Category Archives: Uncategorized

As 2015 comes to an end, it’s time to show some of the most misleading charts of the year. This serves multiple purposes; a bit of comic relief and to illustrate how a much more cogent display of the data would have looked (the link below shows both the misleading charts and then fixes to them). While the Dude would like to say that he compiled this list; instead kudos goes out to Keith Collins from Quartz, a digitally native news outlet. According to the Quartz website, they publish “bracingly creative and intelligent journalism with a broad worldview, built primarily for the devices closest at hand: tablets and mobile phones.” Keith’s article is called Axis of Evil: The most misleading charts of 2015, fixed. Shaka, Keith.

Today’s Wednesday Watch will be about the animated Super Hero Squad Show. Depending on the season, 2-3 Nebraska libraries have the Super Hero Squad Show on DVD. The characters, a rather large collection of Marvel super heroes, are drawn in a mini-version, similar to that of Chibi (a style of Japanese anime where characters are drawn in child-like fashion with oversized heads). For lack of a more appropriate synonym, they are, well, kind of cute. The main characters all have their own little bits of quirkiness which makes the show worthwhile, transcending the same ol’ good fighting evil story. For example, suave Iron Man is complicated and tech-saavy, albeit a bit too impulsive; Hulk is simple minded, strong, and of course has anger management issues that affect the rest of the group; Silver Surfer, while an alien, talks quite like a stereotypical surfer; Thor speaks in an Olde English tongue; Wolverine likes it cold and uses his claws to carve topiaries, just like Edward Scissorhands; Ms. Marvel is strong but temperamental at times. Not to mention a whole host of supporting characters that appear, including the recurring villains. Stan Lee is the mayor of Super Hero City. In addition to Ms. Marvel, female characters are represented by Black Widow, Storm, the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, and others.

The side stories are what make the Super Hero Squad Show interesting. True, the way the characters are drawn is unique, but without a decent and creative storyline, this show would fail. It doesn’t, however (fail that is). The heroes do mundane things that one wouldn’t expect, such as engage in philosophical discussions, fight over the remote control, bicker about whom should clean things up (and household messes in general), and numerous references to pop culture. And those things are funny. Sure, there are juvenile potty type jokes, but nothing too over the top. If your library is looking for something to appeal to the young crowd that won’t be too tough on adults who might be sitting in, Super Hero Squad Show might fit the bill. Warning: the theme song will stick in your head, so watch out. Speaking of the theme song, a recurring notion that appears in the song and the show is the term “Hero Up!” Whenever the “squaddies” (that’s what they are called) are faced with an adverse situation or villainous infiltration, they use the phrase “It’s time to Hero Up!” If you watch the show enough, you may find this translate over to the other parts of your life. A few examples: Kids not motivated to clean their room? Tell them it’s time to Hero Up. Richard promised stats for the Dude last week but hasn’t gotten it done yet? Hey Richard: Time to Hero Up. You get the idea. Special thanks to the Shout! Factory folks for the permission to use the SHS cover art. Shaka.

Up until now, most (if not all) of the Wednesday Watch topics have been about series works. Today will be the first (if memory serves accurately) feature film. For those of you who might be new, the Wednesday Watch column is the Dude’s alternative or to let’s say compliment to the Friday Reads column. The Dude watches it instead of reads it. At least in most cases. In very limited circumstances, he watches and reads, but always at least watches. But don’t let that stop you from reading, if you like. And if you want to be a guest columnist in this charade, please e-mail your submission. Anyway, today’s contribution is Love & Mercy, the biographical drama about the life of Brian Wilson, co-founder of The Beach Boys. The Dude enjoyed the film overall. There obviously was some editorial license taken, but real life Brian Wilson (who is now 73) called the film “very factual”, so that probably accounts for something. Eight Nebraska libraries have Love & Mercy (DVD) according to WorldCat. It would make a nice addition to your collection if you aren’t one of those eight.

The film goes back and forth between two time periods: The 1960’s (Wilson played by Paul Dano, photo top right courtesy of Lionsgate); and the 1980’s (Wilson played by John Cusack, photo bottom right courtesy of Lionsgate). Apart from the fact that these two cats don’t really look anything alike, the juxtaposition and flashback/flashforward works with the story line. Both of these guys do an excellent job of playing Wilson at very different times in his life. The Dude (being one for nostalgia in this sort of way) especially liked the look of the 1960’s parts – the clothes, the décor, the houses, haircuts, and constitution of the characters (that’s a nice way of saying the women look like real women and the men act like real men, without the “nostalgic” sexism of course). Refreshing looking time period nonetheless, just before the carpet hit the walls on stairways and ceilings. And while the Dude has nothing against carpeted walls and ceilings (and personally digs Graceland’s Jungle Room), the look of the time period represented in the 60’s parts of Love & Mercy is outta sight. For the record, the Dude could find no verification of when exactly the ceilings of the Jungle Room and the hallway leading to it were actually carpeted (the room was created in the mid-60’s); he’s basically judging the time period from the shade of green.

Beach Boys singer (and Brian Wilson’s cousin) Mike Love is portrayed as a rigid clod (which is probably an understatement) who didn’t recognize or appreciate Wilson’s genius, being content with the status quo of manufacturing formulistic California Girls and Surfin’ Safari clones. Whether or not one gets into the business of arguing about a departure from their roots, man (as film version Mike puts it) was a good or bad thing, one can’t help but be moved by Mike’s apparent lack of empathy. Either he had no idea or was, as the film portrays him, an insensitive, self-centered clod.

OK, the film is about Wilson’s mental challenges (he suffers from auditory hallucinations, mostly abusive in nature, subsequent to his taking LSD, and continuing after he stopped taking it), his developing relationship with future wife Melinda Ledbetter, and his overbearing, manipulative, and terrifying psychologist (played brilliantly by high strung Paul Giamatti). The film also works by offering insight into the genius of Wilson’s making of music (e.g. the arranging, writing, and recording). The film aptly offers us a snapshot into Wilson’s head, not only when his creativity shined (and it should be noted still does today) by making music, but when he suffered (not only from lack of treatment for his illness, but worse yet, from exponential mistreatment). All in all, a worthwhile journey to experience by the viewer. So, if you are old enough (the Dude missed it by a few years) you might be inspired to get out your Pet Sounds album (and perhaps shake up an old school cocktail while listening to track #12). If you aren’t (old enough, that is), check out the CD from your local library. You probably won’t be disappointed. And while you’re at it, check out Love & Mercy. You probably won’t be disappointed with that either. Shaka.

The annual IMLS Public Library Survey is now available. For those of you who are new directors, it might be helpful to familiarize yourself with the survey and instructions. Take a peek at the Bibliostat Collect portion of the data services section of the NLC website, which has instructions and guides to help you complete the survey, as well as a link to the login screen. Keep in mind that the survey is required for your library to receive state aid if you are accredited. If you aren’t accredited, you still have an incentive to complete the survey ($200), called Dollar$ for Data.

The survey runs until February 19, 2016. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions throughout the process. You can always start the survey, save your submissions, and then resume at a later date. It doesn’t have to all be done at once. Tip: It’s always a good idea to click on the red “save” button in Bibliostat before clicking “next” to the next screen. Thank you in advance for your participation.