into the abyss

Spring Break, WOOOOOOOO!

Things still need to get done and will get done, but it's nice to take it easy for a bit.

There is something so familiar and comforting about taking Amtrak from destination to destination. The subtle rocking that accompanies the low hum of the train's rushing are almost surreal. Sitting in a soft seat and peering out the window as eastern seaboard rushes past is really wonderful. I'm so happy it doesn't make sense for me to take the bus.

There's a really great show on National Geographic Channel right now called Into The Abyss. It's about finding new species and their development in a 20,00 foot gorge in the Celebes Sea. It's so mind boggling that so many of these beautiful creatures have been living since the ice age. I think we could learn a lot from what's going on below the surface.

Here's a great video clip that was on the Nat Geo site.



How rad are those pigmy sea horses!? That shrimp that can see beyond UV Rays, so gnarly. I'm perpetually inspired and surprised by how beautiful and fascinating these things are.

satuday sundaze

Yesterday Andrew took me to the Book Thing in Greenmount. It was cool to finally be able to go, after having heard so much about it. I was really impressed with the selection of available books, all for free and by the ingenuity of the entire operation. It's volunteer operated and all the books are donated. I like that there is this circulation of available knowledge. It's not a library but more a means of starting your own.

Anyway, I got some awesome finds. National Geographics from the first half of 1962, with all of the wonderful saturated colors and funny imagery. A ton of american history books and national geographic books from the 1970s about cowboys, american backwoods and the south. My favorite acquisitions though were definitely the smaller bound books from the 40s and 50s.
I love when there's writing sporadically throughout used books, it's like sharing something with whoever was reading it half a century ago.







Today I have to read this for my American Intellectual History Class.