Author Archives: thomasfarley01

About thomasfarley01

Freelance writer specializing in outdoor subjects, particularly rocks, gems and minerals.

Thoughts on Learning Video

Posted on November 16, 2019

I’m learning about video after putting it away years ago. In 2014 I produced this video which has now gathered over 118,000 views. 185 thumbs up, 36 thumbs down. Haters going to hate. Video was so time consuming that I … Continue reading →

Posted in Photography, Photoshop, Thoughts on writing, Uncategorized, Writing tips | Tagged lack of detail, small screens, video, video difficulties, video production | Leave a comment

What Does Junk Mail and Wikipedia Have in Common?

Posted on November 13, 2019

The answer is that both only get a two to three percent response to their solicitations. And while junk mail sells junk, Wikipedia serves a good purpose. Their articles do a fine job of providing secondary source material (external link) and … Continue reading →

Posted in non-fiction writing, Research tips, revising writing, southwestrockhounding.com, Uncategorized | Tagged primary sources of references, support wikimedia, Wikipedia | Leave a comment

Architecture and Writing and Compromises

Posted on November 2, 2019

Tom Wolfe once said that we all have to live with an architect’s mistakes. How true. My bad writing won’t assault your senses (and that of the public) every time you drive to work. That’s unlike the concrete tilt ups … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Newspaper article, Poetry, Uncategorized | Tagged architecture, blacktop, California, california state fair, compromise, design, dying trees, eliot, fairgrounds, pavement, Sacramento, The Hollow Men, wallpaper magazine | Leave a comment

One of The Seven Sisters in San Luis Obispo County

Posted on October 29, 2019

Just had some 40 year old half-frame slides turned into prints. Kodachrome film showing loss of color and tone. I’d post a picture or me or the rest of the countryside but I think the only thing worth looking at … Continue reading →

Posted in Photography, Uncategorized | Tagged poison oak, san luis obispo county slo town, seven sisters, slo, the past | Leave a comment

The Harding Pegmatite Mine in Taos County, New Mexico

Posted on October 28, 2019

The Harding Pegmatite Mine in Taos County, New Mexico is owned by the State and managed by the University of New Mexico. You can visit and collect up to five pounds of material but there is a procedure you must … Continue reading →

Posted in Photography, rocks and lapidary, southwestrockhounding.com, Uncategorized | Tagged D. H. Lawrence, harding pegmatite mine, New Mexico, october, rockhounding, rockhounding the southwest, southwestrockhounding.com, taos, taos county | Leave a comment

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Posted on October 22, 2019

Took a walk at Red Rock today, just west of Las Vegas, only ten miles from where I live. Below: looking north to iron stained hills at dusk Below: looking south to a limestone outcropping with Yucca Below: desert wash

Posted in Photography, Uncategorized | Tagged fall day, hiking, Las Vegas, Nevada, red rock, Red Rock Canyon, red rock canyon national conservation area, walking | 1 Comment

DHL, Serial Disorder and T.S. Eliot