The games people play

In some ways, it's sort of 'interesting' (in that Chinese curse sort of way) to blog away, knowing that there are now two (2) government departments monitoring this blog, as well as WLW. Hope they enjoy reading about the library renovations; circulation boosting tips might come to this blog shortly.

I almost feel sorry for the poor smucks who have no interest in libraries, but get paid to read 'certain potentially damaging' Web 2.0 material written by Known (and flagged) Recalcitrants. Isn't it a shame that George Orwell didn't forsee this particular aspect of technology? Oh wait! He actually did.

And here's something that's going to make a lot of other folk pretty angry; but at least our American Cousins have the advantage of knowing about it. Take a 10 minute break here at YouTube if you've got a strong stomach, privacy-wise. How do you feel about the software that, in 15 minutes, " could scan and interpret every book in the Library of Congress" [PBS Documentary] ... but of course that's not what they're using it for ...

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What a day!

So yesterday I went into the city to Attend to Some Business ... a matter that would require its own website to provide the complete picture, in all its technicolour glory. And maybe one day, that same website may indeed appear, if the book version doesn't eventuate.


All that aside, an additional 'excitement' after picking the kids up from school - a fun-filled (not) adventure to the local hospital Emergency Ward, a loooong wait, and a broadcast radio interview.


Going into work today, sorting books and packing 41 boxes for transport on Tuesday next week to PNG (over 70% of schools in PNG don't have a library), a Yard Duty, Year 8 class, exam marking, report writing (due next week!) and the all the usual daily library tasks - including the covering of 30 new books - was pretty much a 'walk in the park, compared to yesterday.


Looks like changing the world, one library at a time, might have to be postponed until tomorrow.
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"Clever conversations"?

Billy Joel has done some very pleasant music; "I like you just the way you are" was on the radio as I was driving home from work. Maybe because the kids weren't in the car and I could actually hear something else other than "can we ..." and "but you said", I actually got to hear the lyrics.

"I don't want clever conversation ... I just want someone that I can talk to ..."

Time to bring the lyrics up to date with something more caring and sensitive, Billy. How about something along the lines of:

“Among men and women, those in love do not always announce themselves with declarations and vows. But they are the ones who weep when you're gone. Who miss you every single night, especially when the sky is so deep and beautiful, and the ground so very cold.” [Alice Hoffman]

OK, it doesn't scan well or even rhyme. But isn't the language lovely? And the sentiment deep? It almost makes the reader want to paint red roses on black velvet, or pen poetry with a quill. In extreme cases, it might even make one feel like having a cup of coffee and an immoderate piece of medicinal chocolate ...

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