I used to work in a hospital library. I hated it, for many reasons, and I'll never go back. My reference shifts were spent answering strange (and some not so strange) questions. After a boring and mentally exhausting shift, I wrote down a few questions that I had recently gotten on the reference desk (taken from an entry in my journal on April 10, 2000):

Where's the bathroom?
Where's the photocopier?
Why can't I use my U of T copicard in your photocopier?
Why doesn't your photocopier take coins?
Can I buy this book?
How much is this book?
Do you sell videos?
How do you spell Harvard?
What time zone are we in?
What is Level II, Section C?
Are you a doctor?
Are there any doctors on staff in the library?
How can you help me if you are not a doctor?
Can you read this article for me?
Where is San Antonio?
Can I use your email account?
Can I use your computer?
Please pay for these subscriptions and send them to my office. (not really a question, is it?)
Can you tell me the name of the green book I signed out last week?
Do you have any medical books?
Do you have any journals?

There were more, many more....

Tags: libraries, reference questions

So much for pollsters: they got it wrong.

I just finished reading Salamander by Thomas Wharton (review). I loved Icefields, his first novel, much better. I did like this one. Actually, I liked it quite a lot. But, there is something about it that I just can't put my finger on.

I have also recently read: Badlands by Robert Kroetsch; Going to New Orleans by Charles Tidler; Man of Bone by Alan Cumyn, and some others I can't remember right now.

Whenever I recall recent books read, I reflect on those that I hated. What is the worst book I have ever read? I have an answer, but I could be wrong. After all, I abandoned many books part way through. This group includes Larry's Party by Carol Shields. I know this book received tons of praise, but I think it is boring and badly written. I used to struggle through books I didn't like, but now I realize that there are far too many good books waiting. I regret the hours and hours I spent fighting my way through Douglas Coupland's Microserfs.

Microserfs, in my humble opinion, is the worst book ever written. Well, it is the worst book I have ever read all the way through. It stinks. It is boring and tedious, or, in the immortal words of Bart Simpson: "I didn't know it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows."

I recently met Douglas Coupland: he signed an advanced copy of Eleanor Rigby. He is a nice guy. I liked a couple of his other books, but I think that Generation X is overrated. Maybe I read it too late. I am a Gen Xer, so I should have appreciated it.

Tags: reading, Douglas Coupland, Microserfs

Election Day

OK, so just a few comments on today's federal election...

I'd like to say, make sure you vote. But, if you plan to vote Conservative, forget about it. There has been much commentary on Stephen Harper's so-called "hidden agenda". Let's face it, it is not hidden. The Regressive Conservative party is anti-gay, anti-women, anti-middle class, anti-public health care. It the scariest party we have ever seen. How can we, especially people in Ontario, forget about the roots of this party? It is comprised of the remnants of failed regional parties and the tired and hopeless remains of the Progressive Conservative Party. The PC party ruined Ontario. If you are angry with Dalton, don't vote Conservative. Vote for anyone else, but not Conservative, please.

Tags: elections, Canada

Comments!-

I've added comments, at the advice of a friend. Maybe I will resume entries as well. Go forth and comment.

Tags: blogging

Happy Birthday to You

My daughter turns three years old today. She is very cute and very sweet.

Tags: family