The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef is a worldwide project created by Margaret and Christine Wertheim of the Institute for Figuring in Los Angeles.
The Sydney Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef was on display during 21-30 August in the Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo. Fortunately I was in Sydney last week and saw it first hand. Here's some of my photos of the exhibition.
The Reef begins with the technique of hyperbolic crochet discovered by Dr. Daina Taimina. In 1997, Daina Taimina, a mathematician at Cornell University, crocheted a physical model of hyperbolic space. Visit http://theiff.org/oexhibits/oe1e.html to read more about Daina's crochet models.
You can crochet your own hyperbolic plane by increasing incrementally. All you have to remember is to increase every nth stitch each row. For example, if n=4 you increase every 4th stitch, every row. As you increase, the surface begins to ruffle naturally. An article in Interweave Crochet magazine gives you the complete instructions at http://theiff.org/press/interweave.html.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
A hyperbolic coral reef in crochet
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Beaufort, North Carolina
Beaufort, North Carolina, is a mecca for boating enthusiasts. In early June the dock is crowded with large fishing boats being prepped for the Big Rock Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament.
The marshes of the waterways around Beaufort NC provide a very scenic backdrop to the historic downtown area.
The surrounding area of historic Beaufort is an aquatic playground. We especially like to take the boat trip off-shore from Harkers Island to the islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore.
We spend a few hours wandering around the remote, pristine beaches, looking for wild horses, wild flowers, seabirds and other wildlife.
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Atlantic Beach is a short drive from Beaufort. To avoid the intense summer sun we joined the early risers for a long walk on the beach. The fishing pier was already jumping.
I like to have an early morning coffee when I'm out walking so I was delighted to see the welcoming "OPEN" flag flapping in the sea breeze.
As we slurped our delicious hot coffees we looked out to sea, hoping to see dolphins or whales at play. On past trips we have spotted these beautiful sea creatures as they swim their east coast odyssey. 
Marina Del Rey, California, USA
The trip from east coast Australia to east coast USA is much more enjoyable if you take a short break in LA. One of our favorite stopovers is the Marina Del Rey Hotel. We like to get out for long walks to Santa Monica via Venice Beach. We browse the bookstores, eat bagels and biscuits and Mexican fare, and take in the general scene along the way. If you were hoping to catch a wave you probably will be disappointed. Try "people watching" instead...it doesn't get any better than what you'll find on the Venice Beach walkway.
Hand-powered rakes
Santa Monica appears to have outlawed those wretched leaf blowing machines. We saw lots of people cleaning up with rakes and brooms. Let's hope more cities will follow this admirable example. The noisy, dust-making leaf blower is one of the most environmentally unfriendly machines on the planet today.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Bruny Island Eco-adventure cruise, seal habitats
Bruny Island Eco-adventure cruise to the Southern Ocean
Explore the edge of the Southern Ocean aboard Bruny Island's eco-adventure boat.
The 3-hour cruise along Bruny Island's rugged coast takes you to the natural habitats of seals, dolphins, whales, eagles, albatross and gannets. The majestic, rugged landforms provide a scenic backdrop that amazes and delights the senses.
Late February is still summer on Bruny but you will need your beanie and a warm jacket. Long, red, waterproof coats are available to keep you dry.
Scores of dolphins graced us with their beauty. At one point, 5 burst through a large wave together to the applause of all who witnessed that special moment.
Though I took plenty of photos on our cruise, I was unable to capture the dolphins at play. They were just too quick, and I decided to give my full attention to their extraordinary performance.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Sunset on Oahu, Waikiki Beach
Sunset draws a crowd at Waikiki - everyone has their camera ready. Dukes was my preferred viewing spot. I like how the tall, skinny palm trees silhouette the fiery sky. 
You have to arrive to your beach bar early if you want a good viewing spot for sunset hour. Bright Hawaiian shirts are essential....they let you blend in with the crowd. Hibiscus flower prints, palm tree prints and beach theme prints camouflage you in this tropical paradise.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Oahu road trip
We hired a car for a couple of days to explore the island of Oahu. We wanted to see Oahu's legendary North Shore via the picturesque coastline of Southeast and Windward Oahu. When we reached the North Shore, the waves were disappointing but the wind was impressive - instead of surfboard riders we found windsurfers and scores of kitesurfers at Mokuleia Beach Park.
Mokuleia Beach, North Shore, Oahu - kitesurfing.
Mokuleia Beach, North Shore, Oahu - windsurfing.
Mokuleia Beach, North Shore, Oahu - spectating.
Casual accommodation was scarce in the north. Unless you could afford a 5-star golfing resort or were happy to settle for backpacker's lodgings, you had to keep moving. We continued our journey via the inland highway and very quickly found ourselves near Pearl City.
Once we were on Farrington Highway we decided to check out Paradise Cove. We knew it had a popular Lu'au - an Hawaiian-style beach party with traditional singing and dancing. There were hotels and resorts aplenty so we thought we had a chance of staying for the Lu'au, having a couple of cocktails and sleeping nearby.
Alas, it was Presidents' Day weekend so the more affordable rooms were already taken.
We found the beach walkway and snapped a photo of Paradise Cove before heading back to the Circle Hotel at Waikiki.
Early next morning we went back to the west or leeward coast of Oahu to continue our journey. Not far down the track, there were lots of ragged tarps and tents obscuring our view of the coastline. The makeshift shelter of the homeless stood in stark contrast to the beautiful accommodation of golf resorts a few miles away.
There was a surf carnival in progress at Makaha Beach so we kept going - almost to the end of the road. There was no one in sight, 
we had the beach all to ourselves
until a local family arrived for a beach picnic.
Having reached the end of the Leeward trail, we returned to Southeast Oahu via the Pali Highway.
We stopped at the "look-out" along the way. The beauty of Oahu stretched out before us.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Oahu Locals, Honolulu
King Kamehameha was the first warrior to unite all the Hawaiian Islands. There is a state holiday in June for King Kamehameha Day...when dozens of 30-foot leis are draped from this statue.
Curyn and Joseph create delicious meals at Ruffage, a natural foods store specialising in healthy sandwiches, smoothies, soups and salads. They have daily Vegetarian and Vegan specials. We couldn't get enough of their yummy food. Ruffage is located on 2443 Kuhio Avenue Honolulu. We discovered them in the Rough Guide Directions, Honolulu & Oahu.
Sue has a yarn store, Isle Knit, in the heart of Honolulu. She has a wide variety of wonderful crochet and knitting yarns. I couldn't resist the 100% sugar cane yarn hand dyed in soft variegated blues, greens and neutrals. I was pleased to find my favourite brand and style of crochet hook....Clover soft touch.
I discovered an excellent pattern book called Mondo Valeria. With a 5.5 mm crochet hook and my Araucania sugar cane yarn I embarked on no. 32, a lacy summer shawl. I finished it when I returned to Australia.
It's always a delight to find exquisite yarns and patterns when I travel. Isle Knit is located at 1188 Bishop St, Suite 1403 Honolulu.
Barack Obama, 44th President of the USA, was born in Honolulu on August 4, 1961. Obamaland by Ron Jacobs lets you follow in "Barry's" footsteps. The O-Zones of Oahu are Makiki, Manoa, Waikiki, Downtown, Windward and Northshore/Leeward.
I bought my collector's edition of Obamaland from Butigroove. The store is on Pi'ikoi Street, not far from the Ala Moana shopping center. Butigroove is a musically driven Hawaiian clothing label - representing positive movement influenced by all things musical.
For convenience you can buy your copy of Obamaland online from Butigroove.
A four-legged local. This loyal, local hound is waiting for his master at Dukes, a very popular watering hole right on the beach at Waikiki.
Iolani Palace, Honolulu
Iolani Palace was built for King David Kalakaua in 1882. It was last occupied by Hawaiian royalty in 1893 by deposed Queen Liliuokalani. 
The palace became the Hawaiian state capitol building, before the new capitol building was completed in 1969. It is now a museum.
The bright yellow ochre window shutters matched my travel hat...the hat I designed and made especially for our Hawaiian holiday.
Diamond Head, Waikiki
The extinct crater, Diamond Head, is a distinctive landmark of Honolulu located on the edge of Waikiki Beach.
Looking back across the beach to Diamond Head at sunset.
Waikiki Beach, Oahu
This is the 5-star view from our 3-star hotel on Waikiki. The Waikiki Circle Hotel is located in the middle of all that is wonderful on Waikiki Beach....food, shopping, sunshine, sand and surf.
February is a winter month in Hawaii so there was rain and cloud from time to time but the temperature stayed steady. Highs at 28 degrees (C) and lows at 18-19 degrees (C).
Swimming, sailing and surfing are the key beach activities. Many people take their first surfboard ride on gentle waves at Waikiki.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Winter is almost over in Vermont
Winter is almost over and we can see the deer wandering around now.
This morning I received this image, complete with caption, from my brother-in-law. Kennedy lives in Charlotte, Vermont, USA.
