McMansion

To contrast the bachelor paradise, here's some shots of the suburban McMansion, complete with big screen tv, indoor spa, luxury kitchen and the "ratbeast" -- an annoying, 15 year old, blind 4lb toy poodle. I'll be back here for a bit March, might bring some doggie prozac with me.

There's No Place Like Homer

The view from the top of town looking down at "The Spit".

Kids are gone update

Not much to tell. Watch the movie Wristcutters, A Love Story. Avoid the movie Crazy Heart. Predictable and I don't want to watch Maggie Gylenhardtospell get it on with an old, sweaty alcoholic. Ick factor x 100. Read American Gods, read Gang Leader for a Day, both are worth it but American Gods is by far my favorite book that I've read lately. Now on to Ham and Rye and The Red Tent. Hibernation can be a good thing.
The new place is working out fine except for the internet issue which is killing me. Trying to figure out how to make it through all the condiments that've collected there. 7 bottles of mustard. 6 bottles of salad dressing. It's really not fitting in with my minimalist attitude. That's all there is to tell.

Lunch Break Update

Still without the tubes. Manfriend is gone :( Winter is here. My family needs me and I'm too far away :( Time to hibernate.

The Life of a Gypsy

I moved again. Let me take a minute to count them up....... 8. I have moved 8 times since May. More like bounced. Because you can't really call taking a laundry basket and a bathroom box "moving." My belongings are being whittled away and I have really changed my consumer habits in the quest to de-clutter. Most days I'm really proud of the fact that I can live with so little. Some days though it's a teensy depressing to think of my life in the back of a car. It's good for my tendency to loose things though!
So now I'm in a cabin at the Bachelor Paradise until mid-December when I go home for Christmas. I don't know yet where I'll be living when I get back in January until April but in April I go back to my favorite house until I leave Alaska. Let's start brainstorming on my next adventure, shall we?!
So the point of this post is to let you know that the internet at the new place isn't working. Hopefully it won't be a permanent thing because I can't live without the tubes for 3 months but be patient and I'll figure it out.

Just another Saturday

Some opportunities are unique to Alaska. Like shooting a machine gun without experience, a permit, ID check, etc. This Saturday we went out to the gun range where the radio station and a local gun shop were putting on a "shoot an automatic weapon" event. I got to shoot an AR-15. First the guy asked me if I had ever shot one before. Somehow I missed that experience in all my years of suburban living in California. Then he asked if I had ever shot a rifle. Yeah. So he handed a machine gun to me and started to walk away. You might want to stick a little closer, dude.
I got a few single shots in and then clicked over to automatic. Shot a few times before I got intimidated by the large crowd watching me and handed it over. Next time, I'll force myself to go longer but at least I can say I did it.
I know you worry that I'm turning into a huge redneck up here but if opportunity knocks I gotta answer, right?

Best Birthday Present

Little Sister got together with the rest of the Crazies and made me a scrapbook for my birthday.
They made an almost lifesize cardboard me and took it around to my favorite haunts in the old 'hood.
The Tedda Hughes boutique and my beloved apartment.
Lunch with the sisters at Aquatic Park
Tommy's Joint with the sibs, eating my fave, bbq brisket.
Hanging with my BFF, having more of my favorite snacks.
Watching a movie with Little Sister, just like when we were roommates.
Partyin hardy with the fam and my bro for my 31st birthday, couldn't get any better when you're actually 3,500 miles away. I laughed and cried at the same time for a good 20 minutes when I first looked at it. Can't wait for winter break to get home and do it all for real!