perspicacious.org

Oliver has the right idea here, I think. I could use a nap, too, after 4 hours today with the day camp kids at Pioneer Park (nee Alaskaland). They played mini golf and ate their lunches and generally made a ruckus, but more or less followed the rules. One shoe was, unfortunately, lost to the pavillion roof. The child who throught it would be fun to kick it into the air went home one-shoed and wimpering. I had a good laugh at his expense, as I generally do when children suffer from natural consequences.

I haven't been writing much because I've been working such long, exhausting hours in the sun, and have generally suffered from the Alaskan summer delusion that more daylight equals days longer then 24 hours. It's a short summer with lots of fun to cram into it. I just wish I didn't have to work so much. (If wishes were fishes, I know. At least I have a decently enjoyable job.)

Today marks 3 years since I set off north from Albuquerque in my minvan, packed high with winter clothes and books and plans. I didn't know what I would do here or how it would work out, and I was giddy and a little worried. It was the best thing I ever did. I don't believe in a higher power, but I do believe in serendipity, mixed with a little chutzpah, I think. Things work out the way they're meant to, but that doesn't mean you don't get to steer in the direction you want to go. I'd always choose north.

This is me on the wildlife cruise in Valdez, where it was windy and I was definitely not trying to make a fashion statement. The bandana is to cover up my hair that I chopped off a couple of weeks ago. You might be able to find a picture of it short at flickr, if you care.

Our trip to Valdez was super, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We spent two nights in a tent and two in a hotel. Nothing makes you appreciate hotel amenities like two nights in a tent in the rain. Thankfully, the tent kept the vast majority of the water out, and only leaked on R's side.

We went on the wildlife cruise aboard the Lu-Lu Belle, where we saw puffins and otters and seals and many birds (zillions of bald eagles there), and a humpback whale. It was really cool, quite literally so when we got up to the face of the Columbia Glacier, as pictured here. On the way back from the glacier we got trapped by a whole slew of mini icebergs, and only broke free after pushing them out of the way with the boat. It was neat/slightly frightening.

We also went to the cutest wedding ever, where the vows were like Green Eggs and Ham. ("I will love you on a boat, I will love you with a goat, I will love you in a house, I will love you with a mouse…") The reception had fabulous food and a delicious chocolate/raspberry/cream cheese frosted cake, and they only played 80's music. What's not to like about that?

I am now back at day camp, participating in circus week. (Thursday is clown day.) Next week is "super hero week" so if you have any ideas (no matter how wacky), please please send them my way. Thanks in advance.

tags: Valdez, Alaska, wildlife cruise

So. Yeah. School ended on the 19th of May, and I have been busy since then. Here's what's happened.

• I work my last day at my school, get a lovely potted plant, and say my goodbyes.
• R and I moe into the scary summer house. It is a nice house, but the owners are…collectors, and…a bit disorganized. *cough*
• I do a major kitchen swamp out, which takes an entire day. I throw away some food expired by 2+ years.
• The 18 year old cat owned by the summer house people begins wheezing and staggering and has to be put down.
• R and I begin organizing the previous house for the owners' return. (We are not moving out, perse, just boxing our stuff up and putting it away until August, when we'll come back.)
• We introduce the cats to the dog, hamsters, mice and fish they'll live with for the summer. They are ambivalent about the dog, but they love the mice.
• R and I learn that the school year house owner's stepmother has passed away, and we initiate a speedy and exhausting cleanup in anticipation of their early return.
• They don't come back for the funeral (?), but at least the house is clean.
• I try to organize the new house, unpack and live on $17.26 until June 30th, when I get paid again. Who only does payroll once a month?
• I set up my summer classroom for camp, and prepare for our trip down to Valdez. We're leaving Saturday and will be back next Wednesday.

Things are hectic, yo.