BATGIRL

Oops--that should be Friday in the last post

2011-06-28T11:23:00.001-05:00

Strange Friday

2011-06-27T13:11:00.002-05:00

Last Saturday was a strange mix of emotions. I went to the memorial service for a friend who had a fairly long and full life but died much too young for those who knew and loved her. At about the time I was heading for home--my nephew's wife gave birth to their first child. Emily Jean joins her two brothers and is my mom's first great grandchild (the boys came with their mom to make my nephew now the proud father of three).

Rare light hearted moment with tornado

2011-05-23T07:09:00.002-05:00

Sunday afternoon I was planning on attending a concert of Bach music. The final season concert for the Chamber Singers of Iowa City (which was dedicated to a dear friend who is ill and was one of the founding members of the group 40 years ago) was scheduled for 3:00. The area had been under a tornado watch for most of the day, but the storm appeared to be out of out immediate area. WRONG!! We had just gotten seated when we were "advised" (ie strongly urged) to move to the building's safe area. This happened twice during the next 45 minutes. Finally, they decided it was safe to begin. Everything went fine for the first half of the concert. The second half piece had just begun when the lights went out. Since the singers and the orchestra hadn't memorized the work (imagine!!) we waited while the staff got the lights back. The best part was the facility staff (who were wonderful during the entire event) saying that they should have memorized their parts and the conductor (sitting on his dias) admitting he had no comeback for that. In the end the concert got finished, it was beautifully done and they had a wonderful reception celebrating 40 years of beautiful mucic.

Goodbye Josie

2011-05-20T17:40:00.002-05:00

This is my favorite picture.

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-07T10:24:00.002-05:00

2011-02-17T11:56:00.001-06:00

New England vacation

2010-11-17T05:26:00.002-06:00

Earlier this month I visited a friend and we took a few drives. It had just rained but there were still some beautiful views.

Are we having fun yet??

2010-11-15T06:37:00.002-06:00

Sigh, I wish I understood why activities that we undertake for fun can get folks so uptight that the fun drips out and only an empty bag is left. I learned a long time ago don't hit that send button until you are sure you want to see what you have said as the headline of the New York times. A corollary is that nothing anonymous ever stays anonymous--so say what you want but own up to it if you really feel you must say it.

The merits of pugs, as opposed to 'real men's' dogs

2010-11-13T14:54:00.000-06:00

The merits of pugs, as opposed to 'real men's' dogs

Pictures of Muslims Wearing "Things"

2010-10-27T12:20:00.002-05:00

In reference to former NPR (now showing his true colors at FOX) commentator Juan Williams and his fear of muslims wearing muslim things on planes ;-) -- this site hits the spot!

http://muslimswearingthings.tumblr.com/

Goodbye Sweet Girl

2010-03-09T08:36:00.001-06:00

Goodbye Sweet Girl

Posted using ShareThis

AARGGGGGHHHH

2009-11-12T09:16:00.000-06:00

Iowa City Municipal Airport, IA

Temp : 34.0 °
Conditions : Light Snow
Humidity : 79 %
Wind : Southeast at 8.1 MPH (7 KT)
Dew Point : 28.0 °
Barometer : 30.18 in.
Wind Chill : 27 °
Last Updated on Nov 12 2009, 7:52 am CST

A serious error in tactics!

2009-11-12T08:43:00.004-06:00

BTW, when hibernating, don't dangle your feets outside the cave.Mamas will find you.

Are people nuts?

2009-08-08T07:39:00.001-05:00

The screaming is bad enough--but death threats and hanging in effigy? And there are nutcases out there that think this is the way to do business in a democracy?

Sheesh!!!

Sir Taxalot and Senator Grassley

2009-08-05T10:46:00.001-05:00

I am so embarassed!!

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-august-4-2009/chuck-grassley-s-debt-and-deficit-dragon

Books and a Pug

2009-08-04T08:55:00.000-05:00

There is a little pug named Walter who had a horrific run in with an SUV last month. His owner is the author of two books (one a pick your own ending and the other a straight forward novel) and those of us following his welfare are encouraging the purchase of them to help with the vet and PT bills. His blog is at www.walterthepug.blogspot.com and her name is Heather Mcelhatton. The two books are Pretty Little Mistakes and Jennifer Johnson is Tired of Being Single and are available from the publisher at her website or from Amazon.com. Both have been well reviewed ;-)

A new "birther" document:-) ;-)

2009-08-04T08:53:00.000-05:00

Snort ;-)

http://ayatollahmugsy.blogspot.com/2009/08/obamas-real-birth-certificate.html

Avert your eyes all conservatives and "liberal" media

2009-04-29T08:22:00.002-05:00

I have found it very interesting to observe the almost identical reactions of the conservatives ("media" and main line party members) and the "liberal" media (mostly TV) to the last 100 days of Obama. They are all falling all over themselves to complain about EVERYTHING that happens. They are all hyperventalating over the plane that took a "photo op". Do they really think that he knew about it and approved it? Why should he fire the guy who apparently (stupidly) approved the addition to a training motion--especially when I think of the republican operatives that have been given 2nd, 3rd and more chances after much worse errors. Now if he does something equally stupid again--then fire him. I love the duet of conservatives moaning about how he has already ruined the county by making it socialist (they need a serious history lesson) in combination with the liberals moaning because we are not yet at nirvana. To both--get a life!

Iowans are NOT hicks!!

2009-04-13T13:59:00.000-05:00

In response to the astonishment about Iowa's gay marriage ruling, LINDA KERBER, a history professor at the University of Iowa, said she knows that many left and right coasters know nothing about Iowa or its long, progressive legal history. "You don't need a passport to cross the Hudson River, but many think you do," Kerber said. "These New Yorkers who say 'Iowa? What?', they're being very provincial. They need a passport to go to France, and they go to France a lot more than they go to Iowa." In 1847, the University of Iowa became the first public university in the country to give women unfettered access to higher education.

It is after Easter for heaven's sake!!!

2009-04-13T13:15:00.000-05:00

It is 37 degrees outside and SNOWED this morning!!

BRRRRRRR

2009-01-15T09:18:00.000-06:00

It is -21 out side (the wind chill is -40 something).

Oops

2008-12-24T08:05:00.000-06:00

Turn the sound off on the video:-) I forgot the tv was on!

Bah Humbug :-)

2008-12-24T07:50:00.007-06:00

It's not that I don't like snow,but not when I have to go to midnight church!!

Books, books, books everywhere

2008-12-18T08:07:00.004-06:00

Because I have so many books still in my house from a review committee I decided to make use of some of them. Notice the pyramid shape of the book pile, that image is on my Christmas cards.

I also have a few pictures of the Santa's that live year round in my living room.

Christmas Meme

2008-12-04T10:32:00.001-06:00

Stolen from The Devil Dog blog!

Christmas Meme

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Doesn't matter ;-)

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial (especially now that I have one with lights).

3. When do you put up the tree? The weekend after Thanksgiving.

4. Wreath on your door? Always--usually artificial, but real this year.

5. Do you like eggnog? Love it, wish it was available all year long!

6. Favourite Christmas gift received as a child? Books, always books.

7. Easiest person to buy for? My sisters.

8. Least easiest? My Dad when he was alive.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. I actually have several, including a few that are ornaments.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail! Even though they are frequently late!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A watch when I wanted the doll my sister got! To add insult to injury, she had no interest in doll, but my mom wouldn't let us switch.

12. Favourite Christmas Movie? How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? December.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No.

15. Open presents on Christmas eve or morning? One gift Christmas eve, the rest in the morning.

16. Lights on the tree? Pre lit tree. It's awesome!

17. Favourite Christmas song? I'll be Home for Christmas (Bing Crosby--does this age me?)

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home. I've not travelled at Christmas for over 30 years. I HATE airports during any holiday season.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Of course! Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet Cupid, Donner & Blixen. Rudolph and of course Olive (all of) (Stolen from Roxy's answer.)

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Yes

21. Favourite thing to eat at Christmas? Ham and cranberry sauce.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Driving home from work in the dark! Too many people in the stores.

23. Favourite Tree ornament, theme or colour? Pug ornaments and my collection of Santa ornaments

24. Favourite for Christmas dinner? Ham, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes.

25. Brussels Sprouts - ugh, hate them for the most part. Although someone made some really tasty ones for Thanksgiving.

26. Favourite accompaniment to the Christmas Pud? I've never had Christmas pudding.

27. Favourite Christmas Carol? I Saw Three Ships.

28. Your very Favourite Christmas Thing? Time off

29. A Christmas wish! Peace on Earth, Good Will to All, That we all learn to get along on the only planet we have. That we all keep our jobs and homes and are healthy and happy. You get the idea. (also from Roxy's answer.

30. Tag a Seasonal Six! Anyone who wants to who hasn't, go ahead!

I am a bad blogger!!

2008-12-01T08:12:00.003-06:00

I don't really have any excuse for not blogging--I'm on line regularly! I will admit that I've been reading and getting ready for a meeting (actually 3 day long meetings!) in January to decide on the titles for the 2008 Notable Books List (American Library Association). It has been a wonderful experience, although so near to my planned retirement that I'm only able to be on it for one year.

Getting ready for EMC-2

2008-09-23T10:36:00.001-05:00

Next week I leave for Eastern Media Con 2 in Newark, NJ. This and MediaWest in East Lansing are my two ventures into fandom. I'm looking forward to this (and to visiting with a friend).

Been a while

2008-08-07T11:44:00.002-05:00

I've been out of town and trying to get back up to date at work. We still have the effects of the flood (we will have them for years). Every day we are hearing about businesses that are not going to relocate or renovate but go out of business. It looks like there may need to be rethinking of where our arts campus is going to be. Apparently the UI's insurance company won't continue the policy for the Art Museum if it goes back where it was. The music building (not the auditorium but the building with the Music Department and recital facilities) may be beyond renovation.

They are still using the library parking lot to stage repairs to two adjacent buildings so they can be used for the fall term in some capacity.

For pictures of the flood and recovery try: http://www.flickr.com/photos/uinews/

Well, well, aren't we special ;-)

2008-06-19T14:09:00.003-05:00

President Bush and an entourage are here on the ground. He actually set foot on land (I'm sure because of the criticism when he only flew over New Orleans), it remains to be seen if this helps get aid here to those who so badly need it.

I'm sure that later today or tomorrow the papers below will have pictures, etc.

http://www.presscitizen.com (Iowa City)
http://www.gazetteonline.com (Cedar Rapids)

Unheard of

2008-06-14T08:22:00.002-05:00

The University is actually closed for the week. They are sandbagging the library and the computer building since the materials in them can't be moved and we are less then a block from the river. It is virtually impossible to get between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids (it will be interesting to see if I have to move my flight home on Friday) since the highway and most other routes in the area have been closed due to flooding. I can't get any pictures directly since I'm staying out of downtown.

Some interesting urls

2008-06-12T08:39:00.003-05:00

http://www.iihr.uiowa.edu/initiatives/2008_Flood.html The hydrolics lab is right on the river just beyond the library.

http://imuflood.wordpress.com/ The IMU (Iowa Memorial Union) was badly flooded in 1993, it will be interesting to see what happens this year.

http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage The Iowa City Press Citizen

Some humor survives in spite of all:

http://www.gazetteonline.com/ Cedar Rapids is only 20 miles from Iowa City but is on the Cedar River as opposed to the Iowa River (Iowa City) so they are actually worse off earlier than we are/will be.

Well, it appears that this is going to be seriously beyond 1993

2008-06-12T08:29:00.004-05:00

Above are some pictures from today. I took these from the 5th floor of the Library facing the river. We have been warned--for the first time in all the years I've lived here--that the library might actually have more than some water in the elevator shafts.

The UI has decided to close all buildings edging the river at 500PM tomorrow. I don't work on Fridays so that means I'll have to keep up on the internet and e-mail myself.

The Latest

2008-06-11T14:11:00.005-05:00

Here are some pictures from 2:00 PM from the 5th floor of the Main Library of the University of Iowa.

Shakespeare Theatre stranded

2008-06-11T10:20:00.003-05:00

The Shakespeare Theatre has had to move it's summer productions from their theater in Lower City Park due to the flooding. The Theatre is the building that looks like the Globe Theatre in the upper portion of the picture

Over the dam

2008-06-11T07:44:00.004-05:00

It looks like the next few weeks (at least) are going to be fun. As it happens, I live up pretty high and not near any rivers and streams. Unlike many river towns, Iowa City's city center is built up above the river. In fact, most river property is university buildings (dumb, dumb, dumb--they are evacuating the Theater and Arts buildings as we speak), private property and commercial buildings. But most of Iowa City is above the river by quite a bit.

Well, last night at 8:30 the first water came over the spillway of the Coralville Dam. Here is today's Press Citizen: http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage

And here is a commentary from a colleague of mine in the cataloging department from the same paper:

New Flood Site

2008-06-10T11:18:00.001-05:00

The University of Iowa has set up a blog to keep track of UI flood information.

http://uiflood.blogspot.com/

OOPS

2008-06-10T09:02:00.005-05:00

The local paper today:

I have been a bad blogger-over a month! I need to put up an account of my trip (my 14th, I think) to MediaWest Con at the end of may, but right now Iowa City and Coralville are in imminent danger of flooding.

In 1993 we had our "100 year flood" and it looks like this may be worse. the pictures above are of the Coralville Dam--built by the Core of Engineers to "control" water flow down the Iowa River. It is expected that the water will go over the spillway (picture on the right) sometime today.

I've been tagged!

2008-05-03T10:01:00.010-05:00

Itripped (Louise) at Heavy Breathing tagged me. So here is my six word memoir.

loves: books, libraries, other peoples pugs!

I'm violently allergic to cat and dog dander (and trees and weeds and aspirin, etc. etc. ;-) so I have to take out my pug lust on other peoples dogs.

Who else but a librarian would have a love seat covered in books.

Cautionary tale on adding a pug (or any pet) to your home!

2008-04-13T07:41:00.003-05:00

The website Urban Pug (see below or list of links) has had several recent posts on considerations that should be taken into consideration when looking to add a pug to your home. Today was an excellent post on the pitfalls of looking for a "free" pet--pugs or any other. Anyone who follows the animal cop shows on Animal Planet knows of the horrors of puppy mills and animal horders. If you want an adjusted and healthy pet, you should inform yourself and be prepared for the cost of adding to your family. In the areas of behavior and health, it is wise to consider your pet in the same category as your children. IMO, unless you are prepared to provide basically the same nurture to your pets as to your human children--consider a stuffed animal instead.

Libraries and Independent Publishing

2008-04-05T09:49:00.003-05:00

On 3/20/08 at Melville House in New York there was a panel discussion held on The Future of Independent Publishing

The panel was shown on C-SPAN during BookTV this weekend (it will be shown again on Sunday at 11:15 AM).

During the Program Andre Schiffrin of Melville Books, talks to Jacob Stevens of Verso Books and Anthony Arnove of Haymarket Books about publishing contemporary political books and the future of independent publishing in general. The talk was hosted by Melville House in Brooklyn, NY.

Andre Schiffrin in particular commented on the failure of libraries (particularly academic libraries) to support the alternative/diverse/etc. publishing of books. This is happening at the same time that libraries are patting ourselves on the back that we are better serving the public (at any kind of library) by rapidly eliminating individual selection by subject specialists (part of the Library of Congress's recent plan of action for the future); buying materials in lots electronically and then blocking print purchase of the same items; etc.

Are these conflicting patterns really the way for libraries to fulfill our responsibility to not only preserve the past; serve the present and prepare for the future? What are we going to preserve if we ignore the present?

An auspicious day for pugs

2008-03-27T07:57:00.002-05:00

It appears that 6 and 7 years ago, the 27th of March was an auspicious day for pugs. Three of my favorite sites (Urban Pug; Goodboy Norman Featherstone and Owned by Pugs--see links) are each celebrating a birthday in their midst. It may be gloomy and rainy where you are--it certainly is here!--but a happy birthday is always good for the spirits.

Are public libraries a drag on the public coffers?

2008-03-13T11:27:00.004-05:00

Earlier this month a George Elmore wrote an opinion piece in the Gainesville Sun proposing that all money, staff and resources for public libraries in the state be cut and "repurposed". His main argument is that, according to his calculations, each visit to a public library costs $15.00 and that money would be better spent going back to the taxpayer. Below is the core of his argument--what do you think of his arguments?

http://www.gainesvillesun.com/article/20080303/OPINION03/803030303/-1/opinion

Pull the plug on the libraryBy GEORGE ELMORESpecial to The Sun March 2, 2008

Historically the public library has been a valued research institution, and has served that purpose admirably. But no more. With the advent of the Internet and Google, virtually no serious research is carried on in the library stacks.

Recreational reading? If not done online, then one can go to any of the big box bookstores and read to one's heart content and even have coffee.

Books to take home? They are almost free at Hospice, Goodwill, Pet Rescue and other charitable outlets. At garage sales on any Saturday, $5 will buy anybody a year's worth of recreational, if not educational, reading. I hardly need mention that twice a year the Friends of the Library sells thousands of books at 10 cents each.

No Internet access? This may be a problem for a tiny minority, but just a small portion of the library budget for a single year would purchase Internet-ready laptops for any and all who would qualify. If a person can make it to the library for access, I am sure he or she can make it to Starbucks or Books-A-Million for the link-up.

Libraries and our society

2008-02-14T08:24:00.004-06:00

In the last week I saw two plays that celebrated the library (the PUBLIC library) as a place that is conducive to romance--She Loves Me and The Music Man. Then today in Heloise's column in the paper she discussed libraries as places of peace and quiet. Or at least that was the consensus of those she quoted:

Heloise column http://usweb04.newsmemory.com/ee/cedarrapidsgazette/default.php?token=373287360252590

Libraries no longer quiet places to relax, research
Dear Readers: We had a comment from a reader regarding how loud and disruptive her library was. We asked readers for their comments, and boy, oh boy, did they respond! Here are some of the remarks: . From Carol, via e-mail: “From childhood through adulthood I have been an avid library patron. Libraries used to be quiet places. We were taught in school to use our quiet, indoor voices while attending the library. I now find that the library is a noisy place where it is hard to concentrate.” . From Meena, via e-mail: “I feel it is up to the library staff to keep the library quiet. I do not think that patrons who come to read in the library should be moved to a quiet area just because there are inconsiderate people making noise. The noisemakers should be moved to a special area — outside the library!” . From Junior, via e-mail: “When I was growing up, I rode my bicycle to our smalltown library to read and check out my favorite books. The librarian was always helpful, and it was always as quiet as a deserted church. Now I find adults who are talking loudly on cell phones, ignoring signs not to. There were carloads of kids being dropped off and then proceeding to run around like it was the local jungle gym. Now I do my research on the Internet and buy books at the bookstore.” . From Sally, via e-mail: “Public libraries are for all people, if they adhere to the rules. Why should a library have to set aside a separate, specific quiet area? The entire library should be an oasis of calm and peace for study or enjoyment of the offered materials. The serious library patrons are entitled to that.” Write to: Heloise , P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 782795000 or fax to 210-HELOISE .

This was interesting to me since I have some concern about the future of academic libraries and their services, but I have felt (and still feel) that public libraries are quite healthy. They may not be a tomb but they are far from being chaos.

Any opinions?

2008-02-10T07:47:00.000-06:00

I hope that everyone who is interested is aware that Westminster Dog Show is on Monday and Tuesday on USA and CNBC. The schedule is back and forth between the two.

Schedule NIGHT 1: Live Telecast: Monday, Feb 11 (8-9 PM Live ET / 8-9 PM PT) on USA Network
Continuing NIGHT 1: Live Telecast: Monday, Feb 11 (9-11 PM Live ET / 9-11 PM PT) on CNBC

NIGHT 2: Live Telecast: Tuesday, Feb 12 (8-11 PM Live ET / 8-11 PM PT) on USA Network

2008-02-08T07:34:00.000-06:00

I've been reading a lot of blogs lately (mostly on pugs) but some on other topics and I've decided to jump into the pool myself. As I get closer to retirement my feelings and concerns about my chosen profession have actually grown. This is a place that I want to use for that as well as my interest in topics such as reading (not nearly as dead as some would have us believe), hand crafts like knitting and crochet, television (particularly science fiction) and my beloved pugs!

My love of pugs is the only part of my life that is all "virtual". I can't have one in reality so I have really enjoyed taking part in others lives with their pugs.