Saturday, June 29, 2013
Sometimes the best of times can become the worst of times with only a few words.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
We won.
I wish I could have watched Brian Brown and Maggie Gallagher's faces when it was announced.
Moments after the DOMA ruling was released by the Supremes.
I wish I could have watched Brian Brown and Maggie Gallagher's faces when it was announced.
Monday, June 24, 2013
I ran out of dish soap so that is a convenient reason to not wash those dirty dishes, right?
Last week I saw the Google Streetview car drive past me on the way to work. This is the second or third time I have seen it in the last couple of years. I happened to look up my house on Googlemaps and when I looked at the street view, there was Mummy sitting on the porch. The picture was taken in April 2012, right before she went back to Michigan.
Supposed to be super hot this weekend, 112 fucking hot degrees. What a nightmare. When it gets above 105, the fired adobe bricks of my house heat up and retain heat. Luckily, this only lasts for a while.
Tonight Buddy posed on the front steps. He is such a cute, happy, dumb old dog. I just wish he wasn't so vicious towards the cats. He scared the mail person so I have to have a sign next to the gate, "Beware of Dog."
Buddy.
Awaiting the Supremes, who are such divas they are dragging out announcing whether us gays are equal to folks like Limbaugh. The thing that pops into my head is how they manage to keep their super secret rulings super secret. They are better mannered than I would be. I am not much of a fan of secrets and I think the frantic posturing of the government over Bradley Manning and Edward Snowden indicates there are a lot more nasty secrets the government types want to keep the rest of us from knowing. How long before whistle blowing gets you a prison sentence?
Last week I saw the Google Streetview car drive past me on the way to work. This is the second or third time I have seen it in the last couple of years. I happened to look up my house on Googlemaps and when I looked at the street view, there was Mummy sitting on the porch. The picture was taken in April 2012, right before she went back to Michigan.
Click picture to see closer, they blur people's faces.
Tonight Buddy posed on the front steps. He is such a cute, happy, dumb old dog. I just wish he wasn't so vicious towards the cats. He scared the mail person so I have to have a sign next to the gate, "Beware of Dog."
Awaiting the Supremes, who are such divas they are dragging out announcing whether us gays are equal to folks like Limbaugh. The thing that pops into my head is how they manage to keep their super secret rulings super secret. They are better mannered than I would be. I am not much of a fan of secrets and I think the frantic posturing of the government over Bradley Manning and Edward Snowden indicates there are a lot more nasty secrets the government types want to keep the rest of us from knowing. How long before whistle blowing gets you a prison sentence?
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Two apologies. Alan Chamber of Exodus International sort of apologizes for all of the people who went through his ex-gay program. A lot of those people ended up killing themselves. The media picked up the story and made a small deal out of it. Many people praised him for his apology. Many others felt that it was not adequate.
Paula Dean apologized for using the "N" word and making other racially insensitive comments. She apologized how many times? And people are just ripping her to shreds. She loses her contract with the Food Network.
On JoeMyGod's blog the outpouring of hate towards Paula Deen was remarkable. I guess I stirred up trouble by daring to wonder why this was the case and to point out that there were twice as many comments about Deen than for Chambers.
I should know better. I was told I was racist, a jackass, clueless, etc. How dare I suggest people read her deposition rather than take other people's claims about her as fact.
I can't help but wonder if there is something more than racism involved here. I suspect that the fact that she is a successful business woman comes into play, similar to the hatred Martha Stewart endures. I suspect the underlying hatred towards Southern accents, her blindingly white teeth, and her homey personality also comes into play. Some people note the fact that she covered up her diabetes for years and is a shill for a drug company. I note that after she disclosed her diabetes she has moved toward more healthier food, lost weight, and openly discusses the problems of diabetes.
I don't know what is really going on in other people's minds or lives. It always amazes me that other people can be so quick to tear down people who have been propped up on a pedastal. Or tear down complete strangers because they develop ideas based on a sentence or two.
Paula Dean apologized for using the "N" word and making other racially insensitive comments. She apologized how many times? And people are just ripping her to shreds. She loses her contract with the Food Network.
On JoeMyGod's blog the outpouring of hate towards Paula Deen was remarkable. I guess I stirred up trouble by daring to wonder why this was the case and to point out that there were twice as many comments about Deen than for Chambers.
I should know better. I was told I was racist, a jackass, clueless, etc. How dare I suggest people read her deposition rather than take other people's claims about her as fact.
I can't help but wonder if there is something more than racism involved here. I suspect that the fact that she is a successful business woman comes into play, similar to the hatred Martha Stewart endures. I suspect the underlying hatred towards Southern accents, her blindingly white teeth, and her homey personality also comes into play. Some people note the fact that she covered up her diabetes for years and is a shill for a drug company. I note that after she disclosed her diabetes she has moved toward more healthier food, lost weight, and openly discusses the problems of diabetes.
I don't know what is really going on in other people's minds or lives. It always amazes me that other people can be so quick to tear down people who have been propped up on a pedastal. Or tear down complete strangers because they develop ideas based on a sentence or two.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
I headed north to attend a conference. I discussed life in Phoenix in the 1920s-1940s period. The audience enjoyed my talk. I ran into various people I have known for over 20 years, but rarely see. Afterward I went to the State Archive and photographed records.
I then headed over to Craig and Jesse's abode. They were wonderful hosts and with their friend Christopher we headed off to an Ethiopian restaurant and I ate too much.
Craig!
.jpg)
Statue.
IPA.
We sat on a bench and a young man sat next to us. I started talking with him and he turned out to be a navy machinist on his way to San Diego. Who accidentally went to Pride, not knowing what it was. Evan and I laughed and later I went up to some young women and asked them to come say hi to him. He appreciated that.
Craig!
.jpg)
Jesse!
The next day I returned to the archives and photographed 3,000 pages. My shoulder was killing me afterward. I have shoulder carpal syndrome!
Then I headed north to Flagstaff, where Evan and I went to Burrito Fiesta for supper.
The next day was the DAY OF PRIDE. Evan and I went over and hung out with Geoffrey. It is always nice to see him.
Geoffrey, moi, and Evan.
Nearby was a young man who reminded me of one of the statues on the Parthenon pediment.
Young man.
We returned to Evan's house and I took a nap. We returned to Pride and I saw Glamour.
Glamor!
We had many adult beverages.
We sat on a bench and a young man sat next to us. I started talking with him and he turned out to be a navy machinist on his way to San Diego. Who accidentally went to Pride, not knowing what it was. Evan and I laughed and later I went up to some young women and asked them to come say hi to him. He appreciated that.
Machinist Christoper.
Pandora Boxx came out and performed a couple of times. He was amusing.
Pandora.
Afterward we went to Thai food and I had cashew tofu and Evan ate something that was WAY TO HOT and the next morning his insides burned.
Not burny.
It was a lovely time.
Monday, June 03, 2013
Summer has arrived. It was 107 yesterday. Poor Buddy was not looking very happy. I asked Doug to pick up a wading pool at Ace and it was awaiting me when I got home. I put water it in and then picked up Buddy and put him in. He walked around for a while and then sat down. He seemed quite happy about it.
.jpg)
Buddy.
He's taken to barking at things and he scared the mail person. I'm going to lock the cats up and invite him for a visit. He'll chew enthusiastically on his chew toy and then fall asleep for a couple of hours.
.jpg)
He's taken to barking at things and he scared the mail person. I'm going to lock the cats up and invite him for a visit. He'll chew enthusiastically on his chew toy and then fall asleep for a couple of hours.
Monday, May 27, 2013
It was a weekend of memories. I collected Whit and we drove north to Flagstaff. The moon was rising along the highway.
Moon rise.
Evan, Whit, and I went our for a drink and then hung out talking for a while.
The next morning we went to Picture Rock Canyon.
Turkey vultures.
It is spring time in Flagstaff, but there aren't many flowers yet. It hasn't rained enough for it to get very green.
Whit wanted to see the petroglyphs and I dragged him all over the place so he could examine them.
Whit.
In one spot the yucca were blooming.
Deer, scroll, and Whit.
Whit and Evan get along really well.
Evan and Whit.
We also visited a pithouse site, ate at Himalayan Grill, and I had a nap.
On Sunday morning Bradley arrived from Sedona to join us.
Sherds.
A pair of golden eagles were being harassed by some ravens.
Golden eagle.
Nearby was another small pueblo roomblock. You can see the walls very clearly.
Antelope.
Bradley returned to Sedona, and the three of us then went to a nearby canyon to admire pit structures built inside caves.
Walking down the cinder-covered wash.
The walls are well preserved.
Evan examines the walls.
One of the structures has red-painted plaster intact.
Plaster.
Another has the only surviving 1000-year-old roof.
I hope this lasts for another 1000 years.
At times the steep walls of the canyon made me nervous.
San Francisco Canyon.
A nest of fledgling ravens were nervous as we walked by.
Ravens and poop.
Whit and I went to see the new Star Trek movie, in 3D, which I enjoyed. This morning Evan and I went to C. & L. Ranch and I bought a huge sack of bird seed.
Whit wanted to see Sedona so we took the long way home.
Red Rocks near Sedona.
Evan, Whit, and I went our for a drink and then hung out talking for a while.
The next morning we went to Picture Rock Canyon.
It is spring time in Flagstaff, but there aren't many flowers yet. It hasn't rained enough for it to get very green.
Whit wanted to see the petroglyphs and I dragged him all over the place so he could examine them.
In one spot the yucca were blooming.
Yucca.
I climbed high up in the canyon. Below me the water was running.
Evan.
At the top along the vertical cliff faces are even more rock art.
Whit and Evan get along really well.
We also visited a pithouse site, ate at Himalayan Grill, and I had a nap.
On Sunday morning Bradley arrived from Sedona to join us.
Homer and Bradley.
We went out to several more ruins. I admired the black on white pottery sherds, photographed them, and then put them back on the ground.
A pair of golden eagles were being harassed by some ravens.
Nearby was another small pueblo roomblock. You can see the walls very clearly.
1000-year-old walls.
We visited a fortress-like site and wondered what had happened there.
There are rooms on top.
I managed to get sun-burnt.
Windy.
I admired the nature.
Tree.
As we drove back to the parking spot for lunch, a female antelope paused.
Bradley returned to Sedona, and the three of us then went to a nearby canyon to admire pit structures built inside caves.
The walls are well preserved.
Evan examines the walls.
One of the structures has red-painted plaster intact.
Another has the only surviving 1000-year-old roof.
At times the steep walls of the canyon made me nervous.
A nest of fledgling ravens were nervous as we walked by.
Whit and I went to see the new Star Trek movie, in 3D, which I enjoyed. This morning Evan and I went to C. & L. Ranch and I bought a huge sack of bird seed.
Whit wanted to see Sedona so we took the long way home.
Weekend is over and I have a nasty headache.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Let's do flotation!
On every archaeology project we collect samples of dirt to take back to the laboratory. These can include small samples which are processed for pollen, useful for identifying plants to look at the environment or presence of domesticated plants. Soil from canals sediments can be processed and examined for the presence of ostracodes- tiny molluscs that live in very specific types of water (hot vs cold, fast-moving vs slow-moving). And other soil samples that geomorphologists study to determine environmental conditions or
The primary soil sample we collect is for flotation. We are supposed to bring back six liters of soil from features.
In the bucket.
In a 5-gallon "Homer" bucket from Home Depot I put about five inches of water in and then slowly pour the soil in.
Charcoal floating.
I use a sieve to skim off all of the charred plant materials- bits of charcoal, corn cobs, and other plant tissues.
Light fraction.
I tap the sieve onto newspaper and keep repeating, stirring the soil in the bucket to make more charcoal float to the top. When I stop getting bits, I pour most of the water through the sieve and finish with the light fraction.
I then take the rest of the muddy dirt and dump it onto a screen with window mesh and hose out the bucket. I carefully wash off the dirt and then dump the rest of the material onto a screen as well.
Heavy fraction.
There are a lot of artifacts and animal bone fragments in the midden dirt.
The green piece is olive ware from Spain. Also Native American ceramics and animal bone.
Both samples are dried, re-packaged, and eventually analyzed. The light fraction will be looked at by a ethnobotanist who identified the wood, seeds, and plant tissues. You can learn about the local environment, agriculture, and wild plant gathering this way, and examine how these change through time.
SCIENCE!
On every archaeology project we collect samples of dirt to take back to the laboratory. These can include small samples which are processed for pollen, useful for identifying plants to look at the environment or presence of domesticated plants. Soil from canals sediments can be processed and examined for the presence of ostracodes- tiny molluscs that live in very specific types of water (hot vs cold, fast-moving vs slow-moving). And other soil samples that geomorphologists study to determine environmental conditions or
The primary soil sample we collect is for flotation. We are supposed to bring back six liters of soil from features.
Sample from our field school dig.
I am busy processing the samples. Normally we use our fancy flotation machine, but I have to save the heavy fraction, so I have to use the bucket method.
I fill out new tags and a line on a data form first. Then cut the bag open and pour it into a red bucket that has lines telling how many liters, I write down the sample size on the form and bags.
In a 5-gallon "Homer" bucket from Home Depot I put about five inches of water in and then slowly pour the soil in.
This gets a little dusty.
I stick the hose in to agitate the water.
I use a sieve to skim off all of the charred plant materials- bits of charcoal, corn cobs, and other plant tissues.
I tap the sieve onto newspaper and keep repeating, stirring the soil in the bucket to make more charcoal float to the top. When I stop getting bits, I pour most of the water through the sieve and finish with the light fraction.
I then take the rest of the muddy dirt and dump it onto a screen with window mesh and hose out the bucket. I carefully wash off the dirt and then dump the rest of the material onto a screen as well.
There are a lot of artifacts and animal bone fragments in the midden dirt.
Both samples are dried, re-packaged, and eventually analyzed. The light fraction will be looked at by a ethnobotanist who identified the wood, seeds, and plant tissues. You can learn about the local environment, agriculture, and wild plant gathering this way, and examine how these change through time.
SCIENCE!
Sunday, May 19, 2013
I visited with my barber and he trimmed my hair. He admired my mustache and suggested I apply wax to it.
I entered the Focus and drove south to Ray and Robert's house. It is like a luxury resort.
Beautiful red.
I should become their pool boy. I would faithfully rescue the bugs that land in the pool. I would have an awesome tan.
Parker kitty is friendlier in her older age. She still doesn't like to have her photo taken.
I wish I had his hair.
In the late afternoon I drove back to Tucson. Shortly after leaving the estate, a pair of deer walked across the road.
I unrolled my car window and whistled at the third mule deer to walk across the road, and it turned to stare at the human making that strange sound.
Mule deer.
It was a lovely day.
Yellow kitchen. I am covering the one wall with antique china.
Not coy koi.
They live at a higher altitude than Tucson so the wildflowers are still blooming. I admired them at 75 miles per house. At the house I was able to pause and examined the blooming cacti.
I should become their pool boy. I would faithfully rescue the bugs that land in the pool. I would have an awesome tan.
Ray and I.
Go. Away.
In a few days it is Ray's birthday so he served a delightful lunch but we forgot to sing "Happy Birthday."
Salad Caprese. The first time I had this was in 1998 in Berlin at Phillip's house.
Robert has a new job that he really likes. It shows!
In the late afternoon I drove back to Tucson. Shortly after leaving the estate, a pair of deer walked across the road.
Dear deer.
It was a lovely day.
