Let's Celebrate, It's All Right!

Today on my way home from work (which I am loving, btw) I passed by the Alaska Sled Dog Association's trailhead - Tozier Track - and there were a couple of teams being hooked up for a run. I got all excited. This weekend is the World Championships for sprint races. Next weekend is the start of the Iditarod.

As I passed under the Tudor crossing I saw they had the blue trail 'guards' out to mark the trail... I gave out a little squeal! How is it that in just a couple of year's time I've become a rabid sled dog race fanatic? I guess I have to blame Mitch Seavey and family for hiring me to work for them two summers ago. ha ha!

Work is going well, I'm enjoying it, I'm not stressing about it like I was last week. I'll think I'll keep at it for a while ha ha!

busy busy busy...

The truck died yesterday. It's just too cold to get it to turn over. Gaylord fixed it last night, but it was too late to get in touch with Janine and I had to take Judy's Saturn to go meet up with Jenifer last night. It started right up for him, go figure. Whatever. It also started up this morning and they let it run for 45 minutes. nevermind I can't afford to gas it up. oh well. what's done is done.

Tomorrow I have my hair appointment but the Glenn HWY is supposedly really bad, so it should be interesting driving out there. How I hate this time of year.

So yesterday marked the 50th anniversary for President Eisenhower signing the paperwork to make Alaska the 49th state. The celebration started Downtown Anchorage around 3:30 and we were there for the lighting of the Cauldron. Which was scheduled to start at 3:30 and it didn't start until closer to 4. Such is life in Anchorage.

Anyway, it was pretty cheap as far as ceremonies go. I don't know if that was because of our temps these days dipping to -30. That's right. I said NEGATIVE 30... Al Gore owes Alaska big this year. lol.

Anyway it was still cool because Governor Palin was there. She was dressed just like the rest of us. Nice poofy and warm jacket and just a pair of blue jeans probably got them at Old Navy or GAP... nothing like the stupid high skirts McCain's people demanded (not that she doesn't wear those, but they used her like a life like Barbie and that's about it). She was our governor once again and I was *THIS CLOSE* to her. I don't know if other states can be shoulder to shoulder with their governor, but I just think it's awesome that Alaska is that way.

Anyway Judy and I went down because Gaylord is still sick. So she wouldn't let him go. I also think he didn't want to go since I was tagging along and I've bitten off his head one too many times as of late. Anyway, it was a lot of fun. After we froze watching the lighting of the cauldron, and hearing Palin say a couple of sentences (she said she loved us all too much to make us freeze because she was asked to speak - I am not sure that she was actually planning to speak anyway). We went into one of the three convention centers to partake in some of the free entertainment. The first place wasn't all that impressive with the entertainment.

We made our way up to this all women's choir (I can't remember their name) and it was so weird. They interpretive dance while they sing and it was just so lame. So after suffering through a couple of songs (one about online dating) we went to another building and watched some of the native and russian dances going on which was cool...

it was getting colder and colder so when we left there we decided to just come home because there was no way we were going to stand around and wait for the fireworks (and I couldn't talk Judy into going to the Egan to watch Hobo Jim lol) so we headed home.

Over all it was pretty cool, the highlight for me - of course - was being THIS CLOSE to Sarah Palin lol take it for what you will, I really admire our governor as a governor. She rocks...

I'm uploading the pics to my facebook. ONE WEEK TO WDW!

I've been doing my best to not get sick, but last night I was defeated. I don't have a full blown cold but I just feel incredibly run down. The three day migraine hasn't helped, either. It's managable today, though. Which is good, because I don't want to miss another one of Edgar's classes. haha!

We're currently watching Salvador in class, it is not a very good film, if you ask me. Personally if a film only uses the same three swear words and very little else, it's not worth watching. My paper on the film will probably not be very good. Then again neither was my paper on Outfoxed. And before you think I just defended FoxNews, I didn't. I can't stand the program either, but I hate that the people on the movie said that Fox is the only biased network out there. It's like the kettle calling the pot black. That the press tries to say they don't push one candidate or agenda over another is absurd. In a perfect world journalism would stay neutral but it NEVER HAS. Look at how the Revolution was started, or just about every war we learn about in school. It starts with some big wig deciding to take a side. Why else would celebrities keep pushing in the news about Darfur? Duh! The news influences people to think whatever way the news wants. We're just dumb enough to take them as truth.

That was the gist of my paper, I have a feeling I'm going to get a poor grade for the first time in his class because we don't agree on that. I have come to the conclusion that in order to get a good grade in journalism courses you have to blindly follow and agree with the prof or you won't get far. So it won't surprise me if Edgar is the same as just about every other prof I've had in that department. The only one I didn't have to worry about was Prof. Dillehey, but I haven't taken from him since that one class (I don't even know if he's still in the program!).


I also have no doubt the main topic of class will be Ted Stevens' concession yesterday allowing Begich to become our newly elected senator. Personally I am disappointed in my state's voters for two reasons. 1. we voted in Begich who is a moron (and I don't base that on his politics. the man is a moronic jerk who is only in it for the spotlight) and 2. we almost voted in a convicted felon. There was a perfectly acceptable third choice, IMO, and he was the one I voted for. Bob Bird would stand for Alaska and was not backed by a party or cause. Unlike Begich who allowed the very people he's promising Alaskans he will stand up against. Yeah. Right. Like they're going to pay for you to disagree with them. Fat chance of that.


Oh well. Six years from now we'll be sick of him (save for the church of Begich known as Anchorage) and we'll have someone replace him. Who it will be, who knows, but this is the first time in 40 years we've had two weak senators... Murkowski's just as big a joke IMHO and she's a "Republican". I quit! lol


I just called down to WDW this morning and paid off our balance. You may be thinking that we'd already did that, and we had, but with the new promotion they've got out (buy 4 nights at a resort and 4 days worth of park admission get 3 free) we were holding out hope for getting a Moderate resort - specifically the Coronado Springs. As you might have read in my last journal update. I am so very excited to be going there again. I told Erin she has to take a picture of me giving the resort a big hug. I've missed it. I could stay there every time and not feel like I was missing out on a thing!

Gaylord is home. Not sure why. Either he is checking up on me to see if I actually leave the house, or he keeps peeing his pants because he keeps having to come home to "change". I'm not sure that that is all about, but it annoys me.

It also annoys me that Judy borrowed a few of my CDs and I haven't gotten them back even though I've asked her about them. Then I get woken up at midnight last night because Gaylord is working on a stupid slide show or something and what's playing? Josh GROBAN... and it's MY CD. All you have to do is ASK, but it's really annoying that she leant MY cd to him without even asking me when she knows I've been looking for my CDs. I have use for those disks too! BLAH.


Yes, I'm a selfish little brat, but I'm just asking for a little bit of respect. Though, I haven't been the best of buddies with either of them as of late. I'm getting really tired of Gaylord trying to be the "man of his domain" and telling Judy and I what to do. He hit the roof the other night when Judy snow blowed the drive way. He said he'd do it. Yeah, well, it'd been four days since it snowed and you still hadn't gotten off your fat duff so sit down and shut up. He started yelling at me that I should have done it before Judy did. Um. I was in class when she did it. And YOU kept saying that it was YOUR job. So I stayed out of it.

Apparently he doesn't get enough jollies or something or he'd shut up and leave me alone.

He also decided it was his duty to tell me I was spending my money unwisely and that I was an ungrateful person to use my parents money in the way I was. Meaning - I shouldn't go on this Disney trip (Judy wants to go on one with him and he isn't into the idea). I got REALLY snotty with him and told him that it was MY money and ONLY my money that I was using on this trip. I worked VERY hard this summer to get it (ok so not VERY) and I saved it FOR THIS PURPOSE. I also got permission from my PARENTS (even though I am 23 and therefore an adult that does not NEED it, I still ask for it) and JUDY (whom I still owe for the last trip). I paid off a vet bill, a dentist bill, and a couple of other things before I booked the trip. AND then there's the check that came in September from the State of Alaska that was over 2,000 big ones (plus 1200 energy check). That was MY money, not my parents. I'm not using money from school or anything. I said if anything Judy was the only one who had right to say I needed to give HER the money and not go on the trip.

Then he tried to be her proxy and suggest that's what I needed to do. Considering JUDY was the one who said I should do it if I could afford it at the beginning of the summer, I knew that was crap. And if she DOES truly feel that way she should come out and say it. She's looking forward to 12 days of just her and Gaylord in the house with the dogs. She hasn't been this excited to be rid of me in a while (which kinda hurts), so I somehow doubt she'd be happy if we canceled this trip and I gave her the money.


Then Gaylord plays the wounded dog card about how he doesn't know how to get me to like him and sends Judy to make things right. How about stay out of my buisness and stop trying to be all controlling? I'm a bull headed REITTER. We don't take other people's crap lying down. You are not the one that is 'over me'. I am not your daughter, nor am I your wife (EW). I don't need to be submissive to you. so stuff it.


Isn't it amazing that I can make such a long entry when I have nothing of interest to say. I should just stop talking. ha ha. so I will. Have a nice week everyone (since it's almost over!)

Kenai Police Department has a new chief of Police! w00t!

In other news, I have just under two weeks left of work and just a little under a week until school. *sigh* It's gettin close.

What's really cool is this year we have made it onto YOUTUBE! Which is cool ha ha!

Okay, I'm gonna go and get Chinese food now...

The Permanent Fund is on it's way to be a record breaking number! over 2000 big ones for me come october, and if our wonderfully awesome Governor has her way we'll get to tack on another 1200 to offset rising energy costs!


I love Alaska - http://www.adn.com/money/story/476432.html

It's still snowing and we have over a foot of very heavy snow. I'm pretty sure we'll lose power at some point tonight. It's hysterical in some ways, but it sucks in so many others. I'm not very happy with the snow...

but Yuka getting STUCK out in the stuff was just too funny, and I took pictures before digging her out! LOL

1. What part of Alaska are you from?
Kenai

2. How long have you lived in Alaska?
All of my life

3. What is your favorite city/town in Alaska?
I love just about every town on the Kenai Peninsula, except for Sterling and Soldotna (they WISH they were as cool as they try to come off as)

4. If you went to High School in Alaska, where?
Kenai Central & KPBSD Connections

5. Best thing about living in Alaska?
The fact that I live in Alaska lol

6. Favorite Alaskan Sport?
dogsledding

7. Favorite Alaskan Sport team?
GO TEAM SEAVEY (and King, and Buser lol)

8. Favorite Alaskan Past time?
hiking, fishing, hunting.... driving the Seward and Sterling hwys in the summer at midnight just because it's light out and I'm bored

9. Favorite Alaskan Animal?
Hmmm this is a tough one... either the Moose or the Polar Bear

10. Favorite Season?
summer

12. How do you spend your PFD?
Depends, normally a trip or computer/camera stuff

13. Who clears your driveway?
Anyone but me

14. How cold is "too cold"?
I'm ok till we get past 10 below... or if there's a wind chill at any temp

15. How do you dress for the cold?
sweatshirt/heavey sweater and fleece jacket

16. How close have you been to a moose?
extremely, sometimes our kitchen wall (or a sliding glass door) was all that was between us

17. What is the coldest temperature you've experienced?
thirty-ish below zero.

18. What is your favorite out of state vacation spot?
Walt Disney World

19. How do you feel about the Lower 48?
they so don't get it.

20. How do you feel about tourists?
"If it's tourist season, how come we can't shoot them?" Actually considering I work in the tourism industry of sorts... I guess they're the reason I can buy stuff

21. Favorite tourist trap?
Kenai River / Exit Glacier / WildRide

22. Do you hunt/fish?
occassionally, not as much as I did growing up

23. Do you go camping?
yep

24. Do you snowboard/ski?
I hate it lol

25. Do you support Alaskan Made products?
Try to

26. Favorite thing to do in the snow growing up?
snow forts

27. Best indoor past time?
computer, reading, coloring

28. How fast do you drive on the highway?
I go at least teh speed limit and no more than 5mph over (except for the one day I was going almost 90 in the MT pass because the song was rocking and I was oblivious!

30. Have you traveled by train anywhere?
no but I've always wanted to

31. Do you know any of your neighbors?
I live in Anchorage right now, my neighbors are freaks

32. What temperature is bathing suit weather?
60-ish

33. How long does it take for your car to warm up?
I have a garage lol but when I'm parked all day at the college it takes about 10-15mins

34. Have you been dog mushing?
not seriously but I've ridden in a sled before

35. Have you ever roughed it out in a real cabin?
that's not roughing it. try a tent that has a broken zipper!

36. At what temperature do you plug in your car in?
again, I have a garage :D

-This or That-

Carhartt or Columbia:
columbia

Snow Machining or Snow Mobiling
machining!

Summer or Winter
summer summer SUMMER

Spring or Fall
Fall cause breakup isnt pretty. though at least during break up I know summer's coming in two or three months lol

24 Hour daylight or night:
daylight

Wind or slush
slush if I have to have one

Halibut or Salmon:
I'm so unalaskan - neither

Fred Meyer or Safeway:
fred meyer.

Moose meat or Caribou?
moose.

Bonfire or Fireplace:
bonfires.

Cheechako or Sourdough:
sourdough.

Mosquitos or summer smoke?
summer smoke

Not Lance! NO LANCE! I want Jeff to win. If Mitch or Martin can't win then give me Jeff for a 5 time champion!

This race has taken just about everything out of me, holy cow!

http://www.adn.com/2693/story/342144.html

We're working on our trading cards in digital imaging. I still haven't chosen the skaters yet, but I did decide to use Johnny's foot as the background.

Anyway I was looking through my photos and Red came up behind me and started gushing about my work and then spent most of the class period spying on my photos. He gave a few critiques, but said it was probably some of the best sports photography he'd seen in a while - and certainly the best figure skating lol

So I felt special. He was impressed.


That is all lol


I have this nagging cough that I can't get rid of and it's driving me nuts. I hate coughing, and especially in public as I know how annoying it is to people around me. BLAH!

Sold a textbook on Amazon today! 15 bucks in the bank, baby! lol

Other than that not much to report. I gotta get my butt in gear and update my Scotty site, and get on my mom to give me the latest happenings at FBCK so I can update that site.

I got offered to help with Keegan's site on FSO, so I'm really looking forward to that. I think I scared Jamie with my enthusiam when she asked, though ha ha!

Fur Rondy starts this weekend, which means the Rondy on Ice show is coming up. It's a USFSA sanctioned event, but even so I plan to be there and possibly take pictures. I got weird looks last time I was there for taking photos since I dont know any skaters, but considering Keegan is making waves in the skating community I say the show is fair game! LOL

I may just go and cheer on the skaters though. Anchorage FSC needs support even if they don't appreciate it.

There's a S. Central Photo Meet up on Saturday that I want to attend so that might be fun. Hopefully. We're going to shoot some of the happenings during Rondy. It'll be nice to get out even though the weather is not really all that Rondy friendly (people friendly, yes. winter fun, no lol)

Shinook winds came in and ate teh snow majorly. It's sad :(

ok off I go to upload more photos to my smugmug account. Still haven't heard from the bigwigs at USFSA....

I am sooooooooooooooo glad Spring Break is finally here. I wish it'd been this week. I seriously could not get excited about school at all this week.


I am skipping my only class of the day(hey the other two classes were cancelled and the one class I have is an hour and a half long, and is a breeze) because I really don't want to get dressed for one class. I am just that lazy and bad. LOL


Worlds is so exciting when you get up at 6am to chat with people at 7am. And when Hez, Flo, Mel, Jules, Brenda, and others are there... well it makes it that much more fun! I can't believe that teh skating season will be *over* after this week. I remember this time last year I was so freakingly excited for it to happen because I was going to nationals and everything... and it felt like Jan would never come, and now we're in mid-March! It's CRAZY...

I'm going to Kenai for Spring Break next week. Should be fun. I guess. Without Erin OR Kassy though I don't know what I'll be up to. Maybe I'll go bug Miss Joy everyday. That is always fun. And I can get the church website up and running. Because I can bug Pastor Dean into writing his bio.

Yuka is being SO CUTE right now that I can hardly stand it. She's sleeping so sweet that I just want to wake her up and cuddle her. But I will be good and will not do that. But I want to... I really really want to....

I am very confused. On my Dish stuff it says Figure Skating is on ESPN right now, but it's Baseball crap. I hate baseball. As I said before, the only real sport is Figure Skating. And neither Brenda nor Jules can change my mind. Soccer, Basketball, Hockey, etc, they are all wannabe sports. LOL

Yuka is snoring and now she is barking in her sleep which is more like squeaking... too too TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CUTE!!!!!!!! I love her! Must control urge to cuddle! :|

I was going to say more but Yuka is distracting when she is so cute... and I forgot


oh wait... I was going to gush about ANWR getting passed in congress yesterday. Ok it's the first step, but whether you like it or not this is GREAT news for my state. Our economy desperately needs this, and unlike the beliefs of Petter Jennings and Co. it will not distroy the wildlife. ANWR is bigger than what they actually want to dig in. and ANWR itself doesn't make up a big percentage of Alaska. And did I mention the state NEEDS some source of income as the 48 states that have total control over the "youngest" 2 states take most gov. funding and we're left with the crappy left overs?

sorry for the semi-rant, but this is great news for Alaska, and if you don't like it oh well, you don't live up here! LOL

Ballot Measure 1 -- 281 of 439 precincts reporting (64%)
Signatures for Initiative and Referendum Petitions
This amendment changes how to gather signatures for an initiative or referendum petition. It requires signatures from more of the voting districts in the State. It says that signers must be from at least 30 of the 40 house districts, three more than now required. It further requires signatures from each of the 30 districts to be at least equal to seven percent of the voters who voted in each of these districts in the last general election. Currently only one signer from a district satisfies the requirement for district participation. The total number of statewide signatures required does not change.
Yes 100,967 51%
No 96,002 49%

Ballot Measure 2 -- 281 of 439 precincts reporting (64%)
Legalize Marijuana
This bill would remove civil and criminal penalties under state law for persons 21 years or older who grow, use, sell, or give away marijuana or hemp products. State or local government could not require a permit or license for personal cultivation or distribution of marijuana, but could regulate marijuana like alcohol or tobacco. It removes all existing state restrictions on prescription of marijuana by a doctor for all patients, including children. It allows for laws limiting marijuana use in public and to protect public safety.
No 118,295 57%
Yes 88,510 43%

Ballot Measure 3 -- 281 of 439 precincts reporting (64%)
Prohibit Bear Baiting or Feeding
This bill would make it illegal for a person to bait or intentionally feed a bear to hunt, photograph, or view a bear. A person could not feed a bear on purpose or use any item or substance, including food or other edible matter to entice a bear into an area, or to stay in an area. A person who violates this law would be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one-year imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
No 121,482 59%
Yes 83,887 41%

Ballot Measure 4 -- 281 of 439 precincts reporting (64%)
Temporary Replacement of U.S. Senator
This measure would repeal state law by which the Governor makes a temporary appointment of a person to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy until a special or regular election can be held. Under existing law the seat remains vacant until an appointment is made. Under the initiative the seat would remain vacant until the election is certified and the senate meets. Existing law provides that a special election will be held within 60 to 90 days to fill a vacancy unless the vacancy occurs within 60 days of the primary election for the seat. This initiative does not change that provision.
Yes 110,904 55%
No 91,491 45%

School Bond Proposition 1 -- 102 of 119 precincts reporting (86%)
$52(M) Muldoon Middle School
Yes 44,394 54%
No 37,841 46%

School Bond Proposition 2 -- 102 of 119 precincts reporting (86%)
$26.9(M) Capital Improvement Bond
Yes 47,267 58%
No 34,196 42%

Statewide
United States President -- 281 of 439 precincts reporting (64%)
George W. Bush/Dick Cheney (I) [Republican] 130,565 63%
John F. Kerry/John Edwards [Democrat] 71,491 34%
Ralph Nader/Peter Miguel Camejo [Populist Party] 3,314 2%
Michael A. Peroutka/Chuck Baldwin [Alaskan Independence] 1,200 1%
Michael Badnarik/Richard V. Campagna [Libertarian] 1,113 1%
David Cobb/Patricia LaMarche [Green] 629 0%

United States Senator -- 281 of 439 precincts reporting (64%)
Lisa Murkowski (I) [Republican] 106,150 51%
Tony Knowles [Democrat] 90,043 43%
Marc J. Millican [Non Partisan] 6,539 3%
Jim Sykes [Green] 1,943 1%
Jerry Sanders [Alaskan Independence] 2,461 1%
Scott A. Kohlhaas [Libertarian] 808 0%
Ted "Big" Gianoutsos [Non Partisan] 453 0%

United States Representative -- 281 of 439 precincts reporting (64%)
Don E. Young (I) [Republican] 146,091 72%
Thomas M. Higgins [Democrat] 44,004 22%
Timothy A. Feller [Green] 7,853 4%
Alvin A. Anders [Libertarian] 4,940 2%


Kenai Peninsula/Kodiak
Senate District Q -- 13 of 13 precincts reporting (100%)
Kenai/Soldotna/Rural Kenai
Thomas H. "Tom" Wagoner (I) [Republican] 9,235 78%
Robert E. "Bob" Merchant 2,673 22%

Senate District R -- 15 of 25 precincts reporting (60%)
Homer/Seward/Kodiak/Iliamna
Gary L. Stevens (I) [Republican] 6,293 60%
Michael L. Yourkowski [Democrat] 4,211 40%

House District 33 -- 6 of 6 precincts reporting (100%)
Kenai/Soldotna
Kurt E. Olson [Republican] 3,471 59%
Hal Smalley [Democrat] 2,425 41%

House District 34 -- 7 of 7 precincts reporting (100%)
Nikiski/Kasilof/Ninilchik
Charles M. "Mike" Chenault (I) [Republican] 4,460 72%
Glen F. Martin 1,708 28%

House District 35 -- 11 of 11 precincts reporting (100%)
Seward/Homer/Western Cook Inlet
Paul K. Seaton (I) [Republican] 3,109 49%
Deborah Germano [Democrat] 1,887 30%
Mike Heimbuch 1,101 17%
Ed Martin Jr. [Alaskan Independence] 233 4%

House District 36 -- 4 of 14 precincts reporting (29%)
Kodiak/Iliamna
Gabrielle Ledoux [Republican] 2,893 100%

Statewide
United States President -- 244 of 439 precincts reporting (56%)
George W. Bush/Dick Cheney (I) [Republican] 119,954 63%
John F. Kerry/John Edwards [Democrat] 66,014 34%
Ralph Nader/Peter Miguel Camejo [Populist Party] 3,096 2%
Michael A. Peroutka/Chuck Baldwin [Alaskan Independence] 1,083 1%
Michael Badnarik/Richard V. Campagna [Libertarian] 1,024 1%
David Cobb/Patricia LaMarche [Green] 586 0%

United States Senator -- 244 of 439 precincts reporting (56%)
Lisa Murkowski (I) [Republican] 97,579 51%
Tony Knowles [Democrat] 82,891 43%
Marc J. Millican [Non Partisan] 6,095 3%
Jim Sykes [Green] 1,835 1%
Jerry Sanders [Alaskan Independence] 2,281 1%
Scott A. Kohlhaas [Libertarian] 745 0%
Ted "Big" Gianoutsos [Non Partisan] 408 0%

United States Representative -- 244 of 439 precincts reporting (56%)
Don E. Young (I) [Republican] 134,329 72%
Thomas M. Higgins [Democrat] 40,563 22%
Timothy A. Feller [Green] 7,290 4%
Alvin A. Anders [Libertarian] 4,570 2%


I love my state

These last few months have been killer... I've been a total wacko this past month online and off... I feel like I'm bi-polar but I know I'm not. It's the same thing every year around this time... but this is the worst it's been.... It all has to do with where I live... not home life... but Alaskan life in general... this state is #1 in boozers and #1 in suicides because of the long winters. So it's expected that we get a little weird... but I hate it... I feel like I need to be on a shrinks couch by the end of the winter... spring is JUST starting to emerge and I hate the deadness all around... everywhere else it's really pretty but not here... it sucks majorly


to top it off this is the last week of school and I am so crammed and frustrated and I'm going to fail and I just UGH

I need to lay down, but there's no time...