Open Thread – An Anonymous Weekend.
It’s been a great weekend, and it’s not over yet. I’ve been a little skimpy with the posting this weekend, mainly because the crew from Anonymous Bloggers is in town, and I’ve been having a blast getting to know them all as more than just a little tiny square 1-inch avatar! Turns out that they’re all living, breathing, talking, thinking people. Who knew?
They’ve been doing lots of things all on their own, leaving their mark on our fair city. But we have managed to connect for several fun events. On Thursday, the whole crew met up at Bernie’s Bungalow to attend the taping of Moore Up North, where Ann Strongheart was interviewed at the beginning of the show!
~Shannyn Moore and Ann Strongheart on Moore Up North
Lots of local bloggers and Mudflatters showed up for the event, and had a great time conversing after the taping was over.
On Friday, the other four Anonymous Bloggers (Fawnskin Mudpuppy, Alaska Pi, Elsie, and Vic) met Shannyn for a radio interview on The Shannyn Moore Show on KUDO 1080am. Then after a tremendously successful fundraiser for the aforementioned Shannyn Moore Show…
~Shannyn Moore takes a call of support from Thom Hartmann at her fundraiser
…we went to an incredibly fabulous dinner at The Crow’s Nest atop the Captain Cook Hotel. We were all the way up on the 20th floor, which, in Alaska is about as tall as it gets! Nevertheless, even at a modest 20 stories, the view was beautiful. Right where that black part is, above the horizon of lights, you can imagine in the daylight the beautiful snowy Chugach Mountain range.
~Downtown Anchorage at night
We wined and dined, and I laughed so hard and in such a sustained way, my stonach actually hurt. I had the fresh white salmon with some kind of delicious potato puree, sweet corn and blueberry vinaigrette. Wow.
Then came decadent desserts – a plate full of chocolate delights, including a stowaway ‘chocolate moose!’ Actually it was just our blog “moosecot” Brian joining the fun.
And of course, if you’re ever in a restaurant the offers any kind of dessert that involves fire, there is simply no choice but to order it. And yes, the bananas foster was as good as it looks.
And then tonight, a ringside seat for the Fur Rondezvous fireworks! “Fur Rondy” as it is called, is basically a big winter festival full of fun and unusual activities, designed and sustained to have something fun to do in the middle of the winter so we don’t all go crazy. It is loosely based on the time when trappers used to come to town to trade furs. Also, in Alaska where Fourth of July celebrations happen during the daylight (because it’s daylight all the time), we cherish our winter fireworks on New Year’s Eve and at Fur Rondy. It’s always a great display.
And let’s not forget the two littlest “Anonymous Bloggers!” Actually, I prefer to think of them as “Governors in training,” or maybe future Senators. The Senators Strongheart. I like that.
~The beautiful and energetic Cecilia Strongheart
~And the littlest one of all – 3-month old Miss Glenna Strongheart
If those two don’t put a smile on your face, then I’m afraid you have little hope.
There is more on the schedule tomorrow, so now you understand why I’ve been spending less time at the keyboard. Life returns to normal on Monday.
Any of you Anchorage Mudflatters out enjoying Fur Rondy?
Sweet! I was wondering if they were all in town? Now I see why very little posting at AB, or Shannyn as well.
Have fun everyone! Almost like a pajama party.
Sounds as if a wonderful time was had by all. Love the pics!
Wish I could have been there..
I always like to see the people behind the blogs I frequent. It looks like it was fun.
You all work so hard that you deserve this break! Kentucky is just a tad too far to get up there, but I surely wish I’d been able to join in the fun.
I remember the Fur Rondy events from the years we lived there and they were so much fun. No one ever let the cold deter us from getting out. I still have a couple of pins from nearly 40 years ago…….tarnished, but something I can’t bear to throw away.
Ann’s girls are growing by leaps and bounds. I can just hear GG laughing now, such a happy baby. CC looks so serious, but I’m sure she is trying to decide what mischief to get into next!
It’s been a relief to everyone that the tsunami did’t do as much damage as thought possible. I’m just glad precautions were taken – just so people don’t get complacent when the next one heads their way.
It is also amazing that Chile didn’t suffer more extenisve structural damage, and it goes to show that building codes can make a difference.
I hope all of our fellow mudpups in the northeast are dealing with the snow and loss of power.
Happy Sunday to all……….and I refuse to spoil the day by watching any of the talk shows, so I’ll rely on other posters to update if there is something worthwhile reading about. Just knowing McCain is going to be on one of them again, has turned me off.
Sounds like a fun time for all with lots and lots of talking.
I suppose we can excuse Brian for putting his foot in his food, afterall in the great out-of-doors he would often be up to his waist in goodies.
The Senators Strongheart – I LIKE that! They are beautiful girls with a beautiful mother and family.
Finished digging out of 15″ of snow yesterday. Sore today. LOL Rain is predicted today and tomorrow so that will wash some of it away in time for more snow on Tuesday! Oh well, the calendar still says Winter, and I’m enjoying my big fat Cardinals at the feeder as well as Juncos which I’ve seen for the first time this year. I’m trying to get pictures to share.
Family in Hawaii are all OK and we’re breathing easy again. Glad that disasters were averted for the most part. I’m quite positive that the good building codes in Chile saved countless lives. Do we need any more proof that such regulations work? Haiti and Chile provide glaring contrasts.
Thank you for the pictures AKM. I felt as if I were sharing that wonderful meal with you. Salmon is my most favorite food!
Namaste Stronghearts.
From one loon about another:
http://www.nrc.nl/international/Features/article2493254.ece/Tea_Party_prominent_Palin_not_presidential
Glad all had such a good time! Will the political corruption in AK ever be resolved, though? Another blog mentions 17% in AK who were polled want Palin to run for president, while around twice that think she should still be in politics, but campaign for candidates around the country. As long as Big Bucks are lobbying for oil and gas in AK, I suspect that it will be hard to get rid of the Old Guard.
In terms of Chile, while the death toll is low (around 300 at at this point, thankfully), the economic damage is huge, estimated at around $30B. There are countless homeless at this point, also. At least, that’s what I’ve been hearing on the news reports.
53% of Alaskan’s polled think that Palin should remain in politics but only 17% of those think she should run for President:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2010/02/should-palin-run-for-president-her-former-constituents-divided/1
What fun. Thanks for that post, AKM. And what precious children.
Frank Rich’s column.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/28/opinion/28rich.html?em
Wow loved the pics of Anchorage at night. You make this Alaska ex-pat homesick. Such a shame the Miners and Trappers Ball and world champion sled dog races have been dropped from Fur Rondy
GA Peach – Thanks for steering us to Frank Rich’s column – it is a good one! Almost daily, we are seeing one journalist or commentator after another revising their previously-positive opinion of Palin.
He reminds us that we should not dismiss the Tea Party crowd, they are more powerful and faster growing than we realize. Southern Poverty Law Center has been weighing in on the rapid rise of the homegrown and disaffected “hatriots”. He points out just how many of our elected officials and prominent media folks are regularly spouting violencing, and if not actually encouraging it, are doing nothing to stomp down the hateful rhetoric.
Rich references a recent statement by George Will: “Palin will not even be the G.O.P. nominee unless the party wants to lose at least 44 states”.
He also discusses the CPAC straw poll that puts Ron Paul at the head of the list for 2012 President, and includes Dorothy Rabinowitz’ recent opinion on Ron Paul followers as ““conspiracy theorists, anti-government zealots, 9/11 truthers, and assorted other cadres of the obsessed and deranged.”
He closes with a reference to another article and how Palin fits into the big picture:
….In his Times article on the Tea Party right, Barstow profiled Pam Stout, a once apolitical Idaho retiree who cast her lot with a Tea Party group allied with Beck’s 9/12 Project, the Birch Society and the Oath Keepers, a rising militia group of veterans and former law enforcement officers who champion disregarding laws they oppose. She frets that “another civil war” may be in the offing. “I don’t see us being the ones to start it,” she told Barstow, “but I would give up my life for my country.” Whether consciously or coincidentally, Stout was echoing Palin’s memorable final declaration during her appearance at the National Tea Party Convention earlier this month: “I will live, I will die for the people of America, whatever I can do to help.” It’s enough to make you wonder who is palling around with terrorists now………
Syrin has a new article up also – a comparison between Sarah Palin and Jesse Jackson. I can just imagine her pulling out her hair if she reads this!
http://syrin.vox.com/library/post/is-sarah-palin-the-2012-version-of-jesse-jackson-in-1988.html?_c=feed-atom
It still makes me grin, after 30 plus years living in Alaska to see the carnival rides downtown – and people riding them in freezing temps. I try and be one of the peeps and ride the Ferris Wheel. Don’t forget to view the amazing entries in the Ice Sculpture contest. I hope AKM posts some of those for our out-of-state friends to see.
AKM-
It was such fun! Thank you for posting the fireworks pics since I had to leave a day earlier than the rest of the ladies.
I too, also, laughed until I hurt…
loved getting to hold GG and draw pictures with CC
and finally meet all my AB cohorts real live along with you, Shannyn, and Diva.
Gonna take a week to sort out all the activities and impressions…
whew!
Thank you for all the time you made to spend with us !
Sure looks like fun !! chuckle, but I think I’ll wait until it’s substantially warmer before checking out the view !
back to gardening today, peas, cantalopes, watermelon, green beans and carrots go in today, transplanted cherry tomatoes yesterday. getting a nice rain break , so full steam ahead.
AK – am looking for paypal for Mica, but must be blind, someone got directions for me to find ?, if not, will call alaka bank monday and send check.
Brian is one lucky guy, having the prettiest gal in Alaska as a dinner companion.
Obviously a great time was had by all. Especially Cecilia. Gotta love those Mardi Gras beads.
Now , here is a lovely picture of a Canadian woman hockey player celebrating the winning of the gold medal. Wait………is that an American beverage in her hand ?!?!
Tsk-tsk…….. Keep it classy Canada.
http://i.imgur.com/3x45m.jpg
Great photos. Great beads on the soon to be Senator CC!
How are they doing this year regarding food and fuel, BTW?
austintx, no no, here’s the Canadian version. lol. Ain’t No Party Like a Gold Medal Party — on ice from the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team. Well done women, have a cigar, but I would recommend a good German beer!
We’ll see how the men stack up today!
Oh, Joy!
Thanks for sharing the festive journey…
And there is sooooo much HOPE…and promise for better days ahead…found in those precious little faces.
Take Heart,
Repukes keep reciting the mantra of “all Americans” want this and “all Americans” want that (what WE want-we are for the people-yada yada)…who are these Americans???!!! I AM American and I DO NOT want what they suggest…THEY DO NOT speak for me, and I AM part of that “all Americans”.
This is one of my biggest pet peeves.
AND I haven’t heard one pundit call them out on that point.
sidebar: Ann…you have two cutey patooty girls there…just darling.
Glad all in AK are having such a wonderful time. Last night’s moon woke me at 4 a.m., but no one was in chat — now I know where everyone was at midnight AK time! Health and peace.
There is always a yahoo that just HAS to jump in the picture………
http://i.imgur.com/umfCH.jpg
just sent an email to Eric Cantor…telling him exactly how I feel…saw his same tired old recitation on MTP.
Pick a city in his district, get the zipcode…make up name and address and voila!
if Amy has anything to say about it — the Senators Strongheart will be women of integrity, compassion, and vision. but right now, they are some pretty sweet gals.
Lainey –
About that Eric Cantor……….something ain’t right about that boy. Everytime I see him , I just wonder…….
Ann’s girls are beyond adorable….and I love the Mardi Gras beads on CC…”let the good times roll”, indeed!
Austin tx ; Lainey
I agree about Cantor. His voice is so whiney–I can hardly listen to him.
@austintx…:D
I totally see that too…he’s not the only one I think that about…it’s also as if ‘somebody’ winds the key before any interview, and pushes them out the door! …they pick a phrase and they all use the same…no deviations, no larger vocabulary (for their constituents, maybe), no new talking points…they don’t even contemplate how ridiculous it sounds to ‘all Americans’!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Lainey The every American wants is my pet peeve also as myself and so many people I know would not be part of the republican real America.Maybe those who think only they are real Americans should move to Iran and see how they like that,we would not let them back in!!!!!
AKM loved the night picture of Anchorage,the few times I was up It was just driving thru and visiting friends in Anchorage,I should say my sisters friends.,who accepted me because I was Clara’s sister.I have never met such friendly people except in northern Wisconsin.When help is needed it is given.
Even if the “all Americans” message is not true if anyone “thinks” about it the underlying meaning seems to be getting into the feeble “brains” of the MSM.
The WH needs to come up with an improved strategy to DRIVE the messages repeated by the MSM over and over. The MSM never bother with the reasons why a certain poll may state that a majority of us don’t like the current bills. Of course we don’t because the vast majority want some form of Public Option.
I’d like to see a stronger message about how the majority DO want a major overhaul of HC including some form of “public option”. Maybe the PO needs to be recast as a non-profit insurance option. In that case, you could also build on the fact that HC used to be non-profit until “tinkle-down” economics changed the laws to make “health” insurance a profit making enterprise. Why are we ignoring our own history? To “elite” for public consumption? I don’t get it?
A little history: “Prior to the Tax Reform Act of 1986, organizations administering Blue Cross Blue Shield were tax exempt under 501(c)(4) as social welfare plans. However, the Tax Reform Act of 1986 revoked that exemption because the plans sold commercial-type insurance. They became 501(m) organizations, subject to federal taxation but entitled to “special tax benefits”[9] under IRC 833. In 1994, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association changed to allow its licensees to be for-profit corporations.[5] Some plans[specify] are still considered not-for-profit at the state level.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Cross
20 Quetzalcoatl Says: How are they doing this year regarding food and fuel, BTW?
There are a number of families in Nunam Iqua that have been *adopted*, but Ann still has several more who could use assistance. Not all of the families need EVERYTHING, most simply need a bit of a helping hand. The bottom line is that no one is expected to spend or donate more than the person can afford, and that anything that is donated is better than nothing. Contact Ann if you can help.
Please take a moment out and join Coffee Party Movement on Facebook.
In just a few weeks, the movement to counter the Tea Party Movement has grown from an idea of a few progressive friends sitting around talking to 28,000 members (in less than a month) and chapters in major cities across the country.
If you haven’t heard about the Coffee Party Movement, its premise is that government is not the enemy of the people, but rather the collective will of the people, and that our elected representatives should serve us and not lobbyists.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/2/28/841513/-Coffee-Party-Movement-now-at-30,000+:-Updated-3x
If you don’t use Facebook, here’s more information and how to join:
http://coffeepartyusa.com/content/how-start-or-join-coffee-party-chapter
I await the stories & pics from sis! It was great to hear the gang on Shannyn’s show and it just sounds like a great time all around. How often do winter visitors get to watch fireworks set off just for them! Funny, smart, adventurous, pajama clad, devilish bloggers unite!
Happy Sunday all! Enjoyed the pictures, AKM. Looks like fun times!
What is the point to Life?
good company, delicious food, chocolate dessert, fireworks and pretty babies.
wow!
I agree with you Bubbles
Canada just won the Gold medal in Hockey.
It was tied 2 -2 after regulation and Canada won in Overtime
regarding this “all Americans” want to kill the bill lie that’s being circulated by the Repukes, I let my feelings speak (loudly)…this morning, I emailed the WH, VP, my senators, my house rep, eric cantor, MTP, CNN, and anybody else I could think of who let’s this thing run wild without correcting…luckily copy/paste saved a lot of time.
This crap makes me mad as hell!
I can’t believe that NBC just stopped the Olympic closing ceremony to premier a new Seinfeld show, then the news and then show the balance of the ceremony after. WTF?? They wonder why their ratings suck. Here’s a clue!!
meede – I know!! That the heck just happened here ?? It’s the Olympic Games for goodness sake !
Great post and photos, AKM. The wee Stronghearts are adorable! Congrats, Ann!
Miss CC is definitely a Jewellery Fashionista!!
Miss GG – I just want to pinch those cheeks!!
How adorable they are!!
Bumberstickers: CC & GG 20??
hey Benlomond2 – Where’d you go ?? I saw you pop in to the chat room and then , poof ! You were gone.
AKM– great photos and the one of the city from the 20th floor is outstanding!
Lainey@22–I understand the “all Americans” thing after watching some of the health summit. According to Republicans, corporations are people; therefore, when they say “all Americans” they probably only mean the ones they know–the American-based corporations.
Good Morning All-
Ann, the girls and I are heading home, but stalled due to weather in our hub city:-) Seems that is the way of Alaska travel, as the Feds found out last year!!
We will have much to share with you about our travels and whom all we got to visit with.
I can tell you the cabbies in Anchorage were a hoot and I am sure there will be a post on that alone!! Sure gives you an idea of how at least a portion of the population is thinking.
AKM, Diva, and Shannyn were so great and special to us all, there is just no way to say thanks enough
Awww, the Senators Strongheart… I LOVE that! And the cutest darn Senators they’d be too!
#47@wallflower……….great point!