Cauli Le Chat

Cauli Le Chat
Cauli Le Chat, MPL Feline Roving Reporter

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

The Personification of Suave




by Scowl-Face
MPL Guest Blogger







Buffalo Gal just told me that Davy Jones died today of a heart attack.  He was 66 years old.

Davy Jones (1945-2012)

The Monkees were a huge phenomenon in the mid-1960s pop-rock world. Over a two-year period, the group's singles and albums outsold the Beatles.  Much of the credit for the Monkees meteoric rise to fame goes to the Emmy-winning primetime television series created by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider, and the marketing genius of Don Kirshner, who died this past January.

The Monkees hit British TV (1967)
(L to R:  Peter Tork, Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones)

But the Monkees' success was due at least as much, if not more, to the talent and charisma of the four lads who comprised the group:  Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork.  Although they were rock-and-roll musicians fabricated for a TV show, the foursome transformed the group and themselves into a bona fide band.  Davy Jones was instrumental in that success, equally with the other three Monkees.

Jones was not known for his musicianship--he most often played tambourine--but he had an absolutely fabulous singing voice, and he was a solid actor with Broadway credentials.  Like Micky Dolenz, who had been a child television star, Jones knew how to play his Monkees character for laughs, but he also lent a charm and grace that made him endearing on the TV screen.  He personified suave.  He also tugged the heartstrings of millions of young ladies around the world, who adored both his television persona and his live, stage-performing presence.  Guys were jealous of his handsome looks and easy, confident demeanor with girls, but they also liked Davy personally (as fictional character, real-life singer, and actual person).  You could imagine hanging out with him--or any of the other Monkees, or all of them together--and having a really fun time.

I'd like to honor Davy by including what I consider his best Monkees composition (yes, he wrote songs for the group).  It was not the most important Monkees song that he co-wrote--that, in my humble opinion, was "War Games"--but "Time and Time Again," which Jones co-wrote with Bill Chadwick, has all of his charm, sophistication, and good cheer. It's just a really fun pop song.


"Time and Time Again" appeared as a bonus track on the 1995 Monkees CD re-release of the album Changes (1970), which featured only Jones and Dolenz, as Tork and Nesmith had previously left the group.

During the group's two-year television run on NBC, I wasn't allowed to watch the show.  My Mother disapproved of those "long-haired hippies." When the program landed on CBS as children's Saturday morning fare, I was able to see all the episodes without annoying my Mom.  They changed my musical awareness of popular American rock-and-roll.

Of all the Monkees songs on which Davy sang lead vocal, which was my favorite?  Oddly, it was a song he never liked.

"Daydream Believer" (1967)

Did you have a favorite Davy Jones-sung Monkees tune?  Or, perhaps, something from his solo career?  I'd like to know.  Comments section, please and thanks, as Cauli would say.

Davy Jones had all the talents necessary to become a successful pop star, as Don Kirshner recognized.  But to those of us who watched him and his pals on TV, he was a good friend, who we will truly miss.



P.S.  I can't find a decent video of "War Games," but the song was included on a Monkees CD rarities release called Missing Links (1990), the first of (I think) three volumes of such previously unreleased material.  "Time and Time Again" was also included on this compilation.  So, instead, please allow me to offer Davy's screen test for the sitcom series that became The Monkees (1966-1968).


P.P.S.  Thanks, Cauli, for this chance to pay tribute to one of my childhood heroes.  Two cans of premium tuna-in-oil, as per our agreement.

Leppies' Return Invasion

You can tell it's almost March around my Library, because the Decorinator has brought out the leprechauns again.  You may remember them from last year.  Looks like some scary additions have been made.

Flowers Are a Nice Touch

I don't remember this dude from last year, but he scares moi all the same.  Li'l Reader Dude must be frightened, too, because he's as still as a statue.  The flowers are a nice touch, though.  I'm guessing Paul Hadley would have given this leppie a miss as a watercolor painting subject.

Hey, would you like to see more paintings on display at my Library?  Sure you would.  Click the images below to play.  But you already knew that.




Back to the leppy invasion.

Limber Leppies Doing the "Splits"

That hurts just looking at it.

These Hats Look New

Leppie Slobberdog is "Old Hat," Though

Hank Makes a Dashing Irish Dandy

Willie, Too, Looks Sharp

No More Lucky Charms Cereal For These Leppies



Another Fantastic Adornment, Decorinator,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Library Decoration News Beat


P.S.  See what your parents were watching on television from this Lucky Charms commercial (1973).  See why I find leppies scary?




Grateful Kitties & Slobberdogs

On Monday this week (Feb. 27), "Flat" Caulis III & V, along with my minions, drove to Martinsville, Indiana to deliver the pet food donations that Library patrons graciously provided last week for Cauli Le Chat Appreciation Day (Feb. 22).  There were many happy kitties and slobberdogs, thanks to the generosity of our patrons.  But they would be much happier if they could be adopted to good families and have nice homes.  Just saying.

"Flat" Cauli III next to the Morgan County Humane Society van


"Flat" Cauli V, being even flatter than III (no cardboard backing), had to remain in the car because of the strong winds.  We didn't want V to become airborne!  Needless to say, "Flat" Cauli V was quite put-out.  But she was pleased with our mission and was glad we could deliver kitty and slobberdog food to those in need.


We may receive a few extra donations, which we will take either to MCHS or to a Mooresville charity that distributes food products to people with pets.




Thank You For Your Help, Patrons,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Charitable Donations News Beat


P.S.  "Lord, Help the Poor & Needy," by Cat Power (Chan Marshall), implores listeners to remember those less fortunate.  The song, which has a great blues feel, was included on the CD Jukebox (2008).  Cat Power is a cool name for an Indie rock band.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Look But Don't Rotate

Boss Lady found a wooden revolving literary display in the Library basement, and it was perfect for us to use as an art display for our Cauli art appreciation drawings.  Thanks to the Decorinator, the display was covered in cardboard and then yellow construction paper (another of Boss Lady's ingenious ideas).  Well, Decorinator selected the paper color, and she constructed the entire refurbishing.  Decorinator is an ornamental genius when it comes to Library adornment.  Scowl-Face stood slack-jawed and dazed, which for him was a meaningful contribution.

Our young patrons' artwork is presently displayed prominently by the elevator, immediately inside the Library's front entrance.  (Another Boss Lady brilliancy.)  Is it any wonder why Boss Lady is in charge?  You should stop by the Library to take a personal look.  Until then, take a gander at these photos (as always, click each picture to bigify).






Why two photos of the signs atop the display?  Twice the Cauli for your money, I'd venture.

Although the display is technically a revolving type, please do NOT try to rotate it.  It might fly apart.  A screw fell out when Boss Lady and Scowl-Face were hauling it upstairs.  (Boss Lady is as strong as an elephant.) They don't know exactly what the loose screw was holding in place, but it could have been something vital to the structural integrity of the display. So just let it sit quietly.  Remember--look but don't touch.

I can honestly say that I have never been drawn so well by so many young artists.  Coloring line figures is an underappreciated art form.  In these drawings you will immediately observe an extensive array of creative energies.  Let them carry your emotions to loftier heights, or at least toward the vending machines.

Thanks to all of our young patrons who shared their artistic abilities.  I hope they had fun.  We're certainly enjoying their fine efforts.



I'm No Art Expert, But I Know What I Like,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Patron Art News Beat

P.S.  The Music Man composed an entire CD of percussion pieces based upon musical interpretations of famous Salvador Dali paintings.  The collection is called The Persistence of Memory (2011).  Like all of the Library's composer's original musical scores, we have used them as soundtracks in our book trailers and other videos, such as the sampling below.







Cauli Art Appreciation Contest Winners

By Junior, of Junior's Farm
MPL Special Feline Correspondent
Arts & Crafts News Beat





A team of artistically-inclined felines judged the drawings that our early literacy library patrons submitted on Cauli Le Chat Appreciation Day (last Wednesday, February 22, 2012).  This is a crack team of kitty artisans who know fine art when we see it.

Meet the rest of the judging panel:





Cauli Le Chat, MPL Feline Roving Reporter








Harley Quinn, MPL Feline "Cub" Reporter










Cauli, of course, is well known to her readers, and her qualifications speak for themselves.  Harley is new to the world of art evaluation, but she's quite keen to do a good job.  Actually, she's quite keen about everything.

HARLEY:  Ohboyohboyohboyohboy . . .  I am SOOOO thrilled to be selected on the judging panel for all of this wonderful artwork!  It is all so terrifically creative and imaginative.  I can't wait to get started!

CAULI:  Settle yourself, Harley.  Take some deep breaths.

It was a difficult decision, because there were so many excellent drawings.  Everybody who participated is a winner to us!  There were four categories of drawing styles, or "schools" (as we artsy types call them):
I've provided hyperlinks to the human definitions for this artistic terminology.  We felines have our own interpretations, though.

Here are the winners in each category.  To preserve privacy, we are using only the artists' initials followed by a line (e.g., "J____ W____").  In cases in which the initials are the same, we used the first two letters of an artist's first name.  Those whose initials are given:  You know who you are.


REALIST

WINNER
"Buttercup," by Sh____ B____

RUNNER-UP
"Purple Tail Cauli," by L____ M____


IMPRESSIONIST

WINNER
"Silent Cauli" by B____ P____


RUNNER-UP
"Kaleidoscopic Cauli," by K____ B____


AVANT-GARDE

WINNER
"Purple Haze Cauli," by Sy____ B____



RUNNER-UP
"Rainbow Cauli," by G____ C____


POST-MODERNISM

WINNER
"Electric Red Static Cauli," by L____ J____



RUNNER-UP
"Happy Cauli Goes Green," by D____ M____

Thanks to everybody who participated.  Remember to keep drawing!  Your art is your unique expression.  NOBODY ELSE can draw exactly like you can, and the world would be a lot less fun if we didn't have YOUR artwork to enjoy.




Paws Up to All Our Young Artists,

Junior, of Junior's Farm
MPL Special Feline Correspondent
Arts & Crafts News Beat


P.S.  "The Painter," by Neil Young, comes to us courtesy of his album Prairie Wind (2005).


P.P.S.  "Colours," by Donovan, was first released as a single (1965).  It helped establish Donovan's folk song-writing reputation.  He liked to be known as the "Scottish Woody Guthrie" instead of the "British Bob Dylan."  He had his reasons.


Monday, February 27, 2012

Quite a Ukrainian Yarn


The Mitten is a Ukrainian folk tale adapted and illustrated by Jan Brett (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1989).  It was one of the Music Man's childhood favorites.  How fitting that we may now incorporate his original musical composition as the soundtrack to our book trailer.

Jan Brett's illustrations are wonderfully descriptive, and the text is simultaneously expressive and compressed.  The result is a tightly-told tale that moves the reader along smoothly.  The ever-increasing size of the mitten's occupants makes us anxious to see what happens next, while the story's climax provides a genuine belly-laugh and the satisfaction of knowing that all's well that ends well.

Early literacy readers (i.e., preschoolers) will enjoy listening and looking at this book during read-aloud, and children in the early elementary grades will have fun reading it on their own.  The drawings evoke an old-fashioned, folklore-style format that presages characters and developments.  The art is fabulous.

Although there were no felines in this book, I was truly entertained by the assortment of woodland critters that graced the pages.  I felt like they were alive, right there in front of moi.  That makes for exciting and engaging reading.



Good Thing Yarn Stretches Plenty,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Young Readers' Advisory News Beat

P.S.  "The Mitten in the Snow" is a children's song adapted from Brett's book that may be sung to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell."  Click here to have a nice sing-along with your kids.


P.P.S.  Jan Brett explains in this video (2009) a little about her inspirations for her children's books and how she approaches illustration.



Sunday, February 26, 2012

For Pete's Sake!

For Pete's Sake!  That's today (February 26), sure enough.  You can look it up.

The phrase, "For Pete's Sake!" has long been used as an alternative to expletives.  I have used it myself, as you might recall.

So, how should we celebrate?  Listening to "For Pete's Sake" is as good a start as any.


"For Pete's Sake," composed by Peter Tork and Joseph Richards, appeared on the Monkees LP Headquarters (1967) and was selected to play over the closing credits for the group's second (and final) television season on NBC (1967-1968).  It should have convinced doubters that there was genuine musical talent among the Monkees--Tork could play an assortment of musical instruments and, along with group-mate Michael Nesmith, could compose music as well--but critics were too deeply entrenched into the "Prefab Four" image of the group to put that aside. Headquarters was a bona fide group effort, with the four Monkees themselves playing their own instruments (with a few session players helping out), arranging the album's songs, composing some songs of their own, and handling all of the vocals.  Any pop band from the 1960s would have been pleased to have presented such a collective creative effort as its work, but it didn't sway any critics.  They blasted the group just the same.


Headquarters immediately shot to number one on Billboard's Pop Album charts, where it remained for a week.  The following week, the Beatles LP Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) assumed the top position and remained there for 15 weeks.  But Headquarters stayed on the charts and eventually sold over two million copies.  It was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die (2006), right along with Sgt. Pepper's and many other grand albums.

So, why is it For Pete's Sake Day today?  Who is this Pete, and why are we doing everything for his sake?  Well, there is the Apostle, Saint Peter. Maybe that's who we're saking for.  (If that's not a verb, it oughtta be.)

Peter the Apostle, by Guiseppe Nogari (1743)

Of course, the Monkees' song title was a play-on-words about Peter Tork, but we should remember that one of Tork's major musical influences was folk legend Pete Seeger.  Could For Pete's Sake Day be for Mr. Seeger? Probably not, but, then again, why not?

Pete Seeger performing "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" on a
Stockholm television program (1968).

Pete Seeger wrote the first three verses to "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" (1955), to which Joe Hickerson appended additional verses (1960). The song was re-released in 1961.  Seeger's original composition was published in the folk magazine Sing Out!  Like many of Seeger's folk tunes, it carried a political message that resonated with many people (and still does), while irritating the establishment (and still does).

What other Petes could we be celebrating today?  Peter the Great?  Peter Piper?  Peter Pan?  Peter Peter, Pumpkin-Eater?

Perhaps Peter Graves, Peter Yarrow, or Peter Sellers?  I could go on like this for hours.  Days, quite possibly.

Whoever the Peter whose sake you're celebrating today, I hope you and Peter have fun and enjoy yourselves.  Open some canned tuna-in-oil. Works for moi.




Have Fun Today, For Pete's Sake,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Holiday News Beat


P.S.  When Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1993) spoofed the movie The Beginning of the End (1957), one of the host segments featured Crow T. Robot doing a play about the life of the film's star, Peter Graves, when he attended the University of Minnesota (at which Graves studied drama. Truly.)  Much of the joke here is that the segment drags on, like the movie, waaaay longer than it should.  The MST3K gang were absolute comic geniuses about such subtleties.


Saturday, February 25, 2012

Cauli Art Contest

As part of Cauli Le Chat Appreciation Day this week, Wild Thang had her charges draw official Cauli art.  Let's have a look!




These were the drawings we had as of this past Wednesday.  There have been plenty more made since!  Wild Thang is holding a contest, and I get to judge the best of show.  That's an awesome responsibility, one which I take quite seriously.  In my book, everybody who created Cauli art deserves praise.


Meanwhile, our donation campaign for canned cat food and dog food for Morgan County Humane Society is going nicely.  Today will probably be our last day to collect cans, because we're heading to Martinsville, Indiana on Monday (2/27/12) to deliver the donations.  "Flat" Cauli III wants to accompany my minions and moi.  She feels left out in the traveling department, since most of the other "Flat" Caulis have traveled far and wide, as reported in my blogs.



Good job handling the donations, "Flat" Cauli V.

Drop by the Library today with more canned pet food donations.  We'll appreciate it.




Cauli Art is Way-Cool,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Library Programs News Beat


P.S.  Thinking of moi leads easily to "Phenomenal Cat," by the Kinks, which appeared on the album The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society (1968).  As is true with most Ray Davies' tunes from this period, there is social commentary and philosophy to discern, if you're into that.

Tober Banishes Winter

This has been a truly strange winter for Indiana.  Now that a cold snap has returned, I protest to the powers-that-be.  It has been an unusually mild winter thus far, at least around my hometown, and as it is almost the end of February, I think winter has forfeited its right to go cold and snowy on us.  That should have happened in January, and since winter missed its chance then, it's unfair and against my rules to bring arctic chills back to Hoosier land this late in the game.

Hoodie Hoo'ing at Thorntown (Ind.) Public Library
Monday, Feb. 20, 2012

So I'd like to follow the lead of Tober, the Thorntown (Indiana) Public Library Cat, and his staff and patrons to banish winter.  On Monday, February 20, it was Hoodie Hoo Day in Thorntown, at which time (noon, to be exact) TPL staff and patrons engaged in a winter-warding ceremony that looked a whole lot more effective than any shadow-seeing from Punxsutawney Phil was.

Check out Thorntown's video on Tober's blog by clicking here.  You'll see that this group means business.

Winter, you've been officially hoodie hoo'ed.  Go away now.  We can repeat this ceremony as long as it takes.



Wind Chills Tonight in the Single Digits (Fahrenheit)?  Are You Kidding Moi?

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Hoosier Weather News Beat

P.S.  Hey, Boss Lady.  Moi, sleeping inside our Library tonight.  It is SO happening.  I've got Scowl-Face's key fob to the secret locking staff door.


P.P.S.  "A Hazy Shade of Winter," by folk-pop legends Simon & Garfunkel, was recorded and released as a single (1966) and later appeared on the album Bookends (1968).  Paul Simon was one of the greatest folk-pop lyricists and musicians of the 20th century.  He's still cranking out great songs today.  As for Art Garfunkel, every guy Scowl-Face knew in high school choir wished desperately that his voice was as wonderful as his. Garfunkel's, I mean. (Who'd you think I meant?  Scowl-Face couldn't carry a tune in a bucket.)  Seriously, that's a true story.


P.P.P.S.  The Bangles recorded a cover of "A Hazy Shade of Winter" (1987) to include on the movie soundtrack to Less Than Zero (1987).  The group recorded a live rendition of the song for AOL Sessions (2003), shown here in this nifty online video.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Sound Like a Pirate on Cauli 4 Kids

Since the featured letter of the alphabet was R r on Wild Thang and Sammy the Toucan's early literacy blog and video, we can all sound like pirates!  That's what we did on my Cauli 4 Kids blog this afternoon.

Go ahead--Give it a try.  RRRRRRrrrrrrrr!  Pretty fun!


Shiver Moi Timbers,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Early Literacy News Beat


P.S.  Does my Library have any book trailers about race cars?  What do you think?

Wild Thang Scorches YouTube Viewing Stats

I already did Friday Features earlier today, but I just took a peek at Wild Thang's YouTube Channel, and here's what I noticed.

Click to Bigify

The Miss Jaymi's Channel has graced YouTube for just a little over five months already, and her total video viewership is 11,675.  Do you know how long it took the MPL YouTube Channel to reach 10,000?  Moi, neither.  I was hoping you'd know so we could make a meaningful comparison.

Wait, I can look it up!  Done and done.  It took nine months.  That was actually faster than I remembered.  It felt like much longer.

Anyway, the point is that Wild Thang's Channel is scorching YouTube in terms of library viewership statistics.  Well, for libraries the size of ours, that's a huge number of viewings in such a short time.   Quite impressive, I'd venture.  Wild Thang and Sammy are to be congratulated.  Boss Lady, that means raises all 'round.  Or raisins.  Something like that.

Kudos to Wild Thang and her partner, Sammy the Toucan, for making early literacy a "must-see" on YouTube.  After a couple of years, your videos will be pulling big numbers.  the MPL YouTube Channel's 244 currently uploaded videos are presently being watched at a monthly rate of . . . let's see, now . . .

Click to Bigify


Just Saying,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
YouTube Statistics News Beat


P.S.  Speaking of viewing statistics skyrocketing upward, I'm reminded of the beginning of the LP To Our Children's Children's Children (1969), by the Moody Blues, in which one hears a musical cacophony intended to simulate the launching of the Saturn V rocket carrying Apollo 11's astronauts to the moon earlier that year.  Following close behind is the first track, "Higher and Higher," written by MB percussionist Graeme Edge.  The Moodies were heavily into Eastern philosophy and mysticism at the time, as one may readily discern from the dramatic tone of the instrumentals and, especially, from the spoken lyrics.  This album, though, has a more direct purpose:  To praise the greatest human achievement of the 20th century (according to some folks).  Listen to the entire work, though, and you'll find philosophy aplenty.  The Moodies never disappoint when it comes to life lessons learned.

A Tribute to Jules Le Chat (1998/2001?-2012)

Last Friday (Feb. 17, 2012), my dear friend and relation Jules Le Chat passed over.  Like moi, Jules (or Juliet, as Kindly Couple called her) was an outdoor Library hang-arounder.  In June, 2004, The Lady With the Red Hair and Buffalo Gal discovered Jules waiting at their car in the Library parking lot.  She had been hanging out at the Library for awhile, asking passing people for assistance.  She was extremely thin, badly groomed, and obviously in need of much loving care.  She was clearly an adult kitty--the V-E-T subsequently gauged her age at between 3-6 years--so she had knocked around the streets of Mooresville for quite some time, unless she had been "dumped" at the Library, which was admittedly a possibility.  Her distinguishing physical characteristic was a partially-amputated tail, presumably due to a catastrophic injury, that earned her the nickname "Stumpy" from moi (although I only used it in jest--Jules could take a joke with grace and good humor).

Jules Le Chat in a Playful Pose (2011)


The Lady With the Red Hair and Buffalo Gal knew just what to do.  They entered the Library and spoke with CompuGal, who was then head of Adult Reference Services, to see if anyone affiliated with the Library could shed light on Jules' plight.  There were no leads there, so our gallant ladies took Jules around the neighborhood to inquire if she "belonged" to any humans living nearby.  Nobody claimed Jules, and the Library, then as now, was unable to have a full-time resident feline living inside the building.  So Kindly Couple intervened and adopted Jules, who enjoyed the subsequent eight years living comfortably in a country homestead close to town.

Jules was a sweet, kind, loving cat.  She was regal, refined, and friendly to everyone--humans, felines, and canines included--although she occasionally did the feline predator thing and caught winged dinners, meeses, and tiny burrowdogs (i.e., moles).  She was a wonderful representative of our species.  We loved her with all our hearts and miss her sharing our physical lives here on earth.

Jules was no free-loader, either.  She worked hard as one of my special feline correspondents for the Library.  If you have followed my blog since the beginning, you have probably read some of her work.  If not, now's your chance.

Now she is gone but never forgotten.  We know she has joined Shiloh, our late friend and great slobberdog guardian, who crossed over nearly a year ago next month.  Other felines from Kindly Couple's family over the past three decades--Fluffy, Jack, Einnie, Dozer, Punkin, Callie Jo, Daisy Dog, and Daughter--were also there to guide Jules in her transition to the Summerland, where we hope one day to rejoin her.  I reckon she has met up with the rest of her tail.  Spirit bodies are always whole, particularly when the spirit is as wholesome, pure, and loving as Jules.


The Lids Remove Themselves in Heavenly Canned Tuna-in-Oil,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Feline Tribute News Beat

P.S.  "Hey, Jules" was Paul McCartney's original title for a song written for John Lennon's son, Julian.  It was subsequently changed to "Hey, Jude" (1968), which became the Beatles' biggest selling single release, remaining atop Billboard's Hot 100 Pop Singles chart for nine weeks and charting the American top 40 for something like 26 weeks or longer.  The song has arguably the greatest refrain ever written for a pop tune.  Jules Le Chat would be pleased to have the song dedicated to her for today's musical closer.

Friday Features Welcomes Evergreen Indiana

On this week's Friday Features, Evergreen Indiana has entered the current top ten video viewing list for the MPL YouTube Channel.

Click to Bigify

One of our program, or promo, trailers showcasing the Evergreen Indiana Open-Source Integrated Library System has cracked the current top ten viewership list.  If you're new to E.I., our promo trailer will break the ice.

Evergreen Indiana Open-Source ILS Promo Trailer
(MPL Program Trailer #12)

Another newcomer to the present top ten videos is our book trailer featuring one of humorist James Thurber's funnier collections of stories.

The Thurber Carnival, by James Thurber
(MPL Book Trailer #34)

If you've never read Thurber before, Thurber Carnival is an excellent place to begin.  If you're into the readers' advisory thing, and you have a high tolerance for Scowl-Face's bleatings, then this is the blog posting for you.  (2018 UPDATE:  You're in luck.  Scowl-Face's readers' advisory blog was taken down.  Guess he got tired of it.)




Evergreen Indiana--Both a Library Card and a Consortium,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
YouTube Video Viewing News Beat


P.S.  This Columbia Pictures/United Productions of America (UPA) cartoon (1953) animated James Thurber's characters from "The Unicorn in the Garden," a short story Thurber wrote for The New Yorker magazine (October 31, 1939).  The humorous story was Thurber's most famous "modern fable," and it was included in The Thurber Carnival (1945).

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Feeling Fully Appreciated, Thank You Very Much

I'm feeling fully appreciated after yesterday's festivities.  In fact, besides Wild Thang and Sammy the Toucan's video, I have a lapel pin to prove it.

"Flat" Cauli II Models My Lapel Pin
(Click to Bigify Photos)

Yep.  Fully Appreciated; That's Moi




Feeling Fully Appreciated, Thank You Very Much,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Staff Holiday News Beat


P.S.  Speaking of appreciation, Ann-Margret, portraying the character Rusty Martin in the movie Viva Las Vegas (1964) opposite Elvis Presley, sings "Appreciation," which appears to have been excluded from the reissued soundtrack CD (2003).  Perhaps I'm just overlooking it in the track list.


P.P.S.  Another, less memorable 1964 movie that Ann-Margret starred in was Kitten With a Whip, which received a justly-deserved riffing from Mystery Science Theater 3000 (Episode 615).  Mike and the 'Bots crack wise during a sequence in which, strangely counterpointing the characters' ages and circumstances, annoying cartoons play on the TV in the background.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Behind the Scenes With Wild Thang & Sammy the Toucan

Ever wonder how Wild Thang (Miss Jaymi) and Sammy the Toucan shoot their early literacy videos?  Let's go behind-the-scenes to watch this dynamic duo in action.


That's MPL videographer Rachel Buchanan (on the left) using the Youth Services digital camera to film this segment of Explore to Learn: Early Literacy Fun.  (To watch all of Wild Thang and Sammy's early literacy videos, visit Miss Jaymi's YouTube Channel.)  Scowl-Face is using the Library's new Canon EOS 1100D Rebel T3 digital camera to film the "behind-the-scenes" angle.  (Actually, Scowlly just does a poor job framing the shot.  Hence this "behind-the-scenes" video.)  He used the new tripod, so that's why the camera isn't shaking every which way but loose.  Truly fabulous resolution!  This is the Library's "go-to" HD video and digital still-photography device from now on.

I surely appreciated Wild Thang and Sammy devoting this entire early literacy video to moi for Cauli Le Chat Appreciation Day today.  "Flat" Cauli II was great as my "stand-in" while I was out roaming the streets for the latest news stories.  Unfortunately, because of Scowl-Face's ineptitude in camera angling, the ceiling lights reflected rather harshly off "Flat" Cauli II, washing-out her features.  These things happen in show business.

I was further pleased by the early literacy reading suggestions that Wild Thang and Sammy recommended.  Those cat books were terrific choices! One of my favorite books was featured. (You can see it on my blog background.)  Guess I'd better fetch our book trailer.

If You Give a Cat a Cupcake, by Laura Numeroff
(Felicia Bond, Illustrator)
(MPL Book Trailer #142)

Hearing Wild Thang and Sammy talking about the letter R r reminded moi of pirates, too.  I've got that covered.

Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson
(MPL Book Trailer #49)

My Library blogged about this book as well.  Cybrarians call it "cross-pollination" among the social media.

Weren't Willie and Hank dressed as pirates last October for Halloween?  Let's reprise some blurry photos.

It was a wonderful day of appreciation for moi.  Thanks to everybody for making it so special.



When Is Sammy the Toucan Day?  Just Asking,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
My Holiday News Beat


P.S.  "The Cat Came Back" (1956), by Sonny James, was released as a 78 r.p.m. record in the UK.  Not bad sound for a brittle disc made from shellac resin.

Yep. My Day. Appreciate Moi

Yep.  It's my day (Wednesday, February 22, 2012).  Let the appreciation begin!

My Appreciation Banner at the MPL Circulation Desk
(Thanks, Wild Thang!)
[Click to Bigify]


Wild Thang will be giving out "kitty chow" during her early literacy programs this morning, and youngsters will receive an official Cauli Le Chat Pawtographed "Cub" Reporter Press Kit, along with a Cauli coloring page.  Wild Thang is having a contest to see who can best color moi (on paper; not actually my body being colored, like in that book I reviewed last April).

We've collected some canned cat food and dog food to donate to the Morgan County Humane Society, but more is welcome.  If patrons could drop off their canned donations at the MPL Circulation Desk, we would be most appreciative.

My pal Sparkle the Designer Cat mailed moi an appreciation card.  Actually, it was a Valentine card.  Want to see?

Claws come in handy to open envelopes

Sparkle personalized my Valentine card

That is so nice!  Thanks, Sparkle


Your card made my day, Sparkle.  I appreciate you, too.

Drop by the Library today to help us celebrate my special day.  Show your appreciation through your cat food or dog food donation to MCHS.  I'll be around outside, roaming the neighborhood to cover all the breaking news.  Plus there's food at several choice locations in the immediate vicinity of 220 West Harrison Street, where the Library is situated.  It doesn't have my name on it, but I know it was left out for moi.



Happy Appreciation Day For Moi,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
My Appreciation Day News Beat


P.S.  When it comes to appreciating oneself in song, "U Can't Touch This," by MC Hammer, must rank near or at the top.  The song appeared on the album Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em (1990).


P.P.S.  Naturally, we can't include MC Hammer's megahit without the classic parody by "Weird Al" Yankovic.  "I Can't Watch This" appeared on "Weird Al's" album Off the Deep End (1992).  A fan created this funny video to accompany the song.