Lipstick or not, she's just not right for the job

Ok, so I couldn't hold out very long on my anti-Palin commentary.

There's no doubt Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is a smart woman who has worked very hard to get to where she's at today. However, I do have doubts that she's the right person to be the next vice president of the United States.

Living up here in Alaska, I think we get a different and much closer picture of Palin than what's delivered through the national news in the lower 48. Like any politician, there are a lot of people up here who think she's great for the job and a lot of people who really don't. I would consider myself one of those who really don't think she should be in the White House.

Here are just a few reasons why I don't support Palin:

• She's open to teaching creationism in public schools. 
• She shares McCain's desire to overturn Roe v. Wade. 
• As the mayor of Wasilla, she left the tiny town almost $20 million in debt. Sounds like the right person to help clean up our current financial situation, right?
• She's well-versed on the Bush Doctrine. 
• She's well-traveled, especially in the past two years she's had a passport. 
• She accepted $223 million from Congress to build the "Bridge to Nowhere" ... only to cancel the project and keep the money anyway. Thanks, but no thanks?
  

And, she makes George Bush sound like a Rhodes Scholar in interviews:

"We have trade missions back and forth. We-- we do-- it's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia as Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where-- where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is-- from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to-- to our state." - Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska and Republican vice-presidential nominee in a recent CBS interview.

see Sarah Palin pictures

Fall's here in full force

Fall is here - the leaves have turned, the mountain tops are painted white again, and today I had to turn on the heat for the first time since March.

I'm sad I can't wear my flip-flops outside anymore, but Fall in Alaska is very pretty. Click here for some beautiful fall photos from the Anchorage Daily News. I can already tell it won't be around for very long - last night we got down into freezing temperatures. There's no snow in the forecast, but we'll be lucky to get above 50 degrees this week.

Things have been pretty quiet up here in the past few weeks (you can probably tell with all the talk about the weather). There's no sign of our cat Irie, hopefully he comes back before any snow falls. Andrew and I have been staying busy working and DJing.

Of course the biggest news to come out of Anchorage is our lovely governor Sarah Palin. There seems to be an anti-Palin rally downtown almost every weekend lately. I've been trying to keep my own anti-Palin commentary out of this blog, but we'll see how long that lasts.

That's about it from up here, hope everyone's having a great week back in the lower 48!

P.S. - We wanted to send out a big CONGRATULATIONS to Nick for passing the Florida Bar!

Anyone else see this hysterical new commercial?

At first I thought this commercial was just a spoof made for the Daily Show, but then I realized it was a real commercial. Apparently Extended Stay Hotels make you feel comfortable enough to do just about anything you would in the comfort of your own house.

Anyone else catch this hysterical new commercial?

Please read this post, help a family friend with cancer

I got this message from Andrew's cousin Edna in my inbox this week and wanted to spread the word. Don't know why I didn't think to post it until now, but here it is ...

Dear Family,

You may find it quite strange to hear from me considering I never comment or respond to many e-mails but today I am calling on you. We all live very busy lives and rarely find the time to help each other but I ask that you make an exception. There comes a time in all of our lives when we find ourselves grateful for all we have; all the things that God has given us and taken away. I am grateful to have such a wonderful family who in time of need always seems to be able to pull together and provide support. It is with a heavy heart that I share with you some unfortunate news which we recently learned.

My nephew, Jake's mother, Rosy Inguanzo (Tony's ex-wife) has been diagnosed with lung cancer. Although many of you barely new her and possibly had little or no contact with her she is in a very tough position. The prognosis for lung cancer is poor, on average it is anywhere between 6 months to a maximum of 5 years. She is no longer able to work and is in the process of selling her home.

You may asking yourself what does this have to do with me? NOTHING AT ALL! I just wanted to put it out there. If you can find it in your hearts and are able to help them out I am grateful. Please follow the link below and see how cute Jake is. There you will be able to read about Rosy's difficult plight. I hope that you are all well and I send you all my love.

http://love4rosy.com/index.html


Hugs and Kisses to All and thank you for your time,
Edna

Hurricane Ike

Our thoughts are with Frank and Gloria today as Hurricane Ike nears Houston. The category 2 storm is supposed to make landfall late today or tomorrow morning.

CNN: Tracking Ike

National Hurricane Center: Hurricane Ike

Bad yearbook photos over the years

I've always wondered what I would look like with a perm ...


Have some time to spare today? Be careful, an hour or two may vanish from your day once you start creating these awesomely bad yearbook photos.

A couple of my favorites:

Andrew looks like he could be an original member of New Kids on the Block in his 1994 yearbook picture.

Then there's me in a pair of classic cat eye glasses in my 1960 yearbook photo.

I took the liberty of creating a couple for Sarah and Kyle, too. I think my favorite is Sarah from 1970, the pearls definitely make the outfit.

It's as simple as uploading a picture. Tip: After you upload a photo, move your mouse over the small plus sign (+) in the lower right corner of your picture and a small editing menu will open up.

Have some fun with Yearbook Yourself.

Warren Sapp is a dancing fairy

In between takes of Dancing with the Stars, Warren Sapp still has time to open his mouth and say dumb things about Urban Meyer.

From the Sun-Sentinel:

Just when you think Sapp has turned into a kinder, gentler human being, the QB Killa goes and calls Meyer a "classless dirtbag" for his decision to kick a last-minute field goal in Florida's 26-3 victory over UM Saturday night.

Classless dirtbag? I think we have a serious case of the pot calling the kettle black here. It's not like UM ever took much pity on their opponents.

He's probably at home crying over Meyer because he lost a bet after the Florida Gators covered the spread. Wah wah ...


In other stupid football news ...

Bengal's wide receiver Chad Ocho Cinco (formerly Chad Johnson) must buy every "C. Johnson" jersey for sale nationwide before the NFL allows him to wear a jersey with his new last name "Ocho Cinco."

Yes, he changed his legal name to Chad Ochocinco. Read more.

Update: Blueberries, cats and locked doors

Thanks for the comments on the last post!

The pie was great, even though it didn't set up right and fell apart a little. It turned into a cobbler-like mess. Still good, but just not as pretty.

In cat news ... I've got the neighbor's on high alert. Amanda next door came running over last night thinking she spotted Irie outside, but it turned out to be a false alarm.

Best part of the story - I locked myself out of the house in all the cat-spotting excitement, without shoes!

When I went running out of the house take a look at the cat outside, I closed the door behind me so our other cat wouldn't get out. I failed to realize the door was locked. Andrew was out DJing and I had no way to get back in.

While I wouldn't advise it, locking yourself out of the house is one great way to meet the neighbors.

Had to use Amanda's phone to call maintenance who helped me get back in the house. Even better, this is the second time I've locked myself out. Thank goodness our maintenance guys are nice. :D

Blueberry pickin’ and a missing cat

Andrew and I spent our Labor Day, or at least a few hours of it, picking wild blueberries in Arctic Valley. Just minutes from the Army base, the valley is full of blueberry patches this time of year. We joined small groups of people spotting the valley, picking their share of fruit.

I set out wanting to pick enough for a pie and met my goal in only a couple hours. As you can see from the pictures below, Andrew was an incredible help. He may have eaten more berries in the valley than went into my pie. I let him have one slice. (Just kidding, the pie turned out wonderful and he can have all he wants.)



In some sad news this week, our gray cat (Irie, the older one) has been missing since Tuesday morning. He pushed out the screen in one of our first floor windows and hasn’t been seen since.

We’ve talked to the neighbors, left food outside of the front and back doors, and posted a couple fliers around the neighborhood. I’m hoping he’s just taking his time prowling the neighborhood, hanging out with some nice lady cats in the area and decide to make his way home when he gets bored (or hungry).

This is the first time he’s been out of the house, though I had feelings he may have been let outside with past owners. Please share any tips for luring a cat back inside if you’ve ever had one of yours get out, I’m open to suggestions.

We’ll be bummed in Alaska until he makes it back.