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.

Person For Scale – You Know You’re a Geologist When…

There are lists hopping around the Internet about ways to tell if you’re this or that. One of my favorites is the You Know You’re a Geologist When… list. There is a lengthy discussion of the signs and habits of the creature called “Geologist” here at Uncyclopedia.

This list (taken from the Colgate website) provides the top ten signs you’re a geologist. And I’ve experienced nearly every one of them:

Silicate Minerals and Bowen’s Reaction Series

Essentially all of the solid Earth, except for the slimy biological parts, is composed of minerals. Minerals on Earth may be divided into several categories, depending upon their composition and structure. Carbonate and phosphate minerals are important for life, in that they form the skeletons of many different groups of organisms. Native elements, like gold, are economically important. The vast majority of minerals that exist on Earth are in a class called the silicates.Continue reading “Silicate Minerals and Bowen’s Reaction Series”

Magnetic Wisdom

Today, I got my grubby fingers on one of those sets of magnetic words that people use to make creative poetry on their refrigerators. This particular set is from an office products catalog.

We generated some wisdom and left in on the blackboard in the lab. I thought I should share.

wearcoffee
Always wear coffee. Seems like good advice.
Continue reading “Magnetic Wisdom”

Tales of The Finger – The Truth Hurts

I could also call this post, “I Miss My Swords.”

I was reading this article today about how writing can help people overcome emotional and physical pain. It resonated with me, because I was cursing at myself this morning as I drove to the office about the pain in my finger because of my stupid injury (which I exacerbated last night trying of all things to scoop the litter boxes).

It’s not just the physical pain that bugs me so much about this injury, it’s very much the completely stupid and avoidable way in which it happened. I did it to myself.Continue reading “Tales of The Finger – The Truth Hurts”

The Matter of Habit, Cleavage, and Fracture in Minerals

This is a confusing one for students. It can sometimes be a challenge for folks who already have their PhD’s in geology.

How do you distinguish among crystal habit, cleavage, and fracture in minerals?

I talk a bit about cleavage and fracture in this older blog post. Continue reading “The Matter of Habit, Cleavage, and Fracture in Minerals”

Tales of the Finger – Oh, for a Main Gauche!

Crazy things happen when you’re out in the field. I carry lots of equipment for working with rocks, but nothing to ward off invaders. On this day, I was merely trying to have lunch and I found myself wishing I had my sword.

When I’m out doing geology, I seldom think that I’d wish for a sword. But there I was, with a stick and a rock hammer.

And the Clark’s Nutcracker was totally divebombing me.Continue reading “Tales of the Finger – Oh, for a Main Gauche!”

Stink Bug – Chapter 37

“I think things are calm there for the moment,” I said. V’x was grooming herself and trilling softly. W’x’tl was silent, her face buried in battered feathers.

‘The one is violent,’ said the grey. ‘It fights to escape.’ I felt despair. No, this was what the grey felt.Continue reading “Stink Bug – Chapter 37”