Joseph St. Jean was a professor of Geology at UNC Chapel Hill. He was 94 when he died this past March. Because I was in the same department, in the early years of my PhD, I sometimes saw him around Mitchell Hall. Yes, indeed, he was still coming in to work in his office at… Continue reading Joseph St. Jean
Author: mh
Butterfly in blender
Just made a little butterfly in Blender: It's for the animated butterfly story I'm making with the second-graders at Irvin! I taught them animation basics today, which went stupendously. And tomorrow we plan to start animating each kid's individual page (every kid does their own animation.) I made the butterfly based on this very nice… Continue reading Butterfly in blender
Are you low-class for electioneering?
When I was little, I didn't want to belong to any political party, because it seemed like politics was a power-hungry world and I didn't want the rot rubbing off on my purity and high-mindedness. Also, you know, I didn't think that people are actually evil. I thought if someone was evil, I could talk… Continue reading Are you low-class for electioneering?
Feeling special
One of my articles from WIRED was chosen for recognition!! I feel so special. It was my favorite article, too, so it looks like me and the people running this "Highly Subjective Round-up of Outstanding Science News" have the same taste. I can't believe I got nominated and picked and everything. Wow!! Here's the website… Continue reading Feeling special
Lessons from the election
This was the first election where I knocked on people's doors, called people, wrote postcards to people, and stood outside the polls handing out sample ballots. I also made campaign videos specific to North Carolina. So my top take-aways (for helping out with local races) are: 1. Human contact trumps social media. At least, I think.… Continue reading Lessons from the election
Pretty stationary
As I wound down my PhD, I started spending more time at the UNC Makerspace. That's where you can use a laser cutter or a vinyl cutter, do some 3D printing, or duck into the woodshop, and use fancy bottles of glue, and get access to paint and a sewing machine and more and more.… Continue reading Pretty stationary
Animations with kids
Yesterday and today, I visited a classroom at a local school. It was really great. We haven't started animating yet or anything, or even illustrating. But we read our story (about butterflies) and talked about life cycles. One kid got carried away and after we talked about caterpillars morphing into butterflies, said something like, "and… Continue reading Animations with kids
The purple bus
I had to go to the license plate office to pay the car registration. It is in a very dangerous part of town, as far as driving goes - the streets are busy and scary, and cars zoom about like masterful bullies - but luckily, I found out I can take the bus there! I… Continue reading The purple bus
Fashion for the job
Am I an airhead? Possibly. I say that because a lot of people were murdered or almost murdered in the US last week, based on religion, race, or politics; and I haven't really been that affected emotionally. I think I just have accepted that this is normal. Can't bruise me anymore unless it hits closer… Continue reading Fashion for the job
Nothing to eat by the station
I was supposed to have a simple 4-hour trip by public transportation from Chapel Hill to Concord: Step 1, bus from Chapel Hill to Durham. Step 2, train from Durham to Kannapolis. Step 3, bus from Kannapolis to Concord. First, I showed up to the bus stop in front of Carolina Coffee Shop in Chapel… Continue reading Nothing to eat by the station
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