My extended second childhood continues with the Classic Media DVD release of the 1965 Japanese/US co-production/Godzilla-and-friends monsterfest Invasion of Astro-Monster. (It was released in America under the less awkward and more accurate title Monster Zero as part of a double bill with 1966's War of the Gargantuas in 1970; I caught both on TV in the early 70s.)
Twenty years ago today the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law. The ADA, among other things, prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in such areas as employment and public accommodations. The ADA National Network has a list of events around the country and ways to celebrate this important day here. Meanwhile, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is posting a series of video interviews with people in the disability community. And the White House's special adviser on disability policy, Kareem Dale, discusses the impact of the ADA here. For more information about the ADA, go to the ADA home page here.
Job hunters looking for the right kind of employment still have to make ends meet (and keep from going crazy) while going from interview to interview. The SnagAJob site provides an online directory of "hourly employment" minimum wage jobs. The site lists various retail, customer service, restaurant (fast food) and part-time job openings throughout the country. For more information click here.
A.E. van Vogt's classic 1945 serial, The World of Null-A, subsequently collected and published as the first post-WWII hardcover science fiction novel in 1948, may be a little creaky storywise, but it's still an exciting, fact-paced adventure that'll hold your attention to the very end.
This New York Times story notes that state and local budget cuts in home care services for the elderly and disabled do save money for the state goverments, but at a terrible and heartbreaking cost. Read reporter John Leland's account here.
An interesting website, Jobs in Pods, allows job seekers and other interested parties to listen to podcast interviews (jobcasts) with professionals in various fields. Employers allow their employees to discuss the job(s) they do, what's required, etc. For more information, click here.
A direct sequel to 1964's Mothra Vs. Godzilla (which I'll get around to reviewing someday), Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster (also released in Japan in 1964, and in the US a year later, as the respelled "Ghridrah") is the first of Toho Studios' "kaija eiga" (giant monster) films featuring more than two creatures. It's also, in both it's domestic and English-language versions, an exciting, wild, funny and gripping film that never drags in it's pace.
The New York Times recently ran this story about Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco, who lost his arms and legs due to a roadside bomb in Iraq last year. Specialist Marrocco's efforts to resume a normal life with the support of his family, friends, and doctors, is a powerful and inspirational story (as well as a brutal reminder of the never-ending sacrifices our soldiers make, fighting for us overseas) that you can read here. Then go to this site if you'd like to show your support for Specialist Marrocco.
Okay, I said in my last post that new posts would start appearing on July 12. However, I managed to complete sooner than expected editing this podcast interview I did last month with Jim Lunny, VP of Workforce Development Solutions for GettingHired.com, the site that assists job seekers with disabilities,which I thought listeners might like. So please tune in. My thanks to Mr. Lunny for his patience and kindness. (You may have to adjust the volume accordingly.)
No, I haven't really gone fishing. Due to other library-related projects, "Ed's Blog", for those who haven't followed my updates (tweets) on Twitter, will be back next week (07/12/10) with new entries. Meanwhile, let me recommend taking a look at our other library blogs, including the new "Historically Speaking" one, plus other services like our new Teens Facebook page and our summer long "Ask The Expert" program (similar to the Drop-In Computer Labs that run every Thursday in the Technology Training Center) that helps patrons learn new technology. My colleagues have done a great job putting these services together and I hope you'll check them out. See you next week.
