Sleepless Nights?

Having trouble falling asleep this holiday season? Try reading my latest abstract entitled:

Laboratory analyses of Silicified LAYERs within the volcaniclastic unit of the Oligocene Brian Head Formation, SouthWestern Utah

The Brian Head Formation in southwestern Utah contains prominent silicified beds. In the Casto Canyon area, about 20 km north of Bryce Canyon, the beds are found within ~200 m thick sequence of volcaniclastic sandstone and mudstone, with thin discontinuous limestones of the upper Brian Head Formation. The sequence is primarily of fluvial origin; the limestones were deposited in freshwater wetland environments. Three types of silicified beds were recognized during field study: thin (mm-cm scale), thick (up to 3 m thick), and silicified organic mats. The thin units are typically sub-parallel to sandstone and mudstone beds, but many are fractures that cross-cut bedding. The thick beds typically are laterally discontinuous (<10 m, although one bed extends more than 100 m) and are associated with rhizoliths and limestone beds, which often have bioturbated and brecciated tops. Silicified mats are about a cm thick and consist of 1-2 mm dia. rhizoliths.

The four processes of silicification in continental settings are pedogenic, groundwater, hydrothermal and evaporite replacement. In order to understand the origin of the Brian Head silicified beds, petrographic and geochemical analyses were conducted.

The paragenetic sequence of mineral formation of the silicified layers is: 1) precipitation of micrite, 2) precipitation of spar and recrystallization of micrite into spar, 3) replacement of spar and micrite by chert and chalcedony. X-ray powder diffraction analyses confirm the calcite and quartz composition. The sequence is clearly seen within rhizoliths. Micrite root molds outline former roots. Spar filled root casts. The removal of spar through replacement by chert can be identified by the corroded boundaries and scalloped edges of spar root casts.

Rhizoliths, invertebrate bioturbation and breccias indicate pedogenesis of the palustral limestone beds, but carbon (δ¹³ C_PDB from 0 to -2) and oxygen (δ¹⁸ O_SMOW from 25 to 33) stable isotope analyses of the micrite and spar support precipitation from shallow groundwater of meteoric origin. Since silica replaces spar it is also likely to have a groundwater origin. The temperature of the silica-bearing fluid will be constrained by O-isotope analyses of the silica.

P.S. Merry Christmas

Marital Romance

Romance is (your husband) emptying the dishwasher.

H. Roy

Birthdays

As we count another birthday it serves as a reminder to also count the many wonderful things in life. We can count the number of sunrises and sunsets; starry nights and daytime cloudless skies. We can count the glasses of wine and sweet treats; places traveled and hours spent peacefully lounging on the couch. How many more times will we be able to count? Infinitely, I’m sure.

Parachutes

I have the belief that I can do anything as long I’m willing to put in the effort. Sure I may falter along the way but I persevere until the task is done right. There is, however, one thing that I’m not willing to try to figure out and that’s the packing of my own parachute. That is one thing that I’ll leave to the professionals.

December Photo - Taking Back What is Hers

Taking Back What is Hers

December Photo - Alaska

Alaska

December Photo - It's Christmas!

It's Christmas!

All is Fair in Lust and War (excerpt)

It had been two months since I had seen Rebecca. We only talked about once a week when we were apart, talking once a week allowed us to enjoy our college experience. I had a friend Bill that was constantly talking to his girlfriend from back home. We would be in the middle of playing beer pong and we’d have to stop the game or switch partners because he got a call. Bill would say, “Hang on a second.” Everyone would groan, grunt, swear, and roll their eyes. Before we could even make fun of him he’d already be in the corner talking softly to his girlfriend. “Hi. How are you? I’m good. What are you doing tonight? Who is going to be there? Wait who? Who’s [fill in guys name here]? Do I know him? I don’t remember that…” The conversation would escalate from there and pretty soon he’d be all pissed off and yelling. When he got off the phone we’d have to hear all about it. “Dude, she is hanging out with some guy Jared. I don’t know who the hell he is. I’m going to kick his ass.” Then someone would remind him that his girlfriend went to school at UVM and what was he going to do about it all the way down here in Connecticut. Bill was enraged by this point and picked a fight with who ever pissed him off the most. By that point I was already inside watching television. I vowed never to have that kind of relationship. Rebecca and I respected each others space and freedom. Seriously, what would you have done in Bill’s situation? Nothing was solved from his conversation. He simply got jealous, got angry, hung up on his girlfriend and what did that prove. That Bill and his girlfriend didn’t trust one another. Lack of trust, jealous, anger all leads to infidelity. It is the forbidden fruit. You can’t have it so you want it. Rebecca and I agreed whatever happens in college stays at college, just like Vegas, baby, Vegas.

Where am I going?

There are times when I am driving that I ask myself, “Where am I going?” Sometimes I don’t have an answer.

Black and White Photos (continued)

I went back to pick up my black and white photos from Printko. The beautiful blonde with black-rimmed glasses waited on me once again. She had a glow about her today. Like something really good had happened to her already. Today, I was dressed in my business attire. I had just come from work. I was dressed much differently from the last time I was at Printko. Last time I had worn jeans, the only pair that I wear. I own two other pairs of jeans. One is my back up pair, in case the ones I always wear need a wash. I wear that pair only for the brief time the other jeans in the wash. Then back they go into the closet. The third and final pair of jeans is for the garage and yard work, which is covered in stains and rips. With the jeans I worn my old beat up tan work boots, no underwear, a t-shirt, which one I can’t remember, and of course, my black hoodie. This was my standard wardrobe outside of work. On this day, I looked much different. Like a professional and all grown up. Boring.

She remembered me. Of course she would.

She said, “Calvin, right?”

I smiled, “That’s me.”

“I have your pictures right here, let me get them.”

“Take your time…there’s no rush.”

I waited patiently as she searched through a big metal pullout drawer full of pictures that hadn’t been picked up. I was faced perpendicular to the counter looking at the door that I just entered. I had one elbow on the counter. Something caught me eye. I looked over to where the lovely Michele was getting my pictures. She was completely bent over looking in the bottom drawer. I was very impressed and I knew she did this on purpose. Well, if this isn’t a slap in the face that she wants me I don’t know what is. She had a wonderful figure. She either worked out all the time or never ate. I hoped it wasn’t the latter. She returned with the pictures.

“They came out really good. You’re quite the artist.”

“They came out good huh?” So she did see the pictures. “Mind if I check them out before I pay.”

“Not at all.”

I tore the little flap open and pulled out the pictures. I filed through them looking for the pornographic picture that I hoped came out and that I hoped she saw. And there it was. With a post-it note saying, “I like this one the best, Michelle.” A huge smile came across my face. At that point my confidence shot through the roof.

I looked at her and said, “we should go out sometime.”

Her smile brightened, “I’d like that.”

“Give me your number and I’ll give you a call.”

“Sure let me get a pen and paper.”

“Just a pen, you can write it on the back of this picture.” I handed her the picture. She blushed and began to write her number down. Before she was finished I asked her, “And, would mind making a copy of this picture?”

“Sure, I can do it right here on the copier. What size?”

“What ever size you would like. The picture is for you.” Her face was beyond blushing, she was bright red now but still smiling. She made a modest 4x6 print. Good choice I thought. Not overbearing, not too small. She came back and handed me the original and said, “Here you go.” I smiled and told her I would give her a call. I walked out slowly, wondering if she was letting me walk out without paying or if she just didn’t realize. Either way I kept going.