Monday, January 21, 2008
Haging out in the Airport
First, I'd like to thank Anchorage Airport for providing free wi-fi. Anchorage is a great place to fly to for a lot of little reasons like this.
I'm heading back home after just over a week in Anchorage, Homer, Anchor Point, Nanwalek, and Alyeska (Girdwood). It was nice to drive out by the home I grew up in. It was nice to see Pat (my step Grandma) and my Mom. It was nice to do a little skiing. I only got to see a few people I grew up with because most people have run away to other cities, but it was nice to see them. It was a nice trip that was long overdue, and I'm glad I finally did it.
One question I wanted to answer was would it feel like coming home to come here. When I lived in Anchor Point I really belonged there. It was home in a way no other place has been home since. Since I left I've felt like a nomad. Kerrivlle, Locust Grove, Abilene, Austin. In those places I've made friends, I've gotten to know the restaurants and the hang outs. I've been in Austin for almost 7 years now, which is approaching the amount of time I lived in Anchor Point.
The answer is no, it felt like I was visiting a distant land that I was somehow strangely familiar with.
And unfortunately going back to Austin won't feel like home either, at least not the same way. It's where my family is, who I miss and will be happy to see. It's where my house is, my job of many years is, my roses are, and where you can get a good margarita at any restaurant. But Anchor Point was a part of who I was as a person. There wasn't a clear separation between the town and myself. I don't think another place will hold that kind of symbiotic bond for me again. And I don't think Anchor Point would if I went back there.
I guess this is part of growing up, and right now I feel old. Really old.
I'm heading back home after just over a week in Anchorage, Homer, Anchor Point, Nanwalek, and Alyeska (Girdwood). It was nice to drive out by the home I grew up in. It was nice to see Pat (my step Grandma) and my Mom. It was nice to do a little skiing. I only got to see a few people I grew up with because most people have run away to other cities, but it was nice to see them. It was a nice trip that was long overdue, and I'm glad I finally did it.
One question I wanted to answer was would it feel like coming home to come here. When I lived in Anchor Point I really belonged there. It was home in a way no other place has been home since. Since I left I've felt like a nomad. Kerrivlle, Locust Grove, Abilene, Austin. In those places I've made friends, I've gotten to know the restaurants and the hang outs. I've been in Austin for almost 7 years now, which is approaching the amount of time I lived in Anchor Point.
The answer is no, it felt like I was visiting a distant land that I was somehow strangely familiar with.
And unfortunately going back to Austin won't feel like home either, at least not the same way. It's where my family is, who I miss and will be happy to see. It's where my house is, my job of many years is, my roses are, and where you can get a good margarita at any restaurant. But Anchor Point was a part of who I was as a person. There wasn't a clear separation between the town and myself. I don't think another place will hold that kind of symbiotic bond for me again. And I don't think Anchor Point would if I went back there.
I guess this is part of growing up, and right now I feel old. Really old.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Me in 8th grade
I'm in the process of scanning and uploading every picture I have. It's a long painful process. But it's worth it times like this, when I get to see myself in 8th grade. See if you can guess which one is me?
Oh, and I'm going back to where this picture was taken for the first time in 13 years next week. Should be a good time.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Iowa Presidential Primaries
I watched the Iowa presidential primaries last night, even going so far as watching one of the precinct caucus' live. It took me one step towards restoring my faith in democracy and in the future.
For those who weren't watching Mike Huckabee took the Republican nomination for the state. Barak Obama took the democratic nomination. I'm a big John McCain fan myself, and he didn't win this one, so why am I so excited?
First, turnout was tremendous. On the democratic side it was double what it was before, on the Republican side it was 15% greater. It's great to see people getting involved in the process. Turning out and making a difference. The public has been so turned off with politics they have stopped voting, thinking their votes don't make a difference, that all the candidates are basically not worth voting for. Now some people are starting to believe in politicians again.
Huckabee, Obama, and McCain help fight this mass polarization that is happening in America. Liberal vs Conservative. Black vs White. Atheists vs Evangelicals. They try to approach things rationally and break from their party line where it makes sense. They try to reach out to people who don't agree with them and support policies that benefit those who will always vote for the other guy. It's really refreshing. I think if one of these three is elected it will go a long way towards healing our nation.
The fact that some of the divisive and generally less trustworthy candidates who were high in the polls didn't win is also a blessing. It's one thing to have a candidate you don't agree with on issues win, it's quite another to have a candidate whose very nature abhors you to win. I got to breathe a big sigh of relief last night.
I'd just like to close by linking to a well written article that I totally agree with. It's unfortunately NYTimes, which insists on trying to invade it's "free" users privacy, so you may want to visit bugmenot.com first.
The Two Earthquakes by David Brooks
For those who weren't watching Mike Huckabee took the Republican nomination for the state. Barak Obama took the democratic nomination. I'm a big John McCain fan myself, and he didn't win this one, so why am I so excited?
First, turnout was tremendous. On the democratic side it was double what it was before, on the Republican side it was 15% greater. It's great to see people getting involved in the process. Turning out and making a difference. The public has been so turned off with politics they have stopped voting, thinking their votes don't make a difference, that all the candidates are basically not worth voting for. Now some people are starting to believe in politicians again.
Huckabee, Obama, and McCain help fight this mass polarization that is happening in America. Liberal vs Conservative. Black vs White. Atheists vs Evangelicals. They try to approach things rationally and break from their party line where it makes sense. They try to reach out to people who don't agree with them and support policies that benefit those who will always vote for the other guy. It's really refreshing. I think if one of these three is elected it will go a long way towards healing our nation.
The fact that some of the divisive and generally less trustworthy candidates who were high in the polls didn't win is also a blessing. It's one thing to have a candidate you don't agree with on issues win, it's quite another to have a candidate whose very nature abhors you to win. I got to breathe a big sigh of relief last night.
I'd just like to close by linking to a well written article that I totally agree with. It's unfortunately NYTimes, which insists on trying to invade it's "free" users privacy, so you may want to visit bugmenot.com first.
The Two Earthquakes by David Brooks
