Random Ruminations

Genoa Fault

Posted Mon Aug 25, 2008 in Science

One afternoon while Boss and I drove north along U.S. 395 toward Reno, he glanced to the left (west) and said “The Genoa fault is easy to see today.”

I looked and saw a gouge in the hillside a couple hundred feet above the valley floor. With the shadows forming in the afternoon sun, it was plain to see. It’s an interesting feature and something that fascinates. I still like geology and wish I knew more about it.

I did a little research over the weekend and found a couple of links. The first is Prominent Fault Scarps in Western Nevada and has a lot of interesting information. The second is Genoa fault a Valley disaster looking for a time to happen — an analysis of the potential outcome (damage) of a significant earthquake along the Genoa Fault that was published in the local newspaper.

On the way home this afternoon, I decided to drive through Genoa and see if I could make a few images of the fault. Tomorrow I’ll probably drive south from Genoa and see if I can get a decent image of the slickensides that are exposed where a portion of the fault is exposed in a road cut.

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Linkfest — 08-23-2008

Posted Sat Aug 23, 2008 in Links

“Round and round the mulberry bush, the monkey chased the weasel…”

Steve’s Digicams is a great source for information about digital cameras. This is one of the places I did a lot of my basic research on my last two digital camera purchases.

Philip Greenspun’s photo.net is an old, old hangout for me. I’m a lurker there, not being really competent enough to post anything cogent. However, I learned a lot (and continue to learn) by reading the articles posted there and examining images shared by some very talented people.

Mr. T does WoW.

topleftpixel is an interesting photographer’s site. Go look.

I’ve been thinking about earning my amateur radio operator’s license for a couple of years. The ARRL is the organization for amateur operators. Practice examinations are available here.

This is a classic example of a piping failure. My best guess is that the compaction around the culvert was not sufficient to prevent water from moving along the pipe. Eventually, enough of the foundation eroded to cause the catastrophic failure.

Understanding MTF is a great article on choosing glass.

Spotcrime is an interactive website of criminal activity.

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One Morning

Posted Fri Aug 22, 2008 in Photography

Some mornings, particularly this time of year, I take Wife’s convertible and drive along the Carson Range on my way to work. Yes, I drive with the top down. The cool air does me good and the speed limit is 45mph, so the buffeting is minimal.

One morning last week I took my carry camera and drove the foothill road with the top down. The morning light looked good against the valley wall. This ranch (Jack’s Valley Ranch) is beautiful in the morning light. So, I made the image and paused to take in the scene.

I love the Sierras. They are so pretty in the morning and evening.

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Tee Off

Posted Thu Aug 21, 2008 in Humor

I’m not a golfer, but this strikes me as incredibly funny…

Here is an actual sign posted at a golf club in Scottsdale, Arizona:

BACK STRAIGHT, KNEES BENT, FEET SHOULDER WIDTH APART.

FORM A LOOSE GRIP.

KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN!

AVOID A QUICK BACK SWING.

STAY OUT OF THE WATER.

TRY NOT TO HIT ANYONE.

IF YOU ARE TAKING TOO LONG, LET OTHERS GO AHEAD OF YOU.

DON’T STAND DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF OTHERS.

QUIET PLEASE… WHILE OTHERS ARE PREPARING.

DON’T TAKE EXTRA STROKES.

WELL DONE. NOW, FLUSH THE URINAL, GO OUTSIDE, & TEE OFF.

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Light

Posted Thu Aug 21, 2008 in Photography

One of the things I like is the way light plays on objects. I prefer the way natural light works, although I deeply appreciate the way skilled photographers use artificial (and natural) light to illuminate a subject.

Like most folks, I prefer either early-morning or late-evening light. The extra distance the light passes through the atmosphere cuts the cooler colors, allowing the warmer colors to pass. Plus, the angle provides texture to the subject, brining out the interplay of highlight and shadow. For me, it brings the subject to life, whether it’s a still life or an animate subject.

I also prefer the serendipity of discovering subjects instead of staging them. I assembled a few still lives over the years, but prefer the happy accident of just “seeing” something that is interesting, and lit in an interesting fashion. The image at left is a perfect example. This basket is in our living room. I was watching the television (rarely done) and noticed the light crawling across the floor and finally illuminating the basket. The combination of warm colors intrigued me, so I picked up the camera and made a few images.

I like this one the best.

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Fat Cat

Posted Wed Aug 20, 2008 in Family

Sometimes Wife’s goofy cat (Angel) is just weird. I guess she’s really comfortable around us, because she’ll sprawl on her back, belly up.

She didn’t used to do this, but I guess she’s so damned fat now that she can’t help herself… sorta like me.

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No Indictment

Posted Wed Aug 20, 2008 in Motorcycling

In June a SUV turned in front a motorcycle, killing the rider and passenger. The Lubbock Grand Jury did not indict the driver of the SUV. I don’t know the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, but the take-home message is to be careful out there.

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