BTT - online book cataloging

Well, I haven't answered in a long while but this one is up my alley:

Do you use any of the online book-cataloguing sites, like

Library Thing or Shelfari? Why or why not? (Or . . . do you have absolutely no idea what I’m talking to?? (grin))
If not an online catalog, do you use any other method to catalog your book collection? Excel spreadsheets, index cards, a notebook, anything?

I didn't like Shelfari (and I tried something else I didn't like as well) but I do use LibraryThing. I started using it to keep track of the books I read and listened to in 2007 so I basically use it as a catalog, I don't use it as a social tool. I don't post reviews or rate or tag my books. There's a new site, Bookbump that looks promising. I am waiting for them to come up with an application that allows me to import my library from another program (LibraryThing) so I don't have to enter them all by hand. Although most of my books come from the library I also use Bookmooch and Paperbackswap to get rid of books (mostly paperbacks my husband buys when traveling) that I don't want to keep.

It's that time of year again

I found this great post on Penolope Trunk's Brazen Careerist blog titled Five things people say about Christmas that drive me nuts. All I can add to her post is amen. My radio station plays Christmas music exclusively and they don't play Grandma got run over by a reindeer that often (thank goodness for my audiobooks) and yesterday I bought a Chanukah gift bag and the cashier STILL asked me if I've done my Christmas shopping yet. I cannot wait for this season to end.

Me, me, I’m it!

This is so exciting – I’ve been tagged by Carolyn at Juggling Frogs to list 7 weird/random things about myself and then tag others. Although I am usually the first to delete these types of things when they show up in my inbox, in honor of finishing my second semester (and handing in all my assignments) and feeling like a full fledged member of the blogosphere, I’m going to play.
The Rules:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs
4. Let them know they are TAGGED by leaving a comment on their blog
So here goes:
1. I have 3 holes in my left ear, the second of which was done by my friend Melissa with a needle when we were 15 (hey, we sterilized it first, kind of).
2. I’ve never voted in a U.S. election. Before you get on my case, I was in Israel the year I was 18 (1984), made aliyah to Israel October 31, 1988, and lived there till last summer. Will have to see what happens next November. So far, I am NOT a registered voter.
3. I have a Hebrew name (used by my family) that Americans can’t pronounce and an English name (that I started using when I went to school) that Israelis can’t pronounce ensuring that I spend my life trying to figure out what I want to be called and never remembering what name I use with whom.
4. I once had a poem published in Teen magazine.
5. I have signed myself out of the hospital against medical advice.
6. I subscribe to 127 blogs in my Google Reader.
7. I’m addicted to the internet.

So who do I tag? Not seven others but these lucky four: Chava, at Wanna be there - trying to live here, A mother in Israel, JMC at 4 weddings and a funeral, Me-ander.

How Do You Spell Channukkahh

It's that time of year again. In the midst of all the X-mas carols, commercials, themed tv shows, and shopping we get to celebrate Chanukah. So for your listening enjoyment, the Leevees want to know how do you spell Chanukah. The rest of us know that's why you make aliyah - 'cuz there's only one way to spell it: חנוכה!
One week left till the semester is over - will write more then.
Happy Chanukah! חנוכה שמח!

Our first California earthquake

We are now among the initiated. We have experienced our first California earthquake. It was about 8p.m. I was getting ready to go out to a shiur (yes I go to a shiur, get over it) and we were just sitting around the living room when all of a sudden everything started to shake. Maor and I thought it was our neighbors - we have some young guys living next door and they descend the steps with a giant leap that rocks our apartment for a minute. But this shaking kept on going. Arthur realized what it was and told us to stay calm. I have to be honest - it freaked me out! The earthquake's epicenter was about 15km (9mi) away from us. It lasted for 30 seconds (but felt much longer) and measured 5.6 on the Richter magnitude scale.

This is my first blog posting from my new Acer laptop computer (I did buy it from BestBuy but paid less than shown). It arrived by mail yesterday and tonight we got a router and Arthur did his magic and got me online. I am still getting used to it - first of all, this computer has Vista and not XP which until you get used to it (and maybe afterwards as well) makes you proclaim every 3 minutes or so "I hate Bill Gates and Microsoft!" I really need time though to explore, get used to it, and download and upload all the stuff I have on my home computer. Slowly, slowly. So now I don't need to fight with Maor anymore over the home computer when we both have homework. I will be very glad when this semester is over. I am enjoying one of my classes, tolerating another (which is required), and am sorely disappointed by the third. Registration for spring semester starts in about a week and a half and I know what classes I want to take - just hope I get them with the instructors I want.

I found a part time library job - in a law firm in downtown San Jose. Although I am not particularly interested in legal librarianship the librarian is very nice and easygoing and I hope I will start to gain some practical experience. Also, it is very laid back and the hours are flexible. I start this Thursday so that gives me one day to buy some clothing - I have nothing to wear! Thank goodness there are always sales going on. I am a terrible shopper so wish me luck!

Tommorrow is Haloween so of course the Christmas merchandise is already out in the stores. At least they're not playing carols yet. BTW, in case you think it's just me who can't take the Christmas season, read what Rabbi without a cause has to say about it. Maor's school hosts a movie/pizza night (for the younger kids) so there is an alternative to trick or treating.

Guess what Arthur is watching on TV? (I know you're tempted to say Law and Order or CSI or football but you're wrong) There's a show on public tv about the hitnatkut in Hebrew with English subtitles. It was filmed by the Israeli government and Arthur feels that it's propaganda.

Last Sunday Maor and I went to see Disney's High School Musical on Ice at the HP Pavillion. We had great seats and it was a fun show. This coming Sunday Arthur and Maor are going to see an Oakland Raiders football. I have opted out since I cannot for the life of me understand football.

Well, that is all the news for now. Take care and stay posted.

All quiet on the Western front

I know, I know, I've been very quiet lately.

I'll be honest - I haven't recovered from all the 3 day chagim yet - they totally knocked me out. I hated the davening - it was way too long and way too Ashkenazi.

Also, I am not having a great semester at school. I am taking 3 classes, one required and 2 electives. One of my instructors is good, one is so-so, and one is a total dud. There is so much reading and so many assignments, both individual and group, and I feel like I am always playing catch up. I feel like I never have time to breathe - as soon as I finish one thing it is on to the next.

I started looking for a part time job but so far haven't found anything. I want to get some experience in the library or information field. I've had a few interviews but that's about it.

Arthur is back to traveling and Maor is doing okay. Not too much is going on but I wanted to drop a line and say hi!

A cure for Israeli chutzpah?

Kol hakavod to David over at Treppenwitz for the non-abusive way he dealt with the classic and frustrating situation of a shopper in the express line with a cartful of groceries. You can read how he came out a winner and a hero to all the shoppers behind him at [Waste] my time...[Spend] your money.

In Jameel's comment on the above he mentions a contest being sponsored by Ronny Maman, an Israeli who returned to Israel after 18 years in the USA. His Center for manners (derech eretz) is offering $60,000 as an incentive for YOU to send in a practical idea on how to improve Israeli behavior through manners. The idea must cause the reader to implement and use it as a means to improve behavior (that means no philosophical ponderings, they want tachlit). The best 100 ideas will be featured in a book the center will publish.

The website is Hebrew only so here are the relevant details in English:

Deadline: January 22nd, 2008 (Tu B’Shvat)

Email: info@derech-eretz.org

Mailing address: Rehov Achuza 96, P. O. Box 26, Ranaana, Israel

Fax: 09-7409592 (+972-9-740-9592 internationally)

Winners announced: June 6, 2008

The contest is open to all ages so get those creative juices flowing.