Reflection: Thanksgiving

First, my package that includes the November CDs ought to be here by tomorrow and I plan on not doing anything on Saturday until I get these CDs ready to mail out. I'm just going to feel so much better when they are done.

So, here's my story about traveling to Homer for Thanksgiving with Jenny and Patrick.

After school on Wednesday (the day before Thanksgiving) I went out to eat with Rico at the Copper Center Lodge. It might sound weird, but it was good at the time to get some guy-time. We talked alot about our individual futures in AK and Glennallen. Afterwards, I packed my car full of food, drinks, clothes, games, guitars, and everything I could possibly need for days and days of driving playing in Alaska.

I left about 7:30 PM for an 8-hour drive. I know that sounds crazy, but in Anchorage I was picking up Patrick's good friend from college. So, I knew he could drive if need be and we could split a cheap hotel room if we really needed. In any case, after picking him up, and a little caffeine pick-me-up, I pushed on to Homer. I should also add that weather south of Anchorage (like the final 3 hours) was atrocious. I had to go 30 mph at some points. It sucked. However, Patrick's friend was very interesting. Turns out we had similar tastes in music and movies which provided a springboard for the eventual serious philosophical conversations that come at 3:30 in the morning with random people while high on caffeine. We pulled in to Homer around 4:30 and I immediately crashed.

Now, the weird thing in AK this time of year is that the sun is constantly fleeting. Coupled with the fact that I had just set my body on a course for nocturnalness, I was in trouble. Luckily, I was able to pull myself up out of bed and help Jenny get some breakfast ready. The house P&J were housesitting for was incredible. Superb views of town, the ocean, and the glaciers just across the bay. Too pretty. I don't know how people can look at that beauty every day.

Thanksgiving Day was rather uneventful. The friend (I'm blanking on the name) and I did some shopping while P&J cleaned house. Oh! When I called in the afternoon to talk to my parents/grandparents/brother/family, I was informed that I had racked up over a thousand dollars in roaming charges on my phone. This, of course, was preposterous because all of the Verizon reps we talked to before moving said I'd be fine. It was quite stressful for my mother, but my dad took care of everything days later.

Thanksgiving Night was super eventful. We ate such delicious food (apparently Patrick started a culinary club at his college and was allowed to take over dining services every once in a while). We had moose meatloaf, curried halibut, lemon salmon, winter root medley, sweet potatoes, wine, and yes, even a little turkey. After which, the friend and I took well deserved naps.

Patrick had promised us a surprise when we arrived at his house. He was so proud. Turns out it was a CASE of SPARKS! You know, the "energy" beer that doesn't provide any energy, is bright orange, and tastes like a baboon's ass. He was so stoked about it. And his excitement was catchy. It turned into a thing the whole weekend. Wanna know what it takes to get something going? A SPARKS! And various variations on that...

So, after some Sparks, Irish Coffee, and other pick-me-up drinks, I busted out the guitar and so did half of the party. At it's peak, we had about 5 acoustic guitars, 2 mandolins, and an electric bass. Me and this other Wisconsite (Madisonian, in fact, who recognized my Youngblood Brass Band music!!!) took the lead for most of it. It was SO healthy. I love playing music with others. I need to do it more. I am thinking of trying to put together some sort of weekly jam session somewhere up here. Just to sit and play. It felt so good!

In the meantime, the garage had been cleared out for some beer pong action. After a few rounds, I taught them my new love of beerball and it was a hit. I played with college students and their mothers, co-workers and neighbors. It was fantastic. Also, no one got sick...to my knowledge.

I passed out about 5ish...I think. It's hard to tell.

In any case, our pattern of staying up all night and then sleeping all day didn't stop. On Friday, we spent time exploring town, finding manual typewriters at the Salvation Army, and driving around to see the many splendors that is the Kenai Peninsula. That evening, Patrick made a Winter Salmon Bisque and we played various board games with friends including the Alaska Oil Board Game (boring as hell). Eventually, we switched to beer pong and more drinking games. Ah, just like old times.

On Saturday, we tried to be a little more productive. Though, while I am a man of action, Patrick's friend was much less so. He is harder to get out of bed than ANYONE I've ever encountered. And that includes my brother.

When he did awake, we bought some ammo, drove to the top of the hill, and took some unwarranted aggression out on empty aluminum cans. Then we tried to go ice skating, but the rental place was closed. Eventually, we had leftover bisque and went to a country square dance thing run by P&J's friends. You know, where some guy literally calls out, "Swing Your Pardner!" and "Do-Si-Do!" It was actually more fun than it sounds. It's one of those things where once you know the pattern or can just listen to the guy calling out moves and everyone in your square understands too, you can have a lot of fun.

Afterwards, we went out to a few local "establishments" for snacks and drinks. At the first bar, there was karaoke and I decided to give it my first official whirl. My virginity-breaking song was "Short Skirt Long Jacket" by Cake. Now, the host had a whole table full of props, hats, costumes, and accessories to use. I casually grabbed a pilot's hat and some sweet shades and rocked the mic like a vandal. However, I (apparently) wasn't done yet. Upon leaving the stage, the host called out my name and challenged me to a "Weird Contest." I, being buzzed and distracted, didn't know what to do. At the urging of the savvy, black line cook, I said yes. So, after much deliberation, I signed up again to sing Led Zeppelin's "Hey, Hey, What Can I Do." For the host's turn, he dressed in dragged (stuffed bra and pink wig, too) and sang some previously unheard-of soul song. Vocals were an 8. Presentation a 3. I had him just where I wanted him. I donned the goofiest hat I could, Lennon glasses, a vest made out of a rug, and wrapped a stethoscope around my waist so I could gyrate and have my "penis" flop around (which fell off mid-way through the second verse, much to my chagrin). I made sweet love to the mic and even sweeter love to the mic stand. I thought I had it in the bag and rushed over to my group after looking for a semblance of victory. However, the just hung their heads. "Did I look weird!??!?! How weird was I?!?!?" "Dude," they said, "You actually looked pretty cool up there." No kidding. First time in my life I was disappointed in my ability to look good.

I stayed for as long as I could on Sunday, but in the end had an 8 hour drive back and needed groceries in Anchorage. I made it out of town shortly after watching the Packer game over brunch and made it safely back home. The drive back was long, but astoundingly beautiful while the sun was out. The sunset was utterly memorable. It was a shame I didn't have my camera.

So, that's my Thanksgiving story. I doubt a weekend like that will be matched for a while. Spring Break and the various weddings scheduled for this summer have potential. We'll just have to wait and see...

Slow Going

Maybe it's the frigid-ness of the area, but I have been SO slow going at getting discs out. In actuality, I brought home my November and Honorable Mention discs with the goal of taking a day out of my Winter Break to make a December disc and mail them all out. However, that didn't happen.

My parents offered to mail me a box of my Christmas presents and I opted to have the November and Autumn discs be mailed up with the gifts. This box has yet to reach me, but it IS on it's way. This is the reason why I am currently working on the January mix and am so far behind. I have literally hundreds of discs just sitting here waiting to be mailed out, but I can never seem to get all the right elements together at the same time...

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who sent me Christmas cards, packages, cookies, photos, and small appliances (yes, my Symphonic Winds class from Boulder autographed and mailed me a blender!). Thank you so much! Getting stuff in the mail really makes these lonely Alaskan nights bearable.

The coldest I've seen on a thermometer is -41 F.

I still have intentions of updating stories and such from AK. I've got to be more diligent.