Archive for September, 2005

Do I have style? Take this HGTV test!

Friday, September 30th, 2005

Quiz

As an aside to all this sad book banning stuff, I was reading someone else’s (who happened to also be a librarian) blog and she had taken a style quiz. I, of course, HAD to take it. I’m “classy”. Looking at my house, I don’t really see that. In fact, if anything I would say I’m more crowded, messy modern. I like funky colors and straight minimialist lines. I really hate all that fru-fru flowery patterns, all the busy lines… The site tells me that I’m drawn to timeless lines, and neutral colors with rich accents. Umm take one look at my house and no, that’s not me. All primary colors: bright and cheerful and crazy. Nothing trendy or faddish? Well, I guess that’s true. I’m more about comfort.
I had to go grocery shopping last night, so I didn’t have time to write about a banned book. Therefor, I’m going to write about two tonight! Stay tuned.

Do I have style? Take this HGTV test!

Friday, September 30th, 2005

As an aside to all this sad book banning stuff, I was reading someone else’s (who happened to also be a librarian) blog and she had taken a style quiz. I, of course, HAD to take it. I’m “classy”. Looking at my house, I don’t really see that. In fact, if anything I would say I’m more crowded, messy modern. I like funky colors and straight minimialist lines. I really hate all that fru-fru flowery patterns, all the busy lines… The site tells me that I’m drawn to timeless lines, and neutral colors with rich accents. Umm take one look at my house and no, that’s not me. All primary colors: bright and cheerful and crazy. Nothing trendy or faddish? Well, I guess that’s true. I’m more about comfort.
I had to go grocery shopping last night, so I didn’t have time to write about a banned book. Therefor, I’m going to write about two tonight! Stay tuned.

The Witches by Roald Dahl

Wednesday, September 28th, 2005

I read Roald Dahl books when I was younger, but I didn’t realize how much I loved this man until I became an adult. I loved the BFG, and of course Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach. Upon looking at the list of the most often challenged/banned books in America from 1990-2000, I saw that #27 was The Witches. Okay, so the book is called “Witches”, but the witches themselves aren’t even really human. At the very beinning of the book, Dahl differentiates them from people by saying that they don’t have toes. Dahl also makes witches bad creatures that need to be disposed of. You really don’t feel any sympathy for the witches, in fact you really hope that the main characters do defeat the witches. Of course, if you don’t like the idea of magic, good or bad, you still won’t be pleased with this book. Since this is my personal blog, I will say that I don’t think that there’s anything so horrible as using your imagination in order to allow you to be a more creative individual. Well at least in my humble opinion.

The Witches by Roald Dahl

Wednesday, September 28th, 2005

I read Roald Dahl books when I was younger, but I didn’t realize how much I loved this man until I became an adult. I loved the BFG, and of course Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach. Upon looking at the list of the most often challenged/banned books in America from 1990-2000, I saw that #27 was The Witches. Okay, so the book is called “Witches”, but the witches themselves aren’t even really human. At the very beinning of the book, Dahl differentiates them from people by saying that they don’t have toes. Dahl also makes witches bad creatures that need to be disposed of. You really don’t feel any sympathy for the witches, in fact you really hope that the main characters do defeat the witches. Of course, if you don’t like the idea of magic, good or bad, you still won’t be pleased with this book. Since this is my personal blog, I will say that I don’t think that there’s anything so horrible as using your imagination in order to allow you to be a more creative individual. Well at least in my humble opinion.

It’s okay. I know I’m crazy.

Monday, September 26th, 2005

I’m going to try and get another grant… or two. I can’t remember if I posted earlier about this, but I was involved in a homeschooling grant with Cathy Henderson, the librarian from Greece, Jennifer Lindsey, the librarian from Chili and Adrienne Furness, the librarian (or uber as I like to call her) from Webster. So we officially got this grant for $35,000. Woe. Anyway, each of us was supposed to specialize in a different area. Hilton was going to specialize in the Arts. Then I found out about the grants available through the Arts and Cultural Council for Greater Rochester. There’s two of them: one for specific programs and one for advancing a cultural institution. Both sound great, but I’d have to have them in their office by November 10 at 5 PM. This does not give me much time to get everything set down on paper and completed. EEK! Needless to say, I would have to get started on this, whatever I’m going to do, almost immediately. I would like to do some Art History or Art classes for people that would relate to the homeschooling program. I would also like to get money for classes for one of the staff members to learn html, so that our website can be better developed. I just need to start writing everything on paper and sorting it out in my head so it makes sense.
Okay. Time to go to sleep. I can worry about this tomorrow.

A tooth!

Monday, September 26th, 2005

Finally, all that drool has paid off. I spoke to my mom before Jeff and Jack got home, and she had to immediately tell me… JACK GOT HIS FIRST TOOTH! Unfortunately, its mostly still right below the skin. He keeps getting bigger and bigger. I can’t believe he’ll already be 6 months on Friday. Has it been that long already? It amazes me. Anywho. Time to put him to bed soon.

Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison

Monday, September 26th, 2005

In all honesty, I can’t remember much about the book. I read it when I was in college at Geneseo, when I was an English Lit major and reading a lot of books at the same time. I do remember that I loved it, especially at the end when I distinctly remember crying quite a bit. I felt that the book was excellent, and fully intend on rereading it as soon as I can.

According to the American Library Association’s website:

85 Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
Reason for challenges: racism, sexually explicit, offensive language

It seems weird that a black author could charged offensive by writing “racist” language. I mean, sure I know its possible for a black person to be racist, just like its possible for a white person to be racist. However, considering that almost all the characters in the book are black, it seems strange that Morrison would be considered racist against black people, which is where I assume they are trying to go with it. I’m also getting really bored with the “sexually explicit” claim. People have sex. Sex is life. That’s all there is to it. Granted, the main character, Milkman is in a relationship with his cousin, but that doesn’t stop it from being real life. Also the “offensive” bit. I’m going to assume that the “n” word is probably used quite a bit, since the book is not supposed to take place in the present. But even if it did, young black people still say the word, you can hear it in the music etc.

I am of the opinion that people need a reason to complain. They can’t handle it when a book that takes them out of their own comfort levels is really, really good. So they complain and try to wipe the existence of the book off the face of the planet. All I have to say is, shame on you. Shame shame shame.

I will remember to read this book again, because at the time of reading it in college, it was really good. Take that book burners!

It’s okay. I know I’m crazy.

Monday, September 26th, 2005

I’m going to try and get another grant… or two. I can’t remember if I posted earlier about this, but I was involved in a homeschooling grant with Cathy Henderson, the librarian from Greece, Jennifer Lindsey, the librarian from Chili and Adrienne Furness, the librarian (or uber as I like to call her) from Webster. So we officially got this grant for $35,000. Woe. Anyway, each of us was supposed to specialize in a different area. Hilton was going to specialize in the Arts. Then I found out about the grants available through the Arts and Cultural Council for Greater Rochester. There’s two of them: one for specific programs and one for advancing a cultural institution. Both sound great, but I’d have to have them in their office by November 10 at 5 PM. This does not give me much time to get everything set down on paper and completed. EEK! Needless to say, I would have to get started on this, whatever I’m going to do, almost immediately. I would like to do some Art History or Art classes for people that would relate to the homeschooling program. I would also like to get money for classes for one of the staff members to learn html, so that our website can be better developed. I just need to start writing everything on paper and sorting it out in my head so it makes sense.
Okay. Time to go to sleep. I can worry about this tomorrow.

BTW…

Saturday, September 24th, 2005

I just looked up uber in wikipedia and found out quite a few things:

1) uber should have an umlaut, which, imho is pretty freaking cool

and

2) it means super in Latin

and

3) it means over or superior in German

and

4) it means super cool in English

and

5) it means awesome librarian in Rochester…

Okay so I made that last bit up. Who cares.

Good night again.

Walter the Farting Dog

Saturday, September 24th, 2005

Yup. Walter the Farting Dog. He was banned (or challenged) this year. Poor Walter. He can’t help his flatulence. But somebody out there didn’t like the idea of a farting dog. Or probably a farting anything. But kids love farts and they love dogs! Who could imagine a more perfect combination. Granted the family in the book doesn’t really care for his flatulence, but they learn to appreciate it when the gas saves their lives from some evil robbers. There’s really not much more to say, except everyone in the world should read Walter and I’m really bad at book talking… which is why I will quite soon need the help of Ms. Uber-librarian herself, Adrienne from Webster Public Library.

Good night!