2007-09-11, 09:19 AM — MLIS this way
Interesting how now that I've started thinking about library and information issues (which were previously barely on my radar) I find this sort of article far more fascinating than I used to. It's only been two days of classes and already I'm starting to look upon access to information in an entirely different way. For example, I think the US Gov't's actions in the above article are not only a massive waste of government funds and time (big surprise) but also impinging upon what I now realize should be a very basic right.
The amazing thing is that after two days, I'm aware, in a very real sense, of an entire sphere of human activity that I was only vaguely aware of before. It makes me wonder if people like me have no idea that library and information science is as ubiquitous as it is, what do people who have never had an interest in libraries think?
I was worried I was going to find this degree boring. There's no chance of that, I'm afraid. I'm actually going to start thinking deep thoughts again... in as much as I ever have...
2007-09-08, 11:39 PM — Madeleine L'Engle
Madeleine L'Engle has died.
This is actually a rather momentous occasion for me, in that "A Wrinkle in Time" was one of the first novels I ever read, and certainly one of the most memorable. I still have a copy of it floating around somewhere, and I love it.
But to be honest, it was "A Ring of Endless Light" that has always meant more to me. I picked up a copy of it second hand somewhere, I don't even remember where anymore. And I have read it so many times at this point that I have parts of it memorized. It used to be that I wouldn't go anywhere -- anywhere -- without it. It was my travelling book. I only stopped doing that a couple of years ago, when my copy started to fall apart.
The first time I read it I was almost Vicky's age (the lead character) and so it spoke to me for that reason. She was grappling with big things, and in some ways I was Vicky and in some ways I wished I was Vicky. I really, really empathized with her. As I got older, I felt for her, but things were different for me. Now it was the poetry in the book, and the luminous quality of the hope that L'Engle expressed in the book that really hit home.
I think I need to read it again, really. The hope that I used to get from it has sort of diminshed over the years, and I need a little help, I think.
Let's put it this way. I'm not a religious person. I'm not sure what I believe in, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't fall into any particular religious category. But I think that L'Engle's view of religion, or Vicky's perhaps, has been closest to my heart for a number of years. She is one of the few authors I am able to read without flinching when she mentions anything religious at all. I even really enjoyed "Many Waters" which is one of the more Bible-related books I've ever read.
Anyway. I'm not sure she got it right, or even more right than anyone else. But I like her light-filled interpretation of the world and I am sorry she's gone.
2007-08-25, 08:51 AM — love/hate/change
Done work for the summer. I have to say, I'm a little astonished at how sad I was to finish this year. I don't remember being this sad last year. I think part of it is because I'm moving on... I mean, not completely; I'm intending to still do some work there, but I'm not going to be looking at that as my only option for spending time out of the house. My main focus is becoming school. And that is strange and a little sad for me.
I know it will be good and I keep telling myself that. There's lots I'm looking forward to. But I am a creature of habit and sticking to my loyalties and I'm not happy with change. Change feels weird and unhappy.
On the other hand, I spent much of last night thinking about/dreaming about camp and kids and coworkers, and I'm not going to be missing any of that. I wonder if I need a job I find less engaging during my waking hours just so that I can get a break at night.