Random musings of a measured overachiever

I always enjoy an opportunity for some creative output; I have been thinking about something post reflections on, maybe the recent death of Irvin Kershner and memories of the Star Wars saga, my love for 1970's and 1980's sci-fi movies and TV, or something else about pop culture. However, perhaps something more personal is fitting. As I have crossed into the early stages of middle age, I have reflected on how my attitudes about things have changed over the years, namely fear. Probably many of us have an (inborn?) aversion to public speaking (I still can't believe that it is rated higher than death on some surveys ). Speaking of death, I recall being scared to such while speaking in front of the class in high school. As I recall it was American Literature with Mrs. Brimmer and I may have read the Robert Frost Poem "The Road Less Taken" . Man, I was just so nervous with all of the classic symptoms: racing heart beat, sweaty palms, etc. Looking back at it I can'

I used to think it was silly when the WalMart Sam's Choice brand placed "Made in the U.S.A." on pop cans and cookies. How could these products be made anywhere else? Well, I guess you never know nowadays. Low and behold last week on a return trip from Maryville MO I noticed a package of Mini Chips Ahoy labeled as being made in Mexico. Also, a few months ago I needed to find some non-latex bandages for my wife. Out of curiosity I first checked out the Band-Aid brand - made in China. Another brand, Curad was also made in China, but I felt relieved and happy when I found out that Nexcare bandages were still made in the U.S.A. Hopefully these will continue to be. I thought that food and drink, and health and beauty aids might be the last bastions of made in the U.S.A. but apparently this isn't even the case anymore... P.S. My purpose with this post isn't to encourage isolationist type thinking, but that many things we take for granted may not necessarily be so. As a

A few weeks ago I attended the Innovative Users Group Conference in Chicago, Illinois. Even though I had visited the " Windy City " a few times before, this was my first time to have an extended stay downtown. I initially had some hesitations about getting around in a big city for a conference, as the largest conference location I had been at previously was in Minneapolis and I was in walking distance from most things I needed at the time. However, I can honestly say that the Conference and visit to Chicago were definite blessings. This travelogue and diary of sorts is probably mainly of interest to me, but maybe I might have some gems of insight to share. 4/17 - left from Ottumwa IA to Chicago via Amtrak's California Zephyr . It had been about 10 years since I had traveled via Amtrak, and this was my first time to have a major hub as a destination. It was an amazing experience to walk between the Amtrak behemoth engines at Union Station - with the sights of their

A few weeks ago my wife and I took a trip to Eureka Springs Arkansas. I hadn't visited there in approximately 30 years, but it still seemed the same, at least according to my mind's eye. I'm sure that the city being placed on the National Register of Historic Places is a big reason for the sameness over the past four decades. We stayed at the Oak Crest Cottages in a pleasant Monet's Garden themed cabin . There is a uniqueness and authenticity to Eureka Springs that I haven't experienced at very many other locations in the States. Much of Eureka Springs feels like being transported to a time past, especially at turn-of-the-century landmarks such as the Crescent Hotel, the Carnegie Public Library , and the former Roxy Theater.   My wife thought that a visit to Eureka Springs wouldn't be complete without taking one of the advertised "ghost tours" at one of the local haunts (I know, very bad pun), and I was game to visit one of the old hotels. Anyway, w

It has been brewing in my head to write down some reflections of library memories. What aspects of various libraries have stayed in my mind over the past forty years, and some aspects that perhaps led me to become what I am today, an academic librarian.🎓🖳📚 I tend to focus on libraries as place and materials, but that is not intended to be a slight of any librarians who may have helped me in the past. Mid to late 1970's Halstead Kansas Public Library - As with many children, dinosaurs were a favorite of mine. I recall this library having a good collection of children's books on dinosaurs, and my family and I going to a slide presentation on fossils by an area high school teacher (very cool!). I remember stating in first grade that I wanted to be a paleontologist when I grew up, and repeatedly asking my dad all kinds of questions of the winners of hypothetical dinosaur fights. My dad was patient but even he grew tired of my questions (thanks and sorry, Dad!). Newton Kan

OK, here is my Andy Rooney moment. What is it about all these banks, credit card and utility companies encouraging their customers to “save a stamp and help save a tree by switching to paperless”, they never say you will be helping them save a buck on printing and mailing expenses. I received what I consider the epitome of this spin: a large cable provider is terming their online billing as "Eco-Billing", come on give us a break. My family and I recycle and reuse as much or more as the next family, and I work at an institution that has a prevalent sustainability mission, which I think is great. However, why should customers be made to feel guilty about sending a few pieces of paper a month through the mail? Oh yeah I almost forgot, online billing is supposed to be so much safer than the U.S. Mail; I'm sure that there are many more potential eyes for what I send though the USPS vs. what I do online ... Oh yeah, what is it about urinals and toilets not being flushed at pu

The other day my family and I were at Toys R Us and I happened to notice one model kit in the entire store. The model was a snap together Tie Fighter . I asked one of the associates where the rest of their model section was and he responded that the Tie Fighter was all that remained. Over the past three years or so I noticed that WalMart and Target were seriously reducing their inventory of plastic model kits, but I had no idea that they would disappear from their shelves altogether! I can't even find model glue or paint at WalMart! My son told me that models have been replaced by Legos (at least for children). I'm only an occasional modeler, and I know that models are still available at hobby stores, but this strikes me as a very sad pattern.