I've been learning a lot of strange things this week. Things that have probably no useful application, but that you decided to highlight and star them as you took notes in class. It's the information that might not be on a test, but is far more interesting than the things that will be.
Interesting Fact #1: Xerox copiers actually give off ozone when they are running. Ozone, as you might know, is a factor that causes oxidation in silver prints. Apparently, if you store your silver photographs in a room next to a copier, you can cause fast damage and deterioration of them. Who would have thought, copier = ozone? Apparently so.
Interesting Fact #2: In a world where we think digital photography is still a baby and only maybe 20 years old at most, think again. Apparently "electronic" photography, much the same as digital photography, has been around since 1920/1921. It was called the Bartlane System. Images could be transmitted via a trans-Atlantic cable. Basically the system uses a telegraphic typewriter to produce an image in 5 grays. We now produce an image in 256 grays.
Interesting Fact #3: In 1921 Western Union begins a wire photo service. That in 1934 causes the Associated Press to start their own wire photograph service. The first overseas radio-photo published was in Australian Newspapers.
I guess this week has filed my head with all sorts of crazy information. Like the idea that a low-fat dairy diet can make a woman more infertile. So, if you're trying to conceive, go off that low-fat dairy crap until you are pregnant. Guess this means for the time being, I'll stick to the low-fat dairy.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Snow Falling on the Sidewalk
Study week has passed before my eyes. I'm locked away in my bedroom, 600 miles from where I was 24 hours ago. I had felt so drained from the week before, that I hesitated about going. The bus ride was long and without much shut eye, but in the end, it was worth it.
I'd forgotten the District. But stepping out into the cool morning from 12 hours on a greyhound bus, my heading jiggling uncomfortably against a window, I remembered. I smelled spring for the first time this week. I saw the some of the people who matter most in my life. I love adventures, but I hate how they tear me apart from the people I love. Every moment I get to spend with them--whether it's spending an evening talking and drinking four bottles of wine or sitting on the floor chatting until 4am and then getting up at 6am--feels like I stole it from the marching of time and now I keep it close. I don't keep in touch with them enough. And I don't want to ever forget them.
But then it hits me, I'm still bound for Australia for the summer. I still have a year and a half left of grad school. HJ might move back to Korea if she can't find a work permit. Kit Kat might be off for England in a year. And as for my story? Who knows. It's a far different world than it was when I was younger. Rochester was the farthest away I'd been and seen. You think that no matter what happens your world will somehow be contained there. And all you want is to get out and find a way to start over with a seemingly new life.
It's true that everywhere you go you make new friends. But it isn't that simple. It's true that moving towns is a fresh start, a chance to run from pain or failure or a piece of you that you want to forget. But it isn't that simple. I'd never take back my decision to move to Toronto for a year, but I no longer regret my decision to live in the District. I haven't forgotten the reasons I needed to leave it all behind, but I haven't forgotten the reasons that keep drawing me back.
Some days I wake up and wonder why I left. I could have stayed. But I wanted the adventure. So, here I am, up to my elbows in palladium prints and cyanotypes. Notes are spread across my bed and books are piled up on the floor. I'm back to reality that deadlines and papers wait for me. Snow falls steadily outsides--it reminds me that that small glimpse of spring I had in Washington, DC this week was only a fantasy. It taunted me, giving me thought of flip flops and skirts. But here, it's back to down jackets and furry boots.
Winter in Australia is going to feel like summer after this.
Speaking of Australia, I got Shannon to drive on the right side of the road. On a whim. I was trying to save him from the challenge of driving on the left side of the car, on the right side of the road, but it didn't last. So, I forced him to drive opposite of how he used to and on top of it all, he had to drive stick with his right hand and not his left.
There's my evidence. And yes, the car made it to Maryland safely, although the next day it was traded in for a better car, so it didn't matter much.
A lot is coming up in the next few weeks. Hopefully a Flogging Molly concert, Shannon's birthday and a school trip to Ottawa that will hopefully be extended a few days. We shall see.
On a final note: if you're looking for a new TV show to watch, make it Hereos. It's got me roped in. It's worth watching. Which, instead of writing my paper, I am going to do.
I'd forgotten the District. But stepping out into the cool morning from 12 hours on a greyhound bus, my heading jiggling uncomfortably against a window, I remembered. I smelled spring for the first time this week. I saw the some of the people who matter most in my life. I love adventures, but I hate how they tear me apart from the people I love. Every moment I get to spend with them--whether it's spending an evening talking and drinking four bottles of wine or sitting on the floor chatting until 4am and then getting up at 6am--feels like I stole it from the marching of time and now I keep it close. I don't keep in touch with them enough. And I don't want to ever forget them.
But then it hits me, I'm still bound for Australia for the summer. I still have a year and a half left of grad school. HJ might move back to Korea if she can't find a work permit. Kit Kat might be off for England in a year. And as for my story? Who knows. It's a far different world than it was when I was younger. Rochester was the farthest away I'd been and seen. You think that no matter what happens your world will somehow be contained there. And all you want is to get out and find a way to start over with a seemingly new life.
It's true that everywhere you go you make new friends. But it isn't that simple. It's true that moving towns is a fresh start, a chance to run from pain or failure or a piece of you that you want to forget. But it isn't that simple. I'd never take back my decision to move to Toronto for a year, but I no longer regret my decision to live in the District. I haven't forgotten the reasons I needed to leave it all behind, but I haven't forgotten the reasons that keep drawing me back.
Some days I wake up and wonder why I left. I could have stayed. But I wanted the adventure. So, here I am, up to my elbows in palladium prints and cyanotypes. Notes are spread across my bed and books are piled up on the floor. I'm back to reality that deadlines and papers wait for me. Snow falls steadily outsides--it reminds me that that small glimpse of spring I had in Washington, DC this week was only a fantasy. It taunted me, giving me thought of flip flops and skirts. But here, it's back to down jackets and furry boots.
Winter in Australia is going to feel like summer after this.
Speaking of Australia, I got Shannon to drive on the right side of the road. On a whim. I was trying to save him from the challenge of driving on the left side of the car, on the right side of the road, but it didn't last. So, I forced him to drive opposite of how he used to and on top of it all, he had to drive stick with his right hand and not his left.
There's my evidence. And yes, the car made it to Maryland safely, although the next day it was traded in for a better car, so it didn't matter much.
A lot is coming up in the next few weeks. Hopefully a Flogging Molly concert, Shannon's birthday and a school trip to Ottawa that will hopefully be extended a few days. We shall see.
On a final note: if you're looking for a new TV show to watch, make it Hereos. It's got me roped in. It's worth watching. Which, instead of writing my paper, I am going to do.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
A Lazy Sunday Afternoon
Well, life has been interesting since being home to go to the doctor's. There was a heavy snowfall in Rochester, so it finally felt like winter. Though since returning to Toronto, it has been just as cold. Almost too cold to go walking for a good hour--the amount of time it takes to get from my place to Shannon's. I've also gotten news that I will have to go to a specialist for my medical problem. So, all that's left is to wait and see what happens.
Shannon and I are still trying to plan what to do for Reading Week. A road trip is probably in the forecast. The plan is visit Jenny, head to DC and hopefully a trip to Wood's Hole if the weather out there isn't too bad. I really miss sunsets on the Knob and running the Shining Sea bike path. I think I would like to go back and soak up a little memory.
I am still working on the internship, but it has taken a back burner since I have been in pain and been going to the doctor's a lot. I am trying to take it all in stride and do what I can. My classes have to come first though. I did most of my work this week so I can spend the time focusing on the paper and project due the following week. I have to at some point this week learn how to make a Van Dyke print so that I can teach the class. Trouble is, like most non-silver processes, it's rather experimental. It could take days to learn.
I saw Little Miss Sunshine this weekend. It's a great film. I loved the beauty pageant scene. I think the whole movie in general made me smile. There's something about dysfunctional that just says "loving family."
I'll be happy once the next few weeks are over with. I'm finding it hard to keep myself motivated. This is not a good semester for me. I'm not sure why, but I'm having a hard time convincing myself to get it done. I want to keep going strong and making good grades. And to start considering an option for a thesis. I want to do something that I'd find fascinating. If I could do something surrounding my internship, I'd be set. After all, I'd like to go back. Next year, I'm going to have to start saving some money.
Especially since student loans are creeping up on me and all of them want money. Even though I am still in school. It seems to matter little to them. What I would give to just pay them off in less than 10 years. I hate the thought of them. But, I'd rather not think about it anymore and just focus on the next two weeks. And then I can enjoy a few weeks to relax. Maybe the weather will oblige my plans.
Shannon and I are still trying to plan what to do for Reading Week. A road trip is probably in the forecast. The plan is visit Jenny, head to DC and hopefully a trip to Wood's Hole if the weather out there isn't too bad. I really miss sunsets on the Knob and running the Shining Sea bike path. I think I would like to go back and soak up a little memory.
I am still working on the internship, but it has taken a back burner since I have been in pain and been going to the doctor's a lot. I am trying to take it all in stride and do what I can. My classes have to come first though. I did most of my work this week so I can spend the time focusing on the paper and project due the following week. I have to at some point this week learn how to make a Van Dyke print so that I can teach the class. Trouble is, like most non-silver processes, it's rather experimental. It could take days to learn.
I saw Little Miss Sunshine this weekend. It's a great film. I loved the beauty pageant scene. I think the whole movie in general made me smile. There's something about dysfunctional that just says "loving family."
I'll be happy once the next few weeks are over with. I'm finding it hard to keep myself motivated. This is not a good semester for me. I'm not sure why, but I'm having a hard time convincing myself to get it done. I want to keep going strong and making good grades. And to start considering an option for a thesis. I want to do something that I'd find fascinating. If I could do something surrounding my internship, I'd be set. After all, I'd like to go back. Next year, I'm going to have to start saving some money.
Especially since student loans are creeping up on me and all of them want money. Even though I am still in school. It seems to matter little to them. What I would give to just pay them off in less than 10 years. I hate the thought of them. But, I'd rather not think about it anymore and just focus on the next two weeks. And then I can enjoy a few weeks to relax. Maybe the weather will oblige my plans.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)