X is for Xiphias, and other Reflections

This is the lastest square in my on-going alphabet quilt project. X is for xiphias (or swordfish). When I came up with xiphias as a good x-word, it seemed obvious: two crossed swords make an 'x'. So I have depicted two types of xiphias leaping from the water and crossing swords in my block print. X is also for xylem - hence the wood pattern on the side panel with letterpress x. Also, a very nerdy joke with the x-shaped scissors (ctrl-x means cut).

So, I also printed this block on some Japanese paper with an irregular deckle edge (this is easier to see in person, than it is to photograph, as its sheen is more obvious to the eye than it was to my camera):



Also, I finished my series of reduction prints of the moon reflected on the water:


This is also printed on Japanese paper. The edition is of only seven prints. There is also one proof - the register is off, but it is interesting. This is a reduction print. That means that this series of seven is all there can ever be.

So long!

This sign, on a garage in North Saanich, which sells used cars, says a lot about BC, as well as about machines.

Instrument and cable on flatbed, Friday, about to leave for the graving dock and out to sea!

Nifty character in tiny window in Fan Tan Alley, Chinatown


Capital Iron, since gasolinequeen asked (it reads "Built 1863" by the way).

I had a great Saturday. Got up and ate some breakfast and then drove to Victoria with RM, to have coffee at Bean Around the World (best coffee in Victoria, btw), and read the paper. Sitting there in Chinatown on a patio, I loved watching a local kid walk up the reasonably crowded street with his surf board and near take out two tourists. Then RM drove up the the MTC to do some more work on his experiment, while I wandered the city. Went to Smoking Lily and bought myself a skirt. I also found a Marimekko umbrella, cause umbrella selection is superior in the Pacific northwest. Then I got a sketchbook and a few miniature canvases. I found this art gallery in Fan Tan Alley, which must be recent, because I would have noticed. They had an interesting show on; a collective working with wood assemblage and screen printing and graffiti. My favorite works were three masks, obviously inspired by native masks from BC (Haida, Salish, and so forth). The masks we large and made of old wood, posibly driftwood and re-purposed wood. They had radiating bands of vaneer covered in grafitti. The masks themselves were covered with screen prints, some mimicking Haida design. Great stuff! RM drove back down the peninsula and picked me up and I dropped him off at the ferry dock at Swartz Bay. Then I spent the evening with Fuzz and Lei and the monkeybabies (who really are getting too old for that name). We had time to talk and catch up and have a lovely meal of local salmon and vegetables from their garden. Then I flew home on the 11:30 pm flight.

I got in at 7:30 Sunday and went to bed. I got up for 1 pm for a virtual baby shower on Skype for Tanis. This evening we celebrated the DJ's birthday. Now, I intend to go back to bed.

I told the boss not to expect me this week - I will be asleep.

wet-test

Before

During

After


Good Canadian solution for ROV (remotelty-operated submersible vehicle) grab handles: hockey pucks, from Canadian Tire, of course


Sunrise this morning....
The sun rises over the mainland- the reflection between the trees is the Straight of Georgia.

chick-a-dee-dee-dee

The wildlife is less wary that I am accustomed to. You should see the deer saunter across the road, or the crows steal food from your hand. I was 60 cm from this little guy.

working on the Saanich peninsula

Sunny Sidney by the Sea




Wee snake found in lab


Crows on the line


Nonchallant crow, casually eyes the unattended energy bar.


Three pirate crows dispute the booty.


Who needs dogs begging for scraps when there are roosters (at the Roost)?






This is my experiment, all packaged in an anodized aluminum pressure vessel. Inside there is a gravity meter in gimbals. I use this to measure acceleration of the seafloor, because it is easier to measure acceleration than it is to measure displacement. The seafloor moves because waves push upon it. So, I also measure tiny changes in pressure. I look at these two and their ratio and it tells me about the stiffness of the underlying sediments.* As you can see, the sun was setting. This was Sunday at 9 pm, when we finally got everything to work harmoniously. The darkness of the sky allows you to see the reflection of the room, including the triangular box which now houses the sphere.




*More technical explanations available upon request.

working on the Saanich peninsula

Sunny Sidney by the Sea




Wee snake found in lab


Crows on the line


Nonchallant crow, casually eyes the unattended energy bar.


Three pirate crows dispute the booty.


Who needs dogs begging for scraps when there are roosters (at the Roost)?






This is my experiment, all packaged in an anodized aluminum pressure vessel. Inside there is a gravity meter in gimbals. I use this to measure acceleration of the seafloor, because it is easier to measure acceleration than it is to measure displacement. The seafloor moves because waves push upon it. So, I also measure tiny changes in pressure. I look at these two and their ratio and it tells me about the stiffness of the underlying sediments.* As you can see, the sun was setting. This was Sunday at 9 pm, when we finally got everything to work harmoniously. The darkness of the sky allows you to see the reflection of the room, including the triangular box which now houses the sphere.




*More technical explanations available upon request.