Returning from a hiatus
Its about time I try to get back to some blogging. Sorry for the changes and updates in the next few days.
Hanami - Cherry Blossom Viewing
I recently joined the Japanese Group of Buffalo (JGB). Its nice to be involved in a community organization that has nothing to do with libraries 
Here is my first post promoting a JGB event.
JGB Cherry Blossom Viewing : O-hanami
Spring is finally here, so come enjoy the cherry blossoms at the
Japanese Garden with the JGB.What: O-hanami
When: May 6 (Sunday) 10:30a.m.~1:30p.m.
(In case of rain, postponed to May 12 (Sat.) 10:30~1:30)
Where: Japanese Garden
(Behind the Buffalo & Erie county Historical Society)Notes:
- No parking in lot directly in front of the Historical Society - due to a scheduled wedding. Please park in the designated lot closer to Elmwood Ave. (where parking is allowed up to 1:30) or park on Nottingham Ter. where there’s no time limit.
- Many people other than JGB members are expected to come to enjoy the cherry blossoms. Â Please be sure to lock your car and take safety precautions for your valuables.
- Bring your own lunch and please carry out your trash.
Shedule:
10:30 Gathering
11:00 Introduction of New Members
11:30 Japanese Folk Dance
1:15 Clean-up, Closing
The JGB doesn’t have website yet, but I think I will help them get that up an running. in the mean time you might be interested in the “Year of Japan in Buffalo-Niagara 2007.” In partnership with our sister city, Kanazawa, in Japan, this project is promoting a better understanding of Japanese culture.
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. (1922-2007)
Sadly, one of my favorite writers passed away at 84 on Wednesday April 12, 2007.
LIS 505 PRESENTATION
This is me at LIS 505 class. This was just a simple example of me posting to the blog during my presentation. Sorry about the blip on your feeds.
The Paperless University: Myth or Reality?
I recently participated as a panel speaker at Fredonia’s Reed Library to talk about the idea of “paperless.” I just wanted to thank Dawn Eckenrode, Kerrie Fergen Wilkes, Darryl Coleman and Elise Torre of Reed Library, for letting me participate. It was also cool to be on the first podcast at Fredonia. Here’s the description of the event, as well as a link to the podcast.
The Paperless University: Myth or Reality?
Coordinated by Dawn Eckenrode, Kerrie Fergen Wilkes, Darryl Coleman and Elise Torre of Reed Library.
This 1-hour long panel discussion focuses on the effect changing technologies are having on the traditional landscape of higher education. The panel featured talented members of our campus community and the larger SUNY community, including: Educational Technologist, Janet Mayer; Professor Michael Jabot from the College of Education; Distinguished Teaching Professor Ted Steinberg, and Ken Fujiuchi, Emerging Technology Librarian at Buffalo State College.
Recorded Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 4:00 P.M. in the Japanese Garden area of Reed Library at SUNY Fredonia.
Download MP3 file (File size: 33.5MB, Time: 1 hour, 13 minutes)
http://www.fredonia.edu/podcasts/audio/Paperless_University_Myth_or_Reality_panel_discussion_2-21-07.mp3
I was a little nervous. Usually when I give a presentation I like to move around, which helps me think on my feet. This time I had to sit still and make sure I talked into the mic, and I just wasn’t used to it. Ah well, c’est la vie. Talking at this panel has given me a few ideas to think about for a possible paper on the current state of “paperless”. Possibly a post on it soon.
Amanaguchi Rocks!
This made my day. Its not just that the music is good, but the NES sounds just bring back memories. Seems they have their album available through a creative commons license here. It seems they are part of a bigger label called 8bitpeoples. Oh, and it seems they have a bigger list of other albums in their Discography section…uhm I’ll be back in a while. I have some listening to do…
When I was born…
In 1977 (the year I was born)
Jimmy Carter becomes president of the US
Most of the 10,000 Vietnam War draft evaders are pardoned by President Carter
Singer Anita Bryant starts her “Save Our Children” crusade against gay rights
Elvis Presley dies in his Graceland bathroom
Congress creates a Department of Energy
Anwar Sadat flies to Jerusalem in a dramatic gesture of willingness to discuss peace
Orlando Bloom, Shakira, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Liv Tyler, and Ludacris are born
New York Yankees win the World Series
Oakland Raiders win Superbowl XI
Montreal Canadiens win the Stanley Cup
Swedish music group ABBA passes The Beatles as having most records sold
Star Wars is the top grossing film
The Shining by Stephen King is published
“You Light Up My Life” by Debby Boone spends the most time at the top of the US charts
Three’s Company premieres
The wonders of mochi…
I am writing this because I recently noticed that the Lexington Coop had sheets of mochi available. Mochi is actually made from a spcial type of rice, which is steamed and then pounded into a doughy-like blob. During New Years, it was an important event for my family to make a lot of mochi (we use a mochi making machine, that also works as a bread making machine) and then make a variety of different recipes that use mochi. Some are simple, like daifuku, where you take some sweet red bean paste, or other sweet paste of choice, and wrap it up in the mochi. This works best with freshly made mochi, since mochi quickly hardens. With the hardened mochi, you can make Isobe Maki, which is a grilled mochi wrapped in dried seaweed, and flavored with soysauce. You can also make Ozoni (my favorite) which is basically a soup with mochi in it. I like to cook the mochi extra long until it gets really gooey, though my mother prefered to take the Isobe Maki and put it into the soup afterward. Now that I know that the Lexington Coop has mochi, it has become one of my regular snacks at home. It keeps for a good while, and even longer if you freeze it, and you just pop them into the oven at 325F for about 10-15 minutes. Don’t forget the soy sauce and the dried seaweed. It has made me miss my family back in Brooklyn, but looking on the brighter side of things, nostalgia is the best seasoning for food!
Macs a the Mallville Public Library
This betrays my apple /mac fandom, but I couldn’t help pointing out that Dewey managed to get an iMac for the library.
While I’m on Music…Kinky Origami
This has nothing to do with folded paper in compromising situations. Here’s a blurb from their “About” page:
KinkyOrigami.com is a site about music, plain and simple. The concept is easy, we find songs we like from bands out there on this crazy internet thing, and we tell you about them. Even better, we find songs we like from bands we like that you’ll also like. Even better than that? OK, maybe we’ll find a song we like from a band we like that you’ll also like AND from a band that you didn’t know about. There it is, that’s who we are. We’re here to bring good music to you. That’s it. Plain and simple. Vanilla.
I just started following this blog last week, and I’ve liked what I hear. I recommend downloading their Mix 001 to get an idea of what kind of music they introduce. I even came across a post about a band called Librarians! Kinky Origami does a great job of highlighting some good music that I’ve never heard of. From their recent recommendations, I really liked “Podington Bear” which is only available through MySpace or a Podcast through iTunes. Just thought I would share.