The Days & Nights of the Lipstick Librarian!

It's a Librarian Thing...

Last week I attended the Oregon Chapter of the Special Libraries Association annual banquet. Since this is my last year as a SLA member (long story; nothing to do with the organization and everything to do with my expenses) I looked at the dinner as the end of a long goodbye. I've been in the profession long enough to know these events feature a well-respected speaker with a semi-upbeat topic, something along the lines of "yes we are facing challenges but this is a unique opportunity" kind of thing. And this year's speaker seemed pretty much on target: Nancy Gershenfeld from University of Washington's Information School. The topic? "The Future of Special Libraries". Oookay....

After the baked chicken and flourless chocolate torte, I dutifully turned my chair to listen to Ms. Gershenfeld's presentation. She did not disappoint: What the L? Challenges and Opportunities for the Special Librarian. Slouching down into my seat for the post-banquet lull, I was grudgingly surprised when Ms. G started describing her path into the profession. So far, so good. Then we got to the S Word.

I'll admit I'm the biggest offender when it comes to talkin' about the stereotype. And as the biggest offender, I find myself feeling a little impatient about the topic. After all, if there's anything that exemplifies the proverbial dead horse professionally, it's this. I slouched even lower and developed a sudden interest over the hours of the no-host bar.

But there was something she did during the presentation that shook me: she asked the audience what they did to overcome the librarian label. How did they fight preconceived notions of what librarians are and do? Then it struck me:

Is being a librarian like being mixed race?

More next time.....

In An Alternative Universe? Dept: Think Kanye would have picked this song if he heard the The Carlton Singing Knight's version first?

I left my heart in SF and I all got was dissed

I realize we're working in the occupational equivalent of a nunnery but we've got to be hotter than a concrete column at the Powell St. Muni station:

(photo courtesy of Brian Yaklich and Paul Harris)

Meanwhile, one Metro stop away...the San Francisco Public Library is looking for personal pixs of everyday gay life. Here's your chance to show the world gay folks have lives in between pride parades and film festivals.

Living with an Evil White Boy

It's fall: the frost is on the pumpkin, an underage, overexposed celeb enters rehab, and my husband continues to exude evilness.

I try to be patient, to understand the fact this is a condition beyond his control. Looking at the DSM-IV, it appears that he meets four of the five criteria for being a buzz kill. But despite his so-called powerlessness in fighting this condition, there's no disputing the fact that he's evil.

Still not convinced? What would you call someone who says things like

"Don't squirt lighter fluid on those hot coals."

"I think the bride and groom are the ones who're supposed to cut the cake first."

"Go ahead and try putting a bandana on that raccoon, but don't be surprised if you wind up in the emergency room. Again."

"I don't think the ability to shove an entire plate of deep-fried calamari into your mouth really proves anything." and

"Even Kanye would get a little tired of listening to "Stronger" 150 times in a row." (pause) "Aren't you out of hot water by now?"

But the yellow cake of his diabolical nature?

The Scene: two nights ago, bedtime at our house
Me: wearing pigtails and coming to bed (it's a long story...)
Husband: reading in said bed
Me: "Do I look like a demented Pippi Longstocking?"
Husband: (long pause) "Yes." (looks back at book)

Pray for me.

What I'm Listening To Dept: Gym Class Heroes' Clothes Off. Can't resist a group who samples Supertramp and Jermaine Stewart....