My last update from Alaska, August 8, 2010, started at 10:46 AM AK Time
I have done some things recently that I don’t think that I’ve mentioned. I will list them in no particular order.
1. Rafted down Campbell Creek in a Target $5 raft. Mild hypothermia may have set it.
2. Started an event at Covenant House whereby teams build cardboard boats with duct tape and race them. My boat, The Meggido, sank. I carted it through the water to the finish line though. Next years boat for the CSC will be The Redemption.
3. I had my last day of work on Monday, August 2nd.
4. I tried whale, and whale fermented in whale blood.
5. I am gaining weight because everyone keeps taking us out to lunch and dinner.
6. We helped move the new Jesuit Volunteers in last night. It is odd moving people in to the house you just lived at.
7. Acted like a tourist.
8. Biked 25 miles out to Eagle River and back.
9. Played with Kickpocalypse the Kickball team. I kicked my first grand slam the other day and played in the All-Star game this past Friday where I booted two home-runs.
And so ends the glorious year. But the journey continues.
Tonight, I fly out to Juneau where two of my housemates and I will be ferrying to Sitka, Petersburg, and Ketchikan. This will take about a week and we will hopefully be able to see lots of marine life and beautiful mountains as we cruise around on the waters of Southeast Alaska.
Then I will be flying to San Diego to meet up with my friend Nick from High School. We will be driving his stuff back from CA to Michigan via Phoenix, Denver, Kansas City, Chicago and I don’t really know where else. I believe the intended date of return to Michigan is the 23rd of August. I’m not completely sure, who knows what might happen.
I will have to elucidate my feelings on the year at some later point, probably after I have reflected and am at home in late August.
It is a sad thing to leave Alaska. It truly is a majestic place.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
The End of the Beginning
Dear Arctic Ocean,
I traveled the Dalton Highway, also known as the Haul Road for those who watch Ice Road Truckers. Regular folks aren't supposed to use this road between the months of October to April due to the extreme weather conditions. Quick facts: from Anchorage to the Arctic Ocean and back is about 1700 miles; we traversed this distance in 3.5 days; we drove a '99 Ford Exporer, black; it was coated brown after the end; we had to bring 15 gallons of gas strapped to the roof of the car b/c gas isn't guaranteed; 4 of us journeyed; we dipped in the Arctic Ocean which wasn't too cold, but there was a threat of hitting rusting metals in the water; BP is the operator up there at Prudhoe Bay where the oil is pumped; Prudhoe Bay, the farthest north area we went has the largest concentration of mosquitoes in the world; 250 some people travel it every day.
People said we were crazy, trying to get there. Many people blow a tire. Others wouldn't want to drive for three straight days. Still others would balk at eating meager rations. And, there's no support crew if you get into an accident. Few want to spend a weekend doing this.
Worth it. You get to see the interior of Alaska. You drive through 3 mountain ranges. You go past ANWR (Anwar as it is commonly pronounced). BTW, this makes me an expert at oil exploration. So if any of you are for or against drilling in ANWR, just know that I have been there and you can't argue with me because of my credentials. PhD Krawetzke.
Sadly few animals. The caribou had just migrated through the North Slope. Thousands of them the week before we got there. Major bumsies. It's okay though. We got to bounce along the tundra, follow the trans-alaskan pipeline (which is an engineering marvel, look it up), and travel along an unpaved road at speeds ranging from 20mph-45mph.
On our way back we made two notable stops. One was at the Chena Hot Springs. These hot springs are up by Fairbanks and a resort has created a pool around them. The water is over a hundred degrees and they've created a rock formation around it. You can go swimming in it year round. Pretty rad. It's not often in Alaska that you feel uncomfortably hot after a little while. Being encased in heat was intoxicating. Bliss.
Our other notable stop was in a place called North Pole. When people send letters to Santa Claus this is where they go. They even respond to letters. It's psychedelic. Every light post looks like a candy cane, every street is named something Christmasy, and there are giant santa cutouts that tower over you. I can't be certain, but this might be an LCD-inspired town. I'm petitioning Congress for a special investigation.
I traveled the Dalton Highway, also known as the Haul Road for those who watch Ice Road Truckers. Regular folks aren't supposed to use this road between the months of October to April due to the extreme weather conditions. Quick facts: from Anchorage to the Arctic Ocean and back is about 1700 miles; we traversed this distance in 3.5 days; we drove a '99 Ford Exporer, black; it was coated brown after the end; we had to bring 15 gallons of gas strapped to the roof of the car b/c gas isn't guaranteed; 4 of us journeyed; we dipped in the Arctic Ocean which wasn't too cold, but there was a threat of hitting rusting metals in the water; BP is the operator up there at Prudhoe Bay where the oil is pumped; Prudhoe Bay, the farthest north area we went has the largest concentration of mosquitoes in the world; 250 some people travel it every day.
People said we were crazy, trying to get there. Many people blow a tire. Others wouldn't want to drive for three straight days. Still others would balk at eating meager rations. And, there's no support crew if you get into an accident. Few want to spend a weekend doing this.
Worth it. You get to see the interior of Alaska. You drive through 3 mountain ranges. You go past ANWR (Anwar as it is commonly pronounced). BTW, this makes me an expert at oil exploration. So if any of you are for or against drilling in ANWR, just know that I have been there and you can't argue with me because of my credentials. PhD Krawetzke.
Sadly few animals. The caribou had just migrated through the North Slope. Thousands of them the week before we got there. Major bumsies. It's okay though. We got to bounce along the tundra, follow the trans-alaskan pipeline (which is an engineering marvel, look it up), and travel along an unpaved road at speeds ranging from 20mph-45mph.
On our way back we made two notable stops. One was at the Chena Hot Springs. These hot springs are up by Fairbanks and a resort has created a pool around them. The water is over a hundred degrees and they've created a rock formation around it. You can go swimming in it year round. Pretty rad. It's not often in Alaska that you feel uncomfortably hot after a little while. Being encased in heat was intoxicating. Bliss.
Our other notable stop was in a place called North Pole. When people send letters to Santa Claus this is where they go. They even respond to letters. It's psychedelic. Every light post looks like a candy cane, every street is named something Christmasy, and there are giant santa cutouts that tower over you. I can't be certain, but this might be an LCD-inspired town. I'm petitioning Congress for a special investigation.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Marathons and Musings
Everyone, hello.
Quite a lot has been happening recently, as I'm sure it is with you. Summer is upon us.
Never have I lived in a place that so actively follows the timing of the sun and rejoices in it. Everyone is out of their winter dens and experiencing as much of the light as possible. Many people know the time when the sun rises and sets, but it's all pointless because it's light out all "night" long. There is no night here. The day has conquered it. It's been 50s or 60s for far except for one week of low 70s. The youth complain on a sunny day that it is too hot. One came inside the CSC because it was too hot outside.
"It's 60 degrees out. It's not too hot. 90 is hot. Get outside. Get some sun." The staff retorted.
I maximize my chances to bronze as much as possible. On the weekend I read the Economist outside in my shorts and I run home a decent amount so I drink it in. People in Anchorage are magically pale. I've also committed to wearing shorts to work everyday, along with another co-worker. It's summer, we argue, and so, we shall wear shorts! Viva la shorts!
In other news, I ran a marathon the other day, aka last Saturday. I ran it in 3'40". That turns out to be 8 min and 40 sec miles. I ran most of the race at a pace of 8 min 20 secs but my last 6 miles were less than stellar... To give you a hint as to their weak-sauce nature I shall tell you a tale.
At mile 10 or so, I caught up to an older man wearing burnt orange. A TEXAS FAN. His shirt said Runtex on it and I thought nothing of passing him because people were always shifting in positions as the race went on. Many people who passed me I eventually passed because they couldn't sustain their pace. Well, let me tell you a lesson I've learned in the past but had forgotten. Old Man Strength is not to be underestimated.
For all those who don't know, Old Man Strength is the term used to describe men over 35 who have increased muscle mass even though they don't appear to have worked out or have large muscles. This is the strength that allows a father to whoop on his sons even when the sons should have reached that peak physical prime. My theory is that at 25 I will be at my prime, but I wonder sometimes because of OMS if that is true.
Mile 21 comes around. I'm fighting against my better instincts which tell me to quit but I'm churning my legs, trying to keep running. This Runtex man comes gracefully out of the thicket, blatantly flaunting his superior SEVENTY YEAR OLD LEGS. "Nathan, this man is 70 looking, you can keep pace with him for the rest of the marathon." I believed that illusion for a couple of minutes. Then I realized he was in better shape and I had been bested. This man, is, the man I thought. I hope when I'm 70 that I have the skill of this old man. Then he ran off into the distance, maintaining his pace while mine tapered off. Those last 6 miles really are a killer.
But know everyone, that I, Nathan Alan Apollo Krawetzke, did not juice. I took no performance enhancing drugs. No muscle milk, no roids, no goos. Goos? People offered me these goos that are simple sugars that can give you energy. Modern creations of man.
"Just try it Nathan, everyones doing it, don't you want to be cool? They'll help you finish strong and keep you energized. You should give it a go"
"You keep your filthy goos! Do I look like the Barry Bonds or Lloyd Flandis of marathon running? I'm running this all natural. Scruff McGruff taught me well, along with the DARE Bear."
"Just say no" ran through my head. I thought of the disappointment of my parents as other parents heard in the media and looked down on a shamed family. "Oh, your son took goos, oh my, pity, what a shame, that boy had potential, why did he feel he had to go that eXtreme? Pity, pity..."
I ran it clean!
This was on my life list. It has been crossed off. I'm claiming credit as the first Krawetzke to run a marathon. Perhaps the first Schaupp. Does that make me a runner? I've always thought runners were odd. I'd rather play tennis, soccer, or bball. History shall decide.
Wimbledon! John Isner. Phenomenal.
Soccer! Team USA! I've woken up early to watch the games at a bar downtown that plays them (6 AM here). If you aren't watching, what the heaven are you doing? Get it in gear. Lock it up. We're in the top 16. Watch the game Saturday. Catch the fever. USA. If you don't care, you're probably a terrorist because you certainly aren't a patriot. In honor of the 4th, and not having to say the word honour with an English U, root for America and for freedom.
I have yet to see a bear, but I've seen a print and some scat. Maybe if I can get up to Denali I'll be able to see some. Someone got attacked (and was barely hurt) on a trail in a state park by Anchorage b/c they were riding their bike by a stream where bears hunt for fish (bears are surprised by fast moving bikers and so react). Some wanted the trail closed. Mayor Dan Sullivan said roughly "we shall not cede an urban, human, park to the bear enemy. this is our city." I agreed 100%. We've claimed this land bears. There are many human traitors/bear lovers/freedom haters though who have complained about this. "Bears were here first and they can do whatever they want. I hate humans," they say. Unbelievable, I know.
Soon, bears will attempt to wear suits like in Animal Farm, and Moose will press for a right to vote. We Alaskans can't let that happen. Not on my watch. I shall fight for what George Washington gave us. You betcha.
I should be home in August for all those interested parties.
Quite a lot has been happening recently, as I'm sure it is with you. Summer is upon us.
Never have I lived in a place that so actively follows the timing of the sun and rejoices in it. Everyone is out of their winter dens and experiencing as much of the light as possible. Many people know the time when the sun rises and sets, but it's all pointless because it's light out all "night" long. There is no night here. The day has conquered it. It's been 50s or 60s for far except for one week of low 70s. The youth complain on a sunny day that it is too hot. One came inside the CSC because it was too hot outside.
"It's 60 degrees out. It's not too hot. 90 is hot. Get outside. Get some sun." The staff retorted.
I maximize my chances to bronze as much as possible. On the weekend I read the Economist outside in my shorts and I run home a decent amount so I drink it in. People in Anchorage are magically pale. I've also committed to wearing shorts to work everyday, along with another co-worker. It's summer, we argue, and so, we shall wear shorts! Viva la shorts!
In other news, I ran a marathon the other day, aka last Saturday. I ran it in 3'40". That turns out to be 8 min and 40 sec miles. I ran most of the race at a pace of 8 min 20 secs but my last 6 miles were less than stellar... To give you a hint as to their weak-sauce nature I shall tell you a tale.
At mile 10 or so, I caught up to an older man wearing burnt orange. A TEXAS FAN. His shirt said Runtex on it and I thought nothing of passing him because people were always shifting in positions as the race went on. Many people who passed me I eventually passed because they couldn't sustain their pace. Well, let me tell you a lesson I've learned in the past but had forgotten. Old Man Strength is not to be underestimated.
For all those who don't know, Old Man Strength is the term used to describe men over 35 who have increased muscle mass even though they don't appear to have worked out or have large muscles. This is the strength that allows a father to whoop on his sons even when the sons should have reached that peak physical prime. My theory is that at 25 I will be at my prime, but I wonder sometimes because of OMS if that is true.
Mile 21 comes around. I'm fighting against my better instincts which tell me to quit but I'm churning my legs, trying to keep running. This Runtex man comes gracefully out of the thicket, blatantly flaunting his superior SEVENTY YEAR OLD LEGS. "Nathan, this man is 70 looking, you can keep pace with him for the rest of the marathon." I believed that illusion for a couple of minutes. Then I realized he was in better shape and I had been bested. This man, is, the man I thought. I hope when I'm 70 that I have the skill of this old man. Then he ran off into the distance, maintaining his pace while mine tapered off. Those last 6 miles really are a killer.
But know everyone, that I, Nathan Alan Apollo Krawetzke, did not juice. I took no performance enhancing drugs. No muscle milk, no roids, no goos. Goos? People offered me these goos that are simple sugars that can give you energy. Modern creations of man.
"Just try it Nathan, everyones doing it, don't you want to be cool? They'll help you finish strong and keep you energized. You should give it a go"
"You keep your filthy goos! Do I look like the Barry Bonds or Lloyd Flandis of marathon running? I'm running this all natural. Scruff McGruff taught me well, along with the DARE Bear."
"Just say no" ran through my head. I thought of the disappointment of my parents as other parents heard in the media and looked down on a shamed family. "Oh, your son took goos, oh my, pity, what a shame, that boy had potential, why did he feel he had to go that eXtreme? Pity, pity..."
I ran it clean!
This was on my life list. It has been crossed off. I'm claiming credit as the first Krawetzke to run a marathon. Perhaps the first Schaupp. Does that make me a runner? I've always thought runners were odd. I'd rather play tennis, soccer, or bball. History shall decide.
Wimbledon! John Isner. Phenomenal.
Soccer! Team USA! I've woken up early to watch the games at a bar downtown that plays them (6 AM here). If you aren't watching, what the heaven are you doing? Get it in gear. Lock it up. We're in the top 16. Watch the game Saturday. Catch the fever. USA. If you don't care, you're probably a terrorist because you certainly aren't a patriot. In honor of the 4th, and not having to say the word honour with an English U, root for America and for freedom.
I have yet to see a bear, but I've seen a print and some scat. Maybe if I can get up to Denali I'll be able to see some. Someone got attacked (and was barely hurt) on a trail in a state park by Anchorage b/c they were riding their bike by a stream where bears hunt for fish (bears are surprised by fast moving bikers and so react). Some wanted the trail closed. Mayor Dan Sullivan said roughly "we shall not cede an urban, human, park to the bear enemy. this is our city." I agreed 100%. We've claimed this land bears. There are many human traitors/bear lovers/freedom haters though who have complained about this. "Bears were here first and they can do whatever they want. I hate humans," they say. Unbelievable, I know.
Soon, bears will attempt to wear suits like in Animal Farm, and Moose will press for a right to vote. We Alaskans can't let that happen. Not on my watch. I shall fight for what George Washington gave us. You betcha.
I should be home in August for all those interested parties.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Green Eggs and Wildlife
Everything is green again! Finally. And it's starting to be high 50s, barely 60, fairly consistently. I ran in just a t-shirt and shorts for the first time yesterday. In the words of a high schooler: epic.
The marathon looms in the distance. As Frodo once nervously approached Mount Doom with Samwise Gamgee, I too must now start the inevitable climb to the marathon date in June.
The hype machine for the Lions has begun turning. With another stellar draft and an improved D-line, I can't wait to watch the Lions absolutely maul the competition on their way to a perfect, 16-0 season just two years after going 0-16. SUPERBOWL 2011. Done.
I saw two baby moose that had only been born the day before. They could barely walk and were the size of little dogs. Curse the moosen! They will attack our vegetables and steal our food supply. Soon they'll steal fire from us like that monkey tried to do in Jungle Book and then who knows where the world will go. Vigilance!
Orcas are dangerous. I watched them on Blue Planet spend 6 hours drowning a baby gray whale only so that they could eat its tonge and jaw. Are you kidding? These monsters kill just for the sport of it. Keep an eye on your waters everyone.
Do people still say Guaransheed back home?
You can still bike outside here at 11 PM and not have trouble seeing because its a long twilight. Ridiculous.
Come Memorial Day weekend, I should be going on a trip to Homer, AK in my flashy mini-cooper. I won two days of a free rental because of my mustache's charisma during a People's Choice competition. Hope is this small hippie town off the edge of the Kenai penninsula where there is lots of fishing, camping, and beautiful wildlife all on the sea. It should be a good time for all.
Most exciting of all: I asked the cook at Covenant House if I could have a special meal for my birthday and she agreed to make everyone Breakfast for Lunch on June 9th. If you don't like breakfast foods for lunch or dinner, you need to figure out why you have lost your soul. It's so delicious. It has the potential to be a best day ever. Eggs, hashbrowns, omelettes, french toast, fruit, pancakes, waffles, toast, biscuits, orange juice, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Oh yes. Oh yes.
The marathon looms in the distance. As Frodo once nervously approached Mount Doom with Samwise Gamgee, I too must now start the inevitable climb to the marathon date in June.
The hype machine for the Lions has begun turning. With another stellar draft and an improved D-line, I can't wait to watch the Lions absolutely maul the competition on their way to a perfect, 16-0 season just two years after going 0-16. SUPERBOWL 2011. Done.
I saw two baby moose that had only been born the day before. They could barely walk and were the size of little dogs. Curse the moosen! They will attack our vegetables and steal our food supply. Soon they'll steal fire from us like that monkey tried to do in Jungle Book and then who knows where the world will go. Vigilance!
Orcas are dangerous. I watched them on Blue Planet spend 6 hours drowning a baby gray whale only so that they could eat its tonge and jaw. Are you kidding? These monsters kill just for the sport of it. Keep an eye on your waters everyone.
Do people still say Guaransheed back home?
You can still bike outside here at 11 PM and not have trouble seeing because its a long twilight. Ridiculous.
Come Memorial Day weekend, I should be going on a trip to Homer, AK in my flashy mini-cooper. I won two days of a free rental because of my mustache's charisma during a People's Choice competition. Hope is this small hippie town off the edge of the Kenai penninsula where there is lots of fishing, camping, and beautiful wildlife all on the sea. It should be a good time for all.
Most exciting of all: I asked the cook at Covenant House if I could have a special meal for my birthday and she agreed to make everyone Breakfast for Lunch on June 9th. If you don't like breakfast foods for lunch or dinner, you need to figure out why you have lost your soul. It's so delicious. It has the potential to be a best day ever. Eggs, hashbrowns, omelettes, french toast, fruit, pancakes, waffles, toast, biscuits, orange juice, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Oh yes. Oh yes.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Man VS Wild
So I almost got to fulfill one of my goals: fighting a dog. Let me clarify. I don't want to fight one, I just feel like I should prove myself as alpha male.
It was a large brown dog, some type of boxer mut. As I walked past, I noticed that the dog was untethered to anything, but he had a shock collar on so I figured I was safe (notice how I had used my powers of observation to assess the situation before it even happened). The dog appeared surly though. As I walked on, I started to imagine how I would fight it should it attack. A twist of the color to strangle it after I had whipped it in the face with my backpack. The dog began to walk after me.
"Shall we dance, you and I?"
I was about 20 yards away from the driveway where I first saw it and it still followed. I turned around to look at it, paying attention to the gap in space. I had a bus to catch and I had this trailing dog. It mistook my walking away from it with fear.
WRONG MISTAKE.
The dog then began to jog towards me and growl. I walked backwards as it continued to gain the distance between us. He came within 10 feet and stopped. Barks erupted from the foolish beast.
"No!" I condemned the dog, "GO HOME! Get outta here!" Not to be outdone, the dog continued to follow me as I walked away and made one last attempt. He moved in close and let out the same aggressive vocal barrage. Not to be outdone, I stepped towards the dog, pointed back to the house, and yelled. He wandered away, off to bother someone else.
It was a large brown dog, some type of boxer mut. As I walked past, I noticed that the dog was untethered to anything, but he had a shock collar on so I figured I was safe (notice how I had used my powers of observation to assess the situation before it even happened). The dog appeared surly though. As I walked on, I started to imagine how I would fight it should it attack. A twist of the color to strangle it after I had whipped it in the face with my backpack. The dog began to walk after me.
"Shall we dance, you and I?"
I was about 20 yards away from the driveway where I first saw it and it still followed. I turned around to look at it, paying attention to the gap in space. I had a bus to catch and I had this trailing dog. It mistook my walking away from it with fear.
WRONG MISTAKE.
The dog then began to jog towards me and growl. I walked backwards as it continued to gain the distance between us. He came within 10 feet and stopped. Barks erupted from the foolish beast.
"No!" I condemned the dog, "GO HOME! Get outta here!" Not to be outdone, the dog continued to follow me as I walked away and made one last attempt. He moved in close and let out the same aggressive vocal barrage. Not to be outdone, I stepped towards the dog, pointed back to the house, and yelled. He wandered away, off to bother someone else.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Spring?
Good news everyone. Light is still out until around 10PM. Epic I know. Sadly, it snowed again recently. All signs pointed to a continuous warming, but then BAM! Mother Nature put us back in our place with 6" of snow. WILD. This is a crazy land I live in.
I went to Folk Festival last weekend in Juneau. It is one of the largest festivals in Alaska and it did not disappoint. I got down there on a Thursday night and stayed until Monday. Almost all of the Alaskan JVs crammed into one house and set out on adventures together.
The music and other activities were all free. People buy "memberships" to Folk Festival that help fund bringing a guest artist and pay for a convention center. In fact, anyone can register to play a 15 minute set, out of the hours of music I saw, only a couple of these 15 minute sections were not worth seeing. And the music ranged from rock-folk to folk-folk to alternative-folk. I'm not sure if these are accurate descriptions but they work in my head and I think are a working explanation.
When we boarded the plane we saw tons of interesting characters. People with outlandish mutton chops, long hair, loads of instruments, crazy beards, wild hats, and a few hippies who were a moment in time from the 60s. It was one of the loudest plane rides I've been on. One of the other great things was that all of these musicians would just play their instruments wherever they could set up and so music was everywhere.
Another thing I learned: folk music speaks to the human condition much better than many other forms of music. There is true emotion coupled with unguarded lyrics.
There was one man who pushed the boundaries of society with his hippy ways. He sang about how to pronounce a place in Alaska, about thinking he was a butterfly but emerging from his cocoon as a moth, and about nuclear bombs. He also suggested that Alaskans take their PFDs and use them to change our social ills for the most oppressed. I had mixed reactions to this man. I think the spectre of Richard Nixon fell upon me and tried to convince me that this man had good intentions but was making America weak, while the spectre of Jesus cascaded on my heart and found his ideas to be true, but not very palatable in the cornyness of his approach. Either way, the hippy man walked off the stage, his long grey ponytail bouncing as peace guided his steps.
In the end, Juneau is a beautiful place that people should visit. Yet it has some oddities to it. They have a whole street that has diamond jewelers on it. The city has 30,000 some people in it. How can you have a STREET of (blood) diamonds for that many people? Wouldn't you only need one or two? Hmmmm. I wonder what they could all be for... Oh yeah, another thing. People in Juneau all wear these boots called Xtratuffs. They are brown rain boots with a yellow rim at the bottom. Girls, boys, young and old. They are the fashion. It's like Henry Ford's black model T: they come in every color, as long as it's brown.
I also watched Fargo. I'm now starting to recognize a Midwest accent in myself.
Lastly, I'm bringing the Midwest up here for our diversity dinner on Thursday. Sloppy Joes and Cornbread. Watch out coastal fools! Freshwater is best!
I went to Folk Festival last weekend in Juneau. It is one of the largest festivals in Alaska and it did not disappoint. I got down there on a Thursday night and stayed until Monday. Almost all of the Alaskan JVs crammed into one house and set out on adventures together.
The music and other activities were all free. People buy "memberships" to Folk Festival that help fund bringing a guest artist and pay for a convention center. In fact, anyone can register to play a 15 minute set, out of the hours of music I saw, only a couple of these 15 minute sections were not worth seeing. And the music ranged from rock-folk to folk-folk to alternative-folk. I'm not sure if these are accurate descriptions but they work in my head and I think are a working explanation.
When we boarded the plane we saw tons of interesting characters. People with outlandish mutton chops, long hair, loads of instruments, crazy beards, wild hats, and a few hippies who were a moment in time from the 60s. It was one of the loudest plane rides I've been on. One of the other great things was that all of these musicians would just play their instruments wherever they could set up and so music was everywhere.
Another thing I learned: folk music speaks to the human condition much better than many other forms of music. There is true emotion coupled with unguarded lyrics.
There was one man who pushed the boundaries of society with his hippy ways. He sang about how to pronounce a place in Alaska, about thinking he was a butterfly but emerging from his cocoon as a moth, and about nuclear bombs. He also suggested that Alaskans take their PFDs and use them to change our social ills for the most oppressed. I had mixed reactions to this man. I think the spectre of Richard Nixon fell upon me and tried to convince me that this man had good intentions but was making America weak, while the spectre of Jesus cascaded on my heart and found his ideas to be true, but not very palatable in the cornyness of his approach. Either way, the hippy man walked off the stage, his long grey ponytail bouncing as peace guided his steps.
In the end, Juneau is a beautiful place that people should visit. Yet it has some oddities to it. They have a whole street that has diamond jewelers on it. The city has 30,000 some people in it. How can you have a STREET of (blood) diamonds for that many people? Wouldn't you only need one or two? Hmmmm. I wonder what they could all be for... Oh yeah, another thing. People in Juneau all wear these boots called Xtratuffs. They are brown rain boots with a yellow rim at the bottom. Girls, boys, young and old. They are the fashion. It's like Henry Ford's black model T: they come in every color, as long as it's brown.
I also watched Fargo. I'm now starting to recognize a Midwest accent in myself.
Lastly, I'm bringing the Midwest up here for our diversity dinner on Thursday. Sloppy Joes and Cornbread. Watch out coastal fools! Freshwater is best!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Spring Is Upon Us
Everyone! Spring is coming! Although it snowed a slight dusting today, the temp has been in the upper 30s and low 40s and I'm itching for this summer heat.
Highlights as of recent:
A) I ran for an hour and a half last week. AKA longest run of my life. My hump is at 40 minutes; if I can get past that then I'm feeling pretty good. Why can't we get fit by eating more? What a backwards world we live in where things that are good for you are painful. Hey brain, you should want to run because at some point in the future you'll feel better, but not right now. Absurd.
B) I discovered Coldplay's album Viva La Vida. By discover I mean that I just realized my housemate had it on their ipod. I am in the process of overplaying all the songs.
C) I have moved past the Era of Woe and am now in an Era of Bliss. I had a "Best Day Ever" recently, on St. Patrick's Day. Note that "Best Day Ever" isn't finite, meaning that I can have multiple days of bestness. Words won't do it justice. If you want, I can attempt to describe it over the phone. I hope you're all having your own Best Days Ever.
D) The Lions are about to have another amazing draft. Superbowl 2010. Here we come.
E) I joined a co-ed soccer league. The team is made up of some younger males and then a plethora of 40-50 year old women. Watch out ladies back home, I could be attacked by a cougar. However, this is unlikely, as the milieu of the team is to find offensive remarks like "mark up" and "watch back door" and "come on guys let's get fired up." When something like this is said, what I imagine them hearing is a cacaphony of crows who are shouting personal insults. It is hard to be on a leaderless team that needs a leader and simultaneously rejects one. Poor Ben tried to be this, and well, he was run-off the team. But hopefully everyone gets along and we win today! Hope springs eternal!
F) Obamacare passed. Why is someone like David Frum so discredited? Why can't politicians treat each other like intelligent human beings? I'll even settle for simple human beings. Why can't we do the same?
G) I'm going to Juneau the weekend after Easter to go to Folk Fest. Hopefully Juneau is gorgeous and the journey most excellent.
H) Thank you to all who have donated to my mustache/Covenant House. It IS visible (mom) but its quite elusive due to its golden nature. Speaking of golden locks, my hair hasn't been cut since I moved up here. The mullet in the back was trimmed but that is all. It makes my head look quite round. Essence of Skywalker I shall call it.
I) I'm still trying to figure out plans for next year. My term is over at the end of July and my friend Nick and I are thinking about doing a two-week bike trip around the lower penninsula of Michigan. Afterwards? A stop in Seattle and then onto Hawai'i perhaps?
Highlights as of recent:
A) I ran for an hour and a half last week. AKA longest run of my life. My hump is at 40 minutes; if I can get past that then I'm feeling pretty good. Why can't we get fit by eating more? What a backwards world we live in where things that are good for you are painful. Hey brain, you should want to run because at some point in the future you'll feel better, but not right now. Absurd.
B) I discovered Coldplay's album Viva La Vida. By discover I mean that I just realized my housemate had it on their ipod. I am in the process of overplaying all the songs.
C) I have moved past the Era of Woe and am now in an Era of Bliss. I had a "Best Day Ever" recently, on St. Patrick's Day. Note that "Best Day Ever" isn't finite, meaning that I can have multiple days of bestness. Words won't do it justice. If you want, I can attempt to describe it over the phone. I hope you're all having your own Best Days Ever.
D) The Lions are about to have another amazing draft. Superbowl 2010. Here we come.
E) I joined a co-ed soccer league. The team is made up of some younger males and then a plethora of 40-50 year old women. Watch out ladies back home, I could be attacked by a cougar. However, this is unlikely, as the milieu of the team is to find offensive remarks like "mark up" and "watch back door" and "come on guys let's get fired up." When something like this is said, what I imagine them hearing is a cacaphony of crows who are shouting personal insults. It is hard to be on a leaderless team that needs a leader and simultaneously rejects one. Poor Ben tried to be this, and well, he was run-off the team. But hopefully everyone gets along and we win today! Hope springs eternal!
F) Obamacare passed. Why is someone like David Frum so discredited? Why can't politicians treat each other like intelligent human beings? I'll even settle for simple human beings. Why can't we do the same?
G) I'm going to Juneau the weekend after Easter to go to Folk Fest. Hopefully Juneau is gorgeous and the journey most excellent.
H) Thank you to all who have donated to my mustache/Covenant House. It IS visible (mom) but its quite elusive due to its golden nature. Speaking of golden locks, my hair hasn't been cut since I moved up here. The mullet in the back was trimmed but that is all. It makes my head look quite round. Essence of Skywalker I shall call it.
I) I'm still trying to figure out plans for next year. My term is over at the end of July and my friend Nick and I are thinking about doing a two-week bike trip around the lower penninsula of Michigan. Afterwards? A stop in Seattle and then onto Hawai'i perhaps?
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