The ALA fostered the first GLBT professional organization in the U.S. In their booth at the ALA conference in 1971, attendees had the opportunity to be hugged by a homosexual ( Read more... )

To join the slate of (so far) two candidates who would like to be the 2012 Down Under Fan Fund delegate, you should read this announcement from John Hertz and note the May 11 deadline:

http://file770.com/?p=8842

Today I tried using toothpaste to remove a stubborn stain on the bathroom floor. Out of the blue, the idea came to me. It worked! What does this say about me, I wonder.

No, I did not use a toothbrush.

A couple of months ago particleguy and I decided to try out the Belgian pub in San Carlos near where I work. This is the place, http://refugesc.com/ and it is fab! I was completely unprepared, and although I enjoyed the beer I chose, I did not know what I was doing. I recollect that I had some very nice beer ( Read more... )

Last week the New Orleans band The Radiators came through the Bay Area, on a leg of their Farewell tour. Saturday was their 100th show at the Great American Music Hall. Thanks to a tip from a co-worker, I was able to buy tickets and see the show on Thursday. We had great seats but of course staying seated was not really in the cards. What a great

Au Contraire, the New Zealand National SF Convention, was held this weekend in Wellington. The official attendance, made up of fans from around the world, was 253. The gracious, interesting and hard-working Guests of Honour were Elizabeth Knox, Sean Williams and Paul Mannering. The convention planning committee -- Kelly, Anna, Suzanne, Jess and ( Read more... )

  We're having a long stretch of unseasonably cool weather in the Bay Area, 9-12 degrees below normal this week and into next. I'm enjoying it, but I believe I'm in the minority. 

Friends invited me to attend a final rehearsal of the new Lyric Theatre show, a semi-staged production of The Dollar Princess. This is another in Lyric's extremely wonderful Discovery series, a 1909 operetta by Leo Fall. The story is of a brother and sister New Yorkers who manage to overcome immense wealth and stubborn pride to find true love...in ( Read more... )

We assume that you worship librarians, but even if you don't -- I think you will appreciate this inspirational video. This version includes subtitles, and the Boingboing comments section includes clues to the sekrit librarian references in the video. C-c-c-catalog...

Today I discovered Fromagination. Intending to stop at a very special chocolate shop, I found a parking place on the Square, pumped some quarters in the meter, turned, and it was just there. If you want an amazing selection of Wisconsin artisan cheeses -- and who doesn't? -- then this would be the place. I left some for you. Some details as well as ( Read more... )