Wake Up, I'm Fat.....Infidel

I've just read two remarkably different and complementary books. The first, by Camryn Manheim, has the cheerful title, Wake Up, I'm Fat. The second, by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, is Infidel.

Both are memoirs. Nothing like a little holiday cheer.

Near the end of Infidel I realized my cousin Ted works with Ms. Hirsi Ali.

Very small world.

Nomi goofs again.

Oy vey: as a new blogger, I didn't check the comment settings to ensure access. Ninjanurse sent me an email (msnomir@gmail.com) letting me know of my error.

I want comments. Only if spam, et cet. were a problem would I need to limit them!

Please read ninjanurse's eloquent, compassionate and wise posts at kmareka (link is below.)

I think the problem is fixed. Please send me comments, however brief, so we'll know for sure!

Providence Public Library Plans to Slash Children's Services

Please visit the site below for The Library Reform Group to read about the proposed elimination of 7 Child Life Specialists who work in the neighborhood branches.

There is an unpleasant saga of the increasing privatization of this "public" library and the lack of consensus on the management of resources and provision of services.

What is amazing is that people all over the state have united to advocate for the library itself & the rights of the workers to unionize (they did).

I have attended meetings where children, elders and middle-aged folks (myself on good days) sat, listened and agreed with each other. This library, in its entirety, is loved by many people. People from many other corners of the state are comfortable with and use the branches. We attend story hours, borrow books, use the computers, learn English...

No matter where you live, your opinions are important. Please contact the Providence Public Library and Mayor David Cicilline to let them know that these workers are not a luxury item. Funds must be raised and allocated for these branches.

I will post more links and respond to any emails or comments about this. Thank you in advance, my dear handful of visitors.

Grace Paley & Friends, Saving The World

Here's a wonderful statement,
a quote from Grace:

" Let us go forth with fear and courage and rage to save the world."

Grace P. laughing at Nomi?

When I left the Cranston ( RI ) Library yesterday, there were, in fact, many many flakes of snow. Less than an inch to be sure, but parts of the state were eventually covered in up to 15" of snow.

RI Future, one of the sites below, has an article about the problems with the roads, the lack of clarity from city and state leaders. The lieutenant governor did not know the Gov. was still in Iraq (or en route home).

Some kids were stranded on school busses for 10 hours.

That's not funny, but the joke was on my disbelief in the storm...

Champ Starr, husband of Lisa, Poet Laureate, reports that Block Island had 41 degree mph winds, but only 2" snow, with a crust.

Not one snowflake...but RI starts the Panic

I'm in the main branch of the Cranston Public Library in a room full of computer happy people and we've just been informed: "the library is closing at noon!"

RIers are famous for rushing to stock up on Bread and Milk when the weather is forecasted ominously.

Oh well.

RI Governor in Iraq

What can be said?

Don Carcieri is part of a group of mixed governors visiting the troops. He is severely cutting Meals on Wheels, Interpreters, Head Start funding, Healthcare and still has time to show his respect.

??

A Tribute to Grace Paley

Event: A Tribute to Grace Paley

Host: The New School

Time: 7:00--8:00 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Location: Tishman Auditorium, 66 West 12th St., New York, NY

I learned about this thanks to facebook.
It is very very unlikely that I'll be there , but I'll gladly spread the word.

More details on this event: http://poets.org/viewevent.php/prmEventID/5773

Dwight D. Eisenhower quote?

In most communities it is illegal to cry "fire" in a crowded assembly. Should it not be considered serious international misconduct to manufacture a general war scare in an effort to achieve local political aims?

Oy vey

Nu, I decide to honor the memory of Grace Paley and Others by finally starting my own blog. I make three small posts, and then .....nothing.



This morning I was chastised by my Uncle W. for my absence, and rightly so.
It surprised me to realize that he even found my little effort. It's kind of touching...


So I apologize to all the dozen or so readers out there!



I'm reading a book, The Burn Journals, by Brent Runyon that is sad and fascinating...