Tempus

I've known this for awhile but am now able to articulate that I am and always have been multi-dimensional in disciplines and time zones.  As exhausting as it can be, I revel and thrive in this broad range.

Vertigo

...in the Seattle Library, caused by more than the heady books.

I can do that

...or maybe I can't: rather than sending an email I went to the teacher and said that I could not participate in an annual event due to a previous commitment. I just cannot send written regrets for important events - I need to speak either in person or on the phone. Am I the only one who feels this way?

Earlier in the week I presided over a Board meeting with a full agenda. We are getting things done. Also gave a talk to a graduate class and illustrated considerations of professional practice that extend beyond analysis and drawings. It's about developing an idea and transforming it into something real, tangible, and useful. I admired the campus and energy devoted to learning. I need to be close to places like this, places that expand the mind.

Well on the way to the southbay I could take a detour and pick up a ticket to a performance by a group I haven't heard in a few years. Interesting program, great performers, new hall. Would be good to check it out.

I felt the power of songs from the soul, guitar, rhythm and flamenco. Blows me away every time. Head and heart became full.

So the next day I skipped getting the ticket to the upcoming performance. Too expensive and too far anyway. Could use the funds for another purpose. I'll make another opportunity to see the new concert hall later.

Spun (spinned?) fiber: 1/4 oz in fingering-weight 2-ply. I plan to spin another 1/4 oz in thicker, worsted-weight, 2-ply. Then I'll spin another 1/2 oz into a 3-ply. Plies are supported long draw.

Worked on making drums. I forgot how much finessing and craft was required to fit the heke on the 'olo. Ran out of patience. Need to find another time to continue this project. At least my lungs survived the process.

Went to see an exhibit on a whim. Well, a whim planned several weeks ago. Tactile experience of books - covers, pages, images - enhances the words and the time needed to experience the thoughts conveyed by the words. Artists and binders stood at the tables and answered questions about their creative process. I saw a few books I would have loved to acquire. Yet I asked the price of only one and then knew that this experience needed to remain with me in spirit because I could not afford to keep this beautiful speciman of art and thought. But my hands, heart and head learned what pleased them.

Finalized and sent a letter to the Board of Supervisors. Represent.

All in a week.

Seattle (revolving doors for some people...but not for me) here I come.

Santa Clara here I come.

CA Shakeout: what 3 things would you do?

An earthquake has struck. It was so strong that you looked for a place to duck, cover, and hold-on. It lasted 20 seconds but it felt like a lifetime as you heard glass shatter, light fixtures fell from the ceiling, and heavy cases toppled over. Your office mates shout with alarm. What a mess.

The San Francisco financial district has no power so your office is plunged into darkness. Cell phones, internet, and all wireless does not function. The BART transbay tunnel is closed and the status of roads and transportation will be unknown for at least 6 hours.

What are the first 3 things you do?

Shakeout

usgs.gov: 20Oct2011, 2:41pm, M4.0

October 20th was the Great California Shakeout Exercise.

The main goal of the ShakeOut is to get Californians prepared for major earthquakes, so use the ShakeOut as an opportunity to learn what to do before, during, and after an earthquake. Visit http://www.earthquakecountry.info/roots/seven_steps.html for tips on how to prepare, protect, and recover. Another excellent resource is http://earthquake.usgs.gov/prepare/.

usgs.gov: 20Oct2011, 8:14pm, M3.8

Prepare: Anchor, plan, cache, assess and reinforce home

Survive: drop-cover-holdon

Recover: assess-triage, communicate.

usgs.gov: 22Oct2011, 00:45, M2.5

The Hayward fault decided to participate too.

Water & Power

Water is essential to our existence. In addition to our bodily need to drink it, we have found ways to harness its power and direct it for our benefit.

At the Portal Powerhouse site (el. estimated 7100 ft), Engineer Eastwood and Construction Director Ward are recognized for their vision, engineering, and execution of a 13 mile tunnel through a granite mountain, under Kaiser Pass (el. 9184 ft).

This is one component of the "Big Creek" project (c. 1920s) that gathers water from a rugged sierra 1200 square mile watershed that drains into the San Joaquin River and its tributaries.

The words on the plaques eloquently describe the accomplishments achieved given the technology of the time. It's really a testimonial to great thinking. [Click on the image and zoom in.]

The tunnel diversion provides flood control as the water is directed into lakes until it is released again in a controlled manner for irrigation. In the 1950s, a hydroelectric powerhouse was constructed at this outlet.

Upstream, to the east, a concrete dam with horizontal arches contains one lake in the system. Remnants of construction with work and power embedded in them are here.

Sunglasses provide scale.



On the other side, Florence Lake. Spillway 7328 ft.

Reigns, territories, and civilizations flourish or fall based on their ability to control this essential fluid. What follows after the fundamental ability to harness water for our benefit is the luxury to embellish and pay homage to it.


Transformer: the Charkha

Spinnity's Book Charkha

Spinnity showed me a marvelous thing called a Charkha.

The charkha embodies the utility of industrial engineering design as a linchpin to global and local economics and social change.

During the turn of the century, India, which was under British colonial rule, produced cotton and exported it to Britian, who produced fabric and clothing and sold it back to India at a cost higher than India could afford. Gandhi saw that India could become more self-sufficient if they produced fabric from their own cotton.

Charkha: setting the spindle

In order to do so, spinning cotton fiber was essential. The charkha is a compact spinning device that rose in prominance when Gandhi promoted its use amongst the populace: anyone and everyone could spin fiber.

The charkha is a design marvel. It is compact, lightweight and very portable. Components are made of readily available, easily malleable and replaceable material. The drive-to-output ratio is extremely high, about 1:100; there is an efficient use of energy input to output.

Charkha: spinning

Charka: winding on



Charkha: poonis and setting the reel

Charkha: reel in motion



Spinnity's Book Charkha





The charkha contains a world in itself.