Author Archives: paleololigo

Scientist (Paleontology, Geochemistry, Geology); Writer (Speculative and Science Fiction, plus technical and non-technical Science); Mom to great boy on the Autism spectrum; possessor of too many hobbies.

The Abundance of the Different Elements in the Universe

Here’s another post I’ve written in preparation for an upcoming lecture. This topic is one that I’ll probably only mention in passing, but it’s one that’s interesting enough to warrant looking into a little more deeply.

The periodic table. (Credit: DePiep, CC-BY-SA-3.0)

Continue reading “The Abundance of the Different Elements in the Universe”

Graduate Student Guilt

If you’ve ever attended graduate school, you probably know exactly what this is.

It’s that anxious feeling you get when you try to relax for a while. Pursue a hobby. Watch a football game. Go on a hike. Try to take a nap.

It’s that feeling that, if you’re conscious and able to think, you ought to be working. There’s always something that needs to be done. Continue reading “Graduate Student Guilt”

Deep End First, or Baby Steps?

It’s a conundrum. How do you teach someone something that’s very complicated? That requires a lot of skill and finesse? How do you teach this in a way that gets the job done and keeps the student engaged and interested?

I’ve learned a lot of difficult things over the years. I’ve had different instructors teaching me the same thing, but in radically different ways. And there are merits to the various ways that I’ve been taught. I suppose, in the end, what works is as much dependent upon the instructor as it is upon the student.Continue reading “Deep End First, or Baby Steps?”

Computer Art Portfolio

Two times in the last week I’ve found myself in a position of offering to do computerized artwork for friends. This is something I’m always happy to do. I love doing art, I just don’t often have time any more.

Most people don’t think of me as an artist, though many who are near me know that I have made one or two t-shirt designs.Continue reading “Computer Art Portfolio”

Stink Bug – Chapter 23

It was weird to be home. The study looked just the same as it did when I left. The computer was still on, the screen saver bouncing fascinating geometric shapes across the monitor. The reference book I had used to try to kill the stink bug sat on the floor beside my chair. The stench still hung in the room.

A heard a familiar buzzing and watched the stink bug land on the top of my monitor. It waved its antennae at me.Continue reading “Stink Bug – Chapter 23”

Cleavage … and Fracture

Did that catch your eye?

Yes, this is a geology post. I’m thinking about cleavage because it came up in class today. I would really like to do a demonstration of cleavage by smashing a calcite crystal to bits in front of the class. Don’t think that’s going to happen, alas.

But since I was thinking about it, I thought I’d write about it. So…Continue reading “Cleavage … and Fracture”

Making Sushi Rolls – It’s Not What You Think

There is art to making sushi. You know, the good stuff with rice and fish. (Oops, I’m salivating.)

I’m not talking about that today. I’m talking about a different type of artistry. This is the fine art of getting a tiny amount of powdered or liquid sample into a tin capsule, and rolling and crushing it up into a little tiny cube.Continue reading “Making Sushi Rolls – It’s Not What You Think”