Word Nerd

David Cook Make Believe Lyrics

2009-11-11T07:29:00.001-08:00

I found these on Live Journal so I am repeating them here!(Thanks dlgr in davidcookai7 on LJ)

David Cook - Make Beleive

When did we go back to the first time we met?
Just a glance in a room, kept us drunk through the gloom
I still remember tellin' you that your smile.
It could light up the sky in the night time through.

(Oh though how you were?), from now we're always so unsure...

*Can we MAKE BELIEVE, that we still believe, in anything?
You know that all that I am is in the palm of your hand.
So make believe that you give a damn.
And make believe.

I still remember that look in your eyes.
Walkin' barefoot in the snow, you knew just the way to show me you
Weren't afraid of lovin' if it made you alive.
Just the air in my heart, weren't enough to help that feeling survive.

So tell me where does love go when it dies?

*Can we MAKE BELIEVE, that we still believe, in anything?
You know that all that I am is in the palm of your hand.
So make believe that you give a damn.
And make believe!

~*~DOCTOR guitar solo!~*~

*Can we MAKE BELIEVE,
That we still believe,
In anything...

You know that all that I am is in the palm of your hand.
So make believe that you give a damn.
Just make believe!

Here is the best video I have seen on the interwebs

Musician Ryan Star helps out the unemployed!

2009-10-21T18:22:00.000-07:00

SO I saw this guy in concert earlier this year and just recently saw him again and he is amazing! One of the songs he always plays at his shows is "Breathe" which is now his current single. I absolutley love the message of this song. It just resonated with me.

Well, today Ryan hooked up with CNN to debut his new music video for the single. He wanted to do something special with the song because it meant so much to him and to his fans. So he set up this website http://breathe4jobs.com. The video features real people who are out of work. Anyone who visits the site can get info about the people in the video and maybe offer them a job. This song gives me hope for the current state of unemployment in this country. Check out the video and the site! Watch and share the Youtube to share with others!

I think Ryan Tedder is becoming a hack!

2009-07-25T15:16:00.000-07:00

I know that that statement shocks some! But I stand by it. He creativity is waning as a songwriter. Here are three of his latest singles he has written for other artists. And they all sound really similiar. The first two almost identical. He needs to get his act together and write more interesting songs or at least try to make the melodies different. Don't get me wrong I love all of these songs and the artists who sing them but I just am wanting more originaluty in pop music. If Ryan Tedder continues this shit, then people will hopefully stop working with him.

Beyonce- Halo

And I am in cluding this one cuz it sounds like "Awesome God" which is kinda strange.

Punk Marketing!

2009-07-23T17:14:00.000-07:00

Now those are two words I never would have thought would be put together. But in this day and age, we have to find more inventive ways of reaching out to people. Gone are the days when advertisers solely rely on TV and radio commercials. I saw this book title and it intrigued me. I am a big fan of punk music and the ideals that it upholds.
We live in a world where most people spend their time divided among several media outlets. This book attempts to address new methods of marketing. I do not admit to knowing much about marketing as I was a History major in college but some of the ideas set forth in this book make sense to me. But I am just your semi-average consumer. What do I know?

Read it for yourself!

Performance to Benefit Brain Cancer Awareness!!

2009-05-21T07:16:00.000-07:00

I just had to post this even though it all over the internet.. This is David Cook's awesome, gut-wrenching performance of his song "Permanent" on the Season 8 American Idol Finale. He is just a great talent and an amazing vocalist! The video and aduio of this should be up on iTunes soon and all the proceeds will go to ABC2, a charity where helps to promote brain tumor reseach and awareness!!

dave @ Yahoo! Video

Green Day: Still Awesome!

2009-05-01T08:51:00.000-07:00

I just had to post about Green Day's new single and video for "Know Your Enemy" I absolutely love it! Green Day never ceases to amaze me. I remeber buying Dookie when I was like 14 and loving it! All these years later, I still listen to their music! I commend them for keeping Punk alive for the younger ones!

Here it is! Enjoy!

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

Terry the Light Tech is my Hero!

2009-03-10T15:45:00.000-07:00

I just had to post this for everyone's viewing pleasure. This is episode 3 of David Cook's Pork Beans webisode series. This is the funniest thing ever. I could not stop laughing.

More YouTube Goodness!

2009-03-01T09:30:00.000-08:00

I am completely obsessed with this song I saw on YouTube!! I heart David Cook and this was a song from his old band MWK! It samazing!! I can get over how much he gets into a song when he's performing. Clearly, he will be doing this his entire life!

A little Hilarity from Mr. David Cook!!

2009-02-25T14:07:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to share this funny little clip from the David Cook declaration Tour! I wasn't there but I hope he does something this funny when I go to see him in concert in April!! Enjoy!

My Life Would Suck Without You video

2009-01-29T06:52:00.000-08:00

I am sure this is all over the Internet. I absolutely love the new video from American Idol Kelly Clarkson. This video made me laugh sseveral times. I love the end of the video. I hope Kelly sells tons of records! Enjoy!

Comeback kid!

2009-01-17T13:59:00.000-08:00

Here is a new song from Kelly Clarkson, the original American idol. I have always liked Kelly's mix of pop with a rock vibe. I am excited for her new ablum All I Ever Wanted. He ablum last year was so different and was not well received by mainstream radio. I really hope this next effort is a hit for her. I think she is a great talent. Here is the new single:

My Life Would Suck Without You

The track will be available on iTunes on Jan.20!

Discrimination in the 21st Century

2008-12-16T09:04:00.000-08:00

An event at work upset me so that I had to write about it. I work in a large public library. Recently, administration decided to change our code of conducts for patrons. The updated code of conduct was posted on the main floor of the library. No e-mail update was sent out to staff to alert them of the policy change. In this new code, there were new rules on the size of personal items allowed in the library. Let's just say that the new rules are targeting the homeless who come into the library on a daily basis.

Two of my co-workers were working the reference desk and had an encounter. Our facilities manager happened to be in the public area of the library and spoke to a patron regarding the new policy. She basically yelled at him and threatened to throw away his things if they were not removed. The bags in question were not his but a friend's. After this, the man came up to the desk and inquired about his ill treatment.

After finally getting and reading a copy of the code of conduct, I cannot believe that a public library board would approve such a document. I have recently become well versed in the ALA Bill of Rights and I personally believe that some of the elements in this code go against the mission and purpose of public libraries. I think it leaves the institution vulnerable for lawsuits on the grounds of discrimination and denying access. I personally think we can and should do better.

Here it is. Judge for yourself.

CODE OF CONDUCT

In order to provide a suitable and pleasant environment for use of the libraries in the Charleston County Library system, the following forms of conduct are prohibited in the libraries.
1. Any loud, unreasonable, and/or disturbing actions created by persons or electronic devices (including cell phones) that interfere with the ability of others to use and enjoy library services.

2. Leaving a child under nine years of age unattended by a responsible person

3. Leaving a child or young adult (up to age 17) in the library after closing time

4. Sleeping or putting your had, feet or legs on tables, sitting on stairs; or smoking
5. Rearranging or misuse of library furnishings
6. Animals in library building with the exception of licensed service animals
7. Being under the influence of, selling and/or possession of alcohol or illegal drugs
8. Eating. Drinks must be in containers with lids
9. Misuse of restrooms, including bathing, shaving, changing clothes, loitering, or other inappropriate behavior

10. Bringing personal items into the library that will not fit comfortably under one chair or leaving items unattended or stored. Bags no larger than 18” in length are allowed. Larger bags of any type, bedrolls or luggage are prohibited. Articles with a foul odor, or articles, that alone or in their aggregate impede the safety of others.

11. Entry into non-public areas or use of library telephones without permission

12. Use of library facilities or equipment for other than library purposes, including loitering, solicitation, selling or distribution of materials without prior written authorization.

13. Inappropriate use of computers, including, but not limited to: viewing inappropriate websites; using the Internet for illegal purposes, or displaying, sending, printing obscene materials; damaging, altering, or tampering with equipment or software; manipulating or interfering with the time management and print management software.

14. Theft or defacement of library property including books or other materials

15. Taking library property, including books and non-print materials, outside library buildings without following established loan procedures

16. Running or other disorderly conduct as determined by staff
17. Use of wheeled devices in building other than wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, or wheeled book bags
18. Bringing bicycles into library building
19. Entering the library building barefoot, without a shirt, with offensive body odor or poor personal hygiene
20. Refusal to leave library at designated closing time
21. Disregard of fire regulations
22. Verbally or physically threatening behavior toward any person
23. Possession of weapons
24. Any violation of local, state, or federal law

Library staff will intervene to stop prohibited activities and behaviors. Failure to comply with the library’s established standards of acceptable behavior may result in removal from the building and/or restriction of library privileges.

David Cook: CD Review

2008-11-20T16:06:00.000-08:00

So I decided to actually write a CD review of my new favorite record and put it out there into cyberspace. Unless, you have been hiding under a rock, you have heard the name David Cook. I am what you would call a die hard fan of his since his appearance on the show back in the spring. So I was very excited to hear his major label debut record. (His second overall because he release an indie record Analog Heart in 2006.) So here it goes.

This record overall is very eclectic. Ir has some power ballad, a gritty rock song and a piano ballad. I really think that this record has something that will peak many musical tastes. Personally, I would have liked a little more edge but I understand why he chose the songs he did. If I had to pick two favorite tracks, it would have to be "Bar ba sol" and "Permanent" These two songs are the two extremes from the record. "Bar ba sol" is a very heavy, gritty song which I love to blare in my car. Then we have "Permanent" which is a bare piano,strings and vocal ballad written about Cook's brother who is battling brain cancer. I cried when I first heard it and still get goosebumps when I hear it.

Now on the art of the power ballad. I am in my 20s but I have a great appreciate for great 80s power ballads. I think David has crafted some great mid=tempo power ballads. "Declaration" and "A Daily AntheM" are two of my favorites and I really think they will get some commercial airplay. Also, the single "Light On" is a great piece that was penned by Chris Cornell. It has alot of rock influences and is a great song that I think will stand up over time. It has not been performing that well on the Top 40 charts but I think people will remember it. Besides rocks stars sell albums not singles.

Some of the other critics out there have called his CD "predictable" or "Daughtry 2.0." I think they are way off. In my humble opinion, I think he is a breath of fresh air to hit pop/rock in a long time. He has a great set of pipes and is a great performer. I think his album is quintessentially him and can stand on its own. Chris Daughtry did help pave the way for him on Idol but musically they are different people. Interestingly, I looked back at some review of Daughtry's debut and some of the same things were said. Some called him "a Nickelback ripoff" or "generic". All I have to say is that David Cook is a great live performer and Nickelback is not. Part nof what makes a great rock artist is great live performances. So there you go. I give this record an A- and 4 stars.

Let your Voice be Heard!!

2008-08-23T18:32:00.000-07:00

With the general election just a few months away, I thought this would be an appropriate post. Daughtry recently recorded a cover of Foreigner's "It Feels Like the First Time" and is the offical theme song for the League of First Time Voters. Check out this video which is available on CNN.com and DaughtryOfficial Enjoy!

A Story behind the music

2008-08-12T13:41:00.000-07:00

Here is a story behind the winning single from American Idol "Time of My Life" It is very touching and gave me chills.

Regie Hamm, the songwriter, who wrote Time of My Life, posted this amazing story on a blog yesterday, and he gave me permission to post it anywhere I wanted. It's a mind blowing story I think the Word Nerds would really appreciate.__________It was late March of 2003 and my wife and I were sitting in a tourist bus with three other families on a crowded street in Beijing, China. We had all just climbed the Great Wall together and had stopped to buy hats and t-shirts from street vendors on our return back into the city. Yolanda (my wife) and I saw these cheesy little hats that said "Beijing Olympics 2008". We bought them and immediately added them to our fashion ensemble, along with our cargo pants, t-shirts and running shoes. The hats, and the inscriptions on them, seemed insignificant at the time. They did prove to be good conversation pieces, however. Yolanda and I discussed the '08 Olympics with the other families like us, awaiting eight-month-old daughters, on the bus ride back to the hotel.

This was exactly one week before we met our precious Isabella, Xin Meng (which means "new dreams" in Chinese). We were all doing the simple math that would tell us how old our daughters would be in 2008. We all agreed that it would be such a wonderful experience to bring them back for the games and introduce the little girls to the land of their birth. We speculated on whether they would be old enough to understand. We wondered about the in-between years and how we would all be different. Would we have other children? Would our daughters even care about China? Would we all be able to meet again and reminisce about our experiences together? It was indeed an interesting ride back to the hotel and I distinctly remember Yolanda and I deciding then and there that we would make it a point to be at the games in Beijing in '08 with Isabella.

At the time, it wasn't a stretch to believe we would be able to do it. In fact, it wasn't even something we gave a second thought to. If we wanted to go to China we just did it. If we wanted to go anywhere, back then, we just did it. Four days prior to climbing the Great Wall and purchasing tourists hats, I had stood in a record store on Santa Monica boulevard and picked my debut release "American Dreams" out of it's own sleeve in "H" section. My single "Babies" was number 15 on the Adult Contemporary pop chart (with a bullet, as they say) and I was told at my record release party two days prior to that, that I would be touring extensively upon my return from China - "line up a nanny", are the exact words my agent used, "you're going to be gone a lot". I was ready for it. I felt as though I could do no wrong and was living the part I was born to play.

I had gone from a meteoric career in Christian music, logging twenty one number 1 hits in seven years, Grammy and Dove nominations and walls full of platinum, to landing a record deal with Universal South records as a solo artist. My wife had been a very successful promoter in the radio world as well. She was responsible for helping launch some of the biggest names in country music. We were a jet setting, highly paid, well groomed couple who understood success and how to achieve it. We had, however, begun to feel empty in our lives and after learning that we couldn't produce children of our own, decided to go to China and bring home a little girl. That decision would change everything.

One week after the purchase of our "Beijing Olympics 2008" hats, a little girl with a high fever and and a rare genetic disorder was placed in our arms in a hotel in Nan Chung, China. She was the most beautiful thing I'd ever set my eyes on to that point in my life, and she instantly turned me into a different man. The very second she was in my arms, I couldn't bring myself to think about chart positions or tours or CD sales or anything remotely associated with my silly music career. When her sweaty, feverish, quivering little body was next to mine I was from that moment on ...Isabella's daddy. Everything else was a footnote.

The weeks in China, after adopting Isabella, were harrowing, sleep deprived, shocking, eye opening and life altering. Isabella was hospitalized twice in three days. She wouldn't sleep more than an hour at a time. She couldn't hold her head up. Wouldn't eat and didn't smile until the seventh day when I playfully tossed her in the air and she giggled. From that moment on, making her smile became my life's quest.

After two weeks in China, a fourteen-hour flight to LA, a four hour flight to Nashville, and a twenty minute car ride to our Franklin home, we thought we might be out of the woods with Isabella's illnesses. Not so. The next weeks, months and years sent us into turmoil, confusion, heartbreak and financial ruin. Isabella was different and no one could tell us why. We sold our house on five stunning acres and moved into a ranch house that would accommodate a little girl who "might never walk". I stopped touring and lost my record deal by September of 2003. In the haze of it all we were also informed that Isabella would not be covered under our private insurance plan due to her "pre-existing condition" that was, until July of 2007, undiagnosed. So my wife, who had been a highly paid executive with an expense account, took a job at a call center for a company that would provide group insurance coverage for the family. I became a housedad.

With no one interested in signing me to a record label or booking me for shows or using me to produce other artists, I limped along in the songwriting world anonymously for the next several years. I would get up at 5 or 6 in the morning, make Isabella's breakfast, clean her up, then sit her in a high chair next to the piano and write songs while she smiled at me. It was wonderful and terrible at the same time. Isabella was severely delayed with sleep disorders, seizures and no speech. She required full time attention and had to be monitored almost 24 hours a day. Yolanda and I became shift work care givers. Many nights after she would come home from work, we would kiss and I would head out to a club to play for the rest of the night for tips or door money ...or nothing. The years passed and we continued to struggle with Isabella. My career continued to slide into oblivion and my wife became more and more acutely exhausted. In late 2006, we adopted a second child. A glorious baby boy named Gabriel. For all the problems Isabella was born with, Gabe was born perfect and whole and was a Godsend. Our family was complete and we could begin to see the clouds over us lift. The joy of another life in our home awakened us from a five year stupor and made me begin to re-evaluate everything that had happened to us to that point. What constitutes a happy life? What is real success? In short ...what's truly important?

In April of '08, with no publishing deal, no record deal and no career left to speak of, my wife suggested that I try and write a finale song for the American Idol song contest. My friend Scott Krippayne had won it the year before and Yolanda told me "Scott did it last year, why couldn't you do it this year? Please try it - you have nothing to lose". I reluctantly agreed, then immediately thought of the line "taste every moment and live it out loud". That was a Thursday. I went into my office the following Monday and worked through what a "moment" song would sound and feel like. I couldn't bring myself to write about conquest and achievement. None of that rang true for me anymore. I had been living a cautionary tale of hanging your hopes and dreams on material success for the past five years. All I could think of was the need to give in to love, let bitterness burn and embrace the moments we have and people we love. I thought about my shattered career and the words "holding on to things that vanished into the air left me in pieces" washed over me and I briefly felt the sting of it all again. Then I thought about my wife and my daughter and my son and how they were truly all I needed. The words "all that I needed was there all along, within my reach, as close as the beat of my heart" came rolling off my tongue and I knew that it was the truth. I finished the song in five hours. Recorded and mixed it over the next three days and turned it in to the contest website (along with my ten dollar entry fee) the day of the deadline. Three days later, I was notified that my song "may" be in the top twenty. Two days later ...it was. Several weeks later, I was notified that I'd actually won the contest. A week after that, David Cook became the 2008 American Idol winner and performed my song in front of 30 million people. Two and a half months later, it had been downloaded over seven hundred thousand times, was number 3 on the pop AC chart, number 7 on the hot AC chart and had been performed live on TV a dozen times and been used in several TV production pieces. You almost can't ask for more out of a song than that. But then ...

On the eight day of the eight month of the eighth year of the new millennium, the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic games took place in Beijing, China. I was working in my office and about to finish up and go to bed, when my wife burst through the door in her pajamas. "Get up here - you gotta see this!", she said frantically. I ran upstairs just in time to see the ceremony close to the very words I had written in my office three months earlier. As David Cook sang line after line, my wife and I stood spellbound, watching little Chinese girls walk up and down the same streets we had so casually strolled five years earlier. They looked like our beautiful daughter sleeping in the next room. My wife, needing to be asleep so she could be at her job at five thirty the next morning, was in tears and visibly shaken by the inexplicable nature of it all. All I could do was stare and try to get a handle on the moment. I couldn't then and still can't. We weren't in Beijing with the other three families. Our daughter doesn't know she's chinese and can't tell us how she feels about her birthplace. Barring a medical miracle, she never will. As a family, we were tied to our special circumstances and a trip to China would be completely out of the question for several reasons. But our story - our journey - our personal revelation was there and speaking to the entire world. The weight of it still gives me chills. I brought a Chinese baby home who's severe special needs condition sent my career and our life as a family into a tailspin. The years of learning and crying and hurting and losing had brought us to the point of letting go of everything. That point had spawned a song that went into the world and did what we could not ...attend the 2008 Olympic games in China. Moments like that can only be engineered by something higher than ourselves. If my life had continued on it's "perfect" course, I'm quite certain I would've never experienced 8/8/08 in that profound of a way. Any plan I could've developed would never have been as beautiful and unexpected. This one was divine.Sometimes you have to lose everything to gain perspective. You can't see the circle while you're making it. Only at certain, special moments can you pull back and see the reasons for it all. China. Babies. Songs. Music. Dreams. Success. Happiness. They all mean different things to me now. They are all part of a grand mosaic that is in a constant state of immaculate design.

Free Music!

2008-08-04T07:01:00.000-07:00

I have discovered a great website for downloading free music and it is completely legal. You can go to SpiralFrog and can choose from about 800,000 songs. This site is ad-supporting that has made this music available for free download. So why not take advantage of it. I love music but paying for it is very expensive. The process is pretty straightforward. You do have to set up an account and download some software but this site has permission to make these tracks available for free download. So why not take advantage of it. Also, there is no threat of picking p viruses from the site which is a threat with other free music sites (i.e. Limewire) I had a bad experience when I got a virus from Limewire and had to reload my entire system.

SO happy listening! Check out your library for CDs! They may suprise you!

Maestro!

2008-07-24T16:08:00.000-07:00

So I am at the reference desk on Thursday night when I had a brief but strange encounter. A large black gentleman walks up and asks for a pen. So I give him one because that's what the reference desk is for; to hand out free supplies! Anyway, he then starts to flail his arms about like he is conducting a symphony! I tried to keep a straight face. He then asked if there was anything wrong, to which I replied there wasn't. Then, he walked away. My co-worker and I had a good laugh.

It just goes to show you that there is never a dull moment at the public library!

Trust me I couldn't make this stuff up!

Irony

2008-05-28T12:39:00.000-07:00

So not long ago, I was reading another library blog post and was mildy entertained by the anecdote. However, a week later the exact same thing happened to me. Let me back up. In the post that I am referring to, the blogger had an encounter with a woman who handed him her library card from her chest. Apparently, that is where she kept it. this blogger was male so it must have been very awkward for him in that situation.

Well, I was entertained by this story and not at all suprised. When you work at a public library, very little suprises you anymore. While I was at the reference desk, a woman came up wanting to check out an ILL book. Then she hands me her card and its warm. On the inside, I was like"What the hell?" But being the professional that I am, I just smiled, checked out her book and moved on. Even as a woman, I was really disgusted by the whole thing. But you know it probably won't be the last time! I just could not get over the irony of it all!

A new direction

2008-05-01T15:12:00.000-07:00

I had originally set up this blog as part of a training program on new technologies. Since then, I had not written anything. There are many times that I need to share just what goes on at the library. Sometimes the events here never cease to amaze me. Some of the stuff that goes on here is too good to note write about.

This evening for example, has been moderately slow but still eventful. A guy came up to the desk to bitch about the fact that he could not find all of his printouts. He was convinced that somebody had taken them. He said they had confidential information on them. I am thinking "Who is stupid enough to print out confidential information in a public place to a public printer?" Then, he wants me to ask around to the other patrons on the computers if they have his printouts. Of course, I tell him that I cannot do that. He huffs away...annoyed. I just shrug my shoulders and think " We are starting our new print management system on Monday and he'll have to pay for everything next time."

Speaking of printing, my library system is finally going to start charging for printing. Woo-hoo!! No more free printing at the library. We have been advertising it for weeks and some are upset but for the most part it will be more manageable. I look forward to the day when our recycle bin is not full of junk and when kids don't spend hours printing song lyrics and cartoons.

Libraries and Facebook

2007-11-10T14:44:00.000-08:00

Here is a post from LibrarianinBlack that talked about the launch of institutional pages on Facebook. I created a page for CCPL on Facebook.

Get your library into Facebook!
Getting your library into Facebook, and having an effective profile there, has never been easier. Facebook opened up business and institutional profiles. You can put all sorts of information in to your profile, interact with the public on your comments "wall," and people can become your library's fans--letting your library's information feed into the feed they see of their friends and family's activities. For a couple of examples of how libraries have done this well, see the Facebook profiles of the Hennepin County Library and the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenberg County.

Quest 12.2 Podcasting

2007-11-02T13:19:00.000-07:00

It was about 6 moths ago when I discovered what a podcast was. I had listened to music files on MP3s from the Internet but not much else. I actually subscribe to a blog that has a feed of podcasts, most of the them are political commentaries. Podcasting is a great way to share audio files on the internet of news, stories etc.
I definitely think that the library could benefit from this tool. I did some searching for library-related podcasts and found some interesting ones. Denver Public Library has stories for kids on their website. Other libraries offer feeds to their podcasts on a range of subjects. One good use could be online tutorials for the different resources we have at the library(i.e. instructions, research suggestions, etc.) Podcasting also gives us the opportunity to promote programs at the library.

Well this Tech Trek journey has come to an end and I have to say that I have enjoyed the experience. I want to thank everyone who put this program together!

Quest 12.1 YouTube-ing it!

2007-10-31T07:51:00.000-07:00

YouTube is one of the coolest inventions in this Web 2.0 thing. I didn't discover it until about a year ago when I was looking for clips of my favorite TV shows. Now, if I miss part of a show I can catch it in bits and pieces on YouTube. It is also a cool to see what people come up with and place on the site. I looked at some of the other video resources. I use Google Videos for searching at times because I can get better hits. I chose a video that I found several months ago on YouTube.

I saw these two guys at a youth conference and their routine is really funny. This video was taken from their routine in Vegas from someone in the audience. Their presence on YouTube helped to boost their popularity.

I think libraries could really use this tool. We could post video tidbits from events at the library or even have short utorials on useing the libraries resources. The possibilities are endless!

Quest 11: Online Apps

2007-10-22T12:29:00.000-07:00

I decided to go into Google Docs to see what applications were available since I already have a Google e-mail account. Wit Zohio, you have to create an account. I already have so many that I don't need another one. I think that this tool mighjt be useful for blog post because it gives you more freedom to insert images just like a Word file.

This is one of my favorite pictures from my trip to England two years ago. I took when I went to the cliffs at Dover. I think this application gives me more lisence to move images and text. I might use the word processing for more detailed blog posts.

I am not sure how much I would use this tool for collaboration but I think it is a great way to add to blog post for certain information especially pictures and other images.

Quest 10: Have Fun!!

2007-10-16T09:02:00.000-07:00

I went on the Generation Blog. I must there was alot there to add some bling to a blog. It was fun to see what what there. I made an M & M character but couldn't figure out how to export it. I made an avatar of myself on Dopple me. Here it is.

To wiki or not to wiki, that is the question

2007-10-11T14:58:00.000-07:00

I loved reading about wikis this week. I am not very familiar with this new technology so I was glad to learn more about it. One of the coolest things about it is that you can create a website without being a web design expert. There both pros and cons to using a wiki. I think if you can minimize spam that it could be a great tool for information sharing and collaboration. I think the library could really benefit from the use of wikis. Resources such as Best of the Web or Websites of the Week would be even more useful as wikis. Also, a wiki would also be great for the Staff Intranet as well. I am hoping to learn more about this technology and put it to good use in the library.

I especially liked the Subject Guide from SJCPL. This wiki brought lots of scattered information together in one place. For research, this can be a real time saver. I found the format very user-friendly and easy to navigate between the pages. The pathfinders are integrated into the library's website as well. i can see the utility of a wiki in a library environment.

Social Networking

2007-10-08T10:14:00.000-07:00

I have been a member of Facebook since it was launched in 2004, so I am somewhat familiar with social networking sites. After looking at someo fthe other sites, I think Bebo is very interesting; it seems to be user-friendly and has a variety of skins for profile personalization. I joined MyChurch.org because it looked interesting. The articles listed on the blog provided some good background info on how social networking sites got started. I really like the LinkedIn site for businesses. I think it is a great site to help employees form online relationships and connections.

I created a MySpace account about two years ago, but I don't use it much. Maybe I will use it more in the future. I will be honest it has taken me awhile to figure how to personalize my page.

Here is my url

http://www.myspace.com/feminadei

My Trading Card

2007-09-28T06:44:00.001-07:00

My Trading Card
Originally uploaded by CofCGirl

I did not already have a Flickr account but I had hear quite a bit about it over the past few months. I set up an account and put some of my pictures from my Facebook profile. Then I decided to go tp the fd Flickr Toys to see what was there. I created a trading card which I thought was pretty cool. Hopefully, I will get around to uploading more of my photos from my computer.
I think Flickr could be a great tool to promote the library. Whenever we have events, we can upload pictures from these events to show off what's going on at CCPL. I hope to use this tool myself more in the future.

Quest 6.2 Technorati

2007-09-19T07:21:00.000-07:00

After reading more about the Technorati website, I think I understand it a little better. I especially like the feature where you can create Watchlists on certain keywords in the blogsphere. This is more convienient than just searching. Technorati can keep track of new posts on topics that I am interested which is a time saver. Another great thing about Technorati is that is a way to draw attention to your blog which can increase readership. I like this site because it only search the blogsphere whereas Google searches everywhere. I think it could be very useful to keep up to date and to discover

TechTrek2.0

Quest 6.1 Del.icio.us

2007-09-19T06:31:00.000-07:00

I have heard of Del.icio.us and had played around with it a few months ago but had not gotten back to it until this week. I added some website I use for work and for fun. Also, adding the browser button makes it a little easier to add a website to your favorites. I hope to use this more in the future. I often find myself using many computers during the workday. I love that I can access my favorite sites from any computer. I have so many things to remember that this makes it alot easier for me to keep track of sites I visit on a regular basis.

Here is my Del.icio.us
http://del.icio.us/tkwagner

Technorati

2007-09-18T10:41:00.000-07:00

I have joined Technorati, here is a link to my profile!
Technorati Profile

Not just a piece of history

2007-09-08T12:53:00.000-07:00

Check out the story in the P & C about a new additions to the Special Collections at the College of Charleston. I think it pretty cool! They have a 1st edition of Heriditus' Histories published in 1502 and its in ancient Greek!
Not Just a Piece of History

A new Song for the Modern Librarian

2007-09-01T14:02:00.000-07:00

Addy Will Know, a new song for the modern librarian

This is a funny song that I saw on the Shifted Librarian and I thought it was worth sharing again. There is some more info on the wiki.

Enjoy!

Funny Cartoon

2007-08-28T13:51:00.000-07:00

I thought this was funny so I thought I would share it!!!

2007-08-23T14:58:00.000-07:00

You're Anne of Green Gables!

by L.M. Montgomery

Bright, chipper, vivid, but with the emotional fortitude of cottage
cheese, you make quite an impression on everyone you meet. You're impulsive, rash,
honest, and probably don't have a great relationship with your parents. People hurt
your feelings constantly, but your brazen honestly doesn't exactly treat others with
kid gloves. Ultimately, though, you win the hearts and minds of everyone that matters.
You spell your name with an E and you want everyone to know about it.

Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

RSS

2007-08-16T09:11:00.000-07:00

Real Simple Syndication sounds like a fancy, tecky term but its really simple. This feature allows you to visit one website (an aggreggator) and get all the latest information from your favorite sites. I thnik that its neat that you can log in to Bloglines and get all the latest news. There are several library-related blogs that I keep up with. This is also a great to keep up with the blogs written by CCPL staff. I also added some fun feeds as well, such as OfficeTally(Fan Blog for the TV show "The Office"), Movies.com New Movie Reviews, and iTunes Top 25 Songs, just to name a few.
Bloglines also allows you to separate your feeds into categories. For instance, I have three folders: Library Blogs, News, Entertainment. This is a good way to prioritize your feeds. Some days I don't feel like read the Entertainment feeds. This way I can jump to the feeds that I want to read at that moment.

Here is my Bloglines Blogroll

http://www.bloglines.com/public/tkwagner

IM

2007-08-14T13:02:00.000-07:00

So here's my blip on IM!
I have been using instant messaging for about 7 years. I started using AOL Instant Messenger when I was in high school. (I know I am young!) I found it was a great way for me to keep up with friends from all over. I had friends who lived in all areas of the state. This was better than running up a long distance phone bills. When I went to college, IM was just a part of life. Almost all of my friends were online all the time. I loved keeping up with people from high school and my friends from other colleges. This made it easy to get in touch with each other and even help each other with assignments without tying up a phone line. This is especially important when you have roommates.

Recently, I have discovered Google Talk. This instant messaging tool is really neat. When you sign in to check your mail, you can see you is online. Also, Meebo is a great tool as well. I can sign into AOL and Google Talk at the same time which is nice. And you don't have to download anything! When the library started doing IM Reference at Main, we had training to get the staff used to the software. This was right up my alley because I had been using Instant Messaging for many years and was familiar with quick responses and whatnot. I did my best to help some of the other staff learn the software and the lingo.
So that's it! - IM is here to stay, ladies and gentlemen!

Lifelong Learning

2007-08-14T10:53:00.000-07:00

Out of these 7 & 1/2 Habits, I think the easiest one for me is to use technology to my advantage. I am what people cal tech savvy. I have grown up using the latest technologies available to me. I try to keep up and learn the new software as much as possible. A reason for this is that it is something my father always taught me to do. He is a computer engineer(Systems Analyst), so I grew up in technology-aware household. However, the most challenging habit for me to develop is seeing problems as challenges. I have a tendency to get frustrated when I encounter problems in the middle of a project. I somehow solve them but I often don't ask for help when I need to and get way in over my head.
Lifelong learning is something that my family always talked about. Reading was encouraged with my siblings and myself growing. My mother often took us to the library for Story Hours and other activities. As a n adult, I try to continue to learn all that I can. I am one of those people who, if I could afford it, would stay in school as long as possible. I think the word if professional student. I love reading new books and learning new things and hope to learn more each day.