Happy birthday to the First Librarian! September 5, 2016 9:19 AM Subscribe
Our Jessamyn was one of the first blogging librarians; in fact, I think she started her blog back when the term was "web log." A free speech advocate, author, computer literacy practicioner and pretty good pool player, Jessamyn has helped set the tone for the way Metatalk and AskMetafilter have evolved and we have been very lucky to have her input on tons of questions over the years. Happy birthday, Jessamyn! ♥
It is the day of the epic scrabble player, newsletter writer and digital divide commentator. May hunky Jesus be on your team for the forthcoming year.
posted by Wordshore at 9:31 AM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Wordshore at 9:31 AM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
🎂🍾🎉
posted by The Whelk at 9:50 AM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by The Whelk at 9:50 AM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
Happy Birthday! I hope it's a good 'un, with exactly the right amount of cake, pie, or other treats of your preference.
posted by GenjiandProust at 10:16 AM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by GenjiandProust at 10:16 AM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
Happy birthday! Thanks for helping shape this place into my favorite place on the internet.
posted by charmedimsure at 10:17 AM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by charmedimsure at 10:17 AM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
Yay for Jessamyn! And pb (aka "the bevy")!
posted by languagehat at 10:43 AM on September 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by languagehat at 10:43 AM on September 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
Happy Birthdays!
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 10:45 AM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 10:45 AM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'm pretty sure I saw Jessamyn in the restroom at SLA 2006 in Baltimore, and 10 years later I am still kicking myself for being too awestruck to say hello in person. Happy Birthday to you, and to pb.
posted by wheek wheek wheek at 11:13 AM on September 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by wheek wheek wheek at 11:13 AM on September 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
with exactly the right amount of cake, pie, or other treats of your preference.
Thank you, yes. My sister and not_on_display are down here at my dad's house. We just had a birthday weekend with 18 folks coming down for an event we call CHILDNADO (where all my friends with kids come at the same time and the kids wreck the place for 36 hours and then go home) which was prefaced by the furnace dying (it's better now, it was just resting) which was hilarious. My sister showed up in costume much to the delight of every kid (and me). We had a great cake. Today we went out to Frugal Franks and tested out a new breakfast place which we liked even though it was super weird. Today we're going to make/eat strawberry shortcake and watch the weather get weird.
pb is also a Virgo! I have a thing I do called the Virgo Month of Leisure (when I swear I am going to relax) and I rarely do it. This year I didn't even remember that it was VMOL time until this weekend. I hope pb is relaxing enough for the both of us.
posted by jessamyn (retired) at 11:16 AM on September 5, 2016 [16 favorites]
Thank you, yes. My sister and not_on_display are down here at my dad's house. We just had a birthday weekend with 18 folks coming down for an event we call CHILDNADO (where all my friends with kids come at the same time and the kids wreck the place for 36 hours and then go home) which was prefaced by the furnace dying (it's better now, it was just resting) which was hilarious. My sister showed up in costume much to the delight of every kid (and me). We had a great cake. Today we went out to Frugal Franks and tested out a new breakfast place which we liked even though it was super weird. Today we're going to make/eat strawberry shortcake and watch the weather get weird.
pb is also a Virgo! I have a thing I do called the Virgo Month of Leisure (when I swear I am going to relax) and I rarely do it. This year I didn't even remember that it was VMOL time until this weekend. I hope pb is relaxing enough for the both of us.
posted by jessamyn (retired) at 11:16 AM on September 5, 2016 [16 favorites]
Happy birthdays Jessamyn and pb!
posted by ellieBOA at 11:19 AM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by ellieBOA at 11:19 AM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
And excellent panda costume!
posted by ellieBOA at 11:19 AM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by ellieBOA at 11:19 AM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
jessamyn: tested out a new breakfast place which we liked even though it was super weird
Going by the website that's the most Fall River place that ever Fall Rivered.
Happy birthday yay hurray!
posted by Kattullus at 11:36 AM on September 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
Going by the website that's the most Fall River place that ever Fall Rivered.
Happy birthday yay hurray!
posted by Kattullus at 11:36 AM on September 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
Happy birthday, Jessamyn!
posted by box at 11:58 AM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by box at 11:58 AM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
Happy birthday to my favorite librarian superhero! Happy belated birthday to the amazing pb!
we have been very lucky to have her input on tons of questions over the years
Hear, hear. And I still think it's so neat that among many others helped outside MetaFilter, the White House has had the benefit of jessamyn's wise input, too.
My sister showed up in costume much to the delight of every kid (and me)
Oh my gosh, that's great and adorable and I now have a big smile on my face. Glad you're having what sounds like a memorable birthday weekend with loved ones and yummy cake!
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 12:11 PM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
we have been very lucky to have her input on tons of questions over the years
Hear, hear. And I still think it's so neat that among many others helped outside MetaFilter, the White House has had the benefit of jessamyn's wise input, too.
My sister showed up in costume much to the delight of every kid (and me)
Oh my gosh, that's great and adorable and I now have a big smile on my face. Glad you're having what sounds like a memorable birthday weekend with loved ones and yummy cake!
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 12:11 PM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
Apologies for not remembering pb's birthday until cortex helpfully reminded me (us?)!
Happy birthday, pb!
Huzzah! A rousing cheer for our Virgo mods emeriti/emeritae!
posted by Lynsey at 12:19 PM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
Happy birthday, pb!
Huzzah! A rousing cheer for our Virgo mods emeriti/emeritae!
posted by Lynsey at 12:19 PM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
Brilliant!
Happiness be with y'all throughout the year!
posted by mightshould at 12:20 PM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
Happiness be with y'all throughout the year!
posted by mightshould at 12:20 PM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
Happy birthday, Jessamyn! go virgos!! I'm relaxed!!!1! (yes, VMOL would be helpful.)
Thanks for the birthday wishes and happy seasonal transition everyone! 🍃🍂
posted by pb (retired) at 1:14 PM on September 5, 2016 [5 favorites]
Thanks for the birthday wishes and happy seasonal transition everyone! 🍃🍂
posted by pb (retired) at 1:14 PM on September 5, 2016 [5 favorites]
Have a great birthday awesome lady!
posted by vrakatar at 1:58 PM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by vrakatar at 1:58 PM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
September is a very good month for notable MetaFilter birthdays (although pb is actually on the ass-end of August). Although the most questionable of us (most notably myself and quonsar) are in the later "Libra-based" part of the month and MeFiFounder mathowie is just over the edge of October. This has always been the Most MetaFilter Time of the Year. Of the current mods, most do not list birthdays, there's one each in August and October and New Boss cortex is a late-April Taurus (as is the new hire code monkey). I do worry whether the site may be turning more Bull-Based Taurus instead of its previous Innocent Virgo/Balanced Libra orientation.
But I digress. Happy Birthday Jess. It's almost a shame the Librarian is not a Libran. My mother (also Libra) was a teacher who once worked as a School Librarian but never wanted to be called "Marian the Librarian" and I paid for part of my college education while still in college reshelving books at the campus library. But I digress again.
posted by oneswellfoop at 2:01 PM on September 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
But I digress. Happy Birthday Jess. It's almost a shame the Librarian is not a Libran. My mother (also Libra) was a teacher who once worked as a School Librarian but never wanted to be called "Marian the Librarian" and I paid for part of my college education while still in college reshelving books at the campus library. But I digress again.
posted by oneswellfoop at 2:01 PM on September 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
Hey, happy birthday Queen Jess! Queen Bey (whose birthday is Sept 4) ain't got nothing on you. I'm still waiting for your long-form video to premiere on HBO, however.
posted by hippybear at 2:14 PM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by hippybear at 2:14 PM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
Happy Birthday jessamyn!
And Happy Birthday pb too, yay!
an event we call CHILDNADO
I read this initially as CHILLNADO and I was like, that sounds fantastic.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 2:56 PM on September 5, 2016 [3 favorites]
And Happy Birthday pb too, yay!
an event we call CHILDNADO
I read this initially as CHILLNADO and I was like, that sounds fantastic.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 2:56 PM on September 5, 2016 [3 favorites]
🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂!
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 3:20 PM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 3:20 PM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
Why does everyone always leave out the fact that she's a self-proclaimed moss enthusiast? Self-proclaimed! It's an important part of her identity!
Happy birthday! only one candle, I see, so less chance for filthy germs on the cake
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 3:46 PM on September 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
Happy birthday! only one candle, I see, so less chance for filthy germs on the cake
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 3:46 PM on September 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
I read this initially as CHILLNADO and I was like, that sounds fantastic.
Unless it involved watching "Sharknado" on Netflix and... you know...
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:59 PM on September 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
Unless it involved watching "Sharknado" on Netflix and... you know...
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:59 PM on September 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
Happy birthdays!
posted by the quidnunc kid at 4:30 PM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by the quidnunc kid at 4:30 PM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
Happy birthday, Ringo! ;)
Love, George
posted by kimberussell at 6:47 PM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
Love, George
posted by kimberussell at 6:47 PM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
♬ And many more! ♬
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:59 PM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:59 PM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
"Web log" 4 lyfe
posted by Joseph Gurl at 8:15 PM on September 5, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by Joseph Gurl at 8:15 PM on September 5, 2016 [3 favorites]
Oh, and happy belated birthday to pb! Enjoy nature like a mofo, man.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 9:02 PM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 9:02 PM on September 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
Many happy returns of the day, Jessamyn!
The 5th, being my wedding anniversary, was already special to me, but it enhances my pleasure to know that it is special for Jessamyn too.
posted by Quinbus Flestrin at 9:37 PM on September 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
The 5th, being my wedding anniversary, was already special to me, but it enhances my pleasure to know that it is special for Jessamyn too.
posted by Quinbus Flestrin at 9:37 PM on September 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
On this subject, thought I'd mention that our child, quark, who has been with the organisation now for over 2 years and has really been performing pretty OK in the child role, just got a promotion - to senior child! He probably won't have many line management responsibilities over the new guy, but I guess his salary increases. And I gotta get him some new business cards, I guess? Anyway just giving you a heads up x o
posted by the quidnunc kid at 12:20 AM on September 6, 2016 [14 favorites]
posted by the quidnunc kid at 12:20 AM on September 6, 2016 [14 favorites]
If Quark is your senior child now, who's the junior child, Higgs Boson? Anyway, congratulations and tell the quidnunc wife "Good job!"
posted by oneswellfoop at 12:30 AM on September 6, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by oneswellfoop at 12:30 AM on September 6, 2016 [2 favorites]
Well we gotta get the marketing team in, maybe do some blue-sky outside-boxing, try to disrupt a couple paradigms ... probably launch him at the keynote. But - just a warning - this one doesn't have a headphone jack. I mean ... who does, right? But apparently that's a "thing" nowadays. I dunno, you MetaFilter people - sometimes I just can't keep up with all your crazy talk.
posted by the quidnunc kid at 3:43 AM on September 6, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by the quidnunc kid at 3:43 AM on September 6, 2016 [6 favorites]
Happy Birthday Jessamyn and pb!
posted by Room 641-A at 5:17 AM on September 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Room 641-A at 5:17 AM on September 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
Birthday twins!
September 6 is a great day for a birthday. The date often falls right on the three-day Labor Day weekend, and even when it doesn't, it's still a three-day weekend! And here in Cincinnati, the city does fireworks for Labor Day, even bigger than July 4. So I get fireworks for my birthday more often than not!
Happy birthday, Jessamyn! That breakfast place looks AMAZING.
posted by cooker girl at 7:50 AM on September 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
September 6 is a great day for a birthday. The date often falls right on the three-day Labor Day weekend, and even when it doesn't, it's still a three-day weekend! And here in Cincinnati, the city does fireworks for Labor Day, even bigger than July 4. So I get fireworks for my birthday more often than not!
Happy birthday, Jessamyn! That breakfast place looks AMAZING.
posted by cooker girl at 7:50 AM on September 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
Happy birthday, Jessamyn! Glad you had what sounds like a superb celebratory weekend - hope your actual day is just as wonderful!
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:01 AM on September 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:01 AM on September 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
🎂 Happy Birthday! 🎂
posted by Foci for Analysis at 9:34 AM on September 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Foci for Analysis at 9:34 AM on September 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
Happy Birthday, Jessamyn! (And pb!)
posted by jamjam at 10:51 AM on September 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by jamjam at 10:51 AM on September 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
Happy birthday, Jessamyn!
posted by klausness at 1:51 PM on September 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by klausness at 1:51 PM on September 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
OMG, how did I miss this?
Happy and Healthy, Jessamyn!
posted by Splunge at 5:54 AM on September 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Happy and Healthy, Jessamyn!
posted by Splunge at 5:54 AM on September 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Ooh, happy belated! (What the heck, you may as well celebrate all week, right?)
posted by blurker at 9:30 AM on September 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by blurker at 9:30 AM on September 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Happy Birthdays and Happy VMOL!
posted by gt2 at 2:13 AM on September 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by gt2 at 2:13 AM on September 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
Rupert says to tell you the squirrels said Happy Birthday too.
posted by not_on_display at 10:25 PM on September 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by not_on_display at 10:25 PM on September 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'm sorry I missed this! Dang. Was thinking the other day about your book on the digital divide, & how when I was reading it, asking myself "how does this relate to me?" And being skeptical that I'd ever find it truly useful. Last month though, we decided our not-computer-literate shipping & receiving person needed an email address because I was spending so much time relaying info to her.
We got her a win 7 box up & running, & I literally showed her how to create a bookmark in a browser, and how to copy & paste text from one window to another & how to choose a printer. She took to it like a champ, and I thought a lot about what you wrote about trying to keep it from seeming intimidating, or to belittle people for not understanding computer basics, which is a strong nerd urge. So you really helped me help 53-year-old Shorty make some of her first forays into email & browsing, so thanks!
posted by Devils Rancher at 7:43 PM on September 9, 2016 [5 favorites]
We got her a win 7 box up & running, & I literally showed her how to create a bookmark in a browser, and how to copy & paste text from one window to another & how to choose a printer. She took to it like a champ, and I thought a lot about what you wrote about trying to keep it from seeming intimidating, or to belittle people for not understanding computer basics, which is a strong nerd urge. So you really helped me help 53-year-old Shorty make some of her first forays into email & browsing, so thanks!
posted by Devils Rancher at 7:43 PM on September 9, 2016 [5 favorites]
Happy birthday, Jessamyn!
posted by persona au gratin at 2:10 AM on September 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by persona au gratin at 2:10 AM on September 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
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And hey, it was also just pb's birthday! It's a bevy.
posted by cortex (staff) at 9:21 AM on September 5, 2016 [4 favorites]