All Dinosaurs Go to Heaven

Awesome!! I ordered one (from Threadless Tees).

Thanks to Lockwood for the heads up!

Also check out "Picket"

Only 88 days left

The Paleo Paper Challenge is on!! And there are (currently) only 88 days, 5 hours, and 11 minutes left! So, just to add to the pressure and help keep me motivated, I have installed a countdown clock on my blog (see right). I have decided to really push and try to get a paper written with my husband on the taphonomy of the Mygatt-Moore quarry. This is a quarry that numerous people have worked since it was discovered in Western Colorado in 1981. John has worked the quarry since 2001 and I have worked there since 2007. We have been tossing this paper idea around since 2007 and have not done much more than present a poster on it at GSA that fall. So, we are finally going to bite the bullet and just do it.

There is quite a bit to be done! John and I have carved up the outline for our paper, each taking sections to write and parts that we will write together. John currently is working on two other writing projects, but hopefully we will be able to get this one done. Keep your fingers crossed for us and I will post updates here as we progress.

© ReBecca K. Hunt-Foster

Primordial Soup With Julia Child

Thanks to Talia for the heads up!
© ReBecca K. Hunt-Foster

Who is up for a good challenge?

For those of us that do research (or try to do research), you are probably familiar with having a few projects sitting around unfinished for a variety of reasons. I know I currently only have one actual manuscript in the works, with words on paper. And I have to give credit for all of that happening to my co-author who is quite a bit more motivated and on top of things than I have been this past summer. I have two other projects that are languishing in the data acquisition stage, and have been for quite some time. If you, like me, need some motivation, I suggest you take up the challenge put forth by Andy of the Open Source Paleontologist and Dave Hone of Archosaur Musings - the Paleo Paper Challenge (or Palaeo Paper Challenge). You can read more about it here and here, but what it boils down too is this:

1. Sign up to participate over at the Open Source Paleontologist
2. Get that paper finished by January 1, 2010.

It is that easy (or hard)! I am going to jump on board. Hope to see a few of you there! I am looking forward to both the motivation, support and friendly competition.

image © AllPosters.com

Two Assistant Professor Geology jobs

Two new geology jobs from my alma mater:

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor - sedimentology/stratigraphy

The Department of Geosciences, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville invites applications for a 9-month appointment as a tenure-track assistant professor with an anticipated start date of August, 2010. We are seeking an outstanding individual with expertise in broad areas of sedimentology/stratigraphy and basin analysis. The specific research focus has some flexibility, depending upon strengths of the applicant. Applicants must demonstrate ability and commitment to develop an independent, externally funded research program as well as the potential for collaboration and synergism with ongoing research in the Department of Geosciences. The successful applicant will be an integrated scholar capable of meeting departmental goals in independent research, advising graduate-research, and teaching--and will have a strong commitment to teaching at all levels, including possible participation in our required summer field course in Montana.


Assistant Professor - structural geology and tectonics

The Department of Geosciences, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville invites applications for a 9-month appointment as a tenure-track assistant professor with an anticipated start date of August 2010. We are seeking an outstanding individual with expertise in broad areas of structural geology and tectonics.

No Creation in the US?

For those of us who have been patiently waiting for the US release of the new movie, Creation, it looks like we may be waiting for it to come out on DVD. While this movie is about Charles Darwin, it appears that the film will focus on Darwin's loss of faith after the death of his 10 year old daughter, not so much on his work On The Origin of Species. Unfortunately, for those of us who live in the US where the general population largely does not believe in evolution (only 39% of Americans do), it appears that we will not get to see the film until it is available on DVD since it has not found an US distributor. However, if you are traveling to Bristol for SVP or have other European travel plans, you can see the film, as it opens this Sunday in the UK. The film is also opening at the Toronto Film Festival. It appears that if you are in any country other than the US you will have a chance to see this film! Sadly, the it appears that the untra-conservatives once again have Hollywood scared:

• "Movieguide.org, an influential site which reviews films from a Christian perspective, described Darwin as the father of eugenics and denounced him as "a racist, a bigot and an 1800s naturalist whose legacy is mass murder". His "half-baked theory" directly influenced Adolf Hitler and led to "atrocities, crimes against humanity, cloning and genetic engineering", the site stated." [link]

Give me a break. To bad Darwin can't sue them for slander.

• "Early reviews have raved about the film. The Hollywood Reporter said: "It would be a great shame if those with religious convictions spurned the film out of hand as they will find it even-handed and wise." [link]

It is sad to see the US is still living in the dark ages when it comes to free thinking (which it appears is being controlled by conservatives/religious leaders and thier "power" over Hollywood)- in this case of making Darwin's story (or this chapter of his story) accessible to the general US population. I guess that is to risky to the conservative agenda. However, last year a distributor for the creationist film Expelled was found and the film was largely circulated around the US! How can we circulate a film like that and not make the other side of the coin available also!?!

Why not just release it and let the people of the US make up their own mind. Those who do not want to go do not have to go. Who would have guessed that just the name Darwin could invoke such fear!

Hopefully a US distributor who is not a big chicken will be found and we will all have a chance to see his movie that is already getting great reviews!

Thanks to Denver for the heads up on this!


© ReBecca K. Hunt-Foster, poster © BBC Films and the UK Film Council

How long would it take for a Tryannosaurus rex to digest your body?

And to completely waste some time...

Job Posting

Here is a job posting I was asked to pass on. Always glad to see a new paleo job opening up!

POSITION: Paleontologist (Accredited)

LOCATION: Fort Yates, ND

SALARY: Negotiable

OPENING DATE: September 2009

SCOPE OF WORK:
The incumbent will be responsible for the management and development of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s paleontology resources, coordinating and leading field excavations, and teaching applicable geology and paleontology courses.

SUPERVISION:
The Paleontologist will work under the direct supervision of the Select Committee on Paleontology.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

1. Supervise paleontology consultants, contractors, employees and volunteers.
2. Create goals and objectives for the Paleontology Department.
3. Develop Tribe’s paleontological resources.
4. Direct and organize field excavations on the Reservation.
5. Identify and catalog the Tribe’s paleontology collections.
6. Write and submit appropriate grants for the enhancement and sustainability of the Paleontology Department.
7. Locate, evaluate, and protect paleontological resources within the boundaries of the Reservation.
8. Facilitate the appropriate scientific, educational and development uses of the Tribe’s paleontological resources.
9. Ensure that proposes land uses do not inadvertently damage or destroy important paleontological resources.
10. Establish relationships with tribal colleges, universities, schools, national and international paleontology programs to foster public awareness and appreciation of Tribal resources and write MOUs/MOAs, when needed.
11. Establish rules and regulations regarding collection of permits, research collection, loans of specimens, publications, field notes, and the annual field camp.
12. Report monthly to the Judicial Committee.
13. Develop goals and objectives for a tribal museum.
14. Research appropriate grants for the establishment of a museum.
15. Prepare and catalog fossil specimens found on the Reservation.
16. Create and maintain a secure digital database along with physical inventory of all fossils collected on the reservation.
17. Ensure all specimens collected from the Reservation are excavated properly, catalogued, stored and prepared for display and casted, if warranted.
18. Work with the Paleontology Coordinator regarding the paleontology field school, necessary permits, and the operating budget.
19. Prepare presentations regarding the Paleontology Department.
20. Prepare necessary teaching materials for geology and paleontology courses.
21. Teach geology and paleontology courses.
22. Present appropriate amendments and revisions of Title XXXVIII (Paleontology) to the Tribe’s Legal Department.
23. Possess ability to develop effective working relationships with appropriate individuals.
24. Must be able to provide both oral and written reports.

QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Masters Degree from an accredited institution in paleontology, geology, anthropology, biology, botany, or zoology with a major emphasis in paleontology. A Ph.D in Paleontology is preferred.
2. Must have two (2) years experience teaching paleontology and geology courses at a college level.
3. Must have three (3) or more years of documented experience excavating, collecting, analyzing, cataloging, and preparing fossils or specimens.
4. Must have experience in planning, equipping, staffing, organizing, and supervising crews performing paleontological surface collections, excavations, and preparations.
5. Must have documented grant writing experience.
6. Must possess documented experience and skills in fossil preparation, molding, casting, collection management, identification and cataloging of fossil specimens, record keeping, and documentation.
7. Possess knowledge of anatomy, taxonomy, sedimentology, and stratigraphy.
8. Must pass a trust position background clearance.
9. Must possess a valid driver’s license and liability insurance and be able to travel on and off the Reservation.
10. Must have computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, database management, GPS, GIS and internet research.

10 days

Dear Readers,

I realize it has been 10 days since I wrote a new post. Probably a month or more since I wrote anything significant. Sorry for the lack of post recently. I just figure it would be better to write good post, rather than some random dribble that you could read anywhere or find on the internet for yourself. Why waste your time, right? For now, feel free to keep up with those items I find online and other interesting blog post here.

Thank you for your patience and for reading this blog!

ReBecca

© ReBecca K. Hunt-Foster

A Fossil Paradise

I admit, I am a bit of a Charles D. Walcott junkie. I have read the two long books written by the great Ellis Yochelson (here and here) about Walcotts life, and I highly reccomend them. I was super excited to find out he had worked in Glacier. To celebrate the 100th anniversery of his discovery of the Burgess Shale John and I were happy to be able to attend the International Conference on the Cambrian Explosion in Banff, Alberta. The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies is hosting and exhibit in conjunction with the meething entitled "A Fossil Paradise: The Discovery of the Burgess Shale by Charles D. Walcott" Last night we went to a talk at the museum by Sarah Staurderman entitled "The Panorama Photographs of Charles D. Walcott." It was really interesting to hear about the photos Walcott took and about thier conservation at the Smithsonian. You can find more information on this great collection here.



© ReBecca K. Hunt-Foster