How Green is Your Greed??

The USA is built upon the premise that the free-market, capitalistic system is best. Simply put, the idea is the acceptance that humans are greedy little buggers, and are most functional when they are working for their own individual well-being.
Fine, I understand that. Now along comes the "green" revolution. Which to me, as a wilderness junky, is an idea whose time has come. Of course, most folks aren't fundamentally too concerned of the paving of the world--(Old Navy vs. forest, Old Navy wins) But the idea that those pesky storms and droughts are something we have a hand in, has gotten some folks attention.
Yet, this brings about the biggest challenge, which I will call green vs. green. In other words, this nation understands our love of "green money", but how will they replace that with the love for a "greener" environment? Some may immediately argue--but why do these have to be mutually exclusive ideas? Well I'll tell you why: for every hippie bicycling to work, at least five more people are dreaming about their big trucks, big houses and new furniture sets.
The next outcry would be: well we have green building and hybrid automobiles! And I agree, beautiful choices--but how long until the masses buy into that notion? And even if they did, could you feasibly steer them towards real change? As in: owning only one hybrid car or building a smaller green house???
I just don't know how it's possible unless we somehow re-wire ourselves. So many folks experience what I call the "castle syndrome". We can't help but want to live in a big pseudo-castle, full of fine furnishings to prove that we have "made it". Chalk that up to so many of our ancestors envying the castles of our leaders, it's in our blood to want to be king.
Even scarier, is the developing world's economic progress. A great thing for human kind, but how will the "green movement" handle all these new consumers? They too want cars, air conditioning, bedroom sets, countless shoes--it's now their time to be king of the castle.
The only answer is a global societal shift in the definition of "status". Kudos to the celebrities who recognize this, by flaunting their new found passions for green houses & cars--but again, these aren't exactly small houses, and could very well be multiple houses...
Which too brings about the sad but obvious point--when the world's economy is based on us buying more stuff and consuming more oil, will a new system replace it based on sustainability????
Thus the battle rages on: green vs. green, thy swords are drawn.

That's Right--Guns Don't Kill People

Just a few days ago, here in Alaska, a young man went on a random shooting spree in Anchorage. He did take a quick catnap in the woods, but then awoke and proceeded to shoot a few more people. Then today, the news reports another young man in Omaha wasn't too happy with his life, so he thought he could at least become famous by assassinating some Christmas shoppers.
What these two young men had in common were that they were both disturbed & angry individuals. They no longer cared about their own lives, nor the lives of others. So on a whim, decided it was time to simply shoot a few folks down.
I'm sure plenty of nuts out there are screaming how you should "lock them up faster" or "death penalty " yada, yada.....
But my question is, how does the death penalty prevent the next upset & suicidal individual from taking out a few people?? And when it comes to incarceration, treatment centers, etc... who can really make a 100% accurate call as to someone's potential to be dangerous in the future?? Hitler thought he did--why he was simply going to eliminate anyone that even had a whiff of non-conformity to them.
So to make a long story short, unless we are going to set up concentration camps for the eccentric or angry (and then still miss the pissed off teen in some high school in Anytown) wouldn't it be easier to just ban assault weapons??
Let the police have their pistols and the hunters their rifles, but the rest of us---keep 'em away!

Which Kind of Mistake is Worse??

In the past 10 years we've had two United States presidents. Both have become notorious for their presidential mistakes. Each has their own snafu: Clinton the Monica debacle and Bush the Iraq war. Clinton obviously made a mistake in judgement to allow kinky pandering in the Oval office. Bush's mistake involved an overzealous and quick decision to go to war without having all the facts straight.
So as recent history has shown these are admittedly presidential mistakes. However, for Clinton's zippergate, he was served an impeachment trial. Bush is left to his own devices, maybe tortured by his own dream? For the life of me I can't figure out, how Clinton's mistake is worse than Bush's. Why aren't at least ceremonial impeachment hearings be held?? Isn't death, injury, destruction and PTSD a tiny bit worse than the possibility that some sort of presidential spooge hit the carpet???

Keeping Up With the Joneses--Alaskan style

I always love to comment on how many Americans are obsessed with the game of "Keeping Up With the Joneses". Or as it is also know: achieving some sort of perceived status through material gain...
One of the most interesting things about Alaskans is that most of them don't participate in that sort of lifestyle. Sure, new folks move to the state all the time and proceed to hide in color-coded gated communities, or lobby for more shopping malls. Yet outside of Anchorage, the majority of Alaskans still march around in dirty coveralls and drive beat-up pick up trucks. What makes it interesting, is that Alaskans have money, they just don't care about the status quo. If they did--I have devised a list of how to 'keep up with your Alaskan neighbors'...

1- Collect as many jalopies as possible, then arrange strategically throughout your property.
2- Build the perfect out-house and get it published in any of the outhouse books & calendars.
3- Go shopping in rubber boots- "xtra-tuffs"- it shows that you just may have been fishing.
4- Park a giant RV on your front-lawn, then use it only once a year.
5- Also obtain a large steel, shipping crate. Store yard sale finds within in.
6- Do not side your house--only leave the Tyvek showing, this proves that you are smarter than the tax assessor.
7- Obtain a horse or livestock to take care of the yard. Never be seen pushing a lawn mower.
8- Park the snowmachine in clear view, then everyone will know you are adventurous.
9- Always be seen in dirty work overalls. It shows that you are tougher than any professional.
10-Make sure your pick-up truck has large tires, is covered in mud & has at least one obscene bumper sticker.

Do you really want the right to bleed to death?

Living in Alaska, it is easy to fall into a quasi-libertarian mindset. I really enjoy living sans zoning and regulations. Not that we do anything radical at my place--no major farm animals or jalopies here. But there sure is something nice about knowing I could have them if the mood should strike me.
The sad thing is, I also know about all the pitfalls that come about when no one is watching over you. We live in a home built without building codes, which besides the frozen sewer vent pipe, hasn't posed a safety hazard. My neighbor, on the other hand, accidentally poisoned her family while cooking in a home with a gas stove that has no oven hood (vent)! That wasn't even a home-made cabin, but a decent house built by a 'reputable' Alaskan home builder.
Folks out here don't want to be regulated. For example there is a huge fight for the Borough to leave home property owners alone who want to build near certain river beds. However, these same rivers are currently eroding, so folks on the other end are screaming for the Borough to bail out there homes that are falling into the river!
It's pretty incredible stuff. I also know that the government spends a lot of money cleaning up after people and their "rights"--not to wear helmets, seat belts or the right to enjoy tons of other reckless behaviors. Taking care of oneself--they call it. But does that mean we leave the splattered motorcyclist on the road and allow the magpies to take care of it??? Having worked in the Alaskan disability field, I can tell you that tons of State & Federal Medicaid money go for self-inflicted disability care. It ranges from drunk and driving brain injuries, to ATV crash paraplegia to chronic obesity and lung cancer. All our rights gone wrong--and the tax dollars pay for it.
To me libertarianism is like socialism--a good idea in theory, but just doesn't work in reality.

I Want to Buy a Wolf

No, I don't necessarily want a pet wolf at this moment. There are still places where these can be obtained in Alaska--but the dominance wrestling and mind games one needs to play with this "pet" would just take too much time.
What I want instead is to ensure that an adopted wolf of mine could live in the wild, free from aerial hunting, trapping or other human barbarianism. I would feel blessed simply to watch this wild wolf that only needed to worry about natural disasters or disease, not people.
But I can't. There is no amount a money I can earn that would pay for such a privilege. The most I could do is but a nature preserve for my wolf, but even this would be like a zoo--because without a fence, he/she would still be in danger. And a fenced in wolf can't roam or mate. There is nothing great about that.
This is my peeve--why do sport hunters feel they "earn the right" with their money to shoot a prized grizzly or wolf. But I can never "earn" the right to protect it? These are not species that anyone eats, it is purely a trophy.
Why does money buy you anything, but it can't buy an animal it's right to live in the wild and die of natural causes. They say our natural resources belong to the public, but the killers right trumps the viewers rights.

So Why the Yeti???

I feel the time has come to justify (at least to myself) why I chose the address of this blog to be "the Yeti speaks". I hope I have not accidentally implied that I am in some form a Yeti expert. However, I do hold this creature in high regard. Not knowing much about the reclusive Yeti I assume that he actually might have many thoughts in common with a cranky lady living in Alaska. I'm sure the Yeti is pro a simpler life, better environment, but might perhaps enjoy a fine glass of wine with his/her cheese. As a loner living in the far North it would not be presumptuous to assume that this creature is also subject to bouts of irritability and general misunderstanding.

Zoning Zealots and Land Use

First of all, I am most certainly a libertarian at heart. However, as much as I love my unzoned land parcel I can sense that the times, they are a changing. As more folks move into our part of Alaska, more homes get built. As the boring subdivisions pop up, so do the propositions to zone for commercial vs. residential land use. Of course all the old timer Constitutionalists start kicking and screaming whenever they hear the word zoning.
Somehow "Zoning" is the dirtiest word known to Alaskans (actually Environmentalist and Vegetarian are pretty mush cuss words as well) Zoning invokes fears that "snobs" are trying to keep the good old boys from waving their blue tarps of solidarity or keeping a small junk yard on private property. Even more fearsome is that the pro-zoning zealots will stop the right to host a small business on private land.
Unfortunately, the anti-zoning folks live only for today, and don't see the bigger picture--the Greedy will come and they will build--not small mom and pop shops, but strip malls, warehouses and gas stations...And they might say--"but that's good-- more jobs.." but alas, do these country folks recognize that their quiet life will become a congested mess of autos, highways, apartment buildings , etc?? Say goodbye to your slow, peaceful life. Goodbye to your yard chickens and burn barrels.....
I am not a realty expert, but having lived on the East Coast, I am a congestion expert. So I know one thing--if you don't start labeling land (or zoning it) soon, only time separates peace and quiet from an industrial nightmare.

The Unspeakable Ways to Save the Planet

Yada yada finally president Bush has conceded that his cronies couldn't keep the truth about Global Warming under wraps any more. Even the Bush dynasty is now proclaiming half-assed ways to help the planet.
I admit, I haven't listened to his drivel or suggestions yet-but I can assume it's going to be more of the same --destroy forests to plant more corn for ethanol, or buy those mercury filled light bulbs....
Nobody as of yet has come forth with the radical ultimatum to all Americans: "Your homes are too big! You drive too much! Why do you engage in 'fast fashion'? stop shopping!"
I am still waiting when the economically suicidal movement of consuming less will bloom.

How about building up mass transit, so the obsession of owning the three car garage will end??
And why are we slaves to dumb looking fashions, plastic toys and endless kitchen gadgets?
Obviously there is no easy resolution to the economic collapse that would happen when we start consuming less. But I ask why isn't there? Why can't Americans be convinced to pay more for a smaller home built with local materials? Or stop watching the TV, and start growing your own food!
I get especially peeved when I see good, solid wood furniture at the Salvation Army--but any American would rather pay triple for a piece of particle board crap, then throw it out when it breaks. Why can't we just fix good furniture, appliances, shoes? Why did everyone buy the myth that it is a matter of status to throw things out instead of fixing them??
These are my unpopular suggestions to really help the planet.

Does the Third World even exist?

Whenever I hear about American consumers demand for cheap goods like $15.00 dollar jeans or plastic junk I beg to ask the question--why doesn't anyone realize why everything is so cheap? And I certainly have the right to say stuff is cheap--especially if you compare prices of consumer goods from 3o years ago.
Of course there are plenty of hard working American folks who really don't have the luxury to question their purchases--but my anger is at those who can. I have heard a few people actually buy the Wal-Mart lie that "they cut out the overhead and buy in bulk". Whatever. As if those executives don't get rich & fat on someone else's toil like any other company. Meanwhile, what cheap prices really mean is: producing in countries that have no environmental regulation, safety hazards are ignored and products are manufactured in sweat shops. Why can't an American consumer understand why stuff isn't Made in USA anymore? Simply because our standards--put in place to protect health & safety cost too much money!! It's as if these consumers are living in disbelief: "as long as I know nothing about China or Indonesia" maybe they are just fantasy places where everyone lives well."
This suspension of third world reality extends to our corporations exporting our evils to these same countries. Cigarettes are the obvious example, but lately there is a surge in obesity in poorer countries as well! Thanks to the American influence of cheap vegetable oils, refined sugars and mimicking our habits like watching too much television!!
Well if we don't notice sweat shop conditions, at least it's nice to know that McDonalds cares enough to bring double cheeseburgers to the rest of the world.

Wilderness--is it for the Birds??

Many folks in Alaska hate anything that has to do with protecting wilderness areas. They simply believe that land "locked up" as protected wilderness wastes opportunities for economic growth and development. Today, I heard a comment by an Alaskan that wilderness advocates and environmentally minded folks simply care "more about birds than people".
What I find interesting about this comment is that environmentalists, greenies, bunny-huggers--whatever you may call them are PEOPLE after all. So, if people are the ones passionately fighting for the wilderness, doesn't that easily make environmentalism a people issue??
It's ridiculous to believe that Alaskans will simply fall over and starve to death if their land is not developed. But what they really want is the opportunity to build bigger houses, drive more ATV's--to feed their wants and desires. Yet the poor environmentalist and his need to feed his soul with the wilderness is mocked. If one can not come to Alaska in order to live & experience the wilderness--what else is left for them ???

The Big House Can't Be Green

I am getting pretty sick of all the news programs and magazines listing their little "become more green" tips all the time. Those tiny tidbits of feel good eco-nonsense, like replace your light bulbs, turn down the heat, combine errands....yadda, yadda. Sure those ideas are better than "screw it, I'm entitled to idle my hummer all day long". But the big lie is simply that the media is afraid to actually say "it".
What is "it", you ask?
The economy, stupid. We still haven't figured out how to live in the United States without growing the economy. Currently, growing the economy always means: purchasing more and developing more. Just listen to the financial reports talk about the market for new homes as an indicator of economic well-being. And these "new homes" aren't exactly solar powered yurts. They are good-ole American McMansions. Built with toxic particle board, and requiring a small power plant just to keep all the square footage heated, cooled and lit. Not to mention the forest of trees required to furnish the monster.
Nobody tells you: stop purchasing new furniture, shoes, cars and houses- which all require raw materials, chemical emissions and electricity to produce.....no, they keep focusing on those stupid light bulbs!

How to Spot a Tourist in Alaska

Tourist season is upon us once again in Alaska. I honestly have nothing against tourists, but find it funny that they have no idea how much they stick out in Alaska.

Tourist clues:
1- Wearing warm coats in 60 degree weather. (Alaskans know that's shorts weather!)

2- Fancy outdoor gear including never before worn hiking boots. Many out-of-townees seem to think you need rugged gear to stroll the mall in Anchorage....

3- Constantly calling friends in the lower 48 on their cell phones at 10:00pm, simply to say "I can't believe it's still light out!"

4- Wearing perfume while hiking. Wow! some folks just don't get what makes the mosquitoes tick...

5- Unrealistic fishing expectations & throwing a line into the wrong waters. Hey-as new comers we were guilty of this one too. Alaska has great fishing--but most folks sit at fishing holes for hours (if not days) just to catch "the big one".

6- Wearing hats & T-shirts that say only "Alaska" on them. Actual Alaskans love the word Alaska too--but it must be in a broader context: as in "Alaska Arctic fence post repair" or "Alaska girls kick ass"....

7- Inability to comprehend the beauty of duct tape.

8- Lastly, tourists don't believe the Moose poop earrings are made of real moose poop!! Yes, they are and no, it's not gross>>>.

Breaking Free From the Fashion Police

It isn't hard to observe that most Alaskan women have absolutely no regard for fashion or fancy preening and pruning. At first it may strike some as odd or even a bit too rustic--but from the women's perspective it is a joyful liberation from the fashion police.
Once a woman has moved to Alaska, it only takes a few years to give up on fashion and easily swim in the waters of comfort instead. It becomes the dirty little secret of ladies whose family & friends still reside in the "lower 48". These new Alaskan women snicker how those on the "outside" obsess and wonder how someone can "let themselves go". But alas--they don't know how liberating it feels to drink from the fountain of freedom from expectations.
It's not like giving up on fashion and heavy make-up means Alaskan women look bad. There certainly are quite a few that should look in the mirror more often. But in my opinion, the worst cases simply need to get into shape or find a laundromat.
It is certainly a much bigger crime that so many "urban" women spend so much money & time on clothes, shoes and make-overs. It is the most ridiculous and frivolous waste of time imaginable. And in the long run-an incredible stressor.
Just ask any "Alaska girl" about the relief of breaking free...

Work versus Effort?

The individual works hardest for himself. That is the fundamental theory behind capitalism. I have to agree, that by observing failed political systems, the individual cog is a substantial element for success.
The problem is the equality of pay versus effort. Now this one really bugs me. There is no way that pay equals effort, not in this country and especially not globally. For example--I would say a slaughter house employee, farmer or a burger flipper puts forth way more effort than say an accountant or quality control tester. Some would argue that you are paying for "brain-power". I don't buy it. Once you learn your job, most white color workers will complain their work is mind numbing.
Of course income reflects higher education. But the dirty little secret of higher education is that effort maybe plays about 25% of a role. The rest is luck & brains. We are not born with the same brains folks, nor are we all born to parents wealthy enough or smart enough themselves to push us through higher education.
I don't really have an answer at this point in time, just sharing a frustration.....Because quite a few folks in this country feel a sense of entitlement because they "worked for it", and I'm saying--get a reality check.

That's Why You Are So Busy

A few blogs back I had puzzled over the two types of people I meet--the "Chronically bored" and the " Overscheduled/Overworked". I have decided that the overscheduled category may not be as common as I previously thought, especially as the latest figures regarding Television viewership put Americans at 4.5 hours per day!!
I trust those figures to be accurate, and that can only mean one thing--Americans are busy, busy, busy: rushing to get home to their big screen TV's!!! Too busy to shop small markets, cook home cooked meals, plant a garden or put down that cellphone. Because heaven for bid, they might just miss the next episode of Deal or No Deal...

School Spirit in Alaska

One of the most frustrating things about the Alaskan status quo is the disregard for education. Simply put, quite a few good paying jobs here require little if any education. Most Alaskans can afford pretty nice lifestyles by picking up a trade, craft or working in the oil fields. Into this mix throw a healthy dose of illiterate rednecks and you have the perfect formula to mock the educated or any establishment fostering education.
This attitude rears its ugly head every election season. Alaskan voters hate to see their property taxes rise--especially if the money goes to something silly like the school system. Needless to say, many kids attend classes in temporary trailers, programs are cut and I even heard talk of eliminating kindergarten!
Of course when parents don't care about schools, neither do the kids. You could point to something ordinary like drop out rates, but here the problem includes a propensity for vandalism.

I have never lived in a place where children habitually set fire to their schools and school playgrounds. The playgrounds are an especially weird crime--who hates playgrounds? But needless to say, every summer playgrounds and schools all across Alaska are set ablaze. The school system encourages campers to camp in school parking lots to eliminate the carnage, but needless to say--it still happens.

Bugs, Bugs, and More Bugs

Let me be the first to admit the stereotype about Alaska being full of mosquitoes is pretty much true. Not everywhere mind you- the average tourist will barely meet a mosquito in any big Alaskan town. They are pretty rare along the beaches as well--especially if it is windy.
But, if you happen to be in the woods on a cloudy day in June---watch out!!
The tundra and interior also have the same mosquito swarms that follow you or any hapless animal around. Poking, proding and buzzing until they each have made an attempt to sting you in the ear, lip or get through those jeans!
It is actually pretty incredible, especially because I have seen every bug repellent imaginable used against these "swarms" and nothing can stomp out their motivation. Here at my homestead, I too get to experience mosquito swarms in June. We actually have a "mosquito magnet" and a bat house--to attract bug eating bats. Well the mosquito magnet just can't keep up. A list of other things I have tried to spray on my porch or body or dogs includes: vanilla, eucalyptus, citronella (I swear they love the stuff), every "natural" repellent sold in the store, listerine and catnip. Nothing really works. Even regular Deet repellents are a joke to the mad swarms, but I heard the military uses 100% deet.
All one can really do, is wrap themselves in bug netting and wait for August. But I guess all these mosquitoes do help feed our salmon though.....

Cabin Code

The Old Timers in Alaska will tell you there's an old "cabin code" out here. The code was a simple rule- that you never lock your cabin in case a wondering or lost soul needed to seek shelter there.
Unfortunately those days are coming to a close. I hear folks complain that cabins are now being vandalized instead. And it isn't hard to believe, considering how many wilderness areas I have hiked to, only to be met by relics of the previous weekends party: broken glass, shot gun shells and huge ruts where 4x4 action had taken place.
I'm trying to sort out in my own brain the reasons behind this kind of vandalism. Of course there is an adrenaline rush with the shooting, the drinking, the 4x4 riding. But the perplexing question is: why are there no thoughts of how one's behavior affects others?
Has our "right to party" really become the right to destroy others property? Or destroy the environment?
I can't help but feel that a society that encourages individual achievement above community fosters this type of thinking.

Can't Shake the Lawn Monkey off my Back

One of my most outspoken gripes against suburbia has always been the homogeneous, green lawns in front of all the homes. The street of my childhood was the worst offender. The keeping up with the Jones' lawn game was played at such a high level that it morphed into a mind-numbing traffic jam of landscapers and yard workers.
The strange, green glow emitted from these perfect lawns symbolized all that I found wrong with suburbia: intolerance of differences, boredom and egos based on financial status. I fantasized of burning obscenities in our front lawn grass just to scandalize the neighborhood.

Now, so many years later I sit on my acreage in Alaska, looking at my pseudo-lawn. At first I was so proud of how easily I could accept this field of dandelions, chick-weed, crab grass, dog burn spots and baby cottonwoods. I thought I was above the Suburban status quo!

Then the unspeakable happened--I began watering the dog burn spots. Next, I pulled the chickweed patches and planted arctic grass. Last summer I began obsessively mowing off the thousands of yellow dandelion heads that kept popping up throughout June. Oh I loved seeing the neat & tidy look of the freshly cut lawn.
What has been happening to me?? Why can't I shake the need to have a tidy green lawn?
I refuse to go down the path of weed and feed, but isn't the neatness I crave almost as bad?

After some thought, I surmised that somehow it is deeply embedded in me that an untidy lawn symbolizes laziness. It is something within me, that I won't easily shake. It's certainly not for the sake of conformity, especially when my current neighbors idea of lawn care is moving a rusty car from one end to the other. I suppose it is an interesting example of how your childhood environment can't easily be untaught. So I will continue to be a slave to the green beast.

The Human Brain is Not Wired for Annihilation

Lately I've seen quite a few disturbing numbers. Such as 90% of Iraqi children are experiencing PTSD or a large number of Darfur refugees have suffered complete emotional breakdowns. Those folks who question the validity of PTSD or anxiety symptoms during or after war and other violent acts, are simply lucky. In my opinion, most sane individuals who have seriously grieved or seen unspeakable acts of violence understand how profoundly that changes an individual.
Scientifically speaking, the human brain reacts chemically to such a stressor and tries to prepare you for the next attack- by providing anxiety- to increase your alert system.
But this primal alert system was never built to process violence with semi-automatic weapons, bombs and other unnatural acts.
In my opinion, the brain just can't keep up with modern violence.
I know people have been killing each other since the dawn of time. Yet, their tools- such as fists, swords, clubs, fire or boulders just weren't capable of providing the gruesome displays seen in today's acts of genocide or war.
When will people understand that violence begets more violence, and our minds aren't really up for it?

Homesteaders Can Save the World

First of all, for this title to make any sense I need to elaborate what may possibly destroy the world. Which, in my opinion, is conspicuous consumption. Basically, the thinking goes- if every inhabitant on earth (peasant, nomad, refugee, what have you) aspired to live like any American (multiple cars, 17 outfits from Wal-Mart, super sized hamburgers) there wouldn't be any earth left.
I don't care what your politics, or environmental feelings are, just do the math. We just can't and don't have the room to grow trees, mix concrete, pave roads, build houses, etc.....for every citizen on earth to live "comfortably". People need to step up and stop consuming like mad. I know some folks think that kind of thinking is socialist zeal, but what language you speak or where you live doesn't make you less human (or does it?)
Many of my neighbors here in Alaska are true "homesteaders". Their sole occupation is repairing their homes, raising animals, growing veggies, collecting junk to use later and fixing the car.
To many suburbanites, their lifestyle seems preposterous. Yards full of containers, car parts, fencing, etc. all collected for free and to use at a later time.
I'll admit, to a city girl, their properties are quite the eyesore. I've often wanted to scurry over and start sorting their stuff. Yet, when I look past my prejudices, I see true environmental stewards.
Homesteaders are frugal and live through recycling. They don't ever buy 16 pairs of shoes, don't build giant McMansions or jet around the world. The term "carbon footprint" isn't even in their vocabulary, nor should it be, because it is so minimal.
So who is the true environmentalist? Someone like John Edwards talking about carbon emissions and living in a 29,000 square foot house? Or the unknown fellow tinkering in his poultry yard ?

Why You Pay Less

Oh my, I really don't mean to be picking on China again. It's just impossible not to when it seems their entire economy is based on the absent minded American consumer.
I'm not really sure if anyone is paying attention to the recent reports that the melamine contamination in their pet food was no accident. It turns out the melamine additive is a cheap coal byproduct, which happens to be easy to disguise & add to feed. Then all one needs to do is sell it on to big food companies (with a wink) and pretend the protein got their naturally.
Can you really blame the Chinese for this little trick?? Their whole super fast development is largely unregulated and a success mainly because Americans don't care to know how or where their products are made- as long as they are cheap, cheap, cheap!!
I mean heck-- if we really wanted quality standards, workers rights and environmental responsibility- would we have driven all the manufacturing companies right out of the US and Europe?? No, we didn't care why things cost more to make, we just wanted them made cheaper.
And it's not because Americans are poor and can't afford a loaf of bread, it's because we like to have closets stuffed full of payless shoes, homes filled with plastic toddler furniture and gigantic lawn chair sets--and did I mention, we want them cheap?

Slaughter or Slapstick ?

A recent article in Time magazine reported that today's television and movie audiences expect to see more blood, violence and torture than ever before. I can understand that folks become jaded and need to see the envelope pushed. However, I am perplexed as to why the human psyche can possibly find enjoyment by seeing their fellow humans maimed.
Ok, obviously there is some sort of adrenaline rush from the suspense, but if scenes of torture are considered entertainment, what does that really say about us as human beings?
We often say that we are beyond public hangings or throwing someone to the lions-but how is it different to watch "actors" experience the same misery?
What the heck is the evolutionary purpose of this kind of morbid curiosity??? Are you just glad it's not happening to you??
My plan would be to take over the major movie theaters and instead of the expected flick, show images of Iraq, Darfur, or any other war torn place on earth. Plenty of violence, torture, and mutilation there. But oh no, then everyone would lament that I was "bringing them down" with my reality images. So bring on the "actors" and torture them instead--now that's entertainment........

The Secret Lives of Airline Blankets

I had heard speculative musings that airline blankets do not get washed, only repackaged. However, I always disregarded this tidbit as myth or fluff.
Nevertheless, I recently happened to have an airline blanket in my possession. It was actually given to me by an airline carrier, as padding for my dog in her crate.
As I would never simply toss a perfectly good blanket away, I proceeded to throw it in the wash like I would any other acrylic blanket.
This is when the ugly truth revealed itself. This was no ordinary blanket, but an impostor. Although it looked and felt snugly soft before washing, the aforementioned item proceeded to fall apart in my gentle cycle. Not only did weird blue blobs of cloth & lint fill the rinse cycle, but when I took the former "blanket" out of the machine it looked like some sort of nasty oil rag. The formerly soft surface had now become a rough, lint ball covered, raggedy mess.
Now, unless the airlines are actually dry cleaning these things, I can certainly vouch that those dark blue blankets can not survive an ordinary washing. Which leaves one to wonder how many lovely folks are we sharing them with???

If I am Running Am I Being Chased?

I recently spoke to my dubious relative Ratboy. He informed me that by leaving the East Coast I had left behind the impression that I had "run away".
Run away from what I asked? Ratboy thought for a moment and stated, "all this, the East Coast". What exactly does that mean? I am not one of those Alaskans that came to Alaska in order to evade the law. As far as I know, no crime was committed.
Yet, the other East Coast inhabitants are perplexed--how could she not like traffic congestion, pollution and playing 'Keep up with the Joneses'?
As far as I am concerned, they are just trapped. Trapped in a world where you are drowning in debt to impress your neighbors. Where kids mock each others outfits at school. And everyone needs to believe this is good--otherwise why would they be putting up with all the stress??
I am the space alien who got on the space ship and left mars, because I finally realized that it was just a dusty, dry planet after all.....

When the Omega Wolf Bites

I am quite fascinated by wolf behavior. One of the more well-known characteristics of a wolf pack is that they fight for status. The top of the pack are the "Alpha" male & female, and at the bottom is the "Omega".
It's actually very sad that the other wolves pick on and ostracize the omega wolf--often for no particular reason, except to prove "at least I'm not him". By keeping one at the bottom, it establishes that the others are still on top.
I actually find it quite maddening that human beings don't recognize this wild characteristic amongst their own kind. It's as if humans feel they have "evolved" beyond a need for such cruel pack behavior. Yeah right, ever been to high school??
Schools today have all these "anti-bullying" curriculums and so forth. But I honestly don't know if it can keep kids from truly being cruel to one another.
Now in the wild, the Omega wolf really has no way besides snarling and snapping to fight back the rest of the pack. Often they just give up. But what if the Omega wolf got really angry? What if he had access to mind-numbing violent video games & TV? And then what if he decided to walk into his local, lenient gun shop and buy a gun?? What if is plan was to hunt down the pack? Is there some way to check that the friendly wolf is not really a pissed off Omega?? (the proverbial wolf in sheeps clothing)
Just a thought--if we can't keep people from acting like wolves, can we at least keep the guns away from them???

The Hunter and the Bear

I honestly don't have a bias against folks who go out and hunt a deer or moose purely for the sake of feeding their family. It is actually much more humane than torturing chickens and hogs in our horrible factory farm system.
Yet, there is another type of hunter, the "sport" hunter. They hunt for the sake of hanging a animal head or skin in their home, and for the thrill of kill.
Just yesterday, the Anchorage Daily News reported of a local Alaskan man out on a sport hunting trip with his buddy. They had the grand idea of staking out a grizzly bear den in order to kill whatever came out. Unfortunately, what came out was a grizzly bear cub. Of course, hunter man shot it right on the spot. Unbeknownst to him, mamma bear saw the whole thing and proceeded to rip said hunters head off. Hunter actually survived the ordeal, as his buddy took care of the angry mom.
Lesson of story: leave the children alone!!!

My Right to Own a Cannon

Alright, I'll admit--I don't really want to own a cannon. Yet, there are plenty of folks out there that will fight and argue for their right to own a gun. After hearing about the latest mass shooting today, I spent some time wondering--are their really any GOOD resons why an average citizen should have access to or own guns?

Dubious gun reasons:
#1- Right to protect home and family. Well how many people really chase villains from their homes? Wouldn't pepper spray, an angry dog, numchucks, flare gun, tazer or other menacing item serve this purpose just as well?? I have often heard the statistic that by having a gun at home, you are more likely to injure a family member than an evil stranger.

#2- Protection from wild animals. Another uncommon situation for most folks. Here in Alaska, wild animals are more frequent-- however I still find two opposing thought groups. Those that seem to think every bear is out to get them and can barely leave their car without a gun, verses the hiking folks who swear by simply using bear bells or an air horn. I tend to think that the regular gun toters simply have a small you-know-what and need the extra weight.

#3- Target shooting. Get a pellet gun. Or pin the tail on the donkey.

#4- Hunting. In Alaska, opposing hunting would be like opposing air. Therefore, this might be the only somewhat legit reason for gun ownership. Yet there are ways to hunt without guns. Believe it or not, I have heard that bow and arrow shooting (when done well, with lots of training) is actually pretty effective & humane. Simply because the arrow does not scare the prey away--so you can catch it in case of non-lethal injury. Meanwhile, gun shots sometimes scare off injured animals, so they can not be killed and they run off to die or live in pain.

Don't Cry for Me Ratboy

When we left for Alaska, I left behind a few relatives on the East Coast. One relative in particular was quite close to me, yet was even closer to the life of opulence he chose for himself. He had bought the myth of the rat race prize- hook, line & sinker. There is a direct line between self-worth and a home's square footage in this world of the rat.
He admits he is miserable with his life of dual income commuting and the shuttled away child that eventually becomes a stranger. But -hey, did you know the neighbors house cost 1 million?

When rat race boy came to visit my humble abode in Alaska, I think it scared the pretentious pants off of him. Our small home in the woods is an old saw mill, put together by bits and pieces without any particular plan or building code. The result is a work in progress, and I am aware of the need for various upgrades. However, the biggest shock for my East Coast visitor was probably the lack of "you've made it" square footage.

He flew back to his land of snobs and envy to report that we were struggling. That we must be having some sort of financial problems.

It is pretty incredible to me that someone would miss that I am rich with mountain views, fresh wild berries, a river full of salmon and familial harmony. That I love my home and feel happy here.

So listen up: If you want to spend your time keeping up with the Joneses, so be it. But please don't pity me, as I am much too busy being content with my life.

Save the Animals, Save the Humans

To get straight to the point, there are plenty of folks out there that see little or no value in saving every darned species of animal on earth. I hear their arguments about how a few types of whales, or subspecies of this or that becoming extinct in the name of progress really won't make much of a difference.
Their argument is quite loud and powerful. Progress means jobs, cars and big beige houses for everyone. Now what's the big deal if some obscure wolverine or warbler gets trampled in the process?
So I've tried to come up with the proper rebuttal. It is true that we don't need every species on earth to eat as food, for obviously we are content with our factory farm swine. It also appears that many, many people really don't have an active interest in nature and if they want to see an animal, Winnie the Pooh will do. So what reasons are left??
I think there is an old saying: one can not live on bread alone. Or something similar. There are just certain things in this life that you may not need in a cognitive sense, but do need in an emotional way. Not many would argue that we don't need art, music, laughter or love in life- ok, some fools probably would. Yet, the point is, these things nurture the soul. And each person has their own soul food.
For me this soul food is the wilderness and all it's magnificent inhabitants. I believe my right to feel this emotion gets trampled on each time folks mock the importance of saving any type of wild creature. For others it would be like giving up laughter for the sake of "progress."
Yes, for some of us, the wilderness really is our daily bread.

Prevent Furniture Fatigue

A national furniture rental outfit has begun a fabulous campaign, by inventing a new capitalist ailment titled "Furniture Fatigue". It appears the symptoms resemble depression yet are easily cured simply by the act of acquiring debt via furniture rental.

Of course much has been written regarding long-term furniture rental hurting a consumer financially, but that is not my issue of contention. I am more concerned about spreading the disposable furniture mentality.

Why are home furnishings considered as disposable as diapers?? Have humans really become such a spoiled species that we throw away couches on a whim?? I believe the disposable furniture lifestyle began with the invention of particle board. Once this temporary building material was invented, cheap furniture sales boomed. Now everyone "appeared" to be well off by having matching new furnishings. Yet these furnishings made of particle board can barely tolerate a sprinkle of water, one klutzy child or being moved one too many times.

So if your furniture is going to fall apart anyway, why not just beat it to the punch by becoming bored of it first??

There is certainly an ecologically sound solution instead of filling up landfills with crappy, (not to mention toxic) broken furniture. What ever happened to good heirloom quality stuff? It's still out there haunting the corners of thrift stores, antique shops and if you are lucky enough to afford it, can find it new. Even if Big Daddy Capitalist has convinced you that your furniture is outdated, good items can be reupholstered to your hearts content! Plus- true quality does not go out of style.

Unimproved is Perfect to Me!

Here in development-happy Alaska, folks like to call undeveloped land "unimproved". Of course the improvements come when the otherwise desolate plot becomes the staging ground for a super-fantastic McMansion!
Yuck, yuck. I hate feeling like a freak simply for liking the vacant lot with its trees, birds, rocks and snowshoe hares better than the man-made "improvement". As a bonus, in Alaska they make sure to rub it in your face that this preference makes you into a "pansy-sniffing, tree- hugging, bunny-loving, greenie".
What's wrong with development people say?? Who is anti-jobs and beautiful living quarters??
Yikes! Why does the argument have to be so extreme? I doubt any "pansy-sniffer" is really pro full-time yurt living and unemployment for all.
It's just that these huge homes are so unsustainable. Nobody seems to be able to foresee what will happen 50 years down the road--when we run out of bankrupt farms to raze and trees to maul. Where is the room to put every "hard-working" American into a 3,000 square foot home?? Let alone every "deserving" person on earth??
If these folks really feel success equates square footage, then I really wish they would develop their monster homes on the moon.
At least there would be no trees and animals to displace....Yet, maybe there are "sissy-moon-crater lovers" who might just start fighting the moon development too??????

Send it back to China

I have a box of unintentionally disposable items I have collected at home. They are not advertised as such - because they are not diapers, napkins or other actual throw away goods. But instead the box contains an assortment of odds and ends that easily broke and ironically say "Made in China" on them.
Now I don't know what to do with them. As I do not intentionally shop at Big Box stores, most of these items are gifts or accessories that have somehow arrived here. So I can't return them, they aren't garbage, but look more like something out of "The land of the broken toys". So I have no other choice but to send them back to China.

My box contains:
1 badly painted, sharp wooden sled that once contained Holiday chocolates.
1 kid's microphone whose microphone feature never worked.
1 American Airlines freebie toy airplane with no way to change the batteries, so it sits mute.
1 set of child's pajamas whose stitching unraveled
1 metal serving spoon that is rusting (whatever happened to stainless steel?)
1 Fondue pot heating platform that emits a toxic odor each time it is used.

I hope Hu Jintao likes it!

Pet Food Recall should be Wake up Call!

All pet owners are aware of the recent pet food recall. The information seems to indicate that the deaths are caused by some sort of substance that got into the meal at the Chinese factory. Whatever the substance it, there's a good chance it's banned in the U.S.A.!

Here's the paradox that drives me batty: how come American consumers can buy products from oversees (especially China) that don't meet USA health & safety standards. Sure, there are bogus rules on the books, mostly about "choking hazards", but what about how the products are MADE, or what is in the factory, where does the fuel come from and what about emissions......?
Do most American consumers even realize that their kids toys from China get sprayed with pesticides, paint is sometimes lead based, and most Third World factories certainly have sanitation standards that would make the average American parent faint! (And let's not even begin the child labor topic....)

Do consumers ever add 1 + 1 and realize that one of the reasons factories move oversees is because they no longer have to follow USA health & environmental guidelines?? Sure, that's mush cheaper for the consumer--but at what overall cost???
So let's hope the recent pet food scare will help open some eyes--the same regulations are needed here and oversees ! Learn that paying more is ok--it could save lives!

Is There Blood on Your Wal-Mart Shorts?

What blood? How did it get there?
Well of course I am using the term figuratively as folks refer to "blood" meaning someone died for that product.
It's easy to conceptualize a violent diamond trade or drug lords killing one another to get their products to market. But what about those little Easter baskets that say "Made in China" or your kids cheap spring shorts from Wal-Mart??
Child labor is really just the tip of the iceberg. Dig even deeper and look- where does the coal and oil come from that runs the machines for those factories?? Where does their electricity come from?
Any layperson can pick up a recent Time magazine and read how the Chines coal mines are some of the most dangerous in the world. Hundreds if not thousands die to get that coal. Then there is the Chinese oil that comes from violent Darfur--or the unregulated factories that pour toxins into the Chinese water system.....
So how much blood is really shed for Americans to have the cheapest garments possible???
A quote that I recently saw says it best: "The American 'everything is disposable' mentality unfortunately extends to the Third World as well."

Old Fashioned Simplicity

I moved to Alaska to chase the rapidly receding Wilderness. By accident I also stumbled upon another thing I forgot I was looking for: simpler times.

As a child I was a HUGE fan of the Laura Ingalls books (never liked the show--ruined all my imagined images). What I loved about these stories was the way happiness could be found only by listening to Pa's fiddle or making maple candy in the snow. The Christmas story of the children being ecstatic to receive only pennies, oyster crackers & ribbon candy is burnt into my memory. It resonates with my understanding of where our sense of joy comes from and it's not our modern lifestyles and material goods that make us happy.

Luckily Alaska has a "frontier" spirit. Sometimes it can mean really backwards thinking, but usually it's a good thing. This kind of old fashioned friendliness and helpfulness just can't be experienced elsewhere. Whenever a car breaks down at the side of the road folks rush to it as if it were a sport to help out! My husband and I could only laugh, when we ran out of gas and were offered rides by three different people - in a matter of 10 minutes!

Then there's the appreciation of simplicity. Not that Anchorage doesn't have it's own big city problems, but if you drive 30 minutes away from there you can still leave the car unlocked. Or folks will talk to you about berry picking, making jam or canning salmon. I love the fact that our grocery store has a huge section of canning supplies and jelly jars and this is taken very seriously!! Fishing isn't done for sport as much as it is to fill the freezer.

If only I could keep those cell phones at bay, but they have followed me here as well........

The Worst Thing About Alaska

I love living in Alaska, but my biggest issue of contention is the so called "Department of Fish and Game". They do many good things for our fish and monitor hunting, however they continue to pursue a policy of wildlife management through death.

The current lunacy is the so called "predator control" program also known as "wolf kill". In order to ensure that Joe six-pack has a moose to kill, they spend state money to chase and kill wolves from airplanes. The logic being that wolves eat moose, thus they are our competitors for meat. I mean what is this - the 1800's?? Even crazier--they now want to do it by offering a bounty and may perhaps use helicopters.

There are only 7,000-11,000 wolves in Alaska, and considering this state is gigantic, that's really not that many. Most wildlife viewers have never seen a wolf in Alaska!!! That's what makes me angry, that my right to have ample opportunity to see a live wolf is destroyed. (Not to mention that wolves are against being killed as well.)

It's hard to imagine that Alaskans have actually voted (twice!) to end this craziness. But the Alaska governor & Game board supersede the democratic consesus of the people. What a shame!

What's the Point of a Hectic Lifestyle?

After moving away from the East Coast, I quickly forgot that not everyone in this country has the time to vegetate in front of the TV or suffers from chronically bored syndrome. Yes, that's right--there is also the opposite end of the spectrum: the frazzled, hectic lifestyle people.

In my opinion the busy lifestyle families are quite perplexing. I completely understand that there are folks who are seriously struggling to pay the mortgage or keep their cars running-and those folks are working their tails off. But my issue is with the "hectic by choice" people.

A "hectic lifestyle by choice" person is one who has the illusion that their family will only be happy if they have a home that is at least 2000+ square feet, with 2 flat screen TV's, shiny new cars and all the latest fashions with gadgets in tow. Thus they refuse to take any vacations and work their tails off, outsource the kids, and run around with stress levels that keep the cardiologists in business.
Hasn't anyone heard of the happiness index? We as humans are practically pre-programed to hit a happiness set point. That means happiness goes up and it goes down, but you can't push the threshold any higher than the set point. In other words, there is no scientific evidence that killing yourself for your career will ever make you or your family happy. (actually I have read that Tibetan monks are able to raise their happiness set point, but of course that doesn't come from joining the rat race)

What's most bizarre is the bitching and moaning people with plenty of money (by that I mean roof over head, car and food on table) keep engaging in by saying "they can't make ends meet". Yikes--those ends are all an illusion. Who the heck really needs a McMansion?? So you can burn up utilities and feel isolated from each other?? Or what about keeping up on fashion-- The whole fashion industry is a farce, brainwashing insecure people to spend money. People say they want to look good--well then decide what "look good" means and stop changing it every year!! Does it make any sense whatsoever to spend money on fashion, if all you do is want to burn your old photos once you realize you looked like a freak 10 years ago??

Of course none of it makes sense to me. So this rat is out of the race.

The Way Alaskans Love Their Animals

As I am originally from the East Coast, my move to Alaska brought about many surprises. One of these surprises was the cynical attitude towards anything "warm & fuzzy" including animal rights. For example, PETA is considered an organization run by sissy pants bed wetters. The only time I have even seen PETA on a bumper sticker in Alaska is in the context: PETA "people eating tasty animals".... Or how about a Christmas card with a picture of a little girl holding a hunting rifle crouched by a dead reindeer. The caption reads: "only seven more to go- Merry Christmas!"

Yes, this shocked the pants right off my sensible yet snooty East Coast self. It appeared a bit cruel. It seemed especially odd because one can easily see that Alaskans love animals. I have yet to meet a non-pet owner here. Jacked up pick-up trucks come to screeching halts if a dog even thinks of crossing an Alaskan road. So what gives?

I think I have figured it out: Alaskans like their animals wild and treat them that way. What passes as "humane" elsewhere just seems silly in Alaska. Pets don't wear rain coats here, sit around getting fat, or wear bows. So many folks back East want their dogs tame, goofy and content with a squeeze toy. But Alaskans celebrate the wolf in their dog. They want dogs that hunt like mad and run like the wind. Even reindeer aren't primarily considered Santa's helpers, but accepted as sausage material or great entertainment when they run loose & wild during reindeer races.

This difference in opinion probably explains why people outside of Alaska and Alaskans are constantly butting heads when it comes to animal issues. Even I have come around to the Alaskan way of thinking. I'm quite proud when my dog can kill a mouse and understand her roaming behavior better when I consider her a wolf.

I completely support treating animals well, but what's the fun if they all become gentle Disney caricatures ?

Dog Blog

I'm watching my sleepy sled dog Tinga, as she lies on her warm bed. She comes from the local pound, rescued from imminent death. Although one would think the Alaskan dog pounds are full of over bred huskies, they're not. The most common abandoned pooch here is some type of lab mix, usually the black ones. Believe it or not they only have room to stay at the pound for a week, then the unmentionable happens. It is a gruesome truth that they transport hundreds of dogs to the dump each year after they are euthanized.
I bring up this sad fact to put some perspective on the first Iditarod dog dying today. A husky from a sweet woman's kennel perished without warning (while resting). She immediately dropped out of the race to grieve. This particular musher is a fanatic about her dog's care and has a website dedicated to each dog's progress. I feel so badly for her, and know she must be beating herself up over it. Nevertheless, this dog lived a good life full of love, running and fun.

We might still make our beloved Tinga into a sled dog after all. She does love to run--but what to do about those sensitive paws? The cold does bother her toes. She's mastered the art of "three legged pooping" so one of her sensitive paws doesn't have to touch the cold snow. Booties would fix that....

Is Nationalism a Form of Racism??

Are local lives more important than those in the distance?
Do we care if a Mexican drinks contaminated water and dies prematurely in Mexico? But what if the same person had become a United States citizen, eaten some infected food and then died here. Does it make the death more significant?

If American children were found to work 14 hour shifts, 7 days a week and beaten while sewing cheap jeans--wouldn't we freak out?? Would anyone buy the jeans?

Yet in China, Bangladesh and so many other countries that is how our clothes are made. Is it ok to buy the clothes as long as those are not American children??

These types of questions always puzzle me. Obviously the logic would extend to war, international disease and suffering, even immigration.......

I can not figure it out: are human beings only able to be empathetic to those they perceive as locals or equals? Is self-interest at play? Worried that it may happen to you?? Or is indifference to global suffering a form of racism?
(Of course this is not an attitude unique to Americans, but probably ubiquitous internationally) It is just a piece of the puzzle that makes up the human condition.

Those Noisy Humans

If someone seeks peace and quiet, then logically they move from the city to the suburbs, right? Yet, today's suburban dwellers willingly compete in the "noisiest neighbor" competition. Not by having loud, raucous parties, but simply by caring for their ridiculous lawns and driveways. The status symbols of choice have become the boisterous lawn machines, snow blowers and the worst contender of all--the leaf blower.
I'm not sure if these crazy machines prove you are well off financially or simply that you are too out of shape to actually rake or shovel.
So where's a quiet-seeking soul to live? Well then you move to the country.
Ha, ha. The rural countryside is sprouting it's own set of noisy toys. Especially in Alaska --noisy recreation is where it is at. TV ads constantly seduce folks to "tear it up" outside, either in their ATV or snowmobile. It's as if everyone has developed the mentality of a five year old boy with their first Tonka truck. Heaven forbid someone actually practices mobility by using their feet--that might lead to weight loss and fitness. And what would we do without all that noise?? Think?

Humans fall, dogs keep standing

Today is the fourth day of the Iditarod sled dog race. Most of the mushers claim the conditions are worse this year than ever before. Cold nights in the -30 range and icy, bare, trails.
The Alaskan nightly news shows live footage of the racers and their teams entering some of the checkpoints. The dogs look good-but the humans are pretty beaten! Two of the very best mushers have already quit--citing broken bones (from falling) and therefore felt they couldn't care for their dogs that well. A musher from Wisconsin even broke a leg, but he keeps on going--claiming he's come too far to quit!
These folks are the craziest athletes I know of! The injured dogs are always pulled out of the race, but the humans are free to keep on killing themselves...!
Did I mention that the distance of this race is almost 1,200 miles? That's as if someone chose to go by dog team from Minnesota to New York. Plus, the mushers don't sit in the sleds--they often are hanging on for dear life or actually running behind the sled! Mush on!

The Howl of the Iditarod Sled Dog

It's that time of year again, the Last Great Race, commonly known as the Iditarod. Personally, I love following the race and the travails of the mushers. We always watch the teams line up before heading on their journey to Nome. It's quite exciting to cheer on the howling dogs and their brave human counter parts.

What's funny is that there are quite a few animal lovers out there that can't stand the sport of sled dog racing. In my opinion these fears and concerns are sometimes misguided and not really based on seeing the dogs run.

Some of the common misconceptions I have heard:

1- The dogs are forced to run. Does any dog owner really feel they can force their dog to do anything?? And no, the dogs are never, ever beaten. Teams sometime do "quit" and the musher has no choice but to withdraw from the race.

2- The dogs health is compromised. Actually, this is one point where animal rights groups did help convince Iditarod officials to carefully monitor the dogs health. These days the dogs are checked over by vets continuously--but the humans are left to bleed, lack sleep & run with broken bones. Dogs are "dropped" from the race continuously, which actually upsets the dogs--they want to keep running! Plus, to keep their stamina up the dogs are fed amazing treats: like fresh steak and salmon.

3- Dogs sometimes die. Yes, it's an unfortunate truth. I think about 2 dogs die during the race each year. But put this in perspective--80 teams with 16 dogs each is 1,280 dogs!!! Professional human athletes die during training, or even the average Joe can have a heart attack when shoveling snow. Don't even get me started about dogs dying, because there are so many dogs dying globally each day--being eaten in China or beaten in other nations. Have you ever seen the emancipated dogs wandering around South America ?

4- The mushers do it for money. Ha. Even when mushers do win the bigger prizes, they barely ever even break even. The cost of feeding your team all year, fixing sleds & dog trucks, getting to competitions, entry fees and food drops all add up to quite a sum. Mushers are usually dreamers and dog lovers. They do it because it is an enchanting lifestyle and they love being around their dogs.

5- Sled dogs have a lousy life, tied to dog houses or transported in dog trucks. Well to honestly answer this one, you would have to ask the dogs. If dogs around the world were administered surveys-- would they say they prefer to get fat on the couch? Be homeless vagabonds? Or live in snow country as a sled dog?? I don't know. I do know these dogs love to run and they usually get to run every day, even in the summer.

We adopted a sled dog mix from the pound and her need to run is maddening! Even if some think it's wrong to breed these runners, I think it's wrong to breed cockapoodles or whatever those funny looking lap dogs are. When mushers do breed extra dogs, most folks are happy to take a good sled dog off their hands.

Lastly, I don't know how many people know that the "modern" Iditarod race (not the serum run) came about to encourage the dying tradition of dog mushing in Native villages. This is a sport that gives people pride. It is a solemn tradition that was threatened by the popularity of noisy, gas guzzling snowmobiles. If there is one thing that meshes well with the serenity of the wilderness, it is a sled dog team trotting through the snow, not its modern replacement the snowmachine...

The Chronically Bored

I don't know how many other people think it is a problem, but I think it's about time we tackle the issue of the chronically bored. It is one of the most common complaints I have heard all over the United States- "I'm bored!"

Of course it makes good economic sense to keep kids bored, because the more free time on their hands, then the more toys they need. Not to mention sports uniforms, equipment, clubhouses, and youth centers. Luckily, video games have shortened their attention spans so much that free activities like exploring the woods, or camping have become boringly obsolete.

Yikes- then you grow into a teenager and instead of worrying about helping with the farm or working for a living (like in the days of yore) there is now plenty of time to pursuit more important stuff. Oh you know, like hounding your classmates for wearing crappy clothes, displaying your breasts on the Internet, or figuring out how to attach more cell phones to your ears. That still leaves plenty of time for cyberbullying!

Boredom spreads like a plague and I am noticing that as our lives become easier & more "convenient" adults are increasingly joining in on the childish "I'm bored" chant as well. Often though it is only a muffled whimper, easily hushed by transferring their boredom into obsessive TV & DVD watching.

So what gives?? Is it that we have lost the appreciation to enjoy the little things in life?? Should everyone be growing their own food, building their own house ?? Does convenience breed laziness??? Do we need to struggle more??

A very sad article I read a few years ago spoke about the troubles in a Native village up here in Alaska. The teens were struggling with a high suicide rate. The article mentioned how some sort of substandard club house was built for the teens and on the wall the graffiti said: "I'm so bored I want to die". Boredom was actually identified as a cause of depression. Of course the Native issue is very complex. Yet it can be inferred, that by the "white folks" taking away the meaning behind their traditional lifestyles, they are struggling with ways to fill the void.

I just don't think more video games, shopping malls, extreme sports, or TV channels are going to eliminate boredom. The free market solution to boredom creates more boredom...........

Chasing the Wilderness

Ok, where do I even begin??
Simply put, I can not enjoy the idle pursuits of suburbia. I am perplexed by the droves of people that seem only to be interested in shopping malls, fashion hand bags, and their big-screened TV's. Even worse, they choose to surround themselves with the "comforts" of badly built cookie-cutter McMansions. I am reduced to smiling politely at these folks and keep wondering what is wrong with me?? Why don't I want these things??
Yet I do know what I want. It is the pursuit of the wilderness. Luckily, my spouse and I did escape the East Coast and settled in Alaska years ago.
Now the joke about Alaska is--the suburbanites have come here too. They are rapidly building their beige houses in neatly parceled subdivisions. Insisting that more Old Navy's and Wal-Marts be built. The trees here get slaughtered at such an alarming rate, that they don't even use chain saws anymore--just bulldozers that push the tree carcasses into big piles that are then set afire.
Nevertheless, the wilderness is still here. Therefore so am I.