The person who designed this display obviously has a good sense of humour!
Head Tale
Yet Another Librarian's Blog
The Perfect Present for Everyone This Christmas
Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis – Neko Case Covers Tom Waits
Merry Christmas everyone!
Best Careers 2009 – Librarian
Naturally.
(Also, rankings of the best library schools – US only unfortunately.)
Waving Goodbye to 2009
Google Waving that is…
Music Monday – "But now you do what they told ya"
I've mentioned the annual battle to top the UK pop charts during Christmas week before but this year's contest was especially intriguing.
The main contender was a song by this year's winner of “X-Factor”, a UK reality singing show similar to American Idol (actually, it's a copycat show created by Simon Cowell so he'd have a bigger stake than he did with Idol.)
X-Factor winners had taken the Christmas Number One for four years running and everyone expected that, with the power of a very popular show behind it, this would be the case again this year.
But instead, a protest Facebook group sprang up with the intent of making a Rage Against the Machine song from the 1990's, “Killing In The Name Of” the Christmas Number One. In less than a month (and for the first time ever, based entirely on online downloads since the single wasn't available in stores), the Rage Against the Machine song triumphed to take top spot.
There are numerous storylines at play here…
– yet again, social media is showing that its reach is outstripping even the most popular traditional media outlets
– the protest movement also supported a charity for the homeless raising 70, 000 pounds in a month
– ironically, both songs are released on companies owned by Sony BMG so some have wondered if this was really a true protest when the “controversy” helped improve Sony's bottom line no matter who won.
– more irony – the song's refrain is “Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me” which is exactly what people did by raising this song to number one as directed.
– during a live performance on BBC3, Rage sang the song uncensored (but would you expect any less?)
– which brings us to this week's clip – watch the whole thing, it gets funnier as it goes along…
Student Brings Typewriter to Class
We went to Indian Head to have an early Christmas with my folks this weekend and at one point my mom suggested renting a movie to keep Pace entertained. It did not even cross my mind that she meant VHS movie instead of DVD (let alone streaming video or BitTorrent or some of the other technologies I tend to use to watch movies these days.) But that's indeed what we ended up getting. It was a good reminder that people live at different technological time points even if we're all at the same time point on the calendar.
This experience reminded me of this video which does a great job of capturing how different technology time points might intersect when taken to the extreme:
Student Brings Typewriter To Class – Watch more Funny Videos
Saturday Snap – Sparkle Tour Highlight
This home was one of the highlights of our sparkle tour in my hometown tonight. (We're having Early Christmas with my parents this weekend then going to Shea's parents' for the actual day.)
Friday Fun Link – Lists of the Year (December 19, 2009)
Yet another post that seems to have become an annual tradition is a link to Fimoculous, probably the best site for capturing “Best of the Year” lists in a range of categories.
Last Minute Christmas Gift Idea #598 – Jones' Xmas Theme Soda
You might want to skip Tofurkey and Gravy Soda this year but previous years' holiday offerings sounded pretty good!
Ten Best Hockey Fights of the Decade
Not only are we seeing “Best of” lists for the year but also for the decade as 2009 comes to a close. Of course, the one I came across that I've chosen to highlight is “Best Hockey Fights of the Decade.” Never let it be said that this blog isn't educational AND entertaining! 