Archives Panel - Thursday October 10th, 5-6:30

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Archives But Were Too Afraid to Ask

Join us for an evening of archives! We will have speakers from across the lands! Five professional archivists from Madison, Milwaukee, and Chicago! They will each speak about their own backgrounds, current work, and important issues for the first hour. We will leave plenty of time for an open Q&A at the end.

Students specializing in archives are encouraged to attend, but we welcome anyone with an interest in archives, or a curiosity about what an archivist does! The institutions our speakers are coming from are very diverse: the Harley Davidson Museum, The Art Institute in Chicago, The Wisconsin Historical Society, CUNA Mutual, and Marquette University.

Please join us in the SLIS Commons at 5pm on Thursday October 10th. Snacks will be provided.

Archives Speed Dating - October 7th, 12:00-1:30 in the SLIS Commons

Are you interested in getting more experience in archives? Whether you are on the archives track or not, there are lots of opportunities to get experience while you are in school. Learn about some jobs and volunteer opportunities in the Madison area. We will have a representative from each organization introduce themselves, then we will have a rotation of small groups to ask questions and get to know each archivist. A potluck lunch will be provided.

Come get to know archivists from:

• UW- Madison University Archives 
• The Wisconsin Historical Society 
• Circus World 
• The Veterans Museum 
• Wisconsin Retirees Organization

This event is Monday October 7th, 12:00-1:30 in the SLIS Commons. Please join us! Open to all who are interested in learning about archives jobs and volunteer work!

Getting to Know Second-Year SLIS Student Jamie Stanaway

1) Where are you from? Any interesting facts about your hometown?

Exeter, California. Home of murals and old people.

2) When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A veterinarian until I saw a goat get neutered. When I came to after fainting, I realized that I needed to rethink the future.  That was too much reality for an 11 year old.

3) What did you study as an undergraduate? Why?

Human Communication. Study of effective communication as well as ethics and philosophy.  Basically, a really awesome major that I use every day, but one that won't get you a job.

4) If you were a cheese, what would you be? Why?

Brie. Because I'm all mush. Cry easy, scare easy, laugh easy.

5) Michael Jackson or Prince? Why?

James Brown! The original funk
 

6) Do you have any pets? Show us a picture!

Yes, some mischievous cats.

Here is Ignatius "Iggy" planning a ninja drop

7) What historical figure do you think you would be friends with? Why?

Grumpy cat. Because neither of us believes in meeting your idols. You'll only be disappointed.

8) What are you most nervous about this semester? Why?

Other than the apocalypse? (Thanks Jordan)....probably missing something in my online class and failing

9) What are you most looking forward to this semester? Why?

Working hard, but also taking time out for myself to go to the movies, read, and enjoying the outdoors before the snow starts

10) What do you love about archives?!
I love learning about people throughout history who may not have a wikipedia page or you may not be able to just Google them, but they existed and contributed to history nonetheless. I also love the idea of people like you and me not being forgotten and continuing to live on...even if it is just for an archivist 100 years from now. Pretty stinkin' awesome.

This pic is of me at Disneyland circa 1989 with a bear character passed out on a bench behind me. Those Country Bears partied hard in the '80s!

Getting to Know First-Year SLIS Student Oliver Bendorf

1) Where are you from? Any interesting facts about your hometown?

I'm from Iowa City, Iowa, which was designated the world's third UNESCO City of Literature. My parents used to have these bright gold t-shirts that said "University of Iowa, Idaho City, Ohio" -- some people think these vowel-laden middle states are all the same, but they are not: Iowa has poets, but not so many potatoes.

2) When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Elvis. Honestly. Also, at some point, "the President or a teacher," according to my papers. Somewhere along the way, I became a poet. And a teacher. But not the President!

3) What did you study as an undergraduate? Why?

I studied English Literature. And creative writing. And I minored in Women's Studies. And, because I'm a romantic, I took Italian for Travelers one semester. The class was me and a bunch of couples who were about to leave on their honeymoons to Florence or Capri and needed to pick up a few phrases.

4) If you were a cheese, what would you be? Why?

Oh, man. In a previous life I worked at a little cheese shop in Washington, DC, where I sliced the big wheels into little wedges and weighed them and wrapped them and set out little description cards for each cheese. I think I dreamed in cheese for six months straight. So this is a complicated question. Can I defer to an outside opinion? My girlfriend says "One that melts easily." Or maybe a goat cheese that tastes like the weeds in the meadow. (See #6)

5) Michael Jackson or Prince? Why?

Prince, because when I search on Google for the lyrics to Purple Rain, my browser freezes, which is kind of awesome. Prince has the power to crash Firefox!

6) Do you have any pets? Show us a picture!

Here are two out of my three pet goats. Actually you can also spot the third one, on the far right.

 

And my angora rabbits:

 

And one of my rabbits weighing in on special collections:

 

 

7) What historical figure do you think you would be friends with? Why?'

I would die and go to historical-figure heaven if I could be pen-pals with John Muir. Last year I read his letters and journals from Yosemite and it's like poetry. There's one where he describes himself as a "poetico-trampo-geologist-botanist and ornithologist-naturalist etc. etc. !!!!" (Exclamation marks his, not mine.) I think we would have gotten along.

8) What are you most nervous about this semester? Why?

Moderating my caffeine intake so as not to combust.

9) What are you most looking forward to this semester? Why?

Making friends, making hedgehogs. Learning about information and archives.

10) What do you love about archives?!
What I love about archives is the same as, or close to, what I love about memory: we like to think that we can classify everything and store it perfectly and retrieve it in some orderly way, and it's satisfying to try, but there's also that wilder reality in which it's less predictable. And that's not to say that I'm against standards or rituals, because I'm not-- I like to memorize things when I want to keep them, or try to forget things I'd rather not remember. Archives transcend time and space, and it's hard not to love that. They feel true to me in terms of how memory can/could work on a collective level. I'm particularly fond of DIY/small press literary publications (like the Little Magazine Collection here at UW), writers' papers, zines, broadsides, mini-comics, queer and trans archives, etc.

An item from my archival t-shirt collection. Great camp.

Getting to know Second Year Student Ellen LeClere

La France est émoussée

1) Where are you from? Any interesting facts about your hometown?
I grew up in the Amana Colonies, a small cluster of villages close to Iowa City, Iowa. The Amana Colonies were settled by a radical group of separatist Christians from Germany who called themselves the Community of True Inspiration, and for 80 years the Amanas were a completely self-sufficient religious utopia, of sorts. The community fell apart in the 1930s, but all of the original buildings, churches, and farms still exist. I grew up in a house built in the 1850s that used to be a communal kitchen. It's a strange and surreal history to relay to people who ask where I'm from, so I generally lie and say I'm from Iowa City.

2) When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to go to Stanford to study interior design. I found out later that Stanford didn't have an interior design program.

3) What did you study as an undergraduate? Why?
Political Science and Sociology. I really enjoyed conducting independent research, especially regarding global women's issues. I was involved with a women's resource group on campus, and spent a few months in Washington, DC where I interned for my local Congressman when I thought a career in representative politics was my future (it wasn't).

4) If you were a cheese, what would you be? Why?
A goat cheese brie, only because that was my breakfast. Or maybe Limburger, since I haven't showered yet today.

5) Michael Jackson or Prince? Why?
Prince, because he is a beast on guitar!

6) Do you have any pets? Show us a picture!

Beans (foreground, as St. Nick) and Nina Totenberg 

(under table, as her alter-ego, Coco)

7) What historical figure do you think you would be friends with? Why?Probably Emma Goldman, Margaret Sanger, or any of the other rad, mischief-makin' ladies who helped develop and spread the culture of women's equality in America. 

8) What are you most nervous about this semester? Why?

Time management, because my work schedule is pretty demanding right now and I'm taking some heavy classes, or electrical fires, since I'm not sure my new landlord understands what's "up to code."


9) What are you most looking forward to this semester? Why?
SNOW, and the productivity that comes with being holed inside my apartment during a blizzard. Also winter beverages, like grog, and the prospect of many horror movie nights with friends old and new from SLIS!

10) What do you love about archives?!
I like being part of a culture that places value on its history. I believe that society grows when we can see the decision-making processes of the past, and archives preserve and make accessible those records. I love hearing about how archival research helps people uncover new facts or stories about a historical figure or event. History is neat!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I'm the kid with the stink-face in the middle.

Getting to Know Second-Year Student Lotus Norton-Wisla

At the Majestic's Mad Men Soiree last December!

1) Where are you from? Any interesting facts about your hometown?

I'm from Presque Isle, WI, which is very far north in Wisconsin. It is very tiny, I think the population has gotten up to 600 people! The name means "almost an island" because of all the lakes. It's slogan is "Wisconsin's Last Wilderness," so obviously it is crawling with tourists during summer. We have a lot of bars, a gas station, and a library. My high school was an hour away!

2) When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

First a "store-lady," then a dancer, then a beautician, and then a teacher. I'm sure there are other occupations in there, but those are the ones I remember. After working at a fun one for five years, I still have an urge to own an ice cream or coffee shop - but I fight it. 

3) What did you study as an undergraduate? Why?

I went to Nicolet Area Technical College for my first two years to save money. Turns out there are some pretty great instructors in Northern Wisconsin. I transferred to UW-Madison as an English Literature major because I enjoyed reading and writing, but also took classes in history, computer science, and Integrated Liberal Studies (my favorite was a class on The Wire).

4) If you were a cheese, what would you be? Why?

My favorite cheeses is are Havarti, Muenster, or Jarlsberg. But I aspire to be similar to those little Babybel cheeses. The Gouda ones are pretty good, and you also get extra enjoyment of peeling off the wax and molding it into shapes. So tasty, unassuming, and entertaining? This is very made up, but I like thinking about cheese.

5) Michael Jackson or Prince? Why?

I would have to go with Prince, because he is from Minnesota, has interesting stories, and sensual music. I don't have very strong feelings in this debate and would dance around to either one.

6) Do you have any pets? Show us a picture!

Yes! I have a hedgehog named Penelope (we just call her Penny). I've had her for under a month, but she is very cute and could possibly be warming up to me.

7) What historical figure do you think you would be friends with? Why?

My top people are probably authors, I can't help myself. Let's go with Douglas Adams (counts because he is unfortunately dead). His writing makes me feel like we would get along - he would make me laugh, but we would also have interesting and deep conversations. I just love everything and read and listen to his nonfiction almost as much as his fiction. We would start with a few years of friendship through correspondence. Then meet up a few times a year. Then buy houses next to each other in Santa Fe http://www.douglasadams.com/dna/980707-06-a.html. I'd also like to meet Queen Liliuokalani http://search.eb.com/women/article-9048258, but establishing a relationship with DNA comes first.

8) What are you most nervous about this semester? Why?

Managing my time with classes and all the rest. Difficult assignments in LIS 644. Thinking about my resume and applying for jobs. 

9) What are you most looking forward to this semester? Why?

My practicum, SAA activities, SLIS Coding Initiative, spending time with awesome SLIS people. Fall and Christmas in my cozy apartment. Going to Radiolab in October and David Sedaris in November. Living with and near good friends. Brunch.

10) What do you love about archives?!

I like making order out of chaos - organizing a collection or making information understandable. I like helping people find what they need for research or personal interest - I like the passion that people bring into the archive. I like hearing stories and learning about a new perspective on history that I didn't know existed. I like the chance to use technology. I love the feeling of seeing and touching a photograph, document, film, whatever, and knowing that it needs to be shared and explored. Not to mention all the just-plain-awesome items and subjects you get to discover and work with. I love Wisconsin Beekeepers! 

Photo from my archives - me, about 2, digging a hole and looking pretty smug about it.

Getting to Know Second-Year Laurel Gildersleeve

Hi!

1.) South Carolina. Winnsboro has the oldest working clock tower in the nation and is home to the South Carolina Railroad Museum.

2.) I did not think much about what I wanted to be. Tests and friends always told me I would be a teacher or a librarian.

3.) I started in art history, then moved to cinema studies. I have always been interested in art, particularly film, as a tool for literacy.

4.) I would be comte. Nutty and textured, yet elegant.

5.) I dislike the music of both Michael Jackson and Prince (and no-I will not apologize.)

6.) No pets, but I miss my kitten Cuddles whom I adopted at age 9, and my horse Billy. Both died this year. RIP Cuddles & Billy.

7.) I would be friends with Man Ray. He had a flexible, creative, and curious mind. Also we like the same people.

8.) I am nervous about managing my time because there is so much cool stuff I want to do at SLIS!

9.) I am looking forward to going back to Circus World. Spending time with Archivist Pete Shrake and inspecting circus films is a great way to spend an afternoon.

10.) I love the possibilities the archives provide to open up new worlds and new ways of thinking. I also love my fellow archivists! <3

Getting to Know First-Year SLIS Student Emily Swenson

1) Where are you from? Any interesting facts about your hometown?I grew up in Stoughton, WI and am currently living there now (about 25 minutes outside of Madison) Stoughton, known for her Norwegian heritage, boasts the second largest Norwegian Independence Day celebration (Syttende Mai) outside of Oslo, Norway. Syttende Mai means "17th of May" and more importantly, the best fried cheese curds and cream puffs you have ever encountered. 
2) When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?When I was a kid, I really wanted to be a pioneer. I sewed my own calico bonnet and requested sans electricity vacations, it was weird. 

3) What did you study as an undergraduate? Why?The pioneer thing didn't pan out like I thought it would, so I "settled" for majoring in history. I minored in public history, got to help create a museum from the ground up (www.chudnowmuseum.org, shameless plug), and decided I wanted to work with history forever! 

4) If you were a cheese, what would you be? Why?At first I was 100% sure I would want to be fresh mozzarella, because I could reside in Italy and spend most of my time hanging out with fresh basil... but then I remembered that fried cheese curds exist. 
5) Michael Jackson or Prince? Why?Michael Jackson circa ABC because it reminds me of my Motown loving family and too much dancing at holiday functions. 

6) Do you have any pets? Show us a picture!When my parents became empty-nesters, they decided to get a puppy (demon?). He is a black standard poodle named Ziggy. In the past couple of weeks he has eaten: my boyfriend's wallet, my wallet, three hardcover books, and FOUR pairs of shoes. Just this morning he ate a loaf of bread and bag of tortilla chips off of the counter. He is cute 20% of the time (when he is sleeping).
7) What historical figure do you think you would be friends with? Why?Is Hermione Granger a historical figure? No? Well, this is purely from fashion envy, but I'm going to say Zelda Fitzgerald. She might not be a reliable friend but it would be like being invited to all of the best 20's themed parties. Except they are real and you're hanging out with F. Scott and wearing fabulous clothing. 

8) What are you most nervous about this semester? Why? 
Grading! I have convinced myself that I will do the assignment to the best of my ability but that there is some secret grad school grading scale that will shoot me down.

9) What are you most looking forward to this semester? Why? 
I can't wait to continue learning more about the various career paths archivists take. I have already come into (brief) contact with some pretty cool careers, and it makes me so excited for the next two years!
10) What do you love about archives?!The fact that my future career could be one in which I get to touch and read and smell historical documents/artifacts just blows my mind. I have always been one of those people who enters and old house and find myself thinking "I wonder who lived here? I wonder what this room was? Who was the first person to own this book that I am reading, did they like it?", and I love that archives can provide a direct window into the past.

Getting to Know Second-Year SLIS Student Jordan Radke

1) Where are you from? Any interesting facts about your hometown?

I am from Eden Prairie, MN, which is about 20 minutes south of the Twin Cities.  One interesting fact about Eden Prairie to note is that the movie Mallrats was filmed at the old Eden Prairie Mall!  Thankfully now that dump of a mall has been remodeled and expanded into a lovely place.

2) When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

As a child I think I dreamed of getting all the typical jobs, but I played enough soccer to really hope of becoming a professional soccer player.

3) What did you study as an undergraduate? Why?

Well it took me a while to finally land on a major because I went to architecture school for a year, then moved on to business school before finishing my undergrad in history.  I actually ended up with a certificate in European Studies as well, because you know I use that everyday...

4) If you were a cheese, what would you be? Why?

Hmm that's a tough question because I like all kinds of cheese but I think I would be some kind of sharp cheddar with peppers in it.  Why?  Because you are what you eat.

5) Michael Jackson or Prince? Why?

I have to pick MJ despite the fact that Prince lives/lived in the city next to me (Chanhassen).

6) Do you have any pets? Show us a picture!

Unfortunately I never lived in a pet heavy household knowing that the only pet I've ever had were hermit crabs.  Turns out they don't like to be petted or can play fetch.

7) What historical figure do you think you would be friends with? Why?

Not so sure I would be friends with him but my favorite historical figure is Napoleon Bonaparte.  I just find him very ambitious (maybe too much) and courageous.

8) What are you most nervous about this semester? Why?

Zombie Apocalypse. 

9) What are you most looking forward to this semester? Why?

Zombie Apocalypse.

10) What do you love about archives?!

I love all the historical items that have been preserved throughout history.  To look and touch something that helped shape our world is one of the most fascinating things to me.

The pictures I included are of me in Denver camping this past summer and me with a stingray from my high school senior cruise.

Getting to Know Second-Year SLIS Student Gwen Sieja

1) Where are you from? Any interesting facts about your hometown?

Toledo, Ohio. Toledo is home to two minor league sports teams with a couple of the least threatening mascots ever: the Mudhens (baseball) and the Walleye (hockey).

 2) When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Either a paleontologist or an astronaut. But preferably both.

3) What did you study as an undergraduate? Why?

Political Science and International Studies. To this day, I am not really sure why. That being said, I did get to take a lot of interesting classes and ended up with a well-rounded liberal arts education.

4) If you were a cheese, what would you be? Why?

Goat. I have a distinctive goat-y flavor that people either love or hate, plus I taste good on salads.

5) Michael Jackson or Prince? Why?

MJ 'nuff said.

6) Do you have any pets? Show us a picture!

Do the spiders in my apartment count?

7) What historical figure do you think you would be friends with? Why?

Benjamin Franklin (create link to http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/to-the-royal-academy-of-farting/). Because I am twelve and find this hilarious.

8) What are you most nervous about this semester? Why?

Suppressing my urge to procrastinate enough to avoid falling behind in my first online class.

9) What are you most looking forward to this semester? Why?

All of the awesome new skills I'm going to learn both in and out of class.

10) What do you love about archives?!

I was initially drawn to the idea of being able to bring history to the public using modern technology. But holding Civil War letters in my hands and thinking of all of the history behind them is really cool, too.

Photo from the archive: Me, age 2-ish, gasping at something scandalous. Or possibly stuffing my face with food.

Getting to Know Second-Year SLIS Student Jill Fuller

1) Where are you from? Any interesting facts about your hometown?
Marengo, Illinois, a small town east of Rockford. My hometown isn't interesting, per se, but one fact that I'm proud of (in a super history nerdy way) is that my family has lived there since the 1850s. I'm literally surrounded by family history wherever I go!

 2) When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A zoologist until I realized that required me to be good in science. I thought I would just get to play with monkeys all day. It was a crushing blow.

3) What did you study as an undergraduate? Why?

I was a history major! I am fascinated by a lot of historical topics, but especially Irish history, early women writers, and random trivia, which is why I read Bill Bryson.

4) If you were a cheese, what would you be? Why?

I want to say something profoundly witty here, but I would be trying too hard. Hmmmm....I eat feta cheese a lot. So I guess I'm really salty and crumbly? What does that mean?

5) Michael Jackson or Prince? Why?

Apparently, I am not one of the cool kids because I couldn't even name a Prince song if I tried. (I even lived in Minnesota once! What is wrong with me?!) So I guess MJ wins by default.

 6) Do you have any pets? Show us a picture!

I do! His name is Hobbes (and yes, we have contemplated getting another named Calvin) and he is the greatest thing in the world. He licks my face to wake me up in the morning. I think he just won the Best Cat of the Year award.

7) What historical figure do you think you would be friends with? Why?

Louisa May Alcott! I actually am not a super huge fan of her works (except LW, of course) but I have read her collections of letters and journals, and I have grown to really love her. She was witty, caustic, intelligent, and way ahead of her time. Fun fact of the day: did you know she wrote thrillers under the pseudonym A.M. Barnard and that they involved, among other things: violence, suicide, mental disorders, and drug use? Chew on that next time you pick up Little Women!

 8) What are you most nervous about this semester? Why?

 I'm nervous about not reaching my potential and not learning enough. There is always so much to know!

 9) What are you most looking forward to this semester? Why?

I'm looking forward to some more great archives classes!

10) What do you love about archives?!

The stories that are just waiting to be preserved and told. I love archives because they represent what is best and unique about the human race, which is our desire to remember our past and learn from it.


Jill in Colorado.

Picture from my archives: Me, at age 1 1/2. I assume it was Halloween, since I'm dressed as a lion.

Getting to Know First-Year SLIS Student Mary Kate Kwasnik

1) Where are you from? Any interesting facts about your hometown?

I grew up in Westborough, Massachusetts.  This is the hundredth town in Massachusetts, and home to Eli Whitney, the man who invented the cotton gin and interchangeable rifle parts!

2) When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was a child, I wanted to be a sports reporter.  However, I didn't like sports and was way to shy to imagine talking to strangers.  I'm not sure why I wanted to do this.

3) What did you study as an undergraduate? Why?

I studied Art History, and I really just fell into it.  I was a Media Studies major and took art history to fulfill a requirement and fell in love.

4) If you were a cheese, what would you be? Why?

I think I would be havarti with dill.  It just has a really special flavor, and I find myself identifying with it a lot.

5) Michael Jackson or Prince? Why?

Maybe Prince because he's a little sassier.

6) Do you have any pets? Show us a picture!

I have a one eyed jack russel terrier named Abigail.  This is her:

7) What historical figure do you think you would be friends with? Why?

I would like to be friends with Billie Holiday because she was amazing and must have had crazy (and sad) stories.

8) What are you most nervous about this semester? Why?

This Bancroft assignment!  800 documents?!  

9) What are you most looking forward to this semester? Why?

I'm looking forward to getting settled and feeling confident in my librarianship/archivistship.  

10) What do you love about archives?!

I love touching something that's ridiculously old and thinking about who else has touched it.  I also love the fact that whoever made the original document probably had no idea a nervous grad student would be gaping at it a hundred years later.

This is me:

And this is a photo from my archives:

"Woman and Excited Young Daughter on a Canoe Trip" Around 1990.  Kwasnik Family Archives.

Getting to Know Second-Year SLIS Student Michelle Dubert-Bellrichard

1) Where are you from? Any interesting facts about your hometown?

I'm from Cuba City, Wisconsin. http://www.cubacity.org/index.php A town of 2000 located in the Southwest corner of the state. The most interesting fact about my hometown currently is that the city council has it out for my family's mulberry tree and is petitioning to cut it down. Basically, Cuba City hates trees, I guess.

2) When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was little, I wanted to be a waitress. They just seemed to have so much spunk.

3) What did you study as an undergraduate? Why?

Nerd alert! I was a history major with a minor in international studies. BUT, I almost minored in sociology and gender studies. I was a well-rounded social sciences major with no real life skills. Hello, library school!

4) If you were a cheese, what would you be? Why?

I would most definitely be a Havarti with dill, because I have a semi-soft body and a tangy personality. Was that a creepy answer? I also just really like Havarti with dill.

5) Michael Jackson or Prince? Why?

You have no idea how hard this question was for me. I love both MJ and Prince in so many ways, but if I had to choose one...Prince. Prince is such a magnificent weirdo, and I could watch Purple Rain every day until I die. I cannot say the same thing for Captain EO. I also like to spend my free time seeking out Prince impersonators, not MJ ones. Oh god, I have revealed too much.

6) Do you have any pets? Show us a picture!

YES! I have a three-year-old kitty with a weight problem. His name is Harvey.

7) What historical figure do you think you would be friends with? Why?

Ed Gein. He has inspired a lot of horror movies I like, and I think it would be wise to thank him. He also has a great sense of fashion. 

8) What are you most nervous about this semester? Why?

Finding time to re-watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer. That show needs to be re-watched every few months.

9) What are you most looking forward to this semester? Why?

Finishing watching the show Angel, so I can go back to watching Buffy! Why? Because Buffy is way better than Angel. There, I said it.

10) What do you love about archives?!

  

I love that archives are our memory keepers. They strive to collect, share, preserve, and make accessible the stories of our past. It's such noble work. 

Pictured above is an eleven-year-old me at the height of my awkward stage with former senator Ted Kennedy.  This was taken at one of Al Gore's Presidential campaign rallies in 2000.  This was also the day I vowed to never let my mother cut my hair again.  Quite a historic day!