La Isla del Encanto

The travel never seems to stop sometimes. I’m currently in Puerto Rico, at Arecibo Observatory, observing on the world’s largest telescope. The Observatory is somewhat remote and I’ve been busy observing, so there hasn’t been time to explore much. However, getting to go up to the platform of Arecibo is the coolest thing I could on the island, so I’m pretty happy. Plus, the warm weather is awesome. In fact, when I got off the plane in San Juan, I was overjoyed to be in warm, humid weather. Oh, humidity, how I like you in moderation. More detailed write-ups about the experience of observing at Arecibo will be happening over here.

Spring Break

Spring break was last week and it was a nice little break. And we actually had spring like weather, which was surprising. I was half-expecting snow. The little sister came to visit me, and I think I managed to keep her entertained. We went on a hike that I absolutely loved, so I’m making plans to go back again in the near future. We also went to the Corning Glass Museum and made glass flowers, which was a blast. She also convinced me to run with her a couple of times – I think it was some sort of devious plan to kill me. Between the hike and the runs, my legs were hurting by the end of the week. But all in all, it was a good week.

More Travel!

On my way to Indiana this afternoon. It’s not a trip for fun (although I plan to have some fun and eat lots of good food and visit lots of good friends). I’m heading back to finish my undergraduate research project. Something about publishing a paper eventually…

Back to School, Sorta

It’s been an interesting semester. We’re several weeks in (looks like my calendar says four and a half), but it doesn’t feel like it. I’m not taking any classes this semester, so life feels very different – there’s no deadlines of homework to mark off time. I’m still auditing a course and taking a martial arts class, so I can at least keep track of the days of the week. Most of the time.

Not taking classes has been nice. I feel like I’ve had the ability to actually accomplish some research this semester. Of course, it’s tempered by the fact that I still have commitments throughout the day – lectures to sit in on and meetings to attend. This breaks my days up a fair bit, which always makes it harder for me to work.

Mostly, I’m enjoying the freedom to work on my projects rather than homework. I’ve been there and done that for pretty much all of my life. I’ve learned a lot from homework but now it’s time to note that my base level of knowledge is set and I can start focusing on learning just what I need for my own work.

My Morning View

A mountain and a moon. That’s a pretty nice way to start.

Busy, Busy!

I’ve been absent lately – mostly because I’ve been busy getting ready for travel. I’m in New Mexico now, head back to Ithaca for next week and then off to Indiana for the last week of February. So it seems like I’m either getting ready for travel or traveling and occupied this whole month. Which means I haven’t been on the internet much. And am behind on things I was going to write about.

I went on another day ice climbing trip last weekend (a week and a half ago) and I’ve been meaning to write up the trip and post pictures. Clearly, that’s not going to happen. A bunch of pictures by other people are here. Suffice it to say, it was a good trip; the ice was good, even if my climbing wasn’t. The first climb I got on was awesome and fairly vertical. I felt good on the bottom half climbing wise but couldn’t feel my hands at all. I punked out on the top half because of my hands. I need to learn to suck it up more because I regretted that later in the day. Although the two minutes of sensation returning to my hands was not pleasant and I was glad it wasn’t worse. I got on a second climb that day which just frustrated me; it was an extremely awkward climb (lots of traversing) and I couldn’t stick a pick to save my life. So, not the best personal day of climbing for me, but every day on ice (or rock) is a good one.

The trip overall was a great success, though. We had several people along with us who had never ice climbed before and they all did really well. And learned to love ice climbing. My personal lesson of the day was that I need to become a better climber (and carry a lighter pack) so that I can climb out and avoid ugly, steep walk-outs.

It’s a Galaxy!

I was in Boston/Cambridge this last weekend visiting my cousins and a friend from overseas.  I was walking out of the T stop in Harvard Square when I saw a galaxy hanging across the street.

At first I thought it was just that distance had blurred the lights and my brain saw a spiral galaxy because I’ve trained myself to recognize that shape in images. But closer inspection revealed that, indeed, the lights were supposed to be a galaxy. Best street decorations ever.

Look at those lovely defined spiral arms. The yellow center, becoming bluer in the arms and edges of the galaxy. It’s a scientifically realistic spiral galaxy.

Who I Am

I am the person who can blithely comment about how odd it is to have two new white sweaters as I always spill food and drink and then think that it’s a good idea to have a glass of red wine and play tug with a bulldog puppy while wearing one of those sweaters.  Yep, that’s who I am.

More Ice!

I managed to get on some local ice this past weekend after coming back from Colorado.  It was a fun little day trip to a local (about an hour’s drive) frozen waterfall.  One of the people I went with had never been ice climbing before.  In fact, we also ran into a couple of other people at the falls who were out hiking and interested in climbing.  So we let them borrow harnesses and strap on crampons.  Before you knew it three people had climbed ice for the first time that day.  Personally, I learned that I really, really need to work on my swing.  Mostly, develop some muscles for it.  The second time I climbed was much nicer because people had picked the ice out for me so I just had to set the tools and place.  All the photos are here.  It was a nice little trip, and I’m thrilled to be coming back from Ouray this year to more ice.  My failure to continue ice climbing after the trip last year needed to be remedied.

A picture of the Falls.  The foreground pillar was in (if wet) but was not what we climbed.  We were on the right side of the main formation in the background.

Tinker's Falls

Hiphopopotamus

It seems like we get stuck on some video on the Internet every year at Ouray.  I want to forget last year’s, but this year was good.  It was Flight of the Conchords the whole time – music videos to start and end our days.  We watched several songs repeatedly; here’s one of the favorites: