Current events from scarlettina's perspective

[scarlettina]

(This first item comes care of grubb_street.) Today is the 100th anniversary of the Tunguska Event, an enormous explosion that occurred near the Tunguska River in Russia, cause unknown. Pictures of the Tunguska Event appeared in many of the books about unexplained phenomena that I read as a kid. At that time, it was the pictures that entranced me, and I didn't really bother to read about the actual event overmuch. Present day theories suggest that the explosion was the shattering of a meteor or asteroid in the atmosphere over the spot. I don't know if any conclusive solution will ever resolve itself, but I like the meteor explanation. It's another reminder that we're still part of an active, changing universe.

This month's issue of The Numismatist includes some really cool stuff. Like every magazine, it has its waves and troughs. This month's issue is definitely a high spot. Among other stories, it includes an article showing a variety of souvenirs of American political conventions (some of these things are works of art). It also includes a large article about the new Arizona quarter. I gotta say: This is the first time I've seen the design and, with apologies to friends in Arizona, this design is a godawful mess. It's such a hodgepodge of imagery and it makes no sense. It includes a scene of the Grand Canyon, a large saguaro and other cacti, and a banner saying "Grand Canyon State". It comes together in no coherent way. I'm disappointed, especially in the wake of the simple, beautiful New Mexico state quarter. The canyon vista all by itself would have made a beautiful coin. I grumble. ::grumble::

This morning, on the way to work, I spied a large bird perching on one of the sculptures alongside the Evergreen Point Bridge. The closer I got, the more recognizable the bird's profile became. It was a bald eagle peering out across Lake Washington. If I have to go to work, that's not a bad way to start the week.

Comments

Tunguska research released...

[gaelfarce.livejournal.com]

http://en.rian.ru/science/20080630/112598958.html

Another piece of the puzzle.

[sinthrex.livejournal.com]

{tongue in cheek}

Does it really matter? You're just going to squish the crap out of it anyway...

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

::chuckle::

[paulcarp.livejournal.com]

You're right about the quarter.
Doesn't this mean there's only two designs left to be unveiled? What a great opportunity, squandered, as half of the quarters are a state outline with a piece of fruit.

I do like that two (North Carolina and Ohio) used the Wright Flyer.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

...half of the quarters are a state outline with a piece of fruit.

That's been the great complaint about the series as a whole: the safety and conservatism shown in the designs. No one took risks. Very few thought with real originality. There's no question that some of the designs are beautiful, but most of them are generic and boring. It's deeply unfortunate.

My favorites so far, for what it's worth, are the following: Alaska (http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/50sq_program/states/index.cfm?state=AK), Colorado (http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/50sq_program/states/index.cfm?state=UT), Connecticut (http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/50sq_program/states/index.cfm?state=CT), Mississippi (http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/50sq_program/states/index.cfm?state=MS), Nevada (http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/50sq_program/states/index.cfm?state=NV), North Dakota (http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/50sq_program/states/index.cfm?state=ND). I may be missing one or two, but those are the ones I like best so far.

[inevitableguy.livejournal.com]

I'd add Oregon to your list of favorites.

RE The North Dakota quarter: I'd like to extend my kudos to the designers. I can assure you that the quarter is much prettier and much more interesting than the actual state.

[paulcarp.livejournal.com]

Utah is great, but it's no Colorado.
(That's a meta-comment, based on your link.)

I guess if Alaska is unveiled, then I was wrong about "two more" also.

[sinthrex.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes, the neverending "Who gets to claim the Wright brothers" fight. Even down to the friggin' license plates.

[paulcarp.livejournal.com]

I'd like to think the human race gets to claim the Wright brothers. And that the license plates should be limited to planes.

[ghilledhu.livejournal.com]

Arizona quarter = bleh. My least favorite way to design a state quarter is just cram everything in there.