habitually probing generalist

As I was heading to school yesterday, I ran into Allen Renear at the local caffeine pusher and asked him about the syllabus for 590IM Info Modeling this fall.  He gave me some great advice on how to refresh my mind (or learning) before class.  I now know which textbook is staying and which one he is undecided on.  He suggested getting the one he’s definitely keeping and beginning to brush up on logic.  He also suggested digging out my Algebra text (from, oh, so very long ago) and brushing up on sets, functions and relations.  Oh, and the additional readings for the first 5 weeks are probably staying as is.  Time to get busy!  [So, which box in which storage area is my algebra text in?  Maybe my finite math book has those topics too, but where is it?]

Our last Thesuarus Construction class was held out at Pauline’s about 25 miles south of here.  We partied and mingled and had 3 thesaurus presentations.  It was a very realxing time.  I can’t believe I just said relaxing with what I’m about to say….

I had a nice discussion with someone I’ve worked with before about my current educational/work plans and they may well have some work for me in the fall.  As usual, there is the inevitable waiting to hear on the grant proposal holdup, but there are several things I could do.  The best part, hours, wage/hour, etc. are all already spelled out and accommodating to both.  Yay for possibilities!

I also asked Pauline to either put in a word for me with someone she is taking examples of our LCSH faceting to, or to just take me with her when she goes visiting.  She said she would give me a yell.  It’s good when your professors know what you want to do, either short- or long-term.

I rented a couple more movies Tuesday.  I watched one (really 3) Wed and the 2nd yesterday.  The first was Iron Weed Film Club, No. 06, May 2006 and includes The Education of Shelby Knox, Jesus Henry Christ, and Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Happiness.  The 1st one is a documentary about 78 minutes long.  The other 2 are shorts and are btween 14 and 20 minutes.  I liked them all.  Maybe not great cinema, but interesting and enjoyable nonetheless.

According to the DVD, "Iron Weed is a new subscription film club that seeks to rally the progressive movement by championing independent movies by fearless filmmakers."

Yesterday, I watched Mrs. Henderson Presents.  I also enjoyed this one.  And before anyone points out that it was full of women’s breasts (which is certainly true), I also quite enjoyed the "token" gay guy.  I especially loved the scene where he gets everyone to take their clothes off.  Quite hilarious.  All in all, an enjoyable film.  Unless perhaps you have an aversion to female breasts.  And Dame Judi is, of course, simply wonderful.  It was great seeing her play a far more saucy role than normally.

In a couple hours, I’m heading in to school to address the Summer orientation students on the topic of ACRL@UIUC, the one and only ACRL student chapter.  Just some of the things we’ve been up to include getting a New Members discussion group started in ACRL.  Our past president, Annie Paprocki, will be heading up that discussion group.  We have also got a time slot for a program/meeting at ALA Annual in NO.  It is scheduled on Monday, 26 Jun at 10-11 AM, New Orleans Marrriott, Suite 4022. 

If you are going to ALA and are interested in attracting new members to college and research libraries, or perhaps in keeping the new ones who come to us on their own, then you might want to visit with the folks who will be there.  The tentative main topic is "ACRL Committee Appointments: How and Why?"  If you have some committee appointments to fill and would like an energetic student or new ACRL member to join you, then you may want to be there too.

See?  I’m easing myself back in to this.  Article comments coming soon.