Sunday, March 29, 2009

What a Busy Week!

Let's see, since I blogged last I had EMT training on Thursday night - Dr. Baines gave a fantastic lecture on the Native American perspective to medicine and medical care - he is polishing the talk before presenting it to the Mayo Clinic; Friday after work I brought Jed for a walk down by the processor wreck and the firing range, then we played wii golf until midnight; Saturday after work was the Soup Off to benefit USAFV (Unalaskans Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence) - we took home a jacket, fleece pants, a shirt, a wonderful book and video from the silent auction, 4 free haircuts and 50 pounds of free air freight from door prizes, and a gourmet dinner for two and tour on the Tugboat Gyrfalcon from the live auction; and finally tonight after work we went to a very dear friend's birthday party, then I went to Book Club - whew!

I've been on edge for the past two weeks and I finally realized why.  I have a lot of empathy, and this has been a really tough end to the season between the storms and the volcano repeatedly blowing its top.  There are hundreds of people I have said "Thanks for your hard work this season and have a great vacation" to, and then had to see them stuck here day after day, unable to go home.  I have friends stuck in Anchorage (the airport is completely closed and thousands of passengers are backed up), and if the blizzards stop long enough and the flying weather improves, it seems like Mount Redoubt blows again.  I hope this week we can get everyone home safely, get the plant back to just one shift, and all my friends can get to where they need to be in a timely manner.  Cheers everyone!  The photo is eagles hanging out at the Small Boat Harbor last week. 

12 comments:

Gigi said...

I love that sight at the small boat harbor when I am driving home from work.

Wow, you got a lot of stuff at the Soup Off!! Sorry we had to miss it. We always bid on the Gyrfalcon dinner but have to drop out when it gets too pricey! I can't believe anyone ever says there's nothing to do in Unalaska...look what a busy week you had.

Here's hoping all your folks get home soon. I think tomorrow will be a better day for travel (unless the volcano decides to act up again).

mamawas said...

What a fun and productive silent auction for an awesome cause Steve!! Thanks to all community members for caring about family violence.
Donna

Suzassippi said...

Wow, even when you are playing, you are busy!

Bren said...

Thanks for the phone call this weekend. I am glad you are busy and surrounded by friends. Love and miss you.

Lori said...

And I too am hoping that this is better week for all to get home safe! The fundraiser sounded fun - 50 pounds of free air freight?

Elizabeth Douglas said...

Steve, you've been truly busy! It sounds like you made out like a bandit at the Soup Off and for a wonderful cause!!!! I'm glad you've had some good events to go with all the stressful things that have been going on lately.

I hope all settles down up Alaska ways soon! (I'm actually trying to book a trip to FAI today myself!)

Cookie Dough said...

Wow! Busy week...you guys put me to shame...I hope it stops snowing so flights will go today, so everyone can get to where they want to spend their time off!

Bloviating Zeppelin said...

The lack of commercial flights really does shut down a whole bunch of what happens there! On the other hand, things like that tend to make us appreciate what we have when we have it.

BZ

Carlisleboy said...

Planes are flying today!!
Thank GOD we can get some of the people that have been trapped at the hotel for 8 days out!!!

Bloviating Zeppelin said...

CB: why, were they starting to get on everyone's nerves?

BZ

Ann Graham said...

Steve, I absolutely love this photo. IS it okay if I use it as a model for a watercolor drawing. It will be for my own personal use, and not for commercial distribution. Thanks very much,
Ann Graham
Silver Spring MD

I've been following your blog since Alex Whitworth first introduced us through the Berrimilla blog.

Alaska Steve said...

Ann, no problem on any photo you ever see of mine on-line - thanks for asking though! Cheers, steve