ice cream making and ranting

Clearly larger than a 5 lb burrito

2008-07-03T16:40:00.001-07:00

ALA 2008

2008-07-01T16:48:00.000-07:00

I spent the past 5 days at the Anaheim convention center for the American Library Association conference. When I first walked in, I was sad to see everyone had their correct number of ears. But, by the end, loaded down by free stuff, I stopped missing the cosplayers.

My flickr set is here

Among other things I came home with:

16 bags (10 cloth-like, 1 oilcloth-like, 5 vellum or paper gift bag like)
23+ full books (8 advance readers, 13 regular, 2 blank paged-- i paid for 3 of the books)
various sampler books and cds
2 regular cds
6 different post-it notes (multiples of a few)
tomato seeds
2 pencils
7 pens (i totally m2issed the ball on the free pens. somehow, early in the convention I decided I didn't need any pens. I just don't know why)
8 buttons
library temporary tattoos
calendar
mousepad
stress tv
air freshener (from a book on tape company--it says "commute stinks"
business card holder
sunblock
choose your own adventure fortune cookie
flying, screaming monkey toy
2 packages of mints
so much free candy

I'd also like to thank ProQuest for all of their delicious free espresso drinks
And I'd like to boo TLC for never having a freshly baked Otis Spunkmeyer cookie when I walked by.

One of the days we had dinner with my old supervisor and friends. Ryan ordered the 5 pound burrito, it was more like a 10 pound burrito. Needless to say he did not win the t-shirt for eating it all. However, it made a tasty breakfast for us the next 2 days. (picture may or may not be forthcoming)

One major highlight of the weekend is pictured above.

The other was the book cart drill team. I'm hoping better videos will be posted later.

But for now, you can see part of the winner's video
although it's the beginning part before it gets really good and turns into thriller

Also, the entry from texas has some good hats

And, I met this monkey

Not April Fool

2008-04-02T13:16:00.000-07:00

I was watching an IHOP commercial yesterday, and I thought, for sure it was a joke.

Turns out it's real, and they're serving a Dr Seuss menu that includes green eggs and ham, crazy looking Who pancakes and the thing that makes the least sense of all: 7-up with Jell-o cubes in it

The pictures are clearly on their homepage

Worst of all, they've been serving it since March 3 without me knowing about it.... it's for a limited time only, so you better hurry along...

My new heroes

2008-03-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh, my new heroes

Chefs make gourmet dinners out of ingredients from 99 cent stores

Winter of TV discontent

2008-01-23T11:51:00.000-08:00

It’s no secret that I love the TV. And, yes, I would marry it if I could.

But the writers strike really needs to end. My love is not going to wait forever. I’m personally willing to be a scab and write shows about libraries, unicorns and baking cupcakes, if they’ll have me. Also, if they need me to make the Oscars less boring, I have some ideas.

But the people who run TV have other ideas. Like the current Miss America Reality Check show on TLC. I guess I wasn’t paying attention earlier this month, but it’s a 4 part reality show ending in the Miss America Pageant on Saturday. Yes, All 52 Miss America contestants (including Miss Virgin Islands and Miss Washington DC) live in a house together and compete in challenges. Challenges, mostly entirely unrelated to being a pageant queen. However, no one gets voted off the island or anything. The top and bottom 3 for each contest are singled out but there don’t seem to be any consequences for winning or losing. But of course pageant girls are competitive, and they’re compete for anything (nothing?).

In the meantime celebrity judges try to get the girls to update their looks and stale pageant images. Which is a noble cause, except the judges’ tastes are just as arbitrary as pageant standards. My least favorite is Jeannie Mai, a makeup artist to the stars, or something. And, just about twice as bitchy and vapid as you’d expect one to be. If anyone has ever watched the Disney Channel show The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, she’s exactly like a 10 year older London Tipton.

What I don’t understand is the rules. How far in advance was this show scheduled? When the girls were competing in their individual state pageants did they know? Certainly, they didn’t know what they were getting themselves into in all their previous pageant practice. And what about the whole nonsense that Miss America is a scholarship competition? What does that have to do with living 10 to a bedroom on TV for a month? I only saw last weeks, but I do have to say at least, unlike other reality shows, there was a noticeable lack of girls changing clothes, and cameras in the bathrooms. Most likely, this is the one bit of control the Miss America organization had.

Please read tvgasm’s recap if you’re still interested. I don’t think I’ll be around to watch Miss America this weekend, I can only hope TLC is lacking shows and will repeat it indiscriminately.

Meanwhile, ABC has a different response to the writers strike.

#1 I’ve been noticing they’re editing General Hospital to fill more time than the shot footage should. More repeated bits after commercial breaks, and from Friday to Monday. Also, I don’t know if I’m crazy, but it looks like more commercials too.

But #2, came out of nowhere, with no pomp that I could find. Go to ABC’s streaming video site, you can catch up with your favorite shows like normal. But starting this month, they seem to be releasing a new episode of my so called life direct to the internet.
I don’t understand, but I’m not going to complain.

In other TV news, I’ve been thinking about getting the complete box set of the Twilight Zone. But I didn’t realize it was on twice at 10pm weeknights on the Sci Fi channel. Anyone have any opinions?

Also, if you're not a regular viewer of MTV's My super sweet 16. This is a zorse, and this is a zonkey. Awesomeness!

Happy New Year

2008-01-16T17:58:00.000-08:00

Pictures here,
not really of people, just turducken.

It's time to raise the curtain...

2008-01-05T16:21:00.000-08:00

Know what's f-ing awesome?! And, possibly, the best movie ever made? None of that AFI nonsense, Citizen Kane and Casablanca ain't got nothin' on the Muppets Take Manhattan.

Know what else is awesome. Drinking half a bottle of champagne.

Know what's even awesomer. Both of the above, together.

And how about a few awesome news stories:

1. Disneyworld restaurant bans children
I'll be sure to remember that when I make my trip out to Animal Kingdom

2. Scientifically infused Chocolate filled strawberries, and more

w00t!

2007-12-12T10:05:00.000-08:00

You've probably already heard how w00T is the Merriam-Webster word of 2007

And all this buzz is just as to be expected for technophobes explaining it to other technophobes.

What I haven't been able to find though, is the answer to my burning questions.

1. Does this mean w00t gets into a print dictionary?
2. If so, where does it go? W00t is spelled with zeroes. Does that mean it will be put before words that start with WA? Or, will it be filed (incorrectly, in my mind) as if the zero is the letter o?

My librarian head is just about going to break. I can't wait to get to the library this afternoon and talk to the other librarians.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2007-12-11T12:11:00.000-08:00

Know what's great about hanging out with older people? They celebrate Christmas, and have Christmas parties. And they don't make santa say "ha ha ha." Yea Christmas!

But if you're on the more modern side, check out these awesome things walgreens will make out of your photos...and for pretty reasonable prices.

Personally, I'm into the vinyl clings, tie, pj pants and scarf.

I like potatoes!

2007-10-30T22:32:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

Owner of a Tenderheart

2007-10-04T11:44:00.000-07:00

This does seem a bit ridiculous

Special 25th anniversary Tenderheart

Commemorate the Care Bears' 25th anniversary with Tenderheart, featuring silver-plated accents and Swarovski crystal eyes. This beautiful white and silver bear is accompanied by a rare DVD containing the very first Care Bears episode ever, The Land Without Feelings, making it a perfect gift for Care Bears fans and collectors of every generation!

All for under $20 at at Walmart. Or if you get to Kmart this week, only $18 on sale. What a deal! If it wasn't so ugly, I might get one for myself.

Bugaboo

2007-10-04T10:38:00.000-07:00

There's this site where artists draw local maps pointing out kid friendly things to do in their city.

www.bugaboodaytrips.com

The site design is bad, and a little glitchy. But, the maps are pretty cool bits of art.

Starfish and Coffee

2007-09-12T15:40:00.000-07:00

In 1987 Prince released a song called Starfish and Coffee on his Sign O’ the Times album.

You’d think I’d have heard of a song that features a girl with my first and middle name. But no, I was looking through Ross, not paying any attention to the music when I hear my name in a cover of the song.

Pretty sure that I’m mis-hearing the lyrics, I eventually look the song up. Sure enough, it’s Starfish and Coffee… and the chorus is:

Starfish and coffee
Maple syrup and jam
Butterscotch clouds, a tangerine
And a side order o’ ham
If you set your mind free, baby
Maybe you’d understand
Starfish and coffee
Maple syrup and jam

So, I listen and I decide that it’s about a super cool non-conformist that everyone loves.

According to the internet, if you believe the internet, it’s actually about an autistic girl that Prince really knew…. Not quite as cool, but possibly one to learn for karaoke.

Mindset List 2011

2007-08-30T12:53:00.000-07:00

Oh boy, it’s that time of year again. Time for the Beloit College Mindset List These old people just need to give up and die already, it’s obvious they can’t function in today’s world.

With the wild success of my 2 posts.Here it goes again.

Actually, I’m kinda bored with it, but I couldn’t not blog when I got to #20

Half of them may have been members of the Baby-sitters Club.

Now, I love me some AMM. But half? If just over half of college entrants are female, they’re assuming almost everyone read the books. At that point in time, I’ve been told the BSC had become passé. In 1987 when I got my first book, I was slightly too young, but reading way above my grade level. It caught on like wildfire by 1990 and for sure was falling out of favor by the time today’s college entrants were ready.

And a few more for your groaning pleasure:

Smoking has never been allowed in public spaces in France.

Totally relevant for American 18yr olds, totally shapes their lives

They grew up in Wayne’s World.

Also totally relevant

MTV has never featured music videos.

Never, they don’t even have a stray one on every now and then.

Most phone calls have never been private.

Don’t even get me started…

Hips don't lie

2007-08-15T23:19:00.000-07:00

Here's some shameles self-promotion.

I'm pretty happy with the way my belly dance website is looking.

And, I finally got my videos up on youtube.

We (read: I) may be the most tech savvy bellydancers this side of San Francisco. Aren't I great! Woooo!

The Pickup Artist

2007-08-15T22:07:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don’t watch TV, there’s an amazing new show on VH1 called The Pickup Artist. 8 “loveable losers” live in a house together, and learn from the experts how to pick up women using the Mystery Method.

The problem is, the expert is basically a con artist, and a major i-want-to-stomp-on-his-toes freakshow. Seriously, just look at him. He calls himself Mystery, and with the help of his two friends who also have made up names (J-Dog and Matador) the inflict their nonsense on the world.

I was going to write a long diatribe about how much I hate Mystery, and how much I hate myself for loving this show. But, this girl has pretty much said everything for me. So read it.

Just to recap: Mystery has longer hair than I do, and wears more makeup and bigger accessories. He has this fuzzy hat that makes me want to die. And, it seems that during the eliminations, he always has a big red lipsticky kiss on his freakishly long neck. Seriously this guy is icky. If he approached me I would do my best to get away. If my mom saw him on the street, she’d freak out and cross to the other side. But, according to the show, and the internet, he gets chicks. Chicks much dumber than me, but chicks nonetheless. Anyone who takes advice from someone with that ridiculous hat deserves whatever happens to them…

As to be expected, my favorite contestant from the show is the one with the black plastic glasses, Spoon. Here’s his myspace and here’s a blog post by someone who has IMed with him. Unfortunately, he was the first one off the show. However, I am sure that Spoon no longer has trouble picking up girls.

That’s enough for now, expect much Mystery posting. Next week he takes off all the makeup and nonsense and makes the boys do storytime in a library. (at least he’s respectful of libraries). I’m counting the hours. It makes me hate myself... but oh well...

Spoiler

2007-07-22T22:08:00.000-07:00

Seriously, don't scroll down if you're gonna get mad. Although if you haven't read about the world's favorite wizard by now you don't deserve the secret kept.

Anime Expo 2007

2007-07-06T16:15:00.000-07:00

Pictures are here

Why the long face?

2007-07-02T22:53:00.000-07:00

So, a horse walks into a bar...

For the first time, I decided to cosplay a show I actually like (cosplay as opposed to wearing a costume on halloween), and pay attention to the details.

Bartender is a fantastic anime. Read the wikipedia entry.

Unfortunately, the show seems to be a bit obscure, and the costumes are rather understated. No one really recognized us. But look! They were good recreations.

Stay tuned for more AX pictures.

She's asking for it

2007-06-29T10:34:00.000-07:00

One of the top stories on yahoo news today is this Dear Abby about people touching a pregnant woman's belly. And I'm not sure I've ever been more offended in my life. This goes way beyond the 40 year old virgin fiacso. Since when is it cool to go around touching strangers in public spaces?!

First there's the scientific explanation "touching a woman's belly is a deeply rooted instinctual behavior. It is as natural as pulling your hand away from a fire."

Then there's the tight jeans/you're just asking for it explanation "The clothing that I have seen pregnant women wear advertises their protruding bellies and, in my opinion, encourages people to notice and admire their bellies, implying there's an open invitation to touch them"

And then some guy just encourages her to be a whore "She should relax and enjoy a little gratuitous physical contact; some people have to pay big money for it -- like with massage or chiropractic"

I've been thinking about this, and I'm wondering if it really has to do with the fact that a pregnant woman has obviously had sex. Never, would society encourage you to touch virgins. But obviously, since you're pregnant, you're a whore, and it's a free for all. Touchy, touchy, touchy!

If anyone tried to touch me currently, I'm perfectly prepared to kick them. But maybe pregnant women shouldn't be balancing on one foot while fighting off evil. I'm considering crafting a letter to Dear Abby, advocating women to carry a nice, hefty cane. Once they're smacked, maybe strange touchers will think twice about the next time.

I Declare

2007-06-19T11:49:00.000-07:00

There are just too many cats on the internet.

Seriously, it's bad for productivity.

Berry, Berry Good

2007-06-13T12:25:00.000-07:00

Have you tried the new blackberry shake from jack in the box?!?! It's delicious! I've always been disappointed with fast food shakes, but I had to try it because the poster made it look so good. And it actually was good.

Unlike strawberry shakes, this doesn't taste artificial. It tastes a lot like a berry jelly. (don't tell anyone, but I can't really tell the difference between blackberries and boysenberries). It's such a lovely pinky-purpley color. Mine was served with a healthy heaping of whipped cream. And the guy who made mine was one of the more pleasant fast food workers I've met.

So, if you've been wavering... go, go, go! It's for a limited time only.

~~~~

I've decided to stop wasting my time at work. I can be very productive, if I want to. Taking my inspiration from Cher in Clueless, I've decided to use my work hours to break in my shoes. I have so many pairs sitting around, because I wore them once and they were uncomfortable. Now is the time to take action. (Because I just bought another super-cute pair yesterday.)

If I'm going to be grumpy at/about work, it's nice to have an easy cause I can point to. It's a much easier life for me to say, "I'm sorry, my feet hurt." not "I'm sorry, I'm way underemployed, and I've stopped believing in the company long ago."

Goin' to Disneyland (almost)

2007-06-05T12:34:00.000-07:00

Charles Phoenix is dreamy, and a perfect host for his Disneyland Tour of Downtown Los Angeles
I might post words, but pictures are worth 1,000. So, here there are.

It was quite a day full of sights, puppets and snacks… I am considering quitting my job and just following Charles Phoenix around. He definitely deserves groupies. I was thinking he’s like the pied piper, except he’s the mouse, and he’s leading all the children around.

Would you like Zs with that?

2007-05-21T22:02:00.000-07:00

Oh, hey, look, I graduated. Maybe one day I'll get a job. We had harpists playing pomp and circumstance. It was odd, but cool.

But more importantly, what's with the rash of stranged stuffed animals popping up lately?

First I heard about webkinz, similar to neopets you have an online pet you have to take care of and also play games. But, to get the pet you have to buy a stuffed animal, have it physically and enter it's code online. I'm thinking about getting one, they're pretty cute, and I'm really curious about this secure online community. One of the features is that you can "chat" with your real life friends, but only by using certain pre-approved words.

And today cute overload pointed me toward PerfectPetzzz where you can buy a stuffed animal that breathes and snores. They're not too expensive on ebay, but I'm rather afraid.

More disturbingly there are the new Shrek baby dolls. As if Shrek isn't ugly enough, we really need these monstrosities? I almost threw something at the tv because I was so disgusted. Can I sue the station for exposing me to such unpleasantness? At least nothing with the shrek doll replaces s with z

Breakfast is the most trendy meal of the day

2007-05-10T11:11:00.000-07:00

I don't know when it happened. And, I'm certainly not complaining. But, everyone is jumping on the breakfast sandwich bandwagon. And I can't wait to see what comes next!

Jack-in-the-Box has, for as long as I can remember, always had breakfast available all day. But they're stepping up the advertising, and they created this nonsense site for your people in food suits viewing pleasure. Personally, I love a good sausage crossiant combo

And trying to edge in on 7-11's morning business, AM/PM has started with the selling of breakfast sandwiches selling of breakfast sandwiches I haven't tried one yet, but I will one day.

And, to make their already long lines even longer, Starbucks has theirs. They seem to be a bit more upscale in their flavor offerings. I never go in the morning, and by the time I get there in the afternoon the few remaining sandwiches are looking a bit limp. But I will make an effort to try one.

But, if you're like me and barely make it to work on time everyday without stopping for a sandwich, Aunt Jemima breakfast croissants (Sausage please) keep me happy. The pancake sandwich isn't nearly as good.

Just don't follow the crazy microwave directions on the box.

I pull one out of the freezer, and drive to work. By the time I'm ready to prepare the sandwich it has thawed just a bit.

Take the croissant and toaster oven it, with the slice of cheese.
Meanwhile microwave the sausage patty and egg patty. (30 secs, flip, 30 more secs)