Well, here i am safe and sound 48 hours into my 23rd year. I stayed home all day to do some research reading instead of biking over to my 'office' at the library in the nice morning and afternoon rainstorm. It was nice to finally get some rain; i think as a Minnesotan i just love those nice strong storms and crazy weather. Enough though about the weather.
That photo was taken yesterday in the Bell room in the James Ford Bell Library, where i work. Maggie, the curator and my supervisor, took it. She's a little shaky with digital camera technology yet, but i have great confidence in her. She's managed to master both PC and Mac as an adult who grew up thinking that computers were sci-fi and moon-age technology. Anyhow, Maggie wanted a photo for the board of directors, so to speak, so they would have a published photo of 'that intern Maggie keeps talking about who we're paying all summer to keep her nose in the books.' Fine, i said. With much due cheesiness, the 2 of us at the direction of Maggie decided an assortment of the primary documents i am researching would be most appropriate to include in the photo. That map laying at the bottom right of the photo is the prize piece around which my research centers, (that particular piece of paper is a facsimile of the original, which is about 30 feet away from me through the walls and in the rare books vault). The book i am holding, however, is an original April 1507 edition of the Cosmographiae Introductio, with a newer, 20th century binding. This is the work, translated Introduction to Cosmography, which was the accompanying text to the map i have already mentioned. The map is known as Martin Waldseemuller's globe or gore map; the conical & pointed 'gores' on the map, had it been transformed into its intended form, would have all bent inward at 2 points (north and south) while the ends of the map would join-- all of this either on a woodcut sphere or some sort of axis---much like 4th grade paper-cut globes. In the world there are only about 4 or 5 known originals, and only 're-discovered' and published since the beginning of the 20th century. One is owned by a private collector, sold at Christy's in London, while another is in Munich, and the others are lesser known for various reason on which i will not expound to my blog audience. I would be happy to oblige if anyone asks me! :) So let's just say that it has been made apparent to me that this is a very coveted and valuable piece of history, and therefore an ever-exciting project for me to be a part. I cant believe i only have a few weeks left before i am forced to leave for more exciting adventures! (Note: the other 3 items on the table with me in the picture are all 15th or 16th century originals. Cool, huh!!!)
That was fun telling a little more about what im up to these days and how im spending my summer. People keep asking me when it's over and when im leaving, but sometimes im not ready to talk about that or do not want to; i want to tell about what is happening NOW and how i love it so much! If you ever want to come visit me there, let me know and i can arrange a tour and show you some verrrry cool stuff like old maps and books!
On Monday night, i went out to eat at this amazing seafood restaurant called Oceanaire on Nicollet Mall in Mpls with my fam and Nate for my birthday. It was the best Mahi Mahi ive ever had and by far the 'garlic-iest' escarot ive ever had. It was seriously one of the best birthday meals ever, too. My parents even bought me a super nice blender for a present so that i can make Jamba Juice (the world's best smoothies) after i move to Columbia (where they probably do not have Jamba). Overall, it was a pretty calm day; 3 cards, a few happy birthdays, and a msg on my blog (thanks Heather:). I guess that's what a 23rd should be. Pretty strange though each year since ive hits the 20's; you just never know what you're gonna get for happenings on your birthday anymore. My happenings were good and fun and flavorful :)
I think i'll go back to reading some articles for research now, and maybe later ill hit up Jamba Juice..... mmm.....
ttfn
-c
