Harborview Express

Hey kids! We're back to winter wonderland mode today - the snow is falling gently as I type. We're supposed to get another four inches or so today and tonight.

I'm still rummaging through the archives and stumbled-upon my first journalistic endeavour - The Harborview Express dated October 15, 1967. I believe it was the first, and only, edition. Yours truly was editor. It was produced on one of those god-awful mimiograph machines with the blue ink that would get all over your hands. I reckon I was in the 6th grade. You will be reading some of the stories contained in the Harborview Express over the next few weeks.

The Bus Wreck

It started when Steve Reid was coming back from camp. They had just passed Beaver Creek when they hit a soft shoulder and the bus flipped. Nobody was really hurt. Steve Reid didn't even get one scratch. One comment from Steve was, "It was fun."

Bob Chapman

Mrs. Garnick's 3rd Grade Class in 1965.

Click on image for larger picture.

Front Row Left to Right: Wayne Meyer, Dylan Gibson, Laurie Weiss, Elmer Lindstrom, Bob Chapman, Sandy Kendler, David Day, Leona Unser, Scott Spickler, Debbie Gazaway

Middle Row Left to Right: Mrs. Garnick, Milo Davis, Bonnie Schutte, Mitch Hogins, Lauren Cutler, Chuck Nygaard, Laurie Sewell, Brent Long, Jason Lane, Joann Madsen, Kurt Ahrensfeld.

Back Row Left to Right: Unknown, Margaret Harris, Risa Jackinsky, Margaret Wells, Donna Wright, Rosalie Saviers, Carol Berryhill, Cyd Dwyer, Leigh Frazier, Lavonne Hickock.

Ouch!

Sorry...I had planned on posting some new (old) pics today; but it's already time to head back to town to let the doggies out and have a workout. Then back to the elders for supper. Then back to walk the doggies. Where does the day go?

Well, where it went today was settling-up with Uncle Sugar for 2008 - and it's not pretty. Guess I will have to start making quarterly payments to avoid the big bite at tax preparation time. Without going into details...let's just say my tax bill approximates the cost of a cruise from Florida to Vancouver. So I will need to do some more noodling about my Spring Break.

I watched the President's speech last night and thought it was excellent. But if the talking heads are any gauge this morning, it appears that our Republican friends think continuing to ignore the issues of health care, education, and energy is definitely the way to go. At least they're consistent... I also think it is more likely than not that they are seriously miscalculating the national mood. Time will tell...

In local news - there really isn't any local news. The weather remains benign - quite nice, in fact. I continue to enjoy the company of Joan's four-legged pals. The elders are as well as can be expected.

With any luck, I will be able to find time tomorrow to do a real posting.

Dead But Afraid to Fall

There's an excellent piece in the Huffington Post (via the New York Times) this morning on why nationalization of Citi, Bank of America, and other living-dead banks ought to proceed without further ado. I suspect the author is correct. The alternatives, pumping more taxpayer dollars into these institutions without taking actual ownership or acquiring their duff assets at some necessarily arbitrary price would likely prove to be both a bad deal for the U.S. taxpayer as well as prolong the national credit drought. The article can be viewed at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/23/opinion/23krugman.html?_r=1

In other news, I will be house sitting for a bit longer than anticipated. Joan needs to stay in Boise with her folks for awhile. The doggies and Skelter the Cat seem to be doing just fine; the canines are all snoring on the couch as I type and the puddy-tat was last seen curled-up in front of the heat register in the bathroom.

It's clear as a bell today and supposed to remain nice all week. There was a high wind warning for last night but it never blew here by the Federal Building. Looks like there's plenty of snow blowing around on Mt. Roberts, however, so they may be rocking and rolling in Douglas. It's supposed to be near 30 degrees today and in the teens tonight - not at all bad for February.

I am trying to figure-out what I want to do for a vacation in April. I spotted what appeared to be a really good deal on a cruise - a 21 day sailing from Ft. Lauderdale to Vancouver B.C. via the Panama Canal with a balcony-equipped stateroom for only $1,999. Unfortunately, upon further inquiry it turns out that the single-occupancy fare is double that - $4100 with all taxes and fees included. I am still in negotiations with Holland America - the sailing is NOT anywhere near full and there is a chance that the single-occupancy price may drop significantly in the next couple of weeks. Anyone want to go on a 21 day cruise with me for $1999? Stay tuned...

On the elder front, dad's edema appears to be worsening again. His legs are quite swollen. It is a constant battle to get him to keep his feet elevated. If it's still bad this morning I think I'll see if I can persuade the old coot to go to the doc - also a battle. It's not clear what the underlying problem is - other than general decrepitude - and he is unwilling to go through any serious diagnostic tests. So, "situation normal" on the elder front.

Alison cooked a wonderful shrimp curry on Saturday night and invited the usual mooches - Eric and I - to partake. I had a second great supper at Zephyr's late last week; but I am going to cook at my own digs this week.

And I need to prepare my taxes. Ugh!

Gee, Maybe I Should Go to the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Then Again, Maybe Not...

Another pic from the recently unearthed archive. This photo was taken in 1973 or 1974 in Fairbanks at the awards banquet for what I believe was called the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA). Kinda a high school version of Rotary Club or the Junior Chamber of Commerce. Tim Wilson was, as I recall, the Juneau Chapter Whim-Wham.

Although not a card-carrying member myself, I tagged-along on the trip as the semi-official photographer with the goal of checking-out the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. I didn't REALLY think I wanted to go there; but figured what the hell...may as well take a look-see. Or at least that's what I told my folks to get them to fork over the dough to send me on the trip.

I vividly recall checking into a downtown hotel and noting the time and temperature sign across the street which indicated it was seventeen degrees below zero fahrenheit. This was in March. I never bothered to go look at the campus...


The Juneau delegation (left to right) Lynette Bergeron, Carl Swanson, Sue Ferguson, Doug Rickey and Tim Wilson. I have zero recollection as to what it was they did to earn all the glory.

We took a bus from Fairbanks to Anchorage...although I do not recall why. It was clear and cold and the northern lights were the most spectacular I have ever seen.

But What's in it for Me, Elmer Lindstrom?

I was a tad miffed with our President's housing initiative. Rumors had been flying that it would include measures to reduce mortgage interest rates to 4% for all first-time homebuyers - but there was no such provision. Damn! Still, Congressional action is necessary to implement some of the provisions and perhaps some Senate Republicans, whose votes will be needed to get anything passed, can be counted on to make certain the interest rate item is added to benefit folks like me who don't really need it. I will keep my powder dry.

I did a little revamping of the blog yesterday. I think the header looks quite nice if I do say so myself.

The menagerie and I continue to get on famously. I am taking Jasper and Tucson for a walk around the neighborhood every afternoon and they seem to enjoy the fresh air. Poor ol' Tucson isn't good for much more than a half-dozen blocks or so. He's getting pretty lame.

Night before last I went to El Sombrero for supper and last night to the Island Pub with Jerry Fuller and Jon Sherwood from my old office. I kinda feel like I'm on vacation - haven't dined out so much downtown in many a moon.

Well, not much else to report today. But perhaps I will scan some more old pics at home this afternoon so you may get another post tomorrow.

OOPS! Late breaking news. Just tumbled to this article on CNN Money that provides empirical evidence for something I already knew - that most financial advisors don't know shit from shinola.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/17/pf/experts_Tetlock.moneymag/index

My favourite quote:

My research certainly prepared me for widespread forecasting failures. We found that our experts' predictions barely beat random guesses - the statistical equivalent of a dart-throwing chimp - and proved no better than predictions of reasonably well-read nonexperts. Ironically, the more famous the expert, the less accurate his or her predictions tended to be.

Weird Dream

Well here I am at the hotel Kasson. Just fired-up the ol' laptop for the first time since my vacation in November. Took an hour to get all the various updates.

I did not sleep well last night; strange house with strange noises - and some not so strange noises. And a really weird dream.

But first, exciting news on the best meal I've had in a restaurant in Juneau in a good long while. Last evening I was going to try out the new Italian joint downtown. But there were only a couple of folks in the place - and it looked deadly quiet. So I went next door to Zephyr which is the Mediterranean restaurant that has been open several years - although I have not dined there in over a year.

Since there were several folks at the wine bar I made myself comfortable and had a couple of pre-dinner glasses of wine for medicinal purposes. And while I was sitting there in comes my old friend Kate Tesar and Kent Dawson, one of the more capable lobbyists working the Capitol. Kate and Kent were soon joined by Kent's wife, Jenny, and former Lieutenant Governor Fran Ulmer who is currently Chancellor of the University of Alaska, Anchorage. We had a nice chat. Fran looks great - the academic life must be suiting her well.

Everyone else was then seated at a table while I remained at the bar. I ordered braised lamb with couscous and chick peas. It was FABULOUS.

The reason I mention all of this is that I'm sure my visit with former Capitol persons prompted my dream last night. I typically don't remember much of dreams; but I was sleeping so fitfully last night that this one seems to have lodged in the brain box pretty well.

It started out at some sort of potlatch. Former Senator John Sackett was there as were my former co-worker, Marla Berg, and former boss, Al Adams. That part is kinda murky.

But THEN Marla, Al, and I were on the ice in the midst of a seal hunt. Lots of folks hunting lots of seals with spears. We followed a couple of Native women around who were harvesting critters right and left; and then suddenly I was the one with the spear. I nailed one. Al then indicated that I should drag it over to a big white guy who seemed to be in charge of collecting the deceased. I took him the carcass, he thanked me, and gave me the wristwatch he was wearing. I told him I that I hadn't worn a watch in over thirty years. The watch band was one of those metal twisty kind and was way too big. But I kinda rolled it up and put it on.

Then I woke up. Go figure.

My failure to sleep well was, in part, due to my roommates. Tucson, the basset hound, sleeps on the floor. Mattie the ShihTzu and Skelter the black pussycat were my bed partners. (Jasper the daschshund is confined to his kennel downstairs at night.) My bunkmates were not a problem; but old Tucson was restless. He has a doggy bed; but at least a half-dozen times during the night he got up and walked around the bed to make sure I was still there. Clickety-clack of basset hound toenails on the hardwood floor.

And when he returned to his doggy bed the classic basset hound ritual I have heard so many hundreds (maybe thousands) of times with various hounds over the years. First the shuffling as three turns are made on the bed. Then a sneeze. Then the umistakeable sound of a basset shaking his head - the big ears and jowls make a hollow thubba, thubba, thubba flapping noise accompanied by the tinkling of dog tags. Then he lies down. Then the big sigh.

It made me smile every time. I want a basset hound!

Well, the doggies should have digested breakfast by now; so I'll toss their asses outside for a minute and then head out to the folks for the chores. Looking out the window it appears to be a reasonably nice day. A trace of snow last night; but patches of blue sky this morning.

Party Down!

A fun week! Two social events of note and three days of absolutely drop-dead gorgeous weather that got me out of the house and cross country skiing out by the glacier. It was great to be outdoors - a break in the cabin fever which had become oppressive the past few weeks.

Thursday was Cindy Chapman's 50th birthday - celebrated in the traditional style at T K Maguires at the Prospector. I had a great time...

Funny Bunny Cindy Chapman celebrates the Big Five-O

John has adapted to the Stone Family quite well, I think.

And here they are - Mother Stone and all her brood.

The Stone family are a formidable crew. I think they're all quite wonderful.

On Saturday night I attended a Valentine's Day supper at Laura Beasons. Unfortunately (although this is a debatable point, I'm sure) I forgot my camera at home so I have no photographic evidence of the crime. Ten of us enjoyed Laura's wonderful supper - washed down by a case-and-a-half or so of wine. We played a fun card game called "Apples to Apples" which I strongly recommend for any party that involves a case-and-a-half of wine. Laura's condo on Douglas Highway has a spectacular view of the Juneau Harbor and is excellent for entertaining. A great evening.

Below are a couple of pics from the Dredge Lake Trail where I was skiing this past week. The pics have NOT been extensively photoshopped. The sky was that blue and it was pretty damn nice...

In other news, I will be house-sitting for Joan Kasson this next week. Her mom is not well and she is headed to Boise to visit her parents for a week. I will be kennel master for Tucson, Jasper, and Mattie. I'm sure we'll get along just fine.

So...I may be a little spotty on the posting front for a week - although I expect I will be spending at least some portion of the day here in the comforts of my own digs.

I trust everyone is enjoying a day of leisure on President's Day.