I complain about fieldwork a lot, but there are some viscerally satisfying things I get to do. Three of my favorites:
1. Thwacking my way through a big thicket of dried-out reeds. Nothing makes you feel like an intrepid explorer like fighting your way through brush that's way over your head and that offers just enough resistance to make it feel like an accomplishment.
2. Compositing sediment samples. Sticking your (gloved) hands into a big bowl of goo and mushing it around, ostensibly to pick out the twigs and rocks, brings out the toddler in everyone.
3. Prying silt or fine sand off augers. This is similar to #2, but with stiffer material that peels off like modelling clay.
When I engage in these activities, a little part of me still says, "whee! I'm getting paid for this!"
those little hiccups on the way to saving the earth
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About Me
- Short Geologist
- I am a former grad student who is back in the environmental biz. I love my scientific work, but everything else is starting to get to me.
you can also e-mail me at
short [dot] geologist [at] yahoo [dot] com
short [dot] geologist [at] yahoo [dot] com
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1 comment:
Yeah. My favorite field site is in a state park overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It's an hour hike up to download a rain gage, which takes 10 or less minuets. Then I get to hike back down. When ever I tell kids about my job I mention I get paid to hike around mountains and in streams. I leave out the days I'm stuck in the office.
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