February 2012
1 post
“Books are only one aspect of what libraries and librarians are about....”
– An article what I wrote - from the Guardian’s Beyond books: what it takes to be a 21st century librarian (via libraryjournal)
December 2011
2 posts
Out, out damn Gleek →
A little late, but I’m so glad I found this post. The episode of Glee that it reviews left me feeling uneasy too but I couldn’t quite articulate why, this sums it up precisely.
November 2011
2 posts
A Librarian's Worth
ImageSource: MastersinEducation.org
7 Billion: How did we get so big so fast?
October 2011
1 post
September 2011
2 posts
August 2011
5 posts
999 fonts in 60 seconds
This is hypnotic:
Linotype: The Film
“Linotype: The Film” Official Trailer from Linotype: The Film on Vimeo.
2 tags
Film Review: Sarah's Key
I wasn’t sure at first whether the two parallel stories (one set in 1942, the other present day) would work easily side by side. The atmosphere of the earlier scenes was so intense that it felt jarring to be jumped back to the present. This feeling didn’t last for long however; the emotion of the modern story started to intensify as Julia (Kristin Scott Thomas) learnt more about the...
The State of Digital Education
Created by Knewton and Column Five Media
July 2011
2 posts
PeopleMovin →
This fascinates me. Check out the almost identical movement from Russia - Ukraine and vice versa. What is the reason for that?
June 2011
15 posts
2 tags
Book Review: The Emperor's Spy by M.C. Scott
I was given this book at Christmas but have been saving it so I could give it my full attention. When you’re looking forward to something so much there is a risk you can over hype it and eventually be disappointed. Well you’ll be pleased to hear that’s not the case here.
I loved this book. With no other writer of historical fiction have I ever felt so completely transported to another time and...
WatchKilling the Net (via www.librarybazaar.com)
2 tags
Film Review: Far From Heaven
As I watched this film I couldn’t help compare it to Douglas Sirk’s All That Heaven Allows, both visually (there’s no mistaking the comparisons; the opening shot is identical) and in the plot (the two central characters Cathy and Cary are leading parallel lives). The social issues however have changed we’ve moved on from class to race and sexuality.
This is melodrama, but...
2 tags
Film Review: The Prestige
This film is all about secrets and how living with those secrets destroys the lives of the men who keep them. It’s a difficult film to watch as you’ll find little to like about the two central characters, Robert Angier and Alfred Borden. Yet you’ll be compelled by the mystery, drawn in to the story hoping to discover just what it is that these two men are fighting over.
I found...
2 tags
Film Review: Made in Dagenham
I have put off watching Made in Dagenham for quite some time. When it came out I wasn’t sure that I was ready for another worthy British film in the vein of Calendar Girls or Brassed Off. I’m glad I waited because I was definitely ready for it now.
It was emotional and inspiring, and even better it taught me something about the not too distant history of my country. I was completely...
A new professional's reflection on presentations
Mark burgess abridged beginners guide View more presentations from libraryemma
38 Life Lessons I’ve Learned in 38 Years →
I have recently found no. 3, 20 and 21 to be true
2 tags
Film Review: A Prophet
After watching this film my wife said to me ‘I’ll know what to do if I ever get sent to jail’. I’m not sure I’d have the balls to do what Malik does. Seemingly out of his depth, a naive loner, he uses his position on the edge of two warring factions to rise to the top of the hierarchy.
Tahar Rahim’s performance is exceptional. Throughout the film I had no idea...
2 tags
Film Review: The Girl Who Played with Fire
A classic middle of a trilogy film - all middle, with little set-up or conclusion. Sadly I don’t think the film conveyed as much of the suspense that was created in the book. Much more could have been done with the trafficking storyline surrounding the Millennium article which opens up the connections between Bjurman and Zala. The saving grace is Noomi Rapace who is as engaging as ever as...
May 2011
7 posts
Why you should get serious about the mobile web
Why you should get serious about the mobile web View more presentations from Tijs Vrolix
Typo Berlin, in sketchbook form →
On wearing suits →
March 2011
9 posts
Have You Ordered Textbooks Yet? →
No-brainer Usability: the new Twitter iPhone app →
3 tags
Beer Review: Duvel (8.5%)
Brewery: Duvel Moortgat
Location: Home
Rating: 5/10 - golden and hoppy with an aromatic flavour. Just not to my taste.
3 tags
Beer Review: Leffe Brune (6.5%)
Brewery: InBev - Leffe
Location: Home
Rating: 8/10 - rich and syrupy. A full-flavoured light bitter
3 tags
Beer Review: Brakspear Bitter (3.4%)
Brewery: Brakspear, Witney
Location: Home
Rating: 8/10 - light and refreshing. In a word, yummy.
2 tags
Film Review: Animal Kingdom
Early on in the film there’s a quote about fear; everyone in this film is scared or paranoid, or both. Each character brings a different perspective on this and I almost felt I took on their individual fears at different points throughout the film.
James Frecheville does a fine job as J, never meeting anyone’s eye and trying to pass by unnoticed. Jacki Weaver is indeed excellent as...
February 2011
4 posts
2 tags
Film Review: 24 Hour Party People
Steve Coogan is excellent as Tony Wilson and I especially liked how he interacted with us as the audience; it made you feel like you were part of it all. It’s one of those great British films where you find yourself saying “ooh it’s thingy from that TV show” every five minutes. The music’s great too - I’ve found myself listening to nothing but Joy Division...
One month without Facebook and Twitter →
4 tags
Beer Review: Abingdon Bridge (4.1%)
Brewery: Loose Cannon, Abingdon
Location: Oxford Hawks Hockey Club
Rating: 6/10 - decent bitter, dark and a bit fruity. Unfortunately looked better than it tasted.
