A Video from what may seem like ancient times

This news report was produced in 1981. I was sixteen years old. It's interesting to note that the word "Internet" is not even a glint in anybody's eye here; at least, the Internet we know today.

V, the remake

One of the reasons why I don't watch much prime-time TV is the programming mimics or even remakes TV shows from the past (one example would be Battlestar Galactica).

I just read from CNN.com, the ABC Television has on the drawing board plans for the remake of V, the miniseries about alien invasion that originally aired on NBC in 1983.

I enjoyed V even to the point that when my supervisor decided to weed the videotape series from the A-V collection, I decided to take the tapes home instead of having them thrown to waste.

But still, I need to be convinced that prime-time television can bring something original to the plate instead of something that's rehashed.

No More Herm Warfare for the Chiefs

The next few seasons will be fun and interesting for the Chiefs. Best wishes Mr. Pioli and Mr. Hunt for the future of the Chiefs.

Free Content on the Web boost your sales? Yes, indeed!!!

A few posts ago, I embedded a video of The Muppets' Beaker and his clones singing Ode to Joy. What I failed to mention was Muppet Inc's (for lack of a better corporate designation) agreement with the folks at YouTube to post various Muppet sketches on the free video sharing site.
Basically, I believe this to be a marketing ploy by the Muppets: tease potential viewers with free content and eventually they will blaze a path to the DVD store and buy season one, two, and three, and so on of the Muppet show. And I think for this to work, you have to be part of an entertainment organization that has already carved their niche in the market.
Another icon to use this ploy is Monty Python. It is documented that they have an agreement with YouTube for their YouTube channel. As a result, MP DVD sales on Amazon are abundant. (Read: Can Free Content Boost Your Sales? Yes, It Can)
I am amazed of what YouTube represents: a KC Librarian can post his web cam speech and still an entertainment giant like The Muppets or Monty Python can use it to promote their interests. If only Python would share their financial gains with me.
Here's an example of what I found on The Monty Python YouTube channel.

Gotta love Dewey's approach

If only this worked 100% of the time in the computer lab...

Noting an actor's passing

When I first started work at the KCKPL library, my then-supervisor recommended a cult television show to watch on video tape. The Prisoner starred Patrick McGoohan. It's sort of hard to describe the plot of the show. Let's just say it was based on all sorts of elements ranging from fantasy to the absurd. Years later, McGoohan would play King Edward I in Mel Gibson's Braveheart.

I learn of Mr. McGoohan's passing this week while surfing through Unshelved's website. Included in their site was this comic strip sendoff paying tribute to both the television series and Mr. McGoohan. To the uninitiated, this strip will make no sense. It will make perfect sense to fans of The Prisoner.

Prayer for all snared in our economic crisis

This request is not only for me, but for all caught in our economic troubles and wondering whether a job will be there next day, next month, next year......

I won't describe my situation but will sum up. Our library system will be going through some hardship for the next couple of years.

Please pray not only for me, but for all public librarians across the nation who have or will have to go through this crisis.

Thanks,
The KC Librarian

An operetta that may make Gilbert & Sullivan envious

This weekend I'm watching a DVD that my uncle sent me for Christmas. No it's not a popular movie or even a musical. Well....
It is a musical but not one designed for Broadway. Well, er, maybe a Broadway producer may get wind of it and pay high dollar for the script and music.
It's an operetta (done in the same styling of a Gilbert & Sullivan show) called "Leave It All to Me." And the reason why it has such appeal to me is PL, a family member from Oklahoma, and a close colleague of his wrote this operetta back in the 1940's. My uncle decided to put on this operetta in November 2008 as part of a church fundraising activity in Richland, WA. Members of his church comprise the cast of this show. My uncle had the forethought to tape this show on his camcorder and he burned a copy of the show and sent it to me as part of a Christmas gift.

Judging by the applause at the end, it looks like the show was well-received. After the show, my uncle introduced PL (who is approaching his ninetieth birthday) to the audience.

The Shrinking Metro North Mall

I just got back from shopping for birthday cards. I went to the card shop at Metro North Mall which is about a mile east of my house. Metro is fast losing its retailers. While walking through the mall it seemed that only 25% of the shops were occupied with a couple of the shops having store closing sales--all inventory must go.
This comes as no surprise as I was told a few months back that both Metro North Mall as well as Metcalf South Mall in OPKS are shutting down and to be replaced by residential development in the form of houses or apartment complexes. I have no clear timetable as to when these changes will be complete.