Looking into the Past: Photos by Jason Powell

These are two of a series of photos by Jason Powell in which he prints out old photographs and manually overlays them on existing conditions and takes a photo (go, go look at the larger versions via the link. They're worth it! Just come back, 'kay?). I've done some digital overlays in researching sites, and those are often a pain to line up, so I'm very impressed that Jason does his overlays manually, and in the field.

I love the time-travel aspect of these photographs, like you could step right into the past. I love the sense these give that history is something you can touch, experience, and interact with. It isn't just static words in a textbook, it's all around us. And that the histories of people and places are intertwined.

I wonder if I could get away with this in an archaeology report?

Hat tip to Book of Joe.

Fieldwork Shot

Excavations were done inside this building prior to demolition. I love the buckets and the lighting in this photo!

Random Snark: Confirmation Hypocrisy

Re: Sotomayor's confirmation. I know, I know... politics isn't about consistency or anything. But seriously ... for all those insisting that Supreme Court Justices shouldn't be influenced by their political views, experiences, or upbringing... why the H-E-double-hockey-sticks, then, do you get your knickers so tied up in knots about making sure Justices share your political views about things like gun control and abortion? PICK ONE!

Book Report: PROGRESS!

So, writing takes a lot longer than I'd hoped/wished/planned. I mean, I write all the time at work, but those are reports, with templates. The book? The book is different. It probably has less to do with the difference between reports with templates and books than it does with emotional attachment, personal investment, and putting myself and my ideas OUT THERE.

Still, I ABC (apply butt to chair - h/t Clio Bluestocking) on a regular basis, and sit put until I get something accomplished, fry my brain, or the day ends (usually a combination of the above). Today... today I took 20 pages of *stuff* and synthesized a chapter, which I have dutifully popped off to my editor. I am happy. And I have fodder for articles. Cool fodder for cool articles (well, for archaeologists interested in this particular corner of the field, anyway). Now I just need to secure permissions to turn certain accumulations of said fodder (which isn't mine) into an illustrated article, wherein I connect an apparently unconnected series of dots, the larger meaning of which escapes me. Perhaps article is too strong a word. Perhaps a research note.

Did I mention I got a chapter done? Damn, this thing may get finished after all.

I'm not a medievalist, but...

... here I am busy researching (briefly) the history of the College of Arms and writing about heralds and Deputy Earl Marshals. Well, ok, I'm actually poking around in the early, early modern history (ca. 1500s/1600s), but still -- my focus is mid-nineteenth century America for this particular project. And it's not even a tangent!

Research is fun.