Outage, Scorpions

Along Calzada de la Luz


The power went out sometime Tuesday morning. Mads & I were already out of the house then. This meant that the internet was out for two days. I was beside myself without my streaming NPR broadcasts. I survived (obviously... and now I'm listening to a woman, a representative for "concerned women of america", talk about how Barack Obama is a threat to Christianity, unborn children and freedom of religion. I'm thinking that maybe my bloodpressure was better without NPR... but- oh, well- no going back now.

...A wall on the way to class, at the bottom of the hill, where Acamapixtle goes around a corner and becomes Calzada de la Luz.

Enough of that-- Classes with Billy are going marvelously. I'm finishing up a couple of silver/copper mokume bands (gouge method). I'm getting started with Shibu-ichi (Japanese alloy, 60%/30% CU/AG). I am quite excited about the colors I'll be able to produce with that alloy and some non-toxic patinas. Hooray! Learning! I really missed having classes, discussions with folks who share a vocabulary (in this case, jewelry & silver smithing). Next week, I learn to set brilliant cut diamonds (or other faceted, hard stones).

Callejon de Chepito, a colorful alley

...But the real excitement was this morning...While making breakfast, the flame in the stove went out. When I went to re-light it (thinking it had only been out a second)---- BOOM! I jumped back, some of the hair was singed off my arm and it felt like i had stepped on something. But, really, everything seemed a-okay. The thing i stepped on looked kind of like some chicken from dinner the night before... Nope, not chicken. It was a scorpion- a very dead, squished scorpion. I smushed him (wearing moccassions) when I jumped back from the stove. Lucky shot.

Smushed Scorpion, exhibit A

Mads & I told the story a little later at the Studio (Sterling Quest). We found out we were in little danger of being hurt by the scorpion... unless we got stung on the torso. If stung on the torso, one should milk the scorpion's venom, blend with fresh raw garlic paste, and drink that down. This is apparently the most common treatment in Mexico- quicker, easier, and less trouble than going to the hospital. Good to know.

Smushed Scorpion, exhibit B

and on a lighter note Oregon Judge Clears Nude Cyclist