NYCC 2014: A How-to Guide

One of the official posters for New York Comic Con

(The best one, actually, because: Batman.)

This October marked the ninth-ever New York Comic Con, the comic book and pop culture convention held annually in Manhattan. The con made history this year when it topped 150,000 attendees, officially surpassing the attendance of the much older San Diego Comic Con by some 20,000. It made NYCC the biggest comic book convention in the country -- at least for the moment.

This year also marked my sixth time to NYCC, and, as always, I had an absolute blast. With half a dozen New York conventions under my belt, it occurred to me I might be uniquely qualified to offer some advice to you: how to have the best New York Comic Con (or any comic con) experience possible.

After all, NYCC 2015 is only eleven and a half short months away!  So read on for some insider tricks and tips, and start planning your trip today ...

-- DO: Get the insider scoop on upcoming comics

Spider-Gwen

If you're attending New York Comic Con, chances are good that you have at least a passing familiarity with comic books. But the truth of the matter is, whether you're a comics collector, a former fan, or you've never picked up a comic book in your life -- a convention is the perfect place to find out more about this unique storytelling form.

It's also the place to be to hear the newest announcements about upcoming books, events, and new media adaptations of your favorite comics and characters. And it's a particularly exciting time to be a comic book fan, as the industry begins to branch out and try new approaches to bring in fresh (and previously untapped) audiences. Whether it was the announcement of a new Spider-Man book starring Gwen Stacy (played by actress Emma Stone in the Amazing Spider-Man films), an upcoming crossover book entitled (yes, really) Archie Meets Predator, or the special release of an exclusive version of the new Sleepy Hollow comic book (based on the hit FOX series), NYCC is the place to unlock your inner comics nerd.

-- DON'T: Forget that comics influence all sorts of new mediums

The comic-turned-television series, "Powers"

New technologies are changing the way we watch television. DVRs and On-Demand services let us watch the TV shows we want to watch when we want to watch them. And with the creation of such series as Orange is the New Black, House of Cards, and Transparent, Netflix and Amazon.com have created hit shows that bypass both networks and cable television, making them available instead through the internet. (Most interesting of all: Netflix and Amazon.com release the entirety of their seasons at once, allowing viewers to "binge watch" a new show, rather than having to wait from week to week for each new episode.)

Now a new company is getting in on the on-demand action: Sony. Later this year will see the release of Powers, a show based on a long-running comic book by the same name. What makes the show so unique?  Only PlayStation owners will be able to watch it, streaming the sci-fi show through their gaming devices.

The cast and creators of Powers were on hand at NYCC to discuss their upcoming show -- and the unique way in which it will be available to viewers. It's a new move for PlayStation, and, if successful, may help to continue ushering in a new era of how we watch television.

-- DO: Keep your eyes peeled for celebrities

King George

One of the funny quirks about NYCC (and many other major comic cons): you don't hear about the guests until well after the tickets have all sold out. And sometimes, you don't hear about the guests until you're sitting down for the Tomorrowland panel and George Clooney makes a surprise Comic Con appearance.

But the stars aren't always a surprise. The Birdman panel and its guests were announced well in advance -- exciting news for fans of Michael Keaton and Edward Norton. Other celebrities of the long weekend included Amy Sedaris, Kevin Smith, Patrick Stewart, Mike Tyson, Karl Urban, Orlando Jones, Ron Perlman, Adam West, director Brad Bird, authors Jeff Kinney and Kim Harrison, and cast members from such shows as Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead.

-- DO: Look for what you love

CBS's "Elementary" panel

NYCC is a comic book convention -- but the truth of the matter is, you don't really need to be a comics fan to enjoy the con. There are panels and programs on TV shows, upcoming films, authors and their novels, and other pop culture phenomena.

Which is just another way of saying that the con has something for everyone. Case in point: our regular readers will remember that I am a major Sherlock Holmes fan. So I was sure not to miss CBS's Elementary panel, which featured show stars Jonny Lee Miller (Sherlock Holmes) and Lucy Liu (Joan Watson), as well as Ophelia Lovibond (playing new series regular Kitty Winter) and show director John Polson. The panelists promised exciting things ahead for the show, and the first, unaired episode of the new season was specially screened for the audience.

For me, getting a personal wave from Jonny Lee Miller was the highlight of the con. Such tiny moments abound at such conventions -- so make sure to seek out panels and programs about the stories you love best. They're out there!

-- DON'T: Stick to the convention floor

The Captains: William Shatner and Patrick Stewart

NYCC hasn't just expanded their numbers -- they've also expanded their venue. In addition to the convention itself, there was a new event offered this year: New York Super Week.

Spread out in locations across Manhattan, New York Super Week offered a plethora of extra programs throughout the con's weekend, as well as in the days leading up to NYCC. Events included a "StarTalk" with physicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, a live NRP show with guest Neil Gaiman, and (my personal favorite) an evening with the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation, moderated by the original Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner. While you certainly don't have to leave the con to have fun, Super Week is an opportunity to see some of your favorite stars outside of the convention halls -- and with guaranteed seating.



-- DON'T: Restrict yourself to the con

The (Jackie Kennedy Onassis) Reservoir in Central Park

It's no secret to those who know me: New York is my favorite of cities. If you're in town for the con, you might think about taking a day off from convention-going to explore the city itself. (I'd recommend skipping Sunday, one of the most crowded con days and one which is geared specifically towards the smaller set; many of the programs and panels are for kids).

Early October generally makes for beautiful weather in New York City, so you might take a stroll through Times Square for lunch or even make a trip out to Central Park. If you want to get out of Manhattan, there's the Bronx Zoo or the Brooklyn Flea Market. And that is, of course, just for starters. There's no end of things to do in NYC; just pick up a travel guide or try a Google search (or, of course, ask your friendly neighborhood librarian), and see what the city has to offer.

DO: be sure to take awesome pictures.

Pictures of people dressed up as Calvin and Hobbes are always awesome.

-- Post by Ms. B

Have You Zine the News?

Pictured above is the front cover of the first-ever issue of "The Barcode Project," Monroeville Public Library's teen-created zine.

What is a zine?  It takes its name from the shortened form of "magazine," and it is, in essence, a mini-version of a magazine in itself. Zines feature collections of stories, poems, essays, and artwork by independent artists and authors, and are usually distributed (often for free) to the local community.

"The Barcode Project" was a labor of love from MPL's Teen Writing Group, featuring poetry, interviews, humorous essays, pictures and comic strips -- and short stories that ran the genre gamut, from historical fiction and adventure to sci-fi and parody. The first issue was published this spring and offered for free here at the library, allowing the teens' original work to be enjoyed across the community. (You can still stop in at the front desk to pick up your free copy!)

July 21st is International Zine Day (part of July's International Zine Month celebration). In honor of the occasion, read on to discover a little about the history and culture of zines.

And if you know any teens who would like to submit their work to The Barcode Project?  Tell them to drop by MPL's Owl Post to submit a story or ask a question about our next issue!

Denver Public Library's zine display

All About Zines:

-- Stolen Sharpie Revolution - More about International Zine Month.

-- The Zine Pavilion - A librarian-run page all about the world of zines.

-- Zines @ CLP - A great list of resources on zines, including some zine recommenations.

-- Brooklyn Zine Fest - The Brooklyn Historical Society held a "zine fest" this year. Read all about it!

-- The History of Zines (on ZineWiki) - Straight from zine fans themselves, read about the history of the zine.

-- Rookie Mag: How to Make a Zine - A do-it-yourself guide for making your own zine.

Volume 2 of "The Barcode Project," coming this fall to Monroeville Public Library

-- Post by Ms. B

Come Fly With Me

This July 2nd marks the 77th anniversary of one of the biggest unsolved mysteries of all time: the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, a pilot attempting to make history as the first woman to fly around the world. But while we remain primarily fascinated with her today due to the unanswered questions surrounding her disappearance, it's worth noting that she was considered a heroic figure long before her final flight.

Amelia Earhart spent her childhood sledding, climbing trees, and hunting rats with a .22 rifle. She also, from an early age, admired women who defied the conventions of the time, even putting together a scrapbook of newspaper clippings about women who had succeeded in male-dominated fields like film directing, law, management, and engineering.

At age 23, she took her first piloting lesson, and she purchased her very own, second-hand plane a scant six months later with money she's saved from her job as a social worker in Boston. She promptly used her new ride to set her first record: the first woman to fly to an altitude of 14,000 feet.

Earhart would set many other records, such as becoming the first woman (and the second person, ever, after Charles Lindbergh) to fly solo across the Atlantic ocean. Her dangerous, and daring, accomplishment resulted in President Herbert Hoover awarding her a gold medal from the National Geographic Society, while Congress made history by giving Earhart the Distinguished Flying Cross -- the first time the Cross had ever been awarded to a woman. Later, in 1935, she became the first person (of either gender) to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean, from Honolulu to California.

On the cusp of her 40th birthday, Earhart decided to try for one final record: to become the first woman to fly around the world. When she set off with navigator Fred Noonan on June 1, 1937, it was actually her second attempt to make the trip; the first, earlier that spring, had failed when her plane had undergone severe damage.

It was a highly dangerous trip to make in 1937. Still, by July, Earhart had only 7,000 miles remaining to complete the trip and set her record. But the next leg of the journey -- a 2,500-mile stretch from New Guinea to Howland Island -- was by far the hardest to navigate. Howland Island is only a mile and a half long and a half-mile wide, and frequently changing weather conditions add to the difficulty. Though the weather reports promised ideal conditions, the sky quickly turned cloudy, and navigator Noonan apparently lost his bearings. Earhart radioed for assistance from a U.S. Coast Guard cutter, stationed just offshore of the island, but her radio signal was breaking up. Earhart, Noonan, and the plane all ultimately disappeared.

A rescue attempt was launched. The U.S. government spent $4 million to search 250,000 square miles of ocean (the most extensive air and sea search in the history of the navy). Ultimately, no clue was found as to precisely what became of her, her navigator, or her plane.

To this day, no one can say with certainty what happened to Amelia Earhart. (Though theories abound ... and abound and abound.) While freshly-examined evidence points to the possibility that Earhart may have made it to a small island and survived for days or even weeks, the results are still inconclusive. (See our links below for more information.)

What is certain, however, is the Amelia Earhart will always be remembered for her courage, skill, intelligence, and decided love of adventure.

"Please know I am quite aware of the hazards. I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others."

Find Out More 

-- The Official Website of Amelia Earhart

Includes quotes, photos, and a timeline of Earhart's life.

-- Will We Ever ... Discover What Happened to Amelia Earhart? - from BBC.com

A look at the compelling, if not conclusive, evidence surrounding the mystery of Earhart's disappearance. Includes discussion on the artifacts that may point to Earhart surviving for weeks on a deserted island.

-- Amelia Earhart Reenactment Flight

Named after the legendary pilot (though she's of no relation), the 31-year-old Amelia Rose Earhart is attempting this summer to complete her namesake's goal of flying around the world. Track her progress here.



From the Catalog:

-- The Fun of It: Random Records of My Own Flying and of Women in Aviation by Amelia Earhart

-- 20 hrs, 40 min -- Our Flight in the Friendship: The American Girl, First Across the Atlantic by Air, Tells Her Story by Amelia Earhart

-- Amelia Earhart: The Mystery Solved by Elgen M. Long and Marie K. Long

-- Amelia Earhart: The Thrill of It by Susan Wels

-- Where's Amelia Earhart? [DVD] - a National Geographic special

-- Amelia [DVD] - a 2009 film starring Hilary Swank in the title role

-- Post by Ms. B

Summer Reading 2014

Summer Reading 2014 @ Monroeville Public Library!

Monday, June 9 kicks off our Summer Reading Programs here at MPL -- for kids, teens, and adults alike. Read on to find out more about our programs for you and your family this summertime season!

For Kids:

Fizz, Boom, Read with this year's summer reading theme! Children who have not yet started first grade can sign up for the Read To Me Club, where parents keep a list of at least 20 books that they share with their child. Older students can participate in the Summer Reading Club, where the goal is to read at least 10 books throughout the summer. There will be activities for all ages, contests, and prizes.

For Teens:

On June 9th, Monroeville Public Library will kick off its annual Teen Summer Reading (TSR) program. TSR is open to all students going into grades 6-12. Students read all summer to participate in a Chinese auction of prizes -- as well as getting the chance to attend a variety of summer activities, from movie marathons and stargazing parties to science crafts and Doctor Who events. There are special weekly drawings for extra prizes, and every teen who reads at least 10 books or writes three book reviews will be eligible for a special gift card. We'll wrap up the summer with our annual ending program party.

Stop by the Welcome Desk to get your rating slips and program packet, or register online starting June 9!

Login here starting June 9th to register and track your Summer Reading.

For Adults:

What elements make up a great summer? Check out Monroeville Public Library's "Literary Elements" Adult Summer Reading Program to find out! The Adult program will run concurrently with the children’s and teen’s programs, so get your whole family involved.

For every book read or audiobook listened to, receive a ticket good for this year's prizes. Our Grand Prize is a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 tablet! Be sure to turn in your raffle tickets often -- we're giving away prizes on June 23, July 7, July 21 and August 4. ALL entries will be eligible for the Grand Prize, drawn August 11.

Also, the first 30 people to register will receive a small prize!

The more you read, the more chances you have of winning!

Login here starting June 9th to register and track your Summer Reading.

We Will Ragnarök You

It's pretty good timing. The newest Marvel Studios movie -- Thor: The Dark World -- is newly available through the Library Catalog this week. The film brings to life such characters as Thor, Odin, Frigga, and Loki -- the mythological figures from the Viking pantheon.

The DVD's been released just in time for Ragnarök -- the long-prophetized "Twilight of the Gods" that serves as the Viking apocalypse. According to mythology, Ragnarök comes about with the release of the wolf Fenrir and the giant snake Jörmungandr. The gods rise to fight the monsters and successfully defeat them -- though the gods themselves die in the process. (Norse mythology is not for the faint of heart.)

According to some experts, Ragnarök was predicted by the Vikings for this very Saturday, February 22. So in honor of the occasion, we're looking at the mythology behind some of our favorite Norse gods. (And be sure to check out Padraic Colum's take on the Twilight of the Gods for all the best Ragnarök coverage!)


Thor

Aside from being red-haired (not blonde), the mythological Thor is not so different from his comic book counterpart. A sky god, he wields the power of thunder and lightning when fighting his enemies (most often, the giants). He also has Mjölnir, the fancy-dancy hammer he can be seen wielding in his Chris Hemsworth incarnation. The defender of the gods, Thor also has a key role to play in Ragnarök, defeating the giant serpent Jörmungandr.

BEST MYTH: 
How Thor Triumphed - To hear Loki tell it, Thor gets into almost as much trouble as Loki himself. Still, the thunder god does alright on his own -- as he does in this tale, when he saves the day (and the gods' feast) through his own strength and cunning.



Odin

Known as the Allfather, Odin is the king of the gods and the ruler of Asgard (the gods' home). He was known as both a warrior god as well as the god of wisdom: he loses his eye not in battle, but rather gives it up as a sacrifice in his quest to drink from the Well of Mimir, which contains great knowledge and wisdom. He has two ravens named Thought and Memory, and rides an eight-legged horse called Slepnir.

BEST MYTH:
Odin Goes to Mimir's Well - Read all about Odin's journey to the well of wisdom, the first of his adventures as Vegtam the Wanderer.



Frigga

The wife of Odin, Frigga was queen of Asgard and Thor's stepmom. As Odin was often away, Frigga often lived in a palace of her own and spent much of her time alone, working at her spinning wheel. She was said to often have a melancholy about her, as she had the power to see the future (and the eventual downfall of the gods) -- though she never revealed what she saw.

BEST MYTH:
Odin Faces an Evil Man - Frigga and Odin are spending some time living on earth in the guise of mere mortals when they take in two foster children. Though Odin favors the more adventurous boy, Frigga dotes on the kid who's quiet and compassionate. It's not hard to guess which god is proven to be the best judge of character.



Loki

In the Marvel movies and comics, Loki is the adopted brother of Thor -- but in the original mythology, Loki is actually Thor's uncle. A trickster god (who's really a descendant of the giants), Loki is generally neither good nor evil, but rather a mischief-maker who spends as much time causing trouble as he does fixing it. His alliances seem to depend on the particular tale you're reading, and scholars have debated for centuries on his true role in Norse mythology.

BEST MYTH: 
Iduna and Her Apples - The gods of Asgard rely on the goddess Iduna, and the golden apples she grows, to maintain their youth and immortality. When Loki uses trickery to betray Iduna and save his own skin, it's only his wit and cunning that can rescue her -- making this story a good look into Loki's dual nature.

Asgard -- home of the gods

From the Catalog:

-- The Children of Odin: The Book of Northern Myths by Padraic Colum

Using an overarching narrative, Colum weaves together the various short stories of Norse mythology into a (mostly) cohesive whole. A highly recommended primer.

-- Gods and Heroes from Viking Mythology by Brian Branston; illustrations by Giovanni Caselli.

This fully-illustrated anthology offers some richer details on the myths and legends of the Norse gods and giants.

-- The Prose Edda: Norse Mythology by Snorri Sturluson; translated by Jesse L. Byock
The Poetic Eddas: The Mythological Poems translated by Henry Adams Bellows

Want the complete, uncut text of the original myths?  Try these translations of the Prose and Poetic Eddas, which were compiled in the 13th century. Together, they comprise our primary sources of Norse mythological tales.

-- Favorite Norse Myths retold by Mary Pope Osborne; illustrated by Troy Howell.

Suitable for all ages, Osborne retells several tales from the Prose and Poetic Eddas. Her elegant prose is well-matched with lush illustrations from Howell.

Thor facing off against Jörmungandr, the "Midgard serpent"

From Around the Web:

-- Vikings Of The World, Unite In Battle: The Apocalypse Is Upon Us - from NPR. A look at the influences and inspirations for the Norse apocalypse.

-- The Apocalypse Starts Saturday, at Least According To The Vikings - Time Magazine offers some humorous advice for celebrating Ragnarök.

-- Save the Date: The Viking Apocalypse Ragnarok Happens This Weekend - Jezebel.com takes a look at the timing of Ragnarök.

-- Mythology Bookshelf - From Project Gutenberg. Check out an in-depth look at the Eddas online, as well as other mythological tales from cultures around the world.



-- Post by Ms. B

Tea for Two

"A cup of tea would restore my normality."

-- Douglas Adams

You can use it as a dye, soothe sunburns and bee stings, brew a facial, or use it in recipes. Or, of course, you can drink it.

January is National Hot Tea Month, and with the current cold weather snap, there's really no better time to get into the habit of afternoon (or morning, or evening) tea.

Averaging about 60 percent less caffeine than coffee (many herbal teas, of course, have none at all), tea can calm fraught nerves (chamomile), soothe a queasy stomach (peppermint and, especially, ginger), and even provide antioxidants (green tea).

So sit back and relax with your favorite blend (mine happens to be the not-particularly-fancy Orange Herbal Tea from Lipton). Happy sipping!

LINKS:

-- Tea Pittsburgh: Margaret's Fine Imports - This shop in Squirrel Hill imports dozens of loose tea blends, as well as teapots, mugs, tea services, and bagged teas from England, Ireland, Wales, Poland, and across America. Their website features tea "recipes," other uses for tea, and information about their tea-tasting classes.

-- Twinings Tea - This 300-year-old London tea company features a "history of tea" timeline, information on the types of teas, and even a glossary of "tea terms."

-- Adagio Teas - This company allows users to design their own recipes for unique tea blends, many with pop culture references. Try some Doctor Who, Harry Potter, or superhero-themed blends.

-- Jane Austen and the Drinking of Tea - A blog entry on author Jane Austen's connection to the rituals and enjoyments of tea.

-- Hot Stuff: Grown Your Own Tea From Your Garden - Tips from ABC.com on how to grow and brew your own homemade tea.

-- Celebrate Hot Tea Month - 31 suggestions from About.com on how to celebrate Hot Tea month, including new flavors, better brewing methods, and ways to cook with tea.

-- Literary Teas - A collection of quotes, from a variety of authors and novels, on the merits of tea.

Tea and a Good Book:

Try these cozy reads the next time you settle down with a hot cup of tea:

-- Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard - The science and spirituality of nature, as experienced through the four seasons in Tinker Creek, Virginia.

-- Do or Diner by Christine Wenger - Trixie Matkowski's just taken the reins as manager of a small-town diner. Things are off to a bad start when a health inspector winds up murdered over the Blue Plate Special.

-- Middlemarch by George Eliot - A serialized novel, this epic saga explores the life and times of country living in central England during the 1830s.

-- The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery - Exploring philosophy and class structure, this French novel follows the story of a widowed woman who works as a concierge -- and who becomes acquainted with the upperclass child prodigy who lives in her building.

-- The Eternity Artifact by L. E. Modesitt, Jr. - Half science fiction, half conspiracy thriller, this novel brings together an unlikely crew to explore what may be evidence of intelligent alien life.

-- Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh - A hilarious (and fully illustrated) memoir by the clever, funny, and honest writer/artist behind the "Hyperbole and a Half" blog.

-- The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner - This historical YA read features magic and mystery on the cusp of the French Revolution.

"Tea. Earl Grey. Hot."

Star Trek's Captain Picard always appreciates a good cup of hot tea.

-- Post by Ms. B 

Bye Bye Love

Phil (left) and Don (right) Everly

On Friday, January 3, 2014, one half of one of the most beloved duos passed away. Phil Everly, born January 19, 1939, along with his older brother Don created beautiful and moving harmonies that have continued to influence musicians to this day.

Their career started in the mid 1950s just when rock and roll was starting out. They, along with artists such as Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and many others paved the way.

The influence of their music can still be felt in many of today's musicians. And just recently Norah Jones and Green Day's Billie Jo Armstrong made a record of covers of Everly Brothers songs called Foreverly.

Read on for tributes and articles from around the web:

-- Singer Phil Everly -- Half of Legendary Everly Brothers -- Dies - From CNN.

-- Phil Everly, of Everly Brothers fame, dies at 74, wife says - From Fox News.

-- Phil Everly, Everly Brothers Vocal Legend, Dead at 74 - From Rolling Stone.

-- Linda Ronstadt and others remember Phil Everly (1939-2014) - From The Los Angeles Times.

-- Phil Everly's Son Jason Remembers His Rock Pioneer Dad: Exclusive - From Rolling Stone.

-- Phil Everly's Last Interview: Thoughts on 'Foreverly,' Gene Autry, Being 'Happy at 74' - From The Hollywood Reporter

-- Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong: The Dark Traditions of Phil Everly - From The Wall Street Journal.

Click here to see The Everly Brothers perform Wake Up Little Susie

From the Catalog:

Click here for various albums and collections of The Everly Brothers music.

Foverly [CD] by Norah + Billie Jo

Ike's Boys : The Story of The Everly Brothers [book] by Phyllis Karpp.


--Post by Tracy

About Time

Perhaps one of the best byproducts of humanity's timekeeping methods is the idea of a new year -- a time when the cycle rolls over and everybody is given a fresh start. New Year's Day is all about beginnings, making it a great opportunity to set new goals (or vow to quit old habits).

So ring in the new year with this round-up of holiday celebrations, resolutions, and some tips on timekeeping.

Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve in Paris

Celebrating the new year:


-- Happy New Year 2014 - The Atlantic showcases 37 photos from New Year's celebrations around the world.

-- New Year's 2014 Celebrations - Another collection of images worldwide, coming from Voice of America.

-- Senators' New Year's Resolutions - A six-question quiz from the Washington Post. Can you match the U.S. senator to their New Year's resolution?

-- 7 New Year's Resolutions That Take 5 Seconds Each - From Mashable.com. Some creative ideas for new year's resolutions (and tips on how to keep them!).

-- The Science Behind Failed Resolutions - Worried you lack the willpower to keep this year's resolutions?  There's some science behind our limitations. Check out this Wall Street Journal article and find out how to "build up" your brain to keep that burst of willpower going.

-- Calvin and Hobbes: Check out what Calvin and Hobbes (from the Bill Watterson-penned comic) have to say about New Year's resolutions:

* Be more open.
* Resolve not to change.
* Who needs resolutions?
* The problem with the future.
* Stick to your strengths.

And a few words on keeping time:


-- The History of Keeping Time - Humans have been keeping time for thousands of years. Find out the history of timekeeping, from sundials to digital watches. From TED-Ed (a spin-off of TED Talks).

-- Old Famers Almanac - For all your long-range weather forecasts, astronomy trivia, gardening tips, recipe offerings, natural remedy needs, and more!

-- TimeAndDate.com - Convert between time zones, print calendars, set an alarm, check out the World Clock, or create a countdown for your website. There are apps for your iPhone, Android, and laptop, too. (The Day and Night World Map is  particularly worth a look.)

-- The Official US Time - divided by time zone.

Click here to listen to the band They Might Be Giants perform "Older," 

a song all about Time.

-- Post by Ms. B

There and Back Again

A reporter for the Huffington Post called it "quite possibly the least talked about sure-to-be-blockbuster movie of all time." Which makes an introduction to this blog post feel somewhat redundant.

Even if you're not a fan, you've heard of the Lord of the Rings films, the Peter Jackson-directed trilogy of movies released every holiday season from 2001 through 2003. The films were based on the same-titled series of fantasy classics penned by author J.R.R. Tolkien.

Last year saw the release of the first film in a new trilogy from Jackson: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Based on the prequel book written by Tolkien, this new trilogy is set before the events of the Lord of the Rings, and, though a single (and shorter) book than Rings series, The Hobbit is receiving the same three-film treatment.

December 13th marks the release of the second film in the series, The Desolation of Smaug. To find out more about the making of the movie (and the book behind it), check out our resource round-up:

From the title: Smaug, the dragon of the Misty Mountains.

From the News:

-- Review Round-up - From E! Online. Critics are divided on The Desolation of Smaug. See reviews of praise and criticism from around the web.

-- A Fantasy Fan Visits The Hobbit - From Time Magazine. Author, journalist, and fantasy fan Lev Grossman gets a look behind the magic of The Desolation of Smaug.

-- 60 Images from Middle-earth - From the LA Times. A plethora of images from The Desolation of Smaug.

-- Elevenses And Then Some: How To Prepare A Feast Fit For A Hobbit - From NPR. A how-to write-up from one correspondent who holds a yearly Lord of the Rings marathon.



From the Web:

-- Middle Earth Recipes - From Merry's Mulled Cider to Sauron's Eyes (they're cookies), there's a recipe here for every occasion.

-- TheOneRing.net - "Forged by and for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien." THE website for Lord of the Rings fans.

-- The Tolkien Society - An online society of Tolkien fans.

-- The Official J.R.R. Tolkien Book Shop - Looking for a particular edition of The Two Towers?  Or curious about Tolkien's life and letters?  Check out this online bookstore.

-- My Handmade Hobbit Hole: Bag End from Lord of the Rings - Up-close photos of one fan's incredibly rendered miniature hobbit house.

Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins -- the hobbit.

From the Collection:

The Hobbit - the original book by J.R.R. Tolkien.

The Hobbit [audiobook] - listen to the story on CD or Playaway.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: Visual Companion - Photos and concept artwork from the second film in Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Visual Companion - See more about the making of the first movie. With forward by Martin Freeman.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Official Movie Guide - Find out the behind-the-scenes scoop on the shooting of the first film.

The Art of the Hobbit - The complete artwork of J.R.R. Tokien, created for his classic novel.


The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey [film] - on DVD and Bluray.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey [soundtrack] - on CD.

Click here to see Stephen Colbert (cameoing in "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug") 

schooling actor James Franco on Tolkien trivia.

-- Post by Ms. B

Master of His Fate, Captain of His Soul

"I saw that it was not just my freedom that was curtailed, but the freedom of everyone who looked like I did. That is when I joined the African National Congress, and that is when the hunger for my own freedom became the greater hunger for the freedom of my people."

He was South Africa's first black president -- a position he achieved after a twenty-eight year imprisonment for his opposition to apartheid in South Africa. On December 5, 2013, Nelson Mandela passed away at the age of 95.

Born in 1918 in the Cape of Good Hope, Mandela was the son of Chief Henry Mandela of the Xhosa-speaking Tembu people. Renouncing his claim as his father's successor, Nelson Mandela chose instead to become a lawyer, attending the University College of Fort Hare and studying law at the University of Witwatersrand. In 1952, he joined with fellow lawyer Oliver Tambo to open their own law firm -- eight years after he became a member of the African National Congress (ANC), a black-liberation group.

He was arrested for his involvement with the ANC, and sentenced to life in prison -- a sentence that was overturned after nearly thirty years. In April 1994, four years after his release from prison, Nelson Mandela was elected president in South Africa's first all-race election. In a single term, he established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (which investigated the human rights violations that had occurred under apartheid), fought to improve living conditions for the country's black population, and oversaw the enactment of a new democratic constitution. Electing not to seek a second term as president, he retired from active politics in June 1999, after the completion of his single term. For the remainder of his life, he remained an activist and a source of inspiration for those fighting for equal rights.

Read on to find out more about the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela:

-- Nelson Mandela Death: World Mourns South Africa's First Black President - from CNN. Includes a slide show of mourners gathering to pay their respects around the world.

-- Nelson Mandela: 10 Surprising Facts You Probably Didn't Know - from CNN. Did you know scientists named a nuclear particle after him?  Discover some little-known but fascinating facts about Mr. Mandela.

-- In Mandela's Own Words - from CNN. "No one is born hating another person." Eleven quotes that showcase Nelson Mandela's wisdom and understanding of our world.

-- A Collection of Reflections on Mandela's Life and Legacy - from NPR. See photos, listen to the audio from speeches, and read all about the life and legacy of South Africa's first black president.

-- The World Remembers Nelson Mandela - Read statements from political leaders around the world.

-- South Africa's National Liberation Movement - See their tribute to Nelson Mandela, including a biography, a collection of Mandela's articles and speeches, and messages of condolence from around the world. (You can also submit your own message.)

-- "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" - from IMDB. More about the newly-released film starring Idris Elba.

Click here to see President Obama speak in memory of Nelson Mandela.

From the Catalog:

- "Long Walk to Freedom" - Nelson Mandela's autobiography.

- "Conversations With Myself" - a collection of Mandela's personal papers.

- "In the Words of Nelson Mandela" - compiled and edited by Jennifer Crwys-Williams.


-- "The Color of Freedom" [DVD] - starring Dennis Haysbert.

-- "Endgame" [DVD] - with Clarke Peters.

-- "Invictus" [DVD] - starring Morgan Freeman.

-- "Winnie Mandela" [DVD] - starring Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard.



-- Post by Ms. B