California’s state rock is serpentine.

There seems to be a state symbol for everything . I’m not really sure of the history of assigning creatures (including mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and insects), flora (including trees, flowers and grass), colors, minerals and other seemingly random objects to our regions. California has developed or proclaimed 35 symbols representing its vast history, culture and land.

In 1965, California became the first state in the union to name an official state rock. Pretty cool, but odd. serpentine has a beautiful olive-green coloring with a sort of waxy or greasy feeling. And due to California’s location along to major tectonic plates, serpentine is prevalent as a result of the stresses caused from the two plates colliding.

According to this recent article from the San Francisco Chronicle, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization began a campaign called “Drop the Rock” in 2008  to remove serpentine’s status as state rock since it contains the toxin, asbestos. But geologists and others are stepping up to the plate (pun intended) to keep this rock’s reputation and integrity.

I am not a geologist or scientist of any sort, but even if serpentine contains cancer-causing agents, that fact should not change its place as our state symbol. The historical and scientific value does not change. If we are going to proclaim and renege random symbols then the next time a grizzly bear mauls a person, we should offer the position to the endangered giant kangaroo rat.

Photo source: Geohiking

Interviews are not my forte.

A simple task really, “Get some quotes from girls while you are at camp.” I get there in the middle of a busy day of campers both coming and going. Strike one. None of the girls will be doing anything fun today. It is all tired faces and tears of sadness as campers depart from the fun memories. The girls who are venturing to camp for their first day, will be in the beginning stages of bonding while at the same time mourning the familiarity of their homes.

Ok, not what I really expected… but I roll with it. I will find out from the girls leaving what they loved about camp the most and asked the arriving girls what they are most excited about. The staff know I am doing this but it still feels weird. A random lady, who looks kind of official asking prodding questions about their time at camp. That’s me. Strike two.

So I manage to get a few decent answers to my questions. I jot down notes to make sure I remember by tomorrow morning, because that is what the pros do. Am I right?

As I am leaving I take a glance over my notes. I totally understand what they mean. Awesome. But upon looking closer I realized I failed to get pertinent information. No ages, no grades, no camp units and worse, no names. Strike three, I am out. My quotes are pretty much useless… but I totally completed the assignment. I can’t say if they will ever ask me to help again though.