Tag Archives: surveying
What is xyHt?
Stand in the place where you live Now face North Think about direction Wonder why you haven’t before “Stand” – R.E.M. Why an obscure geodetic expression? It’s not all that obscure—it represents a foundational element requisite to nearly all human endeavor. It touches your life explicitly and in the abstract. All of the ways that...
The Coordinate
A steel fence post blended into the backyard, as if it were meant to be there for some purpose, like holding up firewood or stacking lumber. The surveyors—Igor “Eager” (The Kid) Kidinsky and Glenny “Glutton” (The Old Man) Dale—were looking for property pins along the alley, and neither one at first glance recognized this steel...
Wetlands Synergism
Professional interdependency is at the core of this project for acquiring federal conservation easements and restoring wetlands in Tennessee. Each item we touch these days has been shaped by a village of experts, from that cell phone in your pocket to the water coming out of the nearest drinking fountain. The surveying and engineering professions...
Sicilian Survey of the Norman Bridge
Standing at 10,970 feet tall, Italy’s Mount Etna dominates the eastern coast of Sicily and is the highest volcano on the European continent. At the foot of “the mountain,” as it is referred to by Sicilians, stretches a vast area of cultivated fields interlaced with a dense network of narrow streets bordered by the dry lava...
My Dad the Solo Surveyor
Dislocated My dad’s been acting pretty suspicious lately. He comes home after long hours with bruises, bug bites, and scratches. He invites strangers into our den. He also leaves to have these “lunch” meetings. I’m pretty sure that he’s not a superhero or a therapist, so I finally decided to ask what the heck’s going on....
Field Hazards: A Two-Copperhead Tuesday
It’s hot, dang hot here in Georgia. It’s so hot, you wish somebody would hit you in the head with a wet squirrel and cool you off! As a 56-year-old registered surveyor/party chief/instrument man/rodman/cad tech and office cleaner, I’m tired, hot, mosquito bit, chigger infested, and Grand-Central-Station for all of the ticks trying to get...
