You'll Shoot Your Eye Out...

It's Sleeeeeeeeeeeting...It's Raining Sleetcicles
At first it was really neat walking home in the sleet storm. The sound that the little balls of ice were making as they hit the sidewalks, trees and other assorted things in the quad was like a little symphony just for me. Then I saw the Chimes and it was sleeting sideways and you could see the rays of ice balls bouncing off the brick exterior and then it happened...

An sleetcicle right in the eye.

After that the sleeting and little ice balls dancing off the pavement to their own little tune lost their allure. I then proceeded after saying - "Ow" to put up my hood and hightail it home.

But until the eye-ouching moment - it was pretty cool sight to behold.

Isn't It Ironic...

...don't you think?
-Alanis Morissette-

Back in the day when I was just a young pup at Clarion University the illustrious university signed a deal with Pepsi Co. that they would only serve Pepsi products on campus and only have Pepsi vending machines etc...

Well here at University of Alabama they apparently have a deal with Coca~Cola and only serve Coke products on campus and have Coke vending machines etc...

So here in lies the Irony.

While attending CU I loved Coca~Cola and all they sold was Pepsi.

Now attending UA my beverage of choice is Diet Pepsi.

Maybe I'll just stick to my Mint Iced Tea that I make myself.

LS 500 Reflection on the Principle of Least Effort

Thomas Mann’s Principle of Least Effort states:

“That most researchers (even “serious” scholars) will tend to choose easily available information sources, even when they are objectively of low quality, and further, will tend to be satisfied with whatever can be found easily in preference to pursuing higher quality sources who use would require a greater expenditure of effort.”

Mann’s point of view is that Librarians acknowledge the Principle of Least Effort but do nothing to counter it. Mann goes on to state what the Library Profession needs is a clear understanding of the information we have. He feels that the current libraries are designed using assumptions of how users will behave. Mann compares doing library research to playing a pinball game and states that the design of the system is much more important than the experience level of the user in getting positive results. Mann goes on to cite several sources that all verify no matter what the background of the user (researcher, educator, engineer, scientist or doctor). They all follow the path of least resistance to get the information they desire. In fact one citation from the National Enquiry Scholarly Communication’s 1979 study stated, “Most scholars try to avoid using libraries in the first place, preferring by a large majority to use their personal collections instead.” That to me is a scary thought – that scholars avoid the library. In the end Mann comes to two conclusions. The first is that when users have a choice between two systems one easy and one more difficult – most users will choose the easy path even though the more difficult system would have better content. The second conclusion is that seasoned scholars and researchers follow the slope of the system that makes some channels easy and others more difficult to use. Mann states, “It is irresponsible to view the creation of information systems as merely a technological problem. Ironically, disregarding the Principle of Least Effort is itself a result of the same principle at work.”

The Role of Bibliographic Objectives

Elaine Svenonius states, “A statement of objectives…should state just what it is that the users need to find.” According to the IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) a full-featured bibliographic system consists of the following five objectives: Finding, Collocations, Choice, Acquisition and Navigation. Present day library catalogs use the traditional objectives in principle, but in reality as time has passed they have become warped and have lost a great deal of organization. Plans to fix the systems and bring them back to their traditional objectives are dismissed as unaffordable. Where the Principle of Least Effort and the Role of Bibliographic Objectives mesh is over the debate as to whether full-feature bibliographic systems are necessary. The arguments against implementing the full-feature system include the cost argument and the user argument where studies have been done that show the users don’t need and are incapable of using a highly organized system. Arguments for the full-feature system all revolve around the user and their rights. First that users are being short changed and that some searches require more bibliographic power than others. Second users have a right to use the five objectives to search a system. Lastly, that if knowledge is to advance a full-feature bibliographic system is required. The principle of least effort states that users will always follow the easiest route and the debate over the full-feature bibliographic system centers on the following line of thought – Why should we give them an advanced system when people will opt not to use it.

The Invisible Substrate of Information Science

Above the water line Marcia Bates states, “Information Science is the study of the gathering, organization, storing, retrieving and dissemination of information.” Below the water line is characterized as, “In applied information science, we find ourselves primarily concerned with the form and organization of information, its underlying structure, and only secondarily with its content.” Information Science must use a mix of methodologies to solve the problems that arise. Both social and engineering sciences are needed if the profession is to be successful. Bates also talks about her litmus test for newcomers to the profession and that information scientists must learn to view the world at two levels, one theoretical and the other practical. It is interesting to note that organization is both above and below the water line according to Bates. In the library there is organization that the user is privy to and there is organization that the average user has no knowledge of. It is then the job of information scientists to make sure that the organization both behind the scenes and in front of the scenes work seamlessly together to get the user the information they require in the quickest manner.

Critical Reflection

I feel that the Principle of Least Effort is most likely true and that the majority of the users follow the path of least resistance. I think it then becomes the job of the librarian to ensure that any new systems that are placed in libraries are as user friendly as possible. Making the systems easier and the information as accessible as possible for the patron will entice them to use the library all the more often. I have always subscribed to the belief that you get what you pay for. So if a system is a little more costly but easier to use and more efficient for the user it is then our duty to lobby for that system. I think it is very unwise to assume how users will behave as they all have different research priorities. The average user, seeking information for a personal interest versus the scholar doing research for a book or paper are in need of vastly different levels of searching capabilities. I find it very humorous that while the majority of librarians acknowledge the Principle of Least Effort, they fall into the same trap by not altering the systems. The user and the librarian become hamsters stuck on the same wheel not realizing that if they would simply stop there is another route available to them, possibly a better one with a higher quality of information.

LS 521 Journal Entry for 01/30/07

While I was in church of all places a thought for my journal entry occurred to me. I happened to be seated behind a couple with twins (one boy and one girl) that were approximately seven months old. At some point during the service they began fussing and the mother pulled out two books (The Fuzzy Bee & The Squishy Turtle) and their faces lit up and they were sufficiently engaged and happy for the remainder of the time left.

So my thoughts on this are that from the time we are born books enter and are an important part of our lives. We begin with touch and feel books and progress on to board books with such topics as shapes and numbers etc as we age.

Seeing the twins faces glow when the books appeared made me reflect on the twins in my own family and the 12 other grandchildren all younger than myself. We have all been very lucky that books have been such an integral part of our lives. Of course having an Aunt (my mother) that is a librarian ensures that they will get at least one book or magazine subscription for their birthdays.

I also do realize that there are those children less fortunate than my family. I was lucky enough to help an organization last summer that gave books away to children of all ages and incomes. One of the neatest baby showers that I have ever been to was to fill a library with books for the baby, everyone was asked to bring two or three of their favorite books. I will also do what I can to continue the trend of giving books as gifts to my brothers and the current and future children of my family.

--
There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island.
~ Walt Disney ~

The Tribe Has Spoken...

My mom recently met Gervase Peterson from the first season of Survivor.

That brings the tally up to 3 Survivors that we have met collectively.

Gretchen and Gervase both from Season 1 & Lex from Africa & All-Stars



Gervase gets bonus cool points for the Flash Gordon T-shirt.

Flash Ah-Ahhhh!

Grinning Like a Cheshire Cat

I really liked these pictures.

The first one is from the artist Alison Lefcort.

The second one is from a loaf of bread or something.

The description was really wacky.

Poor Starbuck...

My poor little iPod, Starbuck has a sad face.

I have tried Apple's recommendations.

Anyone out there in Cyberland have any other ones?

Off to get ready for class!

Moo with me..Moo! -Maureen from Rent

These Boots Were Made For Walking...

...and that's just what they'll do one of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you.
- Nancy Sinatra

This is a picture from my hometown paper in PA. I thought it was a really cool perspective.

Apparently a new PA law went into effect on Tuesday. The new law requires motorist to remove the snow and ice from their vehicles before hitting the road.

Paging Dr. Huxtable

I got to see the Cosby Show. But alas no pudding pop. It was the one where Theo goes to prom and gets the brilliant idea to take his date on a helicopter ride - Hilarity ensues.

J - E - L - L- O

Scottsdale, Arizona made in Jello. Very cool use of Jello.
For the entire video click here!Now I would like a Jello Pudding Pop -- I wonder if they sell those down here in Alabama? While I eat my Jello Pudding Pop I would like to watch The Cosby Show.

I wonder if Bill Cosby ever knew at the beginning of his career that his name would be synonymous with Jello?

Brrr...It's Cold In Here...

...There must be some Toros in the atmosphere.
- Bring It On

It is only 19 degrees here this morning and according to Yahoo! it is only 3 degreess colder than home in NW Pennsylvania.

What is up with that?

I now must walk to class - hopefully I don't turn into an icicle on the way there.

What is a Blog?

I got the following question in an email and thought I'd discuss. So here goes...

"What's the difference between a Blog and a Web Site?"

"How it it supposed to work?"

My own thoughts are that a blog is much more personal and can be updated more easily than a website.

Here are some definitions that I found via searching Google with "What is a Blog":

A frequent, chronological publication of personal thoughts and Web links. A blog is often a mixture of what is happening in a person's life and what is happening on the Web, a kind of hybrid diary/guide site, although there are as many unique types of blogs as there are people. People maintained blogs long before the term was coined, but the trend gained momentum with the introduction of automated published systems, most notably Blogger at blogger.com.

Blog (originally weblog) is a diary or history. Blogs are used by all types of entity from corporates to personal users. Most personal blogs are anonymous and typically refer to issues in daily life – usually centred on the working environment.

"A blog is a web page made up of usually short, frequently updated posts that are arranged chronologically—like a what's new page or a journal. The content and purposes of blogs varies greatly—from links and commentary about other web sites, to news about a company/person/idea, to diaries, photos, poetry, mini-essays, project updates, even fiction."

Blog is short for weblog. A weblog is a journal (or newsletter) that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption. Blogs generally represent the personality of the author or the Web site.

Here is the Merriam Webster Definition:
blog
One entry found for blog.

Main Entry: blog
Pronunciation: 'blog, 'bläg
Function: noun
Etymology: short for Weblog
: a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer
- blog·ger noun
- blog·ging noun

I also posted this question to my classmates via an online forum. This particular class is very technological as we have to submit all our classwork via blog. I will try to post any responses I get that way as well.

Special Thanks to Barb who was the inspiration for this post!

Fluff...Fold...Repeat...

First let me preface -- I haven't had to use a laundromat in quite some time and I really didn't know how good I had it, just having to go down into the basement to throw a load in the wash.

Now I have to prepare, sort and spot all the laundry, make sure I have enough quarters, go when they are open and plan what to do while I am waiting.

The first time around I tried to do homework. The operative word here is try. There were a lot of interesting characters in the laundromat that I went to. The section that has chairs and tables for you wait had a family with 3 children that were bouncing off the walls and a TV playing a basketball game that I'm positive could wake the dead.

First of all there were no signs as how much anything was and the first machine that I went up to I thought was a washer -- oh no it was a dryer. OK so finally get myself sorted and lug all my stuff inside. It's a $1.25 to do one wash, ONE WASH! In a washer that isn't very big to begin with. There were washers that took 12 quarters -- That's 3 Dollars! When I was in college I swear it was only 50 or 75 cents a load. Then to dry it's 25 cents for 8 minutes.

I did get away rather cheap though. I shoved as much stuff as I could into 2 washers and only had to use one dryer as some of my clothes I prefer to air dry.

There's nothing like folding your drawers while other people are watching. To the gentleman who watched me fold my underwear while he was waiting for his dryer to finish I'd like to say EW! They have a TV - that's what it is for. Go watch it and not me.

So now back in the comfort and safety of my apartment I am surrounded by the smell of fabric softener and the laundry hanging on all my walls, door and window frames. At least now I have something to look at besides white walls!

Clang, Clang, Clang Went The Bell

I have to give kudos to the Taco Bell Marketing Department. After doing my laundry (more on that later) and venturing even further from my apartment to Super-Target I decide to get something to eat from the Bell. So I order my taco salad and come home...blah..blah etc...

When I go to use the taco sauce and what do I find but little mini messages on each packet and man are they a hoot! It's kinda like those necco hearts that you get for valentine's day but cooler. Anyway here are some of the gems I received:

Scratch & Sniff: Gotcha!

Ahhh... we meet again.

Make a wish.

Thanks for rescuing me, Hot was getting on my nerves. (On a mild packet)

Can I drive?

At night the sporks pick on me. (They have Sporks! If I would have known I would of asked for an extra one.)

Hear on NPR Today

62 yo Grandma from Arizona was sentenced 3 yrs in prison and $150K for drug running after 200 pounds of marijuana was found in her car.

The best part - she says she did it to support her bingo habit.

Guess that means bingo is more addictive than drugs.

PINK is my Favorite Crayon, yeah...

PINK it was love at first sight
PINK when I turned out the light
PINK it's like red but not quite
And I think everything is going to be all right
No matter what we do tonight
-Aerosmith

Woo! The Bama Girls won the 3rd Annual Power of Pink Meet vs Auburn University on Friday night. They gave a check for $225,000 to the DCH Breast Cancer Fund.
-- Take that Breast Cancer!

Alabama Crimson Tide 197.475, Auburn 195.9
Check out Coleman Coliseum awash with pink t-shirts.

If you look to the right of the picture and follow the line of girls on the floor mat. That is the student section. I am in the middle of that sea of pink. As opposed to you know the other seas of pink situated all around the coliseum. :)

For more info read the article at RollTide.com.

Real Life Pip & Pop

Oh the Cuteness!

The original post is at Cute Overload and there is a really cute video and more pics at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

FYI - Pip and Pop are the lovable purple Otters from Bear in the Big Blue House. Also for those of you that don't know my affinity for Pip & Pop comes from when I worked at the now defunct Bear in the Big Blue House Live on Stage at the Disney~MGM Studios.

Drive Thru and Roadway Drama

Ok - So I'm feeling pretty good I made it to the grocery store unscathed and didn't get lost and I decide to go and getting something to eat. I know, I know I just bought groceries - what do you expect to do now cook - nah.

So I venture the other direction from my apartment exploring. First I get stopped for a train going by. Which is cool it gives the car time to warm up and me a chance to play with my radio stations. Finally after what feels like an eternity the train is done and all the cars are merrily rolling along.

So I am exploring my fast food options. The south seems to have twice as many as we have up north. My favorite thus far has been Krystal's. But I digress, I am looking for familiar territory and I spot the Golden Arches (Hi Uncle Tom!) and decide to pull in. Ok there are two ordering places - there is another car in one so I take the empty one. I place my order and pull up and this is where the trouble starts. There are now two windows and I wonder hmmm which one should I go to. I assume that I was at Ordering Apparatus #2 so I go to window #2. I was WRONG! Window #2 is for getting the food -- Window #1 is where you pay. So I have now thrown the entire Arches line-up in disarray. I say to the young man was I supposed to go to the other window. He says it's ok and takes my money. At this point the young woman from Window #1 comes to Window #2 at which point the woman in the car behind me who was in front of me has her door open and is yelling, "Don't give her anything, she didn't order, You'd better not giver her my food!" At which point I'd like to crawl under my seat and disappear. I hate to cause a ruckus and now feel horrible for throwing a wrench into what is supposed to be a fairly straight forward process. We'll just call it ~ How to screw-up the Drive Thru 101 ~

So now I have my food and all I need to do is get back to my apartment and we can call this mission accomplished. I leave the arches lot and turn left and then notice the large cement barrier on my right. Uh-Oh! Headlights, multiple headlights and now horns coming at me. I am on the wrong side of the road. Thankfully my guardian angel was with me and I was able to get off the road and then when my heart stopped doing the staccato it started when I heard the horns. I then pulled back on the road going the correct direction and made it safely back home.

Whew! Enough drama for one night.

The Golden Glow of the Ethnic Aisle

So I decide to venture out and surprisingly don't get lost on my way to Publix. I figure I have enough time, surely 30 minutes is ample time to shop for the few groceries I need. Then I get there and it's like double the size of the stores at home and I go down the ethnic aisle and wow there's like a golden glow. I have never seen so many different imported products including various Thai things and Goya products. Back home you would have to go to Pittsburgh or Erie to find things like that outside the realm of American cuisine. I then make my way to the checkout after zooming through the store. I really feel I didn't do it justice and that it would take at least an hour possibly more - but alas not much funds right now. So it's probably just as well. While checking out I mention to the clerk that the store is huge and she says oh this is just a quickie store. The one in Northport is much larger, every department is twice as big. Twice as big - I can't even imagine. I knew Dorothy and I weren't in Kansas anymore when I saw Tofurkey on the shelf. But all the departments twice as large - Yowza!

Coming soon after I figure my way around T-town a trip to the Super Deluxe Publix!

Hellooo from the South!

This was originally written 1/14/07.

As you may or may not already know -- I am now attending Graduate School for Library Science at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL. It's a rather large university with almost 28,000 students and about 200 in the SLIS Graduate Program.
I will be here a week tomorrow (Martin Luther King Day). My mom and I drove down last Sunday and Monday. It took about 14 hours. It all happened very quickly as the office forgot to send my acceptance letter before Christmas Break and ended up calling me. They knew of an available apartment nearby and so I took the plunge and started packing to come to Alabama.

Upon arriving and looking at the available apartment I began to worry as it was somewhere near one of Dante's circles of hell. Really - if you don't believe me ask my mom. It was extremely close to campus (which was really the only thing it had going for it) but it was dirty and the fridge was no larger than a small milk crate (approx 3 ft across) with the small sink and two burners on top.

I then had the idea to call the Catholic Student Center and see if they rented rooms or apts or knew of anyone who had some available. Thankfully they did and had an apt empty. So I live near the St Francis Church and Catholic Student Center. It didn't hit me until I came to look at the apt that the church's name was St Francis. Both my grandfathers love St Francis and that is my one grandfather's middle name. It was at that moment that I knew if I was meant to stay in Alabama that I was going to get this apartment. Plus my mother could rest assured knowing that I would be attending weekly mass as the church is practically right outside my front door.

My apt is very nice - it has 2 bedrooms, large dining/living/kitchen area and bathroom with parking nearbyand I am on the end. Yea! Less noise that way. I am close to the Library where all my classes are, the Football Stadium, the Aquatic Center, Baseball Stadium and Coleman Coliseum.

This past Friday I went to a Gymnastics Meet that was very cool. The student section is right near where they do the floor routine. The opening introductions were quite the to-do. There were fireworks, a tunnel of lights and huge blow-up things. Personally I could have done without the fireworks after every intro - the smell of sulfur got to me after awhile. There is an Olympic Silver Medalist that goes to Alabama - Terin Humphrey - she's a junior - she did really well until the floor routine and then she almost fell on her face. That was the most heartbreaking aspect of the whole meet - when ever someone would stumble or fall you could just see it in their face.

So far I had orientation into the SLIS Program and two out of the four of my classes. The four classes I have are: Organization of Information, Intro Library Info Study, Info Sources & Services and Material & Services Children.

I have met several nice people thus far. Some of my neighbors and some fellow students in the graduate program. There is a married couple from Milan, Italy that are graduate Students about and two artists two doors from them.

It is a very different experience than my undergrad as Clarion only had about 7,000 students and I don't think I've ever experienced the kind of enthusiasm that they have for sports down here. Alabama is the Crimson Tide and the mascot is AL the Elephant. Sports wise they are a member of the SEC and the new football coach came the same week I did -- Nick Saban who came from the Miami Dolphins in Florida. Thankfully I will have sometime to get acquainted and acclimated with the town before football season -- apparently that is something to behold. There is a bonfire the night before every home game and a parade and tailgating the day of the game around the quad. I read somewhere that fans attend wearing rolls of toilet paper strapped to their heads and tide boxes. I will have to take pictures if I see that!

Visitors are enthusiastically welcomed!!

I believe Graceland and Atlanta are about 4 hours away if I remember correctly from mapquest.com
New Orleans LA is about 8 hours and Orlando FL is 9 hours.
So if you are passing through or near -- Let me know!!
I have cousins in Huntsville which is about 2 hours from Tuscaloosa -- so I am hoping at some point that I will get to see them.The closest airport is Birmingham, AL which carries Southwest Flights (hint! hint! Cheap Flights)