On April 29 2010, Kate Crowley & Mike Link, veteran naturalists, set off via foot & kayak to circumnavigate Lake Superior.
145 days later they'd gone full circle. It was 1555 miles. (2503 km) That's quite a walk.
They took video, and collected valuable data on water quality, invasive species, ecology, geography, and human impacts all along their hike. So it was a scientific venture as well as a personal adventure.
link to their interactive map Their trek struck a chord with me because my family traveled to see Split Rock lighthouse, one of their landmarks, when I was a child. The shore was rocky, the lake was clear, cold & endless.
And I was chilly after only a few minutes.
Can't imagine how bone-cold you'd be after 5 months.
They saw these moose tracks along the shore...
...and maybe it went in circles around them but I bet it didn't go as far as they did. :)
For TT's 'Full Circle' day =======================
All you true book lovers out there, Have you transitioned to virtual books?
How could you possibly give up the smell of ink, the feel of the velvety pages, the sound of the pages turning, the heft of the book in your hands...
Meri, here's my answer...
I do like real books, honestly.
But my conversion to digital books began the day I went to my library to borrow this hefty new book that had been recommended to me. The librarian found it, and handed it over. Actually she heaved it my way, since it has over a 1000 pages, weighs more than the dog I was pup-sitting, and it has -no- page numbers or index.
I could only read it* with my bent legs propped up on a very sturdy ottoman. (the furniture type - not a guy - sheesh)
Until I see the new contender, I can't decide. So currently I'm still using my mobile to read eBooks, while waiting to find out which new device will win my heart. Or at least my wallet. I'll keep you posted.
Meanwhile, enjoy the sweet irony of this audio-visual trailer that publisher MacMillan put out recently to promote a 32-page children's book. Its protagonist eschews the digital, prefering the pleasures of reading. Watch a video of a book about reading a book... *That 5 lb tome? Surprised me that it was a graphic novel/comic that was turned into the 'Walking Dead' tv series. At over $50, $10 a pound, its not worth all that weight. Happy Reading... or 'Viewing'. Playing Along: Theme Thursday: Book ================
Lol'd reading about Fabio's 'Cafe Firenze'/'Taste!' tour.
The article writer swoons for Fabio & his co-author:
"Like a whirlwind storm, their presence changed the atmosphere and their cologne scented it..."
"Fabio Viviani was hot before he starting cooking on Season 5 of Top Chef. Women loved the handsome Italian with the spiked, short tendrils of black hair..."
"...the people confuse me with Fabio," said Falleni, who smelled of Opium cologne and wore a charcoal Armani suit."
Meanwhile the only recipe of theirs that she mentions?... the balsamic martini. Probably because of this quote:
"It is made with strawberries, vanilla rum, lime, simple syrup and balsamic vinegar," Falleni said. "It's a little acidic, and it's sweet. So, the women go for it of course, and I go for the women..."
(Those were the best bits, to read all, click the pic)
She must write romance novels on the side.
Wanna bet she Tivo'd all his moments on TC too?
p.s.
AARP member? You could always check out some 'Top Chef Seniors'... Nah.
All because I was stuck on a train, reading a book that I *thought* was a mystery. Then suddenly an odd character with pointy ears shows up. Uh-oh.
Did I pick up some dreadful fairy tale or a 'Trek', or 'Twilight' knock-off from that grab & go newstand? As I read further I realized that there is a way to tell what you're in for as you dig through that unknown novel. Note how the dead guys are doing, and follow the chart.
Then you'll know if its time to look for the nearest recycling bin. (Sorry to anyone who thinks "Court of the Air" is great stuff.)
* And don't trust newsboys for book recommendations.
Got invited to a block blog party. Of course the note appeared when I was living it up at a fair in the next state over, so now I'm going to be way late to the party. Better hurry then, eh?
*pic leads to Mr. C's invite.
Oops, just re-reading his page, and I realize that in order to have the complete party experience I will have to put out. OMG - what have I gotten myself into? Wait, oh okay - he just wants each of us to offer up our own adjunct party plan, plus a few personal tidbits:
What books are on your favorite shelf? What DVD's are on your favorite shelf? What are your TWO favorite cookbooks, ...plus 3 recipes for your special guests. And What will we be drinking.
Oh, I can do that. First thing you'll see is my welcome mat that's been waiting for you on the front porch for a few months now... Now, as far as favorite shelves go... My favorite shelf of books? is always the one filled with the new ones I'm about to read. Nothing quite like the fun of opening an unfamiliar book. So here are the next ones on my stack: (*click* to enlarge any pic) Favorite shelf of dvds? Again, its always the ones I haven't seen yet that are the most attractive to me, so here's the stack next to the DVD player. (warning: some chosen by my housemate - guess which ones.) Two favorite cookbooks: I'll serve up a main course of: Then salad (top) and dessert. Now on to the drinks... *there's also leftover beer and mixers in the cooler from the weekend, but if you want soda its down in the laundry zone - so bring your flashlight.
Since all your vehicles will be clogging up my road, I think its only fair that I also invite the neighbors. I'll just go put my climbing boots on and knock on a few doors.
*knew Mr.C would appreciate this pic
Finally, (silly me I almost forgot!)
...in lieu of party games, every guest must learn the required party dance:
*Lucky for most, its only 15 seconds long...
*no idea who they are, but they are enthusiastic, yes?
Having fun? Because if y'all want to stay longer I'll run and borrow some Caribbean-style tiki torches from the Lion-ess,... or maybe that jazzy "tudor revival" globe chandelier from Mr.C?
Starting today, London subway drivers will read quotes:
{press release} The words of Gandhi, Einstein, Jean Paul Sartre and other great thinkers are to be quoted in service announcements on London's Underground...
...What?
Transport for London has commissioned Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller to compile a list of bon mots to be used by Tube drivers...
FYI, a sampling:
Gandhi's "there is more to life than increasing (its) speed" Cezanne's "we live in a rainbow of chaos" Fuller's "a stumble may prevent a fall" "the afternoon knows what morning never suspected" "an ounce of action is worth a ton of theory" "one who n'er made a mistake n'er tried anything new" not to menion... Sartre's "hell is other people"
{re video} The riders don't mind it for the nonce. But hopefully somewhere along the line (pun intended) the riders will get a chance to at least vote (or veto) the ones to be used.
Guillermo del Toro confirms Hugo Weaving in 'The Hobbit'
In an interview with BBC Radio 5 (at 02:10:55 mark), director Guillermo del Toro confirmed that Hugo Weaving will reprise his Lord of the Rings role of Elrond in the upcoming Hobbit films. Weaving joins Andy Serkis (Gollum) and Ian McKellen (Gandalf), who will also reappear in the two highly anticipated films, scheduled for a 2011 and 2012 release.
{spoiler below} They're splitting the book into two movies. The first one ends when the dragon dies.
Hugh: "The first 500 people who pre-order the book AND send their electronic receipt/confirmation number to IgnoreEverybody (at) gmail.com will get a second (personally signed) book from me."
*disclaimer: Just in case you found this page because you typed the 'a' word into Google... Sorry, no political depth here. I just liked the look of the poster, so I read their page - totally deep, that's me...
Nice looking poster, yes?
Who knew Cardiff had anarchists? Not me. (never knew anarchists organized bookfairs either)
''South Wales Anarchists are a network of autonomous collectives who are against all forms of exploitation and bigotry. We engage in direct action against capitalism and government, spread info-rmation, & build resistance to create a world based on justice & freedom.
Government & capitalism is chaos, pitting person against person, encouraging domination & exploitation to preserve inequality & privilege. Anarchism is order(?), delivering individual liberty & social equality through a system of voluntary cooperation without political, economic or social hierarchies.''
Direct action against capitalism includes selling things? Apparently I have a lot to learn.
Anyone care to run over there and find out if these free-thinkers restrict what kinds of books can be sold?...
Random musings plus hits & bits. Also 'guilty' tv that I never talk about with my pals IRL: 'Top_Chef' and 'D_List', with a dash of 'Flipping Out', 'Middle' & 'GLEE'.
That's all.
Thanks for playing.
link to their interactive map
