tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73612320219685588242024-02-08T19:09:10.016+13:00confessions of a southside catatonic chataholicAt heart, I'm a nerdy girl with a laptop, access to the interwebs, and an inappropriate love of Jensen Acklestoscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.comBlogger225125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-1505129945673468162013-10-08T19:42:00.000+13:002013-10-09T11:03:10.384+13:00"A little reflection will show us that every belief, even the simplest and most fundamental...<i>...goes beyond experience when regarded as a guide to our actions."<br /> ~ William Kingdon Clifford</i><br />
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A long time ago, I used to post here. I used to have opinions and ideas about books, libraries, publishing, technology and fandoms. Then my head crowded out reflection, and I stopped. In August 2013, I handed in my resignation, and now I'm finding bits and pieces of what I used to be (i.e. a kind of Angry Girl With Blog (caps necessary)). She's still here, I'm glad to see. She just won't be blogging about libraries so much these days. So this is fair warning that I'm firing this baby up, again. I have no clue what that will look like, or what it will mean. I'm job hunting, although officially I don't finish work until 20 December 2013 (I finish just before the holidays, probably so they don't have to pay me stat days), so I imagine some of that will probably inform the next few posts to come. My dream job: Working for ArmageddonExpo and/or a professional goldfish feeder and fanfic reader. Hey, dreams are for free.<br />
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I thought, briefly, about what I would look back on this year, and I think maybe it's these:<br />
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<ul>
<li>I made friends out of colleagues. I also quit my job. The two might be related. (Just not in the way you think)</li>
<li>broke all of my 'sort of' resolutions: no more early starts, no more late finishes, no more working in the evenings, working less in the weekends, take actual breaks away from my desk. Failed at them all. Badly. I'm not okay about that. Lesson learned? Don't make resolutions</li>
<li>I lacked purpose, vision, clarity and sanity - maybe I'll try and find them in 2014</li>
<li>next time around I'd like a job rather than a career (just until my brain is empty of library-related thoughts)</li>
<li>the date that will stay uppermost in my mind this year is the day I handed in my resignation. I cried great, big, ugly tears in making the decision because stepping outside of comfort zones is always hard. What's that saying? "Life begins outside of your comfort zone." But the feeling of freedom and lightness after was...indescribable. I'm sad beyond belief that I won't be a part of Auckland Libraries' future journeys or, indeed, a wider part of shaping the future of NZ public libraries fullstop. I am both excited and terrified that the next stage from here is unknown</li>
<li>the biggest achievement of this year will be leaving my job for the right reasons</li>
<li>the biggest failure of this year is that I stopped reading for pleasure (which, really, should have been a heads up as to my state of mind)</li>
<li>this year I learned that life is too short to give headspace to people who neither inform you, inspire you, or make you laugh - none of us get out alive in this game called "Life," so a sense of the ridiculous is very much needed.</li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So...bring it, bitches.
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toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-81809431711168414192013-01-07T22:45:00.000+13:002013-01-07T22:45:44.361+13:00A thing I never do: New Year resolutionsI used to make them - Booze Less (dead in the water before I started), Take up Jogging (I haven't jogged since puberty because it suddenly became, almost overnight, distinctly uncomfortable), Be A Nicer Person (who the hell was I kidding with this one?), etc. Disillusioned about resolutions in general, I made a resolution to not make resolutions. (Yes, I'm fully aware of how dumb this sounds). This year, though, I've made fandom and book related goals. Now I'm making one more set that are less about achieving great and wonderful things (thereby making me a more awesomer person), and being more about cutting back (thereby becoming a less awesomer person but, realistically, how much awesomeness can one person contain?). I've gotten into bad work habits that eat into my personal time - all self-imposed, I might add - and I've decided that I'm not doing them anymore:
<li>No more 7:30am starts (everyone else starts at 8:30am - although there's nothing wrong with starting at 7:30 if I would finish at 4:00pm but I don't)</li>
<li>No more 6:00pm (or later) finishing</li>
<li>No more working on things in the evenings (sometimes it feels like there aren't enough hours in my work day)</li>
<li>Work less in the weekend (note I don't write 'stop altogether')</li>
<li>Take lunchbreaks and teabreaks away from my desk (I always have 'working lunches' and work straight through while eating sandwiches or whatever)</li>
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Confession: I was working on an eNewsletter a few minutes ago. This post was written just now so what happened before this moment does not count, therefore you cannot hold that against me. Or, more to the point, I cannot hold that against myself. And so it begins.
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End note: In 5 five weeks I'll have been with the one organisation for 10 years. I'm not quite rational/sane about the permanency of that. Wednesday will probably find me writing a post in which I talk about dreaming of running away to become a magician, or throwing a pin in a map and just packing it all in, or buying a one way ticket to Anywhere. It's how I deal. I'm apologising in advance for the craziness it will probably be.toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-41263765485913232092012-11-26T00:03:00.000+13:002012-11-26T00:03:49.027+13:00From the floor: You're quite opinionated about wider library issues on your personal streams - do you think you should be?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm still doing the <a href="http://catatonic-chataholic.blogspot.co.nz/search/label/questions%20from%20the%20floor">'From the floor'</a> posts, I'm just doing them so infrequently as to be virtually non-existent. I also don't do them in the order in which I receive them. It's sort of random-ish, depending on what's going on either personally and/or professionally. As we all know, life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans (so said John Lennon). Just as a reminder, the <a href="http://catatonic-chataholic.blogspot.co.nz/search/label/questions%20from%20the%20floor">'From the floor'</a> posts are where I answer questions some of you have sent me about why I do what I do with our work streams, or about social media in libraries in general. I figured that some of you might find this useful. And if you don't, no harm no foul. I'm not much of a one for disclaimers, however I want to reiterate that I'm not an expert. I'd probably get pissed at anyone who said they were. I am, as ever, a girl with a laptop, access to random thoughts and a fondness for cheap booze. Really cheap booze.
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<b>Query: You're quite opinionated about wider library issues on your personal streams - do you think you should be?</b><br>
<b>Quick answer:</b> Yes.
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<b>More thoughtful answer:</b> Hell, yes. I think all of us in libraries should be. Most especially if 1) it's valid and 2) it can make our profession stronger and more relevant and 3) gets us all talking about things collectively. I think it'd be arrogant of any library leadership in any region or country to believe they know everything or can answer it all. Not so strangely, this question pops up a lot in my email inbox, or when I'm delivering presentations to our staff about social media in libraries, or when I meet librarians/library assistants off of Twitter and/or Facebook for the first time. Admittedly, never as blunt as I've voiced it here as this post title. It's always phrased much more politely but the gist, I think, is the same: "Don't you think it's unprofessional to challenge your profession and question leadership?"
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My answer is, "No, absolutely not." In my mind, questioning your profession or industry and holding its leaders accountable IS being professional. I believe, on one's own personal streams, it absolutely is ok. In fact, I think it's vital. If you're in a position to help change things for (hopefully) the better with opinions and thoughts then why wouldn't that be all right? Being critical isn't necessarily a bad thing. I've always been of the opinion that if the profession - and the systems people set up in it - are robust, it'll withstand scrutiny. And if it isn't, then consider it good feedback, and make it stronger, please and thank you. I would hope that our library leaders this year, next year, the year after, aren't afraid of dialogue, aren't afraid of criticism, aren't afraid of opinion and, more importantly, aren't afraid of us. The idea that we have no say in shaping our profession is unpalatable to me. So, yes, I'll continue to have opinions on wider library issues, thanks. I'd like to point out, though, that there is a huge difference between 'being critical' and outright 'slagging off.' And by that I mean, are you making your suggestions/taking your feedback to the people who can make the needed changes/tweaks? Or are you moaning just to moan? The day that I find I can't make suggestions, or can't help make what we do so much more relvant, is the day I change careers, and surrender to the sweet siren call of Burger King's uniform. So...would you like fries with that?toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-72748298247430528852012-11-09T22:44:00.001+13:002012-11-09T22:45:14.273+13:00Day 3 of almost being without Twitter<i>Sibling watching me highlight passages in my 'journal.'<br>
Sibling: Is that your new Twitter?<br>
Me: *colouring in* Shut your face *silence* Yes. </i>
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You know that moment where you make a decision that you think is a good one, and then it turns out to be kinda crap but you're stubborn times infinity and therefore not prepared to admit you were wrong? That.
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I miss the vibrancy of Twitter. I miss the funny people, the quickness of conversations and topics, the ability to bounce ideas back and forth and either share them or refine them or help others with theirs. I miss talking about libraries and ways to make them stronger and/or more relevant. I miss talking about zombies and James Bond and Supernatural. I miss movie/song recommendations and bookish chatter. I miss the ALL of it.
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One thing I've noticed just over the last couple of days is that I'm having fewer random IRL (in real life) conversations. Before, I would have approached anyone and everyone and started all kinds of discussions about whatever. I've always kinda felt that I am online as I am IRL - loud, opinionated, quick talking, rarely rational, quick to cry over books/films/pictures of fluffy babies or animals, and with ideas kinda spewing out at nineteen to the dozen. It's almost like my stopping in one place (Twitter) means that it automatically follows that I'd stop IRL as well. Is that strange? Talk about drama llama *rolls eyes* I am queueing up work blog posts like a woman possessed, so yay, there's that. Journal pages below of my brain mostly without Twitter.
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Fin.
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<b>Random page from Day 2 because:</b><br>
<li>THAT TEXT?</li>
<li>THAT SHIRT!</li>
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toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-58617561399795832652012-11-07T22:57:00.000+13:002012-11-09T21:33:51.354+13:00Day 1 without TwitterI bought an exercise book (it's bright green because that's how I roll) and am using it to jot down anything and everything that, ordinarily, I would push out into the twittersphere. So much noise in my head. Which I've uploaded here. Because I can? I'm not sure. This isn't even a half of what went through my head today - this is just what I remembered to note at the time. Maybe by the end of these three weeks I'll be a better writer. Or a little bit crazier. Or have learned to better reign my thoughts in and focus them. Mmm. Maybe.
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<P>toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-23268605025838798922012-11-06T22:30:00.000+13:002012-11-07T14:24:41.224+13:00It's no surprise to me I am my own worst enemy...I adore the visual cacophany that is Twitter. It moves at such a furiously fast pace and at any time you can jump on (and in) and see links (and people, comments, statements, and discussions) that are ordinary, amazing, sad, inspiring, ridiculous and whatever other label you can think to slap on it. Each crazily beautiful in its own way. Where others find noise and chaos, I see a playground of infinite ideas and possibilities to both feed OFF OF and INTO. Half the fun is putting it all in some kind of context I can understand and work with, and then sharing it or using it to shape a half-formed post or thought. (In my head it's all a giant puzzle just waiting to be solved). Sometimes, though, I find it hard to shut my brain down, and so I end up overdosing a little (ok, a lot), and end up feeling slightly burnt out. Like maybe now.
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My problem is that I find Twitter far too engaging for my own good because it's full of brilliantly magical people who talk about wondrously fabulous THINGS and CONCEPTS and who attend stunningly awesome EVENTS and GIGS and I feel like I need to/want to/have to see it all. Which is so much bullshit because I don't. I have two speeds: hell for leather enthusiastic about everything OR I want to sleep. I don't seem to have an in between. I need to learn to switch off. Which is what I'm doing, hence this post. I'm going offline for at least the rest of this week. Realistically, it'll be closer to two or three weeks. My tone this week has been a little bit 'off' and I feel like I've lost my mojo. Granted, my 'style' (and I use that word loosely) on my personal stream is somewhat madcap and <a href="http://twitter.com/search?q=%23randomasbro&src=typd">#randomasbro</a> (yes, I put a hashtag in there) and I don't filter my thoughts (I figure if people don't like me or my style they can unfollow - I would never hold that against them) BUT I feel like it's been a little more bizarreballs than usual. Which means it's time to disappear for a bit until I get my groove back. (Sure, I'm Stella, I mean why not?).
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I'll be updating our work streams as usual (albeit in a more focused way than I've been doing for the last fortnight), so I'll be around in a professional sense. I just won't be responding to everything on my personal streams as often/as quickly as I usually do. Some of you have my email, some my cell phone number - feel free to use them. If you don't have either of those and need them, leave a comment or message me on Twitter and I'll flick you my details. Otherwise, lovely people, I'll catch you on the flip side. Do EVERYTHING I wouldn't do and remember: pics or it didn't happen.
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<i>(Post title is a lyric from Lit's song "My own worst enemy")</i>toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-19500924620604619002012-10-29T23:28:00.001+13:002012-10-29T23:28:56.272+13:00From the floor: Would you ever make your library tweetstream private?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5seEjeOEzz2dg4inrNG5-dHrukWaJhp8diC39jjpVgzxSa8xNjxN6ZV4ePltYwDkrw50WKME-3oW5FdVrIL7hOsXLqeppI9S_kboYCkCZzFLGF4xx23IZ8-pkLMIkkdIymkgRr3V6wxs/s1600/twitter_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="220" width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5seEjeOEzz2dg4inrNG5-dHrukWaJhp8diC39jjpVgzxSa8xNjxN6ZV4ePltYwDkrw50WKME-3oW5FdVrIL7hOsXLqeppI9S_kboYCkCZzFLGF4xx23IZ8-pkLMIkkdIymkgRr3V6wxs/s320/twitter_logo.png" /></a></div>
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Hi, remember me? I used to blog regularly, and then life happened. And for some reason, some of you still follow/read/ask questions. I apologise for being a slacker, and will try to make more of an effort to keep this up-to-date. I went away to Toronto for a couple of weeks and, when I came back, saw that I'd received a few emails from people asking if I'm likely to feature some more 'From the floor' posts, and the answer is, "Yes, absolutely, I just get distracted by shiny, pretty things and wander off track for ages." Some of you may remember, <a href="http://catatonic-chataholic.blogspot.co.nz/2012/09/from-floor-did-you-deliberately-set-out.html#more" target=_blank>from my last post</a>, that I was going to make an effort to answer your queries out loud (albeit anonymously). I've randomly pulled this one out of all of the ones you've sent, and I want to make something clear before I answer it. I'm not a guru. Not by any stretch of the imagination. If I heard anyone else refer to themselves that way I'd probably get up and leave and/or spit tacks. I rate 'social media guru' right up there with 'carpetbagger.' Harsh? Probably, and yet I'm unrepentant about voicing that. I'm just a girl with a laptop, and broadband, and a whole lot of opinion.
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<b>Query: Would you ever make your library tweetstream private?</b><br>
Quick answer: No.
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More thoughtful answer: Hell no. Not ever. The point of social media is to be 'social' however and wherever our customers feel that should happen. I feel it would be a little bit elitist if we made our stream private and only chatted/shared info or news with those we 'approve' of. (How do we decide who we'll approve of? Who will make that decision? What criteria will be used? How often will we review those criteria? How much say would I have in that? It's too much of a value judgement I'm not prepared to ever be in a position to make). As far as I'm concerned, a public library is every man's community space and, as such, I'll treat our tweetstream that same way. It's not often I'll divert conversations into Direct Message, either. I, personally, prefer to solve issues/find answers out loud. If an issue you're handling doesn't involve anything private/confidential then solve it where everyone can see it. I wish more libraries would do it. Social media is also about building stronger, relevant online communities, and I feel a locked tweetstream would kind of go against that. Or at least would only make SOME of our community stronger. I think all are entitled to that. Sure, there's the 'marketing' element which, as most of you who follow our work tweetstream will know, we don't do on a large scale. For a couple of reasons. I would find it somewhat wanky and pretentious to constantly push out content/links that are all about the organisation. (I call it a form of 'technical masturbation'). There's nothing particularly interesting in that, and it's kind of arrogant to assume that's all people expect of a public library. Our interests are as diverse as our customers, so I'm not about to dumb them down (and myself in the process) by assuming they're not interested in literacy, geekery and nerdery, library matters, technology, local happenings, etc. I'm also of the opinion that our 'customers' are not restricted to those who physically visit our community libraries. Our customers are individuals and/or organisations who have an interest in, or query about, us. We should be removing barriers, not putting them up, and I feel that that is all a private tweetstream would be for our organisation: a barrier.
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Having said that, what other libraries do is their business. I don't expect that all of you will agree with any/all of the above. The world would be a very boring place if that were, indeed, the case. So feel free to leave your comments below.toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-24377359146402453862012-09-17T21:20:00.000+12:002012-10-29T22:42:17.232+13:00From the floor: Did you deliberately set out to gain a large (for NZ public libraries) number of Twitter followers?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I received quite a few emails after my last post, all with queries about how or why I do things how I do them on our work tweetstream. I've responded to them all individually (I'm three steps away from marrying the copy and paste function, seriously). I thought I'd post some of the questions here, and my answers. Maybe this will be useful to some of you. (And, as ever, maybe not). The first question for this (strange and unprecedented - for me, anyway) type of post is: Did you deliberately set out to gain a large (for NZ public libraries) number of Twitter followers? I want to make something clear right from the start: I'm not an 'expert.' I'd be wary of anybody who said they were. At heart, I'm just a nerdy girl with a laptop, access to the interwebs, and an inappropriate love of Jensen Ackles. (Sometimes, the three go hand in hand and then I win at life).
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<b>Query: Did you deliberately set out to gain a large (for NZ public libraries) number of Twitter followers?</b><br>
Quick answer: No. Absolutely not.
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More thoughtful answer: Nation-wide domination by Twitter is not a strategy. Not ever. Where is the substance? Where is the quality? What integrity is there in that? (I'm hoping we (wider libraries) want to be about quality more than quantity. Feel free to correct me if you believe otherwise).
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Who has more followers is, in my mind, irrelevant. For the simple reason that anybody can amass numbers. The numbers are nice. They are not everything. They don't really tell you whether or not anybody's listening. They don't indicate whether or not people are looking at your content. They don't let you know what works and what sucked. They don't show you whether or not you're relevant. More importantly, they don't truly reflect how many of your followers you're meaningfully interacting with. What I want, more than anything, is for our followers to tell us what part of our service works well, and most especially what doesn't. I want them to feel that they can safely - free of judgement - do so. What I want from that is to then take that feedback to management and have them assess whether or not those comments have merit, and ask the hard questions, such as, "Does this one aspect of our service take us further away from our customers? In what way? How do we bring it back? Does it mean an overhaul of the service altogether? Or a tidying up?" Like that. So, sure, keep an eye on the numbers, but keep in mind that it can't all be about that.
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Twitter's not a competition. Libraries are not in competition. If we think of it like that, then I think we've lost sight of what we are and why we do what we do. I feel that we should all be helping each other. We can do that by sharing what works, what doesn't, how and why we tweaked certain strategies, what initiatives we want to try and when. For the most part, I try my hardest to live up to this. I'm hoping this series of posts will go some part toward that.toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-91732289538031244802012-09-11T22:52:00.000+12:002012-09-17T21:26:24.764+12:00You are what you tweetOften, people ask me why I don't speak - either 'at all' or 'more' - at library conferences, weekend schools or get togethers. There isn't a single answer. So I'm going to do my best to answer why I don't/won't right here.
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<ol><li>Seeing is believing - I want our organisation to be the focus, not me. I want our presence, and the quality of what we do, to attest to our integrity and to uphold our reputation</li><li>I'm a background person first and foremost - I don't want the limelight, nor do I seek it. I prefer to put my head down and get the job done. It just so happens that I have a knack for being able to relate to our customers/followers via social media (probably because I'm forever a fangirl)</li><li>I'm forever a fangirl - who the hell wants to listen to that kinda person blather on endlessly and enthusiastically about geekery and nerdery? (Except other fangirls/fanboys)</li><li>I hate having to attend conferences - so I'm sure as hell not going to be the idiot up the front talking incessantly while knowing that there's somebody sitting out there thinking exactly what I'm thinking (which is usually, "OHMYGAWD when will this END?"). Also: I have the attention span of a dead goldfish</li><li>My job title makes library people suspicious - I'm fully aware of the fact that my official title (which I never use out loud because VOLDEMORT) means that people in NZ libraries are somewhat disbelieving that it's actual work and/or that there is justification for a fulltime person doing it. Quite a few (including my family) seem to think it means I do nothing but play on Facebook all day *snorts*</li><li>Bizarreballs - I find it strange that people want me to speak about social media. If you want to engage me at all, engage me in those spaces</li><li>This is not a Brony Convention - I don't want to do the speaker route. I am not a My Little Pony, I don't want to do tricks and dress up (and no you can't brush my hair - *I* don't even brush my hair)</li></ol>
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However, you can email me at any time, leave a comment on any of our blogs, DM me on Twitter or ask me on Facebook what I think about certain things, or why we do what we do (and how we do) on our work streams. I promise I'll answer.toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-55204998480430626392012-08-27T20:49:00.000+12:002012-08-27T20:50:15.300+12:00Libraries are about more than books<i>"As a child, my number one best friend was the librarian in my grade school. I actually believed all those books belonged to her."</i><br>
~ Erma Bombeck
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Libraries are about more than just books. Right? Right. Libraries are community spaces where people come to socialise, learn, study, create, celebrate. (And possibly lots of other words that I hadn't thought of at the time I wrote this post). I know this. I believe this. As much as I know it, though, I find it a somewhat disturbing statement. If libraries are about more than books then maybe we need to put that to the test and remove the book element altogether. Just take it away. If we do that - and by 'we' I mean 'libraries' and not the organisation I work for in particular - then what are libraries about?
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It's all right. Take your time. I'll wait.
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What are libraries without that book component? Internet cafes? Photocopy shops? Fax senders? Teachers? And if so, what are we teaching? And if so, why do we require a library qualification instead of a teaching qualification? Are we research teams? What are we? Can we definitively state what our purpose would be in that instance? If not, why do public libraries sometimes work so hard to dispel the truth: that we have books, that we spend quite a bit of money on books, that we have experts whose sole purpose is to know what to buy and for which parts of your town/city? Why are we ashamed of the books? Who says we can't be about books AND other things? And if we are going to admit that we have books, then let's do it properly and promote the crap out of them. Without apologising or qualifying.
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Well. Shoot. Two posts in one night.toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-89538563679735598072012-08-27T19:00:00.000+12:002012-10-29T22:42:15.527+13:00Life post-libraries: Is it a case of "It's life, Jim, but not as we know it"?<i>"If a trainstation is where the train stops, what's a workstation?"</i><br>
~ Unknown
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I've worked in libraries for almost thirteen years. Two helping out in a school library, two at a tertiary library, and nine with a public library. Thirteen seems like a long time but, really, it's not. After all, I knew a colleague, a few years back, who retired months short of her fiftieth anniversary. Not just 'in libraries,' but with the same organisation. I think that is both phenomenal, and admirable.
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I find myself contemplating, more and more often, what life would be like post-libraries. And by 'post-libraries' I mean not just a job change (as in location or organisation), but a total profession change. Like, right out of libraries altogether. I've been feeling quite unsettled for a very long time, and I often wonder if that emotional disquiet is allowing me to do my job justice. I'm not so sure it is. (I'm not looking for validation, it's a statement of fact). And I don't want to stay if that's the case. Surely, it'd be better to leave and make way for someone who can come in do things exceptionally well? I'm a firm believer in the thought that people should enjoy their work. Most days, I think I do, but sometimes the restlessness I feel, and the uncertainty about whether or not I'm where I want to be/or am needed (while doing the best that I can), makes me constantly ask myself, "Are you working to live, or living to work?" I know which I'd prefer.
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And so, starting tonight, I'm taking the first step in actively looking at what kinds of jobs are available in areas other than libraries. I don't know if this will come to anything. It may turn out that I'm suited for naught else. Then again, it may be the impetus I need to figure out where my restlessness stems from and patch that shit up pronto. (Like it's a leaky ship, or a bicycle tyre with a puncture, or a hem that's halfway fallen down and I have to decide if I grab a needle and a cotton or leave it drunkenly listing). I've resisted this step for a year and a half because, even back then, it looked like it was going to get to this point sooner or later. It arrived.
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So, that's me. Haven't updated this blog in about two months, and the first time I do it's to say I'm 'job looking with intent.' Bizarreballs.toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-80234109714071167012012-06-14T22:25:00.001+12:002012-10-29T22:42:13.289+13:00@sweden: Fitting In vs. Standing Out<i>"Those that choose to fit in should expect to avoid criticism (and be ignored). Those that stand out should expect neither."</i><br>
~ Seth Godin, <i><a href="http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2012/06/either-not-both.html" target=_blank>Not both</a></i>
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I follow <a href="http://twitter.com/sweden" target=_blank>@sweden</a>. I've made no secret of that fact. I admire what they've done, what they're doing and, very probably, what they'll come up with next. Some time back in April I wrote a post for Sally Pewhairangi's <a href="http://www.findingheroes.co.nz" target=_blank>Finding Heroes</a> site; <a href="http://findingheroes.co.nz/2012/04/30/opportunities-as-seeds/" target=_blank>Opportunities as seeds</a>, in which I expressed the thought that libraries could benefit from trying a modified version of this social experiment. I've received a few emails, comments and private messages that have all highlighted articles like this one with NYTimes.com, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/11/world/europe/many-voices-of-sweden-via-twitter.html" target=_blank>Swedes' Twitter voice: Anyone, saying (blush) almost anything</a>, and others. (It'd take far too long for me to link all the ones that I've received). Everyone has asked the same question: "Would you take your statement back?" I thank you all for your concern and comments. And no, I won't take my statement back all the same, thank you. I stand by it, still.
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@sweden has kickstarted fascinating conversations about breastfeeding, sexuality, maintaining long distance relationships, bad parenting vs. being a bad parent, politics and more. They were also responsible for inspiring other nations to start the same kind of initiative. So far they've had well-educated and/or well-spoken, interesting and engaging people. (Yes, including the one who listed masturbation as one of his favourite activities). I do not, for a second, believe that every Swedish citizen is that way. We aren't here in NZ. Why would it be any different any where else? @sweden is the voice of its people, however and wherever they are, in all their glory and, as we all know, sometimes people are ignorant, sometimes they're even stupid and, however well-intentioned, sometimes they're just plain dumb. I don't know which Sonja is. Something like this - a person at the helm with ideas and opinions that would hugely (and in this case understably) upset people - was bound to happen sooner or later. It had to. Do I agree with Sonja's comments? No, I do not. Neither do I believe it is the PR embarassment people are calling it. @sweden had the choice to fit in and be like any other nation/brand on Twitter who pushes out carefully crafted messages that are much of a muchness. Or they could stand out. It's obvious what they chose to do. As such, it means they're going to be under constant scrutiny, and they're going to draw intense criticism. Some might call it failure. Unfollow, then. I like that @sweden will never be wallflowers.
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Smart people work in libraries. That's why I know we're capable of managing a modified version of this. Minus ethnic comments and mentions of masturbation, I'm sure.toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-7380651806507948482012-04-11T07:00:00.001+12:002012-10-29T22:41:32.434+13:00"...cheap objectification isn't witty...<i>...it's hot."<br>
~ Nellie McKay, Mother of Pearl</i>
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My first introduction to Nellie McKay's music was thanks to a TED Talk performance (the one above, actually) of <i>Mother of Pearl</i>. The first time I watched it I thought, "Jesus Christ, is she serious?" and it left me with that feeling where you're not sure if you should laugh or swear. So I watched it again, and then I got it. I think. It was a list of feminist issues reduced to little more than stereotypes. I'm not sure that's all it is, though. Is she implying we take it all too seriously and should, really, lighten up a little? It makes me want to babble incoherently about misogyny and satire and irony and lots of other words along those lines. It grew on me. So much so that I looked up more of her stuff and came across a piece that she did for NPR Music's <i>Project Song</i> where artists are given two days to write and record an original song. Fascinating process watching McKay work her way from music to lyrics to recording. It kinda made me fall in like with her work, and her style, a little bit more. Have requested anything/everything we have of hers at work, most of which are contributions to concept albums.
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The clip below is the <i>Project Song</i>. That bit where she rings her mother to talk over a part of the song she isn't so sure about? Love that.
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Ok, you can go away now *makes shooing motions*toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-35587642499979947862012-04-09T07:00:00.000+12:002012-10-29T22:41:30.583+13:00Things you need in your life at 2 am......or something a little like it, anyway.
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Most nights I can't sleep. And then some weekends I do nothing but sleep. Go figure. For the nights when I can't sleep I have a fanfic soundtrack that I like to listen to over and over. It contains acoustic songs/performances that are all quite introspective. Some nights, though, it isn't quite enough. So I play in YouTube. This clip is one of those finds. <a href="http://lisahannigan.ie/" alt text="Lisa Hannigan's website" target=_blank>Lisa Hannigan</a> (Irish singer) performing on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/nprmusic/featured" target=_blank>NPR Music's channel</a>, in particular their Tiny Desk Concerts. In this performance she plays a ukulele, a guitar and a mandolin (not all at the same time, I'd like to point out), and is joined partway through by John Smith. Yes, that *is* his actual name. Her voice is like oh. I've requested anything/everything we have of hers at work.
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Maybe the next time you find yourself wide awake at 2am because you can't get to sleep, you could try Lisa, like I have been.
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<i>She said Bird, why? I said Bird, why?<br>
Oh my satellite, oh my passenger</i><br>
- Passenger by Lisa Hannigan
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P.S. Her mandolin looks like mine! Only she plays it better :)toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-39228802279395404882012-04-04T07:00:00.000+12:002012-10-29T22:41:28.629+13:0010 reasons I'm moving to Sweden, and they're all to do with music<i>"I have had much to learn from Sweden's poetry and, more especially, from her lyrics of the last generation."</i><br />
- Knut Hamsun<br />
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A bit of a break from my norm. (And then I realise that I don't have a norm. Huh). I lovelovelove to look up international idol/talent audition clips on YouTube. That's probably not such an odd thing I mean, people look up all sorts of stuff on YouTube. Where I may differ slightly is in that I watch them, am constantly blown away by the performances, and then bawl my eyes out. Especially if they're kids/teens. I'm not sure why. I just know that I do it, and I enjoy it. (Both the music, and the crying). Do I speak Swedish, German, Dutch, Bulgarian, etc.? Good grief, no. I can't understand a single word they're saying. But I can read their faces and their body language, and something about European idol/talent competitions is a little less composed than its American counterpart with stonefaced judges. I revel in the judges' ability to let loose and sing along, utter a curse word or two in appreciation, clap in time and, just generally, be greatly encouraging of the contestants. It's a lesson we could all take away from it, I think. In this post I'll stick to past Swedish audition clips of some sort or another. Also? I'm moving to Sweden, dammit.<br />
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<b>5. All the men/women are are good looking/hot, half of them carry guitars and the other half sport tattoos. Is this a rule?</b><br />
Is it like an international thing? Does nobody look ordinary??<br />
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<b>4. The accents add a little something extra to the whole fun mystery of not totally understanding anything</b><br />
Everything sounds so much better with an accent. Antonio Banderas is living proof of this, and so, I believe, is everybody else even slightly remotely *lesigh* (Probably not how this works but shut up, anyway, please).<br />
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<b>3. So much talent that makes me think I'm totally not worthy to breathe the same air</b><br />
Olle Hedberg, Swedish Idol audition. As musical mashups go? This is like WHOA. <i>No diggity</i> by Blackstreet, and <i>Lady</i> by Mojo. Olle Hedberg can sing, ohmygoshness can he sing. I hate making comparisons, especially when it comes to music, but he's like a Swedish Adam Levine. Or a Swedish Robin Thicke. Umm, the judges use a four letter S-word to express their amazement at the end of the clip. I think. I'm not totally sure. It could be a Swedish expression of wonder and awe and I'm totally ignorant. (This wouldn't be the first time I have been so).<br />
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<b>2. Sometimes the judges are a little...honest</b><br />
Truly. Good or bad.<br />
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<b>1. The expressions on the judge's faces when people who really can sing, actually sing</b><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LRlf6j8vEDk" width="420"></iframe>toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-48627899619519896502012-04-02T07:00:00.001+12:002012-04-02T07:00:02.090+12:00"Sous le dôme épais où le blanc jasmin...<i>...A la rose s'assemble<br />Sur la rive en fleurs riant au matin..."<br />Lakmé, by Léo Delibes</i><br /><br />Confession: I like opera. And it's got nothing to do with my name. If anything, Tosca is the least of my favourites. (Although she was a vengeful woman and that I can get behind). My most favourite opera ever is La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini. That's not to say I don't like anything else. I do. Just not in their entirety. Usually certain songs, more than anything else. Such as the one in today's clip.<br /><br />Joan Sutherland & Huguette Tourangeau in Lakmé by Léo Delibes. In particular the Flower Duet (1976). Cliche, I know. So sue me.<br /><br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1xuzkPjhNAo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />This is going to be playing in my head all day.toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-14639631938928571472012-03-20T07:30:00.001+13:002012-03-20T07:30:01.653+13:00"Music was my refuge...<i>...I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness."<br />~ Maya Angelou, Gather Together in My Name</i><br /><br />What fucking genius came up with this combination of musicians? Because I'd like to meet him. I surely would. Shake his hand. Maybe buy him a drink. Or her. Or they. Whatever. Whoever it was. I can see it now, they're sitting around one day contemplating string theory and the meaning of life and then, suddenly, they go, 'Holy shit! What would happen if we chucked Chris Thile, Yo Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer and Stuart Duncan IN THE SAME ROOM?' Et voila, THIS is what happens. Magic times a zillion. Here's a combination of musicians I'd pay blood to see. (I say that not believing in vampires. If such a thing exists, however, I'd like to take that statement back, please and thank you). Also, NPR Music's YouTube channel? *swoons* FULL OF WIN. They've introduced me to so many new artists I'd never have heard about otherwise. And so! The clip.<br /><br /><iframe width="450" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/O7EcT5YzKhQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />That is all.toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-35512268982091554832012-03-15T07:30:00.000+13:002012-10-29T22:41:22.088+13:00A little post that isn't much of a post about anything in particularI only ever wanted to be three things in life: a singer, a teacher and a librarian. That's it. I did sing for a few years and it was fun. And then I didn't sing anymore. When I left tertiary I took a job at a local primary school as a Maori teacher aide. Enjoyed it so much I became an LAT (where you have a limited authority to teach), briefly considered applying to the (then) Auckland College of Education and realised something quite crucial that held everything up: I didn't actually like children. Not enough to be amongst them all day, every day. Weirdly, instead of going to ACE to obtain a teaching degree, I ended up working there in the library instead at the same time as my BFF was there studying. Timing is everything.<br /><br />People always ask me, "Why libraries?" and I tell them the truth (which always seems to disappoint them): "I'm in libraries for the books." I am, first and foremost (and forever) a reader who seems to have a knack for recommending books. I have worked in a school library, a tertiary library, and public libraries so I know that libraries offer more than books. They have homework centres, job clubs, book clubs, school holiday programmes, author talks, orientation sessions, database tutorials, study rooms, computers...they're busy, busy places. They are, after all, community spaces. These days more so than ever before, I think. And I love seeing that. But I never forget that I am always about the books - reading them, talking about them with others, promoting them, having quite firm opinions about book/reading related issues, and, although it sounds stupid, having what feels like an actual relationship with the book and its characters. I suspect that makes me strange. I suspect I don't care overly much about said strangeness. I also suspect I'll go on being about the book and nothing but the book for always.toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-72407718984742217722012-03-14T08:20:00.006+13:002012-03-14T16:43:13.234+13:00Some people eat breakfast...I catch up on RSS feedsI spend the first part of my day catching up on RSS feeds for *screws up face and counts* some 260+ blogs/websites covering all sorts of things. Seriously, all sorts of things. What I leave till last, though, are the video clips! I'm not a morning person, so the idea of breakfast o'clock fills me with horror on any given day. If I must eat first thing in the morning, gimme coke and M&Ms. So, where some people eat breakfast...I catch up on RSS feeds. But it's the videos I love the most. And this morning? These ones in particular.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sillysparrowness?feature=watch" target="_blank">SillySparrowness builds a TARDIS</a></b><br /><br /><iframe width="450" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rtWUrJU46M8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />ADORE her reason for doing so TIMES A THOUSAND. (Yes. Caps were necessary).<br /><br /><b>Wrecking Crew Orchestra</b><br /><br /><iframe width="450" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6ydeY0tTtF4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><a href="http://www.toplessrobot.com/2012/03/dance_dance_revolu-tron.php" target="_blank">Thank you, Topless Robot</a> :)<br /><br /><b>Kristin Bell's emotional meltdown over meeting a sloth</b><br /><br /><iframe width="450" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t5jw3T3Jy70" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />Baby sloths are adorable! Grown-up sloths...mmm not so much. Really. And if you don't believe me, then <a href="http://www.oocities.org/hollywood/set/1478/sloth20052small.jpg" target="_blank">check out this photo</a>. That scares me a whole lot. Bell's meltdown? Aww! (And yes, this has been around for a little while now, and I've been meaning to see it but only did this morning and, even then, only because a J2 fanfic writer I follow had posted/mentioned it at some time or another recently).toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-20384870284520906462012-03-13T07:30:00.002+13:002012-03-13T07:30:00.906+13:00A thing that'd make me cry were it a Lifetime Channel movie where some person died of some awful disease but, instead, it makes my heart heavy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCeT8beJskYyCHGnsDCB7ZJgcx13i3PeFj7HdGBQOR8g-81Z8QceZNusOwm4AZ9xbQeLs-vn7aLBJiFlK4c9nxi2190N_PBmNPcaEibLZlrdgYkmOW3DjmhrG2Kb1IDIxZn0FjaKw1jU/s1600/comic_con.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCeT8beJskYyCHGnsDCB7ZJgcx13i3PeFj7HdGBQOR8g-81Z8QceZNusOwm4AZ9xbQeLs-vn7aLBJiFlK4c9nxi2190N_PBmNPcaEibLZlrdgYkmOW3DjmhrG2Kb1IDIxZn0FjaKw1jU/s320/comic_con.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718923892355584274" /></a> The title of this post is, appropriately (??), 'A thing that'd make me cry were it a Lifetime Channel movie where some person died of some awful disease but, instead, it makes my heart heavy.' It is true. Every word. If somewhat longwinded. (As usual). My lifelong geek dream is to attend a San Diego Comic-Con. I'd love to be able to experience the spectacle of it. That, combined with being able to see the Supernatural cast (because you can bet I would) is enough to make it high up on my OHMYGOD I'd Die If I Never Got To Do This list. I've often heard it referred to as the 'Nerdy Olympics' and, considering my clumsiness and awkwardness when it comes to actual sport, I'm ok with that. I suspect that my being able to attend is going to remain nought but a constant on my wishlist for a very long time to come. As <a href="http://www.themarysue.com/sdcc-tickets-sell-out/" target="_blank">Mary Sue (the website) wrote</a>, "Nerd Girl Problem #17: Your main goal in life is to get to Comic-Con." It's true. That is my biggest nerd girl problem. It's just not about to happen any time soon. Tickets sell out way too fast. (To be specific, they sold out in the time it takes for an episode of Doctor Who to screen). I tossed around ways in which I might actually get to Comic-Con and, really, all I could think of was that I would have to write some fantastical screenplay/book/series that would knock the socks off of somebody somewhere and get me featured as a guest. Yeah, nah. Ain't gonna happen.<br /><br />So, I have a couple of choices: I can sit and cry about it, or I can get over it and find something else to fixate on. (At least until 2013, anyway). I'll be honest, I briefly mourned the fact that I wouldn't attend Comic-Con this year and then, just the other night, I decided that I would attend a Supernatural Convention in Toronto, Canada later this year. If my main reason for attending is to see and hear the cast of Supernatural, then that's what I'll do. I've never been to Canada. I've always wanted to ever since I saw <i>Due South</i> as a teen. I want a picture of a Mountie IN hat WITH a horse. Probably near impossible to see but that's what I want. Well, that and Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki. Failing bringing them home in my luggage, I'll settle for a pic of a Mountie please and thank you. Roll on October!<br /><br /><i><a href="http://blog.chron.com/tubular/tag/comic-con/" target="_blank">Image from Chron.com</a></i>toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-63627782758077197872012-03-12T07:13:00.008+13:002012-03-12T22:25:52.663+13:00Things wot I liked on YouTube<i>"And was this therapy successful in that you were able to suppress your homosexuality?"<br />"Nope, I was just as gay as when I started."</i><br />~ 8, a play about California Proposition 8<br /><br />A twitter friend flicked me a link to a YouTube clip of the star-studded Prop 8 (as in California Proposition 8, more commonly known as California's gay marriage ban) play which, until that point, I'd only read about. The play is based, pretty much, around the trial's closing arguments. I watched it. I liked it. I don't know how long the link will be up, so I'll enjoy it while it is.<br /><br />Thanks, Kylie, for the link :)<br /><br /><iframe width="450" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qlUG8F9uVgM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />P.S. Have changed the blog. I'm feeling minimalist at the moment, and this may be the closest I get to it. No doubt a few months down the track I'll change it again. Meh.toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-1876107063397536182012-03-06T21:30:00.007+13:002012-03-12T07:27:04.942+13:00THIS! More reasons I heart Benedict CumberbatchI adore Benedict Cumberbatch! I love Sherlock fullstop, and Benedict as Sherlock? *swoons* This clip is an interview (and I use that term very loosely) he had with Alan Carr :) Cheers Natalie for the link.<br /><br /><iframe width="450" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4UbudlLhkXs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />Also, I don't call myself a #cumberbitch :Ptoscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-28505999496771396912012-02-21T16:36:00.009+13:002012-03-11T22:55:19.068+13:00New Orleans: Day 3We're not in Kansas anymore! Quick post. For once. A few thoughts, impressions, etc. from today.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2LJ3NNrpHGf7Ya6XnKT3rtA5jTp9rgHfz0jIdY3DS4AMrUhS-2g6B1tECxzNxmKllOF89ml5204PSJC1nNMFztN9cdwPvFJ9peiopwftPLWSKdJGUbGT6UHPk7xJpiFjfg21u1pLXy8/s1600/423488_10150609146224814_766324813_8856628_1626885651_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2LJ3NNrpHGf7Ya6XnKT3rtA5jTp9rgHfz0jIdY3DS4AMrUhS-2g6B1tECxzNxmKllOF89ml5204PSJC1nNMFztN9cdwPvFJ9peiopwftPLWSKdJGUbGT6UHPk7xJpiFjfg21u1pLXy8/s320/423488_10150609146224814_766324813_8856628_1626885651_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711429447862241218" /></a> 1. Cafe du Monde is better at 2am than it is earlier during the day. If, that is, being in crowds is an actual effort for you. Or for me, as the case may be. I don't totally mind crowds, but I'm not a fan of them either. It just so happens that a lot of what I want to do involves people. Lots of people. Waitangi Day celebrations. Mardi Gras. Armageddon. So the moments when I don't have to be around crowds is something I live up while I can. So take it from me, Cafe du Monde is much nicer at 2am than it is earlier during the day.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLSGwY2BUNCEqy-wu4q4Vb3gRe08ge9hxGDh5d01_8zp2NPuhEzxIhMNxmRQI2uqoSVrCF1r4Epv9RFqxe4TkNajR9VakR1wRmzlgP-LE0mqZbeHbj63R4ybikDLv4PVVSpcAEOkEJBg/s1600/394033_10150609146889814_766324813_8856638_379572725_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLSGwY2BUNCEqy-wu4q4Vb3gRe08ge9hxGDh5d01_8zp2NPuhEzxIhMNxmRQI2uqoSVrCF1r4Epv9RFqxe4TkNajR9VakR1wRmzlgP-LE0mqZbeHbj63R4ybikDLv4PVVSpcAEOkEJBg/s320/394033_10150609146889814_766324813_8856638_379572725_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711429665098027938" /></a> 2. BEIGNETS. Seriously, if you're in New Orleans, make sure to try beignets at least once. What are they? A pastry made from deep-fried dough. Kinda like a doughnut. Unless you're Maori, then it's more like a sweet fried bread. And they come loaded with icing sugar. Mmmm, don't come here on a diet.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvbX3hX7O4VCDfqmS9RjMNpYFjLyfx_rWdVm-xbjv-xUcBLUgzaO-9kvP9atSG5CIonWSX8U9j_lGY5f3HGfsQ2HvG-zZwStik5XO-YD48Ood_YgEftJpuOXjiE-5WRxJooKDyJrodzk/s1600/339667_10150611547569814_766324813_8862626_1338935721_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvbX3hX7O4VCDfqmS9RjMNpYFjLyfx_rWdVm-xbjv-xUcBLUgzaO-9kvP9atSG5CIonWSX8U9j_lGY5f3HGfsQ2HvG-zZwStik5XO-YD48Ood_YgEftJpuOXjiE-5WRxJooKDyJrodzk/s320/339667_10150611547569814_766324813_8862626_1338935721_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711430111896397298" /></a> 3. Bourbon Street is pretty by night. True story. And if it happens to be raining it's even more pretty, just make sure to have an umbrella.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqa78pz_1gPzRnAefgYr6ds_E2XeVBwnOL3y_BJEuCStoxUM_MV9uSzZqQxOLfERFt2U0PIPbl1HIj163K5ly_uw1rawdqyvNQDug6wP1PoxopRZisNa_0fmzel-orBT1Pgrbt1IdqpuQ/s1600/327441_10150611550644814_766324813_8862631_1755287483_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqa78pz_1gPzRnAefgYr6ds_E2XeVBwnOL3y_BJEuCStoxUM_MV9uSzZqQxOLfERFt2U0PIPbl1HIj163K5ly_uw1rawdqyvNQDug6wP1PoxopRZisNa_0fmzel-orBT1Pgrbt1IdqpuQ/s320/327441_10150611550644814_766324813_8862631_1755287483_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711430289592946754" /></a> 4. Houses like to play dress up for mardi gras just as much as the people do!<br /><br />5. People aren't sure what ethnicity we are. We don't fit anything they know of here in New Orleans. More often than not they seem to think we're a bit more exotic than we could ever be, really. The accent seems to throw people, and they're not shy about asking where we're from, how long we're staying and why we're here in the first place. There's a bonus in that people of all cultures and backgrounds will feel free to come up and start random conversations.<br /><br />6. Locals are incredibly friendly, and incredibly helpful. More so than back home. And almost everybody greets you with, 'Hey, how y'all doin'?' I heart this city.<br /><br />7. American men are more forward than Kiwi men. They think nothing of checking you out while you're standing right there in front of them. They also think nothing of asking to buy you a drink, or dinner, or asking outright if you're married/have a boyfriend/girlfriend, etc. It's extremely disconcerting.toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-83502484144833322512012-02-20T08:00:00.001+13:002012-02-20T02:35:20.526+13:00New Orleans: Day 2Another rambling-y style post from me in New Orleans. Really, do I know any other kind of post that isn't rambling-y? Non, bien sûr. 6 impressions from day two of my trip.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDuk8l74hD41VgXJq2qF6mSubhKHSpnl9HGg8a4WjmUpLloyDhOBAOzGqmpa-YT34_isqJngdLfZwCmWss3QVyQgXAcTjv_uR-akxZPYxXlI93EyCz_8bhwc1qHJ17qYFYZyrp8HcHAQ/s1600/332040_10150610594974814_1313399652_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDuk8l74hD41VgXJq2qF6mSubhKHSpnl9HGg8a4WjmUpLloyDhOBAOzGqmpa-YT34_isqJngdLfZwCmWss3QVyQgXAcTjv_uR-akxZPYxXlI93EyCz_8bhwc1qHJ17qYFYZyrp8HcHAQ/s320/332040_10150610594974814_1313399652_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710744976469162258" /></a> 1. We wandered on down Esplanade Ave to Decatur Street (pronounced Da-kay-tur not Deck-a-toor) to see the French Market. It's early days as far as mardi gras celebrations go, so while there a lot of stalls, it will fill up a little bit more as Fat Tuesday (English translation of Mardi Gras) gets closer. And there's so much you can buy here in the way of geegaws and souvenirs: t-shirts with every possible lewd mention of Bounrbon Street you could imagine (e.g. I got Bourbonfaced on Shit Street), shoes, jewellery (egad the most beautiful jewellery), paintings, photos, food, bags...so much to see! The French Market has been in the same place since roughly the 1790s and was, originally, a trading post for local indigenous Indians. It is the country's oldest public market.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MLJ4YA3U676paElSCtKC-gqJdUiZLa2P2fXT4beWlKlTMuhAAFsz4Dkjix94QVTymd6yugBg-2UfQzNS08QT5QKiYaVh2pC_4V1M4PlEwGicvB2AlmO-0gDQpRCX6CAzcccdxH4S7SE/s1600/suitcase.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MLJ4YA3U676paElSCtKC-gqJdUiZLa2P2fXT4beWlKlTMuhAAFsz4Dkjix94QVTymd6yugBg-2UfQzNS08QT5QKiYaVh2pC_4V1M4PlEwGicvB2AlmO-0gDQpRCX6CAzcccdxH4S7SE/s320/suitcase.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710745711321641266" /></a> 2. Sibling ended up buying another small case - carry on size - to chuck all of her French Market souvenirs in, and has spent the rest of our time here so far adding to it). I hadn't, really, but have decided just now to do the same tomorrow after our city tour. My bag coming over was full and it was only 10kgs. That means that I can legitimately fit another *does quick calculation* 13 kg bag in. Yeah, baby. I'll gladly take no carry-on other than passport, wallet, and tickets/boarding passes if I can take half of the city home with me as checked-in luggage :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoD0EyTAwN5iM61_9FfM476tBcChP_WX7PkJsTsef4rhgn2oKBQ-7Si3aHXe5ZcnWluPd6T-VXaT_Nv_X5U0-rLTE8J4wDA3LbVO642t94ZBqddaQzwn0-mbL-I5haDrU9ZWVZJefwN0/s1600/328465_10150610659584814_766324813_8860501_79090765_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoD0EyTAwN5iM61_9FfM476tBcChP_WX7PkJsTsef4rhgn2oKBQ-7Si3aHXe5ZcnWluPd6T-VXaT_Nv_X5U0-rLTE8J4wDA3LbVO642t94ZBqddaQzwn0-mbL-I5haDrU9ZWVZJefwN0/s320/328465_10150610659584814_766324813_8860501_79090765_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710749008680326738" /></a> 3. The food is total OM NOM NOM! Our first full day here and we stopped at The Gazebo Cafe for lunch after shopping at the market. The three of us ordered: grill chicken po'boy, grilled chicken burger, New Orleans sampler that consisted of gumbo, red beans and rice, and jambalaya. Don't be surprised if you find yourself ordering a dish that you cannot finish - they serve big and hearty here, and most places will pop it in a bag, container or box for you to take with you.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-bn0bnZD_j6_fQuog-9nHP4bgoaxHsuLqrUL2xW5JHaJ7CIpqzqDuClT4b5oJn_jK2wQGAf8LkkVmRLoPc8xFZnmztVtMOONpk3I4fa0-i0tUDKveExT3fh8NLgnmaBRb-HySPc-nxI/s1600/330420_10150610575919814_766324813_8860342_1002642838_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-bn0bnZD_j6_fQuog-9nHP4bgoaxHsuLqrUL2xW5JHaJ7CIpqzqDuClT4b5oJn_jK2wQGAf8LkkVmRLoPc8xFZnmztVtMOONpk3I4fa0-i0tUDKveExT3fh8NLgnmaBRb-HySPc-nxI/s320/330420_10150610575919814_766324813_8860342_1002642838_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710746819087233922" /></a> 4. M&Ms come in bite size cookie style! How did I not know this? And why haven't I seen them in NZ before? And can I shake the hand of the genius who thought of that?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWXcqGY9n2tFG8_D4QiUrvwgxz7xO3Ob252DeQSkdxXA4jD0KUwhFimF8yf8_M2K7zS_FUnZo-BpIA0stSE4E2uxnaZYLYMCUL5AQq5Be0f1BLrhyphenhyphenDQ_TlgkShJ3lb61bs1cNJHTQyMA/s1600/415154_10150610582509814_766324813_8860348_453620385_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWXcqGY9n2tFG8_D4QiUrvwgxz7xO3Ob252DeQSkdxXA4jD0KUwhFimF8yf8_M2K7zS_FUnZo-BpIA0stSE4E2uxnaZYLYMCUL5AQq5Be0f1BLrhyphenhyphenDQ_TlgkShJ3lb61bs1cNJHTQyMA/s320/415154_10150610582509814_766324813_8860348_453620385_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710750358225171938" /></a> 5. Alcohol can be found everywhere and in everything. Try the alchoholic smoothies mmmm booze with icecream. More than a few bars are 24/7. A lot of the drinks are truly potent. If you can, try to drink a few of the specialty drinks at their bar of origin :) Unlike New Zealand, it is legal to drink in public, so you can grab a cup to go and wander quite freely around the city, as long as your cup is a plastic cup or container. Safety reasons. Although don't be surprised if you flinch guiltily every time you see a police officer, and instinctively try to look for the nearest place to hide your cup. I've been here twice and I still do that.<p></p><br /><br />6. People smoke in bars, unlike back home, so be prepared for gritty eyes, stinky hair and smelly clothes by the time you get home. Obviously, I've been spoiled in NZ :Ptoscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361232021968558824.post-44397863477302674772012-02-19T18:34:00.010+13:002012-02-19T19:50:56.502+13:00New Orleans: Day 1In which Tosca practises what the locals call 'lagniappe,' meaning 'extra.' If you follow me on Twitter and Facebook you'll see that I post umpteen photos there with little bits about them. Here on my blog, though, I'll give you lagniappe, a little bit extra, to go with whatever I'm posting.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />Happy mardi gras, y'all! I haven't blogged much on this trip. Not like last time where it was everyday. Various reasons, but mostly because I think I briefly lost my blog mojo. Yeah, sure, I can use the excuse that there's so much going on that I'm flat out busy, and it'd be true, but that never stopped me last time. Just for some reason I've found it quite hard to remain focused, and my thoughts are quite hard to pull into some kind of coherent shape for a post - so I let it go. Then, while watching tv earlier tonight, I thought perhaps I'd take the pressure off myself and keep it as simple as possible. So instead, for this visit to New Orleans, I'll start blogging now (4 days out from going home) and simply queue up a post for each day with 3-5 simple impressions, photos, thoughts, conversations from that day. A sort of round-up of sorts, I suppose. It was bucketing down earlier today. So much so that a severe thunderstorm warning was issued, and various parts of Louisiana were on tornado watch (yes, we were here in Orleans Parish), and flash flood watch in a few of the other parishes. We're fine. We came back from a plantation tour and took a nap and it was over by the time we woke up again. So, here are my first five impressions etc. from the first day. Enjoy. Or not. Comments, queries, corrections, etc. are always welcome :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmfhMiZtpw6VmPg0scN-33DFQdrr-kRZNIHe7eOBfcwmfP3pC9ch7H40dZUOg5oWq9J0HdBwV0zGuZBfGHFBimPeudFh1N3XBOfmBAHc87oO2V0WxUO3ONv1p13iWUaB_8MvAUvT3PqU/s1600/IMG_2291%255B1%255D.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmfhMiZtpw6VmPg0scN-33DFQdrr-kRZNIHe7eOBfcwmfP3pC9ch7H40dZUOg5oWq9J0HdBwV0zGuZBfGHFBimPeudFh1N3XBOfmBAHc87oO2V0WxUO3ONv1p13iWUaB_8MvAUvT3PqU/s320/IMG_2291%255B1%255D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710720928291294578" /></a><br /><br /></P><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WCaDdSL_NNf26elYH8kRK3Mb85aXSqO64hvxuDUFZrXdBohsYeul8airvlW-zPCdeQU0k-LkUkc37k1frTOPvH7tJVHbzxSiJsJcg064fVDh1FSFFxEGDuFMp8ln6ZWZP60qEDs1UUI/s1600/IMG_2292%255B1%255D.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WCaDdSL_NNf26elYH8kRK3Mb85aXSqO64hvxuDUFZrXdBohsYeul8airvlW-zPCdeQU0k-LkUkc37k1frTOPvH7tJVHbzxSiJsJcg064fVDh1FSFFxEGDuFMp8ln6ZWZP60qEDs1UUI/s320/IMG_2292%255B1%255D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710721190211894786" /></a><br /><p></p><br /><br />1. There is art, even just in the airport like the two pieces above, all over the place that will blow you away.<br /><p></p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyzBW-xvQA6Sz-3Ev_VgX0d2vIapLBnmrYnCyTuWMx8rheUjELP9yWgWEQT-CwVDVSJJRChUjJ8ma0koPLrbqzOOuLlJ5qB_UW50egzyxhOQcys_uofMI5p8WI2ayGRMOtcOpxLokRM0/s1600/IMG_2307%255B1%255D.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyzBW-xvQA6Sz-3Ev_VgX0d2vIapLBnmrYnCyTuWMx8rheUjELP9yWgWEQT-CwVDVSJJRChUjJ8ma0koPLrbqzOOuLlJ5qB_UW50egzyxhOQcys_uofMI5p8WI2ayGRMOtcOpxLokRM0/s320/IMG_2307%255B1%255D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710726149474262306" /></a> 2. There are buskers and street entertainers all over. Is it a cliché? Mais oui. Does that make it any less effective or charming? Mais non. I mean, sure, Louis Armstrong is a BFD (big freakin' deal) for very obvious reasons and you do see images of him all over the city, but no, he is not the only local musician people love to talk about. There's also the Marsalis family, Harry Connick Jr. (whom I have not yet had the pleasure of ever seeing live, and I'm gutted about that), Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Dr. John, Jelly Roll Morton, Sweet Emma Barrett, Kermit Ruffins (and what a treat that was to see him live at Vaughn's Lounge - worthy of a post on its own, he even apologised to me for a set that he didn't feel was at its best and shit but I disagreed - it was everything I wanted and more), Irma Thomas, Sidney Bechet, Eddie Bo, Monk Boudreaux, John Boutté (did the theme for Tremé), Susan Cowsill, Allen Toussaint, Trombone Shorty, Ernie K-Doe, Al "Carnival Time" Johnson, Mahalia Jackson, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, The Neville Brothers, the Boswell Sisters, Alton "Big Al" Carson, Rebirth Brass Band, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Dukes of Dixieland, Louis Prima, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and so many others it's impossible to count. My love of New Orleans music was what attracted me when I was 8 years old and heard it for the first time and, even now, 28 years later, I'm still hooked.<br /><p></p><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgkJO8tY_1JUB58j46vc4AvyudV08CT10Xu9kyZOjSovH_AtuawmXp1H9pQ_O5JsXDHjguQ55OZZRbWFC5OqoOW5VbbzrBtrR_y-0dcw3xtj2k1XCdIJXfbmLEBQd3tIylRzO3-Q9S5Q/s1600/IMG_2387%255B1%255D.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgkJO8tY_1JUB58j46vc4AvyudV08CT10Xu9kyZOjSovH_AtuawmXp1H9pQ_O5JsXDHjguQ55OZZRbWFC5OqoOW5VbbzrBtrR_y-0dcw3xtj2k1XCdIJXfbmLEBQd3tIylRzO3-Q9S5Q/s320/IMG_2387%255B1%255D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710729169291955922" /></a> 3. Banksy's 'Rain Girl,' just around the corner from where I'm staying, is still as beautiful to me today as it was in Feb of '09. Possibly even more so. Something about it - its poignant look and feel, maybe? - means it still has a special place in my heart. (Or where my heart would be if I had one).<br /><br />4. Locals have exceptional memories. We flew in about 11pm, grabbed our bags from baggage claim and saw Stan waiting for us. Stan was the same cab driver I had last time and he remembered me and caught me up on all things New Orleans since '09. When I was last here he gave great tips about things to do, places to see, food tips and bars to try, and I was stoked to see him again. His best tip: visit Tremé on foot, visit Lil Dizzy's there and mingle with the locals.<br /><br />5. People beg for money. I never saw that, not once, the last time I was here, and I was rather taken aback by it. A few days later, one of my trvelling companions finds out from locals that most of the people begging for money are from out of state, that recently (unsure how recently) people shifted down from colder states and will often hang out begging for money. And by 'money' I mean a quarter or a dollar. They never ask for anything really big. Some were sleeping in Jackson Square. A few were curled up in doorways out of the way of the wind, sleeping. Along Jackson Square we almost stood on a person that we hadn't realised was there because we suddenly came upon him, fast asleep.<br /><br />6. If you arrive late at night (like we did), don't visit the French Quarter at that hour. You really won't see the city at its best, and I think it's important that you do. What you'll see is drunks falling all over each other and vomit on the streets. Probably all from out of towners. Sure, that's a part of the experience, but it can give you a false impression. You really want to see it during the day, very probably early morning on, when the shops are open, the cafes and bars are doing breakast, work people are starting - that sort of thing. As the day goes on and the streets and shops start to fill, you'll see another side of the city again. See it at different hours, just don't start the late ones first.<br /><br />I love this place. It is everything: dirty, historic, faded, beautiful, crazy, intense, edgy, gritty, laidback, charming, quaint, noisy, full on...you name it, and this place IS it.toscahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756063794557625315noreply@blogger.com2