Rose City Comic Con

The Second Annual Rose City Comic Con took place this weekend. We attended yesterday for the celebrity panels more so than the comic book portion of the event.

First we took a look around the exhibit floor. We have been to numerous conventions in Las Vegas but none of them had as many exhibitors and artists as here. The Bat Mobile also made a special appearance.

Here is Christopher Judge, the first celebrity panel we saw. He played Teal'c on Stargate SG1 and he is an Oregon Duck football alum. He was funny, candid and more than willing to spend as much time with the fans as he could. Hubby and I got his autograph and were able to shake his hand! He was incredibly kind and gracious!

Next on stage was Avery Brooks (Benjamin Sisko) from Star Trek Deep Space Nine. This is the second time we have seen him in person so we knew what to expect but it was apparent that the crowd and moderator were ill-prepared. Avery is a very kind and spiritual man who looks at everything in life in a very philosophical way. He doesn't answer questions in the traditional way and tends to "shut people down" as the moderator commented. Avery's panel is very organic and he doesn't like being corralled by questions.

Last was Jewel Staite who played Kaylee on Firefly and Dr. Keller on Stargate Atlantis. What can I say about her except, EXCEPTIONAL! She is just as wonderful in person as she appears on TV. She loves to laugh, loves to eat, loves her friends and fans and loves her work. Despite having a cold, she really brought the house down.

And, of course, Yoda made the trip too!

Spruce Goose: Motor Test

Today was a momentous day, after many longs years* of cutting, assembling, glueing, sanding and painting, the Spruce Goose model is almost ready for her maiden flight. Today we conducted the second motor test (the first one was in Cecil's garage). She worked beautifully without any hiccups!

All that is holding the ol' girl up is two pencils. This is the best way to confirm and correct her balance. It is better to be nose heavy than tail heavy. Her balance is spot on!

* Please note that I have had very little to do with this project and this was a labor of love from Cecil, Dwaine, Bob, Mitch, Glider Bill, Harold and Bill Wheeler (deceased).

Cast Off -- Brace On

After 4 amazingly long weeks, I got my cast off today! The doc is very happy with my progress and says the fracture is healing nicely. I still have 4 more weeks in the brace before I am healed enough to resume normal life (like lift or carry heavier items). Than it will be an additional 4 weeks after that before I can rollerskate, lift weights or do push-ups. I won't regain pre-injury mobility for about 6 months.

Before

After

I was really surprised at how much my skin shed. Yuck!

They asked if I wanted it, I told them to burn it!

 The removable brace...how I love thee!

Silly Schnauzers

I have 6 days until this cast comes off, I am so relieved! I haven't been able to accomplish as much around the house lately with this hand situation but I did take some pics of the dogs. :-)

Seriously, not that cold.

Belated birthday ice cream

Trudy Girl

My Lily Pup

What an adorable face!

1992 is back!

One week before NFL football starts our DVR took an irreparable dump. This morning my cell phone, which previously got adequate reception at the house, now has NO SIGNAL except for when I drive a mile away. After completely wiping my phone of all data, tech support has no idea what to do because I should have coverage.

It is the year 2013 yet I have no idea what is on TV and if I do, I have to watch it live and I have zero access to text messaging or any other mobile service from my own home. Seriously, how did we ever survive 1992 before these technologies existed because I feel like I am living in the Stone Age??!!

Bright side: still got internet on my iMac

Brunette to Red Head in Just One Day!

Let the Ginger jokes begin...

Pretty in Pink: Part II

I had a follow-up with the ortho doctor and the prognosis is good! He confirmed (with additional x-rays) that I don't need to have surgery. He was certain, based on how I broke it, that it would be necessary, but alas I surprised him. 3 more weeks in the cast and than I graduate into a removable brace, I can't wait!

My doc commented that I had a lot of signatures on my cast. I hadn't really thought about it but I am truly blessed to have so many amazing friends. Sometimes it takes a broken bone to remind you to be grateful for all the amazing people in your life!

Matching pink fingernails

Pretty in Pink

I saw the orthopedic specialist yesterday and after running several more x-rays this is what he had to say --

Me: So, can you throw a removable splint on it?

Doc: No, due to the nature if the spiral fracture and the fact that it is extremely unstable, you will need a cast.

Me: So, how quickly can you throw a removable splint on it?

Doc: Ummm, no. You need a cast.

Me: So, you're saying the removable splint is on its way?

Doc: You're very lucky you aren't getting surgery. Choose a color because you are getting a cast. 

Me:  Oh, I understand, the lady next door will get me that removable splint.

Doc: See you in a week for a follow-up and again in 3 more weeks for another follow-up.

Hubby and the group from the dig signed it today

Check out my kick-ass Danner boots. They are zombie apocalypse approved!

The Hand is Broken

Went and saw the doctor today and he confirmed my fear -- I broke a bone in my hand, specifically the 5th metacarpal. He is forwarding my information to an orthopedic specialist who will decide if it needs to be casted or not. In the meantime I am cooling my heels at home and not attending the dig because...well, I am not much use to them right now.

Archaeological Dig: Week 6

This was a very interesting week on the dig with several amazing discoveries (not mine, however)! 

 

Another intact bottle, but not alcohol this time. I think it might have held olive oil since it has a pour spout. The others think it is an ink bottle, but I disagree with that wholeheartedly because I worked with ink bottles from this period of time while at ASM and we never saw glass ones like this.

A ball button: traditionally worn on West Point uniforms, even to this day.

It was media week at Fort Yamhill, here are some links:

Statesman Journal Salem Newspaper

What is interesting about field school is how nice everyone is to one another for the first 4-5 weeks, but come week 6 -- well, as the temperatures rose, so did tempers. People weren't getting along very well this week, so when I got an opportunity to go to Champoeg State Park, I took it!

Champoeg Pics: 

   

Last year, right at the end of the field season, the crew discovered what they thought was a root cellar. So this year they decided to explore further. The hole just kept going, so they threw out the root cellar idea for a well. This "well" is full of bricks! We got down to about 2-3 meters (9-10 feet) in the ground before the dig was called off for safety reasons. We still have no idea if it is a well or simply a hole in the ground to bury the bricks. We may never know??

   

Lots and lots of bricks!!!!

And last but certainly not least, I injured myself. NOT AT THE DIG, but at home. I missed the step coming in from the garage (in the dark) and whacked my hand hard on the door in an attempt to break my fall. I have an appointment to see the doctor tomorrow since it is swollen and I can't move my pinky or ring finger very well. This may have ended my archaeological experience prematurely, so send good thoughts my way that I will be able to handle a trowel and shovel sometime very soon!

Archaeological Dig: Week 5

This week was a quiet one at the dig. No major, life changing discoveries were made and few artifacts (besides nails) was uncovered. The weather was rather lovely this week and we all enjoyed the cloudy skies and cool coastal winds. On Tuesday we took a field trip out to Fort Vancouver, which many of you may already be familiar with. For those of who aren't, Fort Vancouver was contemporaneous with Fort Yamhill (and Fort Hoskins) and served as the supply depot for all the forts in the area. Pretty much, if we find it at Yamhill it likely made a stop at Vancouver first.

Here is the progress we are making on the southside foundation, notice how the rock edges look very smooth and straight on the left side but very jagged and uneven on the right. The right side would be the interior of the foundation and we believe the uneven edges were left behind since no one would see it, but the left side would have faced outside and therefore more care was taken to ensure nice straight sides.

Each of the 5 houses had a porch that extended the length of the home, this is the porch support we uncovered on House #2. Later in the week, the crew working this area found the other one, but not in as good of a condition as this.

Fort Vancouver also conducts digs over the summer, their methods are quite different from ours and their equipment (like iPads and 3D software) is much more advanced than what we are given. I guess that is the difference between University sponsored (us) and Government sponsored (them) digs. They were a very nice group of people!

Fort Vancouver was an amazing structure to behold! It is one thing to envision the way it looked by researching what we are finding in the ground, but it is a whole other thing to see what the structures would have looked like standing right before you! (Photo taken from outside the fort)

The fort area is so much larger than I could have ever envisioned! We were given a private tour by the Park Ranger and provided access to areas the general public doesn't see. I cannot urge you enough to visit this amazing place! (Photo taken from inside the fort)

Archaeological Dig: Week 4

The dig went quite well this week, despite the temperatures. I think that Tuesday will go down as the hottest day so far. We are fairly certain it was close to 100 degrees. My sunburn has finally turned into a tan and my shoulders are peeling from the severe burn of two weeks ago, I am keeping them covered until they heal.

I found some amazing items this week, I can't wait to share them with you!

Here is a picture of what we are finding most of: NAILS, lots and lots of nails of all shapes and sizes

House #2 (the one we are currently excavating) has more nails than anyone thought possible, even the lead archaeologists. We think that this house must have been completely disassembled before being moved and that the nails were simply discarded on the ground. We typically find nails within the first 1-3 cms.

My amazing find #1: A porcelain doll hand!

This is the first evidence we have that a little girl might have lived or visited the area!

Notice the thumb on the north side of the hand and the fingers are slightly chopped off.

My amazing find #2: (no picture) a woman's black garment button

I didn't get a picture of this before it was cataloged and carried off. It was just a simple black button, but it was so delicate and small that it was most assuredly a woman's button.

My amazing find #3: (no picture) a pocket knife

Again, this was so fragile and so rare, they carried it off before I got a chance to photograph it.

My amazing find #4: a door hinge

There is a group of historical architects who are working on recreating/restoring an Officer's House for display at Fort Yamhill (hopefully on top of the footprint/foundation of the original). This find will excite them because they will officially know what the door hinges looked like! No guessing needed!

Some other terrific finds this week (which I did not have anything to do with) are: a marble, a complete crystal goblet, several parts of an iron stove, an aqua colored bottle and some Navy items (which is super interesting since this was an Army post).

Archaeological Dig: Week 3

This week went slightly better than last. There were only a few unbearably hot days (despite the 6 day work week) and the physical demands are getting a little easier, although my body is rebelling in new and interesting ways. I think I have arthritis, that is the only explanation for how painful my hands and knees are right now.

Here is some information about the site and its history. Feel free to skip ahead to the pics, if you so desire. :-)

Fort Yamhill was built in 1856 and remained an active duty post until 1866. The Fort's main purpose was to oversee Native Americans living within the reservation area. This fort was not involved in the American Civil War due to Oregon declaring neutrality. The Army forces stationed at this fort were sent East upon the beginning of the war and it was staffed by volunteers from California thereafter. The full garrison stationed at Fort Yamhill consisted of 76 men under three officers and were commanded by William Babcock Hazen and at times by Philip Sheridan.

There were a number of buildings on the site including: a blockhouse, sentry box, barracks, officer's quarters (which we are excavating), carpenter's shop, hospital, kitchen, blacksmith shop, stables, and laundress quarters. Many of these have already been excavated and we are lucky enough to have the original fort plans so figuring out where to dig has been relatively easy. What was difficult for the archaeologists to determine was where the "first" building was. After that, it was relatively easy tracking down the rest.

There were three officers and therefore there should only be three officer's houses, however along "Officer's Row" the plans show 5 houses. Our goal this dig season is to find out what the other two houses were used for. At this point we haven't found anything to substantiate that women lived there, but it is our assertion that perhaps these were the quarters of wives/children/assistants/cooks of the officers. Time will tell...

The "pit" I worked on this week. It is fully excavated now, but I didn't get a photo. The major artifact finds include: nails, glass shards, lead shot and ceramic sherds.

One of our volunteers found this complete bottle underneath the foundation towards the back of the house.

It is a champagne bottle and all three houses that have been excavated up to this point have had a champagne bottle. One bottle is interesting, two bottles eliminates coincidence, three bottles is a pattern! But what is it?

The coolest find so far, an 1836 coin with a hole in it. We speculate since it pre-dates the time of the fort that it was worn as jewelry. Again, I didn't find this but I am waiting patiently for my major discovery!