tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26580647118553066172024-03-13T05:14:20.371-07:00Unsettled.The rantings and adventures of an archaeologist, traveler, feminist, and awkward 20-something.Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-65750975973881670442015-11-13T06:34:00.000-08:002015-11-13T06:39:44.798-08:00On Deck and in Check: Conceding Sexuality to Men through Pop Music<div class="MsoNormal">
So I’ve noticed a trend in popular music over the past few
years or so. A trend that may seem like it should be forward movement to a
hippy feminist like myself, but definitely isn’t. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You see, women have been able to express themselves through
music in a sexual way-finally getting acknowledgement as sexual beings. Well...sort
of. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unfortunately, many times the ways in which the media
portrays female sexuality are not true to female sexuality, but how male sexuality
wants female sexuality to be. Sound confusing? Let me demonstrate what I mean
by cutting straight to some lyrics from songs that are currently playing on
top 40 hit stations... <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/selenagomez/goodforyou.html">"Good for You" by Selena Gomez</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“Gonna wear that dress you like, skin-tight<br />
Do my hair up real, real nice<br />
And syncopate my skin to your heart beating<br />
<br />
'Cause I just wanna look good for you, good for you, uh-huh<br />
I just wanna look good for you, good for you, uh-huh<br />
Let me show you how proud I am to be yours<br />
Leave this dress a mess on the floor<br />
And still look good for you, good for you, uh-huh”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/demilovato/coolforthesummer.html">"Cool for theSummer" by Demi Lavato</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“Tell me what you want<br />
What you like<br />
It's okay<br />
I'm a little curious, too<br />
Tell me if it's wrong<br />
If it's right<br />
I don't care<br />
I can keep a secret, can you?”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In lyrics like these women seem to have sex drives as do
men, sure. Yet it still isn’t about what the woman wants. Songs like this portray
female sexuality...but as male-centric. Let me further demonstrate my point
with snippets from a couple of other popular songs:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/jessiej/bangbang.html">"Bang Bang" by Jessie J.featuring Nicki Manaj and Ariana Grande</a></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“Bang bang into the room (I know ya want it)<br />
Bang bang all over you (I'll let ya have it)<br />
Wait a minute lemme take you there (ah)<br />
Wait a minute till ya (ah)<br />
Bang bang there goes your heart (I know ya want it)<br />
Back, back seat of my car (I'll let ya have it)<br />
Wait a minute lemme take you there (ah)<br />
Wait a minute till ya (ah)”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/natalielarose/aroundtheworld.html">"All Around the World" by NatalieLa Rose</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Boy, just tell me where you wanna go<br />
I'll sit back, enjoy the ride (oh yeah)<br />
Watch me wrap my body coast to coast<br />
Trace a map of me tonight (oh yeah)<br />
<br />
You know the, you know the<br />
Language my body talks<br />
You know what, you know what<br />
I need to give it all<br />
Nailed down to the bed<br />
Now that you got a taste<br />
Baby, don't you know where you should be?<br />
<br />
If I was your girl, if I was your girl<br />
I'd give it to you all around the world<br />
If I was your girl, if I was your girl<br />
I'd give it to you all around the world</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/davidguetta/heymama.html">"Hey Mama" by David Guetta, song/rapped by Nicki Minaj</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“Best believe that, when you need that<br />
I'll provide that, you will always have it<br />
I'll be on deck, keep it in check<br />
When you need that, I'ma let you have it."<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>"So baby when you need that<br />
Gimme the word, I'm no good<br />
I'll be bad for my baby<br />
<br />
Make sure that he's getting his share<br />
Make sure that his baby take care<br />
Make sure I'm on my toes, on my knees<br />
Keep him pleased, rub him down<br />
Be a lady and a freak”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could probably use the entirety of “Hey Mama” towards my argument
but I think I’ve shown you enough to make a point. Yes, they are talking about
wanting to have sex...but only as a means for pleasing the man. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So let’s just stop for minute. Hold up, pause the madness,
halt. <br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Right now I’m not interested in ranting against these
artists or dissecting the societal context of the issue. I just want to possibly
mitigate some of the mental and emotional damage this has on young women by
making a couple of points. Ladies, please listen:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1) It is okay to
acknowledge your sexuality.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whether or not you believe that sex should be saved for
marriage/someone special, you can still acknowledge that women think about it.
Talking about sex like it’s this thing that men love and women just concede to
is highly contestable to many of us ladies and extremely unhealthy for
relationships in general. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are not a whore when something turns you on, and you are
not a sinner for your perfectly natural desire to have satisfying sexual
experiences. Sexuality isn’t normal for men and wrong or weird for women. We
are all biological creatures with bodies that know they need to reproduce to
continue the species. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2) No one is entitled
to your sexuality.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Furthermore, a man being a man does not make him the owner
of your sexuality.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Actually, let’s just go ahead and end this discussion
without focusing on gender roles or stereotypes at all. Let’s talk about people
having relationships with other people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No matter how large your partner’s sexual appetite is, they are
not entitled to your body. They do not own your body. No one is entitled to
constant sexual satisfaction. Particularly in an actual relationship, sex is both
physical and emotional. If one partner is not physically or emotionally at a
place to have sex, it isn’t for them to just “get over it” so that the other
partner doesn’t have to suffer a night without. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m not saying that you should disregard your partner’s
physical needs. But you have physical needs as well, which are often tied to emotional
needs. Maybe your physical needs include a certain amount of space or nights in
which you just go to bed holding each other. They’re still valid.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In summary, what I hope you take away from this post is
this: the sexual aspect of any relationship should be a consensual compromise
that acknowledges the wants and needs of both individuals. Never one person staying
“on deck” or "in check" for the other. <o:p></o:p></div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-17252967511521255562015-10-30T17:19:00.002-07:002015-10-30T17:20:36.406-07:00Homophobia and the War of the Words<div class="MsoNormal">
Words have a lot of power. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, the words we say to others directly can nurture
or hurt their feelings, thoughts, and self-image. But that’s just the tip of
the iceberg. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our choice of words can turn what could have been a
constructive conversation into a destructive argument. They can represent or
misrepresent ideas. They can open or close both minds and hearts. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And that’s why this post is about a word: homophobia. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It may seem pretty straightforward. Homophobic people are
those with an unwarranted fear of homosexuals. But as the debate over LGBT+
rights rages on, this word has picked up a lot of weight. It’s a sharp word,
the user often indicating a certain closed-mindedness or hatefulness that the
one being labeled may find insulting. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thus, I dare ask the question:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Should we call everyone who doesn’t “agree” with
homosexuality homophobic? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I mean don’t get me wrong, I get why this word would be
directed at anyone who believes that homosexuality is a sin. Regarding anything
as a sin or defect does seem to entail a certain kind of “phobia.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But here’s the thing-believing that homosexuality is not a
part of God’s original intent for humanity or isn’t what is best for a particular
person doesn’t require fear or hatred. Yes, it can. Oh it definitely can. But
it doesn’t have to. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are many people who concede to the taboos incorporated
into the religious doctrine they find most appealing or convincing without then
adopting aggression toward or disgust with whatever the taboo is on. I know
many evangelical Christians who know many people who don’t identify as
heterosexual and who treat those people like normal people. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are parents who are heart broken by their child’s
sexual identity but love them no less and treat them no differently. There are
friends who “don’t agree” with other friends’ sexuality but talk, laugh, and
fight with them just like the rest of the people they hang out with. And there
are perfect strangers who might not have voted in support of homosexual
marriage but would never treat other strangers disrespectfully or even feel it
appropriate to discuss their objections when seeing said strangers with their partners
at work, the mall, or wherever.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m not saying that it doesn’t suck that many people see
LGBT+ folks as different, influenced by the sinful nature, or anything else or
than ordinary people just being people. And I’m not saying that homophobia
doesn’t exist.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the contrary....what I’m saying is that because
homophobia DOES exist and has very real consequences on multiple levels and all
over the world, we should diagnose it correctly that we may treat it
effectively. Trying to force people into changing their beliefs by insulting
them doesn’t work and directing aggression at people who haven’t directed it at
us won’t help them see through our eyes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As someone who identifies as bisexual, I don’t want to force
anyone to believe what I believe. Of course I would like it if they did. And of
course I will attempt to communicate the reasons behind my worldview in the hopes
that others will consider it. I would love to live in a world where no one
thinks anything is “wrong” with me because I’m not straight. But I also want to
live in a world where everyone is free to think what they think as long as they
treat other human beings like human beings. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I guess in the end my request is not that we stop using the
word. But like I said, it is a weighty one with a sharp edge. Thus, my request
is simply this: watch where you point that thing. <o:p></o:p></div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-36695598594441391302015-10-01T16:24:00.000-07:002015-10-01T16:27:18.448-07:003 Unnatural Things Women Do Because of Feminism<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve not been very active lately since I’ve been preoccupied
with moving to Scotland for grad school, starting grad school, and finishing up
a very time and energy consuming scholarship application. But I’m officially settled
in and back at the blog! And today, I’d like to discuss three things that the
outlandish realm of feminism has inspired some of my fellow womenfolk to do
against their feminine nature. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMdjV89oq96X6p-MKVAj9TVVap6e3duJeOYPcI0tfeNCZOL9uPMdB8I1R-99gtO8VPHQv2A6axO2WRM1lknCBBQAffgI6L-qGSLdvP05xo3xTnOHA6FzlxwYAyVop44cCFlQeyd4cHqI/s1600/hairy+woman+legs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMdjV89oq96X6p-MKVAj9TVVap6e3duJeOYPcI0tfeNCZOL9uPMdB8I1R-99gtO8VPHQv2A6axO2WRM1lknCBBQAffgI6L-qGSLdvP05xo3xTnOHA6FzlxwYAyVop44cCFlQeyd4cHqI/s200/hairy+woman+legs.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://hairylegsclub.tumblr.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Oh, the horror!</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1) Not shaving</b><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As absurd as it sounds, there are women walking among us
more civilized creatures who do not shave. Not the armpit hair, not the leg
hair....not even those moderately noticeable hairs that can sometimes crop up
around the naval. Feminism has these women believing that appreciation for a
hairless female body reflects an arbitrary and even unfair standard which our modern
society holds for us. And to that I ask: why would we have finally decided to
start doing it if it weren’t in our nature this whole time? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2) Casual Sex</b><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everyone knows that men are the more sexually veracious of
the two genders. It’s only natural that men would be too physical to control
their own thoughts and desires while women long only to attach themselves to
one man. A man making a lewd joke at, following, or otherwise harassing a women
who is scantily clad? What else could you expect from him? Men are so sexual
they cannot control themselves, while women desire monogamy so direly they are
willing to bear with men and their weaknesses. How could such an arrangement possibly
result from the cultural conditioning of a male-dominated society as the
feminazis claim? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And now the aftershock of the “sexual revolution” has women
of all kinds engaging in hook-ups and swiping right on Tinder. The only
explanation: feminism makes women think they want things they don’t really
want.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVNL3nxK49b6vQd6kYYuJ6cPREWExIyBhMwiuGA9GzQCg0sn-bjIzmCYGtS9ki7AfBdGu-ygLhCfDixumsQIoxUxFccWE-OpT-MSJp0OINAXpm7eHHqv_QomASEwgQXRMwTSY_dIguCc/s1600/Women%2527s+Rugby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVNL3nxK49b6vQd6kYYuJ6cPREWExIyBhMwiuGA9GzQCg0sn-bjIzmCYGtS9ki7AfBdGu-ygLhCfDixumsQIoxUxFccWE-OpT-MSJp0OINAXpm7eHHqv_QomASEwgQXRMwTSY_dIguCc/s200/Women%2527s+Rugby.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.demotix.com/news/1856869/england-defeats-italy-34-0-6-nations-womens-rugby-match#media-1856922">So unlady-like...</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>3) Rugby</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Feminism even has women believing they want to engage in
dangerous contact sports. Instead of preserving the beautiful delicate features
that all of us of the fairer sex are of course born with, they rebel against their nature in favor
of sweat, concussions, and grass stains. I don’t really need to explain why
this is unnatural...it’s all too obvious. Seriously, when have you ever heard
of women tackling each other outside of sexy, panty-clad pillow fights? Nothing
else is natural.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Okay, okay, let’s get serious for a minute.</b> Obviously I’m being
a bit snarky here. But unfortunately, each of the sarcastic points above was
inspired by something I’ve read, heard, or seen in the real world. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And let’s face it...whichever side of the fence you’re on,
you have to concede a substantial amount of power to culture and ideas. If the
feminist movement could make women chase after casual sex when that isn’t what
we are wired to want-that is powerful. But if the long ideological history of a
misogynistic society can influence women to suppress and be blind to their own
sexual desires-that is powerful as well! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The stone I’m hoping to put in your shoe is this: what is
more likely? That a movement which basically says “Hey, you should just go
ahead and do what you want no matter what others think” would make human beings
go haywire doing things they don’t actually have any natural desire to do? Or that
the pressures of fitting into society and adhering to its interwoven worldview could indeed give human beings a distorted view of their own nature?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
For me, the second is much more plausible. And honestly, if we could learn to recognize and break free from the expectations we were never meant to have for ourselves or others, the world would probably be a much better place.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Feel free to comment-but keep it civil, please!</b><o:p></o:p></div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-58620041714146055972015-07-09T16:16:00.001-07:002015-07-09T16:25:21.420-07:00The Confederate Flag: Every American's Heritage<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdkBDYm-5NjrrdET1tOzCwhMT4Hxi1Cxg6vx_l_x9QPC7BmFKi5ZkYnDhz2yPRhuGFCe9JHlUfszbiQsioUASIKQBAwOki5R1fAXtlyV-vM4s-hxRBxZDdnYR6qSFeZVNxt-dOcKIrK4/s1600/rebel_flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdkBDYm-5NjrrdET1tOzCwhMT4Hxi1Cxg6vx_l_x9QPC7BmFKi5ZkYnDhz2yPRhuGFCe9JHlUfszbiQsioUASIKQBAwOki5R1fAXtlyV-vM4s-hxRBxZDdnYR6qSFeZVNxt-dOcKIrK4/s320/rebel_flag.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Picture from <a href="http://www.pagecovers.com/facebook_covers/flags_5.html">pagecovers.com</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I’ve been quiet for over month now as I’ve been working
fulltime then coming home to stressful to-do lists related to grad school, and
because I’ve been trying to transition the blog to a website before posting again.
But the transition is proving to be more arduous than I had hoped and things
keep coming up that I’d like to comment on, so here I am. <br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Specifically, I’d really like to put my two cents in
concerning the current Confederate flag controversy. There’s been a lot said on
this already, and the issue is certainly more complicated than simply “if you
support the flag, you’re racist.”<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I understand that there is a debate concerning the south’s
motivation for attempting to secede. Some would argue that slavery was only one
in a host of state’s rights issues, and was not the sole reason that young men,
many of whom came from poor families that couldn’t even afford slaves, chose to
take up arms and risk their lives. Many would also argue that the Confederate
flag can be waved as a sign of southern pride and heritage rather than
prejudice or hatred. <br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The purpose of this blog is not to investigate history and
modern interpretations of it. Nor is it an attempt to label those who would
argue for the flag as a symbol of heritage to be a pack of liars. As a matter
of fact, for the purpose of the point I’d like to make here we can give those
folks the benefit of a doubt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s discuss the flag in that framework...as a symbol of
heritage. I can see that. As a matter of fact, I emphatically agree.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But that’s the very issue. The Confederate flag is a huge
piece of America’s heritage. It’s a symbol from a very important part of our
history...our Civil War. A war that tore a fledgling nation in two and
threatened to destroy the new country that so many had died to create just the
century before. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Confederate battle flag a part of everyone’s heritage, not just white people
and not just white southerners. Many people died fighting for it, and many
people died fighting against it. For many people it promised freedom from the Union,
but for many others it threatened to bar the freedom to live and dream and act
as human beings rather than a pieces of property. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, it makes many feel regional
pride and reminds them of the land their ancestors died to protect. But for the
majority of our country’s African American population, it stands for a war
that was fought at least in part to keep them in slavery. And even to other
whites, it represents the rebellion their ancestors died to quell. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It represents a piece of everyone’s history, it makes
everyone feel something, it harkens back to many view points of the American
past. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now am I saying that people don’t have the right to express
themselves? No. Am I saying that anyone has the right to not be offended? No. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Firstly, this isn’t just “removing everything that offends
someone,” as one of my Facebook friends so painfully put it. The flag is not simply "something that offends someone." That is both an inaccurate
and insensitive way to refer to a symbol that reminds millions of people of the
inequality that still effects their socioeconomic status today and reminds even
more of us of the racial tensions we are so pained to see dividing our beloved nation.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Secondly, this isn’t just an issue of American citizens
expressing themselves. The debate has largely focused on Confederate flags in public
areas, such as the flag now being removed from the grounds of the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/10/us/confederate-flag-south-carolina.html?_r=0">South Carolina State House</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Basically, it comes down to this: to campaign for the
Confederate flag to remain in public areas is not simply to champion a symbol
which has positive associations for you. It’s to stick a middle finger right up
at the rest of us, black and white, who have negative associations with the
flag. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
You’re not just saying “my heritage is important.” What you’re
saying is “my heritage is more important and has more of a right to be seen
than yours.”<o:p></o:p></div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-5736970164075381422015-05-26T20:30:00.002-07:002015-05-26T20:30:35.897-07:00Changes are coming and I need your help!<div class="MsoNormal">
So, there are some changes coming soon to An Unsettled
Voyage, and I need the help of my readership to make the right ones!<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First of all, I’ll be switching form Blogger to self-hosting
my own domain. So basically I’ll have my own website. This is something that
most bloggers who are serious about their writing consider to be an essential and
professional move. <br /><br /><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But that change will entail other changes. And these are the
ones I need you to help me with.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1) Topic: Travel and/or social issues?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I originally started this blog as a travel blog, but it has
evolved into more than that. As you know, I often discuss modern social or
political topics such as racism and feminism. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I personally want to keep the option open to post about my
travels, since I’m certainly not done with them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you read Unsettled
Voyage, do you stick to either travel posts or social commentary posts, or both?
Does the presence of either topic make you less likely to read posts on the
other?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2) Name<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I definitely want to change the name while I’m at it. “An
Unsettled Voyage” is a bit cumbersome and I’d like something a bit shorter and
more succinct. However, I’m hesitant to undertake a complete rebranding. I’m
thinking of changing it to simply “Unsettled,” as I talk about both my travels
as an unsettled twenty-something as well as complex issues that still need to be discussed and debated and are thus, in a different
way, unsettled. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Does that make sense and sound good? If not, please feel
free to offer a suggestion (no, I can’t compensate you financially ;P)!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3) Layout</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p>Some of you who have been reading for a while may have
noticed recent changes in the background/general layout. I’m making it a bit
more sterile for the sake of being clean and more professional. Good choice or
no? Also, guy folks and tom boys...does the coral and blue-green color scheme
make you feel like it’s a “girly” blog?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alright...these are all my thoughts for now. Feel free to
post your opinion here, on the Facebook page, or in a private message! Thanks so
much!<o:p></o:p></div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-63710147634004762902015-05-19T15:31:00.001-07:002015-05-19T15:43:03.751-07:00Not just my personal diary: How blogging is helping to shape the human experience<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3Q6XiwEAF87pBK7hNLKBdFl3f7NIV-ug7kPteRagpJYXnin_xZu3S2nzbAJPzVAOjtmbgXeXeHATtgHf-XLpQ77jRpOBq7dgauZoOIFdZOFFE6sGHVPD6KDNL0ZOQ9j4i8QY4LoIE04/s1600/typing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3Q6XiwEAF87pBK7hNLKBdFl3f7NIV-ug7kPteRagpJYXnin_xZu3S2nzbAJPzVAOjtmbgXeXeHATtgHf-XLpQ77jRpOBq7dgauZoOIFdZOFFE6sGHVPD6KDNL0ZOQ9j4i8QY4LoIE04/s320/typing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image from <a href="http://www.firehow.com/2010041311470/how-to-find-free-typing-online-games.html">firehow.com</a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
I remember watching the internet grow and mature. I did a
lot of growing up myself during the same time. I remember carefully considering
how I should represent my personality with a new Myspace layout or “about me”
section, and taking a million selfies so I could rack up more photo comments. I
remember the debates about social media and how dangerous it could be. I
remember finally giving in and getting a Facebook even though it wasn’t as cool
as Myspace simply to keep up with some of my home school friends who weren’t
allowed on other sites.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I remember thinking that a blog was a pretty pointless
and even conceited thing to spend time on. I mean, really...no one wants to
know about your day or what lyrics you really relate to right now other than
your mom. Even your top friends are only reading out of obligation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But all things change, and at an ever increasing rate in our
modern world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These days, the internet is constantly at our fingertips and
we are constantly making use of it. Information is only a Google search away
and updates on distant loved ones show up in our Facebook news feeds!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thus it was a no brainer for me to start a blog while
traveling last year. I knew I would have plenty of stories to tell while
teaching English in the post-Soviet developing country of Georgia. Stories that
wouldn’t fit into a status update. And did I ever! There was <a href="http://unsettledvoyage.blogspot.com/2014/02/welcome-to-your-new-life.html">the time I gotpunched in the face</a> by a three year old, the time <a href="http://unsettledvoyage.blogspot.com/2014/02/thursday-february-im-at-school-with.html">I assumed we were going to a school meeting</a> and didn’t realize it was actually a visitation until I walked
in and saw the body, the time <a href="http://unsettledvoyage.blogspot.com/2014/06/because.html">I went camping in an old hippy bus</a> with a handful of other twenty-somethings from a handful of different countries...the list goes on. It was the most amazing adventure I’ve yet
experienced.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I had the ability to share any of it through my blog-any
of my encounters with language and cultural barrier, any of my struggles to
shake off their limited views of what a woman could be, any of the moments and
any of the people who made the hard times completely worth it. I was excited
and proud to paint these pictures of a piece of the world-of the human story,
even-that many of my readers would never experience firsthand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then, after coming back and starting my career as an
archaeologist, I had more stories to tell. And then I started using my blog as
a platform for discussing the social issues that had been brought to my
attention more than ever in Georgia, but that I was still encountering in my
beloved home country. Feminism and racism weren’t just topics for me to rant about
to whatever poor soul was nearest to me. I realized that I could contribute to
the conversation on a broader level.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And this is the power of blogging: the power to share stories
and information with other people who will never meet you, read your local
newspaper, or listen to your local news station. If you have the motivation to
compile information and the skill to craft it into a readable format, you have
the power to share it. No need to hope the editor of the local newspaper will
like it and no pressure to put enough stuff together to have even a chance at a
book deal. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then you can share it, and it has the potential to be
seen by people all across the world who would never know that your local
newspaper even existed and who would never happen upon your book, let alone
spend money on it. When you think about it, blogging is actually becoming a
very useful exercise of the human faculties. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, I often still detect the old attitude hanging in
the air. We bloggers can often tell by the expressions we are met with when we
mention that we blog and offhand comments here and there that our hobby (or,
sometimes, profession) is still seen as completely irrelevant to the modern world. But I insist
that it is one of the most relevant hobbies or professions provided by the
world wide web. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a matter of fact, I’ve noticed that people share blog
posts quite frequently without seeming to realize that that’s what they are. Next
time you’re reading an “article” or “opinion piece,” look and see if it’s actually
a blog post. Even big think tanks often have paid bloggers on staff and/or are happy
to accept relevant and well-written guest posts. The Huffington Post, for
example, relies heavily on contributions from the blogging community. Especially
if you’ve ever shared a “X reasons why...” or “X ways to...” article, you’ve
probably shared the home-spun work of a blogger.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Never in the history of humanity have we been so connected.
Never in the history of humanity has information been so readily available. And
never in the history of humanity has the common person had so much power to
contribute to global conversation. Blogging is art, philosophy, politics,
adventure, and more...but by the people, for the people. And that means that us
common folk can have an effect on the way that humanity sees itself and the
world around it! And if you ask me, it doesn’t get much more relevant than
that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
What do you think? Are blogs making an important
contribution to the development of human society? Or are they still pretty
pointless? <o:p></o:p></div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-11383888634540048832015-05-13T15:27:00.002-07:002015-05-13T15:27:44.865-07:00Feminism is not a dress code or a personality type.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfhQ30HKbnZrMktEpeYkwA-F0asZy8SkChRr08iAUJuagRRHok19gq9p081MgLtR76rXyWnAy9eUA_b7_MhtXZUTtuRBOoJepwG83HlxxKS0LTh-Unq3GHbM0Y19rtHEQCTCDo-7XFQw/s1600/Modesty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfhQ30HKbnZrMktEpeYkwA-F0asZy8SkChRr08iAUJuagRRHok19gq9p081MgLtR76rXyWnAy9eUA_b7_MhtXZUTtuRBOoJepwG83HlxxKS0LTh-Unq3GHbM0Y19rtHEQCTCDo-7XFQw/s320/Modesty.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Picture taken from <a href="http://dkmz.net/not-against-flesh-and-blood-modesty-culture-lust-and-shame/">dkmz.net</a></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Feminism has no dress code. No, I don’t want women to feel
like they should dress sexily simply to cater to men. Nor do I want women to
feel that they must adhere to certain standards of modesty simply to cater to
men. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The fact that our lives are still so often judged and
regulated according to wants or even “needs” of men is infuriating. But if we
as feminists try to make claims about what a “strong, independent woman” or
“true feminist” would wear, aren’t we also forcing arbitrary and restraining
rules upon women? Granted, I’m sure there are some extremes that I’d be willing
to concede as exceptions. However, in the end, it’s up to every woman to make
her own choices about her own wardrobe and to wear what she wants and believes
to be appropriate for the situation, whether or not men like it (which, by the
way, includes the option of men liking it). If she feels naked without a face
covering, that is her business. If she feels restricted wearing a bra, that is
her business.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This issue has been brought to my attention multiple times
over the years, often because of my own treatment from both men and women when
I wear shorts or a skirt they deem to be too short. Especially if I’m audacious
enough to combine it with a tank top (oh, how will society stand?). Constant
wardrobe monitoring of women isn’t shocking in a misogynistic society like
ours. It is extremely disappointing, however, when men and women who identify
as feminists engage in such behavior. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course there are situations where certain clothing isn’t
appropriate for men or women...and as long it’s not a double standard, I’m fine
with that. But if I’m dressing for another casual day of trying to live my
life, why do I need a dress code?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As blogger and artist Megan Gedris <a href="http://rosalarian.tumblr.com/post/78124344560/feminism-is-having-a-wardrobe-malfunction-does">puts it</a>, “What makes any
article of clothing oppressive is someone <i>forcing</i> you to wear
it. And it’s just as oppressive to force someone <i>not </i>to wear
something that they want to wear.”</div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
But hey, let’s take it a step further. I’ve also noticed,
often from personal experience, that we tend to make assumptions about people’s
character based on their personality. Maybe we don’t even realize there is a
difference between personality and character. But there definitely is. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
People at my university often assumed that my bubbliness and
cutesiness went hand in hand with ditsiness and childishness. And, to be
fair, since my freshman year started shortly after I turned 17, undergrad was largely an
experience of my teenhood. Yet I graduated at 20 with a GPA just .09 away from perfect and with multiple student life leadership positions, several volunteer
positions and projects, and a semester abroad at Oxford under my belt. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But this is only one example of how we all tend to judge
ourselves and others according to personality traits instead of character
traits. Here’s another: Acting like a tough guy doesn’t make you strong. Some
of the strongest people I know are my grandmothers-both of my natural
grandmothers as well as my dad’s stepmom-who have all experienced a lot through
the years. I admire those who suffer with quiet strength and persistence,
holding their own while continuing to be a reliable source of strength for
others when needed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you see where I’m going with this? And again, not only is
this way of thinking common in our society in general (and probably in at least
most human societies), but it also seeps into modern feminist thinking and can
only be detrimental to our progress. Especially when you consider that many of
the stereotypes we use to interpret personality traits glorify those seen as
masculine and belittle, mock, or trivialize those seen as feminine. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She wears high heels, you wear sneakers? She’s cheer captain
and you’re on the bleachers? Great. You can BOTH be strong, intelligent, independent
individuals with meaningful lives. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ll never be perfect. But we’ve got to weed the yard
sometimes to keep up the momentum and relevance of the movement. And I’d like
to suggest that any attempted mold of an “ideal feminist” is a weed that simply
has to go.</div>
<o:p></o:p>Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-76239888917549008512015-05-11T16:48:00.000-07:002015-05-11T16:48:01.591-07:003 Ways to Enjoy Little Rock<div class="MsoNormal">
Arkansas in general has long been plagued by the stereotype
of being a breeding pool of red necks. And its capitol city, Little Rock,
probably doesn’t have a very substantial reputation at all. But as an Arkansas
native and a University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate, I will gladly
attest that there is a lot more going on in this mid-size city than most people
realize. Here are just three ways that you can rock at life in The Rock!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Stay Fit<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4u6RmA7DsicICY4HH0xmpiOuO_6jjRtFQNnIos2JlpQchkWNb4Uk2pBlXcatgewtdCMx3faZfhvESGar5YetFz9-7rx3Rbye07nLTmD3q5OcZtmKGWxgEtKKnlLPxd4LePdSJ6d57l3c/s1600/AR+river+trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4u6RmA7DsicICY4HH0xmpiOuO_6jjRtFQNnIos2JlpQchkWNb4Uk2pBlXcatgewtdCMx3faZfhvESGar5YetFz9-7rx3Rbye07nLTmD3q5OcZtmKGWxgEtKKnlLPxd4LePdSJ6d57l3c/s200/AR+river+trail.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A view from the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No expensive gym membership is necessary to get a regular
work out in Little Rock thanks to the <a href="http://arkansasrivertrail.org/">Arkansas River Trail System</a>. This 88.5
mile loop is a “tribute to outdoor recreation, conservation, wellness, and the
diverse geographies of Central Arkansas." It covers two metropolitan areas, 38
parks, 12 museums, 4 bridges and 5,000+ acres of federal, state, and local
parkland in Little Rock and her neighboring cities. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrydCZ3uC1aYOaz5yQvs3F0hl_pRpXjgiMksmeIUGe57rkElrfTmTGAIgSAaph38_hJCrwMlhbqF5ohDiG9NJsaUHkPE9QoDF9MaJHrzfT18DLa-eLwPo9W7ydCrPDvkrPEbfEx_R9cd4/s1600/AR+river+trail+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrydCZ3uC1aYOaz5yQvs3F0hl_pRpXjgiMksmeIUGe57rkElrfTmTGAIgSAaph38_hJCrwMlhbqF5ohDiG9NJsaUHkPE9QoDF9MaJHrzfT18DLa-eLwPo9W7ydCrPDvkrPEbfEx_R9cd4/s200/AR+river+trail+3.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Walking on the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a great option for
getting outside and getting active. My favorite section follows along the
Arkansas River on one side with downtown Little Rock on the other, providing both
beautiful scenery and easy access to shops and restaurants. ‘Cause, you
know...we can’t all be too hardcore to resist stopping by the <a href="http://www.rivermarket.info/">River Market</a> for
ice cream. And there’s no better motivation for exercise than a few hundred
fresh calories to work off, right?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And if you go at night, you definitely have to check out the
<a href="http://www.bigdambridge.org/">Big Dam Bridge </a>(yes, that is the official name). Spanning 4,200 feet, it’s the
longest bridge in the world to be built solely for the use of pedestrians and cyclists
and is completely lit up in moving colors after dark.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Stay Sharp<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are a number of museums and galleries throughout the
city with free or cheap admission, so a fun and educational family outing is
easy to plan. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Personally, my top recommendation is the <a href="http://www.historicarkansas.org/">Historic ArkansasMuseum</a>. Here you’ll find 5 pre-civil war houses right in the middle of downtown
Little Rock-including the city’s oldest-that have been preserved as the city
grows up around them. The museum galleries are completely free and feature
pieces from local artists as well as historic exhibits. The knife gallery, for
example, houses knives from all over the world, including several Bowie knives
(a.k.a. “Arkansas toothpicks”). Out on the grounds, you can interact with living
history characters representing people who actually lived in the houses and can
even bring along a picnic if you want to have lunch on the lawn. The museum
area is free, and the historic grounds? Kids and seniors can enter for only a
dollar a piece, while adult tickets come in at a whopping two dollars and fifty
cents.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWet09YQVYXe9ram_B3G0T6SEC0RKYlnpSo5LaE2XsDsX0bFipkuwUYdGBi8ks3yNsL6TIxkVSvZgxROPBXpSGCJTToM8tfqlyL150S3D3JfZsukv9H5jXh8bRTyj8Q5_YFwyrLYdK-XM/s1600/Museum+of+discovery+expiriment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWet09YQVYXe9ram_B3G0T6SEC0RKYlnpSo5LaE2XsDsX0bFipkuwUYdGBi8ks3yNsL6TIxkVSvZgxROPBXpSGCJTToM8tfqlyL150S3D3JfZsukv9H5jXh8bRTyj8Q5_YFwyrLYdK-XM/s200/Museum+of+discovery+expiriment.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Science Experiments at the Museum of Discovery.<br />Taken from their Facebook page.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, if you’re herding around little science
enthusiasts, you’ve got to check out the <a href="https://www.museumofdiscovery.org/">Museum of Discovery.</a> Located right on
the river front, its mission is to “ignite a passion for science, technology
and math in a dynamic, interactive environment.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They host several
fun programs, including one for adults only called “Science After Dark.” It
takes place during the evening on the last Thursday of every month and, from
what I understand, sometimes features adult beverages.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KeMO49B7lvNxVh_KNr-eyqYeHueAUD_i11bdJANSlRLUbCHxpKfZAUwWHccHAmEiKODaCQFuA8prxI7OMapKOr9SKxw-rbcVrlQyjFyzqAfvOqfRZTqmoR9l-E7pATk0bo6Jyl04cf8/s1600/Museum+of+Discovery+star+wars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KeMO49B7lvNxVh_KNr-eyqYeHueAUD_i11bdJANSlRLUbCHxpKfZAUwWHccHAmEiKODaCQFuA8prxI7OMapKOr9SKxw-rbcVrlQyjFyzqAfvOqfRZTqmoR9l-E7pATk0bo6Jyl04cf8/s200/Museum+of+Discovery+star+wars.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Some "foreign" guests hanging out at the Museum of Discovery.<br />Taken from their Facebook page.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This museum isn't free, but certainly worth the price if you take
your time and enjoy it. Adult admission is $10 while kids, seniors, teachers,
active and retired military, and Little Rock city employees all get in for $8. Science
After Dark is $5.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And while you’re
there, why not walk right down the street and check out <a href="http://www.centralarkansasnaturecenter.com/">The Witt Stephens Jr.Central Arkansas Nature Center</a>? The center aims to educate folks on the Natural
State’s many outdoor recreational opportunities provided by its fish and
wildlife resources. The main building
includes an exhibit hall and aquariums that are totally free to the public. It's
right by the river and is even connected to the Arkansas River Trail. And, on
the last Monday evening of every month, some of us local archaeologists and history
lovers grace it with our quirky presences for free lectures hosted by the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ARASTMRS">Arkansas Archaeological Society’s Toltec Research Station. </a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And these are just a
few options! There are <a href="http://www.littlerock.com/things-to-do/museums/">plenty</a> more to check out, including the Clinton
Presidential Center and Park, the Old State House Museum, the Arkansas Arts
Center, Heifer International’s Heifer Village, and more!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Stay in Tune<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, any local musician will warn you that it is really hard
to get famous out of Little Rock. There just isn’t a large enough music scene. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However,
if you’re not a musician trying to make it big, you can really benefit from
Little Rock’s small-but-persistent music underground. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For one, it's big enough to have multiple venues to choose
from but small enough to host a fairly tight-nit community. Many Little Rockians
from teens to thirties know where to go for live music and can bond with total
strangers over memories at a particular venue. Many of
us have enjoyed beer and pizza while listening to some screamo nonsense at
Vinos, pushed through the crowd to get closer to the stage at the Rev Room, and
at least stood at the edge of a mosh pit at <a href="http://www.juanitas.com/?page=1">Jaunita’s. </a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIhesemhtm5wIobRVPEs3SaQQyiL8-xuRpUQ6lQTUceq6KIc3yZAcCSJPhbYJadPYdEKtebRcyGpc10dB6ACTyZurTOShj-sJhLFGAVB7jDl0nYq-1kzLbHggLLvDFTBV5wzclvv7Lbs/s1600/music+guy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIhesemhtm5wIobRVPEs3SaQQyiL8-xuRpUQ6lQTUceq6KIc3yZAcCSJPhbYJadPYdEKtebRcyGpc10dB6ACTyZurTOShj-sJhLFGAVB7jDl0nYq-1kzLbHggLLvDFTBV5wzclvv7Lbs/s200/music+guy.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">An ode to music outside of the Revolution Music Room.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, because there aren’t enough people interested in most
bands to fill up an auditorium at a hundred bucks a pop, those of us who are
interested get to see them at smaller and more intimate venues for way cheaper.
For example, Blue October is coming to Juanitas this week and all tickets are $27.
They’re going to Austin a few days later and the only tickets still available
are $155. I’ve seen some great acts including Matisyahu, Relient K, and the All-American Rejects for less than 30 bucks a ticket (fun fact: I got cussed out by the All-American Rejects' lead vocalist Tyson Ritter after the show for calling him
out on his bs). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can keep up to date on a lot of local venues <a href="http://www.arkansaslivemusic.com/">here</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, not everyone wants to rock out. Those with a more
classical taste in music are sure to find entertainment as well! The <a href="http://www.arkansassymphony.org/">Arkansas Symphony Orchestra</a>
puts on a variety of concerts, sometimes inviting guest singers or performers to
join them on stage. As a matter of fact, in October they’ll be teaming up with
the circus to provide an entertainment experience that is both audibly and
visually exciting! And how outrageous are the prices for such an evening?
They start at just $19. AND, thanks to Entergy, you can also get a free ticket
for one child from kindergarten to high school as long as you purchase an adult
ticket as well. <br /></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvb0t9VC7hOW_XHJ_727I8jt2iW91z9xTLQ-viUIMBW-_tGNnm5N7-BJ-VruhQllInu59IshiJkLGciqBGn6NfwUW4Y3PJAe3kopE3Bdl3n5GN_QDmYzZghTwGQuM3F5FoQs_Kp_g0L8/s1600/ualr+arts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvb0t9VC7hOW_XHJ_727I8jt2iW91z9xTLQ-viUIMBW-_tGNnm5N7-BJ-VruhQllInu59IshiJkLGciqBGn6NfwUW4Y3PJAe3kopE3Bdl3n5GN_QDmYzZghTwGQuM3F5FoQs_Kp_g0L8/s200/ualr+arts.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A performance made possible by the UALR Dept of Music.<br />Taken from their Facebook page.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you’re interested in something a little lower profile and
less crowded, just check the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s <a href="http://ualr.edu/music/index.php/home/complete-calendar/">concert schedule</a>. They have things happening pretty regularly throughout the academic year. Of course, students have to perform as part of attaining a degree in the
performing arts, but professors sometimes show off their talents as well. You can
find anything from solo piano recitals to jazz ensembles...often without an
admission fee. <o:p></o:p></div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-73180824727798972422015-05-09T19:51:00.000-07:002015-05-09T19:58:52.698-07:00Why Don't Black People Have Their Crap Together?<div class="MsoNormal">
It's the question on every white person's mind. I mean, predominately black neighborhoods still
have lower employment rates and higher crime rates than predominately white
ones, even though slavery has been long abolished. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what is the problem here? <br />
<br />
Some people insist that racism is subtly but effectively infecting the institutions
and workings of our society, and thus playing a significant part in the destinies
of our country’s black citizens. Others would argue that in a free and modern
democracy like ours, everyone is control of their own destiny, and that many
blacks lack the motivation or work ethic to pull themselves out of poverty. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which is less realistic? Rampant racism or rampant laziness?
Honestly, we could theorize all day about either one. But let’s look at the
numbers, shall we?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Is there actually an
economic gap between blacks and whites in America?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The unemployment rate for African Americans in a given area
is often about <a href="http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat24.pdf" target="_blank">twice that of whites</a>. And
although more blacks and other minorities are attending college these days, white
students are increasingly enrolling in selective institutions while blacks are
mostly sticking to <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/minorities-and-whites-follow-unequal-college-paths-report-says/2013/07/31/61c18f08-f9f3-11e2-8752-b41d7ed1f685_story.html" target="_blank">open access and community colleges</a>.
Students who attend quality universities are more likely to graduate, go to
grad school, and earn a higher salary. Which leads us full circle back to different
unemployment rates. So why don’t black people either just get a job or work
hard to get into a good school? Let’s dissect those two options one at a time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Why not just get a job? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They’ve got affirmative action on their side, so why aren’t
they out there in the work force? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marianne Bertrand and Sendhil Mullainathan, two Faculty Research
Fellows at the National Bureau of Economic Research, probed at least one facet
of the issue by <span id="goog_713939575"></span><a href="http://www.nber.org/digest/sep03/w9873.html" target="_blank">conducting an experiment</a> <span id="goog_713939576"></span>from July 2001-January 2010. They
gathered over 5,000 resumes and sent them as responses to over 1,300 employment
ads in the sales, administrative support, clerical, and customer services job
categories. But here’s where it gets interesting-they put false names on the
resumes...some distinctively black sounding (like Lakisha and Jamal), others
more white sounding (like Greg and Emily). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And what did they
find? <b>Employers are 50% less
likely to call back people with black sounding names. </b>And the trend held
true across all of the occupation and industry categories covered, even those sometimes considered to be severely constrained by affirmative action
laws.<b> <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Does this mean that there are a bunch of bigoted KKK leaders
out there in corporate America, dreaming of bringing slavery back to the
states? No. But it does mean that in general, black names still carry an unfair
negative taste in the mouths of many whites. This is where racism
is the most persistent...when it is the most subtle. I doubt many of the
employers who unknowingly took part in this experiment would identify themselves
as racists. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But of course, in this day and age, you often need an
education to get an occupation. More black graduates with quality degrees from prestigious
universities would certainly help deteriorate employer bias over time. So let’s
move on to the next question.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Why not work hard and
go to a good school?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even if you come from a poor family, you can work hard and
get a scholarship. And if you’re black, you already meet one necessary
qualification for a number of them. So what’s the problem here?<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, for one, there actually is a disconnect between the
qualifications of young students of color and the caliber of university they
end up going to. 30 percent of African American students who earned an A
average while in high school somehow still end up attending community colleges,
compared with only 22 percent of whites. That means that almost a third of
black students with high GPAs are going to lower-quality colleges where
less funding is spent per student and students are more likely to drop out. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But let’s back it up even further. Let’s talk about Jim Crow
for a second. According to <a href="http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1559.html">www.u-s-history.com</a>, Jim Crow Laws were “statutes
and ordinances established between 1874 and 1975 to separate the white and
black races in the American South. In theory, it was to create ‘separate but
equal’ treatment, but in practice Jim Crow Laws condemned black
citizens to inferior treatment and facilities.” That’s right...the “separate but
equal” charade lasted right into the 1970’s. Within the lifetimes of
many people living in the U.S. today. As a matter of fact, the Federal
Housing Association blatantly participated in institutionalized racism <a href="http://www.bostonfairhousing.org/timeline/1934-1968-FHA-Redlining.html">all the way up to 1968</a> by denying housing loans to people based on their ethnicity. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
To think that the effect those laws had on the American people all vanished when they did is pretty illogical. And not only does it defy logic, but it defies the evidence. For example, residential communities are definitely <a href="http://www.coopercenter.org/demographics/Racial-Dot-Map">still highly divided</a> along racial lines.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And as UpWorthy’s Franchesca Ramsey <a href="http://www.upworthy.com/he-shows-how-the-news-talks-about-black-people-by-talking-about-white-people-instead?g=5&fb_ref=Default\">explains</a>, “If your
grandmother was denied a home loan or employment in the '50s because she was
black, that influenced where your parents grew up, which then affected where
you grew up. Where you live determines where you go to school, and since the community's
tax dollars support local schools, it's easy to see why poor neighborhoods end
up with poorly funded schools.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, of course, poorly funded means poorly equipped to prepare students for the next step of their education. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Now let's wrap it up<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, Why don’t black people have their crap together? Is it because
America the Free has set before them a plate of fresh-cooked equality and they’re
just too darn lazy take a bite? Or could
there be more complex factors at work?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Honestly, in the interest of keeping this a blog post and
not a text book, I’ve really only scratched the surface of the issue. But I hope I've given you enough to draw at least a <i>preliminary</i> conclusion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-11220094122871987322015-05-02T11:39:00.001-07:002015-05-02T11:39:39.694-07:00Reacting to Baltimore: Sweeping Generalizations VS.. Sweeping Degeneralizations<div class="MsoNormal">
Once again, I’ve noticed a trend in white commentary on Baltimore.
And I know people are growing weary of discussing the issue. But it’s still an
issue worth discussing, so discussion isn’t about to stop. And thus, I’d like to respectfully address
the following argument:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not all black people are thugs. Not all police officers are
bad. Not all white people are racist.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although totally true, statements like these are not useful
at best and harmful at worst. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In my experience, this sentiment can be translated in a
couple of ways: “let’s just stop talking about it” or “I’m frightened by the
demonization of the police, but I swear I’m not racist!” Either way, and no
matter how well intentioned, it is used to shut down a very important
conversation that is worth having. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You see, I completely agree that sweeping generalizations
are harmful. Stereotyping all blacks as thugs is obviously harmful to black people
and black communities. Stereotyping all whites as racist is unfair and distances
those who are sympathetic toward the plight of their darker-skinned neighbors.
And stereotyping all police officers as violent bullies paints good,
integrity-filled men and women in a negative light which they never earned and diminishes
the respect which they did.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But here’s the thing...sweeping degeneralizations (yes, I
know that’s not technically a word) are also harmful. As I said before, they
can only hinder a discourse that needs to take place no matter how messy it may
get. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No, not all black people are thugs. But if someone is being
treated unfairly-even killed-because of that stereotype, we need to seek
justice for them and their families. And, accordingly, we need to investigate
the police involved in said situation. Not only should they face a just
punishment, but they should be removed from the police force so as to no longer
taint the relationship of the police force with the people who rely upon them.
And even though we all would like to see ourselves as free from the Scarlet
Letter of racism...I’m pretty sure every last person on the planet is at least
a little bit racist. It’s hard to escape unintentional stereotyping of others
based on how they look or where they’re from. That’s why we all need to be
willing to question our own perceptions and motives. Because racism doesn’t
consist simply of the “big things” like slavery or segregation. Indeed, racism
is so dangerous because it can be so subtle. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate Baltimore
concerning chief prosecutor Mosby’s decision to charge the officers involved in
the murder of Freddie Gray. Hopefully this is just one of many steps towards a
freer, more equal America in which those who would abuse their power are no
longer allowed to harm those over whom they wield it and no longer allowed to
slander the names of others who hold that same power with more noble hands.<o:p></o:p></div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-39911790341423898622015-04-29T19:47:00.001-07:002015-04-29T19:57:53.317-07:00Reacting to Baltimore: Do You Really Need a Pretty Please?<div class="MsoNormal">
In the discussion of Baltimore, and in the general issue of
police violence towards blacks, I’m hearing a lot of similar comments from
white friends and acquaintances. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, there are always those who are simply
determined to not question the integrity of the police, especially against the
word of urban blacks. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, there are others who are willing to concede to the
at least possible extremity of police responses in at least certain situations. And yet of all the players in this issue, the
angry rioters always seem to steal the attention. I hear comments such as, “but
still, there is no excuse for lawlessness” and “if you want the cops to be more
nice to you, why would you burn down your own town?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And to these questions, and with present restraint from
addressing other facets of the situation, I would like to make this simple
point:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a member of the human race, my responsibility to consider
the concerns of others is not contingent upon how they appeal for that
consideration. My charge to acknowledge the suffering of others is not dependent
upon the way in which they make me aware of that suffering. My inherent duty to
face the problems interwoven into the very fabric of my homeland does not
change according to how others have chosen to face those problems.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Closing my eyes to what’s in front of me because I don’t
understand it does not excuse me from being a witness and closing my ears to a
shouting voice because I wish it were whispering does not change the content of
its words. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whether by action or inaction, we are all writing the pages
of our children and grandchildren’s history books. Consider carefully what part
you’re playing.<o:p></o:p></div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-57852500713211812802015-04-24T20:21:00.000-07:002015-04-25T22:33:13.590-07:00#fieldtechlife<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCktm88FhSyBMoPLzgtM4gEvZtcmN_tgYYMjI5o2qvrTrQWxX8NjnNypRKKhHCSSJd9Zt7TDATkvtCkXL4KW5U2JcFdELum8aJMW_VVYTmy_zvyAoGEvI_qXY4WAZb7AdUAAqORRmXf4A/s1600/IMG_0251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCktm88FhSyBMoPLzgtM4gEvZtcmN_tgYYMjI5o2qvrTrQWxX8NjnNypRKKhHCSSJd9Zt7TDATkvtCkXL4KW5U2JcFdELum8aJMW_VVYTmy_zvyAoGEvI_qXY4WAZb7AdUAAqORRmXf4A/s1600/IMG_0251.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So for the past month or so, I did some cultural resource management work (CRM). When I land one of these temporary gigs it means I get paid to do "archaeology."<br />
<br />
It's not what you think.<br />
<br />
We were doing Phase I work in the Kisatchie National Forest of Louisiana. Phase I means we aren't going in because we know there is an archaeological site there. It means we're going in just to see if there is. And usually....there isn't.<br />
<br />
But hey, there is still a bit of adventure in it. I've braved everything from thorn bushes to creepy hotel life! To give you an idea of what it's like, Here is a random assortment of moments from my work in Kisatchie, complete with pictures!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Wednesday, March 25th, 6:45am: </b>I make my sleepy way to the breakfast area of the Econolodge in El Dorado, Arkansas. There's really nothing "continental" about this breakfast. Not finding any fruit, I grab a couple of those little muffins with the carcinogenic fake blueberry bits. We're supposed to meet at 7:00, but no one else from my crew is down here yet...just some construction worker dudes who are used to being in hotels filled completely with other construction worker dudes.<br />
<br />
I think I'll just enjoy my fake blueberry bits alone in my room.<br />
<br />
<b>Saturday, March 28th, 7:30am:</b> On the drive through the forest to the parcel that we're working on, we see a lot of trucks parked along the roadsides. On a hunch, our crew chief googles something...<br />
<br />
Turns out turkey hunting season starts today. Each of those trucks corresponds to a turkey hunter out in the woods that we are supposed to be surveying. How did the company not find this out BEFORE starting the project??<br />
<br />
<b>Wednesday, March 29th, 1:00pm:</b> In an effort to get us away from the hunters, the company has moved us to another parcel. And it's a swamp.<br />
<br />
Like, seriously, this area has to be underwater for a good part of the year.<br />
<br />
We spread out fifty meters apart and walk along parallel lines through the forest. We each use pink sighting flags and sighting compasses to make sure that we are staying true to our line. We are also each carrying a backpack with lunch, and paperwork, and some random small useful things, as well as a shovel in one hand and a screen in another. We lug all this equipment along all day, putting in a small shovel test every 30 or 50 meters to check for cultural material.<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvScOcx1e80ZcIwk3UdGWzwTe0evAxQ92k7PXhBC3yOCSTlgjV50W5kfsosRjq_DsMzW0h4M-awaZ4RUcFHlR3kAdOBJm_tNFto1Zg41CWneB8WOd6AOG_tSrxwJhjsf3wdV7Mzy3zaMo/s1600/IMG_0250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvScOcx1e80ZcIwk3UdGWzwTe0evAxQ92k7PXhBC3yOCSTlgjV50W5kfsosRjq_DsMzW0h4M-awaZ4RUcFHlR3kAdOBJm_tNFto1Zg41CWneB8WOd6AOG_tSrxwJhjsf3wdV7Mzy3zaMo/s1600/IMG_0250.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
They're all mud. If anything or anyone has lived here EVER, the evidence is all washed away. Except for the evidence of this little guy...<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Saturday, April 11th, 7:30am:</b> On this project, we have to work ten days in a row and then get four days off. Now it's our second ten day and we're working on a different section of Kisatchie deeper into Louisiana.<br />
<br />
We pull up to a little white church tucked into the forest. We'll be working through the woods to the back and side of the church's cemetery for the next few days. As we walk along the cemetery fence line, casually observing names and dates on nearby headstones, our crew chief comments that it may be old enough to have unmarked African American graves that got left outside of the fence. In the area we'll be working in.<br />
<br />
But I think he's joking. I mean he is joking, right?<br />
<br />
<b>Sunday, April 12th, 2:00pm:</b> One of my fellow field techs and I are working together on a transect. The undergrowth here is intense. Too intense to back-spot to the last sighting flag after going more than a few meters. We end up crawling through tunnels of thorns on all fours at points, trying to ignore the fact that we've been warned about multiple species of venomous snakes that live here.<br />
<br />
At one point I look back and see her struggling to get all of her equipment through a sea of undergrowth. I could help her...or I could take a picture and document her struggle for the glory of the internet.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzBgKcwH-4Q64cwa97wyJy3SMJo4wrLiUsP91OEHQpzMMJ1CsYmM_YCmQxsdPRq2qGES5JNzNNx8upHlHaImYKnfWdgOkmz0EQHj9VuEvZrlMrS0pa4x1R7OSMSt09tvJZW-WGkrfBC4/s1600/IMG_0319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzBgKcwH-4Q64cwa97wyJy3SMJo4wrLiUsP91OEHQpzMMJ1CsYmM_YCmQxsdPRq2qGES5JNzNNx8upHlHaImYKnfWdgOkmz0EQHj9VuEvZrlMrS0pa4x1R7OSMSt09tvJZW-WGkrfBC4/s1600/IMG_0319.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I feel like I made the right decision.<br />
<br />
<b>Monday, April 13th, 12:00pm:</b> It looks like it might rain today, so we stay at the hotel and clean and sharpen shovels. This company hasn't exactly been putting us in fancy hotels, but I'm still a bit disturbed when I notice some handcuffs connected to a fence around what used to be the pool.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhqEurlm1gFq6xSZ5wstO1b7aCdXjJ4gBHNXs2nWvt290__M03SnerPFLsYH2PO5mXGiV0PugTea3l6yrYZWK2Jxm-OoLBLJAcb_Ze2IeegMA2DL_c4u62Xn_5xYRrEHcFPJBkg5eDq0/s1600/IMG_0327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhqEurlm1gFq6xSZ5wstO1b7aCdXjJ4gBHNXs2nWvt290__M03SnerPFLsYH2PO5mXGiV0PugTea3l6yrYZWK2Jxm-OoLBLJAcb_Ze2IeegMA2DL_c4u62Xn_5xYRrEHcFPJBkg5eDq0/s1600/IMG_0327.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Like....those are not cheezy magician handcuffs. Nor are they pink and fuzzy. Those are legit handcuffs. WHY IS THIS A THING?Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com3Kisatchie National Forest, Pineville, LA 71360, USA31.7391491 -92.579248228.291238099999998 -97.742822199999992 35.1870601 -87.4156742tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-57550859182851057232015-01-07T16:14:00.001-08:002015-01-07T16:32:49.284-08:003 Dangers in Over-Glorifying Youth<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJY-L04uZfkixFmRdUoA8Kjs9GkX9Xz5FbzfsBdmZNw_A4qllaPKxVn6fJCxZ6wrNdNVwO8goWZ0opU6c753wDO8gDm9gLrii0kTlA95LOI21qoygCyki1qndZpI4fp05LiNFCrdbS2I/s1600/Drunk-College-Student-300x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJY-L04uZfkixFmRdUoA8Kjs9GkX9Xz5FbzfsBdmZNw_A4qllaPKxVn6fJCxZ6wrNdNVwO8goWZ0opU6c753wDO8gDm9gLrii0kTlA95LOI21qoygCyki1qndZpI4fp05LiNFCrdbS2I/s1600/Drunk-College-Student-300x225.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
“I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling twenty-twoo-ooo!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Actually....I’m not really sure how I’m supposed to feel as
a 22-year-old. Seriously, am I an adult or what? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Western society’s increasing phase of adolescence coupled with
its constant glorification of youth can make for an interesting and confusing
experience for the modern twenty-something. To be honest, sometimes I just want
to get on with my life and be respected as an adult. To be equally honest, sometimes
I just want to keep getting away with everything that young people can get away
with. Isn’t there a happy medium? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I mean I’m certainly thankful that my society is no longer
one that would expect me to be married and bearing children by now. However, we
may have gone a little too far in the opposite direction. Here are three
dangers I see in over-glorifying the frivolities of youth. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1) It can make it harder to enjoy youth.</b><br />
Ironically, too much pressure to have fun while you’re young can kinda take the
fun out of being young. It’s like there’s this quota that we’re supposed to
fill before graduating college, starting a family or career, or otherwise
joining the “adult world.” I mean, my youth hasn’t been particularly mainstream
since I was homeschooled and went to a university with a relatively high
percentage of non-traditional students. But still, I highly doubt I’m the only
young person who has ever looked around and thought, “So...am I having enough
fun yet?”<br />
<br />
And sadly, the types of fun that are commonly depicted in the music and movies
that influence our conception of youth are not the healthiest. Which leads me
to my second point.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2) It can make youth more dangerous.</b><br />
This is very culturally specific, I suppose, as it’s closely related to the way
in which we glorify youth. Think of a few songs or movies about teens and/or
twenty-somethings “living it up.” What are the common themes? How about taking
advantage of one’s independence from career and family obligations to invest
time and effort into a cause they care about? Nope. What about using youthful health
to get outside and swim and climb and explore and just DO AWESOME STUFF??? Despite
the amount of North Face you’ll see on a college campus or the number of Tinder
profiles featuring the word “outdoorsy,” this doesn’t seem to come out on top,
either. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rather, it seems that most songs and movies about youth regularly
hit on two themes: sex and alcohol. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now don’t take me for more of a saint than I am. I’m not
against either of these things when enjoyed in moderation. But when partying
becomes the focal point of being young, young people miss out on SO much. The
quality of one’s youth shouldn’t be measured according to how many times they
woke up and didn’t know where they were or how attractive their hottest hook-up
was. Emphasis on these things fosters a youth culture tainted with alcohol poisoning,
drug overdose, sexual harassment, and a lot of self-image issues.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>3) It can take away from the rest of the human experience!</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t really like it when people talk about high school or
college or their teens or their twenties or whatever as the best time in their
life. Again...I’m supposed to be having all the fun now? TOO. MUCH. PRESSURE.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But also, there are multiple things to enjoy about every
phase of life. I understand that there are hard times and goods times, ups and
downs...but overall, I want to live so fully in every phase of life that when I’m
on my deathbed looking back over the years, I can’t even decide which part was
the best. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Furthermore, I think the pressure to “live it up” and be irresponsible
while you can get away with it really hinders people from contributing toward their
long term goals. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was thinking about mine earlier today...become an
archaeologist, work as a professor, contribute to education reform and found at
least one university in a developing country...and it occurred to me that
22-year-old me is not the main character of my life story. We’re still in the
first half hour of the movie, glancing through at the young adulthood that
makes me who I need to be for the climax of the story. Of course you can always
be making some kind of difference in the world around you. But for many of us,
the significance of our lives will not be realized in full until our middle or
later adulthood. And that means that right now, we have all this time and energy
that we could either waste or use to prepare ourselves. It’s up to each of us
to become the person that we want to be. It’s important to balance that fact
with enjoying and appreciating the time we have while not tied down to a lot of
serious commitments. Experiencing the now should not come at the cost of
experiencing the later...or vice versa, mind you. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I guess the main point here is that three quarters of the “living”
you do should not be done in the first quarter of your life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yeah, we should enjoy the good things about youth while we
have them. But not just the ones that are glorified by our media, and not with
a blind eye to everything else that life can be.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-11456708657007628662015-01-02T15:39:00.000-08:002015-01-02T15:56:50.457-08:00How to Tell if a Movie is a Dude Flick<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvq9oVp4HFYVLRI9Lff6HIPfleGu3A-54TIjkyt_GJSmD2IvtLsIVrTHwySrv7Tu4HhbNp8WWNmr5cmAQy0VmF-VC4zTbrrI-xrmd3t35JHaz31K0ejhzaTAsadE9myOMXGURhtFmVJlA/s1600/at+the+movies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvq9oVp4HFYVLRI9Lff6HIPfleGu3A-54TIjkyt_GJSmD2IvtLsIVrTHwySrv7Tu4HhbNp8WWNmr5cmAQy0VmF-VC4zTbrrI-xrmd3t35JHaz31K0ejhzaTAsadE9myOMXGURhtFmVJlA/s1600/at+the+movies.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: ProximaNovaCnRgRegular, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.5px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by jwblinn/iStockphoto</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We all know a chick flick when we see one. The main
character or characters are chicks, the main dude is some version of prince
charming…etc etc. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But how do you tell if a movie is a dude flick? It’s a bit
less commonly defined. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thus, I put to you the dude flick test. If a movie meets
three basic criteria, it passes as a dude flick:<span style="font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> (1) </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">There are no more than two women in it and</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;">(2) t</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">hey don’t talk to each other unless (3) </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">it’s about a man.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s try it out with a few of 2014’s biggest films. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>~The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Little dude, big dragon, lots of fighting. Bard has two daughters
but all they do is scream and cry while the son helps save the day, leaving
only the two elvish women as plot-important chicks and they don’t share scenes
so PASS! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>~Unbroken </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few WWII soldiers survive a plane crash and over a month
drifting at sea only to be captured by the Japanese navy. I haven’t actually
seen this one, but I scrolled down the complete cast list on IMBD until I got
to roles as generic as “young bully” and only saw one female actress, so I
think you’re safe. PASS!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>~Guardians of the Galaxy </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A human dude, an alien chick, an alien dude, a talking
raccoon, and an animate tree save everybody from evil alien dudes. The
important alien chick, Gamora, does talk to her evil sister, Nebula a few times.
So it comes close, but it doesn’t quite past the dude flick test. But they’re
both pretty hot in this badass alien chick way so I’m sure you’ll still enjoy
it. FAIL! But barely. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>~The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Female main character who talks to her mother and sister,
the female future president of Panem, and a propo director chick with really
cool tattoos. Sorry boys, this one fails. But, don’t worry, it’s not like it’s
female dominated. Actually if you look at the cast list you’ll notice that there’s
still slightly more men in plot pertinent roles than women. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay. This is just a sample. But I could go on all day, and
the pattern would be the same. If we use a standard for dude flicks that says
there can only be one or two important female characters and they can only
converse to each other about male characters, you would think that only a small
fraction of mainstream movies would qualify. But that’s not the case. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a matter of fact, I have to confess that I didn’t make up
this test completely on my own. I actually adapted it from something called the
Bechdel Test. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s just as you feared! It’s a trap! A feminist trap! Come
on, you stuck with me this far. Hear me out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Bechdel Test is a low bar test for gauging sexism in movies.
Its three criteria are the inverse of those for the dude flick test. So
a film passes the Bechdel Test if it has 1) at least two women in it (2) who
talk to each other (3) about something other than a man. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is the 21<sup>st</sup> century. Age of equality. Only a few particularly
dudely movies will fail. Right? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wrong. If you go to <a href="http://bechdeltest.com/">bechdeltest.com</a> you can see and add to a
database of movie reviews saying whether or not a given movie passes. This is open
for the public so both men and women can rate the films they watch (not just us
pesky feminists).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You’ll notice that not only do a good portion of current
movies fail, but a lot of the movies that pass only do so by the skin of their
teeth. If you click on the movie title you can read people’s reviews and
comments. They’re often debating about whether the few slivers
of conversation between the female characters in the movie really count. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Take Guardians of the Galaxy for example. Don’t get me
wrong, this is a really fun, enjoyable movie. But it fails the dude flick test
and passes the Bechdel Test with just a few minutes of conversation. And it
follows the same trend as lot of other super hero movies, such as the Avengers
and the Fantastic Four, where there is a team of heroes and not only is there
one female but her gender is one of her defining characteristics. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>You’re unique because you’re a talking raccoon. You’re
unique because you’re walking tree. You’re unique because you’re a hot alien
chick.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is just one example of men being implicitly presented
as “standard” and women being presented as “other.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alright, I’ve lectured you on the Bechdel Test long enough.
Before I let you go, I want go ahead and address a few responses I’ve gotten from
men when bringing this is up in the past. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Movies cater to men because men go to the movies
more. </b><br />
How do you know that men don’t go to the movies more because movies cater to men? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b> You just started voting, what, 100 years ago?
Baby steps</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
Oh you’re right. The USA waited a century
and a half for women’s suffrage. If we can wait that long to vote we can
certainly wait for equal representation on screen. Silly me. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
SERIOUSLY?! The fact that we
had to fight for a basic civil liberty does not mean that we’re obligated to wait
around for equality in other areas. I mean really, why would you even say
that? I just can't. Can't even.</div>
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<b> Come on, it’s just a movie. Stop being petty.</b></div>
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It’s not just about one
movie. It’s about a huge and culturally significant industry that both reflects
and influences our societal values. Men, specifically white men, still dominate
almost every industry. The realm of entertainment is no exception. I know you’re annoyed that you "can’t just enjoy the damn movie," but women and minorities are annoyed at constantly being belittled and
relegated to roles that revolve around you. So who’s really being petty here? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Look, I don’t expect anyone who reads this to go protest or
abstain from anything related to JJ Abrams. All I ask is that you look with
open eyes at gender inequality and stop belittling women who are tired of
it. If nothing else, next time you’re at
the movies and your lady friend is begging you to watch some stupid chick flick
instead of a “normal, everybody movie,” think twice about how you respond. <o:p></o:p></div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-12015186033361701162014-12-31T17:59:00.002-08:002014-12-31T17:59:08.930-08:003 Tips for Making and Keeping a Better New Year's Resolution<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMwFpVPK0-waOrXHi28FYfPXf9U0PyRQJnRGncWYH4VzMDRIwjgciE2D5BjFPDI5IJ370zIjOhYvdYMr3jSuWgIb8DJb7dvXP4mZ_z3_AxujauSp21X0oB3FGIBXAnVHGHjF96ZKndM0/s1600/Woman+workingout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMwFpVPK0-waOrXHi28FYfPXf9U0PyRQJnRGncWYH4VzMDRIwjgciE2D5BjFPDI5IJ370zIjOhYvdYMr3jSuWgIb8DJb7dvXP4mZ_z3_AxujauSp21X0oB3FGIBXAnVHGHjF96ZKndM0/s1600/Woman+workingout.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture taken from <a href="http://annmariekostyk.com/2013/12/30/heart-dark-chocolate-guest-writer-claire-irons/female-with-weights-working-out/" target="_blank">annmariekostyk.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
A lot of men and women have decided on a New Year's resolution for tomorrow. Still more are trying to narrow in on one before midnight. Some of us procrastinators probably won't think of one for a few days...if at all.<br />
<br />
Here are three humble suggestions for making (and keeping) a better New Year's resolution!<br />
<br />
1) If you have a health and beauty goal, focus on health over beauty.<br />
<br />
It's easy to pick a target weight range or weight loss amount and spend your days thinking you'll be happy with yourself if you can just shed a few more pounds. But the fact is, weight is NOT equivalent to health. Believe me....I can eat an entire box of Twinkies in one day and not gain an ounce. Please don't ask me how I know that. Also, not all bodies are the same and there is definitely a danger of fixating on a weight that yours really isn't built to have.<br />
<br />
There are so many other exercise and diet related goals that more accurately reflect improvement in health. You could focus on cholesterol, heart rate, blood pressure, endurance, etc...and I guarantee that if you focus on being a healthier you, you'll find a more beautiful you along the way.<br />
<br />
2) Focus on the cans instead of the can'ts<br />
<br />
It's more fun and a lot easier to stick to when you focus on adding healthy habits to your life instead of cutting out things you're used to. I personally find that when I'm getting more healthy food into my diet, I don't have to make rules about not eating junk food. I just don't want it as much.<br />
<br />
This probably works for a lot of non-health related goals, as well. For example, if you're trying to not be as lazy (which is probably the angle I should take) focus on things you want to do-read more, get out more, cook more, whatever.<br />
<br />
3) Find ways to have fun with it!<br />
<br />
Try new recipes to get those health foods into your diet. Go running with friends. Spend time supporting a cause you can feel good about.<br />
<br />
Basically what I'm getting at here is...don't try to beat yourself into being a better person! Not only will it make you miserable....it just won't work.Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-89561725255537412862014-12-30T12:50:00.000-08:002014-12-30T19:36:50.743-08:00Exploring Petit Jean Rock Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3paQ7mKan1Wu1Y8fPyH743TH68Ug6icvk_TuyvFkHQYeyG7EMpnEetftoW5g_gTGkLx3D03AtZaJKHMEt6yQXyzc_DLBbH6xK0iOhX_5afRdichyphenhyphenpn0y76yrbT2ob7AOmlqqbFU_1r4/s1600/overlook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3paQ7mKan1Wu1Y8fPyH743TH68Ug6icvk_TuyvFkHQYeyG7EMpnEetftoW5g_gTGkLx3D03AtZaJKHMEt6yQXyzc_DLBbH6xK0iOhX_5afRdichyphenhyphenpn0y76yrbT2ob7AOmlqqbFU_1r4/s1600/overlook.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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It’s a cool but sunny Sunday morning here in Arkansas,
despite being in the middle of December. The perfect weather to grab some
friends and go on a hike. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Which is quite fortunate, because my friends and I have
already planned a day of hiking. A day of hiking at my favorite state park, no
less. And of following trails that lead to American Indian rock art, no lesser.
And guided by one of the state’s most respected archaeologists, not least. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Ten of us load up in two cars and head toward <a href="http://www.petitjeanstatepark.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Petit JeanMountain State Park</span></a>. Officially, this is a joint field trip between the
anthropology clubs at Pulaski Technical College and the University of Arkansas
at Little Rock. Unofficially, it’s a bunch of friends joining together to
indulge our mutual nerdom. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A couple hours of driving and we’re at the <a href="http://www.rockefellerinstitute.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Winthrop Rockefeller Institute</span></a>’s Teaching Barn. This cute little barn houses the
<a href="http://www.uark.edu/campus-resources/archinfo/atu.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">WRI Research Station</span></a>, one of eleven managed by the
<a href="http://www.arkarch.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Arkansas Archaeological Survey</span></a>. We are greeted by station archaeologist Dr.
Leslie “Skip” Stewart-Abernathy.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Skip supervised me at my first <a href="http://www.arkarch.org/index.php?pages/trainprog" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">AAS Summer Training Program</span></a>
back when I was a freshman and I’m excited for some of our friends to meet him
for the first time. After he shows us around the Teaching Barn and gives us a small presentation about the rock art we’re about to see, we head out to
explore the park. <o:p></o:p></div>
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First, we head down the Rock House Cave Trail.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFjL_Fqq3mHDQ_vmmz7XGFF3I7SAE2dr5mYdtUTfVAxPNHc1_5_vhifesQhas-E-Pv0mcesswd2T6bVyUzodBUZRruzkm6UW2IuK3GVfZFHEk2T0wGn_5Z4WOcyn0jVuitahiisg2z5M/s1600/Around+the+bend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFjL_Fqq3mHDQ_vmmz7XGFF3I7SAE2dr5mYdtUTfVAxPNHc1_5_vhifesQhas-E-Pv0mcesswd2T6bVyUzodBUZRruzkm6UW2IuK3GVfZFHEk2T0wGn_5Z4WOcyn0jVuitahiisg2z5M/s1600/Around+the+bend.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>Over the Turtle Rocks and around the bend we go…</div>
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Until we come to the mouth of the large rock shelter they
call Rock House Cave.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ever prepared, Skip has given us all papers with pictures of
paintings in the shelter. We disperse and try to locate as many as we can.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDoFtpT4d0OPiGixE9gN5Lx2DRy0l135jEv6qlH-ri6S4MkA0OcsRjiWNMQt9B3ZC8IeVRW2ymi3gYl4cst4BioYu4DiB_vkW712uWohqoC3BaJhOL-pM9MZR3w7RYRj_VpvLKyIy3M0/s1600/Inside+looking+out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDoFtpT4d0OPiGixE9gN5Lx2DRy0l135jEv6qlH-ri6S4MkA0OcsRjiWNMQt9B3ZC8IeVRW2ymi3gYl4cst4BioYu4DiB_vkW712uWohqoC3BaJhOL-pM9MZR3w7RYRj_VpvLKyIy3M0/s1600/Inside+looking+out.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the inside looking out</td></tr>
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I was the first to find this one:</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBb615wqbVv5Mszh4srS7b-giTUQlOOkFgQRudCXvAgjma-hEzRPzlcBhgKXhHaw60x4kLY2UZm68qzlB_Vub9Pv8SLdKLZBTQrCcCc7s5meVN14BOAmXinT_e26_lHkapILel8O8Ne5A/s1600/Bacon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBb615wqbVv5Mszh4srS7b-giTUQlOOkFgQRudCXvAgjma-hEzRPzlcBhgKXhHaw60x4kLY2UZm68qzlB_Vub9Pv8SLdKLZBTQrCcCc7s5meVN14BOAmXinT_e26_lHkapILel8O8Ne5A/s1600/Bacon.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Cred: Laura Sue Whitehead</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I call it The Bacon. Skip isn’t particularly impressed with
my interpretation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And here are some great shots of a woodland bison, and a human figure in a headdress, and a paddlefish next to a fishing trap:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGgkDEFQQ1kJJqHLBNC0hcw-wRA-ztnFtbR92adT1Kh5VhMxpZEYuUnfb65RIr0Ibd1JT4ftr6QlG3t-0g3QF_KjW3FaEAJisJxHQ0h70STxU7qf59pMPKdpO2PhJJeLfqMqUPBx70Mw/s1600/bison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGgkDEFQQ1kJJqHLBNC0hcw-wRA-ztnFtbR92adT1Kh5VhMxpZEYuUnfb65RIr0Ibd1JT4ftr6QlG3t-0g3QF_KjW3FaEAJisJxHQ0h70STxU7qf59pMPKdpO2PhJJeLfqMqUPBx70Mw/s1600/bison.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqApBCWvp9gWKNCykMzSTIAJbjCrFqYiL1uRDjCwNZoR0IAJzWj4XPj27dY_Tg5VcovjlYLFlBVvbJqWIgG4btUBUgV8ZNGTLhA7OsZzBGEmaJgVDdb8jrR0brBVqX4s8oxRVhO6PpknE/s1600/head-dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqApBCWvp9gWKNCykMzSTIAJbjCrFqYiL1uRDjCwNZoR0IAJzWj4XPj27dY_Tg5VcovjlYLFlBVvbJqWIgG4btUBUgV8ZNGTLhA7OsZzBGEmaJgVDdb8jrR0brBVqX4s8oxRVhO6PpknE/s1600/head-dress.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfePIhAFDuZKxeEvahn8Y3H-7mpU8v4eBZHljv7WybyQmOj2TxNwUoFn7Y3ibrsBSSFCgPozDTjFRvNZpa7cQSfW4G3TQRtyw0wrlMJdIqt-uoVFgfnibcnyeMbTgTItSMOSzeyWtrWo/s1600/paddlefish-trap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfePIhAFDuZKxeEvahn8Y3H-7mpU8v4eBZHljv7WybyQmOj2TxNwUoFn7Y3ibrsBSSFCgPozDTjFRvNZpa7cQSfW4G3TQRtyw0wrlMJdIqt-uoVFgfnibcnyeMbTgTItSMOSzeyWtrWo/s1600/paddlefish-trap.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These three photos were all taken from the <a href="http://www.arkansasstateparksblog.com/petit-jean-state-parks-archeological-treasures/" target="_blank">Arkansas State Parks Blog</a>, a great place to learn more!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Now, if you’re anything like us, you’ve got a number of
questions….<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>When were these paintings done? </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Well, nobody knows for sure. According to Skip, the popular
assumption is that they date to the Mississippian Period, or about 1100-1700
AD.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>How were they done?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Once again, a definitive answer isn’t really available, but
the most likely answer is that they used a simple mix of red orange clay and
water. “Maybe sometimes with actual iron ore/hematite nodules,” Skip tells me,
“but ordinary red clay will do fine.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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After a while, we head to the Indian Cave off of the Boy
Scout Trail. Here we see some amazingly well preserved pieces, like this fiddlehead fern and unidentified quadruped: </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ya08QgDjcByXnV7ifL-ZgQUHmQ6wNYhJEyArvKjUiTjnIi2pc-bU1pA5XHWuOI-AdRKP9G-jlI6T_x2bckCp_Qz6eI1w4oxy9NTA7a2HBD1aeTBq5w7FdC_o9wdLz3BK50zOKld2lgE/s1600/plant+thing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ya08QgDjcByXnV7ifL-ZgQUHmQ6wNYhJEyArvKjUiTjnIi2pc-bU1pA5XHWuOI-AdRKP9G-jlI6T_x2bckCp_Qz6eI1w4oxy9NTA7a2HBD1aeTBq5w7FdC_o9wdLz3BK50zOKld2lgE/s1600/plant+thing.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Cred: Laura Sue Whitehead</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXhnAUiNUTXsGn2nXzynQ5jmuQrOsjEcTeoenlXkd1PU2YBiMpUBlvJCqx6j8zYDyNgKMpJDEWiWGO6nzsLnQiTKARCYW5yEcj2tXqm5IbooclUKNYjcw0WypE65jUbh33YjYToNZLTU/s1600/quadruped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXhnAUiNUTXsGn2nXzynQ5jmuQrOsjEcTeoenlXkd1PU2YBiMpUBlvJCqx6j8zYDyNgKMpJDEWiWGO6nzsLnQiTKARCYW5yEcj2tXqm5IbooclUKNYjcw0WypE65jUbh33YjYToNZLTU/s1600/quadruped.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Cred: Laura Sue Whitehead</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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American Indians also pecked pictures into the rock. If you
look at the wall behind me in the picture below, you’ll see a concentric circle
motif. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7I1WdfvOr8HeJTKSDuaJzpN7Xjf-uZxIzNY-1osd1XZ2HsLT8SGEoQJxMn4H_gkaOQW6ztmZ2T6Qi_d2-4BbGyXDfCidrqGbCvVWbX3dhKr1aJzFdugPvGKIphxWHgmSchycdXWc3i0/s1600/concentric+circles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7I1WdfvOr8HeJTKSDuaJzpN7Xjf-uZxIzNY-1osd1XZ2HsLT8SGEoQJxMn4H_gkaOQW6ztmZ2T6Qi_d2-4BbGyXDfCidrqGbCvVWbX3dhKr1aJzFdugPvGKIphxWHgmSchycdXWc3i0/s1600/concentric+circles.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
This is just one of many symbols that were shared across groups. “Many of the motifs seen on Petit Jean
Mountain are commonly seen across North America: concentric circles, diamonds,
curvilinear lines, hands, sunbursts, interlocking scrolls, atlatl drawings,
some animals.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b>SO WHAT DO THEY MEAAANNN??? </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Again, not even the pros can be
sure. “Part of the problem in interpretation is ironically the
commonality of these symbols. The actual rock art elements certainly
were not done by the same individuals who were doing rock art in the Southwest
or Northeast, but they clearly shared a basic symbol system, much like we see
variations on Christian crosses.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b>Why did they make rock art? Did everyone do it, or only
certain people?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Not surprisingly, Skip answers these questions with more
questions. “Why does anyone make religious art?? Were they made by a priestly class,
which was certainly present in Mississippian and even before? Or were they made
by others as part of set rituals? I'd like to know but don't know.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b>What kinds of
information about past cultures can we glean from cave paintings?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
“Rock art gives us insight sometimes into the most fragile
and least preserved elements of culture: myths, stories, heroes, cognitive
perceptions of the world, level of basic observation of nature as in the animal
portraits, and even shared cultural patterns found among different groups.
Except, this is art produced by cultures who had no separation between art,
economics, religion, or politics. Such a unification is almost totally
unfamiliar to those of us in Western civilization. We divide up
everything, whether or not it can be divided in reality. Our ability to
separate religion and science has given us effective medicines, but we have no
idea why we're here to begin with, if even "why" is an answerable
question.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Before heading back to the Teaching Barn we make one last
stop at an overlook up on the mountain. Skip points out across the river and
tells that if we had been standing in this very spot centuries ago, we would
have seen a thriving community of American Indians going about their daily
lives down the bank and across what are now open fields. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMpBIsFAfL9OcPRQtCCk2-X1uDMr9kg92fzSAIGboLvv46EdKcV1wi8XjbIfHYgER-VySgzype1r_IrqrD_iuYPhl5IBTb-J0cxxWiIH_bSwhSdBGB-R6B5muDF1lNwOPyXrlpatQjYg/s1600/Contemplative+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMpBIsFAfL9OcPRQtCCk2-X1uDMr9kg92fzSAIGboLvv46EdKcV1wi8XjbIfHYgER-VySgzype1r_IrqrD_iuYPhl5IBTb-J0cxxWiIH_bSwhSdBGB-R6B5muDF1lNwOPyXrlpatQjYg/s1600/Contemplative+3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91OG33GCP55Gy7Zd33m5CNHtwBI23AZeaNB-emyvLksHKCQAjzhpIOzpsaDnfl-yLtOYvelEb4FDRGAyuVDUlC87AVctbhANLLF0NvZskMEoErMx1OOzGJlCtt3A9g5fn1JQnPuyUnXw/s1600/contemplative+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91OG33GCP55Gy7Zd33m5CNHtwBI23AZeaNB-emyvLksHKCQAjzhpIOzpsaDnfl-yLtOYvelEb4FDRGAyuVDUlC87AVctbhANLLF0NvZskMEoErMx1OOzGJlCtt3A9g5fn1JQnPuyUnXw/s1600/contemplative+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWSdjS6f0PvwofDrV90ri2PNsjj9qv8C7kKPv2sTBKyU5lTXEk8qjnV7YAKhpITLxD6HWp0WCyXdk-JwgeT8KiXLT5X7RCI_fMvd7Y3N1QCnTogtHoICfViEgfDzfOjjQsHWLtB9bBoU/s1600/Contemplative+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWSdjS6f0PvwofDrV90ri2PNsjj9qv8C7kKPv2sTBKyU5lTXEk8qjnV7YAKhpITLxD6HWp0WCyXdk-JwgeT8KiXLT5X7RCI_fMvd7Y3N1QCnTogtHoICfViEgfDzfOjjQsHWLtB9bBoU/s1600/Contemplative+4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
By time we’re back at the Barn our heads are filled with day
dreams and questions about the beliefs and traditions that gave life to this
mountain all those years ago. But I guess that’s what archaeology-or any field
of science-is all about. Each generation passes to the next not only the
answers they’ve found, but the questions they’ve found. The mysteries of the
past were what drew me into archaeology as child…and I guess there will still
be plenty there to see me through until the end!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0b6ub8nC9d5AYZJ9-Px8FR2EsH5s-7oswc9IWmF923uaoqt8v7O027RwZ43BXeGi3ouTq09iFsEbznPSdlB_aBk7zYEpKq7f7VW5O2wTsxUlzzfesjJxsAtxC2e2fn-cM3Vrb9KcFb0/s1600/group+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0b6ub8nC9d5AYZJ9-Px8FR2EsH5s-7oswc9IWmF923uaoqt8v7O027RwZ43BXeGi3ouTq09iFsEbznPSdlB_aBk7zYEpKq7f7VW5O2wTsxUlzzfesjJxsAtxC2e2fn-cM3Vrb9KcFb0/s1600/group+photo.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Cred: Carah Still</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>All quotes are from a follow-up email interview with Skip. Shout out to Skip for coming up on a day off to show us around and to Cameron Still for helping me get pictures and details together for this post!</i></span></div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-27090739987094068402014-12-23T18:55:00.000-08:002014-12-23T18:56:17.806-08:00Why "What are you passionate about?" isn't really a good question.<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a question that I was asked many times throughout my
conservative, Bible-belt based youth, though in different ways. Whether in a
personal conversation with my parents, at church, or at some youth convention
or camp, I was challenged multiple times to think about what world issues I
care most about and how I might contribute to the greater good in that area. It
was usually worded something like this:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What are you passionate about?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Passion…you keep using that word. I do not think it means
what you think it means.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don’t get me wrong, the point of this blog post is not to
criticize anyone who is encouraging folks to find a cause that they can get
behind. Whether or not you believe that your interest in a given issue was
placed in you by a divine being, it’s a great idea to take that interest to the
next level and actually do something about it. If everyone in the world (or
even just the first world) chose one cause to support, be it with time or
money, the result would be felt across the face of the entire human experience.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What I’d like to propose is that we refine the way we go
about it. Here’s why. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Most of us aren’t really doing anything about any of the
world’s problems</i>. And it isn’t that we don’t care or think we should be doing
something. It’s that we’re too busy, we have our own problems to fix first, we
don’t know how to get involved, etc. There is an endless list of excuses that
we let get in the way and numb us to the pain of others. I would know, because
I’m as guilty as anyone else. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So when a youth pastor looks out at his hormone-ridden flock
and asks, <i>“What has God given you a passion for?”</i> What that really translates
to is something like, <i>“What do you think you could spare some time for
after school and social responsibilities?”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But that’s not what passion is. If you’re passionate about
something, it means more to you than just something to write in the “volunteer
work” section of a scholarship application. If you’re passionate about
something, you’ll invest in it other than when your church family is
paying for you to travel to a different country for a week or two with all of
your youth group buddies. If you’re passionate about something, you think about
it a whole lot more than when you’re asked what you’re passionate about. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it comes to world issues passion should demand a place
among your priorities and not settle with the scraps of leftover time we call “when
I’m not busy.” Passion should be more than a reputation boost that gets you an awesome
new profile picture holding an impoverished-looking African child who you knew for a few
days. Passion should be embers glowing in your chest that spark into flame with
the slightest provocation. Passion should be a thirst that you know you’ll
never quench yet you can’t possibly be happy if you don’t try. Passion
should be painful. It should grieve you. It should linger. It should bleed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe I’m being dramatic. But as for me, I want to be one of
the few human beings who knows a passion like that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And right now, I have to admit that I don’t. I care an awful
lot about education. And after living in a developing country as a volunteer
teacher, I care about it even more. I daydream about how I can help improve
education in impoverished and underprivileged places pretty frequently. But I’m
still developing my passion for education. <br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I guess that’s the silver lining in this little rant. Not having
a passion for anything doesn’t mean you should hang your head in shame and walk away! It means you should look at what you care about and invest in it. You’ll
probably find that the more you engage an issue…the more you care about it. The
more you taste it, the more you understand it’s complexities and nuances, the
more it will mean to you…the more you’ll feel those embers glowing in your
chest. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And thus I propose not that we stop asking the question.
Rather, I would like to suggest that we start framing it with wording that more
helpfully reflects what we really mean: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What do you want to develop a passion for?”<o:p></o:p></div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-69120368059482868052014-12-21T18:58:00.000-08:002014-12-21T19:04:11.096-08:00Why you should be glad I don't want to be your fairytale princess.<div class="MsoNormal">
With the rise of feminism, many of us are rejecting the old standard
of the ideal woman. I don’t want to be your Cinderella. I don’t think I could be
if I tried.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
>I’m not a great cook, my room is always messy, and
pretty much any roommate I’ve ever had will tell you that I don’t wash my
dishes in a timely manner. I’ve known what career I’ve wanted since I was ten
years old, and I will prioritize work responsibilities before having a spotless
kitchen or always having a home-cooked meal for dinner.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
>I don’t always care if you think I’m pretty. Sure,
sometimes I like getting dressed up. But other times I just want to wear a
t-shirt and sweat pants. And no, they won’t always be those yoga pants that
make my butt look good. Maybe you don’t think I’m classy for showing up to a
lecture in my pajama bottoms with my unwashed hair in a messy bun. But guess
what? I’M COMFY. Besides, at least I showed up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
>And I’m definitely not always meek, mild, and sweet. I
can be obnoxious, I can be annoying, and I can be a jerk. It’s part of the
whole being human thing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! Here’s the best part about rejecting
the gender stereotypes we see in fairytale relationships: IT GOES BOTH WAYS. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Look, I’m no Cinderella. But I don’t need her kind of Prince
Charming, either. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
>I don’t need a rich kid who brings home
enough money for bills + weekly manicures. I want a man who is doing whatever
he’s passionate about, whether or not that entails a traditional career. We’ll
deal with chores, bills, and kids accordingly.<i> It isn’t just about rejecting what
society thinks our roles in the relationship should be. It’s about splitting responsibilities
and supporting each other’s dreams in a way that works for us as a unique
pairing of two unique people.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
>I don’t need the guy who all the girls at the ball came
to chase. If and when I end up settling down, the number of women who are
jealous that I’ve taken my man off the market is totally irrelevant. I just need
someone who I can’t get enough of…and who can’t get enough of me.<i> It isn’t just
about realizing that women have other sources of value than physical beauty. It’s
about realizing that people are diverse and there is no such thing as “the
perfect woman” OR “the perfect man.” </i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
>And he doesn’t need to be the infallible gentleman who
is always strong and can fix anything. I’m attracted to humans, which means I’m
attracted to beings as imperfect as myself. <i>It isn’t just about dissolving
negative perceptions of female emotion. It’s about realizing that NOBODY has it
all together, that treating your partner with love and respect will never be
effort-free, and that any successful relationship involves learning to
apologize AND forgive with grace.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And at this point, some will say, “Aha! If more feminists
were like this, maybe I’d support them more.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s the thing: if a woman is using feminism to demand
change for women yet deny it to men, she isn’t using it correctly. The feminist
movement is not about women “getting ahead.” It’s about getting equal. And many
of the issues that affect women also affect men. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And here, there will be another round of folks who say, “Well
if it isn’t just about women, why call it feminism?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not so fast. Many of the issues feminists are fighting to
address do affect men, but that doesn’t mean we’re all equally unequal. Maybe
it isn’t any fairer to expect a man to be the bread winner than to expect a woman
to be the stay-at-home partner. Historically, however, being the bread winner
HAS come hand in hand with having more power and respect within the household and
society in general. When we see more women succeeding in the realms of business
and politics and less woman being sexually harassed, maybe then we can talk
about retiring the word and replacing it with a less gendered alternative. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the end, I guess what I’m trying to say is: we don’t want
to be the girls that history and our resulting society demand us to be. But we
don’t want the boys demanded by that same narrative, either. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are human beings who want to connect with, love, and be loved
by other human beings.<o:p></o:p></div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-76933975575080294662014-11-08T13:27:00.000-08:002014-11-08T13:46:56.037-08:00Dagger eyes and Grizzly Beard<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday, Oct 22, 7:15pm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, I’m turning into the hotel in Ottumwa, Iowa! I check in and start
dragging my stuff into my new temporary home. It isn’t long before I spot a
friend of mine from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. I flag him down
and we chat. As he’s giving me the low down on the crew, a woman walks by with
what can only be interpreted as a “don’t even try to talk to me” face. Devin
explains that she’s a crew chief…and not a very friendly one. Great. Glad I’m being
thrown into such a happy environment. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But my crew chief is a different person anyway. I’ll be
meeting him tomorrow morning at seven. Then we’ll all load up in trucks that
should be four wheel drive but aren’t and go look for signs of past occupation
in the woods and farms of small-town Iowa. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday, Oct 23, 7:15am<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rapping on my door rouses me from a deep, comfortable sleep.
I stumble my way out of bed and see my friend from UALR through the peep hole.
I open the door, thinking it must be the middle of the night.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hey,” he says. “It’s time to go.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What?” At first I assume that he’s kidding, but I look back
at the clock and realize that I’m already fifteen minutes late. “Oh no! Are
they waiting for me? Are the mad?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, it’s fine…just get ready and get out there asap.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7:30am<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I power walk through the parking lot with a stack of new
hire paperwork in my hand. I head striaght to my friend’s crew, which I had been
told would also be mine. Self-conscious and flustered, I hand my paperwork to a
man with an authoritative-looking clip board before making sure he’s the man I
had been instructed to report to. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He isn’t.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, as he tells me with a smirk under his
grizzly beard, the other guy quit and he’s the replacement. BUT….I won’t be on
his crew anyway. They’re crew seven and they’ve decided to put myself and
another new guy on crew six. With the dagger-eyes lady from yesterday. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, what a great start. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5:00 pm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After work, my friend invites me to join him and some of his
crew mates at a local grill and bar. I know how important workmate bonding is,
and I want to be received well among those who are already established in this
group, so I join. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grizzly beard is there, and makes a few playful pokes at my
sleeping in, but overall is friendly and really doesn't seem to care about my
blunder. And after we get to the hotel I’m even invited to hang out and have a
beer at the fire pit out back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I guess I had a shabby start….but overall, it wasn't a
bad day. This project and the potential friends in it at least seem promising…<o:p></o:p></div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-2249501877853296452014-10-20T17:06:00.000-07:002014-10-20T18:07:05.695-07:00Campfire Stories Near Bellevue, Ohio<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday, Oct 19<sup>th</sup>, 9:30pm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Four women stand and watch as I set up my tent. It’s dark,
but I’ve got a headlamp, and the tent is a simple one-person backpacker tent,
so I’m able to figure it out without fiddling with directions. It looks like I’m
the only tent camper tonight. One little ten tucked away between a dozen RVs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The women seem rather
impressed, and I shamelessly revel in their comments of praise as I assemble my
little shelter. But they’re also all mothers, and can’t help but be motherly. Pretty
soon I’ve got an extra cushion to sleep on, a blanket, a flashlight, and even
an extension cord leading to a little space heater inside my tent. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before bed, I join a couple of them around a fire and exchange
stories. I tell them about how I’m from Arkansas, how I came to Ohio to work on
a survey project, and how the project ended early and I’m now headed to another
in Iowa. I even tell them about how I was teaching abroad in the Republic of
Georgia last year. They, in turn, tell me stories of when they were young and
in love. I hear of both love that lasted and love that is no more…and perhaps
never really was.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love these moments. These moments that you could never
have predicted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just last Wednesday I was on a shopping spree with the other
woman from my crew. We spent our per diem like we were less than a week away
from another one. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That night, we found out that we weren’t. We were informed
that the company was having trouble procuring land owner permission to access
all the necessary parcels, so the project would end two weeks early. In four
days, we would be jobless.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Thursday I applied like crazy to other projects.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Friday, I accepted a position in Iowa. I would have until
next Wednesday night to get there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friday night we had one last dinner with the whole crew. Our
company reps had gifts for all of us, and we laughed as we recalled the inside
jokes and memories referenced by each one.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By this (Sunday) afternoon I was in Columbus meeting, in
person for the first time, the young woman who had taught in my village in
Georgia before me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And now here I am,
chatting by the fire with a couple of local Ohioans at an RV park. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes you just don’t know who you’ll run into, what
chance encounters you’ll have, what paths will intersect yours. Living an
adventure is all about the getting there, I suppose. <o:p></o:p></div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-32785234065713285402014-10-02T16:37:00.001-07:002014-10-02T16:38:23.673-07:00Lunch at "the office"<div class="MsoNormal">
Tuesday, Sept 30th<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A huge ravine runs right through our parcel today and the
entire area is wooded, with plenty of thorny undergrowth. Probably won’t be
much digging. But we hike right into the underbrush, each person with their own
shovel, screen, and backpack. We walk for a long time, letting someone with a
machete go first. Thorns grab at us as we go and in a couple of spots we’re
forced to crawl on the ground to get through networks of vines and branches.
Shovel in hand the whole time, of course. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love it. The physical challenge of it makes it fun, and
the woods are breathtakingly beautiful. Through the trees to the left, we can
see a wall of woodland sloping down the other side of the ravine. All around
us, the circle of life is intertwined with itself. Little saplings await their
first taste of winter beside old fallen trees that are now something between
wood and dirt. Every now and then one of us steps on one, overestimating its
strength, and it instantly crumbles beneath our weight. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eventually, we come across a small, overgrown road. It’s
going in the direction we need so we walk along it until it curves away from
our trajectory. We then return to making our own path…until someone notices
something interesting to the right. It’s a small tower of rocks. Flat rocks,
and obviously stacked on top of each other intentionally. In fact, there is a
whole wall cutting into the slope behind it! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p>We explore and observe and discuss until our crew chief is
satisfied that it’s the bottom of what was once a barn built partly into the
hill. This area was once pasture land. We measure it, take pictures, and take
note of artifacts, which include the metal remains of farm equipment and glass
bottles. And then we decide it’s the perfect place to sit down for lunch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lunch at the office. What can I say? I’m getting paid to
walk around and look for old broken stuff. Maybe it’s not everyone’s ideal
job…but it’s one way in which I’m fulfilling my desire to live an adventure.<o:p></o:p></div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-76318421212019891382014-09-30T19:59:00.001-07:002014-10-02T16:38:49.546-07:00On to the next adventure<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I emailed my resume in before going to bed Tuesday night. I
got a reply Thursday night. Not only did I get the job, but they wanted me to
join the crew on Monday…in Ohio. Friday I went shopping and packed, Saturday I
ate lunch with the family and headed out with Meowthew as my only companion.
Saturday night was spent in a hotel in Kentucky and I was here in St.
Clairsville, Ohio, by Sunday night. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvK8DPp9enyHbJnE-_YQiycG1VGpfxW0xTa5pk2FjOzT-bI5IYzgo557nkR0mOpwQz_6GDAcEj8BKwFxT5hKxDkaDTTY4KoqYp09WuvzXGsfe-eWC6G00aYKXOQuMW93A9d5dfldag2oQ/s1600/Meowthew+Buckled+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvK8DPp9enyHbJnE-_YQiycG1VGpfxW0xTa5pk2FjOzT-bI5IYzgo557nkR0mOpwQz_6GDAcEj8BKwFxT5hKxDkaDTTY4KoqYp09WuvzXGsfe-eWC6G00aYKXOQuMW93A9d5dfldag2oQ/s1600/Meowthew+Buckled+up.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQl9yMkPlWLkIMBZoMvs8e5R1KOTWftEmZOQ5qc0q4oMBIgDau6BGZb7HBFLY6sgG_iZkg2_HqI6davcUcCuY4yqtpECN7xzmoOcdz_6RVSbmDXoxQ3quAMdDfjIDWZGmjFqsPcjAIalM/s1600/Meowthew+Kentucky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQl9yMkPlWLkIMBZoMvs8e5R1KOTWftEmZOQ5qc0q4oMBIgDau6BGZb7HBFLY6sgG_iZkg2_HqI6davcUcCuY4yqtpECN7xzmoOcdz_6RVSbmDXoxQ3quAMdDfjIDWZGmjFqsPcjAIalM/s1600/Meowthew+Kentucky.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The weekend drive<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Driving alone can be relaxing. It being the weekend, I’m
totally avoiding rush hour traffic. And I don’t have to exit this highway for
another hour at least. I go between Owl City, a Vans Warped Tour Compilation cd,
and local country stations. After all, I don’t have to worry about anyone else’s
musical preference. Except for Meowthew's. But he likes pretty much whatever I like. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">These highways have been surrounded by trees pretty much the
whole way since Arkansas. And as I travel between states, I feel like I’m
traveling between seasons. The forests in
Arkansas were still dressed in a lush summer green. But as I make my way
further north, the trees fade into a lighter shade of green, splotched with
soft yellows and oranges and little spurts of deep red. Enjoying the view but
knowing that it comes in exchange for seeing the colors change in the Ozarks, I
drink it in as I go. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Monday, Sept 29th<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As we all stand in a circle in a Rural King parking lot,
awaiting orders so we can hop in the van and get to work, I sit and chat with
my crew. There is only one other woman, but she’s cool, and none of the guys
are creepy. This looks promising so far. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After a little bit of navigation trouble and “is this really
a road or someone’s driveway??” We find the area we are supposed to survey
today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Basically, before putting in a pipeline, the pipeline people
are required to make sure they aren’t about to tear up any burials or other
culturally significant sites. Thus, they hire private firms, which hire archaeology and anthropology majors like me as archaeological technicians. And then we comb miles and miles of land for possible sites. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We find our bearings and spread out in a straight line. We
use our compasses to make sure that we are walking straight and in the same
direction. Then we walk, scanning the ground for artifacts. Every
15 meters, we each dig a small whole and run the dirt through a small screen
made of a wooden frame and metal mesh, checking for artifacts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My first couple of holes are completely sterile. The next
would-be hole, fifteen meters away, is on a steep slope. Erosion will have
taken anything that was once here, so I move along. Pretty soon we are all in
the woods on the side of a hill. The slope and vegetation means digging here is
a no-go. But we head single file through the clearest trail we can make to
check out the rest of the area…each person carrying his or her own shovel and
screen. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">At the bottom of the slope is a dry creek bed. While crossing it, I
slip on a rock. I catch myself on my screen, but a bit of the cut edge of the
metal mesh is sticking out from under the wooden frame and scrapes my arm up a
bit. Battle wounds already! I’ll have to get a back pack I can clip the screen
onto, as many of the others have done. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21IfEqcUUKBZvoTyad7_avKLJE4jP_9YMevItXE_66HcWR5FwFT7IuzRxdDnrlndj_QhjV1iV4-t6hGBGi-b8qLTQSLkrinBw9TBB_SqvLVsGsNZaN5NUKNsq5R2-Gc9TGlMMZvfTwfo/s1600/first+day+scrape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21IfEqcUUKBZvoTyad7_avKLJE4jP_9YMevItXE_66HcWR5FwFT7IuzRxdDnrlndj_QhjV1iV4-t6hGBGi-b8qLTQSLkrinBw9TBB_SqvLVsGsNZaN5NUKNsq5R2-Gc9TGlMMZvfTwfo/s1600/first+day+scrape.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After all, this is only the beginning</span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-19719370278391862152014-08-12T22:08:00.001-07:002014-08-12T22:08:47.454-07:00My Sakartvelo
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s been a few weeks since I left Georgia. Or Sakartvelo, as
they call it in their own language. It’s been relaxing to be home. But before
more time passes, I wanted to write a little something to capture some of my experiences
from and feelings about Georgia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 58.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">~~~~~<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My Sakartvelo is mountains in every direction, with rivers
running through them, and quiet villages stretching along their sides and in
their valleys. But my Sakartvelo is also trash along riverbanks and lakeshores
and roadsides and fields and everywhere else outside of a trash bin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My Sakartvelo is maneuvering through muddy roads on the way
to school while exchanging smiles and greetings with neighbors. And my
Sakartvelo is walking back hand in hand with one of my girls until a student
(or myself) starts a wrestling match or battle, and we’re forced to disperse
and gather sticks or berries or whatever ammunition is available nearby. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My Sakartvelo is being emotionally exhausted with the
realization that my personal mental health and happiness require human
interaction-not simply speaking or being spoken too, but being understood and
understanding others. And yet, my Sakartvelo is all the strength that develops
through hardship, and the increased appreciation of a uniquely human gift that
is so often taken for granted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My Sakartvelo is ready acceptance into a home away from home,
complete with little siblings to both annoy and enamor me. But my Sakartvelo is
also the frustration of being subject to the rules and protection of a
traditional family in an extremely male-dominant society. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My Sakartvelo is a dozen smiles at once, between little ears
that don’t know how to listen on little bodies that don’t know how to sit still…but
are at least drawing me pictures or offering me candies while ignoring me. Yes,
my Sakartvelo is affection freely given. And, in a culture where teachers are
friends and neighbors instead of strangers to be feared, my Sakartvelo is the
freedom to return that affection with hugs and kisses and arms around
shoulders. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My Sakartvelo is not being able to make the difference I
want to make. It’s a broken education system that I don’t have the power to fix
or work around. But my Sakartvelo is the confirmation, through hours of trying
anyway, and of day dreaming about what I would do if I could, that education
truly is important to me. This is a priority that will demand my attention many
times more in my life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My Sakartvelo is countless beautiful churches. And yet my
Sakartvelo is countless empty crosses, always with the right hand…starting at a
head that is empty of Christ’s words, then to somewhere between the ribs, then
to the right shoulder, and then finally to the left; reaching twice over a
heart that is empty of his love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My Sakartvelo is the flattery of being a novelty because of
my nationality, but my Sakartvelo is also the danger of that novelty when
combined with Hollywood stereotypes of loose women and the entitlement of men
who see filling their sexual appetites as a natural right and necessity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Really, in the end, I love Georgia. Maybe I hate her. But I
love her too. I think many TLG veterans would agree with me that to love
Georgia is to let her slap you in the face whenever she feels like, and then
still hold her hand. I’m not sure if she’s easy to fall in love with or I just
fall in love easily. Maybe a bit of both. My feelings for her are not unlike
those I had for my ex-boyfriend from when I was 18. He was horrible to me. He
made me miserable. And yet I still loved him. Even worse, I thought I could fix
him. That we could become better together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Having said that…there is some difference. Because honestly,
there is a lot more potential for change in Georgia than there ever was in my
ex. It may not come to fruition in my lifetime, but revolution is already in
the works. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So love, I shall <3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-89729492329990267962014-07-08T04:31:00.001-07:002014-07-08T04:31:51.151-07:00I'm feelin' 22...
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">July 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup>, 2014</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">12:00am<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s midnight here in Bulgaria, and I’m watching the video
for Taylor Swift’s “22.” I’m not a huge fan, but the video is cute, and it is
midnight on my birthday, so I post it to my wall just for kicks before I go to
sleep. After all, it’s kind of fun to have a theme song for the next year of my
life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And it really feels alright. Having another birthday. I
mean, I’m old enough to not like getting older, and sometimes it’s a scary
thought….the fact that one day I won’t be young anymore. Youth has always
maintained a place in my identity. But the last string of birthdays has made me
feel a little more “legit” each year. A little more of an adult whom other
adults have to take a little more seriously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">9:00am<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m sitting alone at Sozopol’s popular Jack Bar, treating
myself to a yummy kiwi shake before meeting Phillip at “work.” He is a cool
guy. He graduated from UALR a few years ahead of me, but I only know him
because my professors had me interview him for an assignment in my Senior Seminar
class. Over Skype, he had told me about his research with skeletons from a
Byzantine cemetery here in Bulgaria. I had asked him a few months ago if I
might be able to come help out while in “the area,” since Georgia is just
across the Black Sea. He said he would welcome the help…so here I am. Doing
osteoarchaeology at a gorgeous beach resort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I offer a prayer of thanks and linger on how lucky I am.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But no….it’s not luck. I’m here because I chose to be here. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">11:00am<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m cleaning dirt out of the eye socket of a Byzantine skull in
the abandoned Soviet naval base that Phillip is using as his storehouse and lab. The
place is huge. It’s a shame that they stripped it of anything useful and left
it to rot. But as long as you wear shoes thick enough to protect you from
shards of broken glass, it’s a pretty cool place to work in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Or maybe it just makes me feel like a little bit of a bad-ass.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">12:30pm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I grab a burger from a street stand for only a couple of
Bulgarian Lev and find a wall to sit on, overlooking the beach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My mind wanders again to how great it is to be here. And no,
it isn’t pure luck. I mean yeah, there are the basic parameters set in place by
my general life situation. Being born in a first world country, having parents
who care, etc. But still….this isn’t luck. There’s something more to it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because no one told me to go to Georgia. I chose Georgia.
And no one told me to volunteer in Bulgaria while I was at it. I chose this. I
did the communication, the preparation, and the implementation. For quite
possibly the first time in my life, I feel like I’m in a situation that I alone
put myself into. It wasn’t because anyone else wanted me to. It wasn’t anyone
else’s idea. I’m here because of me. <br />
<br />
And it feels good to know that. Because this is my adult self that I’m merging
into…that I’m somewhat constructing. These years are the beginning of the rest
of my life, to be cliché about it. And to know that I am capable of making it a
life that I want it to be….well, 22 doesn’t feel so bad so far. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658064711855306617.post-73485455553293557112014-06-19T06:10:00.001-07:002014-06-19T06:10:12.430-07:00ARAOM from My Last Week of School
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A Random Assortment of Moments from My Last Week of School</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Summer didn’t wait for school to finish. The sun is warm
enough to keep the roads from being giant mud puddles even right after a rain,
but not so hot that you can’t handle being outside. Cherrie trees are
everywhere in the village. One stands right outside of school and has just
gotten ripe. I watch out the window while boys climb it, picking off whole
branches and sending them down. They like to give cherries to the teachers. We
all eat them…even those who yelled at the boys for going up the tree in the first
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My co-teacher must add up attendance totals before the end
of the week, and, being a Georgian teacher, chooses to do so during class time.
She tells me I can take the 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> grade class outside and play ball.
Well, I didn’t know I needed to prepare a lesson, and it is the last week of
school, so why not? <br />
<br />
When we go outside, we have no ball to play with. A couple of older kids who
know a bit of English are outside and help me explain freeze tag to the younger
kids, and for a while we play a massive game of it, big kids (including myself)
chasing little kids. After that gets old, I try to organize the kids for a game
of Duck Duck Goose. Chaos ensues. Most of them aren’t listening and the couple
of them who are really aren’t understanding my instructions. By the time I’m
trying to think of another game, the third graders have fractured into a number
of groups engaging in mini wrestling matches. I give up, sit down, and watch
until the bell rings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Second and third classes are outside playing Georgian dodge ball
for their sports period. I have a break this period, so I join them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In Georgian dodge ball, only one team is dodging at a time.
The other divides in two and stands on both sides, throwing a ball back and
forth at the group in the middle. If you get hit, you’re out. If you catch the
ball, someone who got out comes back in. The kids are excited to see me and beg
me to play. The weather feels great and I won’t get to hang out with them much
longer, so I can’t really say no. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Between their constant begging me to come back into the pit
every time they catch the ball and my own lack of athletic ability, I repeatedly
experience the excruciating embarrassment of being pelted by an 8-year-old. But
I’m also experiencing their affection and happiness. And these are all the things
that color my world. It’s in times like these that I know I’m living a life I
want to live. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By Thursday, my co
has done all her counting, and doesn’t come to school. I don’t really mind at
this point…classes have been a bit of a joke this week anyway, and I don’t have
to hold them without her. So instead I hang out with the 8<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and 9<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
class and everyone else who is attending their “show.” It’s fun little event
that all the other teachers show up for, so I guess no one is having class
today at all. The two grades form two teams and compete in song/poetry
performance, eating spaghetti with no hands, etc. A lot of other students are
there to watch as well. I joke and dance with some of my high schoolers while
we wait for it to start. I’m thankful for the chance to just enjoy them one last time. I soak
in every smile I catch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Friday, my friend Mariah comes to visit. I’ve decided not to return next semester, but she has agreed to transfer to Khovle when she
returns in September. After my host mom gives us lunch she comes to school with
me. Most of the students aren’t there. Most of the teachers aren’t even there.
But myself and a couple of girls from 7<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> class are still determined
to carry out plans of surprising a couple of the older boys with a water attack.
Mariah agrees to be the camera girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It doesn’t take the boys long to figure out what is going
on. Especially when I show up with five empty plastic bottles. The surprise
attack turns into an all-out war. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The boys got in more attacks. 17-18 year old boys have more strength
than me, and I am willing to admit that. They didn’t have much difficulty commandeering
our weaponry and using it against us. At one point we tried to escape by
climbing a tree, which only ended up trapping us. But whoever won, ALL OF US
got soaked, so I can’t say I’m dissatisfied with the outcome. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And besides, it was a fun way to end the day; the week; the
semester. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTL2ZvD6uJ4bbkZAHVk_e_INwc1aMhkRmRBbsaGZlE08ps9NZzxo1bSAuX6FmY72-_gMhsSD7LQMppzk496618sNtwz7_NkFZgyvkWPRvntnvruF1tsPA0YbyACYd815tvziw4LwyvuE/s1600/DSC02314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTL2ZvD6uJ4bbkZAHVk_e_INwc1aMhkRmRBbsaGZlE08ps9NZzxo1bSAuX6FmY72-_gMhsSD7LQMppzk496618sNtwz7_NkFZgyvkWPRvntnvruF1tsPA0YbyACYd815tvziw4LwyvuE/s1600/DSC02314.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even if I come back in a year or two as I’m planning, the
kids won’t be the same. They’ll be older, some will be graduated, etc. It’s a
bittersweet thing…leaving something behind when you know you can’t ever really have
it again. I’ll miss it, sure, but I’m thankful that it happened. I’m thankful I
was a part of this community for the past few months of my life. I’m thankful
that each of these children was a character in this chapter of my story. And I
in theirs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But the chapter is coming to an end. It’s time for a month
or so of adventure in Europe, then a final week or two of Georgia, and then
back to America. <br /><br />Next stop: England. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Janewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03021354892904901657noreply@blogger.com0