Green Alkanet + Update

This week is turning out to be quite busy.  Not only did I do my day at Record this week, and I'm in work (and working outside of work too), but I've also got two mammal trapping days and a fungi day on Saturday.  Big week, so expect some updates later in the week and across the weekend.

Outside of that, on my days at work I often get to walk through a park.  I've seen a few interesting plants and things on my way in (I often plunder the hedge, if I'm honest) and snapped a few pictures.  Recently, I've noticed a wildflower called Green Alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens) on my way to and from the car.  It's a charismatic very green plant with very blue flowers that have a white centre.  The plant is also pretty hairy -- to the point where it can feel a bit like stinging nettles in some of the older specimens.  It's part of the borage family, which is fairly obvious once you know that plants in this family tend to have blue flowers and be hairy:

Look at that stem! 

Anyway...

It's scientific name has stuck in my head ever since I heard it; literally translated, it means "five-tongues always alive" (or five-tongues evergreen).  Green Alkanet has also confused me as a name, so I've decided to look into both of the names as well as the plant.

Apparently the "five-tongues" part refers to the five tongue-like petals.  The corolla does kinda look like five tongues, complete with that central groove you've got underneath... as long as you squint.  It's more about the shape than the colour in this case.  It's called "always alive" because it's an evergreen plant that keeps it's leaves over winter.  The scientific name is something of a descriptor, really.

As it turns out, the name "Green Alkanet" is also a descriptor.  In this case, the word "green" is referring to those evergreen tendencies.  Alkanet's an odd one though because it's a hand-me-down word.  Alkanet is a Middle English word which was a conversion of an Old Spanish word, alcaneta, which is a form of the Old Spanish word alcana.  Alcana comes from the Medieval Latin alchanna, which has been nicked from the original Arabic language, where it started of as al-ḥinnā’.  Al-ḥinnā’ literally means "the henna".  It's literally called evergreen henna because red dye can be extracted from it's roots.

That's why it was brought here.  It's an invasive plant from the continent, native to southwest France and, fairly obviously, the Iberian peninsula where Spain is a main feature.  Britain used to have a lot of monks that really liked having that red ecclesiastical cloth, so they imported the plant in order to create dye.  It's hard to say when this happened, but it's fair to say it was quite some time ago.  Green alkanet is considered naturalised as it's very common in hedgerows, though as you move north, there is much less of it.  I was surprised to find it near us because the land here is quite acidic and it's a calciphile.  Here's a better picture of the tongue shape from Wikipedia commons:

I still can't help but feel that after likely being here for over 1,000 years, it's part of the historic landscape, despite my usual loathing for many invasive species.  Having said that, it's not as destructive as other invasives like knotweed or rhodi, so that's definitely colouring my view.  But I shan't go into that here as that is a massive subject for discussion!

Learning to See

This isn't so much a post about ecology, but a couple of times now in both my hobbies and whilst out on bat walks and such I've noticed that people assume that they can't see in the dark.

I've been guilty of it in the past.  For years I was told by my mother that I was night blind.  I had this all but confirmed by both a doctor and an educational psychologist when I was diagnosed with Irlen Syndrome.  Irlen Syndrome sounds terrible, but it's just a perceptual disorder that means I see after images a lot.  It also means that I'm a bit clumsy, I like low contrast lighting conditions and I suck at reading graphs, music or anything that's lined or with high contrast patterning.  It can also mean that you are night blind.

About five years ago, I started doing hobbies that meant that I had to be outside at night, without artificial light and for long periods of time.  It was really difficult at first, I won't lie.  I felt unable to do much and even a bit helpless on occasion.  But in time, I learned how to see and it made me realise something -- sure, I struggle in the dark at night, but I wouldn't call it blind (anymore).  I've had to learn how to see in the dark though; it's not been easy and sure, I still have some problems that other people don't.  It still takes me several minutes more than my friends to adjust to the lighting levels, for example; but I can do it if I hang in there and I use the following coping strategies:

• Peripheral vision!  I all but ignore most of my central vision at night.  If you're looking for movement in the dark, you'll see it in the peripheral vision first.  You'll also see things like trees and branches in your periphery first.  This can be demonstrated pretty well with stars -- there are several stars that are so faint that you can't see them if you look straight at them.  If you look with your peripheral vision though, you suddenly can. 
• Lose the torch or go for a torch with a red light option.  Red light means you can still see to write without losing your night vision or affecting anyone else's.  Carry a white light torch though in case you really need it (emergencies, ID purposes, etc).
• If you're cordoning off an area for safety with glowsticks, use red spectrum glowsticks for the same reason.
• Don't just assume that because it's dark, you can't see!!!  On a night with a moon -- especially a full moon -- it can be bright enough to cast shadows.  Sure, there are some nights that are moonless, where you are out in the middle of nowhere, with no city light glow or perhaps there is no cloud cover to reflect light down from neighbouring cities.  Maybe you're in a wood and it's too dark to move.  Fine.  But give your night vision a chance first.  Give it 10 minutes.  Move slowly.  Your own eyes will surprise you.  Only use a torch if you really need to. 
• If someone is blinding you,  politely say something.  Usually they'll be pretty apologetic.  And don't hesitate to preserve your night vision by looking away or shielding your eyes.  Edit:  A friend of mine suggested the pirate trick of covering your dominant eye in order to preserve night vision.  I forgot that I do this too as it's now fairly instinctive.  He also suggested closing your eyes for 60 seconds in order to acclimatise to the dark.  It works for him, but I know I'd fall over!

Night vision can be really quite an important thing to have if you're doing nocturnal surveys.  Some bats actively avoid light (even the red lights) and you've little hope of looking at that moth if you shine a torch at it.  I've seen folks do this and the moths usually fly into the torchlight.  Use a jar to collect the moth and then bring it into the light -- you'll have much more success with your ID.

As I said, learning to see in the dark is a learned skill for me.  It probably is for a lot of people, whether or not they've got night vision issues.  Keep an open mind about it.  Sure, I still stumble often and it takes me a while to get going in the dark, but if I can do it, so can others.

Recovery Week

In the last week, I completed the following:

48 guild symbols
Two pairs of bracers
A pair of greaves
Four scabbards (two with lammie pouches)
A wrist purse

And at this point, I feel the need to explain something, as potential employers may run across this blog.  I have a hobby and I'm the first to admit it's a bit odd.  In short, a few weekends every year, I camp for anywhere between 3-5 days, in a field (or sometimes scout camp).  I spend large amounts of time wandering around forested areas, sometimes trying to walk very quietly and often this happens at night and in all weathers.  It almost sounds like ecology, until you take into account that I'm wearing armour.  I like history and I like being active.  The hobby I do is similar to medieval re-enactment, but with some differences (e.g. we're not being historically accurate, though there are guidelines for kit; we're not re-enacting a battle as such, but battles do happen).  If you're interested, I'm happy to talk about it -- after all, it was the hobby that made me realise that I would be much happier working outside and doing ecology.  And this is the hobby that prompted me towards the leatherwork because a lot of the kit is leather-based armour, leather pouches and leather scabbards.

So, back to what I've been doing, here's some photo tasters of the work I did this week...

And bear in mind, that's not even everything.  Busy bee.

Then there was the event, then we had Alton Towers with some friends (which was a day badly needed).  And then it was back to the real world.

So, this morning I had an email turning me down for one of the academic jobs I applied for -- I'm really curious as to why as I am totally qualified in terms of teaching, though I admit I am missing a hefty research portfolio.  I think I'm going to email them and ask why.  I've also had an interview from RECORD inviting me to interview as a volunteer.  I can't make it this week, so fingers crossed they don't mind next week.  At least that's positive.  Not heard anything out of anyone else, sadly.

So, jobs this week...

I have just discovered that it may well be worth putting in a CV with some local firms for ecological surveying, bat surveying and perhaps as someone with a spray cert.  I should get on that today/tomorrow.

There is an invasive species officer volunteer placement down in Bridgend (meaning I could stay in Wales for the rest of the summer), however, it's entirely unpaid and I can't afford that.  I don't know who could, either, apart from people living with mum & dad or extremely well off people.  But that's another issue!

I did spot a really awesome placement with Lancaster Wildlife Trust last week, however, given that it was advertised on the Monday, with a deadline of Friday 1) it wasn't happening and 2) that's really short notice for a deadline, which points to someone being prepared to slip into that position.

So.  Two things to apply for.  And I'm off to Wales tomorrow.  On reflection, I know what I'm doing this afternoon...

Edit:  I forgot to mention.  For no apparent reason that I am aware of, in this last week on Pinterest, I have gone from having 1,000 odd followers to 23,197 followers this morning.  I have no idea why, but I'm not complaining.  Most of my pins are mainly about history with some ecology thrown in -- people seem to really like that, but I've done nothing to actively make people follow me.  It's just happened.

Quiet week of quiet

Last week was hectic, hence not posting on Thursday.  I applied for all four positions except for the reserves worker job -- I mixed up the due days, sadly.  Having said that, it was a really long shot that one.  Fingers crossed for the other ones though.  Nothing heard back yet, but it's not even been a week for some of them.

Outside of that, I've been leatherworking like a beast.  Not only have I completed two scabbards, I've almost completed a clutch purse, as well as cutting, dying and mostly stitching a pair of bracers.  I've also cut and designed another pair of bracers and a pair of greaves, along with spending all of last Tuesday cutting out my designs from the engraved metal blocks I got from Leprevo.  Hard work, but totally worth it.  So, here's the desk of stuff...

And that's not even everything for the moot... still, looking good!

Thursday was a day IKEA and I finally got a new phone.  No, no.  You don't understand.  I bought my last phone seven years ago.  Yes, it still works.  I normally don't get rid of things until they are past broken, however... you have to admit that smartphones are awesome.  I took the above picture with it.  That's how awesome they are.

No jobs to apply for this week, so far, sadly.  But I'm keeping that eye out.  I've also not heard back from any of the volunteer places.  I think I'll follow up on Monday and see what the craic is.  After all, it is that time of the year, so it's worth making sure that you've not been forgotten -- after a decent amount of time, of course.

So where did the time go?

My intention is to blog every Thursday.  Well, I've already failed these past two weeks, but huzzah!  Not this one.  This is a new week.

I think I can let myself off of blogging the Thursday before last.  Why?  I had a mild fever, a headache and tonsillitis which I had to go visit the doctor over in order to get antibiotics.  Not a lot got done that week (towards either work or the job hunt, if I'm honest) but I think it's fairly understandable.  Everything I tried went wrong, everything I touched turned to poop.  I think I managed to fill in the equal opportunities sheet on an application to be a Phytophthora surveyor correctly though, so hooray for that at least.

Last week, I was in leatherwork mode.  I was in work (teaching) Wednesday/Thursday and had some leatherwork to finish for an event that weekend.  Mostly, I had a helm to finish and campaign tags to make.  Done, dusted, sorted.  My speed is really picking up.

This week, I spent Monday completing that application for the Phytophthora surveyor, taking in some tips from the recruitment specialist I spoke to from Penguin and a few friends in the area.  Fingers crossed -- though I feel quite doubtful simply because interviews are next week and I've heard nothing back.  Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.  I also spent part of yesterday confirming and redesigning graphics for creating emboss plates so that I can emboss designs onto leather -- I've never done this process before, so, fingers crossed!

I have found four jobs to apply for this week now.  Two are environmental.  Two are in my old field of work.  I'm going to apply for all four.  They are as follows:

Arboricultural surveyor -- Requires CV (phew!)
Reserves worker -- Application pack (eurgh), 23rd July.
Teaching fellow -- Application pack (eurgh), 19th July.
Lecturer -- Online application (eurgh) 24th July.

Both the teaching positions have full time and part time posts.  I'm not sure how far I'd get on the reserves worker job, but as I've said before, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Today, however, I need to spend today doing leatherwork.  I have a hat to armour, a knife sheath to make, and I also have a wallet I'd like to make for myself as I rarely make anything for myself these days.  This weekend will also be spent at an event, having fun and getting exercise. 

Keeping me honest

I've tried blogging before and I've never been good at it.  Not because I can't write, but because I always find an excuse to put things off or not to.

That stops now.

See, I've realised something.  A friend of mine is keeping a blog to help improve his life -- to lose weight, set goals, all sorts (http://tohitarseclass0.blogspot.co.uk) and I can't help but think he's right.  Though for me, at the moment, I need it to be about keeping me in line.  I'm trying to branch into a new career.  And I have to wonder -- am I trying as hard at it as I think I am?  Well, if it's written down in black and white, surely it will be easier to keep honest, right?  Here's hoping...

So.  This week I made a few decisions.  I will have a better job, whether it's the new career I'm hoping for (ecology) or just a better job than I have now -- even if I have to go the self employed route.  I want to do this by October.  We also want to move to a nicer house.  So, in the spirit of keeping myself honest...

This week:  I spent a lot of the day researching volunteer organisations near where we want to move to.  I filled in an application for volunteering with the Lancashire Mammal Group and contacted a friend of mine about both of us volunteering together -- either there or at Delamere.

I browsed over the CJS, environment jobs and simply hired emails that I get regularly.  CJS was a no go.  Environmentjobs showed a few possible positions, however, one was in Banbury, and the other was in Scotland.  They are only for the summer, and I seriously did consider it (given I'm paid a retainer over the summer at present), but have decided against applying because, well, it's Scotland and Banbury.  However, the one in Scotland does sound really interesting -- it's surveying fish and requires good swimmers.  It would be a good way to shift some weight and get some experience, however, it's just impractical.  It makes me sad.

I did look at the jobs on jobs.ac.uk, however, I really don't want to continue in academia unless I have to... and anyway, the only institutions currently hiring part timers in my area are either in London, Cambridge or New Zealand, so that's out.

However, I did see a job being advertised that I thought I'd missed the deadline for -- apparently not.  Trainee ecologist in Derbyshire.  So, I've applied for it after updating my CV this morning.  Here's hoping.

I also intend to contact a chap from Penguin today, along with contacting RECORD to see if they have any interest in having a volunteer surveyor for the summer (or parts thereof).  I need experience.  And although I'd prefer it to be paid, it doesn't have to be.

I realise that I have put off calling these people.  Well that also stops here.  Shy bairns don't get owt.   So, three o'clock today, I'm calling folks.  Not emailing, calling -- sometimes a phone call makes all the difference.

So.  Fingers crossed...