Books
The two best books I have read so far this year are Cultural Amnesia by Clive James and Austerity Britain by David Kynaston. Both books deal at great length with the effects of World War II on their main subjects (for James, the culture of Mitteleuropa; for Kynaston, British daily
Books
My friend and co-worker Laural Winter interviews Jason Shiga, the author of Bookhunter, my favorite graphic novel. Bookhunter is the story of how the Oakland Public Library's detective squad and SWAT team cracked a 1973 book theft case. If you find the idea of a public library
History
I watched the documentary "Sputnik Mania" at the Hollywood Theatre this afternoon. Using contemporary audio and video clips, the film tells the story of how the United States responded to the launching of the two Soviet Sputnik satellites in 1957. The documentary is a skillful series of dated
Video
Feist counts to four on Sesame Street. Beaker performs "Ode to Joy" on The Muppet Show.
Portland
I have two new reviews on Yelp!: Otto's Sausage Kitchen in Woodstock Pace Setter in Woodstock
Life
A good weekend is when I look at the clock and say, "How can it be only noon on Saturday?" A bad weekend is when I look at the clock and say, "How can it be already five o'clock on Sunday?"
Music
With a little help from MOJO (tip: older editions are just as good as the newest one), I have been listening lately to vocal jazz / pop from the Fifties. Here are my five favorite songs so far: 5. "Don't Smoke in Bed" by Nina Simone. Her
LIS + DataSci
A point often made in defense of the requirement that librarians get a master's degree in library science and the recommendation that they remain current members of the American Library Association is that these two acts "demonstrate commitment" to the profession. If demonstrating commitment is the
This morning, my breakfast was a fruit smoothie that I bought at Starbucks. Then I bought a large iced tea at Starbucks. While I sipped the iced tea, I listened to a jazz compilation released by Hear Music, the music label created by Starbucks. I appear to have been colonized.
Portland
Portland weather on the morning of August 1: 60 degrees and drizzling.
History
The basic unit of currency of the premodern world was remarkably constant: a small gold coin weighing approximately four grams—one-eighth of an ounce—and about the size of a present-day American dime, appearing in various times and places as the French livre, Florentine florin, Spanish or Venetian
Exercise
One of the great features of my new workplace is the stairwell near my cubicle. Five stories, about 135 steps — good exercise. After straining both knees during the last five weeks (the left one badly), here is what I have learned about being careful taking the stairs: On the way