Saturday, December 20, 2008
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Friday, February 01, 2008
Alternative Transportation on the Wasatch Front
I've been meaning to post this up here for a while, it was a final presentation for one of my classes last semester. The assignment was basically to create a few different maps and use them to tell a story. I picked the topic because it is one that interests me. For a larger view the link is here
Monday, September 03, 2007
Don't Call Me White
The name of any group of people tells us something about them. It matters because any one individual interpretation of the name cause assumptions and expectations of how meetings with other groups should work and how each fits into the social community. A tipping in the scales of power. It works along with any socioeconomic group; rich vs. poor, male vs. female, old vs. young, etc.
I think that in earlier times of human history skin color could more accurately define to others the differences among two groups of people. But, not in today's world, where there is great deal of ethnically mixed individuals, especially in the United States. Someone's general geographic look doesn't have to mean anything at all about their social status and/or background, and that is not becoming any less prevalent.
So, as classification by an outward appearance slowly becomes less reliable for us to make the assumptions that we srtive to make, the next point of judgment is in the language used by any individual or a group. I often find myself trying to guess where a person is from by listening to accents. I think we gauge people on many levels when we interact with language. Things like; how much money someone might make, their profession, religious leanings and many other simple assumptions.
Language is definitely intertwined with ethnicity. Being from a mix of European ancestry, I have learned to associate myself with the term "white". Somewhere along the way, I started feeling that the label carried a weight that I didn't feel that I should have to carry. For whatever reason when the question is asked, I like to check the "other" box and write in "European American". Though some can argue that the two have the same meaning, I don' think they do.
I also think that there is the possibility that the "white" ethnicity dominance in the United States is slightly exaggerated by way of the term "white" being one of the most broad options available (except for maybe "American Indian"). This map didn't exactly match up to my own personal definitions of the races. I think if I were to create my own version of this map I would want to add 10 more naming of races to the list. Is that a good or a bad thing?
from NOFX - Punk In Drublic (1994)
Don't Call me White
Saturday, July 21, 2007
The 4th of July
On the 4th July, in the middle of a 2 week road trip, I found myself in the town of Trinidad in Humboldt County, California. I started off with some early morning tide pooling on the shores of the Pacific Ocean,
after that I ate some oyster and eggs breakfast at the pier cafe, all-American style. I then enjoyed an easy hike, even for having a full stomach. It looped around the peninsula in Trinidad to somewhat of a view of an old lighthouse. The ocean rocks were much more impressive the lighthouse. Here is the GPS track of that hike with some pictures that I took.
Later that day we wandered down to and around Arcata. Quite a bit going on, I couldn't tell the bums from the city officials. Did you know that Arcata was the first city in the U.S. to elect a majority of its city council members from the green party? Yeah, hippies. It was a bit of culture shock for someone born and raised and living in Conservativeville. And, how could I not love a place that prides itself on their minor league baseball team, The Humboldt Crabs? They play in a 1,500 seat stadium, and their hats are classy, so I bought one.
But, it wasn't the baseball that made me feel like an American, and it wasn't standing on an edge of America herself, it wasn't even the pizza I ate for lunch. The thing that sparked my pride in old glory was this-
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Waterfall Canyon
A 200 ft. waterfall at the top this narrow canyon. It is kind of steep, but short and quick. The round trip is roughly 3 miles of hiking. I've been up there a few different times, and the waterfall is not all too powerful. The most admiring thing is the distance the water falls. On a hot day you'll want to stand underneath it. I parked in a designated lot at the end of 29th street in Ogden, Utah. I believe you can get to the waterfall from 36th street as well, though I have never been through that way.
Labels: GIS, GPS, Hiking, Maps, Places in Utah
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Old Limber Pine Loop
In August of 2006 I hiked this trail on my way to Bear Lake, with the objective of finding a nearby geocache. The complete loop is about 1.4 miles and it is as easy as they come. A bit of a steep beginning, but then evens out to an slight climb to the top after that. There isn't much elevation gain, from 7795 ft. to 7942 ft.
Access the trail by parking in the designated parking lot. Just pay attention to the road signs. There are a few informational "nature-walk" signs located along the trail as well. It is just off the road in Logan Canyon on Utah State Highway 89 at the Bear Lake Summit, just before the descent towards the lake.
The Old Limber Pine is a group of 5 trees that grew into each other to become one claw looking tree. The highlight of the hike (well, besides the 560 year old tree) is the view looking down upon the bright blueness of Bear Lake.
Access the trail by parking in the designated parking lot. Just pay attention to the road signs. There are a few informational "nature-walk" signs located along the trail as well. It is just off the road in Logan Canyon on Utah State Highway 89 at the Bear Lake Summit, just before the descent towards the lake.
The Old Limber Pine is a group of 5 trees that grew into each other to become one claw looking tree. The highlight of the hike (well, besides the 560 year old tree) is the view looking down upon the bright blueness of Bear Lake.
Labels: Geocaching, GIS, GPS, Hiking, Maps, Places in Utah, Travel
