the after 30 part...

Last year I posted the Heard on the Wind from the The Skagway Newspaper.  I haven't been posting them this summer because I have been waaay too busy, but today I am home sick and have a lot of free time.  I hope you giggle cause some of these are soooo funny! Heard on the Wind The Skagway News June 24, 2011 Vo. XXXIV, No. 11 After a bus driver stopped on the Klondike to let his riders look at a bear on the side of the road, one woman got up and tried to get out the door.  The diver would not let her out, but the woman kept trying, so the driver got up and blocked her from the doorway.  The woman was told bears can be dangerous.  She then asked why the tour drivers don't tranquilize them so people like her can go up and pet them ********** Why do so many things advertise British Columbia, Alaska and Yukon?  Aren't they all the same thing?" ********** A 60-something New Zealander sitting at a bar said it was his dad's wish to come to Alaska...

Michelle called me before I left to Ketchikan and asked me if I wanted to run a 5k with her.  5k?  That's nothing, but I can't remember the last time I ran a mile without stopping.  After my pulled hamstring, my long distance running (5-7 miles) came to a halt, which was a few years ago, so to say the least, I wasn't in shape.  But I did it anyway. The run was a fundraiser for Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SEAL) and they encouraged you to wear costumes.  Michelle dressed up as a "run away bride", very appropriate since she was getting married that week and I went as.... um... I guess 80's?  I don't know. With an upset stomach (clearly this is Nicholle writing), Michelle and I set off a good pace from the Discovery Center down Tongass Avenue.  The route took us up Water Street onto 2nd Avenue, down Jefferson and then back along Tongass, onto the dock, around the Ketchikan Mining Co, and back to the discovery center. I made it without stop...

There is nothing more fun than mini raspberry lemon cupcakes and strawberry champagne punch.   Sunday we celebrated the bridal shower for my sister Michelle at our mother's house.  With the banner "Soon to be Mrs. Hovik", lovey toothpick toppers in each cupcake, and food galore, the party looked like it was straight out of  Martha Stewart Weddings , but BETTER!  Thanks to Miss Heather from  heathoriginal  for the amazing party favors!! Michelle scored some amazing gifts off her registry, from baking supplies and aprons to pillow cases and nighties.  My favorite was the edible underwear from Mary and the cutest was the owl apron from Amanda (in my opinion, as I LOVE owls!)  We played "Do you know your Bride?" asking ten questions about Michelle and her life, and Miss Hanna Martin won with 8/10.  Teri, Amanda's mom, and Maura O'Dell also walked away with prizes!  But of course, no one went home empty handed, as everyon...

Having Marcos here is another reminder of how spoiled we are in America.  He calls himself a caveman in my home (note that he said it first), and in all honesty, sometimes the way he looks at something, reminds me of one, or a monkey.  Head tilted, scratching head, hand on hip, quizzical brow, "...um Cole, what is this?"  From the electrical pencil sharpener, that made him jump back, to the can opener that he figured out on his own.  Or the water dispenser in the fridge, "where does all the ice come from?", and the garbage disposal which is the "coolest thing in the world".  We had to go over drying rules for certain clothes so much that I finally just put up a rule board for him "things not to dry".  I came home and found three loads (jeans, white, and colors) all into one, filling the entire space in the dryer, because he thought it would save energy.  It took three times longer than usual. This realization comes with anot...

Today I was interviewed by a man named Christophe from France about "happiness".  He is one of my couch surfers.  He asked me "Are you happee?  Have you found happiiiness in you life?  And what makes you sad?"  This was all on video.  What he asked were the exact questions that I have been asking myself the last few years.  He is a professor of film in Montreal and I might possibly have my 30 seconds of fame on youtube in the near future. Coincidentally, on my two minute walk home from work, I had a conversation with Marcos about Skagway and happiness.  I put my arm around him, walking slowly and said "I have to find my happiness here, period."  For so long I have hated it here and felt out of place.  Why is that?  I believe it's all in my head.  I can make Skagway what I want it to be, or I can remain miserable.  I need to find that happiness.  Living here is a love hate relationship.  I have so much freedom ha...

Remember how I told everyone in the world that I wanted to write a book?  I still do, and last weekend I was able to attend a very inspirational and motivational  writing symposium  with amazing and talented authors from all over Alaska and beyond.  Some of my favorites; Haine's  Heather Lende , a realist who I gained a lot from, Kotzebue's Seth Kanter , a hilarious and surprising character, New York's Howard Blum , publisher of 9 books, Kim Heacox , who every word I wanted to write down, and many more.  From Thursday to Saturday, I attended work shops on character development, story lines, writing history, and memoirs.  I was able to join the group for the train ride to Lake Bennett on Thursday, as well as the excursion out to Jeff Brady's lovely summer cabin on Saturday. I just have to point out that when hanging out with writers, there is never a dull moment.  I am not sure if its because most writers generally have a lot of lonely time an...

Hello friends! Did I mention that when I flew back from my Oklahoma excursion that I brought a Spaniard in hand?  That's right folks, Marcos Antonio Cruz Diaz made it to Alaska.  What a journey.  From Cadiz, an eight hour bus drive to Madrid, then to New York, courtesy of Mrs. Jodie Chandler, where he had a 3 hour lay over.  At this point, it got a bit frantic, as they flight was over booked and he was flying stand by.  He called me and told me that he was last on the list and that there were no seats.  When I began to tell him what to do next, the call dropped.  Marcos ran out of minutes on his phone.  One minute of an International call uses about 30 minutes of a local call.  I was hoping and praying he would just figure it out.  The reason I worry so much is because Marcos had no credit cards, very little cash and no way of getting a hold of me. I tried to page him in his terminal on the white courtesy phones, which I thought they h...