Unplug and Connect

Other sci-fi nerds like myself may be familiar with Seth McFarlane's The Orville.  For those of you unfamiliar with the Star Trek-inspired comedy, it deals with a spaceship crew traveling across the universe to seek and make peaceful contact with other civilizations.  Despite the future setting and entertaining storylines, it's often a thinly veiled commentary on present-day society.

Take for instance a recent episode in which a time capsule from the year 2015 is opened.  Among the objects found within is a cell phone, and through it, one of the characters gets to know its long-deceased owner.  Not only does he learn everything about the woman to whom the phone belonged, he also falls in love and has more of a relationship with her than with a living person.

I think it's sad that our electronic devices and social media outlets connect us with so many people while simultaneously distancing us like never before.  Our face-to-face encounters are becoming fewer and more difficult to actualize.  Although keeping in touch electronically is de rigueur, we must not forget the importance of in-person contact.

I know I'm biased as a perch librarian, but libraries play a big part in creating and encouraging people to physically come together and interact with each other sans electronics.  Programs--for instance, storytimes for kids, escape rooms for teens, and crafting groups for adults--promote socializing in person.  If you're tired of dealing with others remotely through screens, come to the library where there's always people right in front of you.  Come unplug for a spell.

Ever yours live from the perch.

The Luck (and Movies) of the Irish

St. Patrick's Day, that lucky day of the Irish, is upon us.  Perhaps you're going to wear something green, attend a parade, or grab a pint at the pub. Not into all the noise and revelry?  Is a quiet celebration at home more your style?  Then maybe an Irish movie is the ticket for you.  If that's the case, allow me to share some of my favorites to help you get in the spirit of the holiday:

• Angela's Ashes  Based on the memoir by Frank McCourt, it tells of the author's impoverished Catholic childhood in Limerick.  Great for a good cry. 
• Brooklyn  A young woman moves from Ireland to Brooklyn, New York for a better life in the 1950s.  A nice coming-to-America story.
• Circle of Friends  There's laughter, tears, and everything else when a group of friends come of age in 1950s Ireland. 
• Leap Year  An American woman follows an Irish tradition of proposing to her boyfriend on leap day, but it doesn't go according to plan.
  
• Michael Collins  Starring Liam Neeson and Julia Roberts, this historical movie focuses on the revolutionary leader who helped bring about Ireland's independence from Britain.
• The Quiet Man  It may not be the most politically correct movie by today's standards, but it's still a charming one with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.

I realize my list only scratches the tip of the iceberg and that there are many other movies with Irish themes and characters worth watching.  Do you have a favorite Irish movie?  Share it with us!

Wishing you many Irish blessings from the perch.