"Only in Alaska News"

Today I thought I'd share some news stories that would only happen in Alaska:
1) Juneau residents lose power due to a deer head-dragging eagle crashing into the transmission lines.
2) Here is a story discussing whether young kids should be riding snowmachines. Yikes!
3) We have a Coffee-stand bandit in town. He pulls his sleeve down over his hand -- it's unclear whether he has a gun or not.
4) Craig Medred pleads with the Anchorage Moose population to learn to look both ways before crossing the street.

Heat Wave!

For the last two days it has been unusually warm in Anchorage. Right now, it's a balmy 35 degrees outside.

To put this warmth in perspective, we really have not seen a temperature this warm since mid-October.

During our ski outing yesterday, I was burning up so much that I wound up shedding layers, gloves and hats until I was in only a long underwear shirt and light ski pants! It felt great.

It looks like we are getting more snow tonight and maybe even "ski killing" rain on Sunday (ick). Luckily, it looks like it should cool down mid-week for more skiing fun!

News Flash -- Anchorage is Snowy

To add to all the crazy weather this year in the lower 48, Anchorage is having a snowy crisis of its' own. Yes the snow is really high, but I don't really see it as too much of a difficulty. We've got the absolute best snowplow system in the country and with studded tires, it really hasn't been too slippy.

The Moore member with the biggest problem is puppy, who has to climb through the snow to do his business. It's funny to see him out there because the snow is taller than he is. His favorite thing to do in the backyard is to pat down the snow and sit down on the willow trees.

Hello Moto!

I had to get a new cell phone today and I chose the Pebl in a lovely orange color (to match my hair you know).

Being not of the cell phone generation, I ask for simple things from my cell phone -- I want a phone that is small enough to fit into a ski jacket yet substantial enough that I won't drop it. My top two requirements are reception and clarity. If I cannot hear, it's a total waste of a phone.

So far I am really impressed with the Pebl. Let's start out with design. As I heard someone comment, it's like a smooth (orange) river rock. It feels like a rock -- substantial for its' size. The phone is round so it does not have any corners I can snag or pieces that I can break off. There is a little button I can press on the outside to make it silent, although I am suspicious about turning off my phone accidentally.

Now the keys -- many reviewers don't like the keys, which are flat and kinda weird. I still can't figure out how to press the little "select button" on the middle of the selection circle without a pen. Luckily, I am not doing fancy gr8 ltrs with my texting so I can handle the funky keys.

What is truly fantastic about the phone is its' reception and clarity. I bought it particulary because of this feature, and it did not dissapoint. I sound like I'm on a regular phone, and can actually hear the other person on the line. This is ten times better than my old Nokia.

So, if you are on the lookout for a new phone but maybe are not interested in all the cell phone magic that the kiddies want, give the pebl a spin!

Worst Slogans Ever

Happy list for your Thursday!

Inch of Snow = Chaos!

London got an inch of snow, causing chaos in the city. While I know not everyone is used to two feet of snow on the ground, it still strikes me as funny.

Pictures of Vacation (finally)

Florida Vacation

When it's cold like this, it's good to have amusing commercials like this one. 

Cold becomes her

Alaska is a bit colder than the Caribbean. Today it was a balmy -2 degrees as a high. Since I hear some of you have not had much of a winter, I thought I'd share with you a bit of ours from our backyard:

Cold!

Boston-bound

First of all, sorry for not posting the pictures of our vacation up yet -- I'm still working through the gazillion photos :)

Another thing has come up to take my attention...

As a sponsor of the Boston Marathon, my employer receives a set of promotional slots for the race, and run a lottery for the spots.

Well, Monday morning I found out that I'd been one of the lucky 40 chosen to run the Boston marathon! Considering I'm a slowpoke, this is probably my only chance ever to run the race, so I'm very excited!

Back to the cold country for us...

 

Greetings from Puerto Rico! San Juan is a beautiful but confusing place -- we have been here four times and I still get turned around. Today is three kings day (kids here get presents from Santa Claus AND the Three wise men, lucky kids!). Everything is closed, but we went out to old San Juan anyways and walked around in the sun with the other tourists.

It's been a long week! We've been to Barbados, Antigua, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and here. Tomorrow we begin our epic 13 hour flight sequence from San Juan, Atlanta, Salt Lake, Anchorage, arriving early Monday morning. Yuck.

Anyways, many more stories and such to share coming soon!