Dirt and Trees

Fall

2006-11-12T19:49:00.000-08:00

Some fall pictures taken in late October/early November 2006 by me.

The Crepe Myrtle in front of my house was very nice this year

A nice fall day at the white house.

Sailing in Southern Maryland on the St. Mary's River

Canada Geese resting at Lake Artemesia, in Maryland near the D.C. border

Yard Pictures

2006-11-02T14:07:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures from my parent's yard in Southern Maryland taken in late September, 2006. You can find a lot of neat things if you look close.

An elephant ear leaf with the sun hitting it and shining through:

An Black and Yellow Garden spider awaiting his prey. This is a type of orb-web spider weaves intricate patterns in the center of its web to help camouflage itself from insects that might and stumble into its web and possible attackers.

Mountain Flowers

2006-09-18T20:56:00.000-07:00

Encountered these flowers growing high up on the slopes of Cotopaxi volcano, mentioned below. Even in the harshest conditions, enduring cold temperatures, wind and rain, life adapts (in this case by hugging the ground). Below is a photo of a frailejon, a member of the daisy family that grows above the tree line in the Andes. It can reach over 10 feet tall, with a short trunk and strange shape.

Cotopaxi Volcano

2006-09-13T06:53:00.000-07:00

Cotopaxi, at around 19,350 feet, is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. Located only about 30 miles south of Quito, on a clear day you can catch a glimpse of Cotopaxi's peak and equatorial snow from the cobbled streets of the Ecuadorian capital.

Cotopaxi is dramatic. It stands alone, its perfect cone shape rising out of the western side of the inter-Andean valley just north of the city of Latacunga. It is powerful. It has erupted more than 50 times in the last 300 and years and destroyed Latacunga at least twice. Being active, it could erupt again at any time. Ecuadorians were reminded of the power of volcanoes this past summer when Volcan Tungurahua erupted and caused deaths and the evacuation of several villages.

My girlfriend and I took a guided hike on the slopes of Cotopaxi up to about 14-15,000 feet. We had to breathe deeply and walk slowly in the thin air. The winds threatened to knock me down as they forced changes between mist, rain and sunshine. Even on the equator, at that altitude the weather is too harsh to support much plant life. We stood on a barren surface of volcanic rock that looked like the moon less than 50 miles from the lush Amazonian basin. It's amazing what altitude can do.

The Julian Alps

2006-05-24T15:59:00.000-07:00

The Julian Alps, in northern Slovenia along the Austrian border, have the same the jagged peaks of Italy's nearby Dolomites. Verdant valleys, rushing streams filled with snowmelt and quaint villages bring to mind the best of the old world in this changing corner of Europe.

All pictures taken by me in late September 2004.

The Netherlands

2006-05-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

My mother was born and raised near Amsterdam in the Netherlands and her side of the family still lives there. A beautiful, crowded country of low sky, flat green open spaces and tidy cities, this supposed stronghold of liberal policy has sadly been in the news in the past few years because of clashes between the ethnic Dutch and immigrant Muslim population.

All pictures taken in September 2004.

Cyclist and passenger in Amsterdam

Some of the biggest hills in the low countries. Limburg province.

Canals and windmills are ubiquitous. North Holland near Vijfhuizen.

A cyclist friend approaches in the morning light. Loenen in Utrecht province.

April in Maryand

2006-05-08T13:06:00.000-07:00

Just some pictures I took last month in Calvert and St. Mary's county in southern Maryland.

Dogwoods put on quite a show in the woods here

The river is always a great place to be on a sunny day

Azaleas add color everywhere for about 2 weeks in April Blue sky= blue river

Enchanted Rock and Texas Hill country

2006-04-18T16:21:00.000-07:00

During a visit to Austin last week I rented a car and drove out to Enchanted Rock, about 80 miles west of the Texas capital. Most of the ride was on ranch roads, Texas state byways, through the low, oak-covered ridges of the hill country. Other cars were infrequent, the bluebonnets, cattle and vegetation green from the recent spring rains were the scenery.

When I was still about ten miles east of the park, Enchanted Rock came into view nestled among the hills. It rises about 425 feet above the landscape and is famous for being the second biggest hunk of granite in the US. It looks like a miniature version of Australia's Ayers Rock. The rock supposedly cries and groans at night, leading to the "enchanted" name. It's theorized that this is due to the rock contrating as it cools off in the night.

When I visited on a hot and sunny Friday the rock was literally crawling with people. From a distance it looked like an anthill covered with two-legged ants. I followed the crowd up a quick but steep hike to the summit where I was great by strong cooling winds and a great view of a lot of Texas hills. With hardly a road or house in sight, it was easy to imagine what the native americans saw and why they considered this anomaly a spiritual place.

Maryland Spring Photos

2006-04-05T18:16:00.000-07:00

All pictures taken by me in southern Maryland March/April 2006

A weeping cherry tree adds color to the landscape and a nice place to sit and enjoy the sun.

The fields are greening up in St. Mary's county.

A lagoon surrounded by Loblolly pine and American Holly on the St. Mary's river.

Oldest Living Things

2006-03-23T16:27:00.000-08:00

(AP Photo/Bikas Das, file)

I was intrigued when I read an article about what may be the world's oldest toroise dying this week at a zoo in Calcutta, India. The reptile was estimated to be 250 years old (150 confirmed) and was the pet of a British colonial officer in the 18th century. If the estimates are true, this turtle was about as old as I am when the declaration of independence was signed, almost as old as my dad when Lewis and Clark explored the west and already over 100 during the American civil war. It had lived through so much, though probably didn't experience a lot plodding along in a zoo in India for the last 130 years of his life.

This article got me thinking about the oldest living organisms. It is true that bigger animals generally have slower metabolisms and live longer. Dogs can live 20 years, Elephants 50-80 and bowhead whales are thought to live up to 200 years (a theory backed by antique ivory spears found stuck in living whales). Of course, the oldest things that we are likely to encounter are trees. The common oak tree can live to be over 1,000 years old (see picture below) and there are Olive trees alive in the Mediterranean that were planted by the ancient Greeks. Those giant Redwoods over in California, the largest trees in the world, can be over 2,000 years old (and 300 feet tall). But the oldest trees in the world aren't the redwood, but another California native, the Bristlecone pine. A tree nicknamed "Methusela" was measured by ring count to be 4,700 years old. I remember seeing these slow growing, gnarled and ancient trees growing high in the mountains on a hike in the Cascades of northern California. They were at a spot where they must be covered in snow for over half the year.

I am really amazed by the age of an old tree and the living connection to past and history. They have withstood so much and their steady presence has a calming effect on our more ephemeral lives.

My Girlfriend and I in front of the "Angel Oak" in coastal South Carolina, estimated to be over 1000 years old

March- lamb or lion?

2006-03-18T14:16:00.000-08:00

After some very warm temperatures earlier in the week (80's), the weather has dipped today to below normal (40's). The lack of precipitation and windy conditions of the past few weeks has created conditions extremely susceptible to fire in the leaf-littered forests here. A brush fire claimed 13 acres in nearby Prince Frederick last week (I was caught up in the smoke for miles drving home from work) and a huge fire on Solomon's island burned down the historic Lighthouse Inn (always was a good spot for fine waterfront dining in southern Maryland).

Despite the harsh weather, spring is in full swing here in Maryland. In the link below are some pictures that I took this weekend versus last month at the bottom of the page.

March 18 / February 6

The Lost Wandering Jazz and Blues band

2006-03-09T18:59:00.000-08:00

In March 2004 two friends and I took a spring break road trip and passed through the coastal colonial city of Charleston, SC. Riding bicycles down colorful market street we heard the lively sounds of the Lost and Wandering jazz and blues band coming from a pedestrian sidewalk. We had to stop and listen when we heard the grizzled voice of band leader Dan Fitzgerald belting out the blues as he pounded the bassline on a string attached to a tub and broomstick (my first look at a washtub bass in action). A motley band of brass, strings and keys backed him up and my friends was overtaken by the music. He began a tap dance in time to the music, using the metal clips on his cycling shoes to keep rhythm. The band loved it and even dressed him up in an old woman's hat and scarf to play the role of a seductress for a song. Talking with the group afterwards, we learned that they are truly a traveling band, never staying in one place too long and playing throughout the world. In fact, a French friend of mine spied them on a street in Paris a year later. Great guys making great music, they gave us a free CD and I posted a few songs here to check out (hope Dan and the rest don't mind). Though I'm only 23, the music gives me a mid 20th century nostalgia; a relaxing trip into Americana.

Take it Easy

The Waldorf

In the 90's the band featured a lost and wandering teenager, Madeline Peyroux, whose smooth Billie Holiday-like vocals are amazing. She's gone on to a successful solo career and the video on her site is definitely worth checking out.

Latin Alternative

2006-03-07T16:11:00.000-08:00

In the winter of 2003/4 I traveled to Mexico city to complete my senior research project; a video documentary on rock music in Mexico. While many may think of mariachis strumming or accordeons squeezed along to a polka beat when they hear the words Mexican music, there is actually a vibrant alternative music scene there. What most interested me was the strong connection between the lyrics and feel of the music (a US and Latin mixture of rhythms and instruments) and the political and social history of the country. Before I get too much into it, watch the video for Molotov's frijolero. The music is a cross between the Beastie Boys and Mexican norteña, while the lyrics (in English and Spanish) are a blunt commentary on cross-border relations.

NPR just did a great audio documentary series on defining Latin alternative, which includes a short interview with Roco of la Maldita Vecindad (whom I interviewed in my documentary). The NPR site also includes a great list of bands and songs to get acquainted with the style and sound clips. It's definitely worth checking out Latin alternative to cast off the stereotypes and get a well rounded feel for Latino culture.

Classic Chesapeake

2006-03-06T19:55:00.000-08:00

A classic southern Maryland image; a great blue heron takes off where a tributary merges with the Chesapeake bay. I took this shot while canoeing on a beautiful day early last November.

New River and Bluegrass

2006-03-03T15:48:00.000-08:00

The warming sun burns off fog over the New River (Taken October 2003 in Ashe County, NC)

The New River, running north from western North Carolina through Virginia and an impressive gorge in West Virginia, empties into the Ohio River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. Besides the backwards south to north current, the New is unique for being one of the oldest rivers in the world estimated to be anywhere from 10 to 360 million years old. With surroundings to match its age, the worn down Appalachians pop up in all directions and timeless towns dot the shores. Most of the area that the New flows through is far from any major metropolitan center and rural life seems to go on as always in the communities.

In the fall of 2003 my friends and I took a canoeing trip for several days down the New River. On the drive down we stopped in the southwest Virginia town of Floyd, famed for it's friday night jamboree. We parked in the small town and followed the sounds of bluegrass to the Floyd Country Store. Traditional music fans and musicians come from all around (as far away as Tennessee, West Virginia and North Carolina) for an open mike night at the town general store. As the crowed stomped their feet on the wooden floor planks or did the two-step we watched men, some with overalls, hats and beards down to their bellies, get banjos, mandolins, guitars and fiddles to make sounds to perfectly match the rolling Appalachian country. In the cool October air outside the store I saw a father and his 12 year old son tuning up their guitars and preparing to hit the store's stage. I've got to make it back to Floyd sometime to experience the pure, authentic bliss that emanates from good music being made.

Wahington Post Article on Floyd

Fragments from Floyd blog

Subterranean Homesick Blues

2006-03-01T15:27:00.000-08:00

Bob Dylan's 1965 song, Subterranean Homesick Blues, with it's nonstop surreal rhyming, steady rhythm and bluesy guitar has been described as a predecessor to rap; a stream of conciousness social and political commentary on the mid-60's. Dylan also used it in one of the world's first music videos, a fun short where cue cards point out the important lyrics to the viewer (watch for Allen Ginsberg in the background). A short history and interpretation of the song can be found here.

Driving home today I heard an interview on NPR with Spanish "afrobeatnik" (interesting name for a genre) musician Gecko Turner. Gecko undertook the formidable task of translating Dylan's landmark song into a mellow Spanish jazz tune. I was really surprised by this version, it's nothing like the original, but comes across funky and fresh. You've got to respect a man who can translate a song like that to such a different language and genre and still make it rhyme. The song can be heard on Gecko's website.

You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.
___________________________________________________

Johnny's in the basement

Mixing up the medicine

I'm on the pavement

Thinking about the government

The man in the trench coat

Badge out, laid off

Says he's got a bad cough

Wants to get it paid off

_____________

Juan está en suelo,
mezcla medicina,
yo estoy pensando
"el gobierno no afina
matando pequeños delincuentes,
y solo los que pueden
pueden educar a su gente...”
#ten cuidao, te meten de lado,
ten cuidao que te meten de lado#

Janitzio

2006-02-27T15:15:00.000-08:00

This is a shot I took in early January of our approach to the island of Janitzio in Patzcuaro lake, Michoacán state, México. A small island only accessible by boat, Janitzio is crowned by a 40 meter high statue of Mexican inpedependence leader José Morelos, visible in the photo. The villages bordering the lake are known for the traditional arts and crafts often with roots in the indigenous Purepecha culture and for their elaborate day of the dead celebrations.

Arriving within a few days of the new year, our boat was immediately seiged by teenagers wearing black velvet suits covered in rhinestone skulls and jangling bells. Painted wooden masks resembling insane bulls covered their faces as they waved their hands in front of me and made growling noises. Walking the narrow, carless streets and staircases of the town these pranksters would pop into stores and homes, trying to scare old women or chased toddlers up alleys. I stopped to talk to a few of the masked teenagers and found out that it was an old tradition for young men in the town to spend the days around the new year making an outrageous costume and then prowling the island to scare everyone and anyone. I also learned that most of the younger generation still speaks the Purepecha language at home and travels to school a half hour each way by boat. The boys agreed that though a bit small, Janitzio is a great plae to grow up.

Harper's Ferry

2006-02-25T14:02:00.000-08:00

I took this on a cold, windy, February day in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. This small, historic town sits at the junction of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers only 60 miles northwest of Washington, DC. Lying on the boundary of north and south it was a strategic location during the civil war and the region includes many battle sites. The town itself was host to a seige by abolitionist John Brown and his raiders in 1859. The well preserved dowtown is a somewhat haunting reminder of our bloody past.

Reaching 6.5 Billion

2006-02-24T14:21:00.000-08:00

Planet's Population to Hit 6.5 Billion Saturday

So the population of the earth is supposed to reach 6.5 billion at around 7:16 pm EST (not sure exactly how that was figured out, but in either case there are about that many people around). By 2050 we'll have about 3 billion more people on the planet.

According to the article, the world's population increased about 3.5 times over the 20th century. Overpopulation certainly is one of the roots of problems like environmental degradation, poverty and hunger, and economic disparity.

And while many EU countries are slowly and steadily losing population, in Africa all countries are adding at least 3% per year onto their population.

From the article:
Remarkably, despite the many new developments over the past 50 years, one fact looks very much the same, explained Kent and Haub: Populations are growing most rapidly where such growth can be afforded the least—an observation that has changed little over time, they said.

New Jurassic Mammal Discovered

2006-02-24T14:04:00.000-08:00

Fossil Overturns Ideas of Jurassic Mammals

In reference to last week's badass whale post... Scientists have recently discovered the first swimming mammal. This beaver-like creature was swimming in lakes and rivers when the dinosaurs were still around. It's pretty amazing how much about the world is still undiscovered.

(AP Photo/Mark A. Klinger, Science)

Sunset Week

2006-02-16T15:16:00.000-08:00

Our winter storm Sunday was followed by a brilliant blue Monday and this week has given us steadily rising temperatures and ever growing mud paches.

After highs in the 60's the past two days, almost all the snow has left the landscape except for a few well shaded spots. What a contrast to the biting, icy winds and snow of Sunday. Today's warm sunshine felt like April. Here's a shot I took at around 5:55 pm today; the sunset keeps getting later and later.

A Badass Whale

2006-02-13T16:12:00.000-08:00

I was reading an article about the debate surrounding intelligent design versus evolution in schools and came across an image of Ambolocetus Natans.

Mammals started out on the land as mouse like creatures scurrying among the feet of dinosaurs. Many intelligent design proponents claim that there is not enough fossil evidence to support the transition of mammals from land to sea. However, just because something is not 100% proven in every detail in science doesn't automatically make another theory valid. I have no problem with people believing in intelligent design, creationism or anything else, but it's not science, it can't be tested or proven and should be left out of scientific classrooms and discussions.

Back to mammals, Darwinists scored some points with the 1994 discovery of Ambolocetus, a whale predecessor that lived a carnivorous, amphibious life. Can you imagine this creature lurking in the marshes of ancient Pakistan 49 million years ago ready to explode at a fish or bird passing by? It's been described as a cross between an otter and a crocodile. All in all a pretty badass whale.

Image from Keltations Art

Some Snow

2006-02-12T10:56:00.000-08:00

While hiking in nearby woods Saturday at midday the overcast sky started to release some raindrops with a few icy particles mixed in. I knew that the great noreaster predicted had arrived. While it's been great having mild weather recently, I was ready for one big storm to come and remind me that winter still existed.

The icy mix continued throughout the afternoon, with all of melting upon contact with the ground. Night fell and flakes began to overtake the rain and sleet, but the snow still wasn't accumulating. I went to bed with low expectations for the morning but woke up this morning to a wonderful scene.
Before

After

We recieved about six rapidly melting inches here in southern Maryland, while DC and Baltimore each have about a foot on the ground, and Columbia, MD put us all to shame at 21 inches. Throughout the path of the storm the temperatures were high enough to produce a very wet snow that clings to everything it touches. No matter how deep, it sure made for a peaceful calm in the forest today as birds flitted between snow covered branches looking for food.

Papua New Guinea

2006-02-07T15:37:00.000-08:00

New Species Disovered in Papua

Scientists doing a quick survey in a remote mountainous region on the Indonesian side of Papua New Guinea have discovered several new species, including the golden-mantled tree kangaroo, a strange looking, funky marsupial. It seems like even the natives have stayed out of this area. It's likely that this is the first time that these animals have ever run across humans, making them remarkably unafraid.

For it's unbelievable biological and cultural diversity Papua New Guinea would be a fascinating place to visit. It may be one of the few really wild places left, but I wonder how long that will last. Virgin forests are logged and tribes assimilate with surrounding cultures. The island changes yearly as languages and species near extinction. Because of the distance and expense in getting there I don't think that I'll get to visit anytime soon, unfortunately.

-Some interesting people in Papua New Guinea
-NPR's The World Reports on PNG

Me and Senator Kennedy

2006-02-07T07:01:00.000-08:00

Click here for a picture of me and senator Ted Kennedy

Taken in Chinatown last year.

Bottled Water

2006-02-06T15:17:00.000-08:00

Read a great article today about bottled water...
Bottled Water: Nectar of the Frauds?

I've never really spent my money on bottled water except in places where tap water is unsafe to drink. The whole point of the article is that the world spends around $100 billion on bottled water a year, while the UN is now doubling their water and sanitation budget to $30 billion in order to provide safe tap water to twice as many people in the world by 2015. I understand that in many many developing countries tap water is not drinkable, but the bottom line is, we can spend much less money and provide safe drinking water to everyone.

Does it make sense to bottle tap water in Finland and sell it thousands of miles away to cities in the Arabian deserts? How about spending all the time, money and energy to ship square bottles of water from Fiji to the US just so you can say that it came from somewhere exotic? Bottled water is actually less regulated than tap water in the US and may be less healthy. Maybe that's why 40% of bottled water is actually tap water shipped from somewhere else. All of these cheap disposable bottles are spreading a throw-away culture around the world... India and most of the third world have been buried in plastic bottles and bags in the last decade or two as cheap plastic has replaced washing and reusing every coke bottle. The most beautiful, isolated beaches in the world have plastic bottles wash up daily as bottled water's popularity keeps rising. But as long as people can make a living selling what most Americans get for free..... anyway read the article.

If your tap water tastes really bad you can buy a reverse osmosis system at home depot for $150 and refill an old bottle, it'll pay for itself.

The Penn & Teller Tasting Test
In 2003, Penn & Teller: Bullshit!, a Showtime television network program, conducted an informal taste test of bottled water. They found about 75 percent of New Yorkers preferred tap water to bottled waters. They also hired a "water sommelier" to sell $7 bottled water to the patrons in a fancy Californian restaurant. The water sommelier filled each bottle with a garden hose directly from the tap, however, people claimed to know the difference between a bottle of eau du robinet (French for "faucet water") and Agua de Culo (Spanish for "ass water") before they were informed of its source. In the end, the hosts Penn and Teller jokingly offered to sell their brand of water for $150 per bottle.

First Signs of Spring

2006-02-05T18:22:00.000-08:00

With the warm weather of the past few weeks I went out last Friday afternoon and took a few pictures of the first signs of spring showing on a 65 degree day in early February.

Today things have definitely cooled down and there were even a few snow flurries. Looking at the forecast spring will probably be put on hold for the next week, but at least daylight time is increasing by about two minutes every day.

Oil

2006-02-03T19:18:00.000-08:00

On the way home from work today I heard an interview on NPR discussing America's "addiction" to oil, you can access it at:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5187449

There's been a lot of talk the past few months about the depletion of the world's petroleum supply and the need to find alternative energy soures. It's a little frightening how our economy revolves around this diminishing resource and of course not too many people noticed or thought about it until the pump prices started to affect our wallets.

It's pretty much agreed that we'll pursue alternative energy sources and more fuel efficient/hybrid cars if oil prices keep rising, if they stay steady or fall a bit we probably won't worry about it too much. Hey, we can afford it, right? This shortsightedness (doing what is easiest/most lucrative for right now) is of course one of the problems with the American/capitalist culture (not that any other way is without it's flaws).

One great point brought up in the interview is that while our president has recently been touting research into fuel efficiency/alternative sources he has not once called for a reduction in consumption. The only way to cure our "addiction" is to kick the habit. Use mass transportation, bike or walk and be sure to plan urban areas so that residential areas are nearby and easily accesible to jobs. Then we won't spend hours a day in traffic burning untold gallons depleting our gas reserves, get some exercise and meet some people in the neighborhood. In Europe, where they built their cities before cars existed, it's easy to get from point A to B without a car, just walk, bike, take the bus or subway (like car-less New Yorkers do). However, I've notied that either we are exporting the "American dream", or the independence that comes with car ownership just appeals to human nature. In Holland, a cool, rainy and densely populated country where bicycle paths abound and gas is over six bucks a gallon, the increase in car ownership in the past decade or two has created traffic jams that rival LA. It seems like the only places where mass transport will stay king is in third world countries where people can't afford cars. Even so, in Mexico City, where the metro is ten cents anywhere within the city and taxis will chauffer you for barely more than the cost of the gas burned, millions of privately owned vehicles contribute the the valley's horrendous smog problem.

This line of thought led me to some introspection. Sure, in college I barely drove (though I owned a car so that I could when I felt like it) and last summer I biked the four miles to work. However, since I took this teaching job in September I have been driving about 70 miles a day solo. It's easy for me to justify this by telling myself that this is the only place that I could get decent work and I shouldn't move closer because I can save more money here (economics talking, right?). And yes, I could carpool with a coworker that lives a bit south of me, but he leaves a good bit earlier than I do and often stays much later. It's that American desire for independence that keeps me driving all these miles alone with NPR or the classic rock station. Right now I keep thinking that this is temporary, once I leave this job I'll never commute so far, but will I always be able to find a good job and home close to each other? I'd like to, but we'll have to see how things turn out. I just hope that I'm not too much of a hypocrite and can live how I'd like to.

Winter Sun

2006-02-02T14:46:00.000-08:00

Here in the Mid-Atlantic we had a bit of a winter in December and even a light snowfall that cloaked the bare brown trees and ground in white for a few days.

Since January arrived we've had temperatures in the 50's and 60's and no hints of the snow, frozen ground and chilling winds that usually characterize mid winter in the region.

Last Saturday, my girlfriend and I took advantage of another sunny day in the end of January to take a bike ride down to where a tributary hits the Potomac. Yes, the same Potomac that cuts a murky path on the edge of Washington DC. Where we were, near where it flows into the Chesapeake bay, the river is five to ten miles wide and salty, clear and deep. Schools of striped bass and even stingray break the surface, Great Blue Herons comb the marshes for crabs and minnows and Bald Eagles and Ospreys hunt for seafood from above.

Saturday we headed down some back roads through the lightly greening southern Maryland farm fields. The last 2 miles of the ride before reaching the river is on a small country lane among an evergreen forest of Loblolly Pine with American Holly and Mountain Laurel in the undergrowth. Coming around the bend and emerging from the woods the sun hit me full on and I caught a glimpse of the glimmering Potomac across the field. I had to stop to take this shot.

First Post

2006-02-01T15:31:00.000-08:00

I'm new to the world of reading and writing blogs, but having stumbled across a few interesting ones I figured it would be a good way to share some thoughts and ideas.

I've been thinking the past few days of making some of my own paper out of all of the trash the students leave in the classroom. I found a good site explaining the basic principles: http://hometown.aol.com/Ppreble2/paper.html

I'll make the screen tonight and gather some good paper scraps tomorrow. I think sticking some dried leaves/flowers into the pulp could make for some cool art.

Anyway, I'll be updating with photography and art, thoughts, stories, music and reactions to current events.