Fleas - Naughty Dog...

…Fleas  - Naughty Dog…

(Feliz Navidad)

We hope that the “trip around the sun” in 2012 has been happy, healthy & prosperous for you-n-yours… and greetings from the Land of Enchantment where we celebrate red & green (chili) all year long…

In years past you could expect massive confabulations in ye ol’ annual missive. Of course sometimes our stories can be as interesting (maybe…):

Another O-LYMP-AID (see below) come-n-gone; no medals here. As usual, enjoyed the many events (especially swimming). The coverage by many NBC associated channels did a good job of covering multiple sports (and even a few [very few] countries that weren’t competing against the USA).

Pacific Beach Suite/Sweet View 

Miss Meme with new splints & crutches (Oct. ) 

TRIPS & FALLS: Had enjoyable VD (Valentine’s Day) trip to El Paso joining Meme’s sister Pat & Hal Marcus at Willie Nelson’s kickoff concert for his 2012 tour (historic Plaza Theater). Since Hal is a local celeb, and we were seated in front row of the balcony, we woke up the next morning (Sunday) to find a picture of him at the concert on the front page of the El Paso Times. In late spring/early summer I returned to Jordan (mas tarde), and the last week of September we made annual sojourn to the sands of Pacific Beach (San Diego); got to visit with Meme’s brother Mark & step-brother Charlie (Alaska Airlines pilot)… wonderful… I made several quick trips over to central Arid-zona to visit my side of la familia (mom [88 this month & doing OK], sisters, nephew & his family). Meme continues serving the people of the Great State of New Mexico by doing time with the Water Rights Division (Office of the State Engineer); yoga, tennis & rock climbing are primary leisure pursuits. She took an advanced rock climbing conditioning course to get ready for the field season, unfortunately a short-lead fall in May eliminated the need for any more training this year. Various non-successful therapies led to a surgery in October followed by 6-weeeks of pre-retirement (sitting with her foot up & being waited on hand-n-foot, by the love of her life). I’m no longer Driving Miss Meme (but, Lucy still enjoys rides): she is walking and can recommend a good foot doc in Albuquerque.

 “TO BE, OR NOT”: Justin decided to apply his theatrical skills towards the study of law and has just completed his first semester at UNM law school. He seems to have a deep interest in current events & politics. As an educational incentive we had him help me with the project of expanded flagstone walks in the backyard last summer. Lucy seems to like the changes in the backyard OK, but she still prefers curling up atop the Jacuzzi cover on cool days and does some serious dirt bath & dust wallowing when its warmer…

SAR exercise @ Petra: find this lost visitor

LOVE-40 (or 65 in my case):  Last winter my LLC conducted another multi-day heritage resource crimes investigation training for archaeologists & NM State law enforcement officers in Santa Fe. My work with Dept. of Interior’s International Technical Assistance Program continued with the Jordan Parks Program at Petra Archaeological Park. It was again great to be back with the Park Rangers. We helped with some field sessions in basic and advanced Search & Rescue (SAR) skills training. As the “lost” and “injured” party I didn’t have to pretend much, for prior to the trip I had snap-crackle-&-pop pay a surprise visit to my right leg while playing tennis (serving) the end-of-April. Made climbing stairs challenging and tennis unbearable. Yoga helped. I did continue with US Tennis Assoc. & college officiating. After months of PT and rest I’m semi-pain free and about ready for courts again. No fire or incident assignments this year: I was available, and would have gutted-it-out with leg, but there were hiccups in the resource ordering system (unfilled orders when I was showing “Available” and sitting at home). I remain active as State instructor and Santa Fe-Galisteo Basin Chapter of the SiteWatch steward program, getting to work with volunteers statewide. In June, the Republicans for Environmental Protection (historically, a true core GOP value) became ConservAmerica (http://conservamerica.org) Like many non-profit/educational groups times-are-tough.
 

Our thoughts-n-prayers will be with you throughout this season and 2013 (post-Long Count).

Remember: “Nothing quite says Christmas like a new Quentin Tarantino movie…”

Lucy in her front portal chair: waiting for next walk or ride

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Thank You Mr/Ms Vet

snowing up in Sangre de Cristos

 Hope you are having a wonderful 11-11. Please thank a veteran.

I realize it has been months since I posted anything (after most recent return from Petra; didn’t even go into annual sojourn to Pacific Beach end-of-Sept.), but thought recent events worthy of reflection. As I walked out to put up “Old Glory” this morning, honoring Veterans Day here in USA/Armistice Day marking the end of World War I, I pondered the title of a letter in today’s newspaper from a writer in LA (that’s Los Alamos hereabouts). It boldly stated: “No one will ever take away our vote.” The column was confined to the subject of various voting initiatives recently attempted and long lines at voting locations, etc. I found myself thinking the author historically short-sighted (“ever”) and failing to appreciate the immensity of our rights and privileges: they are, only due to the efforts and sacrifice of so many veterans and ol’ campaigners.

Mom & Dad WW II

            Another letter touted the “Democracy” we have several times, without mentioning our “Republic” (it is hard for this historian/archaeologist to forget that once Rome gave up their republican ideals they became Imperial Rome: keeping the citizens entertained & fed).

            This past election-cycle here has been long and draining. The vitriolic attacks have been broad-brushed and filled with generalizations on both sides. I am reminded of an earlier post on these pages where I noted that some “tolerant” people get tunnel-vision considering their political opponents. All too often we hear “Democrats are this… they all want something”… “Republicans are that… they want to oppress you”… I actually read where one “friend” posted on Facebook that “Republicans are Nazis.” I again found myself wondering if this self-described “Democratic Socialist” would have the same negative and inflammatory tag other belief-systems (Buddhist, Catholic, Druid, Jewish, Lutheran, Muslim, Zoroastrian, etc.). I still think not… 

Father-in-Law Chuck: WW II

I am also reminded of the counsel of a local Unitarian minister, herself quite liberal I’ve been told, to remember on Nov. 7^th (the day after the election) “we still have to live with one another.”  Good advise. When I hear the generalizations I usually think of the individuals. When I read how negative the GOP or Dems are, I reflect on the number of veterans and active duty personnel, the incident personnel at “Sandy” and other emergency & public safety responders that are registered to vote (as individuals) as (D), (G), (I), (L), (R) or whatever. I guess since coming of age in the Civil Rights Movement era, I prefer to think of our great experiment as 300M individuals (and growing). When I hear someone disparage that “those Democrats are…” I think “Wait a minute, Meme is pretty insightful and thoughtful…”

Yours Truly

            I remember an election during my 8^th grade year. I wrote about it 4-years ago (before this blog): it was 1960, and my US History teacher (Mrs. Taylor) at Lincoln Junior High in Santa Monica had been Richard M. Nixon’s teacher very early in her career (in Whittier). She was quite biased for him (as was my family), but the day after the election she told us the electorate, the American People, had spoken and we were to ALL rally around the new President-Elect (that my folks had met months before at a dog show). We have had trying times in the history of this Great Republic, hopefully we can pull-together during the days ahead, remembering: “That which does not kill me/us, makes me/us stronger”

Nephew Evan

Getting back to today, it is symbolic that this date was to end all wars. Indeed, appears naïve in retrospect. However, we can start locally – with our own actions: polarizing rhetoric or working to consensus of compromise that will make us better.  There is the “Fiscal Cliff” straight ahead, and the last thing we need is “lines-in-the-sand” of the House & Senate. Remember, “We the People”… I know our protectors & veterans out there do…

FYI, re: the movie “Lincoln” (a Republican)

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/cinema/2012/11/19/121119crci_cinema_lane?mbid=nl_Daily%20(118)

Viva el mercado de los Indios!

You’re headed where?

This is the weekend that so many make the annual pilgrimage to The City of Holy Faith (Santa Fe) for: Indian Market. It’s a great year to be here too. The monsoons are providing relief from higher temperatures, and the bumper-crop of mosquitos (like no other we’ve seen here in 24-years) is disease free: Yep, every state surrounding us has documented cases of West Nile Virus, but not us. Looking at the national color-coded map we’re an island surrounded by a sea of sickness. No wonder our state epidemiologist left for a job in Wyoming in June. Heck, nothing here to do; well except for plague, hanta virus, rabies and a host of other maladies.

Last weekend was the 85^th annual Pecos Conference, where once again the profession of practitioners doing archaeology on the Southwest (USA) get together and tell tall-tales (aka: field reports & papers). I thought about presenting, as Petra is in Southwest Jordan and was part of a vast trade network, but just couldn’t make the reach to it being a “Chaco outlier.” 

Wish I could say that I’m preparing for a trip to “Loopland” (aka: Burbank, CA) for the Sept. 8^th mini-reunion and induction of John Gaball (BHS Class of ’65) and Dave LeSueur (’67) into the BHS Athletic Hall of Fame:  http://burbankhighblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/bhs-mini-reunion-sept-8-2012.html  I won’t be though, as that is the week leading up to the WTA’s Coleman Vision and USTA New Mexico Lobo Cup Juniors Tournament. As the tournament ref for the latter, I expect to be busier than wasps around carrion on a warm summer day http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/TournamentHome_New/Tournament.aspx?T=114597  

Last year having the two events at the same time in the same town was… well… challenging for recruiting & scheduling officials. As a “Lesson’s Learned” I informed USTA officials above me (Sectional) that they might consider separating the events, as there is a small pool of qualified umpires in northern New Mexico to begin with. I was informed that the simultaneous events were to promote the juniors being able to watch the pros. Of course, the events were at different venues and 0% of the participants or parents I talked to went to the WTA event: no time for that. So, this year they’ve added events. Not sure why, but many ‘ol adages keep coming to mind (since this is rated family friendly I’ll let your imagination range-free on that). 

So, some friends ask: “why do you do it; why do you keep working with so many different undertakings?” “Why don’t you just kick back and enjoy?” “After federal and state careers, isn’t enough… enough?” “Why continue with tennis official, firefighter (Safety Officer), SiteWatch steward coordination, heritage resource protection work and education, ConservAmerica, (formerly REP), etc.?”

Part of the answer probably lies with the fact that it is still fun and I continue to feel I’m contributing to the “good-of-the-order.” Also, both my parents had “paying hobbies” (AKC dog show judges) that went full-tilt-boogie when they retired. I’m just a chip-off-the-ol’-block in that regard. But also, as my #1 top ten answer for why I was retiring from the NPS (to take a job @ SHPO) was: “because I can.” I hope to keep-on-keepin’-on as long as possible: I keep thinking of other well-used adages (“use it or lose it”… “Bodies at rest tend to stay at rest”…”I’ll sleep when I’m dead…”). For now, make your own schedule, BUT do keep up the good works…

World Wide Web (another myth?)

Recently returned home from assignment at Petra and found that this week’s Newsweek cover story (“iCRAZY”) is by an acquaintance I met this spring, Tony Dokoupil. We both enjoy college baseball as it turns out. Anyway, the subject of too much and information overload is an interesting facet of modern life. There are certainly benefits to being connected, but some negative aspects as well. I wonder if the Jordanian life-expectancy has to do with food, exercise and lack of self-induced stress (at least at western levels)? One thing I noticed while in Jordan was that many of the websites I subscribe to were not available: iTunes, Netflix, Major League Baseball. For some reason, even though I had an up-to-date account they couldn’t be accessed from Jordan. So, I wondered (much like my trip to China): is it really a world wide web, or the western world again saying “we are the world”?

https://www.geekwrapped.com/archive/is-the-internet-making-us-crazy-what-the-new-research-says

Tony has been researching a story on ethnographic collections: artifact acquisition and marketing. I’ll let you know when it is available.

            Some of the training provided at Wadi Musa was Geographic Info Systems (GIS) for the Petra Development & Tourism Region Authority. One of the specialists, Richard Menicke from Glacier National Park, provides us this look at elevation plots on our trip from Wadi Musa to Wadi Rum to Aqaba back to Wadi Musa. Thanks Richard…

“You can lead a horse to water…” too

Djinn blocks

 It was great to be able to work once again in Petra. The Rangers, Tourism Police, locals and authority deal with a myriad of issues and challenges: much more graffiti and litter than on previous trips, and “Arab Spring” has become the chant of rationalization for why progressive steps forward have not resulted. In fact, resource degradation is winning. Many good hard-working Rangers are deeply discouraged. Que lastima & too bad! If Petra is on your lifelist/bucket-list, and I recommend that it be, I think you should try to get there soon before it is overwhelmed by “money changers in the temple,” trash and fresh equine deposits. As the ol’ Death Valley Ranger saying went: “You can lead a burro to water… but, you can’t keep ‘em from fouling it with their defecations.” Alas, there is something positive on-the-scene I want to share. A year ago at the Best Practices for Managing Protected Areas (27^th of April, Meme & my anniversary) we proposed an idea I had: that a national initiative to reduce litter & trash be considered; it would enhance eco & heritage tourism efforts. Well, guess what made the Jordan Times? Please see the attached:

May our friends in the Petra area, Wadi Musa and throughout Jordan thrive. May your travels be excellent adventures (Inshallah)… Humdullah!

http://www.petralivecam.com/

“To your health…”

Greetings from Petra on this “Canada Day” !

(time for a parade to get in practice for another on the 4^th?) 

Siq view

Today Bruce & I performed a foot patrol from the entrance to the High Place of Sacrifice (one of my roving duty stations from Spring 2011) – it was great. I took plenty of photos “with new eyes” and just posted many of them in an album on my Facebook page. There was plenty to do and see: new graffiti, tour groups from Meme’s ancestral homeland (Italia), a climbing guide named Khaled (aka: Car-tune)* and a cultural anthropologist that recently finished her PhD. @ McMasters (Hamilton, Ontario) working with Bedouin and Protected Area management at Wadi Rum (friends with Nasser; unfortunately I failed to give her my card or get hers: c’est la vie).

Looking down towards al-bint

From the High Place of Sacrifice, and its water harvesting features and altars, we took in the many vistas of Wadi Al-Farasa, the Lower Basin, Royal Tombs and north to Um-Sayhoun. Still stirs my blood (in a very good-n-peaceful way) to be there. We took the “back route” down the hill past the Lion Fountain (disfigured long ago as it isn’t acceptable for art to have human or animal form in Islam), Garden Temple, Roman Soldier Tomb, the Triclinium, and the old road (Egypt to Rome) Obelisk to the Lower Basin.

Medical Clinic - Lower Basin

It gave ample time to ponder about the state of health care at home and elsewhere. I’ve noticed a lot of writing re: same from home, including Senator Harry Reid saying: America is the only country in the world where if you get sick you’ll have to file for bankruptcy. Besides being volatile political rhetoric I find it ignorant and Euro-centric, diminishing the fact that the majority of the world has limited health care options. It is really primarily the “Western World” that expects what most of the world doesn’t have, and guess what: many of them are going bankrupt and will probably bleed-out in my son’s lifetime. I’m glad that residents in US will have to purchase insurance, instead of going to emergency rooms (and their high costs), but wonder about those living on-the-edge of homelessness or already there and can’t afford health care insurance. What about them? Welcome to the reality of the developing world.

Garden Temple

During our trip to China, I recall asking about health care in that “communist country” and was informed that the constitution grants it, BUT you must purchase health insurance. Here in Jordan, King Abdullah II has it as a Social Security program priority. However, that has a long way to go reflected from what we saw when we had to get tested for AIDS during our visa extension escapades.  The old adage of “you get what you pay for” comes to mind, and many folks of significant means travel to USA for their medical care, while many of course travel elsewhere (Mexico and India comes to mind). Complex and challenging issues…

Old road obelisk - new shop 

It has been noted that the World Health Organization rates our U.S. health system as 37th in the world, below most other Western democracies (not sure of the rating criteria, but know those of means and some doctors of considerable talent come to USA when they can). Even my primary physician’s medical practice partner came to Santa Fe from Amman, Jordan even though Jordan is reported (CIA Factbook) to have a longer life expectancy (probably due to lack of many of the stressers we have: come, have cup of tea with me)

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/jo.html  

http://www.kingabdullah.jo/index.php/en_US/initiatives/view/id/8.html

*- for climbing guide info I recommend contacting Jehad (you know, “the go to guy”) at Hunt2132@yahoo.co.uk

Trade: as important then as today

Having long been interested in Chinese history and archaeology (since my undergraduate & graduate work) let’s look at the trade routes that came from there and those that passed through here; along with any similarities. When Meme & I visited Xian, and the tomb warrior army of Qin Shi huang-ti (usually credited as the 1^st Emperor of China and the individual giving “the Middle Kingdom” its name: Qin = Chin), you couldn’t help but notice that the great empires of Alexander and Qin started inching towards each other. Many say Xian is China’s Silk Road launch-pad. Of course the routes carried much more than silks; they carried everything from customs to wealth to plague.

Beginning with Alexander in 329 BCE, the Hellenistic Greek influence remained in Central Asia for 3 centuries. Meanwhile, the Han Dynasty (ethnic Chinese still refer to themselves as Han [Children of Han]) was reaching ever westward into Central Asia. Long before the song, it was realized “Money makes the world go around.”

What does this have to do with Petra you ask? Well, it certainly owed its development and prominence due to its location on key trade routes, and even though maps show the Silk Road being primarily north of here (to Damascus) the route here was certainly a trade contributor. Petra was Nabataean and they were recruited by the Greeks as part of the Hellenistic trade empire. This was continued into Roman times as well, but the Romans did by-pass Petra as part of their strategy to vanquish the military of the Nabataeans and have them join the empire (“it is for your own good and you’ll prosper too…”).

The trading that occurred became part of the life-blood of empires. Can you imagine the generations of merchant-travelers that trod those various trails? Most were long before Marco Polo’s time. In fact, the desire for silk became so disruptive to the treasury of Rome that the purchase of same was forbidden: too much gold going east (similar to what the British Empire later experienced and why Queen Victoria became the world’s largest drug dealer in history: forcing at gun-point China to allow opium to be imported & sold from her colonies in India).  Hmmm, sounds semi-familiar to the news on BBC & CNN sometimes…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_Road

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terracotta_Army