An Afternoon on the Tubes

Bear Creek Lodge - note the snowtube sign

We had a lot of fun going up to Bear Creek Lodge on Mt. Spokane for our snowtubing trip. Allow me to explain what snowtubing is all about.

First we brought our tickets to a person who explained all the rules. Then we grabbed snowtubes (the inner lining of a tire) that have ropes attached. We could pick any snowtube that was available, but a firm, symmetrical tube is considered best. Then we each handed the metal piece on our tube ropes to a guy that attached it to another moving rope. Then we sat on our tubes, and the moving rope pulled us up to the top of the hill.

Picking the right tube is important, just ask Chris and Li Gen

Going up the hill

As we were being pulled up the hill, we used the opportunity to throw snowballs at each other. Not a very nice activity, but it was a good source of amusement.

Yumi takes aim

As soon as we got to the top of the hill, we rolled off our tubes, and another guy detached the tube rope. We lined up in groups of four before getting permission to go down the hill.

This is where the real art of tubing comes in. For speed, the "tuber" will want to detach the tube rope, get a running start, dive on the tube, and lay as flat as possible. For simple enjoyment, the "tuber" may opt to sit cross-legged in the tube and take in the scenery.

It's not lonely at the top

On your mark, get set...

GO!!!

I've been sledding before, but never tubing. It was a great first experience. There are no pictures of me going down the hill because I was going too fast for the camera.

If we are going to have all this snow, we might as well take advantage of it. Dani was also especially happy that the rope going up the hill was working (last time she went, she had to walk up the hill). What do you think of tubing? As spring comes around, what are ideas about good spring things to do?

P.S.: I must again thank Hao for providing the pictures. He's quite the shutterbug (i.e. photographer).

Speaking of Art...

The last two weeks, the conversation groups took short field trips to the ART building to look at the art created by EWU faculty. The pieces in the exhibit were amazing (there was even one painting painted on egg shells). My favorite, though, was a rolodex full of ideas and prices. I believe it was titled "Thoughts With Values Looking for Place." This particular piece got me thinking about the value of art, and then I came across an article in the New York Times.
The article, called "At Zurich Museum, a Theft of 4 Masterworks," describes how thieves with guns came into a German museum near closing time on Sunday, February 9and stole 4 Impressionist paintings: a Degas, a VanGogh, a Cezanne, and a Monet. All together the paintings are worth $163 million dollars (Holy Cow)! The Wednesday before that, two Picassos were stolen (in a nearby town also in Germany) worth a combined $4.4 million.
Shortly after that, a missing Basquiat (an American graffiti/post-modern/neo-expressionist painter and late contemporary of Warhol) was found in a Manhattan warehouse. That painting, last seen in Brazil is estimated at $8 million dollars.
The biggest heist in America, though, happened in Boston in 1990 at the Isabella Sarah Gardner Museum in Boston. Included in the stolen paintings were a Vermeer and a Rembrandt. The total cost was estimated at $300 million dollars (that's a lot of iPods)!
Finally, at the beginning of the year, two stolen Mickey Mouse paintings (from the movie Fantasia) were recovered in Florida. These two watercolors are worth $140,000 dollars.
So, what makes art valuable? What makes some art expensive (and the target of thieves), while other art is ignored? What do you consider to be art? Who are some of your favorite artists? How much would you be willing to pay for a painting? Share your thoughts on art and value.


Degas

VanGogh

Cezanne

Monet

Chinese New Year's Celebration

Many people were in attendance


Last Friday, there was a Chinese New Year's Celebration on the EWU Campus. Many students and guests met in Tawanka for the festivities. Refreshments were provided for everyone. For entertainment, there were several performances and games (with prizes for the winners). Guests were divided into four groups: Tigers, Dragons, Phoenixes, and Mice.

These two look familiar

Our hosts gave us information about New Year customs. I remember that fireworks were important because they were used a long time ago to scare off a monster (is this correct?). No fireworks were used indoors (of course), but the talent provided plenty of excitement. There was singing, dancing, instrumental performances, magic shows, and videos. I had no idea so many of the students had such great skills.


Li Gen sings!

I must thank Hao for all the pictures! Some of you may also recognize Xiao Xiao. They were both dressed so elegantly for the occasion.

When we weren't watching the entertainers, we were invited to play games. One game called Dragon Chases Phoenix (is this right?), one player had to copy a gesture from another player and then add one to it. The players had to remember many moves and be very nimble. It made people look silly. Another game was like "pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey," but in this version, blindfolded players had to put eyes, nose, and mouth on a blank face. The results made the poor face look deformed.


The game would be easier without the blindfold

Of the food, I liked the dumplings the best. They are shaped to resemble old Chinese money (is this true?). I regret not going back for seconds. I'm still thinking about the dumplings.
I learned a lot about Chinese customs, and I think that there should be a celebration on campus every year. What did you think of the celebration? If you did not go, do you think you would go in the future? What do you do (or did you do) to observe the New Year? What do you think the Year of the Mouse/Rat will bring?


"Gong xi, gong xi, gong xi ni!" I still have this song stuck in my head!

Snowtubing!!!

As most of you know, the trip to Bear Creek Lodge at Mt. Spokane is February the 23rd. We will meet at 10:30 in the PUB. If you want to go, you have to let us know somehow. For some reason we have not been getting some e-mails. If you sent one, try sending it again. Or...stop in the Writers' Center and let us know your intention of coming along. Or...you can leave a comment on this blog!

So far these people said they will go:

Yumi
Ai
Ping-Fang
Melody
Hao
Li Gen
Chris
Dani
Neal

Excuse Me; Do You Have Any Duct Tape?

During one of the Conversation Group sessions, while we were playing a game, a reference to Duct Tape was made. So what is Duct Tape? Well, according to the Wiki site (information that I've confirmed with other web sites), Duct Tape got its start in World War II as a waterproof sealant for ammunition cases. It started green, but was soon manufactured as black or silver to match heating or air conditioning ducts (the metal tunnels through which air moves inside buildings). The adhesive is made with rubber, and it is backed by a cotton-like fabric to provide long-lasting use and stability.
Duct Tape has the reputation to be able to fix anything. In fact, NASA has used Duct Tape in emergency situations to patch up equipment and space-craft. Because Duct Tape is so well regarded, people who don't have or don't know how to use tools, think they can rely on Duct Tape alone to fix their possessions (including houses and cars).
The Duct Tape craze has expanded beyond repair jobs. People are now using Duct Tape for making crafts. Wallets, jewelry, hats, and even pants and shirts have been made out of Duct Tape! I personally have not gone so far as to make Duct Tape clothes, but as a teenager, I used to keep my old Chuck Taylor Converse shoes from falling apart by wrapping Duct Tape around them.
So if you ever here anyone mention Duct Tape, they are referring to a fantastic "fix-all" product. If you ever need any, you can find it in any store... ask for it by name.

P.S.: It is not called Duck Tape, although sometimes people say this because the tape is waterproof.

P.P.S.: Here's an iPod case made from Duct Tape.



P.P.P.S.: And one more picture demonstrating a creative use of Duct Tape.