mini-Post

I stumbled upon this little nook somewhere in the Turnagain area/Earthquake Park area of Anchorage while working earlier this month.  I was able to snap a couple of photos real quick, and I thought some of you might enjoy them...so here you go:

The Valley

As I was uploading my pictures to my computer from my trip to Nome, I realized that there are some things that I need to update you all on of my recent sights and experiences.  So I've decided to separate my posts based upon the pictures that I've recently taken.

I'm starting with "The Valley". 

Other names are:

The Mat-Su Valley.  

The Matanuska Valley.  

Palmer.  

Wasilla.

One of the reporters that I work with lives out in "The Valley" and two weekends ago she invited me out there to visit her.  The Valley is about 45 minutes away from Anchorage, and is very, very rural.

The two towns that make up the Valley are Palmer and Wasilla.

I liked Palmer better than Wasilla.  Palmer has a quaint and modest downtown area, with town offices a courthouse and several churches. Most of these pictures are of Palmer.  They were all taken from within a car, so they aren't super artistic or involved.  I hope to visit the Valley in the springtime and walk around a bit; I'll be able to take some better pictures then.  Wasilla is more commercialized and spread out. There wasn't much to either community, but everywhere you looked, you had a gorgeous view of all of the mountains.

This, I believe, was the downtown of Palmer. Take a look at that light. I thought it had a lot of character, so I snapped a couple pictures of it.

We have the "Valley Bureau" at KTUU, and it is just one reporter and one photographer who are there. The Valley Bureau is located in Wasilla and is run out of a radio station. 

The reporter and photographer are in constant communication with the station in Anchorage, as they gather and put together their story of the day that has to do with the new goings-on in the Valley.  

The reporter is a great gal, and I've been hearing nothing but great things about her work ethic, passion and drive, from people at the station.  She's been doing a great job!!

 She's also been very good to me, inviting me out with her friends, and helping me get socially accustomed to life in Alaska. She just moved here within the past year, so she knows what I've been going through.

On this particular day, the reporter and I just drove around the two towns of Palmer and Wasilla.  She showed me some beautiful scenery and updated me of some news around that area.  Any information about Alaska is good information for me!! The more I learn about this unknown place, the better off I'll be.

These pictures were taken because, as the reporter was informing me, there are people in that area who have nothing better to do that shoot guns at road signs...  Do they do things like this in New England?? Anybody??    Some of the signs are so bad you have a hard time making out what they used to say!!

...I hate that I can't figure out why this won't post correctly...sorry guys...

So that's a quick glimpse of The Valley.  There are only two roads that leave Anchorage. One is the Glenn Highway (headed North), the other being the Seward Highway (headed South). The Glenn Highway takes you to The Valley.  It isn't very well-lit and there are supposedly a lot of Moose in that area that like attempting to cross that roadway. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed every single time I have to travel that road...especially in the winter. 

Temperature update: 35 degrees and cloudy in Anchorage.

Alaska trivia:  Most of America's salmon, crab, halibut, and herring come from Alaska.

Another Unknown

I've been in Anchorage, Alaska for rougly 33 days. I've worked at KTUU 23 days.

...is this enough time before the Photography Gods send me on my first "trip"?  We'll soon find out.

I'm off to Nome, Alaska in just a few short hours. This posting will also be short, as I need to get at least a couple hours' sleep tonight.  I am ready to embrace this trip, and am holding back a lot of excitement, as I don't want those emotions to overrun the logic needed to make sure I have all of the station's gear that I will need packed up well and correctly, and also to make sure that I have all of the winter gear needed to prevent myself from getting frostbite...or worse.  It's going to be a helluva trip and I'll be sure to take pictures so that I can share them with you all when I return. With any luck, I'll have some stories to share as well.  Did I mention that I have to learn how to drive a snowmachine (that's a snow mobile to all you folks back home) and I'll be flying from destination to destination on a plane that holds no more than 3 or 4 people...

WHO:  13 Mushers

WHAT: Alaska Sweepstakes

WHERE: Roundtrip - Nome, Alaska to Candle Alaska

WHEN: Sweepstakes begins Wednesday morning and will finish sometime Saturday evening. I leave Tuesday morning and will return sometime Saturday evening/Sunday.

WHY: The race is winner takes all - $100,000.00.  Part of the Mushers' entry fees had to be paid in Gold...they take this shit seriously.  This sled dog race is celebrating it's 100th Anniversary since the first run...the race has not been run in all 100 years; the last time it was run was 1983, the 75th Anniversary run.

Talk to you all in a week...

Temperature update: 33 degrees, few clouds in Anchorage. Temperature in Nome: 11 degrees and mostly cloudy.

Alaska trivia: Nome is the leftovers of the Gold Rush way back in the late 1800's and early 1900's...  "The discovery of gold in the Yukon began a gold rush in 1898. Later gold was discovered in Nome and Fairbanks". I also believe Nome is where "Balto" was born...

Out of Touch

I've caught a cold...and have been progressively getting worse as the week goes on.  Yesterday was a very long day - I spent about three hours outside, shooting video and gathering interviews of passersby of a Veterans Memorial that was vandalized (conveniently on the 5 year anniversary of the Iraq War - do note the sarcasm).  After those elements were gathered, some video shot for another reporter, and an inhaled PB&J, I had about an hour (I think?? it was somewhere between an hour-fifteen and 45 minutes) to edit a story that was about a minute and a half long.  Wish I had more time to edit that package and make it better...such is daily news. Once I finished that, I flew back to where the memorial was to assist with a live shot- first one for me!!  Went well, I believe, or well enough.  After all of that, when I got home last night I was beat, broken, busted - my whole body ached and I went to bed at 8:45 and slept straight til 10am. Luckily I was able to do that as today's schedule was for me to work nightside (1:30p-10:30p).  

I'm able to drop a post real quick now before I hit the floor again, to hopefully get some more rest before running some errands tomorrow morning and getting to work for the nightside once more.  

There are several things I'd like to post about, but don't really feel up to writing a rant at the moment - "Pillow" is calling me!  Instead, I'll just post a few pictures of the sunset over at Hannah Cove this past Monday evening.  Freakin' gorgeous - so beautiful.  Ok...so there may be more than just a "few" pictures...I took a lot...I couldn't help it! It was so pretty!!

Enjoy!!

                                  

                                  

                                  

                            

                            

                            

                            

                            

I wish I knew why these pictures aren't posting vertically like they should be. My apologies!

                            

                            

 

Brought to my attention earlier today:

http://bumperdumper.com

...apparently this is something that I should think about investing in when the time comes that I am sent into "the bush" for work...

I am told that there will be times where I will be in the middle of less than anything than I have ever thought that I could ever be in my life...and nature will call. That's when I find an empty bucket and a quiet place; if I'm lucky, it'll be private, too.

It was a splendid conversation at work this afternoon.

...can't believe I forgot to mention that in my earlier post...

Last Saturday night...

I'm late in writing some of this (as mentioned in an earlier post), but I did not want it to go unmentioned...

...I was able to spend some time with a couple of my co-workers, getting to know them better, last Saturday evening. Both of them are on-air talents. Both driven and passionate.  It was great hearing them speak about the newsroom, what they do for work and how they get it done.  Best yet, they were both Female.  It felt really good to be in their presence, talking 'shop', and learning of the different newsroom personalities.

In short, it was a very enjoyable evening. 

One of the women has been working in Alaska for awhile now (a transplant from a large, lower-48 city), and had some great words of wisdom, regarding career and personal life.  Very inspiring, thinking that she's been working on her career for a good little part of her life now and still feels dedicated and driven enough to go out there and produce; to really get out there and find stories that will get her out of the newsroom.  Just the motivation itself was fun to listen to, and currently, to observe. She always seems to be hustling and bustling around the newsroom. If she's going somewhere, then she's going somewhere fast.  I like that.

The other woman, whom is younger than I (you would never know it given her maturity level!!!) is a recent "transplant", as well. She's been here for less than a year, so not surprisingly, she and I have some common things to talk about. We had a nice conversation today about knitting - Aunt Janice she's a (newbie) knitter!! - so now I'm wondering if that is a hobby that I might like to take up...I already know how to crochet, although I haven't done that in years, and every time I try to pick it up again I'm asking my Mom 20 questions...and then also I begin to think of the other hobbies I'd like to continue, oh, and that little thing Jeff, Suzy and I like to call "work-aholic", that just might describe a little bit of my personality. I tend to put too much on my plate... Back to my co-worker...she is another person whose drive I admire. Many other people her age would not work half as hard, nor be able to compete with the staff of reporters that we have. She is serious and conscientious about the work that she does. For me, that makes her fun to work with. Although, unfortunately, I doubt I will be able to work with her much - she covers another part of the region here, an area that I have yet to.

Anyways...

That is the start to the "glimpse" of the personalities I am fortunate enough to be able to work alongside every day. You will soon learn, just as I have, that there is quite a range!!!

Yesterday (Thursday) was my first night-side shift. It was great! This time I had to edit a package with a really tight deadline, and luckily enough I was able to get it to air on time. As several of my co-workers say "make air, not art". Very, very, very true. Just slam it together if you don't have the time to throw in the elements that take your story up a notch. Not only that, but I was able to work with other people in the newsroom, which was really nice. Next week I'm working two nights. Keep your fingahs crossed for me!!

Today I was able to be the second shooter for a cross country skiing event. Being as I had never shot, nor seen cross-country skiing before, things worked out where I was able to tag along to the event to prepare myself for future events, and also to shoot a little bit, as well. Wow! We had to walk across the race area in order to get to where we needed to be, quickly. We weren't allowed to step on the snow where the ski tracks are...it looked like little inverted railroad tracks going through the snow...weird!!! It was incredibly groomed and manicured!! Those tracks were distinct and perhaps 2-3 inches deep, from what I could tell.  It was an enjoyable shoot, although cold, and I was able to see another part of Anchorage, called Kincaid Park, which has some beautiful views!! I wish I was able to take some still pictures so that I could post them here... Maybe I'll go out on a little excursion on Sunday, if the weather is right...

That is most everything for now...oh - Mirabelli was released?!?!?!?  WOW!!

What's the news out east?

Love you all!!

Temperature update: 27 degrees F, partly cloudy, and dark in Anchorage (sun just set about roughly 8:30p...!!!)

Alaska trivia: The wild forget-me-not is the official state flower. The Territorial Legislature adopted it in 1917.

Watch it while it lasts!!!

KTUU's "director's cut respective"

Includes small parts of stories, many of which, were on the "station of the year" entry.

The story about the elephant will for sure give you a chuckle! 

..."because if there is one thing in Alaska firefighters know how to deal with, it's elephants..."

...new post coming soon!!!  Next day or so...

Temperature update: 30 degrees F, snowing in some parts, in Achorage.

Alaska trivia: Most of America's salmon, crab, halibut, and herring come from Alaska.

Care of Phoebe

Phoebe, a former colleague of mine at Fenway who also happens to be a fabulous photographer, posted a link to this article on her blog. 

Definitely check it out. It's pretty darn interesting!!!

The Joy of Boredom

THIS is why I came here...

First thing I learn from my Chief Photographer as I am walking up the steps to the Newsroom this morning:

KTUU-TV has been awarded the NPPA (National Press Photographer's Association) Small Market Station of the Year.

Again.

And furthermore, Scott Jenson, our Director of Photography, has been awarded, for the second time, the Ernie Crisp Television News Photographer of the Year....the number ONE tv news photographer in the ENTIRE NATION.

THAT is why I came to this station.  A station that dedicates itself to excellence, to not settling, that there is always better. 

Quote me now: my single goal for this entire year is to have one (1) story on our Station of the Year entry tape for next year.  If I work hard enough, practice enough, learn and retain as much as possible, learn my sequences, maximize my natural sound, and never settle, I believe in myself enough to accomplish this goal.  If I do not accomplish this goal, there is absolutely next year. And, no matter how much I sound like a Sox Fan right now, there IS always next year.

To view Scott's work and the work of KTUU*

*click on the grey player that says "Poynter Videos" and scroll up and down to see the video you'd like. (definitely check out anything that says "Scott Jenson" and "Small Market Station of the Year' on it...as well as many others, because all of these videos are worth a look, and a second and third look.

Aunt Judy (not that you have computer...) - stick around for the whale story...I know you were instrumental in getting "us kids" on that whale watche so many years ago...

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Also on the webpage that the first sentence is linked to is Shawn Montano, Director of the Cutting Edge Seminar (I have been lucky enough to meet Shawn and to hear him speak about editing at two of the past three seminars). Amazing conferences.  Shawn won Video Editor of the Year. Shawn is a great guy - congratulations to him for his prestigious award!!  Also, congratulations go out to Matthew Rafferty, as runner-up Video Editor of the Year, whom also has presented at the Cutting Edge Seminar, and whom also is a great, great person.

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Temperature update: 39 degrees and cloudy in Anchorage

Alaska trivia: Russian whalers and fur traders on Kodiak Island established the first settlement in Alaska in 1784.

Alaskana, Part II: Another World Up Here

So, my apologies for not throwing in Part II until now.  I thought I would have finished it on Monday, but here it is now Thursday morning...I honestly do not know what happened to Tuesday...or even Wednesday for that matter.  I can't believe it's almost the weekend again. Which means it will be time for more exploring of the area. I will hopefully have a decent post early next week, depending on my weekend adventures.

Housecleaning:

First off, look at this!!!  

Yup, just picked it up yesterday; my boss drove me to the Anchorage port to get it. She's a little beat up, but otherwise ok. I'm still pondering whether to make a stink about the damage.  I haven't taken pictures of the issues yet, but there's definitely some things wrong with my car that weren't apparent before. If anyone has any ideas of why some of these things may have occurred, or any reasons for me not to be picky or anal or frustrated with the current condition of my car, please let me know!!!  

My odometer had a 16-mile difference when I first picked it up yesterday, from when it was last in my driveway; that's equal to driving from my house to Millie's 8 times. The gas light was on and the needle was as low to "E" as I have ever seen it before. I was truly nervous about making it to the first gas station available. On the side of my car in between the two doors on the passenger side, there is visible "damage control" of touch-up paint on an apparent scratch about 2-2.5 inches tall and about 5 inches wide.  There's also similar "damage control" on the hood of the car. And on the interior driver's side (haven't checked the full interior yet) there is quite a bit of dirt/dust. Also, my cd player is asking for the "code" in order to operate, and my clock is not only telling the wrong time, but it's telling me the wrong military time. Suggestions anyone?? Gary? Melissa? Tim? I guess it doesn't sound like there's as much damage as I first alluded to, but it's still frustrating for me because I put so much money into the car, and I care about the condition of it. The guy at the port was interrupting me when I was trying to talk to him about the damages. He was saying "What do you expect, I mean, the car is 12 years old" blah blah blah. That was not cool. Although my best estimation is that the damage was most likely caused by the trucking company, and no the shipping company. I guess at this point I should just say that I'm glad to have my car back.

On Monday I saw my first ever MOOSE.  There were two of them actually, but only 

one was really visible. A co-worker of mine was out on an errand when he saw the pair. He knew that I had never seen moose before so when he returned to the tv station he found me so that we could go back to the place he saw them and scope 'em out. Unfortunately it was a lesson for me to always, always have my digital camera with me. No pics this time. Sorry guys. 

Lastly for Housecleaning, Alyssa bought me a MICROWAVE and some real SILVERWARE... THANKS ALYSSA!!  Now I can eat my ramen with a 

real fork, make my PB and Beach Plum Jam sandwiches with a real knife and munch on microwave popcorn whenever I feel like it. 

Good stuff!!

Now on to business: the real reason for Part II...

A small part of the reason for me not posting until now is because I think I was putting too much pressure on myself to come up with an "amazing" post based upon the hoopla I built up in "Part I".  My apologies to all of you in advance, if I fail with "Part II"...

Last Saturday night was the Miner's and Trapper's Ball. People at work told me that if I went to the Ball, I would truly get a sense of Alaskana.  I was lucky enough to be handed free tickets to the event (they were going at $30 a piece!!), care of our Assistant News Director.  I took a bunch of pictures, many of them coming out pretty crappy, but if you can see through the soft focus and jumbled lights, you'll get an idea of what was going on there. You can find those at the bottom of this posting. 

Basically the Miner's and Trapper's Ball, from what I understand, is a "Mardi Gras-esque" event culminating the near-end of Fur Rondy. People will attend dressed in formal-wear, jeans and t-shirt (as I did) or as though it's Halloween. And those three generalized categories hold true throughout the characters in attendance. I should perhaps go into further detail to say that the formal-wear covered formal-wear from the middle-ages through the present. Just as the costumes covered everything from Alaskan life through St. Patty's Day. Take your pick, choose a genre, it was there.  There was a costume contest, a beard contest, a giant poker tournament, live bands (of which one of the members of the bands was the News Director from our station, and another was "Frank Stallone", supposed brother of Sylvester), and very, very expensive drinks, and not to forget, "too drunk to care about the price of alcohol" Alaskans. Alaskans LOVE TO DRINK. Basically it was a good time, and a good lesson in just how crazy Alaskans are. 

That's the thing I seem to be hung up on since arriving. The people here are fun, friendly, not-much-of-a-care in the world, dorky, relaxed, helpful...everyone seems to be a character, for one reason or more.

After leaving the ball, a co-worker and myself went to several bars. The reason for venturing out past my bedtime was not for quenching my alcoholic thirst, but more so for me to experience more Alaskana. We went to three bars, and at all three I was in awe. The third one in particular. I met three of my co-worker's friends and wow were they interesting. I honestly do not think that I can even begin to describe adequately what they looked like or their behaviors. Sitting there with them I felt like I was in a movie, another country, another world. It was dreamlike. Not like I was drugged-up or drunk, because I certainly wasn't. It was just the atmosphere and the vibe. It was weird. And it had an effect on me. One that I'm still trying to put my finger on...which I guess is why I've kinda been dragging my feet with "Part II".  I feel like I just can't write eloquently enough, or simply enough, to really describe life up here. 

One more try...

Life up here is still American life.  But the part that's different here versus lower-48 American life is that things just aren't done the same up here.  It's kinda like they can get away with more up here...and not in a legal or illegal way. But more like "anything goes". Kinda like, don't be surprised, because it's Alaska and that's just kinda how it is up here. Certainly "The Last Frontier"... Being here is relaxing; no pressure to act or feel or be a certain way.  

Am I still unsuccessful in trying to explain this?

I guess you'll all just have to come here to visit to get a better idea of what I'm trying to express. Jeff, you're going to like it here, and I think we'll have a lot of fun together.

Temperature update: 33 degrees F and mostly cloudy currently in Anchorage.

Alaska Trivia: The state of Rhode Island could fit into Alaska 425 times.

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Here are those pictures I was telling you about:

The blonde is Marilyn Monroe, and next to her is Elvis

The Poker Tournament I was telling you about. Dave you would've been a star!

This picture is nearing the end of the tournament. This is only half of the room that the tournament was in. At the beginning the entire room was completely filled with people playing.

...Justin??  Twitchel??

The look on the woman's face says it all...

I'm told this was the cast from "Reno 911". My guess is they were the cast from "Super Troopers"

...yikes.

Now this guy went all out!!

These were during the costume contest...

The tall guy on stage with the microphone, whom you can barely see, is one of the reporter/anchors at our station.

In my co-worker's words, "Look at the nuggets on her!!"

...that's a jellyfish, folks.

The Alaska Railroad

Medieval Themed costumes

Live Bands

From what I'm told, the lead singer here is "Frank Stallone", the supposed brother of Sylvester...