Monday, August 16, 2010
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
I saw Scott Pilgrim vs. the World this weekend with my boyfriend Nick and his friend Tim. Awesome movie! I really enjoyed it. I am in love with the TV show Arrested Development, and Michael Cera can do no wrong in my eyes. The movie runs just under 2 hours and it went by in a flash. It's been a while since I've been sad that a movie was over. Based on the quick research I did, the movie seemed to do an amazing job of staying true visually to the series of graphic novels by Bryan Lee O'Malley. (P.S. Amazon has some great previews of the books). The movie actually really made me want to read the series because it was so incredible visually. Tim's reading the series right now, and he said the movie left out a couple great fight scenes. Normally, as a bibliophile, that would bother me, but this time I'm excited the movie left something out so I still have more to experience! I loved the graphic quality of the movie and the old school video game references. Do yourself a favor and see this movie! Better yet, check out the graphic novels!
Fever 1793
I'm taking a Children's Lit course this fall, and I plan to write about some of the books we read along the way. Right now I'm reading ahead a bit to get a start on the semester.
The first book I read for class was Laurie Halse Anderson's Fever 1793. The book is targeted to middle schoolers but I highly recommend this book even for adults. Fever 1793 is a quick read but with lots of substance. The characters are well-developed, especially the main character, 14 year old Matilda Cook (Mattie). Fever 1793 is a coming of age story about how Mattie faces adversity when faced with the tragic yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia in 1793. Anderson paints a vivid picture of the politics and society in 1793, and the perpetual struggle of mankind to help one another survive in the face of disaster.
On a personal note, Fever 1793 reminded me that the struggle and adversity that you face in life makes you stronger and shapes the person you become.
The first book I read for class was Laurie Halse Anderson's Fever 1793. The book is targeted to middle schoolers but I highly recommend this book even for adults. Fever 1793 is a quick read but with lots of substance. The characters are well-developed, especially the main character, 14 year old Matilda Cook (Mattie). Fever 1793 is a coming of age story about how Mattie faces adversity when faced with the tragic yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia in 1793. Anderson paints a vivid picture of the politics and society in 1793, and the perpetual struggle of mankind to help one another survive in the face of disaster.
On a personal note, Fever 1793 reminded me that the struggle and adversity that you face in life makes you stronger and shapes the person you become.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Librarian Breaking the Rules
Today I went to my local public library to find some books for a class project on international cookbooks and pick up a book I had on hold, Stieg Larsson's The Girl Who Played With Fire (can't wait to read it!).
When I found the books I needed, I walked up to the check out counter and there were three people working at the desk, one working with a patron and the other two checking in or processing books. I saw the roped off area where the line was supposed to begin, but since no one was in line and two staff members weren't busy with patrons, I decided to stand near the two who weren't busy to save myself a few steps and not look like a moron for going to stand in the right area when there was no line. After a few awkward moments and other patrons getting in the "real" line, one of the staff members called on me. She sort-of nicely said to me, "Just so you know, the real line starts over there." I was so embarrassed! What kind of (future) librarian breaks the rules and doesn't stand in line? Shame on me! I was over-reacting a little because I had a crappy day, but I resolved never to not stand in the line ever again.
The interaction ended better than it began: the staff member commented on one of my books and we exchanged some pleasantries. And I did get some awesome books for my project so the experience wasn't a total loss.
Another library experience I had that surprised me with the same feeling of guilt and inadequacy as a librarian was while I was volunteering at the other public library in town. The librarian I worked with when volunteering would often bring cupcakes and other baked goods into the office for her co-workers, and would always offer me one at the end of my shift.
The first time this happened, I ended up sneaking it out of the library, trying to hold the cupcake with one hand and it with the other. It had coconut on the top, and I kept dropping little bits of coconut everywhere on my way out of the building. I just wanted to take the cupcake home to enjoy it as it deserved, but for the next day or so I kept worrying that I had gotten the librarian in trouble or been a bad influence on all the patrons who had seen me leaving the library with a cupcake in hand. I guess I was afraid it would start a cupcake anarchy or something.
Of course, nothing came of it. But the next time the librarian offered me a cupcake, I told her of my qualms and she escorted me out of the building using the staff staircase and walking me to the entrance.
Hopefully I can start being a better influence on library patrons from here on out!
When I found the books I needed, I walked up to the check out counter and there were three people working at the desk, one working with a patron and the other two checking in or processing books. I saw the roped off area where the line was supposed to begin, but since no one was in line and two staff members weren't busy with patrons, I decided to stand near the two who weren't busy to save myself a few steps and not look like a moron for going to stand in the right area when there was no line. After a few awkward moments and other patrons getting in the "real" line, one of the staff members called on me. She sort-of nicely said to me, "Just so you know, the real line starts over there." I was so embarrassed! What kind of (future) librarian breaks the rules and doesn't stand in line? Shame on me! I was over-reacting a little because I had a crappy day, but I resolved never to not stand in the line ever again.
The interaction ended better than it began: the staff member commented on one of my books and we exchanged some pleasantries. And I did get some awesome books for my project so the experience wasn't a total loss.
Another library experience I had that surprised me with the same feeling of guilt and inadequacy as a librarian was while I was volunteering at the other public library in town. The librarian I worked with when volunteering would often bring cupcakes and other baked goods into the office for her co-workers, and would always offer me one at the end of my shift.
The first time this happened, I ended up sneaking it out of the library, trying to hold the cupcake with one hand and it with the other. It had coconut on the top, and I kept dropping little bits of coconut everywhere on my way out of the building. I just wanted to take the cupcake home to enjoy it as it deserved, but for the next day or so I kept worrying that I had gotten the librarian in trouble or been a bad influence on all the patrons who had seen me leaving the library with a cupcake in hand. I guess I was afraid it would start a cupcake anarchy or something.
Of course, nothing came of it. But the next time the librarian offered me a cupcake, I told her of my qualms and she escorted me out of the building using the staff staircase and walking me to the entrance.
Hopefully I can start being a better influence on library patrons from here on out!
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