Half Cherokee and Choctaw?

Went to the dentist yesterday (had 1 cavity, which is 1 too many) where the dentist asked if Amanda was part American Indian. She tells me she's never been asked that before. So, what do you think, is my baby a Chippewa (or any other American Indian)?

Don't call me, I called you.

Commentary about societal quirks.

We tend to hang out as a couple with other couples. I think in this arrangement there's an implicit agreement that the guys call the guys and the girls call the girls. No cross-calling! However, in some of the couples the guys aren't talkers and/or the girls are the boss. Amanda is the boss in our family but depending on the day and/or topic she doesn't like being the one to initiate a conversation with other couples (like if we want to invite them for dinner or to hang out, etc.) In situations where Amanda doesn't want to call and we want to accomplish something I call the female representative of the friends that we wish to talk with or ask a question of. It never seems to fail though that if I don't reach the person directly (and have to leave a voicemail) they will call Amanda back (even though I left the message).

I just think it's funny. If someone leaves a message for me I'll call them back (regardless of gender), if someone leaves a message for Amanda she'll call them back. If someone leaves a message for the both of us at least one will call them back. Maybe I'll not socially couth?

Sour ... Doh!

Breakfast both days this weekend was sourdough pancakes. We obtained the sourdough starter from a true "Alaskan" (at least in the active sense of the word, i.e. her (June) mentality was Alaskan) on our trip up there this summer. The starter purportedly goes back to the gold rush and passed over the Chilkoot Trail. It's funny what people do for a little yeast, bacteria and flour. While we didn't stay at June's lodge Amanda did develop a little rapport with her and she gave us some of her starter. We managed to keep it alive the rest of our vacation and then forgot it in my parents refrigerator when we started toward the airport to come home. Fortunately it was remembered before we got too far. We packed it away in the checked luggage (was more than 3 ounces and was liquid (at least in the definition of the TSA) so I don't think that the airport security would have been too accommodating).

We've fed it (it eats more than our cats!) and now we can eat like the miners! Next week, maybe sourdough pancakes with Michigan blueberries.

And the winner is?

Red/Purple Plum

Storms and things with 'Storm' in the name

'Storm' Topic 1:

Last night there was a big thunderstorm here in Chicago. Actually ever since we've gotten back there's been a string of thunderstorms. The rivers are rising and some of them are at flood stage. Quite a few neighborhoods and houses are partially under water. We have been spared all of that as we live at a [nominally] higher elevation and at a distance from a river.

On the train ride home last night we pulled out of the station and got about halfway to the first stop where we subsequently sat for the next hour. I had a good book (not the "Good Book") to read, so I was ok with the wait (would have had more fun at home but it went fine). A number of other people were nonplussed with the experience. I can certainly understand the common lament of "Why didn't they just not pull out of the station, that way we could have explored other options home?" Apparently a tree had fallen across the tracks up the line so we needed to wait for it to be cleared. Got home about 1.25 hours later than usual.

'Storm' Topic 2:

I grew up in the Aleutian Islands where trees were at a minimum and storms were at a maximum. Every time we have a "storm" here in Chicago, it's seemingly the "Worst Storm Ever" (cue ominous music). It's funny to me that most of these seem to be just a warm-up for what a real storm is like! We should get the Chicago people to go through a couple Dutch Harbor storms.

'Storm' Topic 3:

I've been thinking lately about the nice refreshing ambiance that is exhibited by nature after a storm has passed through. I wonder if this is also the case when a person goes through an experiential storm (i.e. a storm in their personal life/situation). I've been fortunate enough to never have gone through a major personal storm (or clueless enough to have not recognized it). I don't wish one upon myself.

In theory it seems that, while painful at the time, a 'storm' that, among other things, breaks one down in order to build up stronger, would be beneficial and clear way for the nice refreshing personal ambiance. Would a storm such as this be similar to pruning a plant, where, in order to facilitate growth you need to clear out the dead branches and curb the growth of rogue items.

'Storm' Topic 4:

They closed Stormy's pizza in Unalaska (albeit this happened a long time ago). It would have been fun (and tasty) to go there. Angelo's pizza (where we went this time) was ok but I haven't determined if their crust is good or bad (they use a sweet dough to form their crust).

Plum Confused

Fruits of the week this week are the plum and the apple. I purchased five (5) plum from our local grocery store, all from the same bin. So far two (2) of the plums have had a red/purple interior and two (2) of the plums have had a white/yellow interior, all have had a purple/black exterior. Tomorrow's plum will break the tie unless it's a mutant/hybrid/or some funny color like neon green (in which case I wouldn't eat it).

I like the red/purple interior better.

Sights in the City

Chihuahua man shows up again after a 4 month absense. Either that is one spoiled pup or that guy has a bit of a problem ... Or, maybe he's figured out what only the raven man (see below) in New York has figured out, namely that if you want the crowd to disperse around you you have to act a little off.

Raven Man:

While in New York for our internship Amanda and I would frequently take strolls around the city. We didn't have a car and our company provided housing was smaller than the average hotel room (but hey, it was free!). On one walk we were up near Times Square (a little east of it really), walking in a crowd when we hear "Cawww Cawww". Perhaps a bird? No, just a guy flapping his arms and pretending. People moved out of his way (If a guy can Cawww in public what else might he be capable of?), freeing up a nice clear path for him to continue his walk.

I Bombed Japan Club

While in Dutch Harbor we visited the World War II History Museum and found this item.

Ugadaga ... UGADAGA ... Ugadaga Bay

While in Unalaska, which despite the name I think counts as part of "Real Alaska", Amanda and I took a 5 mile journey to Ugadaga Bay. For some reason I always start mentally singing this name as if were the lead in to a march, imagine if you will ... "ugadaga (shouted by march leader) - UGADAGA (shouted response by all other marchers)- ugadaga bay (shouted by troop leader) .... the zeroes tried to bomb us but we turned them all away (Unalaska was bombed during WWII by the Japanese (but I don't know if the zeroes were in on the actual bombing)) "

The hike was fun, more fun on the outbound side as it was all downhill. The trail starts at a mountain pass and winds its way down to the bay. The way back was a bit more strenuous but I managed quite a bit better than the first time I encounted this path (about 15 years ago?).

We found a little stream that led into the bay, on the way there we hypothesized about whether it would have any salmon. Based on two Bald Eagles sitting a few yards from the mouth and a bunch of seagulls fluttering about, I guessed it would have a few. At first we

didn't see any fish but remarked on how clear the water was (a natural dam had slowed the water and rendered it almost as clear as glass). After we got up on a ledge and rounded a turn we spotted the treasure. Hundreds of salmon just chillin'. Amanda was anxious to jump right in and catch one, but she didn't have a change of clothing and that wouldn't have made her comfortable for the hike back up the hill!

One last note, it was nice to find that places do still exist where you can take a 3 hour hike and picnic and not see anyone at all.

Who is that masked man?

Oh, it's me. The sunburn I received on Sunday affected most portions of my face except for a horizontal swatch across my forehead and except for where my sunglasses were, rendering me looking like a "bandit" (as per Amanda). Don't worry though, I'll survive.

Whale of a time

We're up in Alaska as I write this, spending time with family and friends and visiting both of our home towns (mine predominantly). This trip was spawned as a birthday present for my dad. As a family we took him on a fishing charter to catch some halibut and silver salmon. We wanted to do something as a family that we don't traditionally do. So, we went out (sans Amanda as she wanted to spend time with her family and not risk the seasickness), caught our limit of halibut (2 per person, twelve in total) and caught 10 silver salmon. We also caught two salmon sharks, one skate, and one irish lord, and we got to see a humpback whale just swimming about. Good times and no seasickness for anyone on board.

That evening we ate grilled halibut an grilled salmon while lounging on the deck of a log cabin overlooking the ocean and the mountains. Quintessential Alaskan tourist experience.

Laugh with me?

While reading the book of Isaiah yesterday on the train I came across this passage:

Isaiah 44:16-19

Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal, he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says, "Ah! I am warm; I see the fire." From the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says, "Save me; you are my god." They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand. No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or understanding to say, "Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what it left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?"


On first blush I thought it quite funny, just a guy sitting there chopping some wood, cooks dinner with it and uses the leftovers as a "god". Makes me think of Wilson (the volleyball) in the Cast Away movie (I know, volleyball does not equal block of wood). On second blush it strikes me that the wood is figurative and appears primarily as money and material goods in todays world, now it's not as funny.

Quirks : Apple Halving

I find that when I'm slicing an apple in half I rotate the apple (before actually cutting) trying to find the best alignment. I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for, but it works.