general. In my undergrad we paid attention because the profs knew our names, and would call us out and ask us questions. But again, by my fourth year my class sizes averaged 10 people- when you’re working with a classroom size of potentially 600+ students that just isn’t feasible. The largest classroom size possible at my undergrad was 150 students, and that only happened for first year classes. How do you inspire students to care about the work, and respect you when they feel that you don’t/can’t care about them being there?

So I have a little free time on my hands...

2010-12-02T13:10:00.000-08:00

A lot, apparently. Chris Good goes over past precedent where the 20 members crossed the line for their peers. Charlie Rangel was always safe, unless he angled for the Spanish territory in Louisiana. More at The Atlantic.

Then there are these CRS Reports:

Status of a Member of the House Who Has Been Convicted of a Felony (RS21196 April 15, 2002)

Expulsion, Censure, Reprimand, and Fine: Legislative Discipline in the House of Representatives (RL31382 Jan 25, 2005)

Expulsion and Censure Actions Taken by the Full Senate Against Members (93-875 Nov 12, 2008)

Recall of Legislators and the Removal of Members of Congress from Office (RL30016 March 26, 2010)

What do you do if you can't google.

2010-11-24T13:12:00.000-08:00

One of the things I do in my spare (ha!) time is work with youth in a literacy program. It’s a wonderful experience, and I truly do love doing it, but sometimes I really do wonder what’s going on in schools. To contextualize, while this is one experience I have had similar conversations with students at public, private and Catholic schools and yes, I remember when I was in my first year of university being TERRIFIED of having to go to the library for books.

“I’ve noticed on some of your Facebook pages a lot of talk and excitement about college. Some of you are getting your acceptance letters back, the juniors are making the rounds visiting schools – what about a Get Ready For University workshop?”
“What do you mean? Like school work?”
“Well, yeah. Um, I noticed just now that you said that you use Google for your research papers. Uh, you can’t really get away with that in college.”
“What do you mean? How else do you find stuff?”

From here we discussed what, exactly, happens during their paper writing process: they use Google to find websites. They cite (if they are even required to have a works cited page) the websites. They are often required to have one or two “book” sources. They use Wikipedia. They cite Wikipedia (and sometimes get away with it). They LOVE Wikipedia arguably more then they LOVE SparkNotes and copy them profusely. THREE of them had ever heard of a “journal” or used a “database” and that was because they were in IB programs and their teachers taught them for their special graduation projects.

Back to reality:
“OK, so when you go to university in the fall, you will have to use databases and find journal articles and read books in order to do a paper properly. Wouldn’t you like to learn some of that ahead of time? I can show you…”
“Nah. I mean, if we don’t know about all that, we can’t be the only ones – we’ll figure it out when we get there.”

Now, I feel I need to make something really clear, here – these kids, are half cream of the school’s crop – they’re in the literacy program not because they are low on the scale, but because they have talents that have been recognized by their teachers and this is a reward (it also allows the teachers to focus more time and energy on kids who need it more – I’m kind of a glorified babysitter). Seriously. Top of the class. Members of band, theater, Student Council. A few have been accepted to Ivy schools in the States, most of them have scholarships. And not only do they not know what a database is, they have never been required to know. The other half are the ones who need help - who need to be shown reading is fun, not punishment, and not a chore.

Want to know the scariest part? When I work with kids who are in the literacy program because they need help with reading, they are the ones who have been taught what journals and databases are – their teachers figure that if they give the kids tools to find the coolest, most interesting, relevant and specific information, they’ll want to learn to read better, and have more interest in reading as a whole. (it works. really well).

Metadata: Not a dinosaur. Or a Transformer. Though, it could be.

2010-11-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

One of the big deal spilling of ink issues over the past 25 years in legal librarians is on the topic of West’s Digests and Key Number system, and how those systems have influenced legal research, and, arguably, to a lesser extent how lawyers think about the law. The question of if the free-text system of computer-assisted legal research allows for a deeper, more interpretive research. It can get intense. Part of the big deal is that lawyers don’t use the digests anymore, really, only legal librarians do – and even that can be questioned. I, personally am of the mindset that if West is paying someone to put keep their eye on an opinion, that person could be adding more useful data than simply a rephrasing of a key legal issue. By data, I actually mean metadata (because I am in library school, and we like metadata in these parts). With additional metadata, we could extend the opinion by wrapping the entire order, parts, paragraphs, sentences, or words with tags that could assist in locating the opinion (via queries, search, linking, etc.) and giving greater context for it in a way that enhances the Key Number classification, but avoids the debate of whether and to what extent the “literary warrant of the Key Number System” should be expanded

BooksBooksBooks.

2010-10-21T13:14:00.000-07:00

Be a Real Librarian. Just Add Books.

2010-10-19T19:56:00.000-07:00

I recently came across this link for the Little Librarian website. As the site says:

"Little Librarian is the first personal library kit made just for kids! It encourages reading and is powered by creativity and imagination, not batteries! Little Librarian provides book lovers with everything they need to transform their book collection into a library. Kids can practice the important skills of organizing, sharing, borrowing, and returning. Book pockets, check out cards, library cards, and bookmarks are just like the ones from the real library. Little Librarians will issue overdue notices and awards. Favorite books can be stored in the reading journal and shared with friends.
To get started just add books!"

I think that not only is this the cutest thing ever, but that I want one for Christmakkah. Please?

PRChina White Papers now available in English!

2010-09-29T12:04:00.000-07:00

I remember about 6 years ago when I lived in China, I was blown away by how there was no public or unified system of availability of information. In Canada, I was so used to being able to find anything online, go to a library or, if I was desperate, shoot off an email. When we got to China, my classmates and I were baffled at how we were "not expected to need a library" and how "if we needed information ask" or having livejournal (yes, really) and google was blocked - facebook wasn't really a ~big deal~ then (yes, really). At any rate, I loved China - it was an amazing experience where I crossed amazing things off my bucket list (including climbing the Great Wall, and seeing the Xi'an warriors)

At any rate, the Information Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China has provided English-translations of Government White Papers. White Papers are authoritative reports or guides that address issues and how to solve them. Some of the topics covered are:

National Defense
Ethnic Minorities
Energy
Environmental Protection
Democratic Reforms
Human Rights

These papers can be found HERE!

In other news, the Terra Cotta Warriors exhibit is on at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. Go see it!

Google, Once more, is King.

2010-09-24T16:38:00.000-07:00

Google's Project 10^100 Awards LAW.GOV $2 Million to Make Government More Transparent
Law.gov has just been being awarded $2 million by Google as part of the Company's Project 10^100. From Google's September 24th announcement:

Idea: Make government more transparent
Project funded: Public.Resource.Org is a non-profit organization focused on enabling online access to public government documents in the United States. We are providing $2 million to Public.Resource.Org to support the Law.Gov initiative, which aims to make all primary legal materials in the United States available to all.

Amazing. Now someone bring this to Canada!

American Government is Getting Hip. That's what the kids say, right? Hip?

2010-09-10T23:54:00.000-07:00

The Government Printing office has done it - they've ventured into the world of comic books. I really really want to be jaded and mocking of this, but man, this is adorable.

Squeaks Discovers Type! is the story of a video game space mouse (yes yes yes!) who helps an elementary student Jake discover the invention of printing and its evolution through the ages so Jake can write a report. It may not be a Sandman, but the comic is illustrated and in color, the art is outstanding and rivals anything you'll find in a comic book store for kids. It's 24 pages long, and costs $5. I think I'm in love with this mouse. Seriously - is he not adorable?

Census. Indeed.

2010-09-02T12:15:00.000-07:00

I haven't really gotten into the whole discussion about the long form census fiasco because... I don't really know what to say about it.

On June 28, the following email was sent by the Chief Statistician of Canada, Munir A. Sheikh (Munir.Sheikh@a.statcan.gc.ca):

Subject: Update on the 2011 Census

This is an update on the 2011 Census. On June 26, 2010, the census questions were published in the Canada Gazette as required by the Statistics Act. The 2011 Census will consist of the same eight questions that appeared on the 2006 Census short-form questionnaire. All households will receive a short-form census questionnaire.

The information previously collected by the census mandatory long-form questionnaire will now be collected as part of the new voluntary National Household Survey (NHS). The NHS questionnaire will include questions on language, immigration, Aboriginal peoples, mobility, ethnicity, education, labour, income and housing.

The NHS will be conducted within four weeks of the May 2011 Census. Approximately, 4.5 million households will receive the NHS questionnaire, up from the 2.9 million households that would have received the census mandatory long-form questionnaire.

I know that I can count on your ongoing support to ensure the success of these two important Statistics Canada priorities.

This change means that the mandatory long form census questionnaire, sent to 20% of the Canadian population and consisting of detailed questions will be replaced with a separate voluntary survey. I really doubt many Canadians will willingly provide all of the data formerly gathered using the mandatory census, which has lasting implications not only for the research community, but for all levels of government and community groups that will no longer have access to information used to create public policy and support many programs and initiatives.

As an important note, On July 21, 2010, Sheikh resigned from his post as head of Stats Canada. Following his resignation, in a public letter, Sheikh expressed his disapproval of the government's decision, writing:

I want to take this opportunity to comment on a technical statistical issue which has become the subject of media discussion. This relates to the question of whether a voluntary survey can become a substitute for a mandatory census.

It can not.

—Munir Sheikh

Happy 40th!

2010-08-29T18:24:00.000-07:00

It's the guy on the left's 40th birthday in a week

I hope his gift is the 40 year old equivalent of the 21 year old this.

Israel

2010-08-28T15:43:00.000-07:00

Google vs. Government organization - Go!

2010-08-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

Google has just worked out a deal with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office where they will host 10 terabytes of patent and trademark data for download to individual users. That essentially includes all granted patents and trademarks and published applications with full text and images. The documents are available for patents and trademarks on separate pages with links to different classifications of items. The download consists of a zip file containing an xml document with all of the details. The prior method for accessing this bulk data was via DVD data discs at a significant cost to the requester. The downloads are free of charge. The Google Public Policy Blog announcement is here, and an the USPTO press release is here. This is kind of amazing. Kind of a lot.

oh. hello internets.

2010-07-19T16:01:00.001-07:00

I'm in New Brunswick. I went to school here for 4 years, at Mount Allison University where I got my BA in History and Canadian Studies. I loved my time here. I met a pretty amazing group of people, some of the best of whom I'm still happily in touch with even if we have scattered to the four ends of the earth. The Sackville I know looks like:

Currently, and a large part of why my posting has been... low, is because my boyfriend owns a house out here, and we're gutting it/ fixing it up. As such, my life has been more of the below, then the above.

There is so much more, that is so much more, but I've been a bit too busy to take pictures of it. I think I'll take a picture of all the garbage that we're putting out tomorrow - then you'll see. You'll alll see.

Pride 2010

2010-07-06T14:34:00.001-07:00

I love Pride.

My heart is breaking for my city.

2010-06-27T19:09:00.001-07:00

I love Toronto. I was born in Toronto General about 25 years ago, in the same wing my Dad was born in. I moved around most of my life - Stratford, Waterloo, New Brunswick, Spain, Italy and China, but Toronto has always been home. I love this city - I love the diversity, the food, the people, the Zoo - I love it all. Sure it has it's flaws, but this is my home. When I found out the G20 was going to be held in Toronto I was a bit worried. I didn't think it was a good idea to have it here - the history of protests turning violent, or ransacking I didn't want near me. I thought it would be better to have it somewhere else - anywhere else. But, I didn't do what a lot of people did, I stayed in Toronto. Partially because I was working a ballet recital, partially because I wanted to believe that we were better then this.

Turns out, we aren't.

There were some wonderful protests in Toronto:

The WWF had an amazing piece of protest art - heartbreakingly poignant, intelligent and telling.

(credit allvoices.com)

The Raging Grannies came out to protest for the future of their grandchildren

(credit cbc.ca)

And all of this, somehow turned into:

(credit cbc.ca)

and

(credit cbc.ca)

and

(credit cbc.ca)

And in the above instants, everything every peaceful protester was working for was lost.

So I wanted to put this out there. First off, to the World: I'm sorry this is something that you now associate with Toronto. To echo our Mayor David Miller "They are not welcome in this city." This is not who we are, and to those on the outside, I promise you that the majority of us in Toronto are horrified, saddened and sickened that this has happened, and is happening in our city. This is not who we are, this is not what we stand for and this is not what we believe in.

To the police from across Canada who are in Toronto right now. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I don't believe every decision you have made was the right decision, but I do believe you have done the best you could, in an impossible situation. I know you are human too, and I know that none of you came here with the intention to hurt innocent bystanders.

I know that every side has their bias, but I also know that just as not all protesters were violent, I know that not all police are bullies and thugs, beating and arresting people at will. Many of you showed great restraint, just as many of the protesters wanted nothing to do with the violence, neither did you. You have done an amazing job, and please, come back and visit one day, when all of this is over so we can show you everything wonderful our city has to offer. Al, from the Cape Breaton Police Force, if you're in Toronto again look me up, I promise I will show you and all of your friends how great our city can be.

To the criminals who turned a great opportunity for dialogue and protest into something horrible: Get the hell out of my city.

To the protesters who haven't been heard: What you have to say is important, and I truly hope what you have to say can soon be not only heard, but also listened to.

(credit cbc.ca)

Travel.

2010-06-17T21:08:00.000-07:00

I'm more then a little excited - I recently found out that I was accepted to go on a (free!) trip to Israel. I don't know the itinerary yet, but I do know that it will be an amazing 11 day trip. I've traveled a fair bit already - I've been incredibly lucky, and fortunate to have been on trips to Mexico, Costa Rica, Cuba around the Caribbean and have lived in Spain, Italy and China. Israel will be an... I don't know yet.

But, I've partied it up Spain style at 17, climbed the Great Wall, eaten some amazing (and mysterious) food, and did a dig in a field for 2 months and didn't die in Italy.

Freedom?

2010-06-17T20:26:00.000-07:00

I'm officially done my first (and a bit) year of my Masters program. It's been... an intense year - sometimes terrifying, intimidating, daunting, exhilarating, amazing and honestly, a complete blast. I've loved the program, and I am totally in love with all the different things I'm learning, and the directions that this can take me! I've met some wonderful people, and I think we're all pretty thrilled to be done the first hurdle!

I'm pretty darn excited for the next two months of chilling by my pool, seeing and catching up with friends and preparing myself for another, and (oh god) final year of education (probably)... (probably).

Snapshots

2010-06-10T17:20:00.000-07:00

Boy photographs well

I look suspicious

My mom's pretty great

So's my dad

We went to the Zoo, and the fish tank was amazing. But only with my camera flash

Snapshots of where I've been

2010-05-01T14:37:00.001-07:00

I went to Cuba for a week.

Cooking

2010-04-29T20:57:00.000-07:00

I will eat anything put in front of me, at least once. It started when I can’t remember. I didn’t know food mattered, because to me it just was. I didn’t know soup came from a can, I knew the hours of smelling it simmering on the stove and waiting for it to be perfect. I knew the rhythm of chopping vegetables by the time I was three, and my nanny was tentatively teaching me to use a butcher knife at 6. I knew that if you grew it in the backyard, it just tasted better, tasted more real. Growing up, life centered around the kitchen. If it was watching my grandma bake, watching my grandpa garden, watching my mom and dad cook, having tea and pie after school, being disowned (yes, really) because I didn’t want to finish soup at my bubbies or learning how to make a proper minestra at my nanny’s. Food mattered – eating out happened – a lot – but I knew that at home, we ate as well or better. My mom helped found one of the best chef schools in Canada, so I knew what the best of the best were doing, even if I didn’t know they were the best of the best.

We ate well, the steadiness of the kitchen often being the only constant in an early life I often felt was spinning out of control. Food is never food – it’s a way of getting something, anything, from those around you. It’s who we are, have been, and always will be. My dad saw growing up in northern Ontario, saw parents who survived the depression, and fought to see food as anything other then something to live off, he saw his father’s love of having a garden, and his mother’s love of making the perfect dessert. My mom saw a childhood that many people not only did not live through, but those who did lost a part of themselves. She saw her parents lose their families, friends and souls to a tragedy that made moving across the world seem like the best possible option. She saw moving from Germany, saw food as a part of life, and the joy of being able to cook as a way of showing love, sharing history and heritage.

I like the beauty of cooking, how tomatoes and basil and thyme simmering on a stove looks as good as it smells. I love cookbooks, I love dishes that remind me of memories. I grew up in the kitchen. I remember being at mom’s events, and sitting in the huge industrial kitchens, out of the way, in the corner just watching. I remember watching everyone I knew in kitchens own the kitchens, they were just a part of them. Cooking is what my family does, it’s what we’ve always done and what I will always do. I learned to cook because I watched, I never asked, I was never told I just watched. I was comfortable there, to this day it’s a good gage of how stressed I am by how much I’ve been cooking. There was a time where everyone thought I’d become a chef, but I don’t want to have to cook, I just want to love it. So I’ll eat what you put in front of me, I’ll cook when I just want to be happy, and I’ll continue to love food.

Internet Linking and Citation

2010-03-28T12:30:00.000-07:00

As I'm gearing up for the end of the school year I'm writing a lot of papers, and with papers comes the arguable trauma of citing. MLA, APA, Chicago, McGill, blah blah blah. There are so many different styles, so many ways to make small errors, and so many ways to be terrified you'll accidentally not cite something properly, get dragged in front of the dean and thrown out of your masters program because you forgot a period. Well. Not really. I ~know~ that I won't be thrown out for forgetting a period, I know I spend hours citing, and making sure I'm not plagerizing, but what about the real world? What happens when there is not more citations, or what about, the Internet?

Most people I've discussed the ideas/issues of Internet linking with agree that internet hyperlinks are a type of citation. There are, however, 2 schools of thought I've come across that DO NOT THINK that hyperlinks are a type of citation.

There are the people that 1. think you need to obtain permission to link to another website and 2. Those that think whoever is associated with the author/owner/host/ISP of a website are responsible for any content accessible via hyperlinks on their site.

I don't get that. Hyperlinking is a citation, because you are linking back to the original source material, you are NOT republishing the material on your own page - as that would be outright copying content from one page, onto another. I don't actually understand how a hyperlink could be considered republication, and am admittedly baffled by those who threaten legal action.

The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear Wayne Crookes appeal of a '08 BC ruling that linking to websites that contain allegedly defamatory material is not in and of itself defamation. Vancouver-based Crookes has sued a TON of poor folks for libel based not on things they wrote on their websites but on thinks written on sites they linked to, or sites those sites linked to. Really? Really?? So I link to, say, a blog of a University of Toronto professor. They, in turn, are studying, I don't know - racism in the early 1900's in the Southern United States. On one of those sites, THEY link to links to a page where THAT page talks about how some anti-racism protester is dumb. Crookes then wants to sue the U of T prof for defamation.

Y'know what? I can't even.

Keeping it Real

2010-03-06T21:10:00.000-08:00

School got a tad... intense a bit out of nowhere (Masters are hard. Who knew?) So I decided to copy Kaye's idea and give you some fun, random facts about me! Other then the fact that Kaye and I are occasionally freakishly similar, here are some random things to distract me from yet ANOTHER paper!

I don't love sugar - given the choice I will always chose savory unless it's certain types of fruit or dark chocolate. Growing up I didn't have much candy, unless you count Pepsi, and to this day I will rarely buy it for myself unless prompted. Unless it's Coke or Nestea - soda is my fatal flaw! Yes, I call it soda. Not pop, soda.

I have lots of books. Like... lots. Here are a fraction of the bookshelves, they line over a wall of our bedroom. This is a terrible picture, I'll try to get a better one. I absolutely love to read and currently have 5 books on the go. Maybe after classes I'll finally get to finish!

I also love mindless books. Sci-fi, Fantasy, Horror and Mysteries all are right beside books I'm reading on how to reference, biographies and amazing fiction and other non-fiction. I'll also read books over and over, it's how I calm myself down and relax.

One of the biggest sacrifices we've made living in Toronto is that a fair bit of our book collection is stored away in boxes due to lack of space. We is Beau and I - that's right. My beau's name is Beau. Really.

Speaking of loving to read, I'm currently going to library school, but I don't want to be a librarian. I want to build information infrastructure internationally, and am terrified and thrilled at the possibilities my degree offers me.

I'm partially deaf in both ears. I worked as a stage manager for four years through university. Because I was too lazy/broke to buy proper earplugs, I have mild hearing damage in both ears. So I'm not ignoring you, I probably just didn't hear you!

I love stuffed animals. I don't know why. But I really really do.

I love food, and cooking. I was raised around cooking, and it's what I do to relax. A good indicator of my stress is how much I've spent on food for a month. Alternately, when I'm extremely stressed I'll cook, but completely forget to eat.

I am extremely sarcastic, and generally feel people take life too seriously. I'll laugh at a lot of things a lot of people don't find funny, like falling. I'm not making fun of you, if it's funny it's funny. I also fall a lot, usually over nothing, and am the first one to laugh at myself for hurting myself in hilariously stupid ways.

Isaac.

2010-01-10T21:41:00.001-08:00

Everyone, meet mom's new kitten Isaac.

Ow. Owowowowow.

2010-01-05T15:43:00.001-08:00

I don't often talk about it, because generally, I deal with it fine. My body is pretty messed up - all my joints are too loose which means that I have been known, on occasion to fall apart. A few weeks in Mexico, I slept badly. Normally, whatever- I'd been snorkling and laying around in hammocks all day and really - who am I to complain? As a result of my sleeping badly, I was pretty worried this time- I couldn't breathe, and ir hurt to lay down. I went to see boy's step-dad, a chiropractor and... long story short, I managed to twist two ribs, bruise both my diaphram and sternum. He treated me Sunday, Monday, and I have to go back Friday. I'd like to emphasize that this was from sleeping. At any rate, it hurts to breathe, let alone laugh. Being me, not only can I not stop breathing, but finding this hilarious, I can't stop laughing. Because you know. Constant pain is hilarious?

Anyways, amid the pain, I somehow dragged myself out of bed this morning to make it to my 9am class, and managed to (while forgetting to eat) make it to my 2pm class too. I loved them both. 100%. The one is a seminar on 4th world archiving, and the other is basically Information and Culture. Both profs are ones I think are fantastic, the class sizes are small, and the subject matter is fascinating. This seems to be shaping up to be a wonderful semester - I love where the degree is going, and I love where I think I can take it. I'm... more settled then I've been in a while. I think 2010 is gonna be a good year. Now all I gotta do is figure out what goes on the chalkboard wall.

Felix.

2009-12-30T19:40:00.000-08:00

This past sunday we had to put my cat Felix down. He was 15 years old and was... an amazing cat. There are good cats, and amazing cats, and Felix was one of the amazing ones. Losing a pet is always hard, but this time... I don't know. I want to say it was harder, but I don't know how it can be easy. Fee was born in my mom's bedroom, an accident between our two cats before we could get them neutered.
We adopted him out to our eye doctor, who abused him and his brother. We took them back, and through my tears, mom agreed to keep Fee for good. He didn't trust humans for years. He had his moments, he would sometimes jump on your lap, or lay beside you, most often behind you on a couch. He was an outdoor cat, a hunter, catching rabbits and raccoons bigger then he was, and coming out of them without a scratch.About 4 years ago he started to get closer, wanting to sit on your lap and be close, and finally when mom moved into a condo he started to really... be our cat. He wanted to sit on our laps. When I would house sit, he would cuddle up beside me, instead of just sleeping at the foot of the bed. Same with mom, he would sleep pressed up against her side.About a month ago, he started getting lethargic. 3 weeks ago we took him to the vet for being lethargic, and a small lump on his lip. This sunday, we took him to an emergency visit at our vet, to put him down because the cancer progressed so fast. Mom and I were in Mexico the week before, and my boyfriend had to take him to the vet, where we were informed they could keep him alive till we got home, but it would be a fight. We did that, and had 5 days with him when we returned home, before we couldn't put him through anything else. The saddest thing I've seen was seeing our cat Sullivan curl up beside Fee's body after we put him down, licking him one last time.
RIP Felix. You were one in a million.

Feliz Navidad

2009-12-26T14:59:00.000-08:00

For Christmas, I went to Mexico with my mom

It rained, so I did a lot of this. It was actually pretty awesome.

I also did a lot of this when it wasn't raining. That's my mom and her sun-cape. What's ridiculous, is she had that and SPF 60, and came back more tanned then I am.

We went to Tulum and Coba, This was Tulum.

The Flowers were GORGEOUS.

I'm done!

2009-12-10T18:43:00.001-08:00

I've finished the first semester of my Masters, and it feels GOOD. We had our last group project presentation today, and I handed in my 1300 take home. Which is AWESOME.

We finally got a menorah to go along with our tree.

I am 100% ready for a month off, a week of that which will be in Mexico.

But while I'm here, I love this city, even without snow, and when it's freezing.

Oh Christmas Tree.

2009-12-05T22:00:00.000-08:00

I love Christmas. So much. I was raised pretty solidly worship at the altar of Santa, and to this day Christmas is about that. Hanukkah is about family, and togetherness, and meaning. Christmas is about family, togetherness, and presents. I love it. Having a tree, presents, seeing how thrilled kids are that Santa's come.

This was our tree.Look at this Tiny... cookie-man?
Oh! Hello Santa.And now this is our tree.

Pépé.

2009-12-03T22:12:00.000-08:00

Pépé is 98, turning 99 in February. He has a nicer webcam then I do, and msn's with his son-in law every night. He speaks 4 languages, is a photographer, and edits his pictures on the computer. He feels it's much better then how he used to have to edit them.

Chalk is fun.

2009-11-28T22:09:00.000-08:00

The bear you see is named Bearable. When I was a kid, my dad's job was bringing adopted children home. One year, at Christmas, we didn't think he'd make it home. He dropped the baby off in Dallas, Texas, and the family gave him this bear so he wouldn't have to spend the holidays alone, and so it would be bearable to him. He made it home.

Alpaca Monday

2009-11-23T22:03:00.001-08:00

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie/ In Flanders fields.

2009-11-11T12:05:00.000-08:00

I don't quite know what to say about Remembrance Day. It's a day of silence, reflection, respect and honour. My grandfather on my dad's side was in the Merchant Marines and the Legion was a huge part of his life - every Friday and Saturday was spent there. My mom's side lost everything in the war - their family, their homes and part of their souls. I remember my aunt Fanya showing me the numbers tattooed on her arm, and I remember her scaring me when she told me that I could never forget. I have several very dear friends who are in the army currently, one of whom has been on several tours of Afghanistan and I fully admit that even though we've lost touch I'm terrified every time I hear of another soldier dieing.

I don't care if you support the war, but you support the people who fought/fight/will fight/died in and lived through it.

These people are the heroes. They deserve our respect.

Georgian Bay

2009-11-08T10:33:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago Dad and I decided to take our annual trip a little bit north to see the leaves. And apparently a waterfall. And to steal apples - a yearly tradition. Why should road side fruit trees go to waste? And then Beau got attacked by a goat. Seriously. I have never seen an animal go after someone so vehemently.

Autumn's here

2009-10-18T20:26:00.000-07:00

Southern Ontario in the fall is... gorgeous.
The great pumpkin sacrifice is in the early stages

The streams are icy cold
The leaves are coating the pathsWe went to Hoggs falls. We even found the damn place!

Me and pops.
Dad hiking up the trail to the falls.
Southern Ontario has its flaws.... but damn if the highlands aren't wonderful

Catnip and Fish chowdah.

2009-10-13T00:21:00.000-07:00

My thanksgiving this year was not the normal gluttonous feast that thanksgiving normally is and... I kind of liked it. Sunday we had a delicious fish chowdah made with halibut and tonight we had a roast beef. Turns out the stress IS the best diet- I barely ate anything. Beau's dad also kills the vegetables dead, and soaks them in butter and garlic, so I don't feel the need to stuff myself because they aren't really vegetables anymore. Still good, just not vegetables.

In other news, I'm drinking peacetea. Blue Vervain, Lemon Balm, Catnip, Oat Straw, Red Bergamot, Chamomile, Hops, Motherwort, Valerian, Sweet Gale, Skullcap and St John's Wort all mixed together and drank it makes me feel like everything's alright and I can sleep. Which I basically haven't done in... a few days.

Goddamnit. I don't need to do this again.

The tea is good as a sedative, anti-depressant, sleeping aid and good for irritability and nervous exhaustion which basically sums up my life right now.

Algonquin Tea Company makes a ~very~ similar version to mine, and it's where I go when I can't mix it myself. Their site has a pretty good list of what each ingredient does.