Wow, that's one fancy moustache...

Because Alaska may have the largest concentration of bearded and moustached men in the country, I didn't think twice when I saw a number of guys on Thursday walking around downtown with big twisty-ended moustaches. So, they take pride in their over-abundance of facial hair, no big deal. Later that night, I found out what a big deal it was... 

This weekend, Anchorage hosted the 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championship (yes, there is such a thing), where nearly 300 competitors from around the world showed up to display their fantastic facial hair creations.  

Participants competed in about 20 different beard and moustache style categories, including the Freestyle Beard, Alaskan Whaler, the Fu Manchu and the Musketeer. You can find a description of each category and a list of winners here.

David Traver of Anchorage became a hometown hero by taking first place as the World Beard Overall Champion. His snowshoe-like beard style (photo here) won first place in the Freestyle Beard Category and gave him the overall victory.

Sometimes I think it's crazy that I live in a place where the World Beard and Moustache Competition makes the front page news. Only in Alaska...

Why Adam Lambert didn't win tonight

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...

I'm sure it was a great idea at the time...

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.

Koch, who already has three drunken driving convictions under her belt, failed the officer's sobriety test and admitted to drinking two shots of alcohol before her arrest.

She posted bail (a whopping $250) and was released from jail Wednesday. No word yet on whether she still has custody of her little designated driver, but she's still got my vote for worst parent of the year.

When's the last time you had a moose on your street?

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:

(With the sun going down and my fear of getting too close, this is the best shot I could get with my iPhone. Note to Apple: Add zoom and a flash to the next generation. Thanks.)

I was happy to be snapping pictures from the Jeep, because this moose would have towered over the little Corolla. Either way, he was too busy nibbling on tree branches to care about the paparazzi.

Now that spring is here, I hope to be posting lots of new wildlife photos. Stay tuned...

Oh! It's a cake!

From Blogger Pictures

Nope, not a bunt. Instead, a Texas sheet cake (aka. fantastically delicious chocolate cake) for Andrew's birthday.

Since it's already April 23 on the east coast, I can happily say: HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW!

I'd like to send out a big 'thank you' to my Grandma Ruth Daughenbaugh for the recipe. She's been making Texas sheet cake ever since I can remember and I hope to pass the recipe on to my grandkids one day. Tomorrow we'll put some candles in the cake, sing a little song and dig in (my favorite part of birthday celebrations).

Unfortunately, hearing my name in the same sentence with the phrase "baking a cake" once had my loved ones cringing in fear. If I recall correctly, my Grandma Singiser and my sister Sarah were at home during my most famous cake disaster.

It was the day I learned to pay closer attention to the pictures on the back of the Duncan Hines box. When they show two circle pans, they mean two circle pans. Sadly, the pictures didn't register and I proceeded to pour the entire cake mix into one circle pan.

What happens when you put an entire batch of cake batter into one small circle pan? A big mess.

Lesson learned. But I don't think I'll ever live down that story ...

I'm happy this cake was a success, and I just want to say it one more time ... Happy Birthday Andrew!

O Canada ...

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 ...

Vancouver

Sex and the ... seniors?

I. Love. Florida.

... and the Daily Show for producing quality television like this:

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