Day 8

Ok, so it's day 8 and I suppose it's now actually been a week on Monhegan. This morning I woke up and had the usual breakfast (at this point you all should know what it is). I took a 45 minute nap and packed up to head off to work. It was pretty hot this morning -- the walk up the hill got me pretty sweaty. Part of it could also be that I'm carrying my laptop and the exhibition catalog in my backpack meant for way more, so there's not too much ventilation for my back and shoulders. Anyhow, during my walk I formulated an idea, and once I got to work I decided to make that idea a reality. For context:

CONTEXT:

•  Two-thirds of the island is now owned my Monhegan Associates, the land trust that has made their mission stewarding and protecting the land. Yet, not long ago, this majority of the island was up for grabs, and there were big plans to build a neighborhood out by Burnt Head (you remember, the southernmost headland). This development had about 60 plots for houses on a neatly organized grid system all the way up to the cliffs. 
• A blueprint of the development (known as the Prospect Hill Lots) is in the exhibition, and I've highlighted it on my walk for visitors to imagine what the headlands would look like with dozens of homes in place of the Wildlands. This blueprint shows the development as existing in a sort of void that leaves the neighborhood disconnected from the rest of the island in a visitors mind. So, to put it in context:

I decided to superimpose the Prospect Hill Lots blueprint on a map of the island, to show visitors the dimensions of the proposed neighborhood and how the artists views would be completely interrupted by rows upon rows of houses. I launched Photoshop and tried to isolate the cliff and development from the void of blue on the blueprint. I tried many tools, but the eraser ended up being the most successful. I effectively erased the background of the blueprint and created a PNG of the lot so it could be superimposed on the island map. I tried my best to match up the coastlines, so here it is:

A little hard to see the full picture because I lowered the opacity on the blueprint, so you'll just have to come out to see the exhibit. I did some other things at work today but i've gone in depth enough there. Today's Wildlands Walk was back on, though only with two walkers. However, they were very nice and wanted to walk speedily, which matches my default speedy pace. 10/10.

At the end of the day as I began to pack up, a seagull with a small scroll tied around its left leg flew up to the office window. I went outside to investigate and the seagull pulled the loose end of the string and the scroll fell to the ground. It immediately flew away. The scroll stated that there were plans from the crew at the inn to go swimming down at Maya's house in deadman's cove. Maya works at the Mooring Chain cafe and lives here with her family. I decided to RSVP that I would be coming as soon as I got out of work. I just texted to respond; finding a cooperative seagull seemed a little tedious. 

Back at the inn I threw on my swimsuit and we walked over to the north end of the island and had a nice couple hour swimming/sunbathing session on the rocks. Folks were smart enough to bring some snacks too, so we feasted. Jane and I decided to head back to the inn around 7 and we showered then got some dinner. Tonight was lemon caper haddock with broccoli and mashed potatoes. Super yummy, as always. Then it was time to blog, so here I am updating you all!

Hope your days were as fun as mine!

Love, Me