So, the weather outside is gorgeous…I have my truck, I have my camera, I have my bike, I have to be within 15 minutes of campus…
Such is the life of Student Affairs. Luckily enough, I have a full weekend planned. I am re-uniting with Papa Murphy’s pizza…ok, I know you are like wtf? But it’s something I have missed since Colorado.
Also, I will be making Musubi this weekend…EXCITED!!
Getting to know my roommate better…3rd roommate still MIA in Fairbanks, but know he will return soon. Avocado smoothies…don’t try them…trust me…
Enjoying my new truck. Wish I could take off this weekend and camp somewhere or at least enjoy the 19+ hours of sunlight…it’s so weird to be running around at midnight and have it still be sunglass time. But knowing that 6 months from now, it will be 19 hours of darkness is a bit daunting…
No time like the present though to enjoy all that Anchorage has to offer. So many events, so many eateries to try, so much fish to be had!
Looking forward to more APU rockstar softball, more APU Cyclepaths bike team…(love riding to work almost every day). We are half as big as UAA’s team and we are right behind them!
Hangover 2 was good…not epic like the first one…but pretty darn good….could have used some better writing as it feels like they were going for gross out and some of the humor missed it’s mark or felt forced. Theater was packed and I wore my baby Carlos t-shirt..people loved it…and now that that is over…the beard is gone! No more scratchy itchy look.
Pirates 4 will be had again…this time in the theater…Makes me miss Hawaii some…some..
Friday, May 27, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Pirate Hangovers are the best!
Such a whirlwind week..
Ride your Bike to Work Week around the country…I participated..even up in Anchorage.
I only ride a few miles each day, but it is invigorating to be cruising along and taking nature in. I enjoy the aches and pains my knees give me..ok maybe not, but it is worth it.
On Thursday night, my dad and his girlfriend arrived in Anchorage after 8 long days driving up from Oregon. They had a good time seeing more of Alaska than I have seen yet…
Friday comes and I got my Alan Garner costume from the Hangover. I rode my bike to work early, through the Native Health Consortium and got bagels and water, then bacon and pancakes at APU. I won best costume…well, I was the only one who dressed up. But it was a hit. I won a bike bell and biking gloves for my efforts. At about 7:45am, my co-worker gets a call that a baby moose was just born on campus. We got to go investigate and let others know about it, as a mama moose gets very agitated and territorial when she gives birth…L3down apartment…be warned…Update…another baby moose was born over at Segelhurst the night before…2 moose calves in 2 days!
Friday afternoon meant driving to Homer..Salty Dawg Saloon, the Time Bandit, and seafood of epic proportions were had…Saturday meant Seward, Exit Glacier, and then a long drive home to eat some BBQ at the Turnagin Arm(pit)…beautiful sunset on the kenai with a rainbow in the background..
I plan on doing a float trip down the kenai this summer…anyone want to go? I really need to make this happen before it gets cold again.
Talkeetna on Sunday…meant to go to Denali, but got a late start and it was a looooong drive anyways..went to historic West Rib and had the Seward’s Folly Burger as seen on Man vs Food. It kicked my ass…but I tried to make it respectable. The waitress complimented me and she was a cutie..my dad made me take our picture together…
By the way…I can now say it officially….You cannot see Russia from Wasilla….no way in hell…I think I might get the new book her aide put out about her last week…might get me up to speed on her shenanigans.
Lastly, went to Portage Glacier, Whittier, and the Alaska Conservation Center. Which one sucked? Whittier…that’s what sucked. A 2.5 mile tunnel one way through a mountain to an epic load of nothingness tourist traps…
Saw the Portage Glacier calve off twice..that was epic…Dad and Sandy really liked that one..then the wildlife center..I liked the brown bear cubs best…but the elk and reindeer were nice too..
Whew…a whirlwind few days…but family visit is almost over…my truck is here…and I get to be on duty…
Pirates marathon the next few nights so I can go see #4 and then the Hangover 2! I am wearing my Alan costume to the movies, then shaving finally…a little over 3 weeks and it’s super itchy..no more beard!
Ride your Bike to Work Week around the country…I participated..even up in Anchorage.
I only ride a few miles each day, but it is invigorating to be cruising along and taking nature in. I enjoy the aches and pains my knees give me..ok maybe not, but it is worth it.
On Thursday night, my dad and his girlfriend arrived in Anchorage after 8 long days driving up from Oregon. They had a good time seeing more of Alaska than I have seen yet…
Friday comes and I got my Alan Garner costume from the Hangover. I rode my bike to work early, through the Native Health Consortium and got bagels and water, then bacon and pancakes at APU. I won best costume…well, I was the only one who dressed up. But it was a hit. I won a bike bell and biking gloves for my efforts. At about 7:45am, my co-worker gets a call that a baby moose was just born on campus. We got to go investigate and let others know about it, as a mama moose gets very agitated and territorial when she gives birth…L3down apartment…be warned…Update…another baby moose was born over at Segelhurst the night before…2 moose calves in 2 days!
Friday afternoon meant driving to Homer..Salty Dawg Saloon, the Time Bandit, and seafood of epic proportions were had…Saturday meant Seward, Exit Glacier, and then a long drive home to eat some BBQ at the Turnagin Arm(pit)…beautiful sunset on the kenai with a rainbow in the background..
I plan on doing a float trip down the kenai this summer…anyone want to go? I really need to make this happen before it gets cold again.
Talkeetna on Sunday…meant to go to Denali, but got a late start and it was a looooong drive anyways..went to historic West Rib and had the Seward’s Folly Burger as seen on Man vs Food. It kicked my ass…but I tried to make it respectable. The waitress complimented me and she was a cutie..my dad made me take our picture together…
By the way…I can now say it officially….You cannot see Russia from Wasilla….no way in hell…I think I might get the new book her aide put out about her last week…might get me up to speed on her shenanigans.
Lastly, went to Portage Glacier, Whittier, and the Alaska Conservation Center. Which one sucked? Whittier…that’s what sucked. A 2.5 mile tunnel one way through a mountain to an epic load of nothingness tourist traps…
Saw the Portage Glacier calve off twice..that was epic…Dad and Sandy really liked that one..then the wildlife center..I liked the brown bear cubs best…but the elk and reindeer were nice too..
Whew…a whirlwind few days…but family visit is almost over…my truck is here…and I get to be on duty…
Pirates marathon the next few nights so I can go see #4 and then the Hangover 2! I am wearing my Alan costume to the movies, then shaving finally…a little over 3 weeks and it’s super itchy..no more beard!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Anchorage in May
So it takes a little patience to sit and wait for Spring to arrive in Anchorage. The mountains still have a gorgeous coating of snow on them in the distance, but the trees are all still bare and Autumn-like. Looking out my window, one would think that it was a decent day, past Halloween, with the auspice of Thanksgiving being right around the corner. While a nice dish of turkey and cranberry sauce would be welcomed at this point, I am craving some buds on the trees, the grass to show me a hint of green, and the birds to be flying North to reclaim their humble abodes.
If you dare, shorts can be worn with caution, slippers as well too. If you can handle the bitter bite of the winds off of the Cook inlet, then throw caution to the wind and bestow upon yourself a mindset that summer is also on it’s way. After 3 years of wearing shorts, polos, and slippers to work, I am finding that shoes and socks are over-rated. Layering is a must as I find myself fighting off the bitter chill in the early mornings and the late evenings. I had to buy gloves to wear on my bike rides as my hands were frozen by the time I arrived at work or at home.
Now I am not the most fashion forward person with a sense of what’s hip and cool. A hipster I am not, but I find myself shopping for name brands ever more often now. A nice fleece from North Face keeps me much warmer than an off brand fleece that costs about a third of the price. But this makes sense, buying something of higher quality will undoubtedly make you warmer up here. I have gotten good at seeing sales up here as I am trying to find the right gear that will allow me to be presentable and to be functional. Only time will tell as the season changes to Fall and Winter. A whole new wardrobe will be in order as I will pack away all but the select few tshirts that allow me my individuality.
One more nice long sleeve light jacket, a rain jacket, a pair of waterproof trail shoes, and a nice pair of work shoes and I will be set. Throw in a new pair of jeans or two, some dress pants, and I am hoping to be set. Clothes…we need em, but I hate paying and shopping for them. If only Ross were up here..guess Old Navy will have to do and random sales at Sports Authority, REI, and Fred Meyers.
If you dare, shorts can be worn with caution, slippers as well too. If you can handle the bitter bite of the winds off of the Cook inlet, then throw caution to the wind and bestow upon yourself a mindset that summer is also on it’s way. After 3 years of wearing shorts, polos, and slippers to work, I am finding that shoes and socks are over-rated. Layering is a must as I find myself fighting off the bitter chill in the early mornings and the late evenings. I had to buy gloves to wear on my bike rides as my hands were frozen by the time I arrived at work or at home.
Now I am not the most fashion forward person with a sense of what’s hip and cool. A hipster I am not, but I find myself shopping for name brands ever more often now. A nice fleece from North Face keeps me much warmer than an off brand fleece that costs about a third of the price. But this makes sense, buying something of higher quality will undoubtedly make you warmer up here. I have gotten good at seeing sales up here as I am trying to find the right gear that will allow me to be presentable and to be functional. Only time will tell as the season changes to Fall and Winter. A whole new wardrobe will be in order as I will pack away all but the select few tshirts that allow me my individuality.
One more nice long sleeve light jacket, a rain jacket, a pair of waterproof trail shoes, and a nice pair of work shoes and I will be set. Throw in a new pair of jeans or two, some dress pants, and I am hoping to be set. Clothes…we need em, but I hate paying and shopping for them. If only Ross were up here..guess Old Navy will have to do and random sales at Sports Authority, REI, and Fred Meyers.
My so-called Nomadic Life
As part of my blogging experience, I was cajoled into telling some of the tales of my 10 years in Residence Life. I often recall stories when sitting at dinner parties, hanging out with staff, and in reunions with friends from my younger days. There are a few legendary stories, a few horror stories, some jovial, some a bit sad, while others will have you rolling on the floor laughing. If you are one of the subjects, please do not hesitate to comment, but I will do my best to not reveal who you are, unless you want the instant fame. Others, I will ask for permission to publish the story or ask you to write it yourself..some of them involve me so heavily that I will make sure to let it all hang out, so you get the full affect of being in my world.
I am writing down the epitomes of my past in hopes of not repeating my past mistakes, sharing my stories with others, and to reflect on this crazy journey that I have chosen to take. If you have stories that need to be told involving me, let me know and I will publish it, but I do reserve the right to defend my protagonistic self towards a brighter light…just kidding..
Here’s to my so called nomadic life in which I hope that you will enjoy the honesty, the shenanigans, and glimpse into the mind of the simple man who stands before you.
I am writing down the epitomes of my past in hopes of not repeating my past mistakes, sharing my stories with others, and to reflect on this crazy journey that I have chosen to take. If you have stories that need to be told involving me, let me know and I will publish it, but I do reserve the right to defend my protagonistic self towards a brighter light…just kidding..
Here’s to my so called nomadic life in which I hope that you will enjoy the honesty, the shenanigans, and glimpse into the mind of the simple man who stands before you.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Off-Campus Living
So after leaving my hometown in 1999, I am finally in an apartment, off-campus of my own. A duplex actually...but nonetheless...off-campus. Roommates are cool. I live with a civil engineer who works at the DOT, she's pretty cool. I also live with a hopeful Olympian Cross Country skier named Reese.
Will be fun to see Spring arrive here and to be living in a house. As it warms up, shorts will be brought out and slippers will make a comeback.
Bought me some reindeer hot dogs for work this week...
Going to start swimming in the morning at the school and biking...so getting some more exercise...also moving offices this week. I have a window now!
More to come, posts will be a lot more frequent..i promise!
Will be fun to see Spring arrive here and to be living in a house. As it warms up, shorts will be brought out and slippers will make a comeback.
Bought me some reindeer hot dogs for work this week...
Going to start swimming in the morning at the school and biking...so getting some more exercise...also moving offices this week. I have a window now!
More to come, posts will be a lot more frequent..i promise!
3rd Update from Alaska
So, yet another fun week in the land of APU
· I got to hang with Owl, Eagles, and Ravens…on campus for Earth Day. Never been 2 feet from a bald eagle, but wow, they are impressive.
· I have learned to multi task. I can now crap my pants and mace a bear at the same time. I was trained on how to mace a bear, in case you know, it attacks…so I am proud of my new ability to stand my ground as my bowels spill at the onslaught of a bear coming to maul me…help me…
· I had Easter dinner at a college friend’s house. Awesome time, good to reunite, good to bond with some new folks.
· Met my first old lady who was packing heat. I was in line at the grocery store and she was looking for her ID while she was in line. She emptied her bag at the register and beamed with pride as her little .22 revolver fell out and the cashier handed it back to her… I was less than thrilled…
· Found me some Marionberry ice cream, pie, and licorice this week…HEAVEN
· My good friend from college put their wedding website up and their save the dates went out…excited about being in their wedding in November.
· You know Parking on campus is fun..It is everyone’s favorite office on campus…I get to be that guy…in charge of parking..so this shall be fun…I get to turn parking into something manageable and hopefully not get yelled at by too many people…
· I bought an Alaskan Atlas…I am such a nerd, but it excites me to see the entire state and how vast it is and how I am gonna get to most places, unlike my monoisland nature of being in Hawaii.
· Started dating this fabulous woman who is a faculty member at UAA. More to come on this later J
· Biking to work is fun, can be a little cold, but for at least 3 more week, it will be me, then hopefully when it rains I can drive, but biking is working so far
· I got to hang with Owl, Eagles, and Ravens…on campus for Earth Day. Never been 2 feet from a bald eagle, but wow, they are impressive.
· I have learned to multi task. I can now crap my pants and mace a bear at the same time. I was trained on how to mace a bear, in case you know, it attacks…so I am proud of my new ability to stand my ground as my bowels spill at the onslaught of a bear coming to maul me…help me…
· I had Easter dinner at a college friend’s house. Awesome time, good to reunite, good to bond with some new folks.
· Met my first old lady who was packing heat. I was in line at the grocery store and she was looking for her ID while she was in line. She emptied her bag at the register and beamed with pride as her little .22 revolver fell out and the cashier handed it back to her… I was less than thrilled…
· Found me some Marionberry ice cream, pie, and licorice this week…HEAVEN
· My good friend from college put their wedding website up and their save the dates went out…excited about being in their wedding in November.
· You know Parking on campus is fun..It is everyone’s favorite office on campus…I get to be that guy…in charge of parking..so this shall be fun…I get to turn parking into something manageable and hopefully not get yelled at by too many people…
· I bought an Alaskan Atlas…I am such a nerd, but it excites me to see the entire state and how vast it is and how I am gonna get to most places, unlike my monoisland nature of being in Hawaii.
· Started dating this fabulous woman who is a faculty member at UAA. More to come on this later J
· Biking to work is fun, can be a little cold, but for at least 3 more week, it will be me, then hopefully when it rains I can drive, but biking is working so far
1st Update
So, at the end of my first week, I thought I would send you all a few notes from my very new and fun experiences in Alaska.
· Tuesday it snowed all day/Wednesday it was 35 degrees, bright and warm and sunny/Thursday it was 75 MPH winds and COLD/Friday it was gorgeous and clear, the Chugach Mountains around the campus showed their true faces and it was breathtaking
· Not being responsible for a building, students, or a duty phone….epic….until next week, when I start my rotation of being on call for the University as a whole…every 3 weeks…but we scheduled out duty through January and I have 10 weeks of being the last line of defense and having to be within 15 minutes of campus. But..I do not have to carry an additional phone, just forward it to my personal phone
· I met all the students at the last all hall meeting for the year. They introduced me and the students asked me much I support Obama and if I was a surfer…LOL…Palin does not rule up here…but some people do support her more than they do Mr. Barack.
· I was approached by the student who is bringing her sled dogs to campus this weekend. We went and saw the kennels, the fence, and the dog area…right by the residence halls in the woods, and right next to my office…Only in Alaska! 7 dogs now live on campus for the next 3 weeks, to see if this will work and turn into a class for the Fall. Sled Mushing 101….Steph Welin..let me know when you will be up to do quality control
· I get to go two hours south this weekend to Seward, on the south coast as the staff/faculty person responsible for the students going to the Sea Center to go on a field trip to see whales, seals, and other Alaskan aquatic wildlife…even a polar bear!
· I am driving a friend’s jeep Cherokee (yes Liz, part of my dream is being realized) and I love it..
· No apartment yet, but on the heels of a nice house in which I get to chop wood and clear the snow in the winter for a discount on my rent J
· I have to get my Alaska Driver’s license next week, then I can attempt to start driving the Campus Safety vehicle…the stickshift…ughh
· I will be in a weeklong FEMA training course with UAA, so I get to hang with their campus police and res life next week. Should be entertaining as hell..FEMA…I had to take online courses this week to be certified as a team leader….go team…let’s defend against mother nature.
· I will get to advise their version of RHA starting in the Fall…J
· Tuesday it snowed all day/Wednesday it was 35 degrees, bright and warm and sunny/Thursday it was 75 MPH winds and COLD/Friday it was gorgeous and clear, the Chugach Mountains around the campus showed their true faces and it was breathtaking
· Not being responsible for a building, students, or a duty phone….epic….until next week, when I start my rotation of being on call for the University as a whole…every 3 weeks…but we scheduled out duty through January and I have 10 weeks of being the last line of defense and having to be within 15 minutes of campus. But..I do not have to carry an additional phone, just forward it to my personal phone
· I met all the students at the last all hall meeting for the year. They introduced me and the students asked me much I support Obama and if I was a surfer…LOL…Palin does not rule up here…but some people do support her more than they do Mr. Barack.
· I was approached by the student who is bringing her sled dogs to campus this weekend. We went and saw the kennels, the fence, and the dog area…right by the residence halls in the woods, and right next to my office…Only in Alaska! 7 dogs now live on campus for the next 3 weeks, to see if this will work and turn into a class for the Fall. Sled Mushing 101….Steph Welin..let me know when you will be up to do quality control
· I get to go two hours south this weekend to Seward, on the south coast as the staff/faculty person responsible for the students going to the Sea Center to go on a field trip to see whales, seals, and other Alaskan aquatic wildlife…even a polar bear!
· I am driving a friend’s jeep Cherokee (yes Liz, part of my dream is being realized) and I love it..
· No apartment yet, but on the heels of a nice house in which I get to chop wood and clear the snow in the winter for a discount on my rent J
· I have to get my Alaska Driver’s license next week, then I can attempt to start driving the Campus Safety vehicle…the stickshift…ughh
· I will be in a weeklong FEMA training course with UAA, so I get to hang with their campus police and res life next week. Should be entertaining as hell..FEMA…I had to take online courses this week to be certified as a team leader….go team…let’s defend against mother nature.
· I will get to advise their version of RHA starting in the Fall…J
2nd Update
So, there was a positive response to my last update, and a request to send regular ones, so here goes…
· FEMA training all week..I am now certified to help run an incident command center regulated by the federal government…Ali and Steph, I do not know which was more interesting…Department of Justice Training or FEMA training…either way…shoot me now..
· I saw my first Moose face to face last night…I was walking back from the APU/UAA joint drag show and there it was…sitting on the trail back to campus..I was 20 yards from it, staring at it..and yeah…Moose..
· The sled dogs…driving me crazy! I get woken up about every 90 minutes as they are howling at the moon and restless at night. I fear that the trial is about to get pulled as the complaints are piling up..Sorry Miss Welin…you’ll have to deal with mere pictures of them.
· I found an apartment for the summer. I am living in a 3 bedroom duplex, subletting from a former UH and Laulima resident! I went to check it out and liked it and had a feeling I had seen her before and we found out that she lived in Laulima last year (Rachel Carey, she’s from Anchorage) and her boyfriend lived in Frear…so random! She was so excited that someone responsible was renting her place, that she let me have it on the spot. So, being an RD does pay off with housing, after you leave it!
· I officially miss the trade winds…the nice gentle breezes…now I get frigid cold swaths of arctic air, burning my nose with freshness.
· Reindeer and Moose are tasty…a little gamey…but that is expected.
· I was volunteered to be on several committees after they hired me. I just found out today all of them…lol..I will be a busy beaver this summer planning Orientation Leader Training, Convocation, Risk Management for the everyday Alaskan Student, etc… Lesson of the day, don’t miss meetings or else they will volunteer you…or more likely, ask to be CC’ed on emails before you arrive, so you know what you’ve been volunteered for!
· I am now a name brand shopper…Columbia, Marmot, Mountain Hard Wear, North Face…all the spring sales are awesome and I can now walk to work without freezing my butt off..Weird having to wear layers to work now.
· My boxes arrived today, so now I am all set
Frozen Aloha to all
· FEMA training all week..I am now certified to help run an incident command center regulated by the federal government…Ali and Steph, I do not know which was more interesting…Department of Justice Training or FEMA training…either way…shoot me now..
· I saw my first Moose face to face last night…I was walking back from the APU/UAA joint drag show and there it was…sitting on the trail back to campus..I was 20 yards from it, staring at it..and yeah…Moose..
· The sled dogs…driving me crazy! I get woken up about every 90 minutes as they are howling at the moon and restless at night. I fear that the trial is about to get pulled as the complaints are piling up..Sorry Miss Welin…you’ll have to deal with mere pictures of them.
· I found an apartment for the summer. I am living in a 3 bedroom duplex, subletting from a former UH and Laulima resident! I went to check it out and liked it and had a feeling I had seen her before and we found out that she lived in Laulima last year (Rachel Carey, she’s from Anchorage) and her boyfriend lived in Frear…so random! She was so excited that someone responsible was renting her place, that she let me have it on the spot. So, being an RD does pay off with housing, after you leave it!
· I officially miss the trade winds…the nice gentle breezes…now I get frigid cold swaths of arctic air, burning my nose with freshness.
· Reindeer and Moose are tasty…a little gamey…but that is expected.
· I was volunteered to be on several committees after they hired me. I just found out today all of them…lol..I will be a busy beaver this summer planning Orientation Leader Training, Convocation, Risk Management for the everyday Alaskan Student, etc… Lesson of the day, don’t miss meetings or else they will volunteer you…or more likely, ask to be CC’ed on emails before you arrive, so you know what you’ve been volunteered for!
· I am now a name brand shopper…Columbia, Marmot, Mountain Hard Wear, North Face…all the spring sales are awesome and I can now walk to work without freezing my butt off..Weird having to wear layers to work now.
· My boxes arrived today, so now I am all set
Frozen Aloha to all
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