Cash, when I had shingles eons ago, Aveeno baths (the oatmeal kind) really seemed to help a lot. I'm sorry you're going through this--it's seventy kinds of no fun.

No advice Cash, but I'm very sympathetic and impressed about how not obnoxious you've been about the doctor fiasco. I hope you feel better and that this goes away quickly.

libkitty, I have absolutely appreciated your feedback. Not at all talking down. Input is always appreciated and valued!

My main point is having to do with Google search vs. traditional cataloging (which is being done in a way on any Web site that has implemented good search functionality). I agree with your points on remotely accessing materials and I think online is certainly wonderful. I'm also including stuff about how private businesses are putting a lot of money into doing faceting and hierarchies on the Web and in internal databases that come directly out of library science. Ironic that the private sector is adopting library practices that Marcum seems to want to relinquish to Google.

Totally cool conversation!!!

And, feel better, Cash!

I'm also including stuff about how private businesses are putting a lot of money into doing faceting and hierarchies on the Web

Great! I think this is important stuff and should help your paper a lot.

Ironic that the private sector is adopting library practices that Marcum seems to want to relinquish to Google.

Much of what has been done with private sector search and retrieval was done first in the library community, but they've done it with more money and more advertising. Actually, this just emphasizes for me the importance of marketing in just about every field, including libraries. Unfortunately, that's also really depressing for me, because I don't much like marketing. I think a lot of people went into libraries to avoid marketing, and it's come back to bite us. So we do it, and some do a great job, but so many do it with no money and no training and no aptitude.

Not at all talking down.

Whew. I can be bad with this sometimes, but it's not on purpose!

Yep, Aveeno oatmeal bath was the other thing I was going to suggest. Mostly, though, I just hope you feel better.

In Bitchly news, I'm having a good hair day, which makes me happy. Alas, I also have a nasty headache. ND just ran into Guitar Center, and I opted to stay outside to avoid the noise...and then they cranked up the outdoor speakers. Evil bastards. I shall beat them with their bad rap beats.

Sunil Dislocates His Shoulder III: This Time, It's Personal.

Sunil, I will read about your shoulder tomorrow. I'm so sorry it happened, today.

Yep, Aveeno oatmeal bath was the other thing I was going to suggest. Mostly, though, I just hope you feel better.

The Aveeno oatmeal bath is what I used. I was 19, and my chicken pox (which we believe I caught from my grandfather's shingles) were painful and itchy. It helped, as did Benadryl OR Benadryl Spray (you can't use both at the same time), and Tylenol.

Oh, and don't forget booze. Seriously, if you have any nerve pills in the house (ativan, valium) that you believe you can take safely, do it up. Try to dress light. I think if you get hot (or take too hot showers) it brings the rash out, more.

I hope you feel better, sweetie. I'm so sorry you have this.

Goodnight, Buffistas. I spent the day at the Bronzer reunion, and feel slightly like a woman without a country. It was lovely, but it was probably too lovely to last.

This morning I woke up with a brain that was having ABBA sing the lyrics of "Hello I Love you" to the tune of "Dancing Queen."

Do you think you'll be the... guyyyy.
To make the queen of the angels... siiiiigh?

I told Andi. She may beat me.

She may beat me.