Announcing Our New Arrival

She arrived to us on Easter Sunday, measuring 22 feet long, and weighing about 4500 lbs. Her name is the "Cajun Queen" and we think she's adjusting just fine to her first day of life in Sitka.

We are proud to introduce our Sea Sport boat! She came on a journey from Wasilla and has been meticulously maintained by the previous owner. "Mom and Dad" are figuring out how to care for her, including a very soon oil pump and new GPS installation. We feel the responsibility of boat owners, but also anticipate the bliss of ocean-going adventures, plenty of camping in the cuddy, and the take of many fish.

Ahoy!

Dem Birds

Morning perch, seen through bathroom window

Spring awakenings and life has us swept us into a state of renewal, as hosted by Southeast AK. One area of life, or wildlife, to showcase is the abundant activity of our winged friends overhead, playing in the sky and feeding on fishies returning to these waters. Eagles, ravens and seagulls choke the trees, beaches, roofs or play in the breeze taunting us with their liberation.

It seems most Southeasterners eyeball or even document by photo an image of 30 eagles holding court, their heads like suspended golf balls among branches. I was awfully excited to spot a single bald eagle through the bathroom window one morning, or the one we happened upon while walking about. What simple amateurs we were, until we too came to expect them flying around our house with regularity and in high number.

The seagulls are great in volume and bulk as they swirl over water and coastline. I thought I was quite original one day to declare Sitka should have a Bird Poop threat level, but then I heard the common joke that it's the time of year to wear a hat for insurance!

So in honor of God's creatures who share our town and threaten us with their over head droppings this time of year, here are some pictures in the spirit of "Finding Nemo" and "mine! mine! mine!"

What has Amy spotted??

That's right, another eagle!

This video, taken a couple of weeks ago down by the harbor, clearly shows who's in control of this territory:

Like I said, watch your head!

*Amy

"What's the Rumor?"

Not much blogging activity which does not reflect a lack of activity in our lives! Quite the contrary. The biggest piece for me, as mentioned here before, is "Rumors" by Neil Simon! The play, a farce, is this weekend: Friday night, Saturday night and a Sunday matinee. I'm so excited and we're working hard every night.

I play Chris Gorman, a well-to-do half of a power couple (lawyers) who take the brunt of some major unknowns and mis-haps with their friend, the Deputy Mayor of New York. I swear, smoke a fake cigarette and drink fake adult beverages (along with everyone else). It's quite the production in the revivial of Community Theatre in Sitka. The Performing Arts Center we are staging the production in is GLORIOUS. I feel like a sham professional in a space worthy of a big city (we have flat screen monitors backstage and in all the dressing rooms to see what's happening onstage!). Obviously a follow-up post with photos is in order.

Did I mention it's set in 1988 and I have shoulder pads in a pantsuit worthy of a football player? I'm experimenting with my hairstyle today. Been channeling inspiration from "Dynasty," "Designing Women," and especially Judith Light in "Who's the Boss?"

"Slower, go slower, talk like we're children." (Chris)

Let the show go on!

Much Needed Relaxin

The Cable House, downtown, is a historical building hosting

KCAW Public Radio upstairs and the yummy Larkspur Cafe downstairs.

I picked up a part-time job that I trained for and have done 4 days a week for these past 4 weeks. Who could imagine enjoying a 5:30-9am shift so much? Well, I totally did as the time was spent in the local radio station anchoring and hosting the Morning Edition news shift. It's on a substitute only basis for when one of the two Newsies is out. It was an exciting time to join the Raven News team as one morning we were on tsunami alert (that qualifies as a big radio event!), completely switched on-air studios once a complete renovation finished (what a privilege to be one of the first people to ever work a new board!), conducted live interviews with Alaska's Writer Laureate, talked about the State of Sitka's Economy, questioned high school students, and more. Technology failed and technology worked. I had a fairly comprehensive training under many different scenarios. That's radio--never a dull moment. Once I forgot to read the sunrise/sunset schedule even though I had it written down right in front me. The phone then rang and a "hit-n-run" call mentioned the slip. I was asked by callers to pronounce Sitka as Sit-kuh, not Sicka (as many Midwesterners do, I'm told). I also felt pretty good that I picked up training rather quickly in general. I was given much support. Radio: always fresh and changing, and part our daily life. I felt like I began chipping away at 2.5 years of radio/interview rust build up. Loved it--even the early hours.

It helped that Andy and I had to wake at 4:30am together! Yes, he'd get ready for Physical Training with the Academy recruits and I'd drive downtown to KCAW. While driving past the Academy I sometimes caught him and the guys running in the dark. Or, the whole crew would be indistinguishable standing in the front parking lot warming up. Again, this is at 5:20am! I never saw this part of his work day before, naturally because I'd be in bed.

And then I continued the rest of the day giving 8.5 hours to my regular job, and then 2 or 2+ hours in play rehearsal at night. Andy and I saw each other for lunch, dinner, and....well, that's it. But what fulfilling days!!

So these last 4 weeks pumped up our schedule load. It reminds me of a packed Costco cart. Pushed to the limit for loading bulk items, straining against the metal wires. It's full of groceries that will be needed or enjoyed for a long time to come. It takes some gas out of your checking account as you front load paying for all the goodness, but the pay out will continue beyond the shopping trip. Well, we've jam-packed our days with really positive stuffs, and it takes some gas out of our energy, but the involvement, good times and memories certainly pays out after that.

I think I'm going to give myself a pedicure tonight as a reward!
*Amy