A Senseless Thought

I ordered up the new Star Trek movie from Netflix.  Great movie.  Near the beginning, as Kirk is riding his space-age motorcycle (no axles or chains) to the shuttle, I thought heeeeyyyyyyyy- that sounds just like Luke Skywalker's land speeder in Star Wars.

Native Village Corporations: For the good of the people, or personal gain?

Today's question takes us away from Dillingham, and into smaller villages.  I've lived in a number of Alaska villages over the years and one thing I can't help but notice is that some of the native village corporations exist for the sole purpose of providing paychecks for people working within that native village corporation, and not for the good of the people that they are supposedly there for.  I think the smaller the village, the more of a problem this is.

These native village corporation employees go home with a paycheck that keeps a roof over their head, pays the light bill, and buys food to put on the table.  Now, the smaller the village, the smaller the number of overall jobs in the village.  Usually.  Not just native village corporation jobs, but jobs of any type.  But if you have a village corporation job, you also have elevated status within your community.  This elevated status starts to go to your head.  Over time, your desire for personal gain gets stronger, while your desire to help your people gets weaker.  Eventually, your thoughts of being there for your people get swept under the table.  It becomes me, me, me.  And there's no turning back.  You tend to look at people with an "I have a job and you don't" & "I'm better than you" attitude.  You've been setting this attitude in a mold for years, so it's becoming permanent now.  You frequently tend to look down on people at this point, as your focus is not on them, but on yourself.

So how does one go about landing one of these desirable village corporation jobs?  First things to look at are the job requirements versus the potential employee's qualifications.  Relevant education, training, skills, experience.  I think.  Person who is the most qualified gets hired, right?  In many situations, this is not the case.  "Qualified" has many different meanings, depending on whose eyeballs you're looking through.  I've mentioned what it looks like though mine.  Some see it as "friend" or "family."  Of course, they can always make the argument that they are aiming for native hire.  But I don't think that's usually the case.

So what do you do, and who do you talk to if this is an issue?  Assuming that you care about what goes on in your village, of course.  In one village I've been to- all of the village corporation employees were mysteriously getting loans for snow-machines, cars & vacations.  Over time, people got suspicious and called someone in to do an audit.  Look in other places and you see that everyone is related to each other.  You can look higher up the food chain for answers, but you realize the higher up you look, the more hopeless things are getting for you and your answers.  Am I the only person that is bothered by this?  

I support Pebble Mine because it will bring lots of jobs to my neighborhood and will not harm the environment

Hahahahaha- just kidding.  That's the complete opposite of my views on Pebble Mine.  Now- I don't follow Pebble Mine in the news, so I may not be the most informed on the sore subject.  I quit reading about it in the news long ago, when each side started assaulting each other in advertisements paid for with a seemingly endless supply of money.  I think each side takes the truth and adds their own little bit of charm to it, so I never know what to believe.  There's one bit that caught my attention and some of it is forever stored in my noggin.  Someone pointed out that all of the big mines in North America all have had some major disaster of some sort happen.  Again, I quit following long ago- so my memory may be twisting some of the facts a little.  Whether the disaster thing with all major mines is true or not- I don't care because that one ad worked its magic in steering me down the Pebble Mine opposition road.  I guess it just made me think- what if?

I've seen the first Bristol Bay resident testimonials (years ago, I think)  in support of Pebble Mine and immediately thought to myself "Are you getting paid to do this ad?   Got a job lined up if it goes through?  Then what is it?"  It simply boggles my mind when I think about the supporters.  What's going on in that head of yours?  How many jobs do you really think this mine will have waiting for area residents if it goes through?  Now take the number of jobs you're thinking about and toss 'em in a bowl.  Then mix 'em up with thoughts of potentially area-wide devastating disasters (a big pool of toxic chemicals being unleashed, for example) and see what you end up with.  Stubborn people fail to see all the facts and possibilities.  I guess I'm one of them, because most of my opinion is based on one advertisement.  But playing it safe seems like the better route, rather than taking big risks.

Please tell me why Pebble Mine is such a wonderful thing to happen to us, I've never asked anyone this question- because I don't think there are any real answers.  I'd like to know, so I'll certainly listen.

Original blog date- 2/21

Mi Casa No Es Su Casa

I was getting ready to leave my place yesterday morning, going out to start the car.  I was greeted with a wonderful surprise- someone was parked directly in back of me, happened to be overnight & complete with frosty windows.  Knowing whose vehicle it was, I went knocking on the door.  After no answer, I went knocking on the other door.  This time a bit harder than the last.  Still no answer and some louder knocking came.

I finally got a "who is it?" then the door opened slightly.  I told him "I'm leaving- you're parked right in back of me, can you move?"  Nothing but a bit of stuttering for a few seconds.  Ah, eh, eh, um, ah.  Then "Huh?, oh yeah, I'll move."  Now I've been in some situations where I've been left speechless, but at least I've been able to mutter yeah or ok.  Or something besides mindless stuttering.  What was so hard about my question?  Of course brain-waves probably aren't sparking too hot first thing in the morning, either.  But dang, I almost started laughing because I started thinking something else was going on.

Ten years ago, I would have said- "You're in my way, you need to move now because I'm leaving.  Don't park there anymore, that's my spot."  No asking for anything, period.  Demanding.  Probably a few choice words thrown in for good measure, to get the point across.  But the way I was knocking said that I meant business.  Plus quick eye-to-eye contact as I was driving off.  Actions speak louder than words, eh?   

Now I know we're just talking about simple parking spots, but when someone blocks me in my own parking spot it just shows how rude & inconsiderate they are.  I should be able to come & go as I please without any extra, unnecessary steps at THEIR convenience.

My parking spot is not your parking spot.  The area in back of my parking spot is not your parking spot, either.

"Yeah, 911- someone just stole the drugs I was trying to sell to them. Can you come help me get them back?"

Bad guys shoot each other over a drug deal, go to jail and Lt. Dave Parker of the Anchorage Police Dept. has this to say about it-  "This is obviously no way to solve a dispute over ownership of items people need to get ahold of police and intervene and help them work through these problems. Especially bad domestic relationships."  You definitely take the cake on this one, Lt. Dave Parker.  We all look forward to police working out bad guy problems now.  Click here to see more.

Now what really blows my mind away is the fact that the one of the bad guys was out on bail for barely two days on another charge before cutting off his ankle monitor and committing this new crime, but again he's given the chance to bail out.  Damn, what's wrong with that?

"We don't have a rodent problem- only mouse problem"

Awesome!!!  I'll feel better eating my sweet & sour pork now, Peking Wok.  You know how you're hungry an hour after eating this type of food?  Ever wonder why the stomach problems come around sometimes?  Well, I think we have your answer to the stomach problems coming up.

There's always joy in eating out, because you don't have to prepare the food yourself.  Order up your hearts desire, then sit back, relax and bs with whoever is with you.  While at the same time sipping on your ice water, ice cold soda, or ice cold beer.  Then the food is delivered to your table steaming hot.  You feel served like a king, with someone always at hand waiting for your command.  It always tastes better than what you can slap together at home.  These people do this everyday, so they're good at it.  Probably have a secret recipe handed down from great-great-great gramma or grampa.

I tend to not think about what goes on in the back, because that's none of my business.  Food's always good, so who cares, huh?  Ever see comedies where the cook pulls out a surprise condiment to go on the hamburger for someone he doesn't like?  Only happens in the movies.  Hope so.  These restaurants have rules that they have to follow, so they'll follow them.  Or will they?

Here's a couple of videos that KTUU shot behind the scenes at some restaurants that didn't follow the rules. The first is Peking Wok, the title of today's blog is a quote from the video.  The second video is at Sushi Ya.  Both are restaurants in Anchorage.  You may have to pause the videos for a while to let them load.

Now these are two restaurants that I will never eat in now during my rare trips to Anchorage.  Doesn't matter what steps they have taken to fix the problems.  Chances are good that they will start breaking the rules again, I think.  Only to fix problems again next inspection.  I think it's great that KTUU did these videos.  Maybe the restaurants will feel like they have to put in 110% to stay on top of things now.  We can all enjoy mouse-dropping free food because of them. 

On the other hand, it makes me sick to see reporters at their best- they are like gross, diseased little vultures preying on those going through tough times.  Ever see a reporter egging an athlete on?  Poking difficult questions at someone who is emotionally broken down?  Like an athlete that has just given it all they had, only to come in second place?  Questions like "how do you feel coming in second place?"  Or how about when a major disaster just happened?  They plunge themselves into middle of it all, with the news crew back at the station asking them what they see.  Even though the camera is zooming all over the place clearly showing widespread carnage.   They make me more sick to my stomach than eating at a restaurant where the food gives me food poisoning.  Click.  (tv remote changing channels to a better news show)

Anyway, my stomach's growling- so I gotta go whip up something to eat.  The next time you go out to grab a bite to eat, I encourage you to ask just one question---

"Do you mind if I have a look around in the back?"

One too many tricks up a sleeve

I  like to play poker, but not as much as rummy
Something happened the other night, because I'm such a dummy

Usually, my plans are pulled off- without the slightest hitch
But just once- things went wrong, and everyone's calling me a _____

I'm like a sneaky, slithering little bunny
Slipping from table to table, scraping up everyone's money

Then, all of a sudden- things took a turn for the worse
My mind went completely blank- while reaching in my purse

I think I got confused & starting thinking "is it an ace, or is it a joker?"
I got the games mixed up, I was playing rummy and not some poker

Blast, I fumbled while pulling a trick out of my sleeve
Next thing you know, everyone was quickly asking me to leave

I've had some tricks up my sleeve, they think I'm a really bad player
So now at night before I go to bed, I have to say an extra prayer

Dillingham, Alaska: Late night scuffle ends with broken windshield, slashed tires

February 19, 2010

An argument that began at a local bar Friday evening didn't end there.  Two males were arguing over a female, according to witnesses.  The female, according to statements taken, was the girlfriend of one of the males.  The other male was her ex-husband.  Details are sketchy, but the witnesses stated that the girlfriend was at the bar with her ex-husband when her current boyfriend arrived.  The three began a heated exchange of words, and they were asked to leave the bar. 

It is unclear what happened after they left the bar, but in the morning, the female discovered that her car had its windshield smashed in and all four tires slashed.

No criminal charges have been filed and no arrests have been made.

Beaver Round-Up's Comin' Soon

Beaver Round-Up's comin' soon,
I'll be out & about searching for some ____

I think I'll be watching the dog races,
Hopefully they're all going to be in good paces

Maybe I'll go to the carnival to try & win a goldfish,
Only to take it home to certain death, after  being plopped in a very small dish

I'll play some poker & then
some cribbage- maybe I'll have the right card,
Problem for me, though- adding's always been hard

I'll start at the Sea Inn & slip up to the Willow Tree, at the end of the day,
'Cause I'm pumped & primed to spend all my hard-earned pay

I'm gonna live it up, 'cause I'm livin' life;
My only hope is that I don't run into my ex-wife

Of course it happened- I saw her sitting across the bar,
Then they escaped- my worse fears that have been bottled up in a jar

And then it was a miracle- somehow, some way;
For that night, I managed to keep her at bay

Now, the rest is a blur- I seem to have blacked out,
But because I had so much fun, there's no need to pout

Beaver Round-Up, in my heart- you are so dear;
It's only the day after & I already can't wait until next year

Synthetic weed- great advertising, cops

Well, if there ever have been cases of doing more harm than good, this one should rate very high on the list.

Read this article - I'm sure there are going to be many gears turning in many heads.  Heh-heh.

After I read the article, I did a quick Google search on K2 (synthetic weed).  It happened to be Google's 54th most popular search while I was snooping around.  Google says that it's popularity (K2 searches) peaked just a few hours earlier.  I'm guessing it's peak was in tune with the time the article was set free by the Associated Press.

Now- for the lady mentioned in the story.  This lady says she sells about 60 packages per week.  I'll bet she's going to have to change that to 60 packages per day (per hour, even?) now, thanks to the cops and enthusiastic reporters. 

Remember- please don't smoke marijuana.  (Not even fake weed)

Please pass the butter!!!

Crackers and butter.  Has there ever been a better combination of foods?  I don't think so.  I'll bet I've been eating these things since the day I started walking.  Earlier than that, probably.  I'll be eating these things until the day I die, I'm sure.  Or the day they stop making them.  Whichever comes first.  Both are pretty horrible to think about, so let's move on.

As I ate a Sailor Boy Pilot Bread cracker yesterday, with just the right amount of butter spread across the top of it, the thought of those old yellow metal butter cans came to mind for some reason.  I guess you just don't forget the things you really love, huh?  One pound cans, were they?  And stored at the bottom of the freezer?

Being a regular cracker eater over the decades, I've noticed that the crackers have come in what seem to be different batches.  Inconsistencies at the plant?  Who knows.  Some batches seem to have been not cooked or baked enough.  Or whatever it is they do to make a cracker a cracker.  My all-time favorite batches have been the ones that come with little dark crispy bubbles on the top.  I know some people that pop them into the toaster, but I don't like them that way- they seem soggy.

When I was 7 or 8 years old, I was at a friends house and we decided to have one of our favorite snacks.  While this friend was buttering their cracker, we got into an argument over which side of the cracker was the top.  Seems like very sloppy preparation to butter the bottom side of a cracker.

So which side is up on a cracker?  Does anyone remember the brand of butter that came in those yellow metal cans?  How many cans did you buy at a time?  Did the butter come wrapped in paper inside those cans? 

Old ways vs. new ways

Well, I do believe this is to be one of my final journal entries.  It's been great, but life must go on and we will now part ways.  Or very soon.

Today's topic shall be old ways vs. new ways.  What do you think of when you hear old ways vs. new ways?  Land-line vs. cell phone?  Typewriter vs. computer?  Vhs vs. dvd?

Not me.  I'm thinking more dog sled/snow-machine.  Skin boat/aluminum boat.  Harpoon/high-powered rifle.  Get the point?

Now, let's think about our native ways for a second.  The foods we like to eat- moose soup, smoke-fish, seal oil for example.  We've been eating these foods for longer than we can remember.  Our first reaction to someone telling us we can't do something is to say that we've been doing it since before you came along and now you're telling us we can't live our traditional native way of life.  But what about all the other ways that go along with eating foods that someone else may not be able to?  They have been lost somewhere along the way.  Speaking the language our ancestors did.  Special dances, maybe.  Special gatherings- the list goes on.

Why were these ways lost?  Or why are they being lost?  Younger generations have little interest in them.  They have X-boxes, internet, fast sno-gos, you name it.  But do they like eating the things that most other natives do?  You bet they do.  Are they going to take the time to learn the ways of old?  No, because they always have "better" things to do.

Take a minute now & then to teach your young while they are still young about these old ways.  Maybe it'll stick.  In a generation or two, these old ways are likely to be lost forever if you don't.  Before you know it, someone's going to say "you can't do that, it's unfair to allow only you to do it."  When your reply is "but it's our native way of life", they're going to take a quick look at your shiny new Polaris snow-machine (with a GPS mounted on the dash) that you're sitting on that allows you to climb near-vertical inclines, and that brand-new high-powered Remington rifle strapped to your back with a high-powered scope which allows you to see across the bay on a foggy day.

Guess what their reaction is going to be?  They'll have one word for you- "what?"

My top ten places to see in the world (someday, maybe I'll see at least one in person)

10)Pyramids of Egypt

9)Great Wall of China

8)Stonehenge

7)Aqueducts

6)Colosseum

5)Pantheon

4)Mayan Temples

3)Victoria Falls

2)Calving glaciers in Antarctica

1)South America's Tepui Mountains

Two bottom lines

I'm an avid Anchorage Daily News reader. Hardly a day goes by without getting my fill of the day's news.  The most recent article I've read that has me scratching my head is about the Red Roof Inn in Anchorage being turned into a "housing first" project for chronic homeless enebriates, as the paper puts it.

I disagree with everything about the project and am going to say I'm straddling both sides in an attempt to shoot both sides down.

First off, we have Rural Cap.  I applaud them for cooking up such a program.  Even if it's someone else's idea.  Anything that helps others is just great, isn't it?  Bwaaa.  Nope.  This is just another hand out program for someone that can't even make their own decisions for their own good.  What's that, you say?  They want help but all of the in-patient treatment programs have a waiting list?  If they can't make the simple decision to keep the cap on the peppermint Listerine bottle, that's their problem.  They shouldn't expect hand-outs, as this is the way they choose to live.

Now, for the Fairview Community Council.  Are they opposing this just for the sake of argument?  I mean c'mon.  Is this house going to DRAW unwanted people into the neighborhood?  Gimme a break.  Open your living room blinds for once to look out into the real world and bring yourself back to reality.  You live in FAIRVIEW.  Cripes.  You can't drive two blocks anywhere in Fairview without running into groups of people passing around a plastic bottle of some sort.  Not to mention all of the other shady looking people wandering around.  How's a project that's aiming to do good in your neighborhood going to harm your neighborhood?

You can't help people that don't even want to help themselves.

Wake up, you're in FAIRVIEW.

Road Rage/ Meetings of the Minds

Have you ever been driving down the road and noticed two vehicles stopped off the road somewhere, driver side windows facing each other?  Or even in the middle of the bleepin' road?  I'll bet the only time you pay much attention to these situations is when they happen to be in the middle of the road.

This can get very frustrating when they decide they need to finish whatever business they have going on and there is no room to drive around them.  What do you do?  I get the urge to honk my horn.  I'll bet I'm not the only one.  But then you say to yourself  "I'll just give them another second, I don't want to be too big of a jerk."  But that second passes.  Then another.  And another.  Your hand raises to the horn to let the world know what kind of attitude you have, but you still don't press the button.  By now, you're getting beady little eyes and your knuckles are getting white from gripping the steering wheel so tightly.  Then you notice these two vehicles start to inch away from each other.  Only to stop again, because their business is still not done.  By now there's a vehicle or two in back of you.  You let the profanity fly, but you're the only one to hear.  That's the last straw- you honk the horn and you do it with authority.  You have somewhere to be, and it damn sure isn't being stuck in traffic- in Dillingham of all places.  The driver in front of you gets the point and floors it, racing off as if this is going to make up for the pain he/she has caused you. 

So what goes on in these meetings of the minds?  What's so important that a phone call (Let's not get into the lack of signal issue outside of a 100' radius of towers around here, though.  How many towers do we have- one?) won't do?  Or even pulling off the road at the next driveway?  Sometimes, I notice these little meetings while I'm going to buy some milk or grab a soda.  On my return trip, those same vehicles are still there.

The next time you see one of these meetings taking place, get out of your vehicle and start walking toward the stopped  ones.  I've never tried this, but somehow think it will work wonders.  Or if they are off the road (even though they're not doing any harm), pull up right behind them and just stare & act like you're taking pictures.  And if you're the one stopping traffic, get $*^% off the road!!!

All I want for my two front teeth is a bottle of Jack Daniels

How many people do you know who are missing both front teeth?  Must be a pretty big list.  Is it just a matter of waking up & brushing your teeth in the morning?  And then again at night before you go to bed?

Can't be as simple as that.  We might have to take into account genetics/DNA, too.  Maybe some people are just born with weak teeth.  I brush my teeth on a pretty regular basis.  They've been very good to me over the years because they have stood by my side for so long.  I get to eat foods that require thorough chewing.  Corn nuts, chips, carrots, steaks- you name it.  I can't imagine living without them.  I'm going to credit my having a full set of chompers to both brushing & being blessed with strong, healthy teeth.

Moving on, let's gather up your list of people you came up with that are missing a great deal of their teeth.  Now separate your list into four categories.  You'll have:

1)People that try hard to maintain their teeth, but lose them anyway

2)People that lost them in an accident of some sort

3)People that are old, but usually end up getting fake ones

4)People that just don't give a hoot

Let's focus on the fourth group.  Dang, these people need to look in the mirror at their teeth once in a while.  What the hey, is it too much trouble to pick up a toothbrush once in a while? It's extremely hard to not notice when you're talking to them.  We won't get into specific details on this, because I'm sure you all know what I mean.

Not to bash alcoholics, but let's narrow this fourth group down even further to include only alcoholics.  I'm sure they all have reasons for living inside a bottle.  Being down on luck, perhaps.  Nothing against them, except when they try to bum money.  Now, after all of this- all I want to know is- did they get their front teeth bashed in with the butt end of a Jack Daniels bottle for hogging the last swig?  And how do they eat buttock bone soup?

The next time someone flashes you a big old smile full of missing teeth,  be sure to ask them what happened.  Don't forget to mention to brush those #$%^#&% things.

Always a dim light bulb in the bundle

I'm absolutely delighted to get my second comment (happened to be a question).  I was firing back a comment of my own to answer,  but decided to make it big, bright and clear.

If you're still trying to find a purpose in my assignment, read paragraph three in yesterday's post.  You'll find something along the lines of "Our goal here......".  If that still isn't enough for you (remember something about 'never can be too sure around here'), the purpose of our assignment is to wake Dillingham up for just a moment to tell ourselves "man, I think we ALL smoke weed here".

Now for those of you denying it, there is no denying it.  Doesn't matter that you have a nicer home than the next guy, or a nicer car than him.  Or a higher paying job.  You're no better than him. Why?  Because you're smoking the same old illegal drug that he is.  Whether you do it in secrecy, or do it with your buddies, remember- your weed is just as illegal as your neighbor's.

Now we all know that there are much worse activities that go on in the wee hours of the night around here.  But I'll save that as a topic for later use.

I know that I'm pressing some buttons around here.  But these buttons belong to Dillingham.  What happens if I start pressing personal buttons?  If I know ya....chances are I can slam ya here.  That would be pretty mean, though. We'll see.

Oh yeah, I think I need to re-word the last sentence below.  Please change it to "If you don't- I think you're lying, just plain stupid, or (gasp) higher than a kite"

Flaming Doobies, Bowls Sparking and Bong Bubbles Bursting in Dillingham

Today, fellow Dillingham residents- we have an assignment.  A very simple assignment, as it only requires counting to ten.  I think most of us can handle that.  Hope so, anyway (never can be too sure around here, though).

Very simple task, indeed.  But- there's a catch.  You will be counting people that you know who smoke the magical plant we know of as marijuana (this is weed, smoke, puff- for those of you that don't know).  You may include people that you wave to, bump into, talk to on the phone; etc.  Your time frame is to be when you leave your residence in the morning (to do whatever it is you do throughout the day) until you return.

Our goal here- to see how quickly we get to our number ten.  I believe we all can make very short work of this assignment.  If you don't- I think you're either lying or just plain stupid.

My ever so slightly distorted point of view

The reason for starting up my own blog is because I like the idea of freely voicing my opinion.  Using a blog to do so eliminates face-to-face confrontations, as my opinion sometimes may differ from that of the next person.  We all have different ways of thinking.  Or do we?  Maybe, maybe not.

In an effort to get a viewer or two (why let my thoughts spew if they won't be heard by anyone), I have posted my blog address at the KDLG website.  Although not an accurate way to gauge the number of visits to my blog, I can't help but notice that my posting at KDLG has had a few views. Whether or not these curious individuals have clicked on the link to my blog is another story, though.  But curious people are just that- curious.

With that in mind and combining it with the lack of feedback, I'm told one thing.  That hey, everybody DOES think like me.  Heh heh, that's just super-duper.  But I don't think that's the case- so if you don't think like me, I encourage you to post a comment with YOUR thoughts.  Don't be shy- I'm not.

DLG'er

The Bush Telegraph System

Ahhh...there's nothing like the Bush Telegraph System.  Living in such small communities, you get to hear things about yourself that even you didn't know about yourself.  But that's not the only reason this system is so wonderful.  Information seems to spread faster than the plague.  Nothing can compare to getting  new information before your neighbor does.  That way, when you ask someone "Did you hear about....?; and they say "No! Tell me!" you can skew this info as you see fit.  This is a tremendous advantage in your favor when the person/people involved happen to be someone you don't have the greatest respect for.

Same holds true, however; for someone trying to make a loved one appear to be an angel.  All it takes is changing as little as one fact.  Tunnel vision kicks in, and then before you know it, rock-solid beliefs are set in.  Nothing can change the way you're thinking now.  In what seems to be the blink of an eye, half the town has heard YOUR story.  Where things get very interesting is when there is another story floating around, that the other half of town has heard.  Usually, these are conflicting stories.  Arguments are not unheard of.  Mini wars take place.  Friendships are lost.

Soooooo- how do you go about sorting fact from fiction?  Which story do you believe?  Let's face it- some people just go with trusting the source.  But then some will take into  consideration cold, hard facts from the past.  PROVEN cold, hard facts.  Some believe that once you're headed down a path, and you've been heading down that path for some time, it's hard to change direction.  People usually don't change thier ways.  Once you learn one way to do something, you don't just UN-learn it.  Habits are formed.  Some of these habits are good.  Of course, some of these habits are downright horrible.

There may be those that are smack dab in the middle with absolutely no opinion in such matters whatsoever.  These people are in very few numbers, so we won't talk about them.

Think about it, have you ever "gossiped?"  I thought so.  So, the next time you "hear" something, just take a second to remind yourself that you're in the same soap opera as everyone else in your community.  Doesn't matter which side you're on, either.  My advice to you- suck it up, sucka- you just happen to be a vital link in the Bush Telegraph System whether you like it or not.

Native language + English language = Dillingham Accent? WTF?

Why do Dillingham residents have an accent that's unique to only Dillingham? I've been to many parts of Alaska and have seen many different types of people. There's one thing I've noticed with most villages where English at one point in time was not the primary language. Guess what? They all seem to have pretty much the same "Native accent". No matter where you go, it's the same. Dillingham seems to be the only exception. Why? It's not only Natives that have it here, it's whites also. I know someone that lived in the Naknek area about 20 years ago who moved to Dillingham. Within five years this person (white) had the "full-blown DLG accent". I know other people who have moved away from the Dillingham area and they still have this accent (with you for life, apparently).

I guess you're in it, you're around it, you're going to be it. Eventually. Simple as that, huh? What I want to know is WHY Dillingham's is so different. I have a pretty good idea, and I'm going to stick with it.

Back in my younger days, some of my friends would talk to each other in "up-river natiff", as they referred to it. They didn't speak Yupik, just pretended like they were barely learning English. Ever hear "quit making that face, it's gonna stay that way?" Well these guys would catch themselves speaking in thier "new pretend language" without realizing it.

With that in mind, I'm convinced that this 'Dillingham accent' was accidentally started at someone's party over the weekend decades ago. The party goers couldn't 'catch & stop' themselves with their new accent. It then spread like wildfire throughout Dillingham. The rest is history.

Anyone out there have a better idea?

Questions for "seannaann"

I recently read the article online about an alcohol-fueled dispute in South Naknek that left two people with injuries serious enough for both to be medevaced to Anchorage. This is a horrible situation, for both that were injured.

It is unfortunate that what most likely began as an evening of fun had such a gruesome ending. It's not the article itself that has me thinking, though. It's one of the comments posted in the comment section after the article. The news website where the article is found just happens to be the most visited website in Alaska, so user names that are not very creative allow some readers to put two and two together.

The comment in question was posted by "seannaann", where the poster mentions that David is innocent and continues to explain why. Poster also says that the two responsible need to step forward and that Fred was sooo drunk, he didn't know what was going on while giving a statement.

My questions for "seannaann" - were you there when this all took place? If not, then how do you know what happened? How do you know there are two others that are responsible? Is it possible that Fred was still a bit groggy from just getting the snot beaten out of him? I mean c'mon, his injuries were serious enough for him to get medevaced first.

Something else - "seannaann" - do you think that you're going to heaven, while at the same time you're telling others they're going to hell? Stop and think about what you're saying. In other words, practice what you preach.

Given the seriousness of these charges, I'm sure that we're all hoping that the court system will sort out the truth.

Lost in a clear thinking haze

It's Superbowl Sunday,
Oh I wish it were Monday.

For yesterday I didn't buy and stash my beer,
I didn't realize today was so near.

Willow Tree tried hard to open up today,
but the city council asked "are you out of your mind, it's going to be Sunday!?!"

It was a very tough battle, the vote being tied at 3-3;
Until the mayor tossed in his winning nay vote, so sad for me.

The Super Bowl's on now, now it's showing;
But who cares? I don't have booze, so booze isn't flowing.

Aaaggghhhh!!! Without my steady flow of beer,
I am lost because my head is thinking too clear.

What's that dripping down my chin, you ask?
Oh no, it's not beer- I think it's a tear!