plot of this story is that Larry had neglected to pack the core extruder, a primitive
cylindrical apparatus with a diameter matching the inner diameter of the plastic core
tube. Ah, but necessity is the mother of invention. After futzing around the garage
for several moments, Larry had a revelation. The circular diameter of Doug’s halffull Barcardi bottle was such that it fit precisely into the core liner, able to step into
the breach and be used as a make-shift push-up extruder. All that needed doing was
to pour the white rum into the empty (and square-shaped) Bombay gin bottle. Eager
to get the core processing work going, Larry neglected to label the Bombay bottle as
Bacardi rum.
So there the entire team was happily engaged in their work: Larry and Chuck
processing the core, Doug and myself outlining our chapter amidst a songfest, Dick
Smith setting up his sulfate-reduction incubations, Nisan Steinberg looking to assay
collected sediments for
75 Se-selenate reduction, and I think even Niels Iversen may
have been there labeling the bottom water with
14 C-CH 4 . At that moment out of the
depths of the garage came a loud stream of shouted, unrepeatable expletives with
regard to just what comprised the clear liquid occupying the Bombay bottle and who
was responsible for this dastardly deed of gin mutilation? Jim had taken his first deep
pull on his much needed, thirst quenching presumed gin & tonic and had received a
most unwelcome surprise. After the cause of the mix-up was revealed to Jim, he was
directed to the other bottle of Bombay, while Doug generously offered to consume
his rum and tonic rather than let it go to waste. But Jim was in a touchy mood for the
rest of the day and kept a sharp eye upon his prized possession. Larry and Chuck
finished processing the core, and despite the smelly mud that they were covered
with, gratefully partook in the G&Ts that Jim was able to dispense. Life resumed its
previous course and another successful BSL field trip was concluded.
The Lariat Motel marque as viewed by night (left panel: from the
south) and day (tight panel: from the north).
The Lariat Motel marque as viewed by night (left panel: from the south) and day (right panel: from
the north)
31 Salty, Alkali-Laced Tales (Mostly True) from the Great Basin Desert, California. . .
661
cylindrical apparatus with a diameter matching the inner diameter of the plastic core
tube. Ah, but necessity is the mother of invention. After futzing around the garage
for several moments, Larry had a revelation. The circular diameter of Doug’s halffull Barcardi bottle was such that it fit precisely into the core liner, able to step into
the breach and be used as a make-shift push-up extruder. All that needed doing was
to pour the white rum into the empty (and square-shaped) Bombay gin bottle. Eager
to get the core processing work going, Larry neglected to label the Bombay bottle as
Bacardi rum.
So there the entire team was happily engaged in their work: Larry and Chuck
processing the core, Doug and myself outlining our chapter amidst a songfest, Dick
Smith setting up his sulfate-reduction incubations, Nisan Steinberg looking to assay
collected sediments for
75 Se-selenate reduction, and I think even Niels Iversen may
have been there labeling the bottom water with
14 C-CH 4 . At that moment out of the
depths of the garage came a loud stream of shouted, unrepeatable expletives with
regard to just what comprised the clear liquid occupying the Bombay bottle and who
was responsible for this dastardly deed of gin mutilation? Jim had taken his first deep
pull on his much needed, thirst quenching presumed gin & tonic and had received a
most unwelcome surprise. After the cause of the mix-up was revealed to Jim, he was
directed to the other bottle of Bombay, while Doug generously offered to consume
his rum and tonic rather than let it go to waste. But Jim was in a touchy mood for the
rest of the day and kept a sharp eye upon his prized possession. Larry and Chuck
finished processing the core, and despite the smelly mud that they were covered
with, gratefully partook in the G&Ts that Jim was able to dispense. Life resumed its
previous course and another successful BSL field trip was concluded.
The Lariat Motel marque as viewed by night (left panel: from the
south) and day (tight panel: from the north).
The Lariat Motel marque as viewed by night (left panel: from the south) and day (right panel: from
the north)
31 Salty, Alkali-Laced Tales (Mostly True) from the Great Basin Desert, California. . .
661