The reason why worry kills more people than work is that more people worry than work.
--RLF, 1874-1963
In June, I saw a few Dead shows at Shoreline. Then, since my new job was going well, I scored an opportunity to work remotely and made an extended weekend visit to NY. While in NY, I met a new family member and visited the new annex to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I caught up with some other friends and family, and returned home in time for some other fun.
My previous remote working experience went so well that I tried it again a few weeks later with a trip to LA. It had been many years since I had visited LA and I wanted to visit the Getty Center. I also reconnected with some old friends, met a nice woman, who looked to be related to a woman I met in December, and enjoyed The Simpsons ride at Universal Studios. I had not seen my Simpsons friends in a while so it was good seeing them again as well.
don’t give up
’cause you have friends
don’t give up
you’re not the only one
don’t give up
no reason to be ashamed
don’t give up
you still have us
don’t give up now
we’re proud of who you are
don’t give up
you know it’s never been easy
don’t give up
’cause I believe there’s a place
there’s a place where we belong
--PG, 1986
Much of the reason that work was going well was because I had a great boss, who greatly appreciated my efforts and gave me lots of feedback on my designs. Since my other colleagues were not as responsive as he, when I learned that he would be away on vacation, I negotiated his blessing to go on vacation myself reasoning that I would not be able to get much done in his absence. Being a rational person, he bought the rationale, and I would finally be able to take the trip to Alaska that I had been planning for years. It is Alaska’s 50th birthday this year and since I went to NY for my parents’ and uncle’s 50th birthdays, and San Francisco for the Golden Gate Bridge’s 50th, this would be an appropriate time to visit Alaska.
It’s so easy to slip
It’s so easy to fall
And let your memory drift
And do nothin’ at all
--LG & MK 1972
I tracked down my travel team, with whom I recently visited China. I enjoyed the coincidence that last year I cruised to the easternmost part of Canada and I would now be cruising from the its west coast. Also, I visited Beijing just after the last Olympics and prior to the Alaska cruise I would be in Vancouver before the next one.
I met the team in Vancouver, where I would be boarding the ship. I was a bit apprehensive about returning to Vancouver after some interesting challenges years ago, but I had faith that both the statute of limitations and people’s memory had expired. I enjoyed my short visit to Vancouver, saw new stores that were not around on my previous visit, and got the impression there were no hard feelings. I also had a good time finding interesting signs.
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
--RWE, 1803-1882
Since it was my sixth cruise, I already knew the drill, and I started exploring the ship to learn of any developments since my last cruise. One thing I learned was that due to recent events in world health, they were very concerned about viruses and ensured that we were good and sterile before eating and boarding the ship. The food was great, as usual, and I noticed some changes there as well. Walking 90 flights of steps each day and dancing two hours each night ensured that I didn’t gain any weight.
As usual, the ship featured an international crew and I took advantage of the variety to learn how to say “thank you” in a few more languages, as is my custom. Additionally, one helpful woman also taught me how to say “nice ass” in American Sign Language. I’ve noticed that women enjoyed taking pictures of my butt in the Falkland Islands, Peninsula Valdés, Montevideo, Sunnyvale, Juneau, and Denali but I need a ruling. If a woman signs “nice ass” in appreciation of the goods while I’m walking away from her, how will I know?
And a woman screamed, and the lights went up, and two men lay stiff and stark. Pitched on his head, and pumped full of lead, was Dangerous Dan MGrew, While the man from the creeks lay clutched to the breast of the lady that’s known as Lou. These are the simple facts of the case, and I guess I ought to know. They say that the stranger was crazed with “hooch,” and I’m not denying it’s so. I’m not so wise as the lawyer guys, but strictly between us two — The woman that kissed him and — pinched his poke — was the lady that’s known as Lou.
--RWS, 1907
Over the course of my visit to Alaska, I saw more and more things that reminded me of home. For example, many of the menus featured salmon, crabs, sourdough bread, and local beer. Also, the weather was sunny and there were many more men than women living there.
The ship turned out to be the sister ship to the one I had in South America, so I had a head start on reconnaissance and knew where everything was. The artwork, however, was different and I enjoyed finding a Peter Max and an old logo. I found it particularly appropriate that there was a space station mural near my stateroom.
After a day at sea through the Inside Passage, we stopped at Ketchikan, known for its scenery, totem poles, and waterfalls. I booked a flight on a seaplane so I could get a better look at Misty Fjords National Monument. I enjoyed watching a seaplane take off and land at camp many years ago, but I never had a ride in one. (Speaking of camp, I am delighted to reconnect with some childhood friends with whom I have not spoken in decades. Maybe this Internet is worth something after all.) I scored a berth in the copilot’s seat, which enabled me to monitor the instrument panel. After we landed, I met someinteresting locals. Later, I walked around Creek St, where I found some funny t-shirts and visited a brothel--for research purposes only.
You ask me where the four winds dwell
In Franklin’s tower there hangs a bell
...
Wildflower seed in the sand and wind
May the four winds blow you home again
--RH, 1975
The next day, we landed in Juneau and I went to the capitol and the Governor’s mansion to check up on things. For some reason, they had a copy of the Liberty Bell out front. I learned that Alaska is known for salmon and they have kinds that we don’t have back home.
Later that day, I took a helicopter to the top of Mendenhall Glacier. It was one of the highlights of the trip. I enjoyed dipping my head in for some clean water and claiming the land for Club Adam. The scenery was spectacular and I enjoyed serving as copilot in the helicopter. The last time I flew in a helicopter was in Kauai and this scenery was very different.
Lisa, vampires are make-believe, just like elves, gremlins, and Eskimos.
--HJS, 1993
I booked a horseback riding adventure in Skagway the following day. While waiting for the bus to the horse, an old man came up to me and complimented me on my hat. He told me that he had several skin cancers removed and that I should be commended for protecting myself from the sun, particularly at such a young age. Usually, people tease me about this hat and other things that I wear; this guy was clearly wiser than most.
Homer took me on quite an odyssey and showed me some beautiful scenery. I think some people got sore from the riding, but it was the best riding experience I have ever had (on a horse).
The next day, we stopped at Icy Strait Point to learn about Tlingit culture. Only one ship per day is allowed here to preserve the wilderness so it is a pretty unique experience. In the nearby city of Hoonah we visited a bar that is on the list of 1000 places to see before one dies. I hope that this doesn’t mean that I’m one step closer to dying. While leaving the strait that night, I tried to win another award for Worst Karaoke.
Early the next morning, we visited Hubbard Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in North America. Our captain was reknowned for his ability to keep us close to the glacier for a long period of time, so we spent about an hour taking pictures and exploring.
So much to do, there’s plenty on the farm
I’ll sleep when I’m dead
--WZ, 1976
That evening, I enjoyed the Captain’s reception for the Repeat Offender’s Club. I had a great time with the others, and I was good and prepared for the awards ceremony that evening. I never take anything for granted, but since I won awards in South America and China, I especially wanted to win one as I didn’t want to ruin my winning streak....
The Academy had already handed out plenty of awards and I started to lose hope. However, they began to describe an award for someone who was always having fun, and made fun for himself and those around him,... Poignantly, friends in front of me turned around to tell me that this award was coming to me! Surprisingly, they were right! I was so incredibly touched by my award. It really meant a lot to me that people thought of me that way.
They once had a shootin’ up in the Klondike
when they got Dan McGrew
Folks were puttin’ the blame on
the lady known as Lu
That’s the story that went around
but here’s the real lowdown
Put the blame on Mame, boys
Put the blame on Mame
Mame did a dance called the Hitchy-koo,
That’s the thing that slew McGrew
So you can put the blame on Mame, boys
Put the blame on Mame
--Robert L Frost 1874 - 1963
At the end of the cruise, the ship landed in Seward and some of us continued to explore Alaska by land. This started with a boat tour through the Kenai Fjords. We saw a lot of interesting wildlife and I enjoyed what the crew caught while ice fishing. I took a turn driving the boat, driving another vehicle, and finally drove the tour leader crazy.
The next day, we went to a market in Anchorage, where I ate reindeer chili, found some more funny T-shirts, and got my shoes cleaned. This reminded me of my foot massage in Beijing. After landing at our hotel, some of us went exploring. I found a statue that I think was related to one I met before my trip.
The next day, we saw elk and other critters in Denali National Park. Later, some of us went rafting in glacial water the way I had in South America.
The next morning, we hiked the Horseshoe Trail and I confirmed that beavers really are nature’s engineers. Several of us explored the area near our hotel before we took the train to Fairbanks.
Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.
--RLF, 1874-1963
While waiting for the train, several women felt that I was deserving of yet another award and so they gave me one of their own before we boarded the McKinley Explorer from Denali to Fairbanks. I was very honored and appreciative. Later, I had a lot of fun with the crew on the train.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
--RLF, 1922
One of the highlights of the trip came on the last day and that was meeting Mary Shields, the first woman to finish the Iditarod. I was very impressed that she built a house in the middle of nowhere and that she taught dogs to pull her through the tundra. I added her to the long list of women I admire and bought her book so she could autograph it from one independent maverick to another.
I had a few hours before I needed to get to the airport for the flight home, so I went to the Fairbanks Ice Museum. I really enjoyed it and not only because it enabled me to cool down. Later, we spent several hours at several airports together before finally taking our individual flights home.
And time waits for no one, and it won't wait for me
And time waits for no one, and it won't wait for me
--MJ, 1973
I returned home with just enough time to finish shopping and otherwise prepare for my annual birthday fundraiser. I enjoyed being surrounded by girls at my party, and seeing people I don’t see often enough. However, it is a lot of work and very stressful so I am trying to improve the experience. Anyone know a talented user experience designer?
The next day I went to McLaren Park in the Excelsior District for the annual Jerry Day festivities. I made some new friends including a girl with a tongue gizmo and another with a nose dealie. I saw several bands there and since that wasn’t enough music, I stopped and saw a George Winston concert on the way home. With PHISH, the San Jose Jazz Festival and other events, I saw about 15 bands in two weeks, and that was a lot even for me! Time for a writing break before I forget it all!
There are strange things done in the midnight sun,
by the men who moil for gold;
The Arctic trails have their secret tales
That would make your blood run cold;
...
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
I cremated Sam McGee.
--RWS, 1907
Thorough readers should be warned that Geocities is closing soon and it will be taking all of these chapters with it. You may want to read prior chapters while you can as I’m not sure when I’ll get around to recreating the archive at another location.
Salamat for playing.
©Adam Brody All rights reserved.
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