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Published by the Library Staff Association of the University of Oregon Library System
No. 24, September 2000
Live! In Concert!
Times sure have changed. When I was a kid, if you wanted to go to a rock concert, you had to do it the old fashioned way--climb out a bedroom window while your parents were watching the Ed Sullivan show, and hitchhike to Portland.
I wasn't crazy about the whole rock and roll scene myself, but a friend of mine was. She'd get herself grounded on purpose, pulling a dramatic teen-age scene, then stomping off to her room. Half an hour later, she'd be cruising up I-5 in a VW van filled with her disreputable friends on her way to see the Grateful Dead, while her parents assumed she was sulking in her room.
Early one morning she appeared at my window, patiently tapping until she woke me. I opened the window quietly, groggily, and helped her climb in. Her long hair was tangled and smelled of smoke. She tugged off her tattered Levi's, filthy because a drunken fan had vomited on her. She was changing into a pair of my pants so her mother wouldn't suspect a thing, whereas I was supposed to explain to my mom that Elmer the dog had somehow gotten hold of a six pack of Bud and flipped his kibbles all over my pants.
I noticed a vivid, zigzag bruise on her thigh. "Z for ZZ Top," she said, tracing the mark gingerly. She explained that she had been snapped with a large, thick rubber band, which had left the band's logo etched in her flesh.
It's backwards," I said, handing her a pair of clean jeans. She sighed, exasperated. I was forever not getting the point.
But I did get the point. Going to concerts was about escaping. It was about hanging out with peers. It was about experimenting with the sorts of things that would make your parents' blood freeze with fear, things that would get you booted out of the Youth Ministry if your Sunday school teacher got wind of them. Going to concerts was about danger: cheap, sleazy thrills, wanton, senseless behavior and life-threatening recklessness. It was about scary fun, the kind that, if you lived through it, would make you the toast of your junior high schoolmates, and get you on the shortlist for juvenile detention hall. Going to concerts was about excitement.
I would certainly never have expected to get my parents' consent for attending a rock and roll concert ("You want me to let you go see the Doors--live?! Honey--feel her forehead--is she delirious?") But, as I said, things have changed quite a bit in the last 25 years or so. Roll forward to the summer of 2000. Imagine me, a grown-up teenager now, with grey hair, wearing my nice dress, the one I got at Saturday market. I am escorting my eleven year old son and his friend to a Britney Spears concert.
"That's a hippy dress," my son informed me disapprovingly, as we hurried along with a huge throng toward the entrance of the stadium. "You'll be the only one who looks that way."
I didn't think so. At my elbow was another frazzled looking mom in shorts and flip-flops, escorting a bevy of shrieking little girls. These girls, on the other hand, were with the program. They had adopted the Britney Spears look: sexy midriff tops, super-tight vinyl pants, high heels. The voice of my mother rose in my head: Aren't they just a little young to be dressing like prostitutes?
"Shut up," I told my mom mentally. I wasn't ready to be a fogy yet, and I wanted to approach this new experience with an open mind.
We took a crammed elevator to the very top floor. An usher pointed out our seats to us. We still had quite a distance to climb. "There they are, kids--the best seats in the house!" I said dramatically. My son and his friend craned their necks doubtfully. "From up there, you'll be able to see the entire stadium!" I said. The usher rolled her eyes, and I winked at her. But the kids were impressed. "Wow! thanks, Mom!" said my son. He and his friend ran all the way to the top. I hauled myself up, using the handrail, wheezing. Our seats, in the nosebleed section, were appropriately upholstered in bright red.
From our vantage point, the stage seemed about the size of a credit card. Around the rim scurried tiny technicians making adjustments to the set. Fortunately for those of us in economy seating, a panel of gigantic video screens stretched along the entire length of the stage. Hearing the concert would be no problem, judging from the intermittant blasts from the sound system. Technicians and workers were busy testing lights. A giant disco ball rotated from the ceiling, casting spears of colored light over the crowds of people finding their seats. Crewmembers were pushing what appeared to be a medium-sized cannon around on the floor.
As the stadium filled, I began to notice something unusual. My son and his friend at age eleven, were definitely on the upper end of the age scale. Most of the fans were girls in the six-to-ten year old range. They looked like a convention of tiny cocktail waitresses in their Britney Spears wardrobes. A few teenage girls were there, but not looking nearly as out of place or desperate as the very few teenage boys who were present.
Even before the concert began, the din was reaching the discomfort zone. Imaging being trapped inside the world's biggest minivan, with six thousand six year olds all squealing "Are we there yet?" at the top of their tiny lungs. The trouble was, we weren't even remotely there yet. These kids were too young to understand the concept of "warmup band", and while there was a lot of high pitched whooping and stomping during the 45 minute warm-up period, an ominous feeling of impatience was building.
A recess of nearly an hour at this point didn't help the mood of the audience, although the greatest danger was that the littlest ones would all fall asleep by the time the show started. It was after nine, and kids were running to the concession stands and back in a frenzy, spilling expensive soft drinks, and sitting down on each others' nachos.
Finally, after several false alarms, there was an explosion from the stage--the cannon I mentioned earlier--and a tremendous stampede to the seats followed. The show had begun! Britney was coming on stage! The littlest children woke up and started crying. Their big brothers and sisters were on their feet, cheering, clapping and stomping their feet. The noise was the most incredible din I've ever heard. Rock quarrying and stereo freight trains do not come close to it. Fortunately, I came prepared with industrial strength earplugs.
Britney Spears appeared, magnified a hundredfold on the giant screens behind her. She seems a nice young woman, and for a teen idol, has a very clean-cut reputation. Here my mother's voice breaks in to mention that she dresses like she was dipped in latex paint, and my mother, personally, thinks she could use another dip. I quiet her.
Britney and her large team of dancers and set changers charged energetically through several songs. Pop music today is as much about a sort of athletic modern dance, as it is about music. The kids were absolutely beside themselves. They were on their feet, singing, swaying, dancing. Even though I had blocked out much of the sound, I could feel the wall behind me vibrate. The whole stadium was gently rocking.
The songs were all high-production numbers with elaborate sets, and Britney Spears had a different outfit for each number. In one number, she leaped acrobatically and her short skirt flipped up.
"I SEE HER UNDERPANTS!" screamed a six-year-old in the row below me. The crowd exploded in a giant roar. They went wild. The cannon boomed, strobe lights raked the audience, and a rain of metallic confetti showered down on everyone.
When it was all over, and we were on our way home, I listened to my son and his friend talk excitedly about the concert. It was the coolest experience of their lives so far. It was the absolute bomb. My mother's voice was pointing out that Britney Spears would never have shown anyone her underpants on the Ed Sullivan show, when my son piped up. "I know you didn't enjoy it, Mom," he said, "because you had your earplugs in." He sounded disappointed.
"Oh, come on, I'm not that old. I enjoyed it. It was fun!" But to tell the truth, I was confused. If rock concerts are no longer about sex, drugs, and rock and roll, then what are they about?
Britney Spears' underpants? suggests the voice of my mother.
I hush her, and we all drive home in the wee hours of the morning.
by LRSexton
Photo Album
Photos from George Shipman's farewell party are now available in a web photo album created by Lisa Sieracki, Sue Scroggins, and Chelle Batchelor. Many thanks to photographer Jack Liu, who took the photos and gave permission for their reproduction on this web page!
Holiday Potluck and Social Committee Survey Report
submitted by Harriett Smith
Much discussion was evoked by the survey about the Holiday Potluck which Social Committee sent out in the spring. The LSA Executive Council also discussed Holiday Potluck issues in their July 10 meeting. The Social Committee received a great deal of excellent feedback from their survey, and their report has been made available for those interested. This article attempts to summarize some of the dicussion and some plans for the coming Holiday Potluck.
The Holiday Potluck has always been one of the most popular and well-attended of the LSA events, but last December, Social Committee received some complaints about the event. The comments centered in essence around 1) the problem of insufficient seating, and 2) the (now usual) problem of running out of food before the end of the party.
However, Social Committee has also received many compliments about the pleasant atmosphere, and about how much people enjoy dining at tables in a more upscale ambiance with real plates and cutlery. Last year many more people attended than were expected. This year Social Committee will order more place settings and plan for a larger crowd. They will also add a couple more tables, although it may make for a tighter fit. Chairs around the periphery of the room may be added if space permits. Look for a tighter squeeze but more seating this coming December.
Food has always been the most frustrating challenge organizers have faced when putting on the Holiday Potluck. The food at the potluck is invariably wonderful, but lately the quantity has not been enough to meet the demand, even though LSA last year added two purchased casseroles to try to ameliorate the situation. If everyone who came could bring a dish, we would probably have plenty. Social Committee suggests that people try to bring dishes that will serve 8-10. One suggestion made was that those who are willing and able might make two sets of food -- one for the early crowd and one to be brought forth later in the party.
One item we usually run out of early in the event is turkey. Before he left the Library, George and Krys Shipman very generously indicated that they would like to continue to provide a holiday turkey. Another LSA member has graciously offered to donate a second turkey. LSA is very appreciative and grateful to these donors!
Executive Council complimented the Social Committee on the work they have done to try to grapple with these two problems, space and food, and encouraged them to ask for help from LSA volunteers and the library staff at large as they organize and prepare for next December's event. The Holiday Potluck is meant to be a joyous and relaxing time where we share food and good cheer with our friends and fellow workers from every area of the library and every level of staff, and every year Social Committee works hard towards that end. Few realize the time, money, and effort put forth to throw this party, the biggest, most complicated event of the LSA year.
1. Working under deplorable conditions, with inadequate supplies, and
frequently in the company of hostile doctors, this woman brought aid and
comfort to countless soldiers during the Crimean War. She devoted the
rest
of her life to the education of women for the nursing profession and the
improvement of medical treatment in her country's armed forces.
2. This Hoosier, after completing law school, became an editor at the
newspaper owned by his family, then entered politics, serving in the U.S.
House of Representatives and Senate. When he was elected to higher
office, he became a frequent target of barbs from the press because of his
perceived lack of intellectual prowess.
3. This New Yorker, along with two other prominent founding fathers,
argued
in a series of influential essays for a strong central government for the
newly formed American republic. After the constitution was ratified, he
served as the first occupant of one of the highest offices in the land.
He
later negotiated a treaty which proved highly unpopular and compromised
his
chances for future political success.
4. This 29-year-old Texas-born actor has played a wide range of film
roles. Among his film credits: Dead Poets Society, Quiz Show, Reality
Bites, Snow Falling On Cedars, and Hamlet.
5. This summa cum laude graduate of Miami University in Ohio won a
Pulitzer
Prize in 1987 for a collection of poems based on the lives of her
grandparents. In 1993 she became the first African-American to be
appointed to the post of Poet Laureate of the United States.
6. Born in London and raised in Australia, this actor had many film
appearances to his credit before he appeared in the role for which he is
most remembered, the ranting television journalist who yelled, "I'm mad as
hell and I'm not going to take it anymore" in the 1976 film,
Network,
for which he won a posthumous Oscar.
7. One of the greatest architects in English history, this Oxford
graduate
designed over 50 churches in London. Inscribed on the wall of his most
famous building are the words, "Reader, if you seek a monument, look about
you."
8. This eighteenth century poet, political writer and churchman was one
of the great satirists of all time. His writing could be both ironic and
comical. "Satire," he wrote, "is a sort of glass, wherein beholders do
generally discover everybody's face but their own."
9. Schooled at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, this Scotswoman
has received critical acclaim for her acting, particularly for roles she
played in films directed by her husband, David Mamet, including The
Spanish Prisoner and The Winslow Boy.
10. This Missouri-born singer, who had for a time taught elementary
school music, then moved to L.A. where she worked as a backup singer,
made her
solo debut in 1994 with her album, Tuesday Night Music Club, which
included the song, "All I Wanna Do."
Submit your answers by September 21 to
Fact File. The library staff
member whose submission has the most correct answers will win a $5 gift
certificate, redeemable at the UO Bookstore. In the case of a tie, a
random drawing will be held to determine a winner. The answers, and the
name of our winner, will be announced in the October Newsletter.
Been to an
interesting conference?
Send us a
brief report for publication in the next newsletter. Thanks!
Welcome New Staff!
Karen Chaix accepted a Library Technician 2 position in the Science
Library
effective August 15.
James Fox began his appointment as Director of Special
Collections & Archives August 7.
Susan Hoyt accepted an appointment as temporary AAA
Reference Librarian, beginning August 16.
Melissa Kaspar accepted a Library Technician 2 position in
Acquisitions effective August 29.
Jennifer Lindsey accepted a Library Technician 2 position
in Circulation/Reserves effective September 1.
Alissa Manske accepted an Office Specialist 1 position
in Media Services effective July 25.
Maria Mendez-Garcia was appointed as a temporary Library
Technician 2
in Government and Business Information Services effective 8/1/00.
Dotti Schell accepted a Library Technician 2 position in
Preservation and Binding effective September 13.
Brandy Todd was appointed to the Library Technician 2
position with the Map and Aerial Photography Collections in the
Document Center effective August 8.
Liesl Vorderstrasse accepted a Library Technician 2 position
in Current Periodicals and Stacks effective August 14.
Kudos!
Congratulations to the following faculty who were promoted from Assistant
Professor to Associate Professor:
Lara Nesselroad accepted an appointment as (Officer of
Administration) Manager, Science Library.
Congratulations to Richard Bear, a regular in this column, for
publishing
Richard Niccols' The Beggers Ape (1607) and Thomas Dekker's The
Wonderfull Yeare 1603 (1603) at Renascence
Editions.Richard Bear's online publishing house, Renascence Editions,
has picked up its tenth Internet award for excellence, from Links2Go.
Congratulations to library authors:
Mary Grenci recently had her article "The Impact
of
Web Publishing on the Organization of Cataloging Functions" published in
Library
Collections, Acquisitions, & Technical Services
Faye Chadwell compiled a bibliography, "Selected Bibliography
on Feminism and Science," that was published in Sue Rosser's latest book,
_Women, Science, and Society: The Crucial Union_ (Teachers College Press,
2000).
Congratulations to Jennifer Rowan, AAA Library, who has been
awarded
University travel and research grants to support work at the British
Museum in London and various museums in Northern Pakistan during August
2000.
Ornithology
by TERRY McQUILKIN
This month we're going
birding, but you
won't
need
a pair of Bushnell
high-powered binoculars or a copy of the National Geographic Field
Guide
today. From the clues below, name the ten men and women
with
avian-sounding surnames. Include both first and last name, and watch out
for spelling variations (we're looking for the spelling favored by the
human characters, not our feathered friends). All of them are prominent
figures, some taken from history, others drawn from contemporary culture
and politics. Use any reference sources you wish, and enjoy your bird
walk!
Colleen Bell, Robin Paynter, Lori Robare, Ted Smith.
Laine Stambaugh was promoted from Associate Professor to Professor.
Check out this month's review:
- Saving Grace, reviewed by
Lara
Nesselroad