Just-A-MudPAC Party Time! Live Blogging!
8 08 2009Here we are at the Just-A-MudPAC party! We’re finishing up getting the food prepared and Spouse is doing a last-minut run for ice.
This is our virtual fundraiser to send me and Shannyn Moore to Netroots Nation in Pittsburgh! We’ve each won scholarships that cover our registration and hotel, but not plane fare or the rest of our itinerary. When Alaskans make it to the East Coast, they try to fit as much in as possible, so in that spirit, we are piggybacking a trip to Cambridge for an evening with Shannyn Moore and AKM at Harvard. Then it’s off to NYC for a meet with the folks at MSNBC and The Huffington Post! We’re really excited for this trip that YOU are making possible, and we’ll be excited to take you along with us as our virtual travel companion.
Thanks to all who have donated so far! You can do so now by clicking the button on the top right of the sidebar. Everyone who enters is automatically entered to win one of our great virtual door prizes. You do not need to be present to win you’ll be happy to know!
Are you celebrating with us? Leave a comment and help with the live blogging!
7:45 – Guests are starting to arrive! One of our wonderful guests brought a chunk of Portage Glacier! Yup, a big chunk of glacier ice for our Shantinis and Mudslides! When I came to Alaska, you could easily see Portage Glacier from the shore of Portage Lake. Then, in 1993, Portage Glacier receded around the corner, and became invisible to those on the shore. It was sad… But here’s a chunk of what’s left!
8:05 – More guests are arriving. Watson the Wonder dog is in his formal bandana for the occasion. The torches outside are being lit, even though it’s still light and will remain so for a while.
The steaks are getting ready for the bbq. Yes, I am a vegetarian, but just for the interest of disclosure and to entice all the meat-eaters out there, I’ll post a picture. This will probably be the first and last time you’ll see red meat on my blog.
8:35 – OK, the party is really rolling! The steaks are on the grill, and the guests are mingling outside and in the dining room. We’re getting ready to draw the first name for a door prize! It’s going to be 3 jars of smoked salmon that Shannyn smoked herself. Trust me when I tell you that it is AWEsome. She gave me some and I had it on a toasted “everything” bagel with cream cheese and capers… Wow. You’ve got 5 more minutes to get your name entered. If you’d like to donate but just don’t have the funds, you can send me an email at akmuckraker(at)yahoo(dot)com to get your name in the hat!
Drumroll please! The winner of our first door prize – 3 jars of smoked Shannyn salmon and a genuine Brian the Moose goes to Carolyn M. from Silver City, New Mexico! Congratulations!
9:33 – Sorry to be away so long, Mudflatters! But, Holy Cow! I finally got to meet Gov. Tony Knowles! (I voted for him in case you were wondering!) Turns out he loves Mudflats! 
Had a great conversation with him and his wife Susan about health care and other things political. Mudflatter Tony Knowles… Who knew? Very cool!
Time for another door prize! Congratulations to Helen M. from Wales, WI! You’ve just won a beautiful Alaskan dreamcatcher!
9:48 – We’re listening to Geoffrey Dunn’s beautiful and talented daughter play the piano. She is a songwriter and a singer too. Tess is her name. Remember it!
Next door prize! Remember how I said that Sean Parnell would need a giant bundle of sage to exorcise the Governor’s mansion? Well, guess what? The lucky winner of a big fat bundle of Alaska sage is……drumroll……Brian C. in Van Nuys, California! Congratulations!
10:13 – It’s starting to get a little dusky now. The fire pit is blazing, and there’s lots of talking and laughing going on outside.
Here’s Geoffrey Dunn with Susan and Gov. Tony Knowles. Yes, they all love Brian. Who can blame them?
10:30 – Time for another drawing! The winner of another beautiful Alaska dreamcatcher is….. BJ in Utah! Congratulations!
We’re all having a great time. So glad you are able to be here with us! Bruce Springsteen is playing on the stereo, and people are starting to hit the desserts. I’ve finally managed to have a Shantini which is quite good!
11:44 – It’s dark now and the remaining guests are hanging out by the fire. There’s a cribbage tournament beginning inside. Chocolate cake and Mudslides are making the rounds.
2:11am – Lost my internet connection at the party so I am now blogging from home. The cribbage game ended. A few more songs from Tess, a cup of coffee with a little added dash of Mudslide, and we said goodbye. I left a small troupe of hale and hardy Mudflatters around the fire and said my farewells.
Here are our final three door prizes!
The winner of a hand made beaded necklace and earrings from Ann Strongheart is… Elizabeth in Wasilla!
The winner of a gift certificate for some fabulous wine from the Tiger Mountain Vineyard is… Fred in Mississippi!
And the winner of some smoked salmon from Victoria in Ugashik is…….Mona in CT!
I hope you all enjoy your prizes! I’m going to try to get them sent out before we leave, but if I can’t make it, they’ll ship out right when I get back.
We all had a great time at our virtual party with you. As I was blogging, various people would come over and watch, and read your comments. Everyone thought it was a pretty great way to connect the “real” world and the “virtual” world in a common cause.
We are both really excited to be going to Netroots Nation. We’re at that point where it has started to feel like it’s really happening. And we just found out today that Bill Clinton will be there on Thursday night to kick off Netroots in style! Wow!
Shannyn and I would like to thank you all for your participation in the Just-A-MudPac pledge drive. The donate buttons will remain active, and even though the party’s over, you can still donate to our great adventure if you haven’t yet.
August 8th, 2009 at 9:52 PM
I saw frampton too. Maybe last year sometime on some talk show. I didn’t even know it was him! He lost all the hair I fell in love with back in the day!
August 8th, 2009 at 9:54 PM
I have to get back to work – darn! Thanks for the party!
Wishing both of you a wonderful and safe trip. See ya next Sunday at Mudstock!!!! Can’t wait!
August 8th, 2009 at 9:57 PM
Must turn in – I will be back tomorrow for my car, too – but it will be late in the day so please don’t let Big Slick drive it before I can pick it up.
PorchPuppies are organizing for a big drive to support Obama. That is, between the pole dances and other activities.
August 8th, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Just made my donation. I hope you both have a wonderful time on the East Coast and goodness knows what whackiness Sarah Palin will get up to while you’re gone!
August 8th, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Na Na Na Na Nana Nana…..Tequila!
August 8th, 2009 at 10:01 PM
See – what did I tell you!!
August 8th, 2009 at 10:03 PM
By the way: don’t worry, ya’ll… i’m sober and a decent actress and will be the designated decoy tonight.
:::slipping off to the restroom before hitting the road:::
August 8th, 2009 at 10:04 PM
well, the porch pups are starting to fall out.
AKM, you’re gonna have a LOT of cars at your place. Hope everyone remembers where they left them…
August 8th, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Here’s one…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEi7GPkxfsE
August 8th, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Roger Daltry was with The Who. And he doesn’t look half bad for his age. And still has his hair. Did a lot of guest spots on Highlander. Also did one on CSI: Las Vegas.
August 8th, 2009 at 10:12 PM
….and here’s the other!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szrzUDODznE
August 8th, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Tony and Susan Knowles – what a treat! And Brian likes them back – he’s got good taste. I miss the Gov. Knowles days when he waved as he jogged and always had a smile as a neighbor. I enjoyed going by the Gov’s mansion and it really was lived in and looked like a home, not a landmark.
I have heard many things over the years from various mansion staff members who shop in town, and from those who have worked with other folks I know. I can say this – the Knowles family was highly respected and well liked by their staff. I can’t say much more than that or I’ll be in trouble. But that says a lot to me!
August 8th, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Yawn. Getting too old to be up this late
August 8th, 2009 at 10:19 PM
and yet another party tune with a prophetic lyrical hook from DJ BigSlick
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7miRCLeFSJo&feature=fvw
August 8th, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Hey kids! Sorry if this has already been asked, but does anyone know when Shannyn will be speaking at Harvard? I saw AKM’s comment that it was the Kennedy School who invited Shannyn, but they’re either slow or I’m stupid, because I can’t find reference to the event anywhere on Harvard’s website. Help?
August 8th, 2009 at 10:21 PM
nite all!
August 8th, 2009 at 10:42 PM
AKM, Shannyn thank you for the party, I had a great time.
Nite all.
August 8th, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Hello! It is great to say hello to a Saturday night Alaska party on a Sunday morning in Germany. Hope you are still all going strong. Looks like you have enough food to last the night.
I´m off to join the family for breakfast now, but will be thinking of you all..
Enjoy.
August 8th, 2009 at 11:20 PM
Late to the party, and hey, where’s everyone gone…? Oh well, next time, when we’re not watching silly TV and knitting a baby blanket for a mudpuplet…
Martha Unalaska Yard Sign–I used to run into Tony Knowles (and Sarah) shopping at Foodland!
August 8th, 2009 at 11:22 PM
Great party! I don’t have to drive home and don’t have to change into my pajamas! Sounds like you all had a swell time and so did the rest of us Mudpuppies. Nice.
August 8th, 2009 at 11:25 PM
OMG – Clinton will be in Pittsburgh to kick off the Netroots Convention! http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/8/8/763893/-MAJOR-ANNOUNCEMENT:-Join-President-Clinton-in-Pittsburgh
Have a great trip, AKM and Shannyn!
August 8th, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Hey, writers, don’t miss this explanation from Palin speechwriter. It is short and to the point.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0Z4oC3VMI8&eurl
August 8th, 2009 at 11:32 PM
Nite all, am fecking shattered. Doesn’t matter what side of the atlantic you put me on, I always stay up too late.
August 8th, 2009 at 11:37 PM
Martha Unalaska Yard Sign–we used to see him hiking and cross-country skiing too.
August 9th, 2009 at 2:23 AM
missed the party , looks like everybody had fun though
Any leftovers?
August 9th, 2009 at 3:03 AM
Back for my car.
Man! You guys left quite a mess!
I think I’ll just sneak around quietly and clean things up while everyone else sleeps.
(AKM will believe that whole fairy bit when she wakes up!)
August 9th, 2009 at 3:04 AM
Wait a sec! Who’s house is this????
August 9th, 2009 at 5:29 AM
Lori in Los Angles Thanks My nephew from Alaska was looking up in the Appleton area for a home when he was back here a few years ago. My oldest lives not to far from Appleton. I knew Greta was from Wisconsin but didn’t know exactly where.She was in Madison for a murder there at the UW. AKM and Shannyn thanks for the prize
August 9th, 2009 at 8:50 AM
jojobo: SOOOO glad to see you won a Door Prize!
I hope you enjoy it!
August 9th, 2009 at 8:51 AM
Speaking of the prizes, how nice of Ann Strongheart to donate HAND MADE, AUTHENTIC AK’N craft!
Kudos to ANN!
August 9th, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Wow wow wow!! Just read that my husband and I won the gift certificate from the Tiger Mountain Vineyards. I’m doing a happy dance. I can’t wait to tell him.
I was born in Anchorage and lived there several years. My husband and I like to visit and salmon fish. Still not sure how I ended up in Mississippi. But AKM and Shannyn help me stay sane while surrounded by a sea of red.
Many, many thanks!!
August 9th, 2009 at 2:29 PM
YAY!!! I love-love-LOVE salmon! Thank you SO much!!!
(S’funny. One of my first ADN names was ‘Ugashiksa’! It brought me luck!)
August 9th, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Pittsburgh AKMudstock 2009
Sunday, August 16th, 2009 – 1PM – Pittsburgh, PA
It is all really going to happen! We have extended the RSVP deadline to FRIDAY AUGUST 14th for any last minute Mudpuppies on the SURGE!
We are now at around 32 coming in!
There is now a PRE-AKMudstock gathering scheduled for SATURDAY NIGHT AUGUST 15th for those in town by Saturday night! Details to be announced TOMORROW Monday during the day on the UPDATE thread!
Stay tuned!
PITTSBURGH AKMUDSTOCK 2009 ORIGINAL ANNOUNCEMENT DETAILS
http://www.themudflats.net/forum/index.php/topic,7283.msg75256.html#msg75256
CHECK HERE FOR THE LATEST UPDATE INFORMATION:
http://www.themudflats.net/forum/index.php/topic,7283.msg75900.html#msg75900
August 9th, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Pittsburgh AKMudstock 2009
Sunday, August 16th, 2009 – 1PM – Pittsburgh, PA
It is all really going to happen! We have extended the RSVP deadline to FRIDAY AUGUST 14th for any last minute Mudpuppies on the SURGE!
We are now at around 32 coming in!
There is now a PRE-AKMudstock gathering scheduled for SATURDAY NIGHT AUGUST 15th for those in town by Saturday night! Details to be announced TOMORROW Monday during the day on the UPDATE thread!
Stay tuned!
CHECK HERE FOR THE LATEST UPDATE INFORMATION:
http://www.themudflats.net/forum/index.php/topic,7283.msg75900.html#msg75900
August 10th, 2009 at 6:13 AM
I’m very excited to see Geoffrey Dunn at your party. I expect his book to be well and truly researched with footnotes and an index at the back (as well as being a great read) to counter the kind of fluff the Quitter and her “christian” ghost writer are going to try to get away with.
(I have a fantasy of Ms. Vincent suddenly realizing her client is can not be trusted to tell the truth and dropping the project (like a former writer did) but with millions of dollars at stake, she may be willing to “hold her nose” and wade through the self-pitying, paranoid b.s. that flows from SP’s damaged psyche.)