Alaska Chat II

[cobolt]

Xa'at or Danny,

Are they really gonna build that road they keep talking about? I read the empire almost every day, but the road seems so controversial. It goes through alot of unchartered and potentially hazardous territory for driving, no one can figure out how much the thing will cost or cost to upkeep, you still have to take a ferry to get outside, and...I think this is my big problem: it opens the doors to all sorts of undesirables. I understand the whole accessibility increases cost of goods, but this IS ALaska, you know, and people move to AK because if offers a lifestyle different from the lesser 48. I honestly do believe that the great charm and appeal of SE...IMHO is that it's off the road system. I know the AMHS is a whole financial heartache and issue within itself...and I am no way against progress...but sometimes what we see as "progress" is simply stepping backwards. I don't want to see SE tainted by all the problems a road system could bring.

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by cobolt

Xa'at or Danny,

Are they really gonna build that road they keep talking about? I read the empire almost every day, but the road seems so controversial. It goes through alot of unchartered and potentially hazardous territory for driving, no one can figure out how much the thing will cost or cost to upkeep, you still have to take a ferry to get outside, and...I think this is my big problem: it opens the doors to all sorts of undesirables. I understand the whole accessibility increases cost of goods, but this IS ALaska, you know, and people move to AK because if offers a lifestyle different from the lesser 48. I honestly do believe that the great charm and appeal of SE...IMHO is that it's off the road system. I know the AMHS is a whole financial heartache and issue within itself...and I am no way against progress...but sometimes what we see as "progress" is simply stepping backwards. I don't want to see SE tainted by all the problems a road system could bring.

I don't know. Honestly, seems like these days the only talk of it is on bumper stickers and in letters to the editor. It's a hot button issue, but we never seem to get anywhere. Not to mention there's so much conflicting information swirling around... Last I heard the plan is simply to extend Glacier highway further out the road, then dead end it with a ferry terminal at the end. This could easily be misinformation, but it seems just illogical enough to be something our government thought up.
Murkowskidiot was the road guy, and now that he's out, there's a good chance it will all die down. No, our problem now is Palin's insidious plans to move the capital, one state job at a time. (Media cliché: "capital creep")

[cobolt]

I thought Palin was in favor of the road to nowhere? I read somewhere that she already approved the purchase of the materials but that something was hung up...I don't recall what. I don't understand the logic behind moving the capitol to ANC. I mean, I get that it's inconvenient for all those puffy politicians to travel to or reside in JNU part year, but other than strategic location, what is the reason? I find myself going back and forth on that. I feel if the capitol moves then JNU will get ignored completely and then there's a part of me that says "Fine. Take your politicians up to ANC." I know when I read the blogs on the empire webpage that seems to be the tone...although it seems to me the same 12 people post there as well!!

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by cobolt

I thought Palin was in favor of the road to nowhere? I read somewhere that she already approved the purchase of the materials but that something was hung up...I don't recall what. I don't understand the logic behind moving the capitol to ANC. I mean, I get that it's inconvenient for all those puffy politicians to travel to or reside in JNU part year, but other than strategic location, what is the reason? I find myself going back and forth on that. I feel if the capitol moves then JNU will get ignored completely and then there's a part of me that says "Fine. Take your politicians up to ANC." I know when I read the blogs on the empire webpage that seems to be the tone...although it seems to me the same 12 people post there as well!!

That's the problem with Palin- she doesn't seem to do much, which appeases some and makes others more nervous. It's like we don't really know where she stands. I'd love to have a sit down with her and ask her, but we all know how likely that is to happen...

[Rance]

MAybe if they did move it to Anchorage...we would not have to buy any more jets or pay for their travel down that way. Might be a way to actually save some money. Which could be spent on things like bridges and what not.

[cobolt]

I think the money saved on travel would simply be spent elsewhere....on them more than likely...like building a "facility" to house all that hot air...

My impression with Palin is that she was pretty straight forward and most people approved of her....but I have to say in following both the road and ferry issues, I am beginning to wonder myself. Glad to see I am not the only one.

[Rance]

I am an Alaska Craigslist junkie. Yesterday I bought a 6.5 horse posthole digger/auger (which I need for the pilings on the cabin) and today an antique Singer sewing machine (pedal type, which I need), and when I get to Anchorage next Tuesday I need to look at a rug which I'm sure I need. Collectibles is killing me! Well so is tools but that collectibles is some great browsing.

And now for the good news!

CENTRAL BEAUFORT SEA COAST-
INCLUDING...NUIQSUT...PRUDHOE BAY...ALPINE...DEADHORSE...KUPARUK
215 PM AST TUE JAN 22 2008

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM AST
WEDNESDAY...
.TONIGHT...CLOUDY. A CHANCE OF SNOW IN THE EVENING...THEN SNOW
LIKELY AFTER MIDNIGHT WITH VISIBILITY NEAR ZERO AT TIMES IN BLOWING
SNOW. SNOW ACCUMULATION TO 1 INCH. LOWS 5 TO 10. SOUTHEAST WINDS
TO 20 MPH BECOMING SOUTHWEST 30 TO 40 MPH BY MIDNIGHT. LOCAL GUSTS
TO 50 MPH.
.WEDNESDAY...SNOW SHOWERS AND BLOWING SNOW WITH VISIBILITY NEAR
ZERO AT TIMES. SNOW ACCUMULATION AROUND 1 INCH. TOTAL SNOW
ACCUMULATION 1 TO 3 INCHES. TEMPERATURES FALLING TO AROUND ZERO.
WEST WINDS 30 TO 40 MPH WITH LOCAL GUSTS TO 50 MPH.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY. SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS IN THE
EVENING. AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW. LOWS 15 TO 20 BELOW. SOUTHWEST
WINDS 20 TO 30 MPH.

I'm hoping for a phase 3 by morning. Which means no meetings. Which means I can go shopping on craigslist! Life is good. But just got a little better.

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by Rance

I am an Alaska Craigslist junkie. Yesterday I bought a 6.5 horse posthole digger/auger (which I need for the pilings on the cabin) and today an antique Singer sewing machine (pedal type, which I need), and when I get to Anchorage next Tuesday I need to look at a rug which I'm sure I need. Collectibles is killing me! Well so is tools but that collectibles is some great browsing.

And now for the good news!

CENTRAL BEAUFORT SEA COAST-
INCLUDING...NUIQSUT...PRUDHOE BAY...ALPINE...DEADHORSE...KUPARUK
215 PM AST TUE JAN 22 2008

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM AST
WEDNESDAY...
.TONIGHT...CLOUDY. A CHANCE OF SNOW IN THE EVENING...THEN SNOW
LIKELY AFTER MIDNIGHT WITH VISIBILITY NEAR ZERO AT TIMES IN BLOWING
SNOW. SNOW ACCUMULATION TO 1 INCH. LOWS 5 TO 10. SOUTHEAST WINDS
TO 20 MPH BECOMING SOUTHWEST 30 TO 40 MPH BY MIDNIGHT. LOCAL GUSTS
TO 50 MPH.
.WEDNESDAY...SNOW SHOWERS AND BLOWING SNOW WITH VISIBILITY NEAR
ZERO AT TIMES. SNOW ACCUMULATION AROUND 1 INCH. TOTAL SNOW
ACCUMULATION 1 TO 3 INCHES. TEMPERATURES FALLING TO AROUND ZERO.
WEST WINDS 30 TO 40 MPH WITH LOCAL GUSTS TO 50 MPH.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY. SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS IN THE
EVENING. AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW. LOWS 15 TO 20 BELOW. SOUTHWEST
WINDS 20 TO 30 MPH.

I'm hoping for a phase 3 by morning. Which means no meetings. Which means I can go shopping on craigslist! Life is good. But just got a little better.

Do you ever consider just running down the halls yelling "Phase 4, phase 4!" in a panicked voice and see what ensues?

[Rance]

No...I never thought of that. Phase 3 is as bad as it gets. Phase 4 would be like...the roof peeling back and people getting sucked out into 90 or 100 mph winds and whiteout!

My new sewing machine!

[GoddessofRandomThoughts]

This is an actual job application that a 75 year old senior citizen submitted to Walmart in Arkansas. They hired him because he was so funny.....



NAME:
Kenneth Way (Grumpy Bastard)


SEX:
Not lately, but I am looking for the right woman (or at least one who will cooperate)


DESIRED POSITION:
Company's President or Vice President. But seriously, whatever's available. If I was in a position to be picky, I wouldn't be applying here in the first place.


DESIRED SALARY:
$185,000 a year plus stock options and a Michael Ovitz style severance package. If that's not possible, make an offer and we can haggle.


EDUCATION:
Yes.


LAST POSITION HELD:
Target for middle management hostility.


PREVIOUS SALARY:
A lot less than I'm worth.


MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT:
My incredible collection of stolen pens and post-it notes.


REASON FOR LEAVING:
It sucked.


HOURS AVAILABLE TO WORK:
Any.


PREFERRED HOURS:
1:30-3:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.


DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL SKILLS:
Yes, but they're better suited to a more intimate environment


MAY WE CONTACT YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYER:
If I had one, would I be here?


DO YOU HAVE ANY PHYSICAL CONDITIONS THAT WOULD PROHIBIT YOU FROM LIFTING UP TO 50 lbs:
Of what?


DO YOU HAVE A CAR:
I think the more appropriate question here would be "Do you have a car that runs?"


HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY SPECIAL AWARDS OR RECOGNITION:
I may already be a winner of the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes, so they tell me..


DO YOU SMOKE:
On the job - no!
On my breaks - yes!


WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING IN FIVE YEARS?:
Living in the Bahamas with a fabulously wealthy dumb sexy blonde supermodel who thinks I'm the greatest thing since sliced bread. Actually, I'd like to be doing that now.


NEAREST RELATIVE:
About 7 miles


DO YOU CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE IS TRUE AND COMPLETE TO THE BEST OF YOURKNOWLEDGE:
Oh yes, absolutely.



Old People Rock!