Rappel the fear

The fact is, that to do anything in the world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can.
Robert Cushing

***

At 28, I can already feel myself beginning to chicken out on life. I hate this about myself. So, to prove myself wrong and to remember what it’s like to live life to the full, I went rappelling with my housemates and friends on Thursday evening. We hiked a bit into the rain forest and rappelled down about 30 metres into an old sink hole from Treadwell Gold Mine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treadwell_gold_mine), which is [was] near our tour site.

And so I rappelled down into the unknown.

I even got a battle scar!

And, as seems to be customary in this gorgeous place, my afternoon of challenge, success and conquering ended beautifully by the ocean in front of a sinking sun.

I’d like to think the sun has now set on my fears…at least for this day.

***

Change and growth take place when a person has risked himself and dares to become involved with experimenting with his own life.
Herbert Otto

Coping vs. Harboring?

___

Sometimes it seems like a fine line between dealing with something (inwardly or outwardly) and ignoring facts all together. My 28-year-old brain has deciphered the two simply as: coping – acknowledging an issue and working through it cognitively; harboring - repressing responsibility and choosing to ‘pretend’ bad things away if they aren’t discussed. I tend to harbor — I always have. I don’t know why, but I’m fluent in the language of Ignore-ish. I speak it well, which I hate. So, in attempt to break free of these juvenile ways and face things head on, I wanted to post this outload…so to speak.

There are some things that must be dealt with, whoever you are. Life happens to everyone, and will continue to happen…until it doesn’t anymore. I don’t want to go through life making light of the heavy topics and living seemingly without struggle. If I have struggles, I should deal with them head on. I should cope. Harboring solves nothing and repercussions wait for no one. Pro-activity is an excellent recipe, so I intend to add copious amounts of it into my lifestyle from here on. I want to harbor no more.

*And because I’m sure you’re wondering what the photographs above have to do with this mini-rant, the first two were taken at one of my favorite ‘Angie Retreats’ in Juneau: Cope Park.

The latter two photos: Aurora Harbor.

Orange you amazed?

 

Well I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
Yes I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
With my brother standing by
With my brother standing by
I said Brother, you know you know
It’s a long road we’ve been walking on
Brother you know it is you know it is
Such a long road we’ve been walking onAnd I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
With my sister standing by
With my sister standing by
I said Sister, here is what I know now
Here is what I know now
Goes like this..
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, in your love, in your love

But sister you know I’m so weary
And you know sister
My hearts been broken
Sometimes, sometimes
My mind is too strong to carry on
Too strong to carry on

When I am alone
When I’ve thrown off the weight of this crazy stone
When I’ve lost all care for the things I own
That’s when I miss you, that’s when I miss you, that’s when I miss you
You who are my home
You who are my home
And here is what I know now
Here is what I know now
Goes like this..
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, in your love, in your love

Well I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
Yes I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
With my brother and my sister standing by
With my brother and my sister standing by
With my brother and my sister standing by

***

I was walking along, minding my business
When out of an orange-colored sky
Flash! Bam! Alakazam!
Wonderful you came by

I was humming a tune, drinking in sunshine
When out of that orange-colored view
Wham! Bam! Alakazam!
I got a look at you

One look and I yelled “Timber”
“Watch out for flying glass”
‘Cause the ceiling fell and the bottom fell out
I went into a spin and I started to shout,
“I’ve been hit, This is it, This is it!”

I was walking along minding my business
When love came and hit me in the eye
Flash! Bam! Alakazam!
Out of an orange-colored sky.

 ***

*Photography by Angie Risley. Lyrics by Alexi Murdoch and Nat King Cole, respectively.

 

 

The 696th Olympiad: The Countdown Begins!

(First of all, Happy 86th Birthday to my Grandma Marjorie, and Happy 29th my cousin Jess!)

Three things that will make me cry every time:

1. Documentaries about starving orphans in Africa — (Because shouldn’t I be doing something about it?)
2. On Little Women when bratty Amy throws Jo’s manuscript into the fire — (Because I’m not sure I’d be capable of that same forgiveness…)
3. The opening ceremonies for the Olympic Games — (Because it’s so marvelous that our WORLD comes together every two and four years for one common good and purpose.)

In our house, we have a 20″ RCA flat screen television and a Magnavox DVD player provided for us by our company. Both of these items are in pristine condition because we’ve never taken them out of their respective boxes. Our television box is now a ‘table’ for our speakers that we plug into my laptop for music. And just yesterday Kayla accidentally uncovered the DVD box like some dusty artifact on an Indiana Jones film. “Oh,” she said. “We have a DVD player?”

When we moved in, we all decided we didn’t want/need a television because we’re in Alaska. There is so much to do here that it seemed a bit ridiculous to be spending our time in front of a sitcom rather than out amongst this beauty. We quite love our home sans television.

Then we realized the Olympics were starting soon and we had a discussion. All of us love the Games, so we’ve made a unanimous house decision to take the tv out of its box next week. We’re all getting excited to see the feats of athleticism and competition, so much so that Kayla and I decided to make a countdown board for our house last night. We went to the offical Olympic website (http://en.beijing2008.cn/) and from it created this gem to display in our window:

(In case you can’t read it, it says “Beijing: 6 days to go!”)

 The green writing in the middle are the Chinese characters I found on the website, which translate to “One World, One Dream”. We’ll be changing the number each night until the Olympics and then immediately following the closing ceremonies, the RCA 20″ flat screen is going back in her box.

*The website above actually has some pretty cool things on it, including — my favorite — a song called “Welcome to Beijing” written for China’s visitors.

—

The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China: August 8-24

“ONE WORLD, ONE DREAM”

Think of me when you watch all the flags being paraded in. I’ll be crying in my house…

…in front of my television.

A whale of a tale

Call me Ishmael. Or call me lucky.

Last week I had a great opportunity to go on an Evening Whale Quest, which is a highly-rated excursion here in Juneau. One of my housemates, Deborah, went with me and it proved to be an incredible night for whale watching indeed.

Never mind the buffet of salmon dip, a carvery, fresh fruits, spreads, breads and dessert available for the duration of our 3-hour journey on board a classy catamaran. It was all delicious, don’t get me wrong, but it turned out to be a mere appetizer before our entree of rare whale behavior.

We saw whales, oh yes. We saw whales. Humpbacks. At first you just see pectoral fins, an occasional fluke (tail), and accompanying them you hear synchronized “oo’s” and “ah’s” from your fellow spectators. Then we saw a pod of them. The naturalist on board had told us about “bubble-net feeding”, and how humpbacks do it 10 days a year — 14 at max. (Read the section on “Feeding” here before proceeding if you’re not familiar, just as I wasn’t before my arrival in Alaska: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubble_net_feeding#Feeding.)

…then it actually happened! Four times! We heard them via the hydra-phone under the catamaran, and saw the same pod feasting for about 45 minutes! They were about 150 feet from out boat and it was absolutely one of the most terrifying/intense/awe-inspiring sights of my entire life. I was, of course, posed and ready with my new camera, but I was also torn between getting incredible photos and actually just taking in this incredibly rare behavior. In the end, I did come away with some pretty fantastic views:

Isn’t that magnificent? I really have no other words for it. Additionally, we also saw some sea lions all vying for the one ‘warm’ place in the Channel:

Deborah and I were ecstatic (naturally) and we ended up having such a great time. And, of course, we took some photos to prove it.

Top off the evening with a grand sunset, and you have perfection at your fingertips.

It’s a surreal feeling knowing I’m in a place where I can see such majestic beauty.

I’m so grateful.

July 22, 1945

• Letter from Dr. Hermann Hartmann, University of Frankfurt, to LP RE: Sends this letter via a U.S. officer. Discusses his work on chemical bond theories, noting that he has published the first of a series of eight papers on the subject. Goes on to discuss in detail the last paper, which has not been published due to the war. Adds that experimental work has been halted as their institute has been completely destroyed by bombs. Notes that the officer carrying this letter has suggested Hartmann seek work in the U.S. Inquires of LP if he knows of any available positions. [Letter from Cravens to LP 1945-08-07] [Filed under LP Correspondence: Box #165, file:(H: Correspondence, 1945)]
• In Burma… Japanese forces trapped in the Pegu Hills, estimated to number 5000, suffer heavy losses in attempts to breakout eastwards to the Sittang river. 

  In China… The American Far East Air Force attack Japanese air bases and shipping in the Shanghai area with 300 planes (including the new Douglas A-26 Invader light bomber). The Japanese news agency later reports that the Shanghai area was bombed by about 100 bombers and fighters and claims the Japanese shot down 4 planes and damaged 7 others.

  In Japan… US Task Force 92 bombards Paramushiro in the Kurile Islands. During the night (July 22-23), 9 American destroyers penetrate Tokyo Bay under the cover of a storm and attack a Japanese convoy. Other Allied task forces are being resupplied in the largest resupply at sea operation of the war.

  From Tokyo… The Japanese government announces that it is open to peace negotiations but not to threats.

  In Occupied Germany… The Potsdam Conference continues. Churchill, Truman and Stalin confer on politics and strategy, in a town near Berlin.

• Title: The President with L. Curtis Tiernan. Date: July 22, 1945. People pictured below: Tiernan, L. Curtis, 1884-1960; Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972. Accession number: 63-1453-5.

 

Sunday, July 22nd

SCOREBOARD: JULY 22, 1945

Chicago Cubs 8, Philadelphia Phillies 5 at Wrigley Field

Philadelphia Phillies 11, Chicago Cubs 6 at Wrigley Field

Cincinnati Reds 2, New York Giants 1 at Crosley Field

Cincinnati Reds 11, New York Giants 5 at Crosley Field

Pittsburgh Pirates 2, Boston Braves 1 at Forbes Field

Pittsburgh Pirates 3, Boston Braves 1 at Forbes Field

Brooklyn Dodgers 3, St. Louis Cardinals 1 at Sportsman’s Park III

Brooklyn Dodgers 8, St. Louis Cardinals 7 at Sportsman’s Park III

Boston Red Sox 3, St. Louis Browns 2 at Fenway Park

St. Louis Browns 5, Boston Red Sox 1 at Fenway Park

Chicago White Sox 6, New York Yankees 5 at Yankee Stadium

Detroit Tigers 9, Philadelphia Athletics 1 at Shibe Park

Philadelphia Athletics 2, Detroit Tigers 1 at Shibe Park

Washington Senators 5, Cleveland Indians 4 at Griffith Stadium

Cleveland Indians 9, Washington Senators 3 at Griffith Stadium

Compiled by Retrosheet (www.retrosheet.org)

• Famous folks born on July 22: Alex Trebek, Bob Dole, David Spade, Danny Glover, Don Henley, Alan Menken

• My favorite person born on July 22, 1945: Judith Mae (my mom)

I LOVE YOU, mumCHED! Happy Belated Blog Birthday!

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Color me happy!

Three things of great color-related joy:

1. I ordered a camera on line about a month ago and it’s finally arrived!! This, of course, is my replacement camera since a bad man decided to walk into my house in the middle of the night and take mine. Jerk. I’m very happy with my new Panasonic Lumix and you all should be looking forward to loads of new photos! In the first 24 hours of its arrival, I took and uploaded 180 photos. I really know how to make up for lost time.
2. My hair is getting darker without the summertime sunlight it’s grown accustomed to in Oklahoma. Yesterday, in fact, I had a woman walk up to me while I was on the docks waiting to meet people for my tour group. As she lingered next to me for about 10 minutes, I could see out of my peripherals that she was looking at me. I finally asked her if she was with my tour group and she responded that she wasn’t. “No,” she said. “I’ve just been staring at the front of your hair for a few minutes now and wondering if the back was as curly as the front is.” While finishing her sentence, she proceeded to reach out and tousle a handful of my locks. [There is something all too unsettling about a complete stranger touching your hair, have you ever noticed?] Maybe the darker curls are more appealing…? (I miss the blond though, truth be told.)
3. With no Home Owners Association to dictate here, Juneau residents are free to paint their abodes in any shade(s) they desire. A few of my favorites I’ve spotted around town:

 neighbors across the street

 

(That green one with the red roof and purple deck is mine!)

I’m looking forward to posting many ‘a photos here…keep checking back!

Happy Friday, everyone!

One true sentence:

I am a woman blessed with one-of-a-kind experiences, which will be proof enough at the end of my life that I lived fully and richly.

(Photography by Kayla Sherry)

I don’t think we’re in America anymore…?

Please take a moment to consult the map below. Study it hard, for there will be an essay question at the end:

This may look familiar to you, and if it does, please continue. If this does not seem like something you understand or recognize, stop reading my blog. The following is an actual conversation I had with a middle-aged woman (Rhonda) awaiting our tour departure this afternoon:

me: “So, where are you from?”

Rhonda: “The USA.”

me: “Oh really? Where abouts?”

Rhonda: “A state called Missour-ah. It’s in the very center of the United States.”

me: “I see.” Desperately looking for some comic relief, I asked another lady in tour group the same question. “And where are you from, ma’am?”

Other lady: “Just outside of Denver.”

me: “Ah, that’s neat.” (My mom says ‘neat’, which proves I’m becoming just like her.)

Other lady: “And what about you?”

me: “I was raised in southeastern Kansas actually.”

both women: “Oh, oo….” and other variations of the same sentiment.

Rhonda: “Kansas is right next to Missour-ah.”

me: “I know.”

—> Essay question: Do you know where ALASKA, USA is?

—> Bonus question: Do you know that people in ALASKA, USA speak the same language (English, as the majority), use the same currency (US dollars), and that you actually do not need your passport while in the state?

I’m not sure if Rhonda’s explanation was because I perhaps looked like I may not be well-versed in US geography, but I can tell you one thing: It’s folks like her who should really take advantage of their state’s motto.

Maybe Rhonda should instead start saying “Show Me a map. I’m a touch ignorant.”

To Do: Buy Groceries

Because it’s kind of funny, I wanted to share my current inventory in my cupboard here at the house:

• one slice of bread, the end heel
• half a jar of Fred Meyer crunchy peanut butter
• 2 packets of taco seasoning
• one packet of regular flavored oatmeal
• about half a cup of Fred Meyer Active Lifestyle lightly toasted rice and wheat cereal with strawberries
• one package of instant noodles
• one potato
• half a package of Lyon’s Rich Tea biscuits

And in the refrigerator:

• two eggs
• Tillamook cheese
• grapes
• lunch meat
• cherry tomatoes
• butter
• 3 tortillas
• fresh spinach

…and that’s it, folks.

I’ll go shopping tomorrow. In the meantime, and on a completely unrelated topic, check out this link I stumbled across yesterday on the BBC. We sure are a privileged society, especially all of us women:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7490775.stm

—

It’s 48 degrees and rainy until Saturday in Juneau. You all enjoy your lemonade stands and swimming pools. I wear a hat, long johns, thick socks and sometimes 3 layers under my rain gear. And I love it!