Now you can waste time, learn, and donate rice in a new way; freerice.com has added the option to choose subjects other than English vocab to be tested on. Now you can quiz yourself on famous paintings, chemistry, English grammar, world capitals, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or multiplication tables. For every correct answer twenty grains of rice are donated to the United Nations World Food Program.

Some things just don't change.

As if working with children didn't remind me enough of being a kid, being back at Astrocamp is sort of a crazy childhood flashback sometimes. I remember coming here in seventh grade, and I remember sneaking into things with Kiersten (a friend who used to live on campus) when we weren't supposed to. Certain classes are the same as they were when I was here, and many of the murals haven't changed at all since before I was a camper. Interestingly enough, the classes I hated as a camper are the same ones I hate right now, and certain aspects of my childhood self arise on occasion. Pale girl in the burning sun is a good example. We spent the morning training on the ropes course and then the afternoon on a little hike. I diligently applied sunscreen to my face, my arms, and focused intently on my nose. However, I also wore a V neck shirt and had my hair parted. How could I forget?!?! 24 years of pale skin, painful lessons, and still I missed exposed skin patches. Perhaps it's the fact that I've been inside all summer, hidden from any burn that's unrelated to hot pans or water. It's a good thing we have aloe plants growing in our sun room, I'm putting those suckers to use until this redness turns into freckles.

Wordless Wednesday

Cindy Sherman Film Still #65

Where Science and Art Meet

Christopher Janney, playing with lasers and sound in sculpture.

Astro-update

This is dry ice, though obviously in a much fancier cup than we would ever use here; however I've been seeking out art in relation to science. Mostly because the most common question I've received is, "You majored in art history? Why are you working in science?" Wow...really? Though I have begun to turn that around and challenge preconceived ideas of art in relation to science. How can science be removed from art? Where would ceramics be without chemistry, or geology for that matter? How are paints created? If it weren't for complex chemical formulas we wouldn't have some of the amazing paintings in existence today. We wouldn't have photography, which works because of complex chemical reactions. Or what about artists whose scientific methods failed? The Last Supper was done in an experimental fresco method that has been disintegrating from the moment Leonardo laid it on the wall. Understanding the medium, in many cases, requires math/perspective, chemical formulas, and a strong knowledge of the periodic elements. Today we studied "Lights and Lasers" which is a class that focuses largely on the visible light spectrum and perspective. I know this stuff, and it relates so strongly to the arts (a visual discipline) that it shouldn't be surprising that I have a strong grasp on the material. Mostly I've begun to develop a desire to enforce the idea that science can be applicable to all academic disciplines; those kids who think that it doesn't matter to them need to see how scientific principles can be applied to everything they do, that it isn't scary, and you don't have to feel dumb because you have questions. Maybe it just annoys me that a select few think that my choice of major is below them. I can study Cassatt AND Copernicus, and be better balanced for it. My hope is that I can communicate that same passion and interest to the kids who take my classes.

You can't take it with you.

A wealthy art collector, William M.V. Kingslanddied, in 2006; with no heirs, and no will his estate was given to the city of New York. The city hired Christies auction house to appraise and sell the estate. However, while researching provenance it was discovered that many of the works were stolen in the 1960s and 1970s. Needless to say, the FBI was called, sales were halted and now the entire collection is being researched to see what was legitimately purchased and what is stolen goods. Did Mr.Kingslanddied steal the art? Did he purchase it from people who had, knowing that it was stolen? All will be revealed in time I suppose. In the mean time the FBI has posted the entire collection online in hopes that someone will recognize some of the works, and they can be returned to the proper owners. Craziness, but check them out, maybe you're missing something?

Training Week

Oh Astrocamp, so much like home but also such a different aspect of Idyllwild that I feel like I'm in a whole new place all together; I can hardly believe I'm getting paid to do this. We began training yesterday, and I am stinking exhausted, but it's a satisfying exhaustion. I will post pictures once I have the time to take some but right now I am unpacking, team building, meeting new people, adapting to a newish location, and cramming massive amounts of information into my brain/relearning science I haven't studied in five years or so. Everything is a challenge in one way or another, but I'm loving it. I haven't been truly challenged in a job in awhile, and it feels amazing; I'm exhausted and I'm loving every second of it. I'd write more, but I really should get some sleep, tomorrow is another packed day.

California Stars

My posts these days have been fairly sparse where actual events in my own life are concerned. I attribute this mostly to the fact that I have been working non stop since I got home from Eugene; this means that I have been either too tired to write much or the events at work seem like little to write about. However, I am done with Taquitz Pines, and I can think of nothing more than how excited I am to move into my new apartment at Astrocamp. Saturday is move in day and I will be cramming all my prep into tomorrow. Laundry, organizing paper work, cleaning my car, packing, and throwing away my nasty kitchen shoes. In honor of the big move across town, and the new shift of focus, I've adopted this song by Wilco "California Stars" as my theme song for the weekend.

Wordless Wednesday

Artist Michael Sowa

Seriously

I have never understood why anyone would rob the bank here in Idyllwild. The escape routes off the hill are limited, and the security has been enhanced at the branch so cameras are in every corner of the building and at each entrance. Despite all of this the Guaranty Bank has been robbed at least three times in my memory. Those cameras did capture a pretty good image of the robber though, and I could swear I went to school with this guy. I'm not entirely sure who it is, but that is certainly not his real hair and I am 99% sure that the sketch artist over exaggerated his chin. Check out the full story on the Town Crier website.

Wordless Wednesday

Harikikigaki

"Harikikigaki" is a book of Japanese medical knowledge written in 1568. The book contains illustrations of various biological diseases, complete with descriptions of their symptoms as well as treatment plans. Truly, this book contains fascinating information. My favorite image and description is by far the Koseu; who can resist a parasite that has a beard, wears a hat, and likes sake?

Hizo-no-kesshaku: causes problems with the spleen, but it can be cured by ingesting shazenji (plantago seed).

Kanmushi: a harmful parasite that embeds itself in the spine, causing it to curve backward. Infected people also develop an appetite for spicy food. The herbs mokko (Saussureae radix) and byakujutsu (Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz) are effective in fighting off Kanmushi.


Jinshaku (Honton): resembles a tiny boar that runs wild through the body. Those infected with Jinshaku develop a weak pulse, a dark complexion, a craving for salty food, and bad breath. Acupuncture is an effective treatment.


Kiukan (Gyukan): lives in the chest and acts up at meal time. This critter is difficult to get rid of, but acupuncture is an effective treatment.

Kishaku: a dark red beastie that causes its host to develop an unhealthy appetite for oily food. It can be stopped by eating tiger stomach.


Koseu (Kosho): a snake-like critter with a scruffy white beard, wears a hat that protects it from medicine. It likes to drink sweet sake and it can speak.


Hishaku: found in the spleen, most often in females. Symptoms include an overpowering appetite for sweets, a yellowish complexion, and a tendency to hum. It can be stopped with acupuncture around the navel.

Hinoshu: also found in the spleen, looks like a rock and remains dormant inside the body until the host visits a crowded sightseeing area, at which time Hinoshu causes dizziness by thrashing about and creating the sensation of rocks crashing against each other. Acupuncture is an effective treatment.

Who decided...

...that this is what a potato dragon looks like?

Wordless Wednesday

"Night Vision" by Nathan Spoor

It's Official!

I'm going to be an instructor at Astrocamp! I start on the 23ed, and I am incredibly excited to have a job that involves fun AND education. I couldn't have gotten this job without some references who said such good things about me that the interviewer was suspicious that I had paid them off. So thank you Josh and Lisa! I will thank you in person as soon as I have a chance to swing by camp. So the blog entries might be changing a bit soon, but hopefully for the better; they will still be largely focused on art, but probably with a little extra science thrown in. Oh man, it's good to know I'll be using my degree for something.

Finally, a vacation.

For those unaware, I have been in Eugene Oregon for the past three days. It was a densly packed trip, and I took a TON of pictures. So here they are, categorized for easy viewing.
Mt. Shasta on the way to Oregon.

Random Eugene.




Our Hostel.





The Farieworld Festival; this was by far the craziest part of the trip.


























Exploring the wilderness.