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ALA

Top Tech Trends @ ALA Midwinter 2010

Well, the cat is out of the bag at this point: I’m going to be a Trendster for LITA’s Top Tech Trends at ALA Midwinter 2010! And doubly cool, I’m with an amazing group of librarians, all of whom I admire. I’m honored to be included with them.

From litablog:

It’s that time again, folks; the semi-annual Top Technology Trends conversation is upon us. This year’s midwinter has us enjoying the history and chill of Boston, but like the last midwinter Top Tech discussion in Denver, you can participate from the warmth of your living room or from wherever you may be, a week from this Sunday.

WHERE: Boston Convention Center (BCEC-162A/B), here at litablog.org, from ustream.tv, or via Twitter (#alamwttt) links to follow soon!
WHEN: Sunday, January 17, 2010, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. E.S.T.

The start of the second decade of the century starts with five Trendsters who are new to the Top Tech Table:

Amanda Etches-Johnson, User Experience Librarian at McMaster University
Jason Griffey, Head of Library Information Technology at University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Joe Murphy, Science Librarian, Yale University
Lauren Pressley, Instructional Design Librarian, Wake Forest University
David Walker, Web Services Librarian, California State University System

Join us for a fun and casual discussion, moderated by Gregg Silvis, LITA Top Tech Trends Committee chair.

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Brand_New_World Uncategorized

Little Artist




Most fun ever!

Originally uploaded by griffey

If Eliza doesn’t turn out to be a chef, she might be a painter. Or some kind of funky performance artist. Either way, it’s cool with me. I think I had a kid just so I would have an excuse to play with craft supplies, paint, and construction paper. Luckily, she agrees with my love of these things.

Categories
Personal

Happy 2010

I didn’t want New Year’s Day to slip by without some looking back on the year that was 2009, and here I am with about 20 minutes left in the day. So what did 2009 bring me? Some awesome things: a daughter that is the best thing ever, professional successes beyond my wildest dreams, and a spouse that keeps me centered on both things in turn. It also brought some sadness: the death of my grandfather, and other extended family troubles.

But overall, I think 2009 treated me pretty well, and 2010 is shaping up to be even more exciting already. So many amazing things coming this year: new book coming in March/April, a new still-secret-but-almost-ready-to-launch project, some fun travel, and hopefully positive news on both mine and Betsy’s tenure decisions.

Thanks for everything, 2009, but 2010 is gonna kick your ass.

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Brand_New_World Uncategorized

Waiting for Santa!




Eliza and Santa 2009

Originally uploaded by griffey

We weren’t sure how Eliza would react to seeing Santa. But as you can see from this photo, the encounter went extremely well. Not only was she willing to sit on Santa’s lap and smile for the camera, but she also clearly told him what she wanted (a “bicycle”) and said “Thank you, Santa” when he handed her a candy cane. I was somewhat stunned. Was this MY child? I was notorious for screaming and wailing at the first sight of the big man in the red suit. To be fair, this was one of the best, most authentic-looking and sounding Santas I’ve ever seen. It was at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, which was also a great place to spend a Saturday morning.

So we’re all anxiously waiting for Santa. Every day, Eliza asks me if he’s coming. And every day, she says she wants chocolate and toys in her stocking. Luckily, she won’t be disappointed. However, we think she believes she will see Santa come down the chimney. We’re not sure she’ll be thrilled that he came while she was sleeping and she missed him.

Categories
ALA Writing

Google Explosion

I blogged over at ALA TechSource earlier this week about the explosion of Google services that happened in 2009, and picked out the top 3 or 4 that I think libraries should be watching. If you’re interested, I’d love to know what you think about Google’s growth, and how Libraries are keeping up.

Categories
Personal

Blast from holidays past

I just wanted to call some attention to one of my all-time favorite posts here on Pattern Recognition, which honors a holiday tradition from one of my favorite areas of the world, the Catalan region of Spain. I posted this last Holiday season, but in reading it, it just never gets old.

The Story of Caga Tió

Catalan families go into the woods and find a Christmas Log (Tió de Nadal) to bring into their home. It’s painted or otherwise decorated with a face, and wrapped in a blanket. Over the weeks before Christmas, the Caga Tió is fed sweets and other treats, in order to get him ready for the command performance on Christmas. After weeks of being fed, the Caga Tió is ready. He is then beaten with sticks by the children of the family until he poops out treats for the children, usually in the form of the Catalan treat called turron. Yes…the log poops out the children’s treats, which they then consume. Caga Tió literally translates into “Pooping Log”.

Go read the rest of the post. Really. There’s even a video…it’s worth it, I promise.

Categories
Books Library Issues Media Personal

Mobile Technologies and Libraries

Mobile Technology and Libraries

Sometime in the last few days, evidently my newest book hit the data streams, because it now shows up on Amazon, in LibraryThing, and on the publisher’s website! It won’t be out until March or so, but it’s still exciting to see.

Categories
Brand_New_World Equipment Learning

Sad Bicycle

Last night while playing, Eliza stopped, looked at her new tricycle (which she calls a bicycle) and said:

“Mommy, my bicycle is sad.”

IMG_8907

It took Betsy a few minutes to figure out what she meant, but she was focused on the wheel above. She then went over to the bike, patted it, and said “It’s ok bicycle, I’m right here.”

Categories
Library Issues Technology

Libraries are…

Libraries are...

Presented without comment.

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Brand_New_World Uncategorized

Eliza is two!!!




IMG_8837

Originally uploaded by griffey

Happy Birthday, my big girl!

You can run, jump, dance, climb, sing, hum, make funny faces, play tickle monster, and make people laugh. You love books and to “read” to your stuffed animals and baby dolls (and sometimes to mommy and daddy). You’re a little addicted to Ni Hao, Kai Lan. But sometimes you like to watch the old Frosty the Snowman cartoon. Your favorite toys change from day-to-day, but you adore your new tricycle, Mr. Potato Heads, kitchen stuff, tea sets, play doh, markers and paper, bath crayons, and all your “lovies.”

Your favorite place is Shan’s Chinese Buffet, which is where we had your birthday party, since you love it so much. You ate noodles, broccoli, fish, and chicken plus two bowls of ice cream and most of the icing off your cake (vanilla, of course, your favorite).

You love “school,” especially art and music class, and you have so much fun with your friends and your wonderful teachers.

We are so proud of you and, to quote one of your favorite books, “We love everything that you will be and all the things you are.”