Musiq Soulchild show

Big shows don't come all the way up here very often, but whenever they do, we go. Last weekend R&B singer Musiq Soulchild played a show downtown.

Andrew got in touch with the production company and was able to get us backstage to cover the show.

Here are some of the photos...

Happy Easter!

I know I'm completely late on the blog post, but I hope everyone had a great Easter.

I made Andrew color eggs with me on Easter morning. We only did 6 because my stomach hurts just thinking about eating a dozen hard boiled eggs. Anyway, we even put all of our names on them, including the cats.

Here's how they turned out:



And the ladies will enjoy this one, I learned a cooking lesson on Easter...

Tip from Betty Crocker: Don't try to save yourself time by cutting up potatoes early. They will turn gray.

Tip from Mom: Next time put them in water, dummy.

Still edible, but not so pretty. Lesson learned.

More moose photos

We spotted this guy at a park just outside of the University of Alaska campus. As always, Andrew grabbed his camera and ran out to get some pictures. He really got up close and personal this time.

Maybe a little too personal ... the mooose charged at Andrew when he got a little too close. But, Andrew went right back to taking photos, keeping a good distance.

Those crazy Russians ...

I know I've been slacking on my posts, I'll get back into the swing of things soon. I've been really focused on the blogs that help pay the bills, like I should, but this one is way more fun to write for (and, I don't have to check my spelling as much).

So, I found this article on CNN today - "U.S. jets escort Russian bombers off Alaska coast"

It all happened right here on Elmendorf Air Force Base, our little home away from home. It's crazy to me that things like this actually still happen.

Sometimes the house will shake when the fighter jets are out, the cats don't like it.

The Alaskan Bikini

Somehow, I just don't think they'd work in South Florida ...

Sunshine state? We get more ...

Well, just for now.

Posted Monday (3/17) on the Alaskology blog, part of the Anchorage Daily News.

According to this Web site, the hours of daylight in Muskegon, Mich., (our old hometown) today is 12 hours and 1 minute; in Seattle, it's 12 hours and 2 minutes; in Miami, Fla., it's 12 hours and 4 minutes.

Today, we're pretty much equal all over the country. But tomorrow, Alaska starts to leave the rest of the nation behind. Tomorrow, we'll gain nearly six minutes of daylight. A week from now, Anchorage will enjoy 40 minutes more daylight than it does today. In Miami, it's just 10 additional minutes; in Muskegon, 22 minutes; and in Seattle, 24 minutes.

But three months from now, near the summer solstice, Anchorage will have 7 hours and 18 minutes more daylight than it does today. In fact, in the middle of summer it never really seems to get dark. Between now and the longest day of the year, Miami will only gain another 1 hour and 41 minutes of daylight; Muskegon gets 3 hours and 22 minutes; and Seattle gains 3 hours and 56 minutes.

It's been beautiful outside lately, the sun has been shining all day, and it doesn't go down until after 8 pm. I can't wait for the summer when it will be sunny all day, and night.

It just caught my eye that the author wrote about Miami, and maybe Alaska should hold the title for "Sunshine State," at least for a few months...

Weekend recap

On Friday night we went to see "No Country for Old Men" up at the Beartooth Theaterpub. I really wanted to see this movie after all the Oscar nominations it was up for (I think it may have won one or two). I'm not sure what I was expecting, but there were way more gunshots than I expected.

The storyline could be compared to an old Western, but with a creepy twist - guy finds briefcase full of money at a drug-money desert shootout, psychopath is hired to collect the money, kills everyone who gets in his way, lots of chasing, shooting, all the good stuff.

It was a good movie, I would recommend it if you can handle all the shoot 'em up violence. We only had to pay $3 to see it, ate a couple slices of pizza and a piece of carrot cake - sounds like a good night to me!

On Saturday we headed out to the Alaska Zoo, right here in Anchorage. Compared to Miami's Metro Zoo, this place resembles a big petting zoo. Still, it was something to get out and see, and Andrew was almost taken down by a Musk Ox (read further).

Most of the animals at the zoo are native to Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, but they also have a few more exotic animals. The weather was wonderful for a trip to the zoo. When I say wonderful, I mean it was just a bit warmer than completely arctic.

Take notice in the pictures of the Musk Ox (big, hairy buffalo-looking guy with horns). Andrew was close to the railing, snapping pictures of the ox. It didn't seem to even notice us when out of nowhere it charges in Andrew's direction. I'm happy the fence was there, but we still both went running in opposite directions when this guy started charging. It was definitely the highlight of the trip to the zoo, it's not everyday Andrew gets charged by a Musk Ox.

Well, just another wild and crazy weekend up here in Anchorage.

Here are the pictures Andrew took at the zoo ...