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Yep, that's right, we're back. Back in Florida enjoying the afternoon thunderstorms, obnoxious drivers and unbearable humidity. And we're loving it.
Our road trip from Alaska to Florida was incredible. It took us two weeks, about a hundred cups of coffee, about a case of Red Bull and one jar of gumballs to complete.
Here are some of the photos from our trip:
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| AK to FL 2009 |
Hi everyone! I haven't been able to get back to everyone's messages, so I wanted to post a little update here to let you all know how we're doing.
We made it through the ALCAN in about 48 hours. (Crazy, crazy drive)
Spent one night in Vancouver, then headed on to Portland. We're leaving Portland today for San Francisco.
That's about it. Talk to you all soon!
We're hitting record high temperatures up here in the great state of AK. It got up to 80 degrees yesterday, breaking the 79 degree record set in 2005.
From the ADN:
The weather in Southcentral has been experiencing a curious phenomenon in recent days that was largely missing last year.
Weather experts are calling it "summer."
Elsewhere in the city, temperatures crept even higher, though the marks were recorded at sites considered unofficial by the weather service. The Upper Hillside hit 82 degrees, and East Anchorage logged 83 degrees. The Campbell Creek Science Center hit 86.
Last summer, only two days broached the 70-degree mark at the weather service's Sand Lake station, setting a record for the fewest such days. On average, Anchorage sees 16 days that hit 70 or higher.
So, I haven't said anything about the Sarah Palin/David Letterman tiff (mainly because I think it's silly), but I just can't hold back from posting this video from New York Magazine.
They say two wrongs don't make a right, though somehow I don't think this group of Manhattan protesters have ever heard of the idea. Call me crazy, but calling someone's kid a bastard and his wife a slut won't erase anything the guy may have said last week.
I'm just sayin'...
My favorite quotes:
Lady in yellow: "This schmuck has nobody! You know what schmuck means in Jewish?"
Reporter: "How do you feel about Jay Leno?"
Protester: "I only watch Fox News channel."
Protester: "Go home and take care of your kids! They could be next!"
Andrew and I heard about this awesome website, Witness to War, while watching the CBS Evening News tonight and haven't been able to pull ourselves away from the videos since.
The Witness to War project is not about the set piece movements of armies, the military strategies of generals, nor the geo political nuances that led to war. Instead, it is about the ‘foxhole’ view of combat as seen by the soldiers who experienced it. It is about the fear, the emotions, the training, and the previously untapped wells of personal strength that enabled ordinary individuals to survive, and in some cases thrive, under extraordinary pressures and almost unimaginable danger.This Saturday, June 6, is the anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy (D-Day). Visit the D-Day section of Witness to War and spend a few minutes listening to first-hand accounts of what happened.
Though no one can be absolutely sure, the video below may quite possibly be the reason behind Adam Lambert taking second place tonight in the American Idol finale.
I guess all those wholesome Midwest folks just don't understand the power of the boa. What a shame...
Sure, the bar was less than a mile from her house, but using her seven-year-old as her designated driver was probably not the best idea that night.
Along with the father in Fresno, CA, who forcibly tattooed his son with a gang sign, I'd like to nominate Karen Koch of Fairbanks, AK, for the worst parent of the year award.
Last week, Koch was charged with reckless endangerment and permitting an unauthorized person to drive (both misdemeanors) after letting her seven-year-old drive her home, because she was too drunk to do it herself.
When the boy almost took out her parked car, a neighbor made the wise decision to call police and alert them of the situation.
From the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner:
Troopers were able to trace the plates to Koch’s nearby residence and arrived just as the boy was exiting the driver’s seat. Koch, who had leaned back in the front passenger’s seat, woke up a few minutes later and identified the child as her son.
She told the trooper that she let her son drive the car from a nearby stop sign and did not see what the problem was, according to a criminal complaint filed in court.
Trooper Sgt. Brian Wassmann said the child probably drove about a half-mile before reaching his destination. Troopers occasionally get reports of parents allowing teens to drive unlicensed, but it’s rare to get a report of an elementary school student behind the wheel.
A few days ago, I was leaving the house and before I could make it to the end of the street I saw this guy:
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| From Blogger Pictures |
Last weekend we took a quick trip to Vancouver and had a blast, to say the least. If you're ever in the Pacific Northwest, we highly recommend checking it out.
Vancouver is a beautiful city full of great food and great fun. Take a look at the pictures below for a snapshot of our trip ...
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| Vancouver |
I. Love. Florida.
... and the Daily Show for producing quality television like this:
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | M - Th 11p / 10c | |||
| Dirty Bird Special | ||||
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No ash is expected to fall in Anchorage, but it may reach the upper atmosphere just south of city, Weather Service meteorologist Amy Bedal said. But those higher winds will probably be too strong and the ash particles that attain that height too light to reach the ground, she said.
Ash began falling in Homer shortly before 2 p.m. The city sent workers home early, said City Manager Walt Wrede, before a purplish plume blocked the view across Cook Inlet and the smell of sulfur wafted into town. Businesses closed up, he said. By 4:45, skies had cleared and a small sprinkling of ash covered the snow.
The people of Crichton, Alabama are still debating whether it was a real leprechaun up in that tree, or maybe it's a druggie high on crack. Doesn't matter to me who's right or wrong, I just think the fact that the debate even exists is hilarious. Watch the news report and you be the judge...
I can't believe they never caught the creature, even with such a detailed police sketch and a magic flute. Well, Happy St. Patrick's Day and I hope the leprechauns stay out of your trees.
Check out WhereDaGoldAt.com for more information on the legendary Mobile, Alabama leprechaun sighting.
This is why you're fat is my new favorite blog and here are just two (out of many) reasons why:
"Their legislation is larded with wasteful spending," Jindal said. "It includes ... $140 million for something called 'volcano monitoring.' Instead of monitoring volcanoes, what Congress should be monitoring is the eruption of spending in Washington, D.C."
Jindal's comments provoked an eruption of their own. Alaska politicians, liberal bloggers and some scientists began pointing out how useful it is to let people know when a volcano in their neighborhood is about to explode.
"Volcano monitoring is a matter of life and death in Alaska," Democratic Sen. Mark Begich said in an open letter to Jindal.
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski quickly agreed, noting in a press statement how "absolutely appropriate" it is to spend money on volcano monitoring. However, said Murkowski, Jindal raised "a legitimate question about funding volcano monitoring in legislation that's supposed to create jobs for unemployed Americans."
Just when you think your toilet paper is safe, you find a crime scene like this ...
The latest Good Life Reggae podcast is up at GoodLifeReggae.com, listen to it here.
For any Anchorvillans who may be reading ... You can catch Good Life Reggae tonight at SubZero. Come on by and listen to Andrew's latest set of favela beats.
Mark your calendars for the Bob Marley Celebration on Friday, February 20, kicking off at 8 p.m. at Humpy's. See you there!
I’ve been trying really hard (actually, not very hard at all) to be sympathetic to the low temperatures South Florida is feeling these days. Tonight it’s supposed to dip into the mid 20s and everyone is wondering where they cand find a pair of gloves, maybe a scarf, too.
So, I’m sorry if I don’t sound very sympathetic when you call and say it’s “cold” in South Florida because I’d be happy for it to be in the mid 20s up here. Here's today's forecast for Anchorage:
Last week would have been the perfect week to be back in Florida. Not only would we have escaped the chilly single-digit temperatures up here in Alaska, we could have helped Martha celebrate her birthday (Happy Birthday!) and would have had an incredible time at Nick and Danielle’s wedding (Congrats!).
From what we’ve heard and seen in Facebook photos, the wedding was beautiful and everyone had a great time. Andrew and I wish we could have been there to join in on the good times, but I’m sure there will be many more in the years to come. Congratulations from both of us and we hope to see you soon!
To everyone up in Pittsburgh – Go Steelers! For anyone who was hiding in a cave over the weekend, the Steelers won their record sixth Super Bowl against the Arizona Cardinals in a 27-23 victory. With 35 seconds remaining, Santonio Holmes caught Ben’s pass, tapped his little toes in the end zone and scored the winning touchdown. It was pretty nice.
We'd also like to send a little get well message to my grandpap Chuck Singiser. Only days after his back surgery on Friday, he was up and walking around. We hope you have a speedy recovery and are feeling great very soon!
For us, we’re just doing our best to keep warm up here in Anchorage. Other than the cold and snow, the news around here is full of buzz about Sarah Palin’s shoes and a volcano that’s about to erupt, but that’s about it.
I’ll keep you posted on the volcano, Mount Redoubt. Scientists say it could erupt in days, weeks or maybe won’t even happen at all. It’s about 100 miles away from the city and the biggest danger it has in store for us is “several millimeters of ash.” Here’s what it looked like when it last erupted in 1990:
(Photo - ADN.com)
Cadbury's Dairy Milk (it's a UK thing) just released a new commercial featuring "two mischievous children performing bizarre "eyebrow dance moves" to an electro-funk soundtrack."
Someone needs to make a commercial like this in the US:
Happy Inauguration Day!
I know it's the 21st already on the east coast, but we're still celebrating Barack Obama's inauguration over here.
My favorite part of the swearing-in ceremony was when Rev. Joseph Lowery gave the benediction, especially his colorful ending:
"Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around ... when yellow will be mellow ... when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen. "
It made me smile.
Well, we made it back to Alaska. The few weeks we spent back in Florida and our quick trip to the Bahamas were fantastic. Thanks to everyone who housed, fed and lent out cars while we were visiting home. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
It was pretty tough returning to the snow and ice after spending three weeks in the South Florida sunshine. At least we missed some of the worst weather of the season and brought back just enough of a tan to remind us of the great time we had back home.
Here are some pictures from our vacation:
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| Vacation Dec 2008 |
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