The Future of Media : Television #79

Okay, I have to admit that I am not a big catcher-up on the computer of my favorite shows. Who knew you could catch up that way? I really can't say that I am able to partake of this opportunity because my internet provider makes it cost prohibitive (at least for a frugal me) and I certainly wouldn't catch while at work. But it is nice to know that I can take my laptop somewhere that I can access and catch up on the latest and greatest episodes. As for watching television on my cell phone...I'm just not that interested. My screen is way too small. I don't really care to hurt my eyes that way.

Now, let's talk streaming. I think it is a riot that there are people out there who put their dogs (read puppies) on the net all day. It is funnier still that there are people who are addicted enough to the internet that they sit there and stare at the puppies grow. I do think it interesting to see what others are doing. I heard it commented on Sunday how people don't talk to their neighbors anymore but they will invite complete strangers from all over the world into their homes and their private lives.

There have to be some good uses, like being able to stop a burglary in progress or something of that ilk, but come on. I see enough of other people's lives in public places, I don't really want to see it on my computer. But, who knows, maybe there is something stranger than fiction out there.

Crafts and Hobbies #64 Zine!

I tried creating my own zine. It is harder than it looks. I have to admit that I messed up the page order when I put it together on the computer, but I was able to cut it and hand piece it together on other paper. Though that was a physical challenge I had to overcome, the worst was the nontangible decisions like what was I going to focus on. I decided that it would just be anything that interested me, including some of the short fiction and poems I've done, what I've been reading and the places I've been. But, the absolute hardest thing, is what do I call it????

I like the idea of zines in libraries. Being able to recognize local talent, and, yes, it takes talent to get a zine together, is a major plus for any library and writer. It opens the world up to students and other members of the community by allowing them to express their own experiences and opinions. I am looking forward to trying out a branch zine...maybe.

I do also see controversy in zines. I imagine that there would be some people who would be offended by some zines and some who would use their zine to hurt others. Zines could be a wondersul lesson in responsibility and ethics. There would also be issues of copyright and other legal issues that could arise.

Overall, though, I thik zines could be beneficial to libraries because they do encourage thinking and writing and expressing oneself which is something that is getting lost in today's easy-access, no thought information glut.

Crafts & Hobbies #62: Decoupage

I have actually decoupaged before and I was really nervous about it. It all began with a garage sale. My Aunt Janet, the garage sale queen, had recently found a small white table with a little bit of water damage on the corner. One edge had begun to layer and rise and thus warped the lines of the table. "That'll never sell," I thought. I had once picked up an apothecary end table that had had a little water damage on the top that I had camo'ed with a sponged layer of hunter green paint. I thought that I might be able to do the same thing with this table so I took it home with me. I bought some scrapbooking paper with those gaudy overblown pink shabby chic roses on it and a pink and white check ribbon about an inch and a quarter wide. I decoupaged the top of the table with the paper. (I don't mind saying that if you look really closely, you can see one spot where I had a little trouble. It was my first attempt after all.) I sprayed it with lacquer once the modgepodge dried so that it would be a little more protected. Finally, I hot glued the ribbon around the edge of the table to disguise the layered corner.

I like decoupage because you can apply it just about anything, with just about anything. I haven't found my next project yet, but I do have some modgepodge left over, so anything's still fair game.

Pot Luck #55: Getting the Most Out of Facebook

I like Facebook. I like being able to find my friends from high school. Even if I don't see them much, I enjoy seeing little bits of their lives. I found it easy to sign up and easy to find people I know. I wish more of my old friends were on Facebook. I have tried all sorts of applications from quizzes to trivia challenges to flair. I think I'll probably stick to Facebook better than Twitter.

My favorites applications are the trivia challenges and what 80s movies are you? Why, just because I love the silly results.

TXTING Pot Luck #56

I have sent texts before as responses to ones that I have received. Otherwise I haven't used them because it costs me money to send and receive on my phone. I don't believe in TXT lingo(It has created a whole generation who can't spell or punctuate to save their lives.) so I spell stuff out, just short.

The mere idea of trying to use my thumbs to send a message while I am also trying to steer my car blows my mind. But I am not surprised that there are people who try it. It is so easy to allow ourselves to be distracted thereby putting not only ourselves in danger but also those around us.

exercise 54

Books, Readers and Beyond: Exercise 54:  Social Networking Through Books

 

Exercise One

I am currently a member of the North Channel Book Club, which is an in-person book discussion group held at our county library branch on the fourth Wednesday of the month.  So far, it is the only experience that I have with a book club.  I enjoy the face-to-face discussions of the books that we read.  I am going to try out the online Teen Book Club this summer and plan to try out some more online book clubs.

Exercise Two

 

Since my library already has an active book club meeting here, I was thinking of starting a young adult book club.  I think it would be interesting to read and discuss the books that teens are reading these days.  I would like to have two versions of it: in person and bulletin board style available online.

 

As far as a book for the Book Club that meants now, I chose "the Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield.  (http://www.readinggroupguides.com/content/index.asp#)

 

For the teen club, I would like to start with "Shades of Simon Gray" by Joyce McDonald. (http://www.teenreads.com/guides/shades_of_simon_gray1.asp)

Exercise Three

The ratings for "The Thirteenth Tale" was similar on Shelfari and GoodReads.  Of course, the way that the ratings are presented are a little different, but overall similar.  There are good reviews and bad, and discussion.  I like the break down of information GoodReads provides. Shelfari shows the editions and whether or not "I should buy this." 

 

(But my favorite thing is the neverending literary quiz on goodreads.  It is soooooooo cool.)

exercise 54

Books, Readers and Beyond: Exercise 54:  Social Networking Through Books

 

Exercise One

I am currently a member of the North Channel Book Club, which is an in-person book discussion group held at our county library branch on the fourth Wednesday of the month.  So far, it is the only experience that I have with a book club.  I enjoy the face-to-face discussions of the books that we read.  I am going to try out the online Teen Book Club this summer and plan to try out some more online book clubs.

Exercise Two

 

Since my library already has an active book club meeting here, I was thinking of starting a young adult book club.  I think it would be interesting to read and discuss the books that teens are reading these days.  I would like to have two versions of it: in person and bulletin board style available online.

 

As far as a book for the Book Club that meants now, I chose "the Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield.  (http://www.readinggroupguides.com/content/index.asp#)

 

For the teen club, I would like to start with "Shades of Simon Gray" by Joyce McDonald. (http://www.teenreads.com/guides/shades_of_simon_gray1.asp)

Exercise Three

The ratings for "The Thirteenth Tale" was similar on Shelfari and GoodReads.  Of course, the way that the ratings are presented are a little different, but overall similar.  There are good reviews and bad, and discussion.  I like the break down of information GoodReads provides. Shelfari shows the editions and whether or not "I should buy this." 

 

(But my favorite thing is the neverending literary quiz on goodreads.  It is soooooooo cool.)