We treat each other with exceeding courtesy

question for library people

Fri, 08 May 2009 19:22:16 GMT

I know multiple people who know about how libraries are run! (Being a librarian was a dream when i was a tot. I had romantic fantasies about a life of solitude, dedicated to dusty stacks of wisdom-filled books. Ah, romance! But i never followed up on that, somehow, and now i am without a clue as to my vocation.)

It strikes me that said people, who followed up on their calling to librarianship. might be able to help me with a puzzle i'm presented with at Free Geek. We have a small library of cast-off computer books. We are cataloging them with OpenBiblio and shelving them according to their Library of Congress numbers. But we haven't figured out what to do with books that have no such number.

There's also the problem, or semi-problem, that our books are all computer-related, so the LoC numbers (largely limited to QA* and TK*) don't really create particularly useful or obvious "sections" in our library. Love to hear any suggestions about that, too, since the volunteers who work in the library do not in general have the knowledge necessary to create or shelve according to more thematic categories.

Yes! this sourdough, it has flavorfulnessosity

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 01:48:06 GMT

...possibly because i let it sit around "rising" and doing its thing for 2+days. We have a chilly kitchen, that's my excuse for the length of time. No additional yeast in this bread, you can tell due to its density -- but dang, it's tasty, even now that it's cooled.

Color me pleased.

(conform gave me sourdough starter. Yum. I am happy to share it with whoever might want some. If you want to share these particular loaves, you should hurry though. We've almost finished the first of two.)

So the starter brings our household pet total up to lots and lots and lots, when added to the worms and associated critters in the worm bin, donated by wonderful neighbors Tim and Kathy when they moved. Oh yes, also, equinoctial has kompuchea mother. Does that count as one critter or many?

this has nothing to do with snow

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:31:25 GMT

"Williamsburg's politically-powerful Hasidic community, offended by the loss of parking space and the potential increase in short-sleeved, female goyim rolling through the neighborhood, has vowed to make life miserable for cyclists." [streetsblog]

new blog idea?

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:54:14 GMT

Inspired by a tidbit from tostbrot.

Someone who is more opinionated (and friendly to emoticons) than me should run with this idea: A blog of one-emoticon book/movie reviews.

Or - hey lazyweb, does this already exist?

Edited. I don't know that other person.

getting there on the wind

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:02:34 GMT

Remember when we talked about freight transport by sail?

Wine by tallship!

...i can't believe you said that echidnas are disgusting.

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:22:55 GMT

I mean, look at this:

(Thanks, dad.)

You can't get all down on them just because they don't have real nipples.

help, lazyweb!

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:25:27 GMT

Make my joke for me.

http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/09/18/computer.navy/

with what you have

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 01:11:45 GMT

Making a pie time, with the late summer bounty.

My late summer bounty = lemon cukes. Seriously, there are so many that they turned into party favors at the pie party. freyley did a tour and picked an armload.

So while i was making the garlic-mashed-potato crust, caramellized-onion filling, rosemary toasted pecan topped pie that was to be labeled RIBSTICKER, i was thinking in the back of my mind how do you make a pie from cucumbers?

So this is what i did:
CRUST

1 can of chick peas, drained, into the mashing bowl

a handful of maseca because it's there, and i wanted the crust to have some backbone

three or four cloves of garlic, minced

an excessive amount of paprika

olive oil! maybe 1/4 cup?

toasted sesame seeds

ground cumin

salt

And i mashed it all with my mysterious heavy wooden masher thingy until it was smooth. Basically, apart from the maseca, hummus. And smooshed it into pie-crust shape in a pie pan, pricked it all over, and stuck it in an oven at something like 400°F. Until - well, for a while. It was hard to tell if the state changed much at all.
That has to cool before you do anything more with it.
FILLIN

some nice delicious but rather runny organic yogurt

lots of fresh dill (from the backyard)

lemon zest (from the lemons that went into equinoctial's deconstructed lemon curd pie)

ground coriander, a pinch or two

salt, pepper

Spread out in pleasing layers 2 or so lemon cukes, sliced as thin as you can. After each layer, spoon the yogurt on and moosh it down. Try to get the filling as even as you can. Make the top layer extra pretty, and if you have a spare dill floret, lay that on top. Dash cayenne over the top. It's like cinnamon, but more surprising! Let it sit for a while.

So that's how we make the pie of lemon cucumbers. And that's why we cook seasonally, because who would think to do that?

(Later, when i have time, i'll try to write up the requested something about the zucchini lasagna, but it's likely to be even less of a recipe than this one.)

Spain making changes (and i complain about AC)

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:35:22 GMT

"Spain has seen the future and it is slow, dim and uncomfortable." (The Independent)

They're heavily dependent on imported energy and taking a beating over it. The canary in the Western European coalmine, they know it's time to act. So Spain now has 50mph (80kph) speed limits, and among other measures has decreed that "air conditioning systems in public buildings would be set no lower than 26C. In winter, the heating would be limited to 21C. Hospitals will be exempted, and so will private homes and offices."

26C - thanks, Google, for conversions i can't do in my head - is 78.8 F. That's not hot, it's warm! And if you're coming inside from brutal baking Spanish heat, i'm sure 78.8 feels really darn nice. Can't handle that temperature, you're wearing too much clothing. Please get naked.

Austerity measures may well become a familiar aspect of our lives, but dang it all, this is not the one that will make us uncomfortable.

(When do we start talking about legislating siestas into our schedules? The girl at Whole Bowl is another believer. I have talked to so many people about how we need siestas. That's not even austerity, it's pleasurable!)

For what it's worth, Oregonians.

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:26:33 GMT

If we really want to do the project of getting satirical arguments for or against ballot measures in the voters pamphlet for the November election, we don't have much time.

The deadline for submission is Aug. 26.

We'd need to raise either $500 or get 1000 signatures. Here's the form. Instructions are at the end.

There are some seriously satire-worthy measures that will be on the ballot in November.

Well, it was starting to look promising, but it doesn't look like it's happening this time around. I may accept submissions of satirical arguments at the democratic exercise, but don't quote me on it.

Maybe next time, eh?

Leocorno!

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:29:48 GMT

While we slept, they ran the Palio Dell'Assunta. I guess while i was thinking that maybe i'd try to watch it on a TV, i didn't really think about the time difference.

Leocorno won.

The slamming-into-walls bit is a bit shocking, but the part i can't get over is the mobbing at the end.

a quick notice for those who love oven mitts

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:54:22 GMT

... and how can you not?

Her song "Jesus Fucking Christ" gets all Twin-Peaks-y. Top that.
http://www.myspace.com/ovenmitts

(Of course, it's full of profanity and what's that other thing? blasphemy?)

Oh no wait! She tops it.
She also has a cover (is this even the right word? more like singalong) of the song from Twin Peaks you never wanted to hear again!

Oven Mitts is awesome.

a breakthrough in science? or just in hyperbole?

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:10:38 GMT

The summary/intro of BYPAD's report on cycling in Ferrara*:

"Absolutely flat land helps and a refusal of all forms of change that might upset ancient and reassuring habits. The people of Ferrara have been using bicycles since the dawn of time."
(emphasis mine)

I'm curious about these primordial bicycles. Anyone care to fill me in on their qualities and habits? Or even speculate on how this might be possible?

* Unfortunately, the PDF of the report itself appears to be MIA.

animals and people

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:20:37 GMT

first, harmless manipulation.
i need someone to make music using this sound: baby crocodiles.

second, seriously misguided.

A research team led by Professor Junichi Takahashi at Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine has discovered that cattle developing nitrite poisoning do not release methane by belching. They also found that feed containing nitrate and cysteine is effective in both reducing methane production in cattle and preventing them from developing nitrite poisoning. [*]

everything with cream cheese & tomato - and onion. and odd.

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:24:00 GMT

what does it mean when the guy who makes your bagel says, as he hands it to you, "you should go to Disneyland and take me with you"

and i go, "what?" in case he had really said something like "have a nice day, i am really glad you chose to add onions"

and he goes "you should go to Disneyland and take me with you"

so what can i say but "sure"?

the tomatoes are improving. must be the weather!

this meme again

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 06:07:41 GMT

Based on the lj interests lists of those who share my more unusual interests, the interests suggestion meme thinks I might be interested in
1. space colonization score: 21 more into actually learning how to live on earth in an appropriate way
2. nethack score: 20 nope, not even remotely
3. a113028 score: 19 maybe, i lost count
4. ÂFarpoint Station score: 18 i call it by another name
5. cafÃ© americano score: 17 num num
6. one less car score: 17 millions fewer cars!
7. Amariah score: 17 yay!
8. word play score: 16 the best toys
9. to live on mars score: 15 as a mental exercise, but i like plants and water too much
10. hack the planet score: 14 the people on the planet?
11. war chalking score: 14 i like that people do this
12. twenty-eight hour days score: 14 the thought makes me even more tired than i already am every hour of the 24 hour day
13. xyzzy score: 14 is this a legal scrabble word?
14. happy house score: 13 boy, am i interested!
15. see you space cowboy score: 12 no idea
16. ÎºÎ±Î»Î»Î¯ÏƒÏ„Î¹ score: 12 if you say so
17. entp score: 12 i get infp, intp, but never anything e. sure, i guess i find es interesting.
18. hello monkey score: 12 hi!
19. nomadism score: 12 very!
20. a revolution every day score: 11 this makes me wonder what definition of "revolution" is operative

changed by ouwiyaru based on code by ixwin
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Campout on June 21

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 05:32:54 GMT

So on Wednesday morning, conform and i attended our very first City Council meeting, to see them unanimously pass a resolution sending the city's castoff computers to Free Geek. That was pretty exciting, and will be a good thing for Free Geek. (If you live in town, consider sending a nice note to the council members, eh?)

At that same meeting, Sisters of the Road and other folks were urging the council to repeal the sit-lie and anti-camping provisions. On the way out, we heard about an action coming up that i'm excited to take part in:

Homeless Solidarity Campout

Our Dear Neighbors,

You may be aware of the recent 3-week camping protest at City Hall where our Portland neighbors without homes and their allies were calling for solutions to the crisis of houselessness, the repeal of the unconstitutional sit/lie and anti-camping laws, and for creative affordable housing options and alternatives to the shelter system involving the entire community.

It’s not easy having a house sometimes: paying the rent and the mortgage isn’t fun, on top of all of the cleaning, organizing, and yard work to be done. Sometimes, we just need a break.....So, we go camping!

But this time, instead of planning a big weekend at the coast, we’re asking people with houses who want to act in support of the repeal of these laws that basically make it illegal for humans without homes to rest or sleep, to camp out in their front yards with their neighbors just one night.

Saturday June 21st call a block party and spend the entire evening making food, playing games, doing art, and having conversations on the sidewalks in front of your homes—in essence, build community, while breaking the law! Then pitch a tent on your front lawn, in your driveway, or in some other prominent location outside the front of your house and have a block party sleepover!

We picked this date for a number of reasons. Besides it being the Summer Solstice, and likely a beautiful warm and perfect day for barbeques and campouts, the following day is Portland Parks and Recreation’s “Sunday Parkways” event which will be “a circular route of city streets open to walk, bike, run, jump and skip without having to watch out for cars!” What could be better than a whole weekend trying to improve your community by spending time in it?

If you decide to camp, please make banners and signs to let people know why you’re camping out, then call future Mayor Sam Adams and tell him what you’re up to. Tell him economic injustice is not a Portland value. 503-823-4000

If you’re interested in finding out more about these ordinances, here are some links:

WHEN? Saturday when the sun comes out, rain or shine, JUNE 21, 2008
WHERE? SEE YOU IN YOUR FRONT YARDS!

So, uh, who wants to camp out in the Saluthaus front yard?

We all like trains, right?

Fri, 23 May 2008 17:03:22 GMT

I idly checked the list of co-sponsors of HR 6003, fully expecting to see Mr. Blumenauer there, given his position on trains. I didn't. I wonder why.

Update 5/27: I was curious enough to send him an email to ask why.

Fri, 23 May 2008 01:08:58 GMT

I walked out on the back steps because it was dusk. Light came out of the kitchen windows. I heard and saw a shape make to flee the scene - a cat, perhaps? It stopped with only its tail showing from behind the borage, which vaguely resembles a three foot hedge. I make squeaky noises at it as one would at a cat, meanwhile noting the striped tail. That tail stood still, as if considering, and then the creature emerged from behind the flowers and peered at me from a black mask, tiny specks of eyes glinting at me. We looked at each other for a while. I talked to it.

Eventually, it started walking. I remembered when we were kids, home alone, and there was a raccoon outside by the steps. We were afraid it had rabies and called the police. It seemed like the right thing to do at the time. I don't remember if it had rabies or not, but it was a small town, the kind of place where police were used to calls like that. Why i remembered: it was walking strangely. Not in an ursine moseyroll, nor a feline slink, but a sidejerking irregular gait. Was there something wrong with this one?

And then i realized it was hunting. Each twitch to the side was a little pounce with its outstretched pawhands into the grass. Occasionally, it would stop with its hands buried in the grass, seeming to work deeper. Sometimes in the dark it would bring something up to its face and seem to examine it, then munch down. It did a random tour of the backyard, round and forth. A housemate turned off the kitchen light. My eyes adjusted. I talked to the raccoon some more, and it looked at me, then got on with its work. This could have been the guy that slaughtered the chicks. But it didn't matter. I was okay with it.

just juxtaposing

Thu, 15 May 2008 21:58:40 GMT

unscrambling eggs: an idea whose time has come?

soylent headline

Tue, 13 May 2008 18:08:09 GMT

"Hundreds Arrested in Immigration Sweep of Meat Plant"

Unrelated: Go future! The power-generating train station floor has been tested and still moves forward.

Work . blog . cafe . talk

Mon, 05 May 2008 21:51:56 GMT

Last week, Daniel was out of town at the big APA conference in Vegas and my computer was broken, so i worked from Saluthaus and environs on conform's computer. I ran into lindseykuper while camped out at the Black Cat and showed off some cool bike-related powerpoint presentations ([1], [2]) i'd found while researching my blog post. And i found out she didn't know i have a work blog.

I don't post often (readers of this journal know this is the case!) but for the ideath-completists and those interested in peak oil and urban planning, you can find it at http://postcarboncities.net/blog. I know there are some smarties who read this - we could use some commenters to liven it up (But beware, comments by non-registered users are moderated, by me, when i think to check whether there are any. Dumb, i know. I've been harassing people for MONTHS to get that fixed but no dice. Maybe you want to email me or something.)

The piece i was working on was about Portland's shiny new platinum status. A few of you might recognize the conversation described.

And then i had a great little conversation with the rock starling about the awesome potential of retirement-age folks.

the distractions of spring

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:19:27 GMT

I'm trying to work on a blog entry for work about Portland's latest accomplishment (Platinum, suckas!), but it's springtime, and the sun's out, and suddenly the side yard along the hops hill is ... infested. Here's what i wrote my mum, looking for some guidance - i'll take anyone's input, though.

There's little crowd of birds pecking around in the side yard and i really wish i knew what they were!
They're mid-sized, black to brown, speckled with white on top and with a touch of iridescence. Their beaks are long and bright yellow, and their legs also seem relatively long and bright pink. Any ideas? There were 25 or so, pecking through the grass.

Oooh! And now there's a little brown one with a dandelion-yellow cap and chin! The similar-sized but yellow-less one must be the female.
Two pairs! and...there they go! My but this is distracting!

Good grief! Now there's a little troop of salmon-bodied ones with brown wings. They're not sticking around, though.

...as long as your input is not "it's gaggle. Not gangle, gaggle." Or along similar lines.

I always post the depressing (or ironic-pathetic) news

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:05:19 GMT

But today i have three pieces that made me happy:

They're considering an environmental justice law in Cincinnati - it would be the first in the nation.
"Already supported by five council members, a majority, the ordinance would require some proposed projects in Cincinnati's poorest neighborhoods to undergo an extra review - in addition to the usual zoning, building and health approvals - to determine whether they would have an adverse impact on the neighborhood or on residents' health. It lists many health issues as being made worse by pollution. Among them: asthma, heart disease and cancer."

A major study by, among others, the Pew Charitable Trust, says factory farming is a bad idea. and the extragood news is that Congress plans to act on it.
"In the end, however, even industry representatives on the panel agreed to such controversial recommendations as a ban on the nontherapeutic use of antibiotics in farm animals -- a huge hit against veterinary pharmaceutical companies -- a phaseout of all intensive confinement systems that prevent the free movement of farm animals, and more vigorous enforcement of antitrust laws in the increasingly consolidated agricultural arena."

And farther away - it's not a new development, but i hadn't heard of it before:
"With a trend of decentralizing reforms underway, municipalities are expected to function more based on resident self-governance, in which citizens voluntarily participate in settling local issues, in order to realize a unique, autonomous community. Deciding on how to protect the local environment and pass it on to the next generation is an issue that requires democratic consensus building and decision-making through proper information disclosure and the participation of citizens -- not something that local governments can unilaterally decide on their own.

Since the Devolution of Power Law came into force in Japan in 2000, an increasing number of local governments have adopted innovative sets of ordinances on environmental conservation and community development, and citizens have been participating in their formulation."
that's from the current Japan for Sustainability newsletter, which isn't yet on the web.

See, despite my dreams, i'm not always a downer. As the great Jod said, "We're doomed - but we're making great progress!"

One more thing

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:34:12 GMT

A question for the people who recently spent Fridays "just 5 miles from the Canadian border and 12 miles west of the state line" -

do we want to get together one more time to see the prequel?

US audiences hated it, the Japanese loved it.
It's got David Bowie, and the grandson who looks like David Lynch.

      /\
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/  \/    \/  \
   /      \
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    \    /
     \  /
      \/

Also, i want to try to get a photograph of people wearing the armbands.