Party & Pumpkins

PartyCarving 015
Originally uploaded by lulutripp

I attended a Halloween shindig this weekend, dressed as what I guess could be construed as a "goth witch." Also, my girlfriend and I carved pumpkins Sunday evening, at which point she referred to me as looking "butch." This picture displays my reaction, I think: that's certainly one I've never gotten before. Heh.

Sister Spit

Sister Spit 004
Originally uploaded by lulutripp

I went to see Sister Spit read and perform last night at the bookstore Women & Children First on N. Clark in Andersonville. I'm a pretty big dork, so I stalked Miss Michelle Tea for a picture (taken by Kathie Berquist - thank you, thank you!) and an autograph in my copy of Valencia. I also gave her a bound copy of my own poetry book (if you want a copy, march over to htttp://stores.lulu.com/louise_tripp), because I'm shameless. Well, at least in the moment I am.

Now that I am done...

with the 10 things at SPL, I still plan to use this blog for documenting other things. I'm thinking that, just because I do like it so much, this may become my primary blog and I may give up Livejournal. I'll probably still keep in touch with friends there, watch communities, etc., but this one feels more like a grown-up blog. Thus, here you will soon find my random blatherings concerning life, the universe and everything. Or not. It's not like anyone will force you to read this.

Speaking of my Livejournal: I just found out that my (oldest, actually) blog there has an RSS feed available, too, so if you'd like to add it in your Google Reader, please do: http://lulu-plum.livejournal.com/data/rss.

Before I sign off, I will leave you with a picture from a pumpkin patch in South Barrington that I visited with my girlfriend last weekend. That's us, over in the right hand corner. ;)

Thing 10: The Virtual Library Branch

I've actually looked through the resources available on the SPL website before -- many times, really. I've always liked the fact that I can use the library system even when the library is closed or I am on the other side of the city. I regularly go into the catalog to reserve items (anyone in Circulation could probably attest), check up on new items being added to our SPL collections (I like trying for first dibs on things I am really wanting to read or see), etc. I read the events calendar, too...and occasionally go through the movie and book lists to get ideas for something to watch or read.

Yes, I am a nerd.

Heh, but anyway...I did try and locate some things I really hadn't explored much before during this particular task. I don't have an mp3 player, but I've played with them a bit before. I know how to download audiobooks, but I really don't feel like doing that right now. Maybe Wednesday, when I have more time to blog about it.
Instead, I went through the library's PowerSearch page to look for articles on writing. Then I went through the Research section of the library site and looked at some of the arts & humanities sites (was especially pleased to see Centerstage Chicago listed). I also subscribed to the RSS feed from the AV section of the library.

In conclusion to the 10 things: I will probably use all of the resources from the 10Things team's blog again at some point. Thanks for the learning experience, guys. ;)

Thing 9: Google Tools

Google Docs doesn't seem to be too different from Microsoft Word. However, having it saved to my email so that I can access it from any computer with Internet capabilities is helpful. I also notice it saved the document without me having to tell it to. Plus, if I want it to, it can publish to my blog from the Docs page. Nifty.


As far as Google tools that I find especially useful: I like Google Groups. I created one for my tentative writing group. Go ahead and join if you like: http://groups.google.com/group/bigshoulderswritinggroup

Thing 8: Wikis

I guess I agree with the idea of radical trust. To quote this idea by Darlene Fichter on her Blog on the Side: "Radical trust is about trusting the community. We know that abuse can happen, but we trust (radically) that the community and participation will work.
In the real world, we know that vandalism happens but we still put art and sculpture up in our parks. As an online community we come up with safeguards or mechanisms that help keep open contribution and participation working."

I have found Wikipedia useful on more than one occasion. In fact, I use it often. I know that all of the information may not be 100% reliable, but I expect that more of it can be trusted than can't.

Thing 7: Podcasting

I only added two podcasts from actual libraries: What's New At The Lunar & Planetary Institute and one from a university library in Massachusetts that does podcasts about film. I also subscribed to a couple of ones that were just my own interest. They were interesting to listen to, though I only had time to listen to a little bit of each.

I can see where podcasting might be a useful tool for information from the library. A lot of radio shows have podcasts and you can hear music and interviews online that way. I think patrons might be interested in listening to audiobook productions or perhaps hear when authors come to the library to lecture via podcast. I have listened to a few podcasts before. My brother is a computer geek and used to listen to some guys talk about Linux and whatnot, so I remember that. It's been awhile, though, and I had never sought them out on my own before. This was interesting. I might listen in again sometime...if I have time.

Thing 6: Social Bookmarking

Wow, a site I've never heard of: Del.icio.us is pretty cool. I think a lot more articles, blogs, etc. on reading, writing and library programs, innovations and news would be good ideas of links to be added under the Skokie Ten's bookmarks. I don't think this method is too different from added favorite sites to your bookmarks on your browser menu, but I do think that it's a better way not to lose them. Considering all the mishaps I've had with computers in my lifetime, I definitely think that I will be creating an account there for bookmarks in the future. That way, even if a computer I am using crashes, whenever I get it up and running again, my favorites are still easy to find.

Mirror Mirror

mirror
Originally uploaded by theskokieten

This photo is about 4 years old now, but it's one of my favorites of myself. Wow, that sounds vain. But anyway, it was taken with my friend, Jackie's digital camera with the sepia tone function on. I have no idea what I am talking about, though, when it comes to digital anything.

So now, I have finished Thing 5, too: My photo is uploaded and posted on my blog. You can probably guess I already have my own Flickr account and have used it quite frequently. Feel free to visit:
Lulu's Flickr.

Thing 4

Ok, yes -- I already have a Myspace page. I also have a LibraryThing, or did, but I haven't used it in so long, I forgot the log-in password. Oh well. My friends have been on me to get a Facebook for awhile, so I decided that for Thing 4, I would create one. Now all of my friends with Facebook will be happy.

I have to admit that I copy & paste my interests from elsewhere, just because I get tired of writing these things in. Thus, everything is without commas for the moment (because I pasted it from my Blogger profile and apparently Blogger doesn't "need no stinkin' commas").

Facebook is ok. I like Myspace better, but I can see its appeal. You don't really have to write much -- it seems to be just for the purpose of connecting and sending messages to people you find there. I doubt I will use it much, but I might log on occasionally.

thing 3 and random update

Ok, I used GoogleTalk to locate someone I knew online. I have used IM programs before -- AOL IM, Yahoo Messenger and MSN Messenger. I've had access to ICQ before, too, but that was forever ago (i.e, I still lived in North Carolina with parents and shared a computer with my younger brother). I already had a YouTube account, too. There probably isn't too much online that I haven't done before, though I am 100% up for new things. I like IM as a mode of communication. For one thing, it means I get to talk to people back in North Carolina in real time without having to call them on the phone. I am somewhat phone-phobic, which is why I love chatting. I think maybe I will use GoogleTalk again, and soon. Come say hello to me if you see me on. ;)

In other news:

I just updated my livejournal with a couple of reviews. Nothing polished, but oh well.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how to organize the many blogs I have on the Web. I think I may be ready to give up Livejournal for the most part, in favor of a multi-purpose blog to showcase my writing at Blogspot/Google. I will, of course, keep my account to keep up with friends and post to notify of my entries elsewhere. And Myspace will be my personal journal online. And of course, the writing group site and blog will remain the same.

I also have been reflecting more on the name of this blog and I really like it, what it stands for. I feel that I should be doing something to give it more purpose, and I think the best thing to do would be to challenge myself to take more risks in my life. Push myself past my socially anxious self to become more, and document my progress here.

Thing 2

I think I really like RSS feeds, if for no other reason than the fact that people can subscribe to my site and tune in whenever I post. I am a sucker for an audience. Myspace has a similar feature, where you can subscribe to your friends' blogs. That's another reason I always liked blogging there.

So easy...

Seeing how I've used blogs before, this was pretty darned easy. You can see links to a couple of other places I blog over to the right. I would post more, but I am about to be kicked off this computer. Heh.