News from the Mudd

We cap off these three days of vegan hell with Marlinton, West Virginia's Roadkill Cookoff. The web site promises visitors will experience "the smell of apples." If they say so. Some past dishes include Deer on a Stick, Asleep at the Wheel Squeal and, our favorite, Thumper Meets Bumper. If you're ever in West Virginia and someone tells you to fire up the grill, don't reach for the charcoal briquettes.

A tour of the spooky and haunted places on campus will take place in late October. In preparation for this, I am looking for people who may have experienced ghosts or other creepy things at Lawrence, or know of others who have. If you have any knowledge you would like to share, stop by the Archives, call or send an e-mail. Anonymity will be respected upon request.

It's more meat products today with the kick-off to Beef-O-Rama, right here in our own state. Minoqua, Wis. is hosting two days of meat-lovers' activities, including a meat parade (we're thinking the meat doesn't do its own walking) and a "For the Love of Beef" poetry contest. As a side note, the Marshfield Clinic in Marshfield, Wis. is sponsoring a Rump Roast Run to be held in conjunction with the -Rama. Sometimes we love irony so much we want to marry it.

Those wacky electrical engineers and computer scientists at the University of California at San Diego are at it again. They're working on creating a "Google for music." The idea is for people who are not music experts to be able to call up songs matching their parameters using natural language. One big stumbling block is creating words that are universally meaningful and useful when describing music. One person's Barry Manilow may be "intensely meaningful" while another's may be "gag-inducing."
Read about it on the UCSD Jacobs School of Engineering web site.

Vegans and vegetarians, avert your eyes. The next three days are going to be kind of rough. Today begins the 18th Annual World Chicken Festival in London, Kentucky (home of Colonel Sanders' first restaurant), and it doesn't exactly promote responsible adoption, or spaying and neutering. Imagine 600 chicken quarters cooked all at once in a ten and a half foot wide frying pan. That's prid near 150 chickens.

Here are a couple of birthdays to celebrate today. First on our list is the irreplaceable George Gershwin who was born in 1898 in Brooklyn and died at the very young age of 38. Today you can play the "what if?" game: what if he'd lived to be over 100 like Irving Berlin, who was born ten years before? We've got tons of Gershwin in the Mudd. Try a search for yourself.
Next is LU's own Dale Duesing who marks a milestone today, but we aren't at liberty to say which one. If you're REALLY dying to know, he's in New Grove. And imdb.com. And in the Mudd.

We shouldn't even mention this on One-Hit Wonder Day, but we just heard about this year's awards. Two musicians, singer Dawn Upshaw and blues musician Corey Harris are among the 24 winners of a $500,000 no-restrictions grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. This award is even more amazing since there's no application process. People who have shown "exceptional creativity" get a call out of the blue saying they've won a half a million. Potential geniuses, start your engines.

Some music groups are born great (Beatles,) some achieve greatness (Beatles) and some have greatness thrust upon them (Milli Vanilli.) And then some have, to paraphrase Andy Warhol, 15 minutes of greatness. These are One-Hit Wonders and they are celebrated today, appropriately, one day of the year.
The Web has many dozens of sites of supposed One-Hit Wonders, but beware: not everything you read on the Web is true. Some of them list Janis Joplin. Please.
We're sure if you listen to commercial radio today, you may hear:
The Monotones, "Book of Love"
The Silhouettes, "Get a Job"
The Murmaids, "Popsicles and Icicles" (at 3:47 on the video)
The Lemon Pipers, "Green Tambourine"
John Fred & His Playboy Band, "Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)"
Norman Greenbaum, "Spirit in the Sky

It's National Punctuation Day!! (Notice the correct use of the apostrophe in the word "it's.") The official NPD site has much info on these handy little buggers, including a recipe for the Official Meat Loaf of National Punctuation Day. Your guess is as good as ours.
Without punctuation we would all write like James Joyce, we would have no contractions and thus speak in the manner of gangsters, emoticons would not exist and Victor Borge would just be a [very fine] piano player. And please remember, only YOU can prevent apostrophe abuse.

Ninety-five years ago today the world was given Chuck Jones, a name inextricably linked with classic Warner Brothers cartoons. He died in 2002, but in those 90 years his creative output produced such icons as Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote, Marvin Martian, Pepe le Pew and Michigan J. Frog. He also animated and directed cartoons featuring Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd and Porky Pig. He produced, directed and wrote the screenplay for Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." His official web site quotes the National Film Registry in describing one of his creations, "the Wagnerian mini epic, 'What's Opera, Doc?'" as being "among the most culturally, historically and aesthetically significant films of our time." And, of course, the Mudd has it.

This is a must-see. Warner Home Video has released a set of the earliest Popeye cartoons, "Popeye the Sailor, 1933-1938, Vol. 1" on DVD in gloriously restored black and white. Milo Miles said on NPR these are "rough and tumble musicals with heaps of mindless violence." Yes. Amazon.com gets right down to it: "Violence, tobacco use, ethnic stereotypes." And may we add: gratuitous Betty Boop cameos, intermittent vegetable can squeezing and sexist innuendos. Lock up the kiddies, sit back, and enjoy.
The only Popeye the Mudd has is Popeye Doyle.

We've already fêted the Monterey Pop Festival (June 14,) but today we celebrate the Big Daddy, if you will, of them all: the Monterey Jazz Festival. Tomorrow in Monterey, California, a 3-day celebration of jazz begins. In 1958 "best jazz people in the whole world," as the founders called them, played a whole weekend of jazz. Back in 1958 when beatniks still roamed the earth, these artists included Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, Gerry Mulligan, Art Farmer, Max Roach and Billie Holiday. At this 50th festival the tradition continues with Chris Potter, one of LU's upcoming Jazz Series Artists, Feb. 8, 2008; Dave Holland, who appeared on the Jazz Series in 2000; Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Jazz Series 2005; Diana Krall, LU Jazz Weekend Guest Artist 1997; Terrance Blanchard, Jazz Series Feb. 2007; and, of course, to round things out, Dave Brubeck.

We're wishing we had some sea chanties today, but instead we're featuring more Artists' Series performers in our CD pile: one CD by The Brentano Quartet and several by Cantus. And there's a Bizet thrown in for good measure.

What can we say? It's here.

The New York Daily Times began publication today in 1851. The Mudd indeed has access to this very issue online.
The item above, which made page one, expressed concern over what is possibly the first instance of underwear being visible to the outside world. Judge for yourself (courtesy of the Library of Congress Pictorial Americana collection.)

The excitement is palpable here at the Mudd. The finest made-up holiday ever is less than one day away. Talk Like a Pirate Day is tomorrow, Sept. 19. It is celebrated world-wide, but particularly here at the Mudd. Today the library's home page is mild-mannered. But please visit tomorrow. If ye dare.

It's International Women Road Warrior Day. Of course, this immediately brings to mind Thelma & Louise. And remember the women road warriors' rest-stop cry: "You don't have to go; you just have to try."

Today in 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote the words to what would become the U.S. national anthem. If Francis Scott Key were alive today, we know he would approve of this version as interpreted by SCTV's Rick Moranis channeling yesterday's birthday boy, Mel Tormé. If you are too young to have experienced SCTV, run out right now and rent or buy some episodes.

Today's David Clayton Thomas's 66th birthday. He's the distinctive voice of Blood, Sweat and Tears. Fortunately, he shares his birthday with some musical types that are represented in the Mudd, since the Mudd has no BS&T:

Mel Tormé (1925)

Arnold Schoenberg (1874) (interesting side note: he was triskaidekaphobic, afraid of the number 13; ironically, he was born and died on the 13th day of the month) Here's a CD of his opera Moses und Aron, with "Aaron" spelled with only one "a, " since two a's would have resulted in a 13-letter title.

Clara Schumann (1819)

A book and article on Elizabeth Richardson, a graduate of Milwaukee-Downer College who served in World War II and died in a plane crash in France in 1945, are both out this month. The book on Liz by James Madison, "Slinging doughnuts for the boys: an American woman in World War II," will be available to view at the library in the next few weeks. An article by James in the Autumn issue of the Wisconsin Magazine of History on Liz is titled, "Hey Milwaukee: A Wisconsin Girl Goes to War, 1944-1945." Materials from the Lawrence Archives were used for both publications.

To learn more about Liz, visit this online exhibit about her life:

http://www.lawrence.edu/library/archives/richardson/index.htm

To view additional materials on Liz or if you have questions, visit the University Archives.

An ocean away on Sept. 12, 1910, "Antonio Martello pleads guilty...to playing a guitar and singing Neapolitan ballads to a woman in the Bronx and is sentenced to serve 20 days in the workhouse as a common nuisance." -- Music Since 1910.

The Mudd has numerous recordings of the Mahler and even one of Neapolitan songs.

On September 11, 1967 The Carol Burnett Show premiered on CBS. It was the first hour-long comedy-variety show to be hosted by a woman. When you think about it, the show produced theater (skits,) production numbers and musical numbers with all the trappings every week: choreography, sets, costumes by Bob Mackie, the works. Today the costs would be prohibitive and TV audiences probably would have no interest. But back then people stayed home to watch the show. Imagine doing this for a weekly TV show today.
The Paley Center for Media, formerly The Museum of Television & Radio, has an informative profile on Carol Burnett for you young folk who missed this golden age. You can also hear Carol Burnett on the original cast recording of Once Upon a Mattress.

If you're in South America or Antarctica, quick, run outside, but don't look up. You are experiencing a partial eclipse of the sun.
Read the chapter "The Eclipse" from Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.

On September 10, 1907 a new department store, Neiman Marcus, (that's a big store in Big D) opened its doors. Also on this day 75 years ago at one minute past midnight the A Train started running on the IND 8th Avenue Line in New York.
There's a Neiman Marcus in Manhattan at 41st. and Broadway. The A Train doesn't run over there, but you can take it to 42nd St. (the Port Authority Bus Terminal) and then take the IRT Times Square-Grand Central Shuttle. It'll get you pretty close. And listen to Billy Strayhorn's "Take the A Train" while you're traveling.

The day's half over, but you can still benefit from National Employee/Boss Exchange Day. Of course, it's likely that you don't work in a place that actually use the terms "boss" and "employee" anymore. So if you're the "employee," swap tasks with your "team builder," "ring master," or "zoo keeper." You can't really wreck anything in just one day. And if you're normally the one "in charge," try living stress-free: check out youtube, read the paper, play some computer games.

Hair. Shining, gleaming, streaming, flaxen, waxen. Knotted, polka-dotted. Twisted, beaded, braided. Some of us got it, some of us don't. This weekend the Bald-Headed Men of America are gathering for their annual "Bald Is Beautiful" convention in Morehead City, N.C. Get it? More head?

Nine years ago it wasn't a verb. It wasn't even a noun. It was a fledging business working out of a garage in Menlo Park, California. And the only Google most people had ever heard of was Barney.
Google itself doesn't officially state the date the company started, but Web lore has it that it was incorporated on Sept. 7, 1998.

As you all know September is the Great American Low-Cholesterol Low-Fat Pizza Bake Month. This is the month we are encouraged to make pizzas with no-fat cheese, healthy vegetables, whole wheat flour (or better yet, soy) and no meat. To this we say, "pffft." Celebrate Salami Day by making a REAL pizza. Yes, we know salami isn't the topping of choice for pizza, but its fat-laden goodness is just the ticket for a yummy meal. If not pizza, how about muffaletta/muffuletta?

Muffuletta/Muffaletta

1-10" round Italian loaf or 6 ciabatta rolls

About 1/2 pound each Italian cheese and meat: Genoa salami, Italian ham, Italian roast beef, mortadella, provolone, mozzarella, etc.

Olive salad
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Make olive salad a day ahead of time because the flavors need to marinate and also because it takes a long time to chop up everything.

Amounts are approximate (all amounts are after chopping.)

1/2 c. chopped pimento stuffed green olives
1/2 c. chopped pitted cured black olives (a couple of different kinds - about 1/3 - 1/2 lb. with pits total)
1/2 c. chopped giardiniera (mixed marinated Italian vegetables)
1/4 c. chopped cocktail onions
1/4 c. minced flat-leaf Italian parsley
2 T. chopped capers
1 clove garlic, minced
1 t. dried oregano
1 t. dried basil
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/2 c. extra virgin olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper to taste, about 1 t.

Mix everything together in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or over night. To assemble sandwiches, cut bread in half horizontally. Remove some bread from both cut sides to form shallow hollows. Spread half the mixture on the bottom. Layer alternating meats and cheeses. Cover with remaining spread. Cover with other bread half and squish down hard. This will make it easier to eat and also get the marinade into the bread. Cut into portions.

Sandwich can be made ahead of time and wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.

When I asked blog superstar Antoinette Powell for some blogging advice for my introduction, she kindly wrote an excellent one for me!

Former Mudd Library Night Supervisor Angela Vanden Elzen now has a day job. As of mid-July, Angela is our illustrious hard-working Interlibrary Loan and Circulation Assistant. If you are a regular reader of this space, you remember the previous, highly regarded ILL & Circ. Assistant, Cheryl Kraft, left the Mudd's bosom to devote herself to the Neenah Public Library (June 29, 2007.) Angela is more than able to fill those shoes. In real life, Angela devotes herself to her cats, her nut-ball Lab/Akita puppy, and her husband Adam. She is working on her MLIS, and should cancel her World of Warcraft account now that the semester has begun. Angela lives in the same space Cheryl occupied and will be available to serve the Mudd patrons Tuesday through Saturday during the regular academic year. We are thrilled Angela has emerged from the darkness, yet remains in the Mudd.

So, please come see me or call x6758 with any interlibrary loan, electronic reserve, or World of Warcraft questions.

Links to Campus RSS Feeds

Links to Library New Materials RSS Feeds

http://www.slideshare.net/frickej/what-is-rss-104298
RSS in Plain English
Have you heard about RSS but haven't a clue as to what it's all about? Join Julie Fricke and David Berk in the ITC Lab (Library 214) at 11 a.m. to hear talk about this technology and why it is important.

This is not in keeping with the somber tone of the day. However, it is an oldie, but a goodie.

Here's some Pavarotti:

La Bohème, recorded in 1979 at La Scala
La l'Esir d'Amore, with Kathleen Battle and Dawn Upshaw
La Traviata: Joan Sutherland, Sherril Milnes, Frederica von Stade; Orchestra and Chorus of the Metropolitan Opera New York; conductor, Richard Bonynge
Tosca, it's an LP, but worth a listen. Arguably his most famous role.

Here's what we'll bet you don't know about Freddie Mercury: he was born in Tanzania, his real name was Farrokh Bulsara, and today would have been his 61st birthday.
The library doesn't have any authentic Queen CDs, but we do have We will rock you, the "rock theatrical" with music by Ben Elton and Queen. You can check it out and hear that version of "Bohemian rhapsody," or listen to all six glorious minutes of the real thing (with no visuals) on youtube. If all you know about Queen is "We are the champions" and "We will rock you," you'll be surprised and delighted at the musical intelligence and tight vocals.

As far as we know, people in Finland don't usually stand around in contorted positions and gesticulate wildly. But today it's happening in Oulu, Finland. Yes, it's the Air Guitar World Championships, being held today and tomorrow. Talented (?) musicians (?) from all over the world will be competing. Part of the festivities is a training camp where novices learn the basics: history of the sport, choreography, and instrument maintenance. Instrument maintenance? Like keeping your nails clean and trimmed?

It's too late for you this year, but to enter for next year, you need to send in "one-minute contest clip beforehand on a CD or a Minidisc." Yes, do make sure that audio clip you send in fully represents your talent.

Anton Bruckner (1824) and Darius Milhaud (1892) share a birthday today. Austrian versus Frenchman. One old enough to be the grandfather of the other. One a composer renowned for symphonic works in the tradition of Beethoven and Schubert (with a Wagnerian twist) along with sacred compositions; devout Roman Catholic; virtuoso organist. The other an avant garde artist of the 1920's who prodigious output spanned all genres and who, in the words of New Grove, was a "pioneer in the use of percussion, polytonality, jazz and aleatory techniques." Couldn't get much different. We've got tons of Bruckner and tons of Milhaud. Compare and contrast. And next April the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra will be performing Bruckner's 4th symphony.

Forty-three years ago today if you were between the ages of, say, 10 and 20 and you were in Wisconsin, and especially if you were a girl, you were only thinking of one thing: tonight's concert. You'd sent away for tickets the previous spring and were lucky enough to have gotten one. Good thing, too, because reports surfaced about tickets being scalped for as much as $20. Of course, back in the spring a lot of people thought no one would remember who The Beatles were come September. They were wrong. That $4.50 would prove to be about the best money you'd ever spent.

Sure, It's Labor Day, but more importantly, it's Bathtub Race Day. Should you have a bathtub with wheels, this would be an excellent opportunity to make use of it. But, really, you'll need two. Or more.

We might seem a bit obsessed, but today is the beginning of National Waffle Week. And tomorrow's Waffle Day. Here you see a portion of the drawing for U.S. Patent no. 94, 043. Fire up old number 94, 043 again this week.

Man, we are SO glad August is over with, we can hardly express it. Talk about uneventful. But, here on the first day of the month, September is making up for it in a big way. This weekend is Birdman Weekend in the resort of Bognor Regis on England's South Coast. This is what some people will do for a chance at £25,000: fling themselves off a pier in a human-powered flying machine, attempting to break the distance record which currently stands at 293 feet. How quaint, you say. But take into account that the competitors tend to dress in costume or, even more disturbing, go au naturel. Watch the news tonight and you'll probably see more of these wacky Brits (and other nationalities) than you wanted to.