Linky-Dinky-Doo

The New York Public Library's Instagram Account has some really neat stuff on it, including reference desk questions from before the days of the internet.

"Please give me the name of a book that dramatizes bedbugs?"

The Internetest safety video on the Internet

Reports from a Medieval War

I wish I had the skills and tools to make this for my cat (and for me).

Justice League Unlimited: The Lost Episode. I don't remember if I've posted this link before. If I have, it's still fun enough to share again.

Stupid Google Tricks. A couple there worth remembering.

"What does it mean when you dream you're being chased by an elephant?"

I am not opposed to people using marijuana, and this article definitely suggests we should be studying the medical potential of pot more. I want to say I would never use the stuff, but if I were in a situation like Xeni's? Maybe. Just... maybe. I don't know.

I want more Battlebots. Apparently, the new series will be airing starting June 21st, 9 p.m. on ABC. Get out the popcorn!

I was unaware that The Wiz almost had a comic book adaptation by Mark Evanier. Huh.

I can't really listen to the song without cringing, but Rolling Stone had a great retrospective on the making of Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?"

Cliff Mass corrects the media on the notion that we're having a super-drought. Of particular interest is the fact that precipitation is normal, it just didn't collect as snow.

Source. T-Shirt.

Bleeding Cool noted not long ago that DC's latest campaign is really ripe for photoshopping. Ouch. You know, at first I was disappointed there was no Aquaman ad, now I'm just relieved.

Do Not Disturb.

Stress doesn't make rewards any better.

GunFail, which collects news stories of people who really shouldn't have had access to guns, is on Pinterest, Facebook, and Tumblr. The guy who collects these stories noted on Daily Kos that his Pinterest page was disabled for awhile, but he doesn't know why.

DuoLingo now has Norwegian.

Well, time to start learning the language that matches my name.

Learning Spanish

No hablo español, pero estoy aprendiendo.

I have Rosetta Stone, and it's fairly good as a replacement for immersion, training through visuals. If my sole aim was to get ready to visit a Spanish speaking country, it would be very useful. However, the main problem *I* have with Rosetta Stone is the lack of motivation. I forget about trying to do a lesson until late at night when I'm too tired to do it. So I don't do it, and I don't learn.

I also have a number of Spanish/English dictionaries, including an awesome picture dictionary. I also have an awesome little book published in 1943 called Spanish At Sight that's just fun. However, just plain reading isn't going to do it. I need feedback.

Recently I found Duolingo and started the Spanish course. It comes with reminders, which have helped me to remember to do my Rosetta Stone lessons along with the Duolingo lessons! In addition, I can "compete" against people, including my husband, and try to get a higher daily score than them. It's pretty good motivation. (If you wish to join and compete against me, my username is LauraGjova... no, I didn't pick it).

Two of the ladies in the front office at the newspaper speak Spanish. I have been testing my Duolingo phrases with them, improving my pronunciation and often clearing up my understanding. And often amusing them with the goofy phrases that Duolingo comes up with.

So, for 2014, I hope to learn enough Spanish to be able to conduct an interview for the paper. I want to be able to assist people at the front office when the Spanish-speakers are in the back. I want to know what folks around me in this town are saying. My ultimate goal is to get through the entire "tree" on Duolingo and be able to read and speak the most basic Spanish. Let's see how far I get...