Book of the Month: A total waste of makeup By: Kim Gruenenfelder

Another chic lit book. You know, these are so fun and fast to read, besides I can really use the simple joy of a reading such a book. This was pretty funny. The characters were well-written and family interactions were hilarious. This author has a knack for writing good humor and dialogue.

The main character, Charlize or "Charlie"as she likes to be called, is introduced by her decision to write a guide to love for her great grand niece. She thought she knew what she needs to have a successful and happy life but she begins to have doubts. You see, Charlie was so cynical about her love life, that she was certain that she will never have children of her own. Her life was moving fast and the thought of turning 30, being chronically single, and having to be the maid of honor at her younger sister's wedding has her overwhelmed. My goodness how could she go on?!
It was her feeling that she needed to pass on her knowledge of love and dating to someone, someone that could benefit by learning about all her bad decisions. There are several entries that Charlie puts in her notebook that are so absolutely funny. Those entries themselves kept me giggling. To help Charlie with her complicated personal life is her boss, Drew Stanton, a famous movie star. She is his personal assistant and closest friend. He is a standard Hollywood leading man often swayed with the hottest new trends and vacation spots.

The way Charlie struggles to maintain sanity as she provides the voice of reason to her eccentric boss, being peacemaker between her sister and parents and trying to pursue an attractive Hollywood photographer is hysterical. My favorite moments are between Charlie and her boss, Drew. Drew lacks the typical characteristics other authors use for their movie stars making them into ego-obsessed jerkos. For as wacky and spacey as Drew is even I can't help but to like the guy. He tries his best to find love and help Charlie on her way to a decent relationship. And being a very odd fellow, his ideas often turn out a little silly and embarrassing. I never knew what to expect with him, other than a good laugh.

The only thing I found rather annoying is the extremity to which Charlie's family was written. It seemed at times a bit over the top and I was becoming irritated by the constant drama. Still it was written to be funny and that goal was accomplished. Overall it was a funny book, and it sure did make me laugh.

Quote of the Week

Those who have the privilege to know have the duty to act.

-Albert Einstein

Reference Desk how may I NOT help you.

A patron called the reference line in need of assistance. She was very demanding, uncooperative and insulting to me and my students. (Faculty member) My student answered the phone and passed the call to me due to the rude behavior. The patron initially sounded a little confused but became hostile.

She called several times, with each call insisting that I was incompetent, talked too much and didn't know anything about working in a library, etc. hanging up on me each time before I could answer a question. What was confusing about being told I talked too much (and her each time as nearly as one can say ‚“shut up‚” to another with out actually saying those words) was that I could hardly respond. She demanded that I give her my name and number and proceeded to tell me that I did not know how to do my job and must obviously have no experience in library services. (Oh, yeah 10 years, just not enough experience.)

As I tried to keep asking her what she needed, because she had in fact asked multiple questions which I assumed she had wanted answered such as: Are you a librarian? How long have you worked here? Is there a librarian on duty there? For how long? Who is it? What are your hours? Who can I talk to? Can I come there and talk to one today?

Because her string of questions hardly ceased I was unable to determine her problem. I wanted to find out the reason for the call before referring her to another and she was unwilling to provide me with any information. I was unclear if she wanted to have a private consultation, if someone was working on research for her or if she had a problem finding information. Typically when I begin a conversation with a patron asking for reference assistance I like to determine the topic/problem. I ask what they need help with. Then I ask other questions as needed to determine how to resolve their inquiry weather it being finding a solution or forwarding the patron to a specifically skilled librarian. I have discovered that some patrons, usually faculty/staff are very particular with whom they speak. I suppose instead of trying to answer any of her questions I should have forwarded her to the librarian she knows. That I see was my mistake.

The faculty-lady's condescending nature was unacceptable. None of her remarks to me were taken too personal, I am irritated. I realize there are difficult people in this world and not everyone can remain calm. That does not excuse the behavior nor does it make me feel confident that this would not happen again to the student staff. After this incident the two students on staff inquired on how to handle being verbally abused. I don't have a perfect answer to this, other than try as best you can to assist the person without falling victim to copying the temperament of the patron. I told them to remain calm, cool and in control of their emotions, and not under any circumstance become angry. And if the interaction were to become out of control then to contact a supervisor.

I am interested in knowing how situations such as this are dealt with and what you expect the student staff to do in these circumstances. Anyone else have these problems?

Self medicating animals

Recently I watched a program on PBS, Animals Like Us-Medicine, about self medicating animals. It was very fascinating. Current research has shown that animals use plant and insect substances to treat themselves.

Interesting Highlights:

Wooly bears (caterpillars) will eat poison hemlock to survive being parasitized. Parasitic flies inject their eggs into the plump wooly bear's body. These caterpillars have a very healthy appetite and grow fast eating lupine which makes them a smart target for a fly. The fly larva develops inside the wooly bear's abdomen, living off its fat and eventually taking up the whole abdominal space. Once it's ready the maggot will make a hole in its host and emerge from the caterpillar's body. The result is the caterpillar dies. Those wooly bears eating poison hemlock were more likely to survive than the ones eating lupine. The poison hemlock somehow protects it against the effects of the parasitoid, although it does not get rid of the fly. How fascinating.

Chimpanzees in Africa have been observed eating leaves atypical to their diet. During the wet season, when parasites are prevalent, they will seek out and consume the leaves from plants of the Aspilia genus to rid their intestines of worms. The chimps will gently fold the large bristly hair covered leaves and swallow them whole. They will swallow many leaves, hundreds, slowly and carefully until their stomachs are full. Eventually the leaves are excreted whole, undigested with the parasitic worms stuck to leaf hairs and trapped within the folds. This is very clever. Using the numerous hairy leaves to pass through the gastrointestinal tract scour-like flushing out the bothersome worms.

There were many others but these were the two I thought were very interesting. I'd like to see this program again. Animals have plenty to teach us about healing. I wonder how this important health and how medical knowledge is passed on to the next generation?