i didn’t know where to put these sites I came across during my lunch today, so here they are…artists in residence.

http://www.anabenaroya.com/ — art of Ana Benaroya.

http://www.behepp.com/ — Photos, findings, and art of Elizabeth Heppenstall.

http://silhouettemasterpiecetheatre.com/ — the silhouette art of Wilhelm Staehle. (Good quips on his twitter page too!)

Just had to clip this little segment from tvashtarkatena’s latest trip report, Torture Memo #2, The Beatings Continue, on Cascade Climbers. Hilarious. Perhaps you’ll agree.

His reports are worth following for the tale and his rather amazing close-up photography (and photography in general).

I don’t understand the whole ‘torture debate’. “How can we, or why do we torture people” is often asked by the deeply concerned.

Why?

Because it’s fun, that’s why.

And no torture method is more fun, save perhaps putting the victim in coffin with a live insect (one of the more imaginative officially sanctioned methods, at least according to former Justice Department legal counsel), than taking a newbie out into the mountains.

There are two basic ways to learn a language. One is to study the syntax, grammar, pronunciation, slowly, deliberately, piece by piece, until you finally decide to stay only in hotels where English is spoken. The other is to swagger up to the counter, recite your carefully memorized “I’ll need a woman about twice my weight and that bottle of clear liquid with the wolverine penis floating in it”, and let the magic begin.

Having taught climbing both ways, I’ve become a firm believer in immersion. It’s quicker, and a whole lot more sadistic.

Although this shot was taken a couple months ago, I’m not sure. I know my expenses are only going up and this is for “necessities” like a telephone and health care while the salary goes up just slightly. And I know I’m relatively fortunate….

Ahhh...summertime. Relief in the recession?