Bahia de Kino, Mexico

Well, we made it. Just got done with our first week in the field, and about to get headed back for week two. We crossed the border about two weeks ago, got our work visas and headed down for Bahia de Kino, Sonora. The Prescott field station is amazing! It's right on the gulf, and there is beach access right out front. Most of the time, however, we are in the desert north of here. Out there, we are probably 30 miles away from anyone. Last week when we were there the only signs of people were the occasional plane and satellite. The weather for the first week was good at first, but a few days in a huge storm swept in and we got hammered by wind and rain in the night. Luckily, the days were still nice, so we were still able to get some work done.

My time is limited right now, we are about to get packed up to head back out to the desert. We will be back in a week and I will have more time to post then. Salud!

Tuscon, Arizona/More Hamm's

Day four. Drinking Hamm's in a hotel again, this time in a motel 6 in Tuscon, Arizona. Plans have changed a bit since the beginning of the trip. We spent the last two days in Borrego Springs, California, camping in Anzo Borrego state park and touring around the area, looking at some really cool geology in split mountain gorge. Our guide was Becky Dorsey, the PI on the project we are working on and a really great stratigraphic geologist. It was really great having her as a guide though the area, she knows a lot about the area having worked there for years. The park was really beautiful, although it is expensive camping there, I highly recommend it.

Our original plan was to cross the border near Yuma, but we needed to ship Mike's passport down from Oregon to get him into Mexico. So we decided to get it sent to Tuscon because it would take too long to get it to Borrego Springs, which is a little remote. So here we are in Tuscon, ready to pick up the passport in the morning and cross the border though Nogales and then head to Bahi Kino and to the Prescott field station. Then, the real fun begins. Life at the field station sounds like it will be pretty cushy, but out in the field is going to be pretty rough. However, this is what being a geologist is all about, so I think the field will be pretty fun. I am just hoping that we don't pop a tire or get M.A.R.V. stuck or run out of gas. We are going to be out in the middle of nowhere so who knows what we would do then. I bet it won't be too bad, no reason to worry now, we will cross that bridge eventually.

For the time being, I am really excited to go back to Mexico! I had a blast last time I was there, and I am sure this time will be even more epic. Well, it will definitely be more epic. Two days versus two months. Epic. I will be listening to a lot of Ennio Morricone.

Lodi, California/Hamm's

The journey begins. Drinking Hamm's in a Microtel Inns and Suites (not as small as it sounds) in Lodi, California. We got started a little late this morning, packing and getting last minute things together, replacing headlights, eating Glenwood eggs benedict, etc. Got to see Mount Shasta at sunset, play hacky sack in a few random rest stops and gas stations, and get some extremely tasty bbq at Fatboy's in Redding, thanks to Leland's suggestion. It was a really nice drive, it's good to be back on the road (Willie Nelson enters with guitar). M.A.R.V. handles like a dream. For those who don't know, M.A.R.V. is the new name of the former, less-awesomly-named Orca, a University vehicle and our wheeled companion for the next two months. M.A.R.V. is actually an acronym, which over many evolutions in the past few days now stands for Mexican All-Terrain Research Vehicle. It is a white 98 Chevy Suburban and is extremely full of things right now.

Tomorrow we head for Burrego Springs, in southern Cali. We will set camp there for tomorrow night, and spend Monday field tripping around southern cali, looking at, thinking about, and talking about rocks. Monday night we will stay again in Burrego Springs and cross the border into Mexico the next morning, making our way through Sonora and into Kino Bay and the Prescott Field Station. Hide the fish tacos!

In other news, I noticed I now have followers! I was under the impression that no one was reading this, like I was just throwing words into space. I feel like I have to be more eloquent now. Just kidding! fart fart fart.

Countdown to Mexico

Here we are. The first day of school on campus, I didn't have my U of O internet revoked like I thought I would, I will have a job in the spring and my letters of recommendation are coming together. Good start so far. The main task for the week, however, is to prepare for two months in Mexico. Even though it is only a few days away, I still have no idea what to expect. I have only left the country for about three days total in my life, so it promises to be interesting. The only advice I have received so far is not to wear my taco costume into town, and to get stomach parasites as quickly as possible so I can enjoy the rest of the trip. I plan on following the former.

Domestication/Lost Baggage

Well, I am back in Oregon, it's raining and about 35 degrees. In other words, it is winter. I am waiting for my bread to rise, which is my first attempt at making homemade bread. I spent most of my vacation watching the master cook (my mother) and am now trying my skills. Hopefully it will work out well. All of my other attempts at rolls and such usually turn out pretty crappy, although now I have learned that getting the yeast to activate correctly is about 90 % of making bread. I think being impatient and thinking that I am screwing everything up has always caused me to screw it up. Sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy sort of deal. Also, in doing this I am realizing that domestication is now in full swing. I suppose now that I am almost thirty it is inevitable. Still, I have a lot of friends my age and older, that I am pretty sure still eat mostly things that come out of a box. I guess aging hits us all in different ways. I wonder what my mid-life crisis will be like?

I am also waiting for a call from United, who lost my bag yesterday. I checked on their website and they apparently found my bag, and are going to call me to arrange shipment. Until I get my back, I am stuck wearing the one change of clothes I have. Luckily I don't smell too bad yet, But if I don't get it in a few days, myself and those around me will not be so lucky. Not only am I waiting for a call from United, but also from the GRE people who were supposed to get back to me over a week ago about getting my scores sent to another university. They are really starting to piss me off. For how much money it costs to take the GRE, they sure aren't very helpful. You would think getting extra scores sent would be easy. Plus, you have have to pay for them, which is really cool. What a racket.

Well, it's nice to be back on the west coast again, having a great time being domestic and hanging out with the missus. Looking forward to New Year's Eve and then two months in the desert.

big belly christmas

Another Christmas holiday is coming to a close. It has been a really great trip, I am in Chicago and flying back to Portland tomorrow morning. It has been snowing here solid for the last few days, which I am really excited about. Others are not so excited, but it's been either below zero or raining here for most of the trip. I guess it is easier to be excited when you are leaving and don't have to deal with the snow. I am very excited to get back to Oregon, although I have had a really great trip hanging out with family and friends, I don't know if my stomach can take anymore of this marathon eating. I have been constantly full for about a week, every meal bigger than the last. I feel like I am starting to resemble most midwesterners, shape-wise. My pants barely fit anymore. This is not an exaggeration. I am also looking forward to spending some time with my lovely girlfriend, whom I haven't seen for three weeks and won't see for two months while I am in Mexico. Definitely going to be the hardest thing about being gone for two months. Pooping in holes, sleeping on the ground, and stomach parasites I can handle, but being away from the missus for long periods of time is really difficult.

This trip was a lot less hectic than years past, I spent a lot of time just hanging out with my family. I didn't get to see my friends as much as usual, but it was really nice to be back in the midwest for a while. The rock show was lots of fun as well, the turnout could have been better but I had a really good time. Maybe we can do it again in the summer.

Well, it's my last night in Chicago, gonna have one last huge dinner with the family. Should be a rockin good time. The Swansons know how to party. See you tomorrow Oregon!

Furious Jebediah show/Impending doom

The time for the Furious Jebediah show is now upon us, as is some awesome Iowa weather. The first thing I saw when I got up this morning was the neighbor children sledding on the sidewalk. There is no snow on the sidewalk mind you, just ice. Apparently this great weather is going to continue through Christmas. Hopefully it will become snow at some point, this freezing rain crap is no fun at all.

Well, the show must go on, as they say. I just hope that the weather won't scare any FJ fans away, it is going to be a really good show.

Here is the setlist:

Intro
Ballad of Larry
Coffin Cake
Milk
Spy
Digging The Grave
Strength Beyond Strength
Excerpts From A Film
Any Woman Can Be A Lesbian
Dog Balls (Wall Tapestry Song)
Breeding Ground
Tourette's
Good Word
Let's Lynch The Landlord
Caffeine
Give Me Your Love

Oits' Tailgator's, 9 of the clock. Hoping for a good crowd, Iowans usually don't let the weather make plans for them, but it may be enough reason for people to flake out.

ROCK