Monday, April 18, 2011

Wikis, Flickr, and other things

I was totally impressed with the Wiki concept. Of course I had heard of Wikis, but didn't have a clue what they were. I was familiar with Wikipedia and knew that content on that site is added by users, but didn't really make the connection between the two.

My family and I are currently in the midst of a situation where communication is crucial and emails are flying thick and fast. Not to mention all of the phone calls. It's difficult to keep up with them all. I'm going to suggest a Wiki to my brothers as a possible solution. Thank you, 23 Things Team!

I've just completed my "Flickr Thing". It was fairly easy to use although I did experience some frustration. When I was adding captions to the photos that I uploaded to the site, I found that the "Save" button kept disappearing on me and it took me quite awhile to figure out a work-around. My other complaint is that, after alot of experimenting, I realized that photos appear in a set in the reverse order in which they are uploaded. And I couldn't find a way to re-order the photos after they were saved. Not great because it's important that the set I created be viewed in a specific order, especially if viewed as a slideshow. But I got the job done.

You've probably realized by now that I'm as much about having fun as I am about learning new skills with "23 Things". My Flickr project was no exception. So, I'd like to introduce you to Vince:


Most people don't realize that the Travelocity Gnome has a brother (Vincent), and that he lives in Saskatchewan. But it's true. And while his more famous sibling is known as a globe trotter, Vincent is a bit shy and prefers to explore interesting destinations closer to home. I've posted some photos of one of his daytrips on Flickr. Please enjoy!



Update on Activity of Local Library Ghost    

As recently reported by one of our Caretakers....

This gentleman is a been employed as a caretaker in this building for many years and as become familiar with the strange sounds the eminate from the stacks late at night when the Library is cloaked in darkness. He and his colleagues also commonly experience chilling draughts and the sensation of being touched by invisible hands. He says it makes the hair stand up on the back of his neck, but he has become accustomed to these occurances over the years and has overcome the urge to flee when they happen. As previously noted, paranormal activity in this Branch has always been confined to the stacks. However, it seems to be explanding. Caretakers have reported that doors on the main floor have begun to inexplicably open and close by themselves and some individuals have had the sensation of being pushed or having another body brush past them when they are all alone in the staff work area.

Just a theory....perhaps all of this new activity can be attributed to the fact that certain Library staff have recently become fascinated by the possibility that our Branch may be inhabited by spirits of those who have passed on in a nearby medical facility. Maybe they are trying to convey that, yes, they really do exist! As I said...just a theory.

 
BOO!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

For this entry I have the pleasure of being able to combine "Thing 9" with more ghostly endeavours. As well, to fulfill "Thing 10" I added an RSS feed to podcasts of my all-time favourite radio program (Vinyl Cafe Stories) to my blog. If your in need of a good, therapeutic laugh, I would highly recommend that you listen to some of these programs.

One of my favourite television programs is Most Haunted. It is a weekly documentary in which paranormal investigators visit (most often under cover of darkness) locations throughout Europe that are believed to be haunted. Often these British Ghostbusters fail to turn up any evidence, but when they do...well, I've seen a couple of episodes that just might convert the most staunch nonbeliever.

To my knowledge, only one segment of the program has ever been filmed in (you guessed it!) a Library - the Dartford Borough Museum and Library in Dartford, Kent, England.


This lovely old building was constructed in the 19th century and has a long and diverse history. Over the decades, it has served as a family home, a bank, and a Second World War air raid watchpost, to name but a few of it's roles. Its current incarnation as a district Library was made possible in 1916 through a grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

Please put on your headphones, turn up your speakers and enjoy the following clip. I think our phantom must have been a Reference Librarian in a former life. What do you think?


  
  

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Wow! That Prezi exercise was a challenge! But I'm pleased with the final results. One more "Thing" under my belt. I completed the Google Docs and Spreadsheets exercise quite awhile ago. Thought they were neat and a good alternative to Microsoft.

I've always loved baroque music and lately I've been teaching myself to play the recorder. I was one of those kids who missed that in my elementary school music curriculum and, being a flute player, I felt that I had missed an important piece of my woodwinds education.

For those of you that don't know, recorders come in all shapes and sizes...From the tiny Sopranino...



To the massive Subcontrabass...


Each of which is suited to a different genre of music. If you're curious to learn more and would like to hear a piece of lovely recorder music, here is the link to my Prezi:


The ghost story I've selected for this entry is truly bone-chilling (especially for Library folk).

So don't read this in the dark, don't read this alone, and please don't read it in the Library on a dark and stormy night!



Hmmm...I wonder if this Library is built on low ground?