Even More Pix!!

At my sister's house, with lots of dogs...and one cat..

What I did with my law degree...

More Pix!

The very nice lady that just happened to hit me with her car last summer. A chance encounter while we were out shopping. Of course, I was the one that turned out in front of her car. She was very happy to see that I had no lasting damage from my own foolishness.

The Clam Lake Canal-run this on a snowmachine-now, that is waterskipping!

Kevin and birthday cake...

Pix

Below: Chris and Tammy at Red Ginger. Left: The birthday boy and his big sister.

What it looks like during lake effect snow storms....both in the snow and out of it...alternate whiteout and sunshine.

Just some of the festive driving conditions that we encountered going from Chicago to Cadillac...

Time To Play Catch-Up

I have been behind in my blogging, because I have been away from the computer for several days. We have gotten to Cadillac, and have gotten the wireless up and running so that we can connect to the internet again.

The trip into the city in Chicago was fun, but I forgot to take my camera. Too bad-the stores were crowded with post-Xmas shoppers checking out the post-Xmas sales. I have been playing with my Kindle, loading all kinds of new books onto it.

We stayed an extra day in Chicago because of the snowstorms in the midwest and Michigan. despite that, the ride back to Cadillac was kind of dicey, especially the last 25 miles. I will be posting some pictures of the driving conditions. Monday was the birthday of Chelsea's brother, so we took him out to dinner at a restaurant called Red Ginger in Traverse City.

Tuesday was appointment day. My trusty dog and I both got our first haircuts in about five months. I went to the dentist and learned that I need to get a crown replaced. I can't get it done before I leave, but there appears to be a cavity under the old crown. I will have to get a temp put into place until June, when I return after the end of the school year. To make the day complete, the cable guy came out to install internet service and hi-def TV. He apparently was stumped by some aspect of the television connection, so he left that for me. Leave it to the lawyer-teacher to hook up the hi-def. For this they charge $50?

Tomorrow will be time to return to Traverse City, for family visits and shopping. It was suggested to me that the time would fly by during vacation, and I am beginning to believe it. I need to get my bike shoes ready for spinning class at 9 AM tomorrow.

Downtown...

Time to get my lazy butt into the shower...we are going to catch the 3 o'clock train into the city, there to do some late Christmas shopping for the grandkids...oh, yeah, and to take some Chicago photos for my correspondents back in AK...the days consist mostly of serious goofing off, breakfast and reading on my new Kindle...it's cool and I have bought seven or eight books already. I plan to buy at least as many more before I leave here. The process is really easy with a 3g network available-downloads take only seconds. I just have to remember to save the books for reading when I get back to PKA and do not have the wireless access.

Will try to post photos tonight...

More Christmas Stuff

Like basketball, and snoozing on the couch, and walking the dogs...going to the drug store and the bank...a fella could get spoiled by all of these creature comforts...I must admit to some mild culture shock upon arriving at O'Hare Airport, in spite of the fact that I have been there many times before. All of the stimulus was familiar yet strange at the same time. I can't imagine what it must be like for someone like the seniors from 2008 when they came here.

There is some loose talk about a movie in a few hours, and that will be a fun alternative. I have always been a movie fan, and I have not been to one since the film festival just before my departure for Alaska.

The big storm seems not to have wreaked the sort of havoc that was feared here, although it appears to have been plenty nasty off to the west. I think that the plan will be to head into the city tomorrow on the train and do a little post-Christmas Christmas shopping. If the weather clears, we will be heading to Cadillac on Sunday.

I have also been playing with my new Kindle, and will be loading lots of books onto it before I leave. It is a pretty neat gizmo. Needless to say, I have the type set for the maximum size.

Another dog walk is the next likely item on the agenda. That's about it for now...hope that all the readers of this little blog have a Merry Christmas...

In The Big City

Well, the weather proved to be no real issue. The plane made it here on time without any bumps or bruises. Rumor has it that the weather up the pike is not and will not be so favorable. Of course, this is a function of using those 20th century contraptions called cars. Of course, I have rented one-what am I supposed to do? It is large and nice and has leather seats and four-wheel drive, and there is plenty of room for our stuff that we need to haul (primarily dog kennels).

Tomorrow is Christmas day, and it is nice to know that I will be warm and dry and safe. Were that others were similarly situated.

Peace on earth and goodwill toward all.

ANC

At the airport awaiting the boarding call. We went to bed very early last night and did the same this morning. The announcement is now coming, and I need to tend to some important personal business. I will post from Chicago next.

ANC

Made it to Anchorage without any unusual difficulty. Saw some other teachers from LKSD, and the Assistant Superintendent that I interviewed with last year. We are in a cozy, pet-friendly hotel close to the airport, and the Boo is snoring contentedly next to me on the bed. He is going to get a haircut next week, and he might not be so happy about that. All else is well. Beer and pizza at the Moose's Tooth (yum!), and a little relaxation of my own. Off to the airport early to go to Chicago.

Packing!

The clothes have been laid out...the blue totes have emerged from their slumber...the dishes are washed and draining...Joe has called to say that he will give us and our stuff a lift to the airport for the noon charter flight...in short, the wheels are turning that will take us away, and back to the cities and "civilization" of the East. I have said all that I am going to say about ambivalence. Time for that is past. I miss it here already.

But now it is time to get done what needs to be done, and there are things back in Michigan that need to be attended to.

The Itinerary

For those of you who are curious...First, a charter across the river (the ground transport thing is just too sketchy), then the afternoon flight to fabulous Anchorage. Overnight in ANC, perhaps to the Moose's Tooth for some of their great pizza and beer (if you're ever in ANC, don't miss it), then off to Chicago on the morning flight, which gets us to ORD (O'Hare) at 5 PM on Christmas Eve.

After a day or two (or perhaps three-depends on weather), into the rental vehicle for the ride to Cadillac Mi, the town named after the explorer, not the car. I am just hoping that the plow guy and Chris both make it there in time for us to make an easy entrance into the driveway and a warm house.

I will post as the opportunities present themselves over the holidays, which is to say as often as I get near a functional computer. Merry Christmas!

It Sure Has Been Interesting So Far...

I guess that this marks the halfway point through the year. One semester done, one to begin in twenty-seven days. I have finished, for now, my preparations for next year in the classroom. It feels very good to be done. My confusion has been lifted, at least a little bit. I still have a lot to learn, and it will probably be a long time before I have it all straight, but it is a start, after all.

Tomorrow begins the long journey back to the Midwest. It will be good to see familiar faces and catch up with friends. But I also know that a big part of that life is gone. There is no going back in the true sense of the phrase. I think that the momentum of life is almost always forward, anyway. I can occasionally give in to nostalgia, but I have always been suspicious of that emotion. I think that it is essentially negative. There has been more than enough to keep my mind occupied, but I also know that I have moved on in many ways. All this in only four and a half months.

The weirdest thing about all of this to me at this moment is that I can feel myself itching to get back into the classroom. I absolutely cannot explain it. I am not going to try to analyze it tonight. I finished my first semester as a teacher in Rural Alaska, and I am coming back!

We Are Done For Now...

The semester is over. There were many times that I thought that I would never make it this far, or that this would mark the end of my career as a teacher. I never succumbed to the popular idea that teaching is easy. I have watched far too many people and their perfect little monsters to ever fall into that trap. I didn't know just how incredibly involved teaching is. That little secret seems to be safely kept within the profession. I am starting to plan for my return. My junior high reading program is already complex. It is about to get more so. I'm not even sure that it could be run by a sub. I am getting ready to mix up my writing program more, as well...

I am glad to be here, and a little deflated at the same time. The little goofs drive me crazy, and I already miss them. It is very complex, to put it simply.

The Last Day of School

There's a famous teaching book called "The First Day Of School." I wonder if there is one with the title above. It's only for the semester, but it is a big break. The kids were all pretty unfocused in the afternoon yesterday, and I see no reason to think that they will have any more focus this morning. We are out at noon. Some students are going to be trying to catch up today, and we will spend most of the day in the high school focusing on that. I think that the day will be more of a party for the rest of the school.

We had the annual Christmas concert last night. The kids were pretty cute. I will post pictures after I get them uploaded from my camera.

Here goes nothing...

Many Tasks...

Got my student much closer to passing his writing class today. He just has a little bit to finish tomorrow and Tuesday. We went up to Bethel, picking our way around the overflow, because the temperatures have come way up in the last couple of days. There was a lot of it all along the banks of the river, and it was hard to find a good spot to get across. It was even trickier in the dark on the way back. Fortunately, I have an experienced driver on whom I can rely, and I was able (I think) to offer some navigational assistance coming around into the Napaskiak slough. There was a snowmachine swamped in the river right at the southern end of the slough, where it meets the main river channel again. It was in water up to its handlebars. Most of the water spots aren't very deep, as they are almost all right next to the river bank.

After all of that adventure, prompted by my need to buy snacks for my class (and someone's desire to get out of town for a couple of hours), we came back to work in the classroom some more. The little lady has wandered off to steam, and I am sitting here at 11:00 contemplating doing some dishes. There aren't many to do, but it would be nice to keep on top of things for the next few days.

11:29. Dishes done. Mission accomplished. Time to think about the junior high for Tuesday morning.

P.S. I understand that we have a brand new resident of Napaskiak today. Congratulations to the proud grandmother, and all the rest of the family.

MMM...Coffee...

'Cause it's Sunday morning, and breakfast is on the way. Got all Yup'ik and stayed up until 1:00 AM after a good maqiq at Joe's. Very pleasant company and conversation. We all agreed that it was a good steam. A good shave after, during clean-up time. It is the best shave that I get every week.

The next few days will be busy, but we are almost done for the holidays...I want to focus on a student who will be coming in today to begin taking the test that will help to pass his writing class. I also need to get my reading class organized for next semester. And, of course, there are always grades...some of them are done, but I am waiting for some kids that are still putting in some work at the end...

We are having a little warm spell. It is 32 degrees, which contrasts favorably with the -16 from Friday night. There is some loose talk about a trip to Bethel, but it could get soggy. Time for more waterskipping???

Happy holiday times-church is a must for this evening.

The funniest question going around is whether we are going to do lesson planning for classes this week. Monday morning is given over entirely to an activity called Christmas around the world. We then have classes in the afternoon. Tuesday morning will be a study in contrasts, with some kids playing catchup, and some playing goof-off. It is a puzzlement...we are out at noon, or thereabouts. Then people will start heading for the airport in Bethel. I am not leaving until Wednesday, which gives me a little more flexibility...

I Hear The Sound Of Engines...

Which means that the games may be about to begin. Breakfast has been cooked and eaten, and the dishes are done. The toilet has been scrubbed. I believe that I am ready to make my appearnce upon the school stage. I have a student that is supposed to come in and work in about an hour. I am getting excited about vacation. It has been a tough semester, but I see little signs of progress. A couple of my jr high boys came up to sit next to me in the stands last night. We seem to be forging a few bonds, even if it is slowly...

Blogging In Bed

A quiet evening at the end of a busy day. More kids getting more work done. Some learning the hard way that they have to stay eligible if they want to play sports. Some working very hard to maintain eligibility. This effort will take up part of the weekend.

I am living the batchelor lifestyle tonight. Just me and my favorite pup. It is quite cold, and I am glad to have a warm, safe house to sleep in tonight. Gratitude is a lesson that I keep learning out here.

Tomorrow is more jr high basketball, more grades, some reorganizing my classroom, or my part of the classroom, and maybe church. Lesson plans for my return, and that should about get it done.

Time for bed.

More Photos...

Catching Up...

...because that is what a lot of us are doing and will be doing for the next several days. Yesterday was our last full day of school for the semester. We will be here on Monday and Tuesday, but half of Monday is taken up with an annual thing called Christmas around the world, and Tuesday is a just plain half day. Many people are getting away to return to their homes, and a few will be leaving on Tuesday afternoon. We will not be leaving until Wednesday, which will give us an extra day for organizing and wrapping up, but may put us in the way of a storm that may hit across the country next week. I am actually told that there is nothing that I can do about this. Someone is obviously unaware of my proud family tradition of fretting about things over which we have absolutely no control.

In the meantime, there are still kids who need to catch up on their schoolwork, and basketball teams that need to travel, and basketball teams that will be playing here. There are grades to turn in, and lesson plans to prepare before we return. We have been told to leave two days of plans when we leave. Because we are not returning until the Sunday before school starts, I would prefer to have the week done before I leave. I do not want to have to think about it in the midst of travel from the Midwest to Alaska. I also hope to fit in a steam, go to church before we leave, and reorganize the reading shelves in my classroom before I leave. Not so much, really...

We had our staff Christmas party last night. They are slightly more sedate without alcohol, but only a little bit. I think that most of us are a little giddy at the prospect of three plus weeks of vacation. We did a white elephant gift exchange, and the rules were that you can take from under the tree, or take from someone else. One of the gifts definitely was not a white elephant as I think of it. It contained some very good looking fish strips and a set of ulu knives which had been made by James Nicholai. James is the president of our Advisory School Board, and the Postmaster to boot. His work is very good. That gift changed hands many times. I have posted an exchange between two sisters who also happen to be members of the ASB. As you will see, there is no sororal affection wasted on this exchange. None. You can also see Father Vasily wrestling with the moral quandry posed by "stealing" the gift from me. Much hilarity...

Flirting With A Cold...

Grrr...not what I want now. This thing has been nipping at my heels for a couple of days now. I don't want to fly with a cold. Please, please go away. Think that I will dose up with something and go to bed at around nine o'clock. With any luck, I can try to kill it with sleep. I need some rest, because the sext several days get busier. I want to get my grades and my lesson plans for when I come back done this weekend. That is going to be my big project for the weekend. When I'm gone, I want to be gone. No looking back. It probably won't be that easy, because there are a whole bunch of self improvement projects to which I probably should devote myself. Nothing like a treadmill, if you go for that kind of thing.

On the other hand, I could just drink too much and goof off for three plus weeks. But why would I want to do that, when I could be doing PD??

The Last Wednesday of The Semester...

And all is pretty well. Not so much with my junior high kids ( I'll call them The Knuckleheads for short), because they were pretty well at the level of near-pathological behavior by the time that I returned for math in the afternoon. I have no idea what got into them. They are a sketchy bunch at times, but this week had degenerated into some kind of madness that I cannot comprehend.

There is no alternative that I can see to trying to figure them out. None. We will be stuck with each other for the entire semester starting January 20. I do not care for the looks of that last sentence, all of a sudden. I wonder if it is possible to get some sort of doctor's excuse from all this...

Speaking of doctors, I got the bill from the hospital from my little visit back in September. I get to eat the lion's share of it. I thank heavens for the fact that I am not oppressed by any socialistic system of medical care in which faceless bureaucrats far away determine what gets paid for or not. Yippee. And please feel free to keep your comments to yourselves. I am not interested in what you think. We pay twice what the rest of the world pays and with mixed results. That is nonsense, but at least the insurance companies will come out of this OK. I was worried for a while.

The knuckleheads did do allright this morning. I showed them a movie called "In the Shadow Of The Moon," which documents the Apollo missions to the moon. The cynical, media-wise, know it all adolescents were actually impressed. They asked questions. They listened with an apparent sense of wonder to my explanations. One of them asked me what it was like to watch the landings on television. I told him, "The coolest thing that I ever saw." It was fun to see that they could still, despite all of the dissapointments that make up their lives, retain a sense of wonder. It choked me up, a little bit, for a minute. And then, of course, life went back to its normal course, as it always does, and always will. It was nice to step out of that for a minute or two, just the same.

Wow!

It's nearly 11:30, and I have yet to post today. Very busy it was, too. Still flaky kids who just want the semester over with so they can play for three plus weeks. I would be mad at them, but I want pretty much the same thing. Really can't blame them. There is a fella just dying to come down and see me from the district office, so I need to see him at 8:00 am and get that out of the way. I need to get my pal Howard finished up with his reading, so that he can finish up and start high school in January.

My sweet babboo got her review from the boss, and it was glowing. I hope that someday, with careful nurturing and sunlight, to be half the teacher that she is. I am almost jealous. I really wish that I was better at this than I am already. There are a bunch of people, who have actually seen me in action, who seem to think that I am a little over anxious about the whole thing. One of them is my mentor, so maybe I need to relax a little and let it happen.

Our staff Christmas party is Thursday night, and I am being abandoned on Friday night in favor of the girls' basketball team. I need to get grades done this weekend, and we need lesson plans done up before we leave town for two days, so I am just going to plan the first week and call it good. That way all that crap is out of my hair before I leave for vacation and I do not have to think about it when I get back at all. So there.

Finally, we need to make up a visiting list, so we can see people before we leave town. Very necessary.

I did not intend to prattle on so, because it is time for bed. I like my job. I love my village. I hope that we can make this work for a while. Good night until tomorrow, Napaskiak...

One For The Books...

Well, that one is over...and am I glad. Rugged day-flaky folks all day. After-school was a touch better, but it usually is. It was the usual Monday in many ways, with sleepy junior high kids, lessons that didn't go anywhere, dishes and laundry to boot. The biggest difference is that in the past the day's difficulties would have really stressed me out, I mean in a big, bad way. No more. Besides, we are almost done with this rocking semester...

On the good news side, the dishes and laundry are both done, and the laundry is even folded. Yippee!

I am also told that my matrimonial prospects have improved two-fold in the past 24 hours or so, and that my blogging and dishwashing talents are to be credited with this development. I guess if I am able to stick around here, and if I am ever bereaved, I need not worry. It's nice to know that I have that situation covered.

I get the impression that readership may have expanded since the link to this blog on ADN last week. I hope that all you faithful readers are enjoying my attempts to tell a story that has some interest and maybe the occasional laugh. Feel free to comment as the fit takes you. I always like to know if I have gotten something wrong, or can improve this little endeavor in some way.

Tomorrow is Tuesday, and that is exactly one week before the end of the semester. Glory halleujah.

Sunday Night After Church...

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful, and that is good. We had a missing prodigal, and that stirred some blood pressures around here, but it wasn't long before the sheep was returned to the fold. I was happy to hear the news, and life progressed from there.

I saw Jason, one of our friends, and congratulated him on his upcoming marriage plans. He wanted to congratulate me, but I pride myself on being a moving target...we saw him and his intended, Dana, at church, and they came over for lasagna and tea. All four of us rode back in the cab of his pickup, which was a very intimate ride (old fashioned single bench seat).

Church was nice. I like to go a lot, and probably see myself doing it more regularly after we get back. When I go, I find myself wondering why I don't more often. I think that I really just go for the warm hugs that I get from Fathers Vasily and Victor. I always feel so accepted there.

Jason and Dana didn't stick around for cake, and it was suggested that we go visiting with it, but I am still having a hard time getting my head around the concept of "just dropping in" at nine o'clock on a Sunday night. We need to get out this week, though, because there are definitely people that I want to see before we leave on the 23d. I am so torn about going, and I really am confused about why it keeps coming back into my head like this. I thought at first that it was the logistical nightmare involved with travel. I am not sure that explains it.

I like it here. I like walking to work, not having a TV, and going steaming. I like walking around without a wallet or cash for weeks at a time. I like not having a car. I like living like this. I want to stay. It's really as simple as that. I have felt an attraction here the first time that I came here. It has gotten stronger every time that I visited. I have been here for four and a half months now, and it continues to grow. I would like to stay here for the holidays. I should go home and see the family, though. Maybe next year...

Sleepier...

Because the blogger software tells me that there is already a post called "Sleepy." I got up at the crack of nine 'o' clock this morning, and it is still pretty dark out. I did get a snap of the sliver of moon that hung low in the sky in the south. The sun does not get much higher on the horizon throughout the day. It is very low and pretty pale. I wonder what it must be like farther north.

We had a steam at Joe's last night. I was laying on the floor, getting low in the heat, when Joe pointed out to me that my ass was purple. I checked later. It is. I took a slip on the ice last Sunday when I had the Boo out, and hit the edge of a stair with my tush. It is quite colorful. It was kind of smarty to sleep on that side for several nights.

I had no such difficulty after the steam and some melatonin. I slept pretty hard last night. I am still kind of fuzzy, but am trying to get some coffee into me so that I can wake up. There was some loose talk about going to church, but I think that it will happen tonight. I am going to ask Father if it is permissible to take photos in the church, as I understand it is decorated very nicely for the season. I would like to be able to show friends and family back home part of the story of my life out here, and the church is a part of it, even if it is a sporadic part.

I am not an especially religious person, but I do enjoy the peaceful contemplation that going to the church affords me. I also always enjoy seeing the Fathers there. The beauty of the ceremonies is also part of the attraction.

All of these small, quiet things, the church, the maqiq, the people here and their lives, make me want to stay here, make me want to settle down here and make it my home. It may never be for a lot of different reasons, but I would like it.

Later On...

The last big PD session of the year is over. Root veggies are simmering on the range-top. The light is beginning to fade. It is 4:31 in the afternoon. I wonder what the rest of the evening will bring.

We did not go to Bethel, because, although the river has frozen, there has been no snow, and riding on the bare ice is apparently not so good for the sled runners. The prospect for snow is not strong.

PD was OK. The biggest part of the day was solidifying the junior high school schedule. I also learned how to run the Scholastic Reading program. We will be down to two teachers and four different groups in the junior high. I hope that it works out OK. It will be interesting, which does not always mean "good."

I will be puzzling tomorrow over the question of what lessons to teach this week. I need to get two students through their phases by the end of the week. No challenge there...

Sorry

No posts yesterday, because of our Long Day's Journey Into PD...it was reasonably informative. We are working on positive behavioral supports, and an assessment/tutoring program called Skills Alaska. The fog is rolling in this morning, so we may be sort of isolated for a while. I will post later today.

It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year...

But I have not done much more than a lick of Christmas shopping, and I don't know when exactly I am likely to have the chance to do it. There aren't a lot of shopping malls in Napas...I don't mind that very much, but it does complicate that part of life.

Not much to say about the day. It was busy, and I feel as if I am beginning to have a few more successes, and I am happy about that. We have our last long inservice of the year (ah, nostalgia!) tomorrow night and Saturday. The last full week of school starts Monday. It is all flying by at an increasing rate of speed.

Loose talk about dinner in Bethel, either tomorrow night or Saturday. Depends on the weather. We need snow. It feels funny to wish for snow. It hasn't really been a part of my life for a long time.

Chained To The Keyboard...

...but in a good way. I have been exchanging IM's with a lot of people tonight. I have actually started to lose track of everyone that I have communicated with. Let's see: Erin, Pricia, Woody, Stacey, Carl, Ashley, and Betty Walters. It has been fun, and the dishes are almost washed. This blog was apparently the object of a little attention from the Anchorage Daily News today. They excerpted, and linked to a passage from last night's post. I hope that some new folks get the chance to come here and enjoy themselves. Someone did point out my imperfect understanding of tundra tea, and I have tried to correct that error. It does not contain mosses. It is a small heather that grows on the tundra. This is what happens when you do not ask the question directly of the local folks. It was very good, and that is what matters most.

Ashley is still "on the line." She is one of our graduates from 2009, and is currently attending UAF. We are talking about movies, and the Traverse City Film Festival. I would like to figure out a way to be able to let her see the place for herself. Hmmmm-dear readers, any interesting ideas?? I have a few of my own, but any that you care to offer will be gratefully accepted...

Of Stolen Police Cars and Tundra Tea...

So, where do I start with this day?? It was slightly screwy early on. My junior high co-teacher announced at about 8:35 that she was going home, as she didn't feel well. Needless to say, that started the day out on an exciting footing. The last sub in the village who is apparently willing to work with this group got there a short time thereafter. The morning was lively, to say the least. My freshmen were not especially focused. They were nowhere in the vicinity of focused.

In the afternoon, I learned that I will be full time in the junior high after semester break. No government class for me. Oh, well. My math kids in fifth hour actually want me to be their teacher full time. Hmmmm...I don't know if it will take exactly that shape...I can finally get that "if you taught middle school, you'd drink, too" t-shirt I've been dreaming of...

In the evening, we had an invitation to dinner at Michelle Larson's. She was celebrating because both of her girls had passed the high school exam that they need to pass in order to graduate. Tacos, and some of the best dried fish strips that I have had since I got here. Man, that Michelle makes delicious fish strips.

After that, I needed to be formally introduced to the ASB (advisory school board). I have been working here since August, and we finally got this done. Adding to the humor is the fact that I know, have been in the home of, or actually worked with all but one of the members of the board. There is only one that I don't already know.

I was on the way home when I was reminded that we needed to go over to Earl and Krissy's house to pick up a couple of dishes that had been left there at an earlier date. They had been at Michelle's house earlier in the evening, and reminded us about the dishes. They are very nice. She teaches second grade, and he flies for the state troopers. At any rate, she and her daughter were putting up the Christmas tree, and we were commanded to come in and visit in the way that only an elementary school teacher can command.

After a little while, Earl came in, followed by Father Alexander. Father is the priest up in Kwethluk. However, most of his family live in Napaskiak, and he often stops by to visit. Father mentioned casually that someone had stolen a Bethel police vehicle, and was driving it wildly down the Kuskokwim, occasionally shooting the police weapons that were likely in the car. Now Father did not seem to regard this in quite the same vein that Earl did, and Earl definitely was not feeling casual about this. Earl got on the VHF and started announcing that people needed to get their heads under cover, lest any stray bullets head in their direction. Earl strikes me as a fella who likes to be where the action is, and it was not very long until he felt the need to get out there and lend the village police, the state troopers, and the Bethel police (whose car it was, after all) a helpful hand. Many phone calls began to go around the household between landlines and various cell phones in the house (yes, we have service, but no functioning data service for us Crackberry addicts).

In the middle of all of this, it was announced that tundra tea was ready. Tundra tea consists of various mosses, grasses, and other vegetation from the tundra. It is placed into a net, and boiled for an indeterminate time until it is ready. I don't know how long it takes.

Please understand that I am a coffee man until I die. I despise tea and all that it stands for. Hate the stuff. I had a cup because I was a guest and because it is important to accept proffered hospitality. Except for stinkheads-never gonna happen. Anyway, this tundra tea is great stuff! I had a second cup and would have happily taken more. Go figure.

So we hung around for a while longer, and finally decided to run the gauntlet of death. OK, it is a pretty short walk from their house back here. I did make one more heroic venture to the school because no one could get ahold of Eric, who had kids for basketball practice, and needed to be told that the guy had apparently shut off the lights on the police car, and could not currently be located, except for the occasional gunshot. The all clear finally came at about 10:45, and all is well as far as I can report.

Oh, yeah, and tomorrow there is a staff meeting!

P.S. Man, I love it here!!

P.P.S. OK, I got the tundra tea thing wrong. As I said, I am not a tea guy by any stretch of the imagination. It is actually brewed with a plant called labrador tea, which is a kind of heath or heather. My mistake, and I apologize to all. It was still delicious, and the best part is that we left the dishes behind in all of the excitement. Krissy and I agreed that it was a good thing, because we have another reason to visit.

Upon Reconsideration...

Maybe it is just as well to be going home for the holidays. It will be nice to see some familiar and friendly faces, and it will be good to see family members as well. I booked a room for the overnight stay in Anchorage, and it is at a pet friendly hotel that appears to be pretty close to the airport. I just need to get the house opened up and the driveway plowed. Sounds like there will be a bit of weather this week and perhaps next. I don't want to have to deal with the long drive from Chicago if the roads are funky and slippery. I haven't operated a motor vehicle since August, and I might be a little rusty at it...

Two Weeks Out...

Two weeks from tomorrow, the semester ends. Memorable. Weird. Stressful. I don't think that I quite have the final word yet on it.

I am in the mood to stay here for the holidays. I won't, and I can't really explain why I feel that way. I think that it has a lot to do with flying with a lot of crap and three dogs and having a five-hour drive at the end of the long flight. I would just as soon stay here and hang out, go to Bethel and hang out with some people, get some sushi and tempura, and maybe zip off to Anchorage for a few days. Much simpler. I am looking forward to seeing everyone when I do get back, however.

That's all I have to say for now.

Mostly An Excuse To Post This Picture

Not much to say. It was a Sunday, which usually means sleeping in a little, having a late breakfast, doing some lesson plans, and not much else. I am totally losing track of time with the increasing dark. I took the dog outside and heard church bells, which ring for the 6:3o service. I had no idea it was still that early. The sun sets at about 4:30 now.

We had a good steam at Joe's last night. There were just a few of us, but the company was pleasant. There was some loose talk about awarding me a Yup'ik name. A couple of name

candidates were mentioned, but no choices were made. I figure that will work itself out one way or another. I will have to figure out how to keep my newfound steaming strength in tune over the holidays.

There was a fairly extraordinary sunset tonight, so I thought it might be nice to take a picture of it for the folks back home. Tomorrow starts a new week. I get to be introduced at last to the members of the advisory school board, and we will likely have our last long professional development meeting on Friday night and Saturday. Next week will be the last of the semester, and the last before the holiday break...I am suddenly very anxious to get on with the week...

A Narrow Brush With Death...

One quick piece of advice-never ride a snowmobile up a melting river with a borderline psychopath...ok, just kidding...we went up to Bethel to take the dogs for a vet visit. They needed their checkup for the airlines, and a couple of shots needed to be given.

Unfortunately, the weather has warmed up dramatically overnight, and the snow has been melting rapidly. Of course, this means water on top of the icy river. On top of that, the river here is a tidal estuary, which means that the river has tides. That also means that there is water that has overflowed onto the top of the ice, in addition to the water from the melting snow. Lots of water. Everywhere. In a couple of spots, we had to go waterskipping, which involves going across the surface of the water at a high rate of speed. Much fun? I guess once you get used to it. I am not there yet.

It is still not clear to me which ride I felt to be less enchanting-the trip up in the darkness (and it is very dark once you get away from the village), or the trip back down, where the nasty ice was all too evident. I suppose I could have closed my eyes, but it is nice sometimes to anticipate the bumps and shocks before they arrive. We finally stopped to scout one especially deep looking patch of overflow. Fortunately, it turned out to be relatively shallow. A few more bumps and pitches, and one last overflow patch, and we were on dry land, and I was one happy puppy.

Buddha was squirrelled away in my down coat for the entire trip, and he was probably the driest life form on the snowmachine. I wore my new fur hat, and was glad for it, because the sealskin kept my head nice and dry. I have seldom been so glad to see the ramshackle little house that I call home. It was all over in relatively short order, and no one was the worse for wear. Maybe me, and my nerves, but it all turned out OK in the end.

We have guests coming over tonight for chili and/or borscht. A little company will be a nice thing. I am looking forward to it, and so, it is time to go and clean up.

Friday Night...

The best night of the week. I've just been hanging out w/the cohabitor, who has trekked off to a 10 PM steam. She should be back in an hour or so. Think I will arrange a nice surprise for her return. She has really been a rock through this often difficult transition. I'm trying to think of a nice Xmas present for her...hey, wait a minute, she reads this thing! Never mind.....

Kids were a little flaky today, but the day was over at the usual Friday time, so I have no complaints. PD consisted mostly of a little scheduling, a few announcements, and a couple of hours worth of working at my desk. It allowed me to do some catching up on writing grading, and to do a little early prep for next week. I still need to do some additional record-keeping, and, of course, some lesson planning. It doesn't strike me as a problem...

There is a movie showing tomorrow at the school-student council will be working it, and I think that I will show up to help. I am finally getting over the need to be out of the building as much as I needed to be during the first couple of months of the year.

Everything is getting more comfortable, which I hope is a good thing. I have always been suspicious of the notion of comfort, because I thought that it could too easily lead to complacency. If I can keep my guard up against that, perhaps comfort will ultimately prove to be positive. By the way, I got triangle-shaped flash cards for my 7th graders today (!). Maybe I am turning into a geek...

Dramatic Laundry Update...

The dryer that was broken is now working. The other dryer is apparently beginning to lose its belt, and is not turning properly. The question is whether or not we will order the part now, because it will take a while to repair, or wait until it is not working and do it then. Stay tuned for further dramatic updates.

A bunch of the kids here are doing their own blogs, and I need to get current on them. I know that some of them read this abomination, and I occasionally remind them that I check theirs out from time to time.

Tomorrow is Friday, and regular readers know that Friday night is my favorite night of the week. By the way, Thursday night is my second favorite night of the week. I hope that there is a steam in my future, preferably in the next 24 hours or so.

DishBitch is working on a pile of mess in the sink that was occasioned mostly by the fact that he took last night off. DishBitch has been doing this lately due to the fact that, for some mysterious reason, he has been really tired at the end of the day. Significant inroads into said mess have already been made, but a new load has emerged from the refrigerator, which did need cleaning. DB is taking a writing break for the moment. He does not want to wait too long, because it is already 8:40 PM, and it would be nice to have this job done. It's time for DB to spring into action.

9:18-the laundry is folded, and DaBoo has been out for his evening constitutional, and the last two really funky/crusty dishes are soaking in the sink. Now is the time of evening when at last relaxation can set in for a little while before it is time to go to bed. The new veggie box is here, including beets and avocados, which means borscht and guacamole this weekend. The dogs are making their semi-annual pilgrimage to the vet to get their check-up for air travel. I will need to dig out their paper work tomorrow night so that they get officially approved to fly. It will be the occasion of Buddha's first snowmachine ride. Maybe a cute picture or two will be in order.

9:33-the dogs have been fed, and tonight's last dish placed into the dish strainer. So much for the comforts of domestic life-it is actually pretty nice. A last few musings for internet posterity, and then...

Laundry Day 2...

Sounds like the title for some kind of extremely cheesy slasher movie, preferably set in a laundromat. On the other hand, it could be more on the order of Groundhog Day, because it is clearly a recurring cycle that never ends...maybe if the clothes cleaned themselves...the logistics are kind of tricky because only one of the dryers in the school is functioning. It needs a replacement part that has to come here from Anchorage, and that can occasionally take a while. It has been a couple of weeks now since the dryer went down, and I have heard no rumor of a replacement belt arrival.

I have been really tired all week at the end of the day, even though the days themselves have pretty much been OK. I got up tired this morning, even though I went to bed early last night. I seem to have a funny tickle in my throat and I feel a little weird. I hope that it is nothing. I have been well since the September incident that put me in the hospital, and I would like to keep it that way. I need my energy for the next couple of weeks, and I would like to enjoy the holidays in good health.

I need a theory of how this day is supposed to go, and I don't have it yet. Maybe it will come to me in the shower.

Hump Day Is Over...

Just got back from school about twenty minutes ago. I was at school until about 7:30 or so; part of that time was spent on the treadmill, part helping one of my students after school, and part of it Skpying with two of my AKT2 buddies. The days are now flying by, and there is lots to get done. Kids are starting to work when they haven't before, because eligibility for basketball is becoming an issue. I personally intend to use it shamelessly, my only regret being that ALL of my students are not trying to go out for the junior high team.

I am beginning to notice some glimmer of a change in the junior high students. It is faint, and it is extremely subtle, and sometimes nonexistent, but there is something going on there. I just hope it isn't the freight train at the end of the tunnel.

I still want to get my spin bike, but it is hard to get in touch with the folks in California when I get out of work 15 minutes after they close.

My freshmen in English are making me happy, as I think we were able to get some really good stuff out of the book that we just finished reading.

I like it here. It is finally starting to feel how I had hoped it would feel. Of course, I must point out that the people here, for the most part, were never the issue in my mind. It feels nice to think about coming back after Christmas. I wonder what the schedule will look like then, and what classes I will be teaching. I think that it will be interesting.

Sometimes...

The subtle beauty of this place sneaks up on me. I had one of the dogs out tonight after work. It has actually warmed up in the last couple of days, which is not to say that it is exactly warm. But it was warm enough that I was not in the hurry that I am on colder days. The sky was beginning to darken, as it does after our 4:40 PM sunset. The full moon had risen to about 3o degrees above the horizon, and it was already shedding its soft, reflective light off of the snow, which has gotten a fresh layer in the past day or so. The sky was clear, and the moon's features were sharply defined. It was simply stunning. I am lucky to live here.

I have a new student in my Ak Studies class. I hope that she enjoys the last three weeks of class. I will see if I can do something about that.

Math class is beginning to go better for me now, and that is gratifying for the moment. It will be interesting to see how long the momentum lasts. We are getting back a couple of our more disruptive students back in the nest two days. They didn't learn much after their last suspensions. We will have to see if they have learned anything now.

Busy Busy Day

Bushed. It was a good day, but it was really hectic. I think that I got everything done that I wanted to do, and if I didn't, it is simply going to have to wait until tomorrow. I feel the need to post, but I have almost nothing that I can think of to say.

We went to a one-year feast tonight. This was the second one for the second day in a row. The feasts are held on various anniversaries of a loved one's death. There are 20-day feasts, 40-day feasts, and one-year feasts. There is generally a pretty fair crowd of people at each, and the table is usually filled with people eating. When one gets up, another sits down. There is a pretty constant flow of people in and out of the house. There is a lot of food as well. I went for caribou soup both days. There is always some sort of little gift that is given to each guest. If you get invited, it is probably a good idea to go.

And now it's late and I'm feeling kinda drowsy. So, enough for trying to figure out what to say, at least for tonight.

Snowing And Blowing

It looks like there is a little weather out there this morning. I have not braved it yet, but I do need to get going, because there is laundry to do. It is time to pick up the pace of this thing. The basketball season in nearly upon us, and it is time for students who want to play to think about eligibility. I intend to make that point this morning.

I am also going to try to get my math students through the two indicator tests on measurement that they need to get out of this desert that we are in. We seem to be stuck and need to move on to greener pastures, without a doubt. The question is how many willing followers I can count on after a long holiday break.

When Joe Wants It Hot...

...Joe gets it hot. And so it was tonight. A good one. Let me say this. I have only steamed at Joe's. I have no basis for comparison. I hear stories about legendary hot steams. I have no first hand experience. Nor do I wish for any at this point. I did get some nice compliments suggesting that I seem to keep getting stronger. However, I am also interested in keeping my skin intact for now. Joe's steam is hot enough for me. I will let the young bucks worry about what they need to prove.

The other (better?) half just was leaving to go steam when I got here. It is not quite 10:00 PM as I am writing this, so I expect that she will be back at a decent hour.

It has gotten chilly here, as I learned when three dogs discovered the need to go out in succession after I had gotten out of my warm socks and long johns. There is a blizzard warning out for tomorrow and the promise of several days of sustained snowfall. It could prove to be one of those cozy, snowy weeks around here...

A Steam Tonight

We went over for the one-year feast commemorating the death of Joe's mother, and he invited us to steam tonight. I could use it, as the bathtub just backed up again, and it looks increasingly as if I may be showering at school for the forseeable future. I hope that all of this turns aout to be a simple case of things not being done on time because of the holiday weekend, and it can all be fixed with a bottle of bleach and a good scrubbing.

Relaxation is in order tonight, because tomorrow marks the beginning of the mad dash-a little over three weeks until the end of the semester and a nice break with friends and family. Three weeks from Tuesday, to be exact. Not that I'm counting or anything. Twenty-six days before we see students again. Not that I'm counting or anything. I will try to coax as many of my students through the remainder of their work for this term, and try to get as many as possible of them to pass.

I would reflect more, but I just got the call-time to go steam.

A Pleasant Weekend

Saturday night, and the low rumble of snowmachines can be heard outside my window. The basketball tournament apparently is still going on over at the school. I have been working on a few things for school and teaching. I have made some progress, and I will just keep plugging away at it in the next few weeks. There are a couple of lesson plans in the book already, and I will get some more done tomorrow. Church is probably on the agenda.

We didn't steam tonight, so I assume that something came up. Maybe tomorrow. I think that I will read a little, and get some sleep. Maybe a workout and a shower in the morning. It has been a nice chance to get a breath and a break from the grind. I needed it. It should get me through to the break.

Saturday Market Adventures

It was up and off to Bethel this morning, albeit a little later than expected. The crafts at the market were all very nice, and I picked up a little Christmas something for someone. I think that I will play it close to the vest for now. I did break down and pick up something a little warmer to put on my head. Sara Rearden is one of the teachers here. Her mother lives in Bethel and also works for LKSD. She was selling some of her work, and I took a liking to a hat made of seal and beaver. Very warm. Especially good for the back of a snowmachine. This scenic shot was taken at the gas station, where the price of gasoline will make even the most hardened Californian blanch with terror and disgust. See above for confirmation. After the market, we headed to a store that was described to me as the local equivalent of Sam's club. In other words, big packages of stuff. I picked up a 28-pack of popcorn, which should stand me in good stead until Christmas. The holidays will be here very quickly. Tuesday is the first of December. As I type this, it makes me excited to think about going back to Michigan to see friends and family. It also makes me realize how much has happened since August. The adventure continues...

And Oh, By The Way...

Joe has promised another maqiq for tonight-he says this one will be hotter. I don't necessarily feel all that brave. But I will go. I can never predict how long I will go on any given night. It becomes a combination of detachment up to a point, and heavy breathing and determination after that point has passed. Or, I just think, "to hell with that nonsense," and get out. It varies...

I do not know how the tournament went last night. It will resume today. Today promises to be a busier day than yesterday. Basic services are not working here, so it may be another day for taking care of basic functions at the school. Sometimes that is how it goes out here, and I am having to learn to just deal with it. I think that the septic needs to get pumped. We ran out of water on Thursday, and it is not clear when it will get delivered. It may just be a long weekend for that kind of thing.

I will need to find some time for my masters in Juneau in the next day or two, and, of course, the lesson plan monster needs to be fed before Monday morning. It has still been a pleasant and relaxing few days, and there are still two more left...

Woo-HOOOO!!!!

It all started with a phone call. I was standing on the sidelines at the basketball tournament. "My dad says to come steam." It was all I needed to hear. I was out the door like a shot, over to the house as quickly as possible, got my maqiq bag filled with necessities, and walked down to Joe's house double-time.

Now the story can be told. I have achieved a milestone in my steaming career. I ran one of the locals out tonight. Yes. No, I'm not making it up. I even stayed in for the next pour, as I was told the "rules" require. I got a fist bump from Joe, and there was lots of crowing about it when I emerged into the cooling area.

I am trying to be modest about it, which does not explain this entry at all. Many smiles were had all around, and the vanquished was gracious. Of course, all of this is immensely silly, which is why it is so much fun.

Tomorrow will find us at the Saturday Market in Bethel. I imagine it will be interesting.

A Lazy Day...

Not doing much all day until the past couple of hours. Went and worked out. Didn't get in contact with the spinning people in time. Guess that I will try during my prep period on Monday. There is a basketball tournament at the school tonight. Think I will go check it out. I need to get my parent contact log, and pick up a blank DVD at the school for my submissions. We have a veritable shitload of things that we are supposed to submit quarterly to AKT2. I guess it's time...I will work on it between now and Christmas. Whoopee. GF sez she's quitting teaching if this is the wave of the future. It might be-I think it might be the Federal influence involved here. Don't know, tho.

Multitasking tonight includes trying to Skype a couple of people, and texting with my law partner about the latest and greatest news from back home. And eating a sandwich, and typing this. And realizing that it's only Friday night. That's cool...

A Nice Thanksgiving

It turned out a little differently than planned, but it was fun just the same. We discovered, much to our chagrin, that we were out of water, at about 1:00. That necessitated a change of scenery for the gathering of the group, but it went off hitchless, and it appeared that a good time was had by all. We had a guest appearance by two distinguished PKA alumni, who also partook of the food and company.

In order to wash dishes, I ended hauling over about six five-gallon buckets of water from the school. Not so much when you consider that many families have to haul water from the well for daily use. It did give me a bit of a workout. We ended up showering at the school, which was handy to have available under the circumstances.

Dinner was delish, with many fine delicacies, and the conversation kept us there until nearly 11:00. A pleasant day. I believe that tomorrow will be another such day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, what did you expect me to say?? I slept in, and the laundry is going, and I have had breakfast and coffee, so I reasonably resemble a human being at this point, and that is probably a good thing for all those around me.

On my way from my perch at the computer, I noticed to my horror that it is already time for DishBitch to spring into action. His nemesis MessWoman has been up to her usual nefarious deeds, making a tiny house look as if a small-scale nuclear device had been detonated in the kitchen. MessWoman's alter ego is the mild-mannered (!) schoolmarm CGunnerson, who seems to turn, much like the Incredible Hulk, into MessWoman almost without warning...(for students reading this blog, think about her desk-you will understand perfectly.) DishBitch's alter ego, LaundryBitch, has already been at work this Thanksgiving morning, after dog-hair infested clothing was dragged out from under the bed, where an informal storage unit had apparently been set up by MessWoman's assistants, DumDog and DumDog2.

Anyway, the house is a mess, and KitchenNazi, MessWoman's other avatar, seems to think that today is a good day to cram 20+ people into a house that is kind of squeeky for two. It is time for DomesticBitch to come to the rescue. Wish us luck...

Well, The Heat Wave Ended...

It's -5 as of the last time that I looked, and the skies are clear. The girls had a pie making shindig, and I hung around for a little while, fetching eggs and such until it struck me that I was sort of a fifth wheel and decided to come back over here. I am having a nice quiet night.

We had our thanksgiving meal at school today. The turnout was either better than or worse than last year's, depending upon the person doing the estimating. Things got cleaned up in reasonably short order, and we got pressed into duty by a couple of graduates who returned for help with a paper and a resume, respectively. It was kind of fun, in a gee-think-I'll-bitch about-it kind of way. Then we made a home visit, and I got back in time for a phone conference about our extremely simple, user-friendly, intuitive software that we are supposed to be using to submit all of our evidence to AKT2. My personal take is that the unhappiness and stress level among this group will increase exponentially when they start using that stuff. It sucks. Hope that this entry gets read. I have threatened to just upload all my lesson plans and this whole blog and crash the server in Juneau. It would serve 'em right.

So tomorrow is the big day. It seems as if a bunch of people are invited, and some of them will show up. It will be held at the small house with all the dogs instead of the larger house with two loveseats and space. This is because some people are crazy and sentimentalize this holiday which is miserable for so many other people and reminds even others how they have been occupied and invaded. Yippie shits. I actually began to enjoy thanksgiving most when I began to spend it by myself with a shitty football game and pizza from G&D in Cadillac.

I suppose that it will all be fine, as long as the General Patton of the kitchen does not rear her ugly head. As is true in so many situations, I suppose that only time will tell the answer to that question. Who knows, amybe it will all turn out to be a blast, and I will turn out to be nothing more than an old grouch. Naaah, that couldn't happen!

A Quiet Night

...on the old plantation, but pleasant. The gf is, unfortunately, feeling under the weather, and decided to sack out early. I have just been chatting on line with an AKT2 buddy, and trying to suss out some kind of quick and dirty Thanksgiving writing exercise. I think I have an idea, but think that I will sleep on it and see how it feels in the morning.

I am thankful personally for having had this opportunity, because it has been a unique experience in my life. I still am waiting to see how it will go in the long run. However, for the time being, at least, some sleep would seem to be the best choice in the short run.

OOOOOO....

Almost there-the holiday starts tomorrow...a festive lunch at noon, then off for a few days...if you don't count the phone conference for AKT2 at 4 o clock, and the entries that I need to make for that program this weekend, and the lesson planning, and trying to figure out what to do with the math class and the middle school and the freshmen, and etc, and etc...at least we get summers off...doesn't seem especially relevant way the hell out here right now.

I have a new assistant dog walker. She stays for the after school program, and then comes over to help with Dan and Buddha. She referred to it today as her new after school chore. She sat looking at the clock until it was 5:00, and not in an especially patient fashion, either. I finally got the message that my presence was required, and soon, at my house, so that she could get along with her duties. Her dedication should be an inspiration to us all.

It does sound as if the lunch will be fun, even if I get to be a server. I expect that I will enjoy that.

A series of blogs are breaking out around the school, which may lead to a need for vaccines...perhaps the government will make supplies available for all...but watch out for the side effects...I wonder how many people will read the student blogs. I know that I will be interested to do so.

Short Week...

I just keep telling myself that...the gf is feeling pukish, and I am into another day of not feeling it. I don't expect great concentration from the young 'uns as the week gets shorter, and the pressure is nonetheless there to do something creative with them. I understand the teachers who mostly show movies sometimes, although I think it is a bad idea. I hope that maybe the resistance will diminish somewhat after Christmas, when they see that I did return. The turnover problem out here really leaves a strong residue of skepticism, which I understand, but don't especially like.

Happy 200!!

Whoopeee!!! It's time for a big celebration!!! Post number 200!!!!! Unfortunately, there are no wonderful prizes to give away or anything like that.

I would like to welcome the newest reader of this blog. WELCOME! Glad to have you along for the deranged mutterings of a 55-year old guy who hangs around with middle and high school students all day. Actually, most of them are pretty nice kids. Even most of the ones that I wish to drag off to the swamps on a regular basis. I am still trying to figure out exactly what I was thinking when I decided to come here. The good news is that I think that it was probably a good idea. Mostly.

The middle-schoolers (I am tired of typoing junoir-high) were a real exercise in foolishness today. Mondays can be treacherous, and this one was no exception. If it came to a choice between rational behavior and idiocy, they pretty much chose the latter without fail. Even many of the good ones were sketchy, and the middle of the roaders were just nuts.

The site administrator is thinking about shifting the times for reading and writing to later in the day sometime. He is thinking of moving Yup'ik to the morning, as the kids seem to like it. We shall see.

High schoolers were pretty much better, and that seems to be getting pretty consistent with the freshmen. Of course, about half of that class has moved elsewhere now.

I must be moving on, as it is nearing 9:00 pm, and DishBitch has yet to make his appearance. LaundryBitch has already done his thing. Hope that all of you enjoy our 200th post here at No Roads...

Not Feelin' It This Morning...

I was looking forward to a short week, but I definitely got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. The title of the post tells it all...it is just not working for some reason today. I dread leaving the house. Things feel claustrophobic. It's weird how quickly my outlook can change in this job. I hope to make things better as the day goes on. I probably just need to focus on the minute-to-minute, rather than thinking about the day as a whole, or it will seem overwhelming.

Lazy Sunday

MMM, sleeping in...the melatonin does a nice job of regulating my sleep now, and that is a thing that I am happy about. There is not a whole lot of things to do today, as it is a short week, and I have material for lesson plans left over from last week. I have a quick meeting this afternoon, and I guess that will be it. The dishes could stand washing, but not much else is pressing.

We have two and a half days this week. We will have a community dinner for Thanksgiving on Wednesday, and I plan on helping serve. Maybe I will get some pictures from that for a post.

Aw, Shucks...

There was a christening tonight at the church. It was a nice ceremony. One of the women who works at the school as an aide brought her new baby in for baptism. There was a nice little crowd there, and everyone was in a pretty smiley mood. Lots of hugs and pats and oohs and aahs. Lots of little kids, which means future students. They all look so cute and innocent when they're young. What changes??

I don't go to church too much for the liturgy or the philosophy. I mostly go for the warm fuzzy feeling that I get from Father Vasily's warm greeting, or Father Victor encouraging Chelsea to move forward so she could see better. It is the feeling of invitation and inclusion. There is no reason that these folks have to be nice to me (well, that may not be entirely true...). The fact is, though, that they are. And I appreciate it trememdously. It is what has kept me here all of the many times that I wanted to quit. It is what keeps me here. It is what makes me love this place, despite all its problems, despite all its isolation. It is the warmth of the people who have accepted me into this community.

Going Rouge?

Yes. I know. It is on purpose. No, it's not all that subtle. No, I don't care. Those of you who know and at least like me know that wiseass is what I like to do best. Whether I do it well or not is neither my decision to make nor my concern. The top picture is the shiny beast that takes us Betheling, in the parlance of one of my favorite co-workers' daughter. As for the bottom, well, the less said about that, the better. I did want to show that I have not lost my eye for coordinating my wardrobe. I was also looking for continuity with the tie-dye shot that I posted back in July.

We finished the big inservice today. It started with breakfast, cooked by our site administrator, who makes a reasonable omlette. Lots of yummy bacon, which did not bother my digestion for a change (a nice one-I love bacon). French toast. Coffee. MMMMM...a good way to start. We were reading and discussing a book on cognitive coaching. There were some really interesting subjects in the book and we had some pretty interesting conversations about it. The time went by pretty quickly.

After we got out at noon, we knocked together a quick shopping list and headed up the river to Bethel. Groceries first, and then off to a restaruant called V.I.P. for some sushi, tempura, and teriaki. It also has a fair number of Korean dishes, which makes sense, the place being owned by Koreans and all. Please do not ask me to explain the two main expatriate groups in BET (airport designation), the Ukranians, and the Koreans, and how they happened to wander down a river in Western Alaska and stay. I do not know. I do know that you can get pretty good oriental food here. After lunch/dinner and some football highlight watching, we went back down the river towards the setting sun, which illuminated the mountains off to the south beautifully. The skies have been insanely clear and sunny during the cold spell of the past several days. The sky has been beautiful, both during the day and the night. Sunrise is now at 10:05 am, and sunset is at 4:57. Just under seven hours of daylight. We have about a month left until the winter solstice.

Church is on tap for tonight, and I plan on spending some time at the school tomorrow, to do a little lesson planning, and do a quick meeting with our site administrator. It would have been fun to stay up in Bethel, as three of my students are wrestling for the district championship in their weight class. However, there is a blizzard warning up for later tonight, and wandering down a mile-wide, unlit river in a blizzard just seems like a crappy idea. I hope that the boys win. One of them is my buddy Joe's son.

I don't have to do a lot of lesson planning, because this is a very short week, with Thanksgiving coming up. Given the way things seem to be turning out, I feel as if I may have a lot to be thankful for...

A Bit Nippy Out There...

The temperature has been hovering at a remarkably consistent -14 for about 24 hours now, with an equally consistent windchill factor of -36. The windchill factor is often a number that is regarded with much suspicion back in the States. I believe that is due to the pernicious influence of television weathermen, who pump it up for no good reason most of the time. Out here, especially when it is in this range, it describes the speed at which your skin will freeze, resulting in frostbite. At -36, it is much quicker.


We are in the second of two professional development days. This one will be over at noon, because we went last night until 6:30. We get breakfast in the bargain, so it seems resonable to me in the balance. We are going to discuss peer coaching, which sounds like a reasonable concept.

After that, it will be time for the first snow-go run to Bethel, which will likely be chilly at these temps. There is a blizzard watch for later tonight, so it probably would behoove those of us that are going to get it done...

I Shall Be Observed...

(To the tune of "I Shall Be Released.") Betty is here, so I get to get watched some more. It was kind of a really sketchy and mixed day. Kids were together in the morning and really screwy in the afternoon. One of our special needs kids, who is becoming big and scary strong, broke the window in his room today. The room is right next to the junior high room. Of course, everyone of those chuckleheads immediately wanted to go see the fun. They had break, and didn't want to go back to their classroom, but rather, to head in the same direction that this kid had gone. Christ. I suppose if he had killed one or two of them...I actually do like a couple of the little gremlins, so I probably would have been sad. On the other hand, there are a couple of them...



I got to see and talk with Alex Chaney outside on the boardwalk. He is one of the 2008 senior class that stayed at my house in Cadillac. Life seems to be going well for him. He wanted to know how I was enjoying the cold weather. I asked him what cold weather he was talking about. He didn't know that it gets this cold back in Cadillac. I have had some interesting conversations while taking the dogs out the last couple of days. Last night, I ran into Father Victor on the boardwalk. We chatted for a few minutes in the -7 cold.

It hasn't been much above zero for the past several days. I just checked the weather on kusko.net, for any of you out there who like to check out that kind of thing from time to time. It is currently -4, which is actually warmer than it has been, but the wind has picked up, and the wind chill is -22. The forecast suggests that it may actually warm up slightly in the next few days.

Time to finish the SIOP book-I got reviewed again today. Everyone is laughing because I have been getting followed around so much lately. It goes with the job, as far as I can tell...time to relax and eat dinner-tomorrow is the long day's journey into PD...

In Bed

It was a decent day. We had several speakers in to talk to the students about drug and alcohol abuse. I hope that some of them listened. It is sad to think that some of them will not, and will find out about addiction and alcoholism personally. It is a terrible problem out here, and I wish that I had something intelligent and philosophical to say about it.

We have long inservice this weekend. The district can require one Saturday per month, and they are doing it. We will go until 6:30 on Friday night, and half a day on Saturday. Next week is short because of Thanksgiving. We have a luncheon for staff and students on
Wednesday.

I met with our SIOP coach today, so that she could observe my class. That is three in eight days. My mentor is coming tomorrow. That will make it four in nine days. I feel very observed. Kind of like the apes at the zoo. Not really. It's ok-I think that I am recovering my sanity. As I trudged across the frozen wastes to my warm little teacher house, I thought, "I could really get to like it here."

Holy Cow, It's Been a Whole Day Since I Posted!

Yeah, I have been negligent today...shame on me. I am suffering through a video of me teaching. Actually, it went pretty well, and my evaluation was pretty good. Now, I have to review the video to find material that I can submit to the state in support of my permanent certification to teach here. We have multiple submissions to make over the course of this year and next. The AKT2 people have kind of been relaxed about it, because of the burdens of new teachers, but they are beginning to push a little bit. I'll work on the first half of the year between now and Christmas. Woody had a pretty cool gizmo for shooting video that has a self contained USB attachnment and can plug directly into a computer. I have to check it out.

I am leading the wild bachelor life, which is to say, boring. I need to get some more jammies, and call it good for the night. The 11 pm temperature has risen to -9. Things are looking up all over. Staff meeting in the morning.

Because We're Professionals, Dammit...

I'm not sure what was really going on entirely, but we slogged through somehow. I thought that it actually went rather well under the circumstances. What it looks like in the long run, I cannot say, but we all survived. Of course, there was an annoying e-mail with a list of criticisms out in the afternoon, and I decided to respond directly and in person to them. Enough of this nonsense already.

The rest of the day was good, if spotty at time, and Woody and I got to have a nice visit. He had some helpful suggestions, and I was actually ready to listen. I wish we had this kind of chance more often. He demonstrates the essence of constructive criticism. He is positive, and communicates enthusiasm along with suggestions to make my teaching better. I genuinely like him, and realized how much I missed seeing him since back in Anchorage. I am glad that he will be here tomorrow.

It appears that my 3d and 4th hour classes will be pretty much washed out tomorrow because of the diabetes ladies and a chat about drugs and alchohol with the junior and senior high kids. Something different for a different day...

Here Goes Nothin'...

Details to follow later in the day...

Guess What I Did Tonight...

Yep, time for maqiq...Joe is back from Anchorage. He seemed refreshed, and he was beginning to plan for girls' basketball, which he has coached in the past. It was a pretty low-keyed steam for me-I wasn't much in the mood to prove anything, so I just took it easy. There was a small, but pleasant group there, and I am looking forward to more now that my buddy is back.

This is the last long week before Thanksgiving, and all of a sudden the year 2009 seems to be running away in a hurry. This will be a memorable one to sum up once New Year's Eve comes...
Many big changes, and many more likely in the new year.

The snowmachine came sputtering down the ramp at the BIA building, so we are motorized once again. We still hoof it around the village, but now Bethel, and all the pleasures of "city" life are relatively easily available. Who knows, maybe I can even scheme out a trip up for football watching and beer. MMMMM...

Time for melatonin and nighty-night. Wish me luck with this new thing tomorrow. It won't go perfectly, but I hope that the bumps are not too severe.

Woody's Here!

OK, so I was kind of dreading this, mostly because I am in a funk over this silly English class crap, and its inception. I am getting phone calls at home on Sunday and I am being told that I need to take this to the union over that and the proposed training session for next Saturday. I just wish that it would go away, but it won't. I could try to just avoid the whole thing, like my co-teacher, but she has tenure and I don't. Blecch.

But, on a lighter note, Woody's here! I was actually glad to see him when he got off of the plane. We got to talk and hang out, and eat some lasagna, and brownies, and all kinds of good stuff. He is going to get spoiled, and then he will get sad, because the home cooking thing is going to come to a screeching halt when the gf heads to Bethel Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday night, he gets frozen pizza...

Well, it's off to a new week full of idiocy and adventure. Stay tuned-it may be a bumpy ride. I'll write with all of the horrors...

Sunday Morning, At a Crawl...

I wonder if Kristofferson could do something with that...it does scan with the original lines...no ambition today. Still in PJs at almost one o clock. The dishes are nearly done, and that's a subject that needed addressing. Now for personal hygiene, the last lesson plan, a poster, and Woody at the airport. Woody is the project manager for my certification program, and he will apparently be here through Wednesday. Then I get my mentor Thursday night. Everyone is coming here to make sure that I don't get lonely...

I might just as soon do without, but I guess that's not an option.

I am not sure that I want Woody in the junior high first thing in the morning. They are easily distractable, especially for a novel audience. We are implementing this new reading scheme that has been mandated, and I frankly expect a level of chaos. I hope that I am wrong, but I expect many headaches this week during first and second hours. Woody's presence, however well- meaning, may well serve to accelerate that process. They already go nuts when the principal comes in. I suspect that my wishes on the subject may go unheeded.

I was doing the instant messaging thing on Facebook with one of my pals from Michigan who is temporarily exiled to Texas. She suggested going into practice together, although she likes hanging out with her kids right now. The idea has some possible appeal, but it may take a while to get there. Think I'll stick to teaching school for now...

It's Late and I'm Tired...

I got home from school at 10:00, just as the curfew sirens were going off. It was kind of a long day, but I got a fair amount of stuff done, including most of my lesson planning. I need to put some final touches on Ak Studies, mostly because the lesson is kind of big and complex. I don't really quite know how to write up junior high, because it is so weird and crazy. We are implementing the new changes ordered from on high, which include me working with the two most difficult groups in the classroom, and somwhow getting two other groups to work independently. It sounds a little unrealistic to me, but I am a professional, and I did previously make a living cleaning up after other people's shitty ideas. This should be right up my alley...

Even though I am tired and have to keep correcting my typing errors, I don't really want to go to sleep just yet. Maybe some melatonin will do the trick.

Tomorrow is another day...

Damn, It's Getting Cold...

Just came back from working at school-the temperature has dropped significantly, and the wind has picked up. The clouds have cleared off, too, and the forecast for tonight suggests windchill readings of -20. Brrrrr...I had the dogs out for a while, and was wishing fervently for long underwear. I suspect that it will be a required item tomorrow. I will be returning to the school later on to get more work done.

There is loose talk about a snowmachine trip to Bethel tomorrow, or maybe next week. I am getting chilled just thinking about it. I do have the bundle-up stuff and the helmet as a windbreaker, so I guess it will be ok ultimately. Still, that is one cold ride-I have made it before...

The idea we have tonight is to get all school work done and have tomorrow to do other things. It may be a long evening...

What More Can I Say?

How much do I love Fridays? No telling, there's just no telling. No way to do it real justice. It really is the best night of the week. By Saturday, reality has set back in, and there is almost always work to be done. I have a long list that insures that I will be working most of the weekend. Saturday night is church time. Sunday, of course, is lesson planning time, because ya know that those masterpieces have to be submitted by Monday morning. I heard about the teachers who got called out for not having theirs in on time. One of them was the principal's wife. And much hilarity ensued...

Just got off the "phone" with folks back home. It's always nice to hear from them-I like it quite a bit. I also have to make sure that I give a call to mom and dad this weekend. It's due.

Rumor (well-placed) has it that the river is now open, which means that snowmachines will be coming out in earnest this weekend. The road to Napaskiak is now open...I even modeled my new helmet tonight for some excited Skype viewers.

Much wonderment...I got the new Kindle this evening, and I'm all excited. Fun reading for the flight back home at Christmas time, which is rapidly approaching...how cool is that? Suffice to say that I am VERY appreciative...muchas smoooches to all of my girlfriends-BTW, my self-styled "gangsta" student saw some of the old pictures on this blog and decided that I was a "playa" with the ladies...now THAT'S funny...

Coming Down The Stretch...

The Thursday of another quickly moving week...tomorrow is my favorite day. A half day w/the students, and then PD in the afternoon, followed by Friday night, the best night of the week...it is funny to see how my point of view has changed with the dynamics of this job. Even though I find PD sessions sort of overly earnest and silly sometimes, they do involve snacks, and I have mentioned several times how much I enjoy the company of my co-workers.

My challenge in any given day is to get through the first five periods of the day in some sort of neutral mood. Depending on the general mood in the junior high, that can be a significant hurdle. However, the boss seems to think that they are beginning to improve, based on his samplings, which may well be more objective than my perception, as I am perhaps too close to them on a minute-to-minute basis.

I suspect that I will spend a minute or two this weekend trying to figure out exactly what it is that we are doing with this "new look" reading project that is to start on Monday. It will feature groupings and different aspects of reading programs that are someone's pet idea. Maybe it will work. I have no idea.

My AKT2 guy is coming out Sunday afternoon, which means that my lesson planning time will get cut into. I get lots of visitors next week...

Well, I Guess It Ain't Hawaii, After All...

The balmy weather turned out to be short-lived. The temperature dropped sharply overnight, and everything froze. To make it more fun, the wind has been blowing hard all day, with gusts of over 40 mph. I hear that it's even worse down closer to the Bering Sea coast, which is not actually all that far away. Of course, this should freeze the river up nicely, which means that soon, it will be time to get the snowmachine out and go up the river to Bethel, for something like civilization. There is supposed to be an excellent Saturday market there on Thanksgiving weekend, which is approaching quickly. Probably time to do some xmas shopping. I would like some nice fur mittens myself. Because it gets FUCKING COLD up here-that's why. Enough of that.

I got my review today. It is the first formal one required by the district. I'm off the hook for a while now, although my SA is pretty much a stickler and wants things done a certain way. I guess it's up to him, at least to some extent. He feels that I have made a good deal of progress since the beginning of the year. Some areas still need improvement, but overall, it went well.

Tonight, I relax. Tomorrow, I go back to trying to get better at this stuff. We'll see how it goes.

Heat Wave Strikes Y-K Delta; Hell To Freeze Over...

It continues to be strangely warm here, after all of the cold temps of the past couple of weeks. It actually rained again today. Some of the local (!) fellas say this will actually be a good thing for river freeze-up, as it will help to melt the snow on top of the ice, thus removing the insulating layer at such time as it does get cold again. AND IT WILL GET COLD AGAIN.

Nothing else especially interesting to report. Jr high was their usual charming selves...had to get one girl's father to take her out of the classroom at the principal's request because she refused to do what he had requested. The weird thing about this girl is that she comes from one of the steadiest families here in the village. I find her to be consistently impossible. She is actually much harder to deal with than many of the kids that come from tougher circumstances.

Got my formal observation today. I'll get the post-mortem tomorrow. If I still have a job, I'll post. If I don't, I'll post. Whichever way it goes, I'll post...