Sunday, November 30, 2008

"Uncle Ted"



So, the front page of the Anchorage Daily News this morning asks "Will Alaska pay price for ousting Stevens?" Well sure, but who gives a rip? Look, the guy is 84 years old and he's just been found guilty of a felony. Alaska has always relied on Federal earmarks to support our infrastructure. Uncle Ted has managed to get his hands on a good deal of that money over the years and it has been a tremendous help to the state. However, I don't think things are going to change much for us. We still have the Don and Lisa thing going on, and Mark Begich is no dummy. It's time for Ted to admit he was a bad boy and get on with life. "Hang up the suit, Ted". If I were him I'd settle in at the chalet in Girdwood and make good use of some of the Bill Allen toys. Man, that's a nice barbecue!




As you can see we had a little snow last night. Looks like I'll be plowing today before we head in to the airport.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Packing


This is my next to last day at home for awhile, so it’s been busy. This is our fourth trip to Emerald Bay, so we’re getting pretty efficient in our packing. Also, the airlines are charging more for additional baggage, so we’re cutting back on things we tend not to use as we believe in saving a buck here and there when traveling.

I am taking two bags, one will be checked and the other will be a carry-on. Angel found me a nice rolling bag that will hold my photography kit and electronic gadgets, as well as a pair of shorts and a shirt, in case my checked bag is lost. I take medicinal items like aspirin, cough drops, Imodium tabs, Pepto-Bismol tabs, and any non-liquid prescription meds in a baggie inside my carry-on. My laptop will travel in a thin computer carrier with shoulder strap. At this time most airlines will allow you to bring onboard both your carry-on bag and a laptop. The laptop bag also serves as storage for my passport, boarding pass, Spanish language phrasebook, iPod, headphones and important papers. I pack all liquids and gels in my checked bag. The TSA currently allows up to three ounces each, of most personal care items, to be in carry-on if it all fits in a quart sized baggie. Liquids and gels must be out of your carry-on and available for inspection when you are screened. I just choose to put that stuff in my checked bag to avoid the hassle.

My checked bag will have a couple of nice “Aloha” style shirts; four loose fitting, quick-dry, stretch poly/spandex exercise shirts from REI; several pairs of shorts for walking, lounging at the pool, or casual dining; TEVA sandals; swim trunks; a pair of sweats; a couple of cotton t-shirts; underwear; cotton socks; windbreaker; baseball cap; shaving kit; sunscreen, portable water filter; a bag of trail mix; a few bags of tea, and a package of ramen noodles to get me by the first evening.

We do not pack for formal affairs in Mazatlan. Many tourists that stay at Emerald Bay do. It is purely a matter of choice and you will not be significantly limited in your dining or entertainment experiences if you choose to go “casual”. That being said, I personally feel that the locals like to see visitors demonstrate a certain amount of decorum, so we try not to appear too shabby.

Angel and I tend to be active recreational walkers and enjoy exercise several times a day. We take advantage of the beach, gym and beautiful pools at Emerald Bay, or venture into town for a long walk. Therefore, our packing list may not suit those less enthusiastic about getting out and about. Pack according to your needs and desires. There are many opportunities to dress up and be formal if you like.

We prefer to exchange dollars for pesos when in Mexico. Many visitors just use dollars or a credit card. Most, if not all, card companies charge a 1% to 3.5% international exchange fee when using a credit card in Mexico. Some card companies will also “freeze” your card if you have not contacted them prior to going to Mexico and then attempt to use your card. We take traveler’s checks that cost us nothing, and exchange them in $100 denominations at local banks, hotels, or private money exchanges. The current bank exchange rate is about 13.45 pesos to the dollar.

Last, but definitely not the least, a passport from your country of origin is now required for entry into Mexico. Don’t ruin your plans by waiting too long before obtaining or renewing your passport.

Staging for Travel


It's 32 degrees F out this morning with no new snow. Angel is still sleeping. The cat's fed. And I'm planning my day. It's probably going to look something like this: pick up a package at the P.O.; change oil in Angel's pick-up; clean up the mess out in the shop; visit my aviation mechanic friend who is undergoing chemo for advanced stomach cancer, organize and pack for Mexico; and go to Saturday night Mass.




Angel is up now and went out to get the paper. She has informed me that we have just eaten our last Turkey as the Humane Society is establishing new rules for animal rights in Washington. OMG. This just after our Governor's embarassing video during her pardon of the Thanksgiving Bird. BTW, I do like Sarah Palin. I can't remember any other public figure in the recent past who has been so misrepresented by the media. Regardless of your politics, please take the time to learn a bit more about Governor Palin and her beloved state of Alaska before passing judgement or making abusive comments. Having said this, I've likely aggravated most of my family and friends...LOL! But fair is fair, and when folks hang someone in effigy, or attack their children, or belittle them for their religious beliefs, it's not fair. I'm sure that even President Obama would agree that change only happens by "pardoning one bird at a time".




Back to my list for the day..........

Numero Uno




I'm preparing to leave for Mazatlan on Sunday, so I'm finally getting around to starting this "blog thing". Why? Because I've long considered keeping a personal journal , but have never taken the time to do so. I'm also "curiously" wanting to share more of my life activities with family and friends, or any alien "lifeforms" that may be tuning in. So, those are honorable reasons for starting a blog....right?




It's 2:25 a.m. and I'm wide awake. I'm not sure why, but I'm guessing it's my anticipation of movement to another "space". It seems like I've only been home for a few weeks, because in fact, I have only been home for few weeks. My work/play schedule for the past four years has left me only brief chunks of time at home. "Home" being the Chugach Range of Alaska, USA. I'm not complaining. Just wondering why I do what I do. I know my time away from home (I like to think of it as time travel) further complicates a complicated life for those I love, and those who love me (not to mention those people that can't stand me, but have no control over me showing up and "touching their lives" again and again). I am truly torn between staying and going, work and play, hot and cold, light and dark. If you live, or have lived in Alaska, you understand the hot and cold, light and dark thing.




Anyway, in the future I hope to chronicle some of this maladaptive behavior, so that others might benefit, in a voyeuristic sort of way, from experiencing some of this stuff with me. I've neglected doing this in the past, so by making a public declaration of my intentions, I'm hoping to motivate myself to become more responsible in reporting my whereabouts and activities to those who may be interested in reading about my little part of the universe. I promise to try and keep it light, and maybe if I'm skillful, somewhat entertaining. Finally, one of my passions is photography. So, in this blog I will also share a few photos, as well as offer a link to many others that you may find interesting.....or not! I welcome all comments, questions, and critique. May God Bless you all and keep you safe and healthy during the holidays.