Stream of Consciousness

At one of the libraries where I work, a co-worker passed along a fascinating link to a haunted library.  So why did I categorize this under technology?  Check this out.

One library in particular has installed three cameras that are connected to the internet.  Yep, you can watch for their ghosts online ’round the clock. 

If you see a ghost, you click on the camera image.  The image is saved and you can write comments with it.  Then the saved image and your caption go into their online collection of ghost pictures.

This was really cool because, as a total scaredy cat myself, I would never ever go near a haunted anything on purpose.  Much like I wouldn’t go see a lion in the wild, but in the zoo it’s a different story because I feel more like I’m observing the critter from a safe distance where it is unaware of my presence.

While most of the saved images are shadowy, there were a few that I found truly startling.

Here is a link to their ghost cams:  http://www.willardghost.com/index.php?content=ghostcams

And here is a link to one of my favorite ghost images from that library:

1.  Disembodied leg. http://www.willardghost.com/ghostspottings/inspect.php?capture=28760&pic=20070111/WillardGhostCapture_20070111-04:09:29.jpg

I was at a conference last week, one that I go to for work each year, and what a difference a year makes.

Last year, there were long lines at the computer center that was set up where we could check our email and print out seminar handouts.  This year - no waiting at the computer center.  

 Two reasons come to mind.  First, the hotel has internet in each room and a wireless signal in the lobby!

I was kicking myself for not bringing a laptop from work, because in-room internet was less than $6 per day.  Then I really kicked myself on the last day when I found a wireless keyboard in the TV stand!  I could have been using internet over the TV in the room even though I had not brought a laptop - wow!  I had no idea they were doing that.

Second reason is that so many people have phone/PDA things with internet in their pocket (and yes, I still want an iPhone and I still need to save up for it).