Spotted!:: Tattoos of the literary kind

My mother's opinion of an individual would instantly plummet if she found out that his/her skin was in any way inked. Little did she know that I was planning to get the word "honey" in Arabic on my right hip. Thankfully for her, I realized that spreading Mexican hips should not be decorated in any type of permanent art, since I would start off with the word "honey" but over time, it would eventually say "horse" or "mackerel buffalo."

Thankfully for us, some people have gotten creative. They use the poetic words of masters-- ones that do not get lame with time, like poorly researched kanji. A special soul has gotten together a website with anthologies of tattoos.

Some are still fresh and inflamed.

Others are group tattoos with shared meaning.

All are intoxicating.

It's not surprising to see that Shakespeare, Saint-Exupery, and Vonnegut inspired many a tattoo enthusiast-- the latter of which is credited for the picture to the left. As a YA librarian, however, I was particularly moved by Stephen Chbosky's contribution to body art.

I met this Pittsburgh homeboy at ALA in Anaheim just a couple of weeks ago, and I hope he knows that his words are also eternal.

And speaking of tattoos and grand muses...

The most influential performer in my life, the monolithic Tori Amos, is adding to her repertoire by coaxing visuals out of her girls-- as she calls her songs. Various graphic novelists, including Hope Larson and Lea Hernandez, are coming out to interpret Tori's work in the new volume Comic Book Tattoo. You can see a few articles here, there, and everywhere.

This, to me, is an orgy of the things I love best. I would never have imagined, ten years ago, that something like this could be possible. For me to sway my hips to "Caught a Lite Sneeze" as I read liquid drawings.

Spotted!:: Breaking Dawn Sneak Peek!

You know, Entertainment Weekly sure can publish absolute drivel but here is a gem. Un diamant brut.

.the beginning.
of Breaking Dawn is here.

Can you believe that I refuse to read it? I want to read the whole book all in one go and I shall close my ears to the world for fear of spoilers. I want to innocently discover
.the end.

Spotted!:: Yet another reason why Australians are da bomb

Yes... YES... YESSS!

Now all we librarians need to do is rise up as militant and radical revolutionaries to get this on American TV.

Man, if I had moved to Australia the way I wanted to back in '05, I would probably be able to watch this without a problem. Then again, I'd probably be a waitress or something. I wouldn't really have an MLS, I don't think. It's one of those Sliding Doors phenomena.

Ah yes...

Anaheim ALA '08:: Days Four through the end

I truly had every intent on blogging at least twice a day while I was at the conference but the following got in my way:

• Limited internet access.
  It came and went as it pleased without ever really asking for my input.


• Flawed human energy.
  I started the event with great enthusiasm but then it dwindled as time went on. I was still going to programs, just not rushing to write stuff about it.


• Wimpy arms.
  I carried my laptop around the first couple of days. Yeah... I learned not to do that.

So instead you get a quick run-down of the programs that were memorable enough, in no particular order.

The Pura Belpré Award reception was pretty fabulous. I was so moved when Yuyi Morales, the winning illustrator, began her speech by acknowledging the presence of her family and friends. She said, "You're all here," in this sublimely grateful and amazed tone of voice, and I instantly thought of my family. Y no les miento cuando les digo que empezé a chillar. I kept my sobs to a minimum and all, but I was an instant mess. Then the pachanga became the center stage for the ultimate weapon of mass emotion: a group of elementary school mariachis started singing everything from "De Colores" to "Es Demasiado Tarde." All they had to do was sing "Si Nos Dejan" or "Amor Eterno" and I would have had to flee like La Llorona. One little girl could barely hold up her violin but she was a star in her beautiful mariachi clothes. I was all kinds of nostalgic there.

The YALSA president's program was stupendous, and not because I was hooked up with Dr. Bernier by my boss. It really got me thinking about both physical and digital teen space-- something I had not really given that much thought to. All presenters had something very real to offer, both in content and charisma. It's hard to do a presentation that really keeps the audience's attention, let me tell ya.

That said, I have to admit that there were some programs I found really disappointing, and not necessarily because of substance. You have to sell it, you know? Most librarians are not used to being in a classroom setting for hours and they really want to take away something solid into their work space. Simply reading from a cheat sheet is just not good enough. So bring some flava into it!

More reflections and pictures later. Ta!

Anaheim ALA '08:: Day Three

Part One:: Morning (10am)

Huff... Puff... Ay ay ay... Hijole...

Reporting from the first hour of exhibits at ALA. I'm frikkin' exhausted and the hour ain't even over yet. I was among the first in line by the 2700 stacks, as youth librarians everywhere have been talking about the special edition Twilight book bag. Meaning, I got there an hour before it even opened.

Have you ever seen teen librarians on a war path? Let me tell ya. It's a special, special sight.

I realize that I've collected way too many arcs of authors I've never even heard of. How am I going to get these home? I'm hoping to see Laurie Halse Anderson, Pam Munoz Ryan, and the scrumptious John Green within the next hour or so.

I'm just resting right now, taking a deep breath... And hoping I don't pass out.

Part Two:: Afternoon (12:30 pm)

I'm not even gonna lie. I'm at the hotel room right now. I'm resting and having a grand old time watching VH1. The exhibits sucked the life right outta me.

I'm feeling only slightly less lonely right now. I'm wishing for a bit more energy and a bit more charisma. Just a tad.

Anaheim ALA '08:: Day Two

Part One:: Morning

So what's happened on my first full day (*GASP*) of my first national library conference (*DOUBLE GASP*)?

Eh. Not much. Whatever. I didn't really realize that there isn't much to do today if you haven't signed up for any pre-conferences. That's fine. After the madness that was trying to get on the right plane yesterday, I figured I deserved some morning down time.

The great part about traveling from Texas to California?

Suddenly you have 2 extra hours that you didn't have before. I woke up early but I got a lotta sleep. Aw yeah.

My discoveries on a day like this?

a) The world sans a bulletin board
Yeah. My roommate cancelled, thoroughly ticking me off. And for security reasons, there is no physical bulletin board here. In other words, I'm stuck not having a roommate. It's lovely to feel free to do as I wish, but not joyous for my credit card.

b) The world sans gumption
I'm friendly when I feel confident, and quiet when not. This is a national conference with all types of librarians. I mean, there are so many personality types here, and most people are here with a group of people. I've been wanting human interaction, but I haven't been all that extroverted just yet.

My suggestions for the conference?

a) We need a forum for attendees to contact other fellow librarians who don't mind reading a billion and a half messages. This morning a librarian was trying to give away a ticket for a tour but didn't know who might want one. A simple post to a message board would have solved that problem. And curses, I really need a roommate. Anyone out there interested in sharing a room with my awesomeness? :D

b) Host a desperate librarians corner somewhere for people who came here by themselves. Or call it a networking table if you don't want to offend. Take me, for instance. Just because I'm quiet doesn't mean I don't want interaction. I want to meet people, but either they're already in a group or loners look really busy reading their conference info packets. Thankfully, I have approached women who look thoroughly bored and gotten some very nice conversations out of it. Note to self. AbsoLUTEly target the bored types.

Other thoughts?
I'm currently blogging from the Anaheim Public Library where I was given an awesome tour by a very friendly teen librarian. I feel good! Although I just realized I haven't had anything to eat since morning. So yeah. I'm off like a library magazine cover. Ta!


Part Two:: Evening

Ah, the adventures just kept on coming.

I have to say I'm so grateful that the YALSA Happy Hour was so uninviting. It was held at this slightly space-challenged bar. It was loud. I didn't really know anyone. I hate paying for majorly marked-up booze. It might have been great fun for some, but for me it sucked. Big time. I left after barely 4 minutes. Thank goodness.

I wandered into the International Relations Orientation, which was pretty much over. It was fate! Looking for something else to do, I stumbled upon the "Many Voices Many Nations" program. It's been the most stellar experience I've had at a library conference. Ever. I couldn't believe it.

See this picture here? That's Sherman Alexie, baby. Me and Sherman. Yeah. We tight.

He's one hilarious and magical dude with nicely shaped fingernails and heartbreaking woven stories. He brought flashes of my husband, my mom, my dad-- everyone who's special to me, in just a few minutes of spoken poetry.

Good times, man.

Anaheim ALA '08:: Day One

Gyaaaaaaah!!!

What should have been a 4-hour flight turned into a 14-hour debacle. Grrr. But I digress. The point is, I'm in Anaheim and I've seen the paradise that is librarians crashing Orange County. Yeah!

I'm serious. They're everywhere and they're taking over.

I'm so touched by the friendliness of the ALA attendees I've met so far. Even just taking a hotel shuttle turned out to be an experience. People are very willing to chat and chill together, and from what I can tell, they really are from all over.

I have to admit, I was wondering what I was going to do once I got here. It looks like librarians don't let other librarians wallow in solitude, though.

Ha!