HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! November 25, 2009

Thaaaaaaaaaaat’s right, it’s almost time for Thanksgiving, and all the traditions that go along with it. Turkey. Pumpkin Pie. Cranberry Sauce. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Shopping on Black Friday (and if that’s what you’re planning, Bits and Bramblers, good luck…although I hear they’re having good sales at some pretty awesome stores…)

Anyway…no matter what you’re planning on doing this Thanksgiving, I hope you eat lots of good food, and have lots of fun with your family and friends!

Now…I was going to leave you with a funny Thanksgiving video, but I couldn’t decide between these two. So in the spirit of the holiday, I’m sharing both of them with you!

The first video answers several important questions. Namely, “What would the first Thanksgiving have been like if Christopher Walken was there?” It also gives you a pretty good idea for what to do if you’re stuck at your Grandma’s tomorrow…look around the room, grab some collectibles, and then create your own Bric-A-Brac Theater!

The next clip is so gross, you can’t help but watch. Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you took all of your favorite Thanksgiving foods, threw them in a super powerful blender, and made a sort of…Thanksgiving shake?

I’m seriously hoping the answer to that question was a big ol’ “NO!” But if—for some reason—you said “Yes,” then this clip ought to change your mind. Check out the Thanksgiving Edition of “Will it Blend?”

(SPOILER ALERT: The answer is yes. It will blend. Disgustingly.)

Now that you’ve laughed and you’re completely grossed out…HAVE A VERY SAFE AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING, BITS AND BRAMBLERS!!!!

Brrr… November 23, 2009

It’s that time of year for the weather to turn bitter cold.  While we’ve been lucky so far, it’s only a matter of time before we get those frigid temperatures, cold winds, and of course, the snow.  If you’re one of those people that can’t wait for the snow to fly, check out this book by Graham McNamee, Bonechiller.  It will leave you huddling under the blankets.

O! H! I! O! November 20, 2009

So…at a concert in Michigan last week, Bruce Springsteen looked out at the crowd and said, “Hello Ohio!”

For some reason, they didn’t like it. The Boss quickly apologized.

The internet was buzzing about it for a couple days, and some of the comments caught my eye. The first person said that if they were in Michigan, they’d deny it, too. Which upset someone else, who said it was stupid to “base the whole thing on a football game.”

Now, first of all…the joke was pretty funny. But more importantly, the whole Michigan VS. Ohio thing? It’s waaaaaay older than football–and I mean “early 19th century” older. See, it all started with the Toledo War. Here’s a completely neutral summary: things were sketchy about who owned the strip of land around Toledo. The U.S. Senate sided with Ohio, but Michigan—who wasn’t even a state yet—just kept whining about it.

Although, it didn’t do them much good, because we all know how the fight ended, right? (Because it’s not Toledo, Michigan, is it?!) But that’s why the two teams are now one of the greatest rivalries in college sports. Because before the first snap of the first game, there was already bad blood between the two. It’s one of those things, Bits and Bramblers. Hardly anyone around here likes both teams, or doesn’t have an opinion. You must choose a side. And hopefully, it’s the right one.

Now, if for some strange reason, you haven’t picked a side, I thought I’d sort of…compare the two schools. In a completely unbiased way, obviously (although, I clearly have a favorite. See, not only am I a fan? I’m an honest-to-goodness alumni of one of the two!) Let’s start with…

• SCHOOL COLORS: Ohio State’s school colors are scarlet and gray. It’s a great combination, isn’t it? Everyone looks good in red—I’m sure you look great in red. Michigan, on the other hand has blue and corn. Okay, so technically they call it “maize,” but we all know that’s just another word for corn. And that Michigan is apparently too snobby to call it “gold” like everybody else.
• FOOTBALL COACHES: Ohio State has Jim Tressel, who is a class act, and likes sweater vests. That goes a long way in your book, right? Oh, and he also has “218 career wins; nine national title game appearances; five Big Ten titles; eight bowl appearances; and national championships in 1991, 1993, 1994, 1997 and 2002.” The other guy, Rich Rodriguez, is only in his second season at Michigan, but during his time as the head coach of the West Virginia Mountineers, he had a “60-26 record.” He also has a funny hair cut.
• SCHOOL MASCOTS: Ohio State’s mascot is the buckeye. Buckeyes have a very distinctive look, and grow on pretty trees. They’re also a delightful chocolate peanut-butter dessert. At OSU’s games, Brutus Buckeye is a lot of fun to watch. Michigan’s mascot is the wolverine. Wolverines are “highly territorial,” and have “the ability of defending its food from wolf packs, cougars, and grizzly bears.” There are no cute desserts named after them, and they could attack you at any moment.

Hopefully, you’ve made up your mind by now—you’re either rooting for the Buckeyes, or the…people that like blood thirsty wild animals and corn. If not, you’ve got until exactly 12:00 tomorrow, when the Buckeyes will face the Wolverines in Ann Arbor! I guess it really doesn’t matter who you’re cheering for, Bits and Bramblers…just have fun watching! BUT GO BUCKS!!!!

How Average is YOUR Life? November 16, 2009

Sometimes I hate Mondays, Bits and Bramblers…don’t you? Especially icky, overcast, totally average Mondays? Of course you do. There’s no point in lying. But…even in totally average days, you still have fun right?

So check out MyLifeIsAverage, the blog where people post their own funny, totally average moments. Totally anonymous people post random, average moments from their day—everything from deciding whether or not they want fries or onion rings from Burger King, to what results come up if you do the same search on Google and Yahoo.

The cool thing is, not only can you read about everyone’s totally average moments—you can add your own, too (totally anonymously, of course!) What better way to get through a icky average Monday than by reading about the random moments in other people’s average Monday?

Of course, another way to get through an icky, overcast average Monday is by searching YouTube for funny videos. Here’s a completely unaverage idea: awhile ago, one of my favorite singers, Ben Folds, held a contest last year. He encouraged college a capella groups and Glee Clubs to sing some of his songs, then upload them to YouTube. The best entries were actually compiled to make an album of some of Ben’s hits, a capella style—which is awesome. For some reason, this group didn’t make the album, but I’ll be honest…it’s still my favorite:

Let’s Not Pretend It’s Not ALL ABOUT THE CANDY… October 29, 2009

…because it totally is, right? I mean, you think Halloween, and the first thing that comes to your mind is CANDY. Okay, okay…maybe you think about finding the perfect costume, and dressing up as something really cool. But it’s probably to get CANDY, right?!?!

Or maybe you think about carving pumpkins into Jack-O’Lanterns (or if you don’t like all that pumpkin goo? Virtual Jack-O’Lanterns.) But after that? CANDY.

And maybe you think about your favorite Halloween specials, or hilarious web cartoons. Which you probably WATCH WHILE YOU’RE EATING CANDY.

Because IT’S REALLY ALL ABOUT THE CANDY. I’m talking about the good stuff, too: think full size candy bars. Skittles. Even stuff like popcorn balls. But just because it’s ALL ABOUT THE CANDY doesn’t mean it’s…bad. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with that, Bits and Bramblers. After all…I think we can all agree that treats are infinitely better than tricks, right? And what could be more fun that pouring your entire bag of candy out, and eating all your favorites? It’s milk-chocolate covered awesomeness, that’s what it is.
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So HAVE A HAPPY HALLOWEEN, BITS AND BRAMBLERS! But most importantly, be safe out there…and have lots of fun! (After all…you don’t want to waste a perfectly good CANDY opportunity! We can all learn from Sally Brown’s mistake!)
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It’s TEEN READ WEEK! So READ BEYOND REALITY! October 21, 2009

Happy Teen Read Week, Bits and Bramblers! See, every year, we set aside an entire week just for teens (like you) who love to read. We even come up with a cool theme—this year, it’s READ BEYOND REALITY. And we do it just to celebrate you guys For no other reason than…reading is fun. And there a lot of good books out there. And the teens who read them are awesome, and deserve their own week.

Now, speaking of good books….haaaaaaaaave you read Meg Cabot’s Being Nikki? It’s the sequel to last year’s Airhead, and it’s got a little bit of everything. Supermodels! Speech class! Multimillion dollar corporations that might really be evil! Unrequited love! Brain transplants! How’s that for beyond reality, huh?

See, Emerson Watts was visiting the Stark Megastore and was accidentally crushed by a giant plasma TV. Luckily for Em, the world’s most famous supermodel, Nikki Howard, suffered an aneurysm at the exact same moment. And when Em wakes up at the hospital, she sounds different and feels different–because a team of Surgeons that work for Stark Enterprises put her brain in Nikki Howard’s body.

And as it turns out, being a supermodel isn’t as easy as it looks. When Being Nikki starts, Em is still getting used to the freezing cold photo shoots and the paparazzi. And just when things seem semi-normal? Nikki Howard’s older brother shows up, and tells her their mother is missing (and how is Em going to explain why she doesn’t remember him?!) And then she realizes that Stark Enterprises has bugged her laptop, and who knows what else. And then someone claiming to be Nikki Howard starts emailing megastar Justin Bay. Only Em hates Justin, so she’s not the one emailing him…but if it’s not Em, who is it? After all, the real Nikki Howard’s dead…right?!

So yeah…I’d say Poor Em’s story is beyond reality, wouldn’t you?

Still…it doesn’t matter what kind of book you read, as long as you…do. Read, that is. After all, it’s Teen Read Week! I mean…I don’t even care if you have to ignore your homework and your chores—take some time and read this week.

Okay, okay…don’t ignore your homework and your chores, but…you know, try and find some time to read.

In fact, I want you to read so much that I’m not even going to leave you with a YouTube clip…you’ve got reading to do, Bits and Bramblers! So grab a book…and go BEYOND REALITY!!!!

Do YOU Know Your Banned Books? October 3, 2009

All right, Bits and Bramblers, today’s the last day of Banned Book Week. And remember our last post? In a nutshell, I told you all about how much I love banned books, and then I challenged you to name four frequently challenged books—I gave you a description, and you had to give me the author and title.

And I have to be honest, you guys did really, really good. But just in case you couldn’t figure them out, here are the answers…

This book series—which is also a popular TV show (XOXO)—was challenged for “offensive language, sexually explicit,” descriptions, and being “unsuited to age group.”

Have you heard the latest about B and S? Thaaaat’s right, it’s Gossip Girl. The books by Cecily Von Ziegesar (that are the basis for the hit TV show) were one of the most challenged in 2008.

You can find this book in the Classics section. It’s takes place in the Hamptons in the 1920’s, and it was challenged because of “language and sexual references in the book.” (Ha! And you thought classics were boring!)

Did you guess this one, Old Sports? It’s The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Not only is this an amazing, amazing book, but there are two awesome movie versions, an older one with Robert Redford, and a newer one with Paul Rudd. Gatsby does love to throw giant all-night parties, so…maybe that’s why the book was challenged?

This teen book series about three friends who like to IM was was challenged for—wait for it—”offensive language, sexually explicit,” descriptions, and being “unsuited to age group.”

OMG! You got this one, right? It’s Lauren Myracle’s Internet Girls series, which includes TTFN and TTYL. Just like Gossip Girl, the series was one of the most challenged in 2008. Y? IDK…

And last but not least, another classic. This one is about a teen who just got kicked out of boarding school, and heads to New York City. It’s been challenged for…everything, from “excess vulgar language, sexual scenes,” and “things concerning moral issues,” to several complaints that is was just plain “obscene.”

I’m sure you all got this one, ’cause you’re no phonies. It’s The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger. In fact, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that it might be one of the most challenged books ever. But again…that doesn’t mean the book is bad.

In fact, I don’t think there’s a bad challenged books. Sure…there are a lot of books that I don’t like, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have the right to read them. Everyone has the right to say—and read—what they like. That’s part of being an American Citizen!

But you don’t have to take my word for it, Bits and Brambers. Because—just like so much else in the world—it’s better with puppets. Check out this video from the American Library Association:

Now…what are you waiting for, Bits and Brambers? READ A BANNED BOOK!

Do YOU Read Banned Books?! October 1, 2009

…After all, it is Banned Books Week!

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Bits and Bramblers…I love banned books. I just don’t understand book banning. See…in my opinion, one of the best parts of the library is the fact that we have books, movies, and music about everything for everyone. Which doesn’t mean that I like everything we have in the library. Actually, I think a lot of it is crap. But just because I don’t like it, doesn’t mean you won’t like it. And if you like it, who I am to say you can’t read it?

And to be honest with you, Bits and Bramblers, the fact that some people consider them so damaging and terrible that they shouldn’t be available to the public makes me want work hard to protect even them more, you know? Okay, okay…I’m officially stepping off my soapbox now, but I’m still encouraging you to READ A BANNED BOOK!

The thing of it is, they’re tricky to spot. They don’t have big red X’s on the spines, and the first page doesn’t say “YOU ARE HOLDING A BANNED BOOK!” In fact, some books that were challenged or banned might surprise you. They might even be books you know and love. So…why don’t we have a BANNED BOOK QUIZ?!? I’ll describe a little about the book—and why it was challenged—and you try to guess the title and the author!

• This book series—which is also a popular TV show (XOXO)—was challenged for “offensive language, sexually explicit,” descriptions, and being “unsuited to age group.”
• You can find this book (which is one of my favorite books in the history of all books ever,) in the Classics section. It’s takes place in the Hamptons in the 1920’s, and it was challenged because of “language and sexual references in the book.” (Ha! And you thought classics were boring!)
• This teen book series about three friends who like to IM was was challenged for—wait for it—”offensive language, sexually explicit,” descriptions, and being “unsuited to age group.”
• And last but not least, another classic (that also happens to be one of all-time favorites. Didn’t I tell you I loved banned books?!?!) This one is about a teen who just got kicked out of boarding school, and heads to New York City. It’s been challenged for…everything, from “excess vulgar language, sexual scenes,” and “things concerning moral issues,” to several complaints that is was just plain “obscene.”

So…do you read banned books too, Bits and Bramblers? Think you know the answers? Post your best guesses in the comments…and we’ll let you know the correct answers tomorrow! I’ll even leave you with a cheesy 80’s version of another classic to help you think…

Grab Your Popcorn: Movies Based on Books September 24, 2009

…Is it Friday yet, Bits and Bramblers? I don’t know about you, but it seems like this week has been veeeerrrrryyyyy looooooonnnngggg, not to mention rainy (and what’s with the fog? Are we living on a moore now?) *sigh*

What do you say we distract ourselves by watching some movie trailers? After all, they’re coming soon to a theater near you. And here’s the cool thing—all of these movies are based on made-of-awesome books.

First up is Whip It, which opens October 2nd. Not only is it Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut, it’s based on one of my favorite novels—Derby Girl, by Shauna Cross. I really want to see this one, you guys. I mean, the soundtrack is awesome, and if I weren’t so clutzy, it would make me want to strap on a pair of skates…
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Next up, a movie about vampires. No, not that one. It’s Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant, based on the book series by Darren Shan. To be honest—and this might get me in to trouble—thisvampiremovielookslikemorefun. I mean…come on! Snake guy played by Patrick Fugit?! Regrowing-arm girl from 30 Rock? Awesome. But you can see for yourself on October 23rd:
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And last but not least, it’s Fantastic Mr. Fox, based on the classic book by Roald Dahl. I have to admit…I’m a HUGE fan of the movie’s director, Wes Anderson, and I laughed out loud during this trailer (there may have been blueberry-raspberry juice on my computer monitor. Maybe. If all of your faaaaavorite librarians didn’t already expect that kind of thing from me, I’m sure they’d be a little freaked out.) You’ve got time to make your own “modified tube sock bandit hat” before the movie opens on November 13th:
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Xtranormal is Extra Cool September 23, 2009

The next time your teacher assigns a book report or other class presentation and says that creativity counts, go straight to Xtranormal. This is a free website that allows you to choose characters and make your own movies about anything you want. Their slogan is: If you can type, you can make movies and I’m here to tell you that it’s true.

It just takes a few minutes to set up an account and then get ready to say “Action”. Actually, you don’t really say anything, you just type words in little boxes, choose camera angles (is this your best side?) add expressions, sound effects and movement and you’re Quentin Tarantino (minus the high forehead). Once you’ve previewed your movie and like the way it looks, you can publish it and save it to your Xtranormal account. The best part is, if you have a Youtube account, you can publish it to Youtube with one click.

This is really something worth looking into. Even if you don’t want to do something as lame as a school project, you can make little animated films to put on your Facebook or Myspace page. The possibilities are endless. I just discovered this yesterday and I’ve already written, directed and produced a short film. Sundance here I come!