More Running and a PhD

Since writing last I have been able to continue to train without any issues.  My strained calves healed remarkably fast (2 days).  I feel the more I run the faster I heal and recover even after my 20 mile runs.   I took a good spill the other day.  It was a little cold and there was some ice on the north slope of Doug.  I knew if I ran this particular trail I would fall.  Not one step into the new trail and my legs went right out from under me.  I rolled down the hill two or three times.  I was just a little scraped up.  I think my pride was more damaged than anything.  So the picture is just after my return home from the run.  The dark spot in the mud on my leg is blood that mixed with the mud.  The fall also tore my home made duct tape water bottle holders.  My bottle holders are sweet.  I made them out of some socks and a roll of orange duct tape and saved about 30 dollars by not buying neoprene ones.  Good thing they are duct tape and I can easily fix them, just a few strips of tape and good as new.  The holders are sweet because they are attached to my hands so I don't need to hold onto them.  They also allow me to quickly hydrate without having to figit with my bum bag.  They keep my drinks cold and my hands warm.  When you are a poor starving grad student you have to improvise a lot to be able to do your hobbies.  One of the things I can't improvise is my shoes and I already have 300 miles on this pair.  I may get another 200 miles which is about a month.  

My advisor suggested I skip my MSc and go right into a PhD.  We have thought long and hard about it and I feel it would be a great decision.  So I most likely will be a PhD student come the Fall.  I am excited at this aspect and feel that Victoria, the University, and my research area is a perfect fit.  I am excited for this next step in my life and it will be worth it to have my PhD.  

My first Ultra-Marathon The Elk 50 on May 2nd

Well I took the plunge and officially entered my first Ultra Marathon.  I have been running since March of 2008 with the goal of running ultras.  This seemed like a very lofty goal at first but I have worked my butt off and actually feel I am ready (well almost).  

This last week was crazy, logging over 50 miles or 87 Km of hard core trail running, including a 30 Km long run last Thursday.  I was running like I was possessed.  I summited Mount Doug over 12 times while training hills.  As a result of this crazy week, I felt inspired to enter this ultra marathon in 8 weeks. I was completely hammered from all the running and decided to take it easy the last few days. 

This is where the reality of just how difficult of a challenge this is, comes in to play.  Today was my long run, and I planned on another 30 Km run at Elk.  Well I had a strong 10 Km first lap logging a time of about 50 minutes, but then it happened.  I can't explain it, but my lower calve just crapped out on me.  I fear it is an over-usage injury, because I can't think of any one instance that could have caused it.  Tuesday I noticed my calve becoming sore after my Mount Doug hill runs. 

So I only ran 15 Km today, and with the race in 8 weeks I feel this is unacceptable.  I can't have another low mileage long run, and expect to be able to compete in this event.  To stick to my schedule I am supposed to run 17 Km tomorrow.  That means I either have to sit out my runs until my injury is healed, or I have to run through the pain, and hope it doesn't get worse.  

This is quite a predicament.  I knew that Ultra and injuries can be and are associated together (especially for rookies), but it just stinks that this injury manifested itself immediately following my registration for my first ultra-event.  My long runs are essential for building a strategy to find a way to keep my body moving forward over vast distances for many many hours.  I still have to sort out the best electrolyte replacement drink, which food I can digest and use while running, and what pace and running technique I will use to achieve the fastest personal time.  This is a huge setback.  I am going to see how I feel tomorrow, and try to sneak in my 17 Kms moving very slow, and perhaps if I do it early enough I will get my distance in before my injury wakes up.  

I love ultra-distance.  I just love running non-stop for hours on end in some of the most beautiful places BC has to offer.  There is something so simplifying about running for long distances.  All other anxieties go away and your only focus is to keep moving forward.  You enter these zombie- like trances in which your body enters a rhythm and performs almost effortlessly as you gulp in beautiful scene after beautiful scene.  I began my last 30 Km run at 6:00 AM.  It was still dark and I was the only one on the trail.  I could just glimpse the approaching dawn on the Douglas fir- strewn horizon.   My feet fell in perfect rhythm, and the light thumping of my trail runners was the only sound to be heard.  I hypnotically floated around the lake for the first 10 Km.  The next human to join me was a lone rower executing his morning work out.  Soon the Eastern sky was dancing with deep pinks and purples as the sun began to paint the ceiling.  My second 10 Kms were nearly flawless like the first.  My body was fluid and poured itself over the undulating terrain.  My mind was completely clear, I wasn't thinking, only drinking in the omni-morphing terrain.  The first few morning recreational joggers began their 10 km journeys just as the sun's first rays kissed the lake with a citrus glow.  I passed a dozen various stumps and logs protruding from the water, and each one was occupied by a great blue heron.  These magnificent birds followed me with their crested heads and almost seemed to bid me luck on my journey.  My next 10 Km was a different story.  From 20 - 25 kms I was able to focus on my run and felt ok.  By this time the "blue hairs" and the canine lovers began to choke the trail with their 4 wide moving road blocks, and always hyperactive annoying mongrel.  The sun had reached the height in the sky in which the rich hues of sunrise fade into the washed out morning canvas.  27 Km's saw the end of my effortless joyful jaunt, and welcomed in the brutal onslaught of the pressing "Bonk".  The 28th Km decided to stretch itself into a 10 mile torture.  My every effort was spent on keeping my now failing legs in motion.  I began to use every disassociative technique I could think of, but to no avail.  Worrying I was going to completely bonk, I slowed to a pace that was better suited for one of the resident banana slugs.  At the close of the 29th Km I felt I was going to die and decided to walk the last hill.  To my horror, I saw a slow dog walker on the hill, and my ego couldn't allow myself to walk in front of another human being.  I gave it my all up the hill but as soon as I was out of view, I quickly began to speed walk, and my running form resembled that of Mister Burns from the Simpson's.  I walked a minute or two, regained my composure, and gave the last Km everything I had.  Two hours fifty two minutes and thirty five seconds from my first step of the morning ended abruptly at the sight of my car.  I thought who in their right minds would want to do this for 100 miles?  I got in my car and already began to dream of my next long run.  In fact the thought of 100 miles sent a thrill through my entire body.  I was ready to run again and wished I hadn't stopped at 30.

I love Ultras.  It has changed my life!  I hope this little injury is only a small moment, and I can get back to training for my first official ultra.  

Since last year at this time, I have shaved off 26 inches from my body, including 4 inches off my waist.  I have lost 29 lbs.  Since January of this year I have ran over 250 miles.  This will soon be my monthly distance, as long as I can stay healthy, therein lies my challenge.

Tagged

So here is my 6th folder and 6th picture.

This is a photo from my trip to Argentina.  I snapped this quick shot as we started to enter the Andes from Mendoza.  These beauties are "foot hills" yet still stretch beyond 15,000 feet.  The Andes are remarkable.  I was amazed at how dry the East side of this range was.  Everything about this range is larger.  There are alluvial fans and river terraces that are a 100 meters tall and more.  Aconcagua was a massive chunk of andesite looming over the allready rediculously tall mountains.  The sun at these elevations was intense and I found myself quickly burnt and dehydrated.  These elevations can do a number on you in a hurry.  I look forward to taking my family there in the future.  I would love to spend more time doing geology here.  It was an experience I cherish, I only wish I could have shared it with family and friends.

The missing Power Point

I had to do a presentation this week in my petrology and tectonics class.  The subject was on mantle roasting and redox.  I had spent 30 hours perhaps, doing background reading and submerging myself in the subject.  Twelve hours of putting together one of my best presentations I had ever given, was about to be for nothing.  For some reason the jump drive I was saving to must not have been fully plugged in, needless to say I did not save my presentation.  I discovered this small fact 15 minutes before going to my class to present.  I think I handeled it quite well.  I took the remaining 15 minutes to slap together some quick slides and ugly figures.  This was the best I could do, and I went to the class and gave my lecture from memory without my masterpiece slide show.  It went as well as I could have hoped, but it was frustrating.  I really had a great presentation to share with everyone.  The four professors including my advisor were understanding but my score will not reflect what was really put into the project.  The moral of this story is save things in two or more places constantly.  With all the technology and projects I have worked on over the years you would think I would have a simple save procedure nailed, and yet here I am blogging about my missing power point.  

A post about Vyedka

Yesterday I was talking to an undergrad who was having some relationship problems. She asked me how I knew that my wife Vyedka was "the one". I gave her a quick watered down version of our story. I don't know if this information helped this colleague of mine or not. Later during the night I laid awake with insomnia, and I began to really think about my Vyedka and what an amazing person she is. I felt inspired to blog about her, and share with everyone who follows my silly blog, why I first fell in love, and why my passion for Vyedka has grown exponentially in the last 7 years.

The first time my future brother-in-law Matt mentioned Vyedka to me, I was privileged to catch a small glimpse into my eternity. Even though I had not talked to Vye yet or even looked at a photo, I felt quite strongly that I would marry her. It was just a small premonition at the time, and I read little into it, however, I do still remember the feeling and experience with fervent detail. Dating Vye was an absolute joy. She was so simple to please, and every date or experience we shared together seemed to be a first with her. Many of these firsts ignited passions and interests in her that she had never considered before. We had a brilliant courtship lasting almost a year. Every day with her was a blessing in my eyes. I never could figure out what this amazing and beautiful girl saw in a little nerdy weirdo like myself, and I still do. Pushing 7 years now, our marriage has truly been a joy, for me anyways, and I hope the feeling is mutual. My experiences with Vye can be likened unto an observer watching a tiny beautiful little flower bud over the course of a year. When we first met it was quite obvious to me that there was so many more layers and beauty to Vye, and that her potential had not even begun to unfold. I have had the honor of watching her open up and reveal layer upon layer of beauty, strength, and talents. Now in the late spring of our lives together, I have been surprised by each new layer of "petals" that unravel their mysteries from time to time. Just when I think she has reached her zenith with inner and outer beauty, and personal potential, she surprises me and reveals a new layer, only more beautiful and intricate than the previous. Ours has truly been a journey or eternal progression towards higher love and joy. We journey hand-in-hand with a single purpose or goal, complete and sincere happiness, in every sense of the word.

I thought of some characteristics and observations that I admire in her and would love to share them.

Adventurous: This is the first word that comes to mind. Vye was not adventurous when we first met. Since then she has come to surprise me in her willingness to explore the unknown, both literally and metaphorically. Some of my fondest moments with Vye occurred while exploring the mountains, valleys, deserts and forests of Utah's wilderness together. We have had some outstanding trips and were able to communicate and bond to a level that normal circumstances do not allow. She now follows me to the ends of the Earth as I strive to meet my academic and professional goals. I can just say "Saddle up partner" and she simply responds "where to". She puts up endlessly with an extremely difficult husband who can be considered a wanderer and adventurer.

Strength: The next quality I admire is Vye's strength. Marrying an athlete, I knew that she was physically strong. Her physical strength has been proven through many hikes, and various birthing experiences. Vye is also extremely emotionally strong. She has weathered immense storms that have pounded down on us over the years. Whether it was caring for a sick husband who was knocking at the pearly gates, or dealing with professional, academic, financial and interpersonal strife, Vye has proven she has a strength and faith that is unshakable.

Simple pleasures: Vye has an amazing talent for finding pleasure in simplicity. She pays attention to the little details, most of us take for granted, and she finds joy in them. A walk to the beach, a trip to the forest, or just life's little mundane moments are all things Vye revels in. She is extremely low maintenance and easy to please. A small "I love you" goes a long way with her. This is a very good thing for me, because I am no grand schemer and I am unable to pull off extravagant gifts and surprises.

Self Sacrificing: My wife puts herself second continually. She will go out of her way to ensure our families needs are met long before she considers her own. This really ties into her charity and service that she renders everyday. I notice each and every sacrifice and am truly in debt to her for her complete selflessness.

Understanding: Let's face it, for the most part I am crazy. I have many ideas and passions and believe that if it is worth doing than it is worth doing to our individual maximum potential. I also have many OCD behaviours that must get annoying. I often send contradictory signals, like wanting space in one breath but needing to be pampered in the next. It must feel like she is playing second fiddle to some of my passions at times. Vye has a way of understanding me and reading my weird moods, and compulsive tangents. She supports me and gives me room to explore, question and grow, but she is always there to bring me back to earth when I loose my head. She understands me better than I understand myself.

Co-pilot: Often times as we have gone on long drives to various places around the country or world, I peek over at Vye sitting next to me quietly slumbering on some bumpy road. I always smile and think to myself that I would not want anyone else for a co-pilot. We spend hours communicating about and planning our future each day. She is by my side lending advise and choosing a course that meets our families goals. She is the ultimate example of a help meet.

Innocent: Vye has a fantastic innocence and old fashion value sense about her. She sees things very black and white, and abhors anything unwholesome. She somehow was able to make it to adulthood untouched by the desensitizing effect of the world we live in. She is a moral breath of fresh air, in a quagmire of carnal pleasure and immoral justification.

Humility: I will end this list with this simple phrase. I have never observed someone so willing to learn. She learns from others examples, and from surrounding friends and families. She learns from experience and from life. She is child like in her thirst to learn more about any subject at all. This humility has been a huge factor in the fantastic atmosphere around our home.

I have talked about many things I find attractive about Vye inwardly and now I would like to say a few words about my physical attraction for her. The first thing I noticed about Vye and still one of her most striking features is her eyes. To look into Vye's eyes is to swim in pristine pools of cool blue water. They are large round windows into which you can catch a small glimpse into her inner-workings and see her inner beauty. I am thankful that her eyes were a dominant gene.

Vye has an amazing stomach and back. Her athletics sculpted her torso into a sexy landscape of delicate white skin draped over a chiseled mid-section. Also Vye's neck is a thing of absolute beauty. It is dainty and slender, and I feel her neck is often the part of her physical body that makes others compare her to Audrey Hepburn. Physically my wife is simply beautiful.

Tidbits and Factoids about Vye:

Choco-haulic: Vye is an absolute choco-haulic. She would eat it every meal if she could. She has a taste for the good stuff and only prefers the most expensive and pure chocolates. I have known her to consume enormous amounts of the brown gold on many occasions.

Snacker: She loves to snack and her favorites include chips (any flavor really but she loves salt and vinegar), pickles, cheese, cookies (hob-nobs), cottage cheese, and fruit the list goes on and on, she loves her snacks.

Italian Food: If given a choice for a restaurant Vye would prefer high-end Italian. She loves simple yet sophisticated pasta dishes. She is adventurous with her food as she is with everything else, and loves to explore new flavors and recipes.

Chef: My wife is a great cook. I couldn't always say that with a straight face, but she has learned how to cook in the last 7 years. She has made some fantastic meals over the years. She is a sucker for cooking shows, and gleans info from the pros.

Photographer: Anyone can buy a $2000.00 camera and snap shots, but that doesn't mean you take great photos. Vye has an eye for capturing the world through her lens in new and intriguing ways. This talent has really bloomed since moving to Victoria. It is such a photogenic place to live, and Vye continues to awe me with her use of color, light, and her ability to focus on detail that others would miss.

Creative: Along with photography Vye is quite crafty and has the talent for making her photo albums a work of art. She puts interesting colors, textures and embellishments together to extenuate the photos on the page.

Favorite movies and shows: She loves the X-Files, they scare her death but she loves them. She is obsessed with Lost and has followed it since season two. Her favorite movie is probably the Trueman show or Pride and Prejudice (BBC version).

Fears: Spiders, driving in snow, lightning (my fault), bad guys, and monsters like the "Fluke Man" or the "Pale Man".

Music: Vye is not quite as passionate about her music and typically likes anything she can sing to. Agnes Poetry has always been a favorite, she loves Enya (not the easiest to sing along with), Color Theory, and lots of random songs that are upbeat and she can belt out the lyrics. She also has a great Opera Voice and can hit some serious high notes.

I could keep going on forever. There is so much more I would love to share. I feel I did not do this post justice, and I am fully to blame because of my weaknesses in writing and expressing myself. I wish there is something more I can say to fully illustrate my absolute adoration, and passion that I have for this remarkable woman. She is truly my greatest passion, my true love, my most precious and sacred friend. Vyedka has propelled me towards higher goals, and has lead many aspects of my life by example. I am a better person everyday because of her expectations. Life without Vye would seem meaningless, boring, and lame in comparison to the joy, love, and passion we currently share. We have an absolute brilliant marriage; physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I look forward to walking hand-in-hand with this purely beautiful woman, towards our unwritten and bright future. Life with Vye is an adventure, but most of all a complete joy. I have more hope for where we are heading, and I am happier now than I have ever been, and Vyedka is fully responsible. I passionately love you with the most tender feelings and utmost respect I can offer. Thanks for giving yourself so freely. Indeed I am truly in debt.

With all my love -S -

Back on track

The holidays are over and now it is time to get back to work. First and foremost I had a great time visiting friends and family over Christmas. Our flights were crazy, and we just snuck through the bad weather, so I think we were meant to visit. I am afraid that I really over-ate, and I am feeling it on my runs. All I got for Christmas is 5 extra pounds of the good stuff (fat). I am going to have to work extra hard to get back in shape. The trails are definately water logged. There is a good 10 cm of water on a good portion of my run. It makes it interesting though. The snow and wind really did a number on the trees as well. There are many logs laying over my routes, but I just treat them like hurdles, I actually prefer the dead-fall. So I have high hopes for my next four months of training. If I can stay healthy, I hope to start getting into the 30-50 km range for my long runs by the end of April.

I have had a tradition of snow shoeing New Year's Day for almost five years now, and I was able to do it again this year. Me and a friend drove up-island near Port Renfrew to try and shoe the San Juan Ridge. It was a great time. It happens to be the first time I ever snow shoed in rain. There was a good 30 cm of snow on the ground, but it was just soaking us with rain. As we climbed elevation, the temps dropped and it turned to snow. It is really interesting seeing a rainforest covered in snow. Seeing the contrast between the greens of the needles, moss and the stark snow is really awesome. The snow deepened with every 100 metres until it was easily 100 cm +. We didn't make our goal of intercepting the ridge, but there wasn't any where to park nearer to our objective. I look forward to going back in the summer and running a good portion of the 37 Km trail.Just a shot of me towards the end of our snow shoe tour.My friend Nels demonstrating one of the disadvantages of being over 6 feet tall. Moss and snow is a pretty sweet contrast.

This is just a shot of the trail we were hiking. It is an awesome spot and I can't wait to return.

I have also started up with my studies. I have the task of creating an operations manual for each piece of equipment in the experimental petrology lab. It will be challenging but Exciting to make the project my own. It would also be cool to have the knowledge to build my own experimental high temperature igneous petrology lab if the opportunity arrises in the future. I also recieved the thin sections I had made of the rocks that were collected from Mount Shasta. Thin sections are ultra thin slabs of rock (thinner than paper) adheared to a glass slide. The sections allow you to use the optical properties of minerals in polarized light to make important observations. I have included a photo or two I took under the microscope while first looking at the rocks. They kind of look like a kaleidascope. It will be a lot of fun to start analyzing them under the Laser Ablation Induced Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (LA ICPMS). I am also anxious to start melting some rocks and doping my samples with ore elements, to see how the metals behave in various temperature, pressure, and oxygen fugacity conditions. This semester will be pretty intense, and I have a huge learning curve to overcome but I love a good challenge and I look forward to each task. I will also be teaching an Earth systems lab section so that will be fun as well. I love being busy and having tons of items to accomplish each day. I am also preparing to look for huge ore deposits (Elephants) this summer. I have allready targeted several areas around the world. I have some exciting opportunities and partnerships set up and I am really anxious to start my hunt for these giant ore deposits.

This is a 40 X zoom of an andesite sample from mount Shasta under plane polarized light and the same slide viewed under cross polarized light below.These two slides are a different power and sample.

20 Km and Rolling Pins and new DM

I ran a 20 K today. The run was not bad. A bit rainy, and in the low 40's. The route I am running currently is quite nice, with a lengthy boardwalk across a small lake. So you are surrounded by web-footed onlookers as you truck by. We ran into Burt again, a man pushing 70 years old, and still running 18K almost every day. I can see why so many athletes come from Victoria, you can train all winter long with little problems from inclimate weather. The kids didn't sleep last night, so I didn't sleep either. Subsequently, I ran on only 3 hours of sleep. I also have a cold from my children, so that was a nuiscance as well. We averaged 5:40 K's for the full 20 K so it was not a bad run at all--slow and steady was the goal today. I am definately sore as a result, and if I want to start streaking, I will have to run through some sore legs tomorrow. So where does the rolling pin come in? The guy I am running with is a Doctor, and told me if you struggle with stetching, you can improve your stetching by rolling your legs out with a rolling pin for about 10 minutes after each run. So I tried it and it definately works. It looks a bit funny, I must admit, but I just make sure I don't do it in public. We will continue to run between about 13K and 20K three or four times a week, and then once we get a good base down, we will start working on some longer distances, and crank up the speed. We ultimately would like to be up to about 80 K a week. I will still keep running Mount Doug as a sort of cross-training for myself on the off-days, to stay in trail running shape for the Gutbuster. The biggest challenge is just not getting injured. To train well, you need to push hard enough that you are super sore, but not so hard that you are injured. I find it is difficult to get the balance right. It is a fine line between mostly dead and completely dead. There-in lies my challenge.

Depeche Mode will be coming out with a new album early next year. I am so excited. Dave will write a few of the songs and that should be interesting. I have just heard a small blip or two, but I can tell it is going to be outstanding. The CD will be followed up by the "Tour of the Universe". I am so pumped and should start saving now, so I can either watch them in Vancouver, Seattle, or Utah. No matter where I go to watch the show, it will cost me hundreds at least, between tix, room and board, and ferry ride. I may be setting up a small donation based organization called "Fund my DM Addiction", to help ensure I make it to the concert (only kidding). I watched the full 1 hour interview when they annouced the tour, and thought it was one of their better media exploits. If you have ever seen some of their earlier interviews you know that they are not know for their brilliant tour announcements or interviews.

End of Semester, 15 Km, and X-Mas

I have just about wrapped up another semester of school. I am in the middle of my 19th year of school, and can't believe I still enjoy it. I have given my students their finals and have written 40 pages worth of reports. I have given many presentations, and just have one last 3 hour written exam on Monday. It feels great to have another semester behind me. The way I see it I only have about 12-14 semesters to go until I am finished with my post-doc. Well -- now that I put it that way, I am a little freaked out. I just take em' one at a time. I went to my first Master's defense the other day and it was interesting and unerving to see the difficult questions asked to the presenter. It will be a wild ride until I am in the hot seat, but I welcome the challenge. I have a lot of work to do, and plan on getting a head start over X-mas break.

Well my injury in early October was a costly one, and I lost 4 weeks of training time. I also was so busy that I honestly couldn't justify the time to running. So I started up again in November. I have been spotty at best, because of my time constraints. I finally found someone to train with, and will be running with my EQ president. He is pretty fast and pushes me hard. We did a 15Km on Monday and it was a quick one. We finished in 1:13:00 so that was a great time (for me, I held him back). We had plenty of 4:20 K's but to be competitive we need to be closer to 3:50 K's or 35 minute 10 K's. After the run I felt pretty good, but on Monday evening I began to get pretty tight. I feared runner's knee again, last bout of RK cost me 6 weeks. So I used rolling pins on my legs, and stretched, iced, and heated for two days straight. I think I have it under control. It was a close one though. I don't want any more injuries. We will run again Saturday for a faster 15 K. I will probably try a shorty tomorrow just to see if I am up to it on Saturday. I am so anxious to get into the 20-50 Km range I just push too hard and train unwisely. It is a case of having my will power out-preform my scrawny body. I have recently read an article on "Streakers" People who run every day consecutively for 30 plus years! Inspiring, and I am probably just crazy enough to try it.

Well with X-mas around the corner we went out and got our tree yesterday--a petite but plump and happy douglas fur. The kids were exstatic and were bouncing off the walls all night. I think it turned out nice. We also went into downtown today, to buy some ornaments for our mom's. There is a store here with 4 floors of ornaments. So we got our mom's Swedish ornaments. We also stopped off at a 19th century castle along the way. It was brilliant. We ended up having a great time as a family. The weather was brilliant and I haven't missed the snow at all. Well that should catch you up to my doings. I can't wait to do some X-mas baking but I have opted to watch my waistline this holiday so moderation will be key. I hope I have the will-power to stop from eating too many delicous sugar loaded desserts.

Minerals, Power, and Land

I have been following the Congo War closely as I have recently worked on projects from the region and possibly could have found myself within the boarders of the conflict not too long ago. First off the DRC is an amazing country. It is truely an anomaly as far as mineral wealth goes. It has so many possibilities for large deposits which could drastically change the face of the country and region. The more I study the geology of the Congo (it is hardly touched by geoscience, it reminds me a lot of pre-Civil War America or early 20th century South America) the more I want to explore it. The problem with mineral wealth is that it is an incubator for corruption, and greed (not just in the region but globally). Everyone feels that the deposits are theirs for the taking. Westerners may come in with good intentions, wanting the wealth to benefit the people of the region, but it somehow seems to bring unexpected problems as well. Take Ok Tedi for example in Papua New Guinea. As good intentioned as BHP was to mine the giant copper gold porphyry and benefit the country, the damage to the environment was emmense. It is considered one of the biggest environmental disaters of recent times, causing damage to the Fly river and surrounding ecosystem, and it is estimated it will take 300 years to repair. On the flip side it brings wealth and stimulates the economy and improves the standard of living.

Similar, the Congo sits on rare equatorial rainforrest with great biodiversity, but also has great mineral wealth in the same regions. It is essential that any mining in this region is handled with great care and planning. I feel it could be done with minimal impact, but at greater cost. The main issue though is that the instabillity of the region makes it a high risk endeavor (even more so than typical mining is) for larger companies who could tackle the problems. The war with the Tutsi and Congolese army is an old one and has been a continuing issue. I am not even going to pretend to know all the details of the conflict but it appears to stem from minerals, boundaries and power. I fear that many small mining operations are carried out with no regard to the impacts they might have. Not out of lack of morals, but lack of education and resources.

The crimes against humanity are alarming, and if they occured in the west would not be tolerated in the least. It is important to realize that many issues in other parts of the world need to be viewed from a different perspective. I would like to see peace return to the region. There is so much potential for economic and social growth in the region. I would love to volunteer in the region and hope I can donate time and resources to the region soon. I wish there was an easy answer, but the problems are complex. It is sad to see that there is great potential and opportunity that could change many lives for the better, and yet it can't be utilized because of the conflicts. It appears doubtful that a spirit of peace and cooperation will exist soon enough to lead to synergistic solutions for the poverty and disease that are sweeping the land now. It makes me sad, and has been on my mind.

Mount Shasta revisited

It is funny how life comes around full circle, and past experiences are re-lived differently in the future. It has been around 15 years since a diverse group of 32 individuals from our valley view II ward decided to climb Mount Shasta in Northern California. I remember when Kevin Wilson proposed that we do this for our summer outing. I couldn't believe it, it just sounded awesome to a 13 year old boy. I think only 7 of us ended up summiting for many different reasons. I only weighed about 80 lbs and I did get a shot of hypothermia on the way down due to poor equipment and terrible planning on my part, (I mean I had to borrow one of the girl's fruity long johns, and who climbs a mountain like that in Levi Shorts anyways), and also spending 8 hours waist deep in slurpee. I am sad that I didn't take more or better photos.

I bring this random experience up because for my next semester I will be studying some of the igneous rocks from Mount Shasta. I have to laugh as I read the names of some of the units I will be studying such as the "Misery Hill Volcanics" or the Red Banks pyroclastic flow, good times, good times. It will be truly exciting and a little nastalgic to be able to become intimately familiar with the very rocks that I struggled up nearly a decade and a half ago. I hope to publish on the subject and hopefully my research will add to our understanding of our little sphere, in some small way. I just think it is interesting that sometimes we do things in the past, that at the time we have no idea, but in the future become a much more integral part of our lives. It is kind of like moving to BC. Most people don't know this, but I always had an obsession with BC when I was younger, and always thought I would live here one day. Almost accidentally the opportunity fell in my lap and here we are. I don't know how it all works out, if our earlier thoughts or experiences steer our sub-consious, or if we do certain things in our lives as preparation for what lies ahead, or if it is just accidents that we notice along the way. I tend to think it is our earlier experiences that prepare and steer our lives. After all, I wouldn't be studying the Shasta rocks if I hadn't become interested in geology, a field that evolved from awesome adventures like Shasta, and a keen interest in discovery. When it comes right down to it, I think at any given point in our lives, a large portion of who we are, is just the sum of our previous experiences. I think that is part of my reasoning for wanting to have as many differing and exciting experiences as possible.