Author Archives: eric

About eric

I sometimes do actual work at the Amelia Branch but mostly I just space out or play tetris. I have been known to filet a fish on my desk a time or two.

Popular Smopular

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This past weekend I wanted to be a good library worker and familiarize myself with the more popular items that the friendly library has to offer. Just to let you know, I have a strong reluctance toward anything popular. I like to tread my own path, so to speak. It’s an affliction I have suffered with my whole life. I deal with it.

As you may or may not have heard, The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, is the big thing right now. But, that is not the popular task that I took on, that would be too big of a step for this rebel. Moreover, the hold list for those books are astronomical, but I highly recommend them nonetheless. Other people seem to like them.

The popular thing I decided to take on was Harry Potter. I know what you are saying “Harry Potter? that was so five years ago.” I am taking baby steps here so cut me a break. Plus, the series sold like half a billion books worldwide and is the best selling book series in history, at least according to good old Wikipedia.

And of course I took the shortcut and watched the movies. That’s why they make movies, so I don’t have to read the books, right? Anyway, some of those books are fairly large and I would probably need more than a weekend to read them all. Plus bonus, you can check the Harry Potter movies and books from the library right now if you want! Because they are available, no wait list.

Needless to say I was entertained. So much so, I may even read the books.

Probably next year.

P.S. I do read books. I am reading Seth Grahame-Smith’s Unholy Night right now. (It’s not a movie yet, so I had to read it)

Spring Fever

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Spring is in the air, flowers are blooming, bees are buzzing, and somewhere the crack of the bat can be heard. With each puff of smoke from the mitt optimism for the upcoming baseball season abounds.

Around here, the Cincinnati Reds opening day may as well be declared a holiday. This is the time of year when any team can win the pennant, at least in the eyes of their fans. For me its a time to break out the sunflower seeds.  There is nothing better than sitting in the dugout or bullpen with a couple dozen sunflowers in your mouth while the salty taste permeates as you shuck each one and separate the tasty insides from the outer shell.   But for those of you who don’t get nostalgic for the taste of seeds and the competition of spitting the shells into a cup, here are my top 5 baseball movies that are available here at the Clermont County Public Library in chronological order.

1942-The Pride of the Yankees-because of the iconic speech…”Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”

1976-Bad News Bears-because every team should have a girl for a pitcher…”and just wait til next year.”

1984-The Natural-because who doesn’t want to hit the ball into the scoreboard and cause a giant epic explosion while rounding the bases triumphantly?

1989-Field of Dreams-because now we know that “if you build it, he will come,” and every kid wants to connect with their dad.

1992-A League of Their Own-because woman can make great baseball players too and “THERE’S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL!”

1993-The Sandlot-because the whole neighborhood played baseball and we all knew that the neighbor’s dog would eventually get our ball…game over.

2005-Fever Pitch-because there is more to life than just baseball and even the Red Sox can win the Pennant (take note Cubs fans).

So before the games starts get some sunflower seeds, and break out some of your favorite baseball movies, then watch them all so you will be ready for this year’s baseball season.

 

 

Cracker and Cranberries

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Cracker and Cranberries are a nice combination. But Dolores O’Riordan without the Cranberries is just bland. But now they are back together and life is good. The years between 2001 and 2012 were void of any new music from the band that brought you such songs as “Linger” “Dreams” “Zombie” and “Free to Decide”. If you don’t know who I am talking about then you probably missed the nineties. The Cranberries were one of the most popular groups of that time period.

Their new CD is called Roses and is available at the our library for you to check out. But since there are a few holds on that particular album check out their greatest hits CD Stars : the best of 1992-2002 to refresh your memory or to discover a new old artist you might not have heard before. When you do get a hold of a copy, and I always say this, listen from beginning to end, it is the only way to appreciate a good album.

 

Find Your Own “Odyssey”

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When I was in elementary school I considered myself a pretty good athlete, after all I was the second fastest kid, the second farthest thrower, the second hardest kicker, second most accurate basketball shooter and I was pretty good at football. As far as football goes, I went to every Cincinnati Bengals home game and grew up looking up to those monstrously huge men. Residing in Norwood, at the time, the only guy I knew of that made it to the NFL or any professional sport from my hometown was Brian Pillman, but he never made it past a pro training camp. He did, however, make it as a professional wrestler.

As a six year old, watching those NFL games, I knew I didn’t want to be hit that hard, by anybody, thus, I turned my attentions toward baseball and soccer, after all I wasn’t even the best athlete in my grade, I was second. The best athlete in my grade, the guy that was first in all those categories did make it in the NFL. Not only that, he won the Super Bowl with the New England Patriots. Even as a young kid I knew my friend Marc Edwards would make it in football someday. Not only did he have tools and the talent but he had the drive and determination to rise up out of blue collar Norwood.  The book Odyssey : from Blue Collar, Ohio to Super Bowl champion by Aaron M. Smith is about Mr. Edwards and chronicles what it takes to make it to the professional level in athletics and compete. He battled through some of the same adversity we all have. Nothing was handed to him, he knew what he wanted and worked to make his goal.

Even though he had talent, it still takes hard work to make it in any industry and Marc is evidence of that. This story is not about being a professional athlete it is about being the best person you can. Mr. Edwards’ odyssey should give inspiration to us all. Find your talent and work to make your goals.

Read the book.

 

Join the “Community”

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communityIf you are going through “Community” withdrawal like I am, then find the library and check out first and second seasons of the always hilarious show. “Where is the library?” you say. Well these lyrics might explain where the library is located.

Donde esta la biblioteca. Me llamo T-Bone La Arana discoteca. Discoteca, muneca, La biblioteca Esta en bigtes grande, el perro, manteca. Manteca bigotes, gigante, pequeno, la cabeza es nieve, cervaza es bueno. Buenos dias, me gusta paps frias, los bigotes de la cabra Es Cameron Diaz

Translated to English…Where is the Library? My name is T-Bone the disco spider. disco, doll, the library is in the big mustache, dog, lard, Lard mustache, huge, little head is snow, beer is good, Good day. I like cold potatoes the goats mustache is Cameron Diaz.

Okay that might not help at all, but the Clermont County Public Library can, just visit one of our ten branches and get your “Community” fix.

 

Ashes & Fire

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I didn’t think it would happen, after three long years of silence, Ryan Adams has released an album of new material. Check out Mr. Adams’ new release Ashes & Fire, of which we have at the library. Three years may not seem like a long time, but if you look at his track record for CD releases, it is forever. Between 2000 and 2008, Mr. Adams released ten full length albums of mostly original music (not including EPs, abandoned songs or internet only), even recording three records in the year 2005. As recently as 2010, some of that abandoned and/or lost music came out on the CD entitled III/IV.

If you have never heard of him, you should, because he brings an amazing talent and voice to music that you may have not experienced  before.  Tim McGraw, on his Greatest Hits: Vol. 2, covered one of Mr. Adams’ song entitled, “When the Stars Go Blue,” which came from Adams’ 2001 release Gold.  Moreover, The Corrs featuring Bono of U2 fame, also covered the same song on the album entitles VH1 Presents: The Corrs, Live In Dublin. So if you have never heard of Ryan Adams as a singer at least you may have heard of him as a songwriter.

Post 2008, it seems, he decided not to continue with his music. He married Mandy Moore, yes that Mandy Moore. Wrote a couple of books of poetry and short stories entitled Infinity Blues and HelloSunshine. So I reckon, he was content to ride of into the sunset, never to be heard from again. Until now.

Also,  if you want to get acquainted with his previous stellar music check out these CDs which are also at the library: Gold, Demolition, and Easy Tiger. Then when you get hooked you can thank me.

Death Cab for Cutie’s Latest

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Death Cab for CutieThe lights went down on PNC pavilion last Friday and the distinct melodic beat of the five minute instrumental slowly drew the crowd into each key hit on the piano. The lights began to flicker to the beat as the band increased its tempo. Finally the singer belted out the first words of the song…”How I wish you could see the potential…” the crowd erupted in a syncopated cheer and then they all began to sing along.

The band Death Cab for Cutie played PNC Pavilion Friday, September 30th and I was there. It was an amazing concert put on by the band from Seattle. If you were there or even if you weren’t and are interested, the Clermont County Public Library has a few of their CDs so you can give them a listen.

From 2005 Plans which includes the songs  Soul Meets Body, Crooked Teeth, and I Will Follow You into the Dark.  All of which were performed at the concert.

Narrow Stairs is from 2008 and has the song that opened the concert – I Will Posses Your Heart.

Their latest Codes and Keys just released this year and has the song You are a Tourist.

In case you were curious, the band’s name comes from the title of a song by the band Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah which they performed in 1967 film, Magical Mystery Tour, which many of you know is a film by the Beatles.

Genealogy Databases, Websites and More!

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Make your family tree come alive with help from a genealogy expert. The Amelia Branch Library is excited and proud to have Cynthia Whitt-Covalcine of the Clermont County Genealogical Society at our library to present “Next Steps” for the Intermediate Genealogist on Saturday, October 8th at 10am. Cynthia will be discussing genealogy databases, websites and more. This presentation will help you take the next steps in tracking your family history. If you participated in our previous programs on genealogy this is a must attend event. No registration is required but if you are planning on attending we would like to know. You can call us at the Amelia Branch Library or just stop by the library and sign up. Hope to see you there.