Just finished making my solar filter so that I can view the Venus Transit, visible everywhere in North America on 5 June 2012. The Venus Transit is an alignment of the Earth, Sun, and Venus such that observers on Earth can see the small black dot of Venus cross the disk of the Sun. I believe the next one will be in 2133, so this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I ordered a 5″ piece of Baader solar film on ebay for $20 shipped. Since the sun is the target, aperture is not as important and a smaller aperture can actually reduce the atmosphere turbulence. So I stopped my 8″ Zhumell reflector down to 5″ with a custom black foam core “lid” that I made in less than an hour. The solar film came with easy to follow instructions on how to make the step down ring. I took the new rig outside to try it out, starting with my 9mm eyepiece with a moon filter on for extra safety. It was so dark I couldn’t even see the sun, so I went for the 30mm and it worked great. I figured out that an easy way to find the sun (you don’t want to use a finder scope) is to look at the shadow of your scope. When the tube’s shadow is a circle, or as small as you can make it, your pointed right at the sun. Nifty. Here are some pics.

Opening an Etsy shop has been on my to do list for too long, so today I am making it real.  The shop will host a variety of my more fun, functional, and craft based projects, starting with deer head pins and freedom ties at affordable prices.  In the near future, I hope to bring my good friend Aimee Belanger along for the ride by adding some of her wonderful prints.  Here’s the link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/RAWRdesign

SB1474 is an Arizona state bill that proposes to allow people above the age of 21 with concealed carry permits to bring their guns on campus. The AZ house approved the bill and it is now waiting for AZ senate and governor clearance.

To celebrate this new chapter in the wild west I have made a revolver silk screen, an will be happy to print it on any clothing you’d like March 21-22 free of charge. I have colors white, pink, turquoise, and brown, but will print any other color you bring me.

Whether these prints are for or against guns is up to you. I’m for visibility of the issue.

UPDATE: Thanks to all the media coverage of this issue, and a large response from the populace, SB1474 was not passed by the AZ Senate.

For the next three weeks I am going to follow the 5 Buddhist Precepts as part of a performance piece and emotional detoxification. They are as follows:

Thich Nhat Hanh has a nice detailed explanation of them on DharmaWeb. For this piece, my interpretation is as follows:

1. Really be vegetarian and don’t kill bugs.
2. Don’t steal and shop locally whenever possible.
3. Maintain celibacy.
4. Don’t lie, throw insults, or gossip, but also tell the complete truth.
5. Don’t drink alcohol. Caffeine and nicotine are ok in my book.
6. BONUS: Meditate for at least 15 minutes everyday.

Wish me luck!

Well, after two years being off the trail and getting voted out of the Nathan Cummings I thought it was high time to do some hiking again. I got off the Appalatian Trail 6 June 2009 and will start walking where I left off 1 June 2011. I hope to do a ~450 mile section from Harpers Ferry, WV to the Amtrak Station in NY. While I’m on the trail I won’t be updating this blog, but I will be checking in regularly on my hiking blog: Meditations on Appalachia. See you walking!

Relax and feel your zen while watching this loading bar as nothing loads.

ASU ART MUSEUM invites you to join us for the final week
of programs for the three-month-long project

It’s not just black and white
Gregory Sale – Social Studies Project 6
http://itsnotjustblackandwhite.info/

(Sheriff Joe Arpaio event, Black Canyon/Adobe Mountain students, Angela Davis event)

This public project has engaged many constituencies of the criminal justice system – including last weeks programs with Sheriff Joe Arpaio, students of the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections Adobe Mountain and Black Canyon high schools, and the standing room only event with Angela Davis.

The multiple dimensions of the project, anticipated and unanticipated, now invite a period of evaluation, reflection and contemplation.

We invite you to join in a series of activities during this final week.

Tuesday, May 10, 4 pm – 5 pm
A walking mediation led by Conscious Connections. This organization provides yoga and meditation study in at-risk and diverse communities.

Tuesday, May 10, 6 pm – 8 pm
AZ Common Ground, along with its partners the South Mountain Re-entry Coalition and representatives from Phoenix Police Department, come together to consider how South Mountain is “Changing the Face of Re-entry.”

Thursday, May 12, 11 am – 5 pm
A small group of former inmates who helped paint the black and white stripes on the gallery walls in February, and who have now completed their sentences, will return to the museum to paint the black stripes white.

Additional programs will be announced.
Please consult the calendar at http://itsnotjustblackandwhite.info/

It’s not just black and white began with the current state of corrections in the
U.S. and Arizona, most specifically Maricopa County, and continues to develop
over the course of the artists three-month residency, concluding May 14, 2010.

It’s not just black and white is supported by grants from
The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and
Friends of the ASU Art Museum.

Additional Blog Posts
Reconnecting – It’s not just black and white
Dream like you mean it: The Mother-Daughter Distance Dance
Another Active Week and the Schedule for April
Waiting for Release, Sentencing Reform & Welcoming Home
Invitation to Join Us for Volunteer Event – GINA’s Team
Inside & Outside – It’s not just black and white
More Similar Than Different + Tent City Jail Tour Opportunity
You can’t move forward until you know where you are
Olympic Gold Medalist, Gina’s Team and PVCC Students!
IT’S NOT JUST BLACK AND WHITE: Gregory Sale – Social Studies Project 6

Written by John Spiak for the ASU Art Museum Blog via It’s not just black and white blog.