I have a friend who is just starting out as a stand-up comic. He's got a couple of youtube videos and is always inviting me to come see his routine. I love stand-up comedy, but I've been to a couple of comedy clubs, and I must confess, I don't like the club side of the comedy.  I don't want to drink, I just want to hear the jokes.

Luckily for me, at the library we've got a great line-up of comedy CDs that I can listen to. I like doing this on my drive to and from work. Here's some you may also like.

Blue Collar Comedy Tour Rides Again - The Blue Collar Comedy Tour consisted of Jeff Foxworthy (you know you're a redneck...), Larry the Cable Guy, Ron White (they call me 'tater salad) and Bill Engvall (here's your sign). This humor takes me back to my Missouri roots and though sometimes a little offensive, they're always funny.

The Best of Lily Tomlin - if you are of an age with me, then you remember Lily Tomlin's Edith Ann and of course her routines as the phone operator Ernestine...

Something Like This - Bob Newhart.  You probably remember him from the two long-running sit-coms he did - the Bob Newhart Show and Newhart - both of which you can watch on Hulu.   But Bob Newhart was really one of the funniest stand-up comedians ever! Such witty, dry humor!

There are also plenty of stand-up comedy dvd's available for check out as well...

Robin Williams Live on Broadway - Robin Williams comedy is frenetic and makes me laugh so hard my sides hurt. He's done a lot of dramatic roles in movies but his start was stand-up comedy.

Carlos Mencia: Not for the Easily Offended - Take this title to heart!  Carlos Mencia does talk about subjects in a way that might offend some of you. But if you can take a joke and go to the edge of propriety, the results are hilarious. This video was recorded in San José.

So, check it out and laugh a little - or a lot!

Knitters and crocheters have their own culture and their own language. If you don't knit or crochet, you probably didn't know it, but we do. Yes, I am one of them. And now I will share our secrets with you...

When you knit or crochet something and it is coming out all wrong, you pull the yarn and "frog" your work. This means un-knitting or un-crocheting. Usually you "frog" until you get to the point where you can start over. Sometimes this means you pull the whole darn thing apart. This is a cathartic experience and if you have never "frogged," I suggest you give it a try.

But you will need to learn to knit or crochet first. The library has a plethora of books and even dvd's on the topic. So get ye to the 746's and grab one. Here are some that are good for beginners:

Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmerman is the holy grail of knitting. This book is patient and kind and explains the whole thing in exquisite detail. The book was first published in 1971, but has been reprinted several times, which demonstrates that it has withstood the test of time and is a classic.

Kids Can Knit: Fun and Easy Projects for Your Small Knitter by Carolyn Clewer is a book for kids, but if you are a grown-up you cannot possibly be intimidated by the simple projects and how-to's in this book!

If you cannot figure it out from the diagrams and pictures in a book, here's a DVD to get you going:

The Art of Knitting & Crochet 2 This DVD features instructors who show you how to knit and crochet. If you don't get it the first time, just hit rewind!

Since you're online now, check out Nexstitch to watch very short, simple how-to videos to learn to crochet. This is how I learned after being frustrated by trying to learn from a book.

There are traditions and superstitions among knitters and crocheters. The most famous and devastating of which is The Sweater Curse! Supposedly, if you knit your boyfriend a sweater, he will break up with you. My husband has told me not to knit him a sweater but he is interested in me knitting one for myself in a masculine style that he could borrow! Why does knitting your boyfriend a sweater make him break up? It could be that he hated the sweater, but since you spent so much time making it, he feels awkward around you and then breaks up with you. It could be that because you spent so much time on a present, the sweater represents to him your commitment to the relationship which far outclasses his own and so he breaks up with you. Whatever it is, the Sweater Curse, according to some, is very real. On the blog Anti-Craft, there is a great sweater pattern called Curse Your Boyfriend and on the online web magazine Knitty, there's an article on the topic that is a great read! Knitty also features knitting patterns and is published quarterly, so for free online patterns, check it out!

There is something calming about holding yarn in your hands and turning it into a functional object. It can be done while riding the bus, while watching tv, while conversing with friends. The Knitting Sutra: Craft as a Spiritual Practice by Susan Gordon Lydon explores that topic and others.

So keep warm, learn to knit or crochet and keep your hands busy this winter. Don't knit your boyfriend a sweater but that doesn't mean you can't knit him a scarf!

I'm talking about documentaries of course! During the semester break I always make great use of the library's DVD collection and IMHO there is nothing better than a great true story summed and decorated up for the silver screen. I call it the enjoyable, yet lazy woman's way to study history and culture! All of the below recommendations are award winners and most are also available in print, just click on the link to check location and availability of all formats.  Here are a few must see docs that I've watched recently:

God Grew Tired of Us - Chronicles the unyielding spirit of three "Lost Boys" forced to leave their Sudanese homeland because of civil war. It is endearing and humorous to watch as they adapt to life in the United States, but never forget about the family and friends that were left behind.

Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room - Examines the 2001 collapse of the Enron Corporation and the demise of the company's top executives. An inside look into one of the biggest business scandals in history, this one keeps you on your toes!  Based on the book,  The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron, by Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind. 

Crazy Love - A true love story about two crazy kids who engage in a roller coaster relationship and end up in headlines across the nation. This one starts off a little slow, but the hanger is definitely worth the wait, believe me!

Next one on my list to see is Food Inc.  The print copy written by Karl Weber can be found under the longer title of Food, Inc.: How Industrial Food is Making Us Sicker, Fatter, and Poorer-- and What You Can Do About It.  No doubt it will have an effect on my eating behaviors, so I'm busy chowing down on cheeseburgers before I watch this one!  If you need one more reason why Docs Rock, consider the ability to REQUEST them :)

If you like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series by Swedish author Steig Larsson, you might like the novels of Norwegian author Jo Nesbo. His latest, featuring detective Harry Hole, is

The Devil's Star. The main character, Harry, is complex and the plot developments twisty and engrossing!

And a big (lliterally!) novel to read might be: The Passage by Justin Cronin, which has gotten lots of good reviews.  The characters in this post-apocalyptic quest-for-safety story make it a page-turner similar to Stephen King's The Stand. 

If you are a fan of Rajnikanth, we have many of his movies at the library. Of course we don’t have Enthiran as yet. It is still running to packed houses in India and so the DVD version will take some time to make its way into our collection. But we have other titles that you might find interesting.

Sivaji (2007): Sivaji (Rajnikanth in the lead role), a U.S. returned software engineer wants to use his fortune to create social reform. But his efforts are thwarted by corrupt officials and undermined by a political strongman. Sivaji uses political blackmail to achieve his goals, but his rivals threaten his fiancée with his death if she doesn't turn over computer evidence which results in his imprisonment. My favorite line in the movie is “Panni than daa koottama varum; Singam single aa than varum” (Only the swine comes in herds; The Lion will always come alone).

Chandramukhi (2005): In this musical comedy, a newlywed couple, Senthil and Ganga, move into an old mansion and creepy things start happening. Who is behind all this: Is it the ghost of the former occupant, Chandramukhi, an ancient courtesan? Or is it the family of Shweta, the woman intended to be Senthil's bride? This movie is also available in Hindi as Bhool Bhulaiyaa with Akshay Kumar in Rajni’s role as a psychiatrist.

Padayappa (1999): There is nothing new in the storyline but its Rajnikanth flair for drama and the intense chemistry between the lead actors that makes this movie watchable. Ramya Krishna is a hot-tempered girl who admires Rajni, but Rajni likes Soundarya. Years later, and Rajni's daughter Preetha falls in love with Abbas, Ramya's nephew. Ramya uses their love affair to settle old scores with Rajni. My favorite line from this movie “En Vazhi Thani Vazhi...” (My way is a different way…)

Annamalai (1992): In this movie, Rajni plays Annamalai, who starts out as a cowherd, and becomes a millionaire by selling milk. It is the story of two childhood friends who fall out then become enemies in the hotel business. About his style of functioning, he has this to say: Naan solrathaiyum seiven, sollathathiyum seiven.” (I will do what I say, I will also do what I don’t say.)

Happy viewing!

Are you tired of hearing the same old Christmas songs in the same old arrangements? Check out the sounds available at your local library!

All of the libraries have holiday music CDs, such as Christmas Duets by Elvis Presley, Christmas Spirit by Los Lonely Boys, And Winter Came by Enya, and even Christmas with the Chipmunks!

You could also check out DVDs, including All I Want for Christmas is a Real Good Tan by Kenny Chesney, A Christmas Celtic Sojourn, Live, and Luciano Pavarotti Live at Notre-Dame: a Holiday Special.

Finally, get ready for caroling with piano and song books. One of my favorites is Christmas Joy for Piano: Piano Solos, including such favorites as “Jingle Bells”,” Deck the Hall”, and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”. Another choice, which includes guitar chord symbols, might be Carols for Children. Come check it out at your local library!