Can't wait! Can't wait! Can't wait!!

Something to look forward to when Juneau weather is at its worst! That creepy kid is not only the perfect casting job, it's Ralph Fiennes newphew too! Perhaps sometimes nepotism is a good thing? Oh man, I can't wait for November! The only sucky thing is that I am not going to be near an IMAX this time around. I love the new director and I got to see Harry Potter 5 on the DC IMAX. SO much better than on a regular screen. Sigh. There are some drawbacks to life in Alaska...

Oh Wal-Mart...

This Friday, Pint and I FINALLY get to move into our new apartment! Thank god. I’ve been scoping out the house wares on craigslist, but it’s Juneau, so it’s pretty sad. But I did find a couple that is moving and they sold me all their kitchen stuff for $60. That’s plates, bowls, glasses, silverware, pots, pans, casserole dishes, a cutting board, a toaster – everything. Plus I also got a little vacuum and a couple vases. I don’t even want to know what that would have cost to buy new – even at Wal-Mart. That’s right folks, Juneau got a Wal-Mart since the last time I lived here!

I don’t know that I’ve ever actually been in a Wal-Mart. I’m sure I must have been in one a few times before on road trips or something, but it’s not a place I plan to make a habit of going to. I mean, if I am going to become dependent on something, crack sounds more appealing. I understand that Wal-Mart has brought some jobs to Juneau. And I also know that it is getting harder and harder to find a job in Southeast Alaska. But they are providing dead end jobs that don’t pay well, don’t provide good benefits, and don’t give employees much of a chance to move up the corporate ladder. Maybe one or two employees will be given an opportunity to manage a store, but of course that will require a move outside of Juneau. Then we lose another competent worker and the vicious cycle continues. I think I have more of a problem with Wal-Mart here than I do in the lower 48. It’s so much harder to support local businesses in such an isolated area, and a lot of people can’t afford to do it when a crappy t-shirt is sold a lot cheaper at the gigantic chain a few miles down the road. I wonder how long I am going to last before I buckle and rush off to Wal-Mart because I heard about their two-for-one special on pomegranates or tube socks or something…

Why so serious? Because Heath Ledger is dead, you idiot!!

I have liked Heath Ledger for years. I was a ‘movie critic’ for my college paper, and I found a review for The Four Feathers (2002) where this is what I said about Heath:

“Ledger, who took the role after Jude Law turned it down for A.I. Artificial Intelligence, does a prodigious job transforming his character from an affluent captain to a dilapidated nomad. Best known for his roles in The Patriot and A Knight's Tale, this role proves his most challenging and best delivered. Ledger's efforts do not save this movie from being mediocre though.”

Like most people, I went and saw Batman this weekend. And like most people, I was blown away by Heath Ledger’s performance. And after seeing almost every movie Ledger has ever been in, after seeing how immersed Ledger was in his characters, you get the sense that the Joker (and most likely his upcoming character in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus) definitely played a role in his death. And that sucks.

Wowza

I didn't go sailing once while I was in DC. Which is just wrong. This weekend I got out on the water AND I killed my first salmon. I have caught a few before and had someone else deal with the killing part, but I decided I needed to step up. It was the best dog salmon I've ever eaten. Dog salmon is actually my favorite, and shockingly to most people, king is probably my least favorite. Apparently I just like more oily fish.

Anyway, I cannot describe how utterly wonderful it is to be back near water. And have friends with boats. But the boats aren’t even necessary. Just being near the ocean again is fantastic. I’m taking a fly fishing class in a few weeks, and I found a sweet little fishing hole. Okay, okay, so I technically didn’t find it - someone just told me about it, but whatever. Now I have my very own hole. (Tee hee that was supposed to sound dirty…)

I would make a really bad homeless person...

So, I can't move in to my awesome new apartment until August 1, and I am basically couch surfing this entire month. Most of my friends have been incredibly generous with their space, but I feel bad imposing.

Anyway, I would definitely make a really crappy homeless person. How do people in Alaska do it? It's wet, it's often cold, there are bears. And it's not like if you are homeless you can afford to fly off to somewhere warmer. Thank god for my friends!

Juneau 4th

In Milwaukee, we have fireworks and hamburgers and sparklers for the 4th of July. Parks are decked out with flags and there are kiddie races and most neighborhoods have little parades. But we don't have a soap box derby. I never really thought about it before, but it's a big part of the Juneau celebration. And this being my first 4th of July in Juneau, I wanted to watch.

The races take place in Douglas, just across the channel from downtown Juneau. They block off a street and line it with tires. It seemed like half of Juneau turned out to watch.

It was awesome. Kids were crashing into the tires right and left. The reason there isn't a derby in Milwaukee is because I am sure the city is terrified of getting sued. But Alaskan kids are tough. They jump up and shake it off when they crash.

First Week of Work!

I managed to lose my camera cord and my computer doesn’t have an SD slot, so you’re just going to have to deal with it until I buy a new camera cord. Crappy timing since I just moved to frickin’ Alaska and everything is gorgeous. Good thing for you that I still have pictures from the last time I lived in Juneau. My job is going well so far, all two days of it. It’s going to be a lot more underwriting than I thought, which kind of stinks but at least I’ll be writing and at least I’ll be staying busy. I share my office with a total nutter, but I have headphones so it’s all good. It’s better than the cubicle-land I left behind. Since I don’t have much to complain about, I thought I’d leave you with some random thoughts from my first week of work:

· I’m listening to Dear Lover by the Foo Fighters right now and I forgot how much that song reminds me of Elliot Smith. God, do I love Pandora.
· Today is sunny and gorgeous and So You Think You Can Dance is going to lose out to sailing this evening, even though I am going to feel guilty about leaving Pint at home on such a nice evening. I’ll make it up to her with some cheese. I forgot how little TV I watched up here. TV is the devil. It’s more addicting than crack and it feels great to be watching less of it.

· My friends, Jorge and Miz, were both here this past weekend for a wedding. Normally, I am not a huge fan of weddings, but this one was the shit. Well, at least the reception was. I wasn't actually invited to the ceremony. Lucked out on that one! All I can say is that Catholic redheads that drink and swear and dance and drink some more are cool as hell. Period.
· My little sister is thinking about getting another tattoo. She’s only got one. (I have five. I’m way more badass, obviously.) She’s thinking about getting the Black Pearl. I think that is effing hysterical.

That’s all I’ve got. Enjoy your 4th bitches!