Open Thread – Boot on the Ground
Part of the annual Fur Rendezvous festival every year is an event called Can-struction. Different companies in town build interesting things out of cans, and people come and vote for the one they like best. A vote consists of bringing your own can(s) of food and putting them in a large bucket beside the entry you think is best. I took some pictures of these delightful can creations last week and thought I’d share.
My personal favorite was this lovely boot, because of course it made me think of the Mudflats avatar, a shiny pair of yellow rubber boots. And it also made me laugh because the boot that this can sculpture is supposed to represent is the kind of boot that the avatar was originally going to be. I, like every other person in the state, have a pair of these Xtra tuff rubber boots. They’re good for standing in streams and stomping through wet brush, and walking in the mud, and picking berries in the rain and a variety of activities. When I first started Mudflats and I was thinking of an avatar, I decided I’d put on my Xtra tuffs and go down to the inlet and get a picture of the boots standing in the mud. But until I have time, I thought to myself, I’ll find a picture of boots to use as a temporary fix. I found the yellow ones and liked them. They weren’t Alaskan, but they’d do in a pinch.
Well, then you-know-who got that VP nod, and “having time” suddenly seemed like an old-fashioned and amusing concept. And then someone commented that they liked the yellow boots, and I said that I was actually thinking about changing them because nobody in Alaska wears yellow Wellies, they all wear old beat up Xtra tuffs. And that’s when I really found out how much everyone loved the yellow boots. Comments and emails poured in, and the yellow boots stayed.
But, back to the cans. I smiled when I saw the boot, squishing through those bags of macaroni. So I took a couple of pictures. And then I took a picture of the sign describing the boot and the fine people who created it. And only a moment ago, did I realize what company had sponsored this boot. CH2M Hill. And who is CH2M Hill you ask?
CH2M Hill is the company that ate VECO, the oil field services company that was the home of corrupt bastard King Bill Allen and corrupt bastard prince Rick Smith. Wow. It seemed rather fitting that this boot, which reminded me of “tiptoeing through the muck of Alaskan politics” came from the company that took over VECO. Not to disparage the fine individuals who designed and created this lovely icon. And, I am pleased to learn that CH2M Hill seems to be more than several notches above the company they absorbed, having actually won an award for being one of the most ethical companies of 2009. Go figure! It may be the first case of corporate whiplash. It just struck me funny – a former corrupt bastard Xtra tuff.
And as the sign proudly proclaims – “CH2M Hill is proud to be part of Alaska’s unique past and is eager to walk “stride for stride” in continuing to build Alaska’s bright future.”
“Unique past.” Gotta love it.
I’m still stickin’ with the Wellies.
Cute!
I have a pair of those beat up old Xtra Tuffs, wish they were pretty Wellies!!
Morning All !
For those of you who have been hanging with me while I’ve been waiting for the new kittens – Well they’ve finally begun to arrive .
So far there are two little ones. I’m a little concerned about the first one. There’s a “frail” vibe around it . Am also noticing that Mama Kitty is not giving it much attention. The 2nd little one was crying strongly even before it was fully disengaged. Now THAT was a bizarre site at 5am.
Anyway, I wanted to make my announcement. I’m back to the birthing kitchen to check on progress. I know there’s at least one more in there but she’s taking a rest at the moment.
Wish me luck !
( oh – i really like the “can” idea. What a nifty way to collect donations. )
Looking around online this morning, I found this info about an Int’l Women’s Day event to be held in Anchorage today, w/ specific info included here below:
http://joinmeanchorage-rss.eventbrite.com/
Go to this page to look for your own city:
http://www.womenforwomen.org/bridge/attend-bridge-event.php
At lunch time on Monday, March 8, women and girls from all over Anchorage will join together on the Hillcrest Drive bridge over Minnesota Boulevard next to West High School to celebrate the 100th year of International Women’s Day. They will display their messages and wishes for peace and development for women in war-torn countries all across the world.
Taking time out from their work day and school day, the people on the bridge will support Women for Women International, a grassroots organization empowering women in war-torn countries, including Afghanistan, Iraq, the Congo and Sudan.
I lived in Corvallis, Oregon from 1972-1981. There was a local engineering firm named CH2M Hill. I thought it was (is?) an honorable engineering firm. A quick google gave me this site:
http://careers.ch2m.com/worldwide/en/about-ch2m-hill/
Could these be the same people?
Thanks in advance for any clarification.
Thanks for the inquiry. Yes, they are an honorable engineering firm. Duly noted and corrections made. Thanks! AKM
CH2M Hill was a repected firm in Alaska. Years ago when I was an engineer up there, it was one of the good guys, with very competent engineers.
Duly noted and fixed. Thanks! AKM
Buff, Best wishes to you and Momma Kitty!
Palin in Canada:
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2652828
One of the best paragraphs:
“She complained about the “establishment,” this woman who once ran to be second-in-command of the largest establishment in the world; she mocked the press, speaking as a correspondent to America’s biggest news network; she chastised critics who dwelt on her children’s lives, after introducing to the audience her daughter, Piper, who spent the duration of the speech fidgeting near the stage.”
buffalogal ! alll rrriigghhttt!! Evil kitty has begun !! she’s not having them ON the kitchen table , is she ??
Just finished “Game Change”…. WOW !! You’ll never look at Political Races the same after reading it !! Just amazing !!!
@4 Sweet William
Yes, I’m also scratching my head. When I worked with City of Seattle Engineers (typing all the stuff as the Admn person), we did a LOT of business with CH2M Hill in 1978 into the 1980′s before I changed jobs. Very well respected, we seriously wanted their expertise.
Perhaps, with all the corporate changes and chasing the almighty dollar, could things have changed over the years? I’m hoping someone can shed some light on this weird partnership.
A very clever concept! What are those things on the floor around it, pasta?
Like the alasCAN sneaker thing, too.
Speaking of clever – as much as one can “speak” while typing away – there’s a clever ploy underway in the Boston-area to get Rachel Maddow to consider running for Senate against Scott “da poser” Brown: http://bostonherald.com/news/politics/view.bg?articleid=1238029&srvc=news&position=4
BuffaloGal -
Guessing we are ’bout 6 wks. out on shipping ??
9am – still only two kittens. They’re much cuter now that they’re all cleaned and dried. I’ll share birth details up in chat at some point. Waaaay too much info for an open thread. At one point it was like the freakish scene from Total Recall.
Mama has already tried moving the little gray kitten. I didn’t close the kitchen door well enough and next thing I know she’s trotting through the house with the tiny thing in her mouth. They’ve both been returned to the blankets and we’re waiting on the next batch.
Austin – I think I may decide to send you Mama Kitty. These are going to be too cute to let go!
I am quite familiar with the company Ch2MHill. They have been a competitor for many, many years of the engineering firm where my spouse works. They are a pretty big environmental firm. Wikipedia says it took over VECO in 2007 after the corruption scandal.
Last year Ch2 was named one of “the world’s most ethical companies” by the Ethisphere Institute in 2009…
That being said, they are an employee owned corporation with a global presence. It might be a good thing that CH2 has taken over VECO. Although they are a pretty large company, I think that they are pretty responsible and considerate of communities. That remains to be seen in your community, of course, but I think you might be pleasantly surprised…
(And don’t let my spouse know that I am saying anything good about the competition…)
Thanks for the info. Changes made accordingly! Glad to hear it. AKM
Oh and here is a link about CH2MHill winning their award…
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS178967+15-Apr-2009+MW20090415
They were among 100 firms chosen out of 10,000 for their award…
Included above. Thanks! AKM
Awww Buff….. teh kittehs. teh kittehs are here!!!
BuffaloGal – For what it’s worth, I’m thinking you might just as well let Mama Kitty move her babies to where she wants them…where her instinct tells her they should be. Something about the scent of birthing that attracts predators in the wild and Mother Nature telling her to protect the ones she’s already birthed by moving them; instinct tells her to get her babies outta there ASAP and into a ‘safe’ place (while she continues to birth the rest of the litter.)
In my experience, she won’t be happy (read: deliver well/minimum stress) until she gets them to a space *well away* from where they were birthed. Letting her do what Nature tells her to do, is what she’s going to do!…no matter what the person she owns thinks is ‘best’ (or does in an effort to help.) Leastwise, that’s always been the case with all momma kitties who’ve owned me over the years… BTW: Congrats on the arrivals, ‘grandma’! beth.
Please, please correct your post. CH2MHill is a fine, respected international company and you are unfairly smearing them. They have had an office in Anchorage since pipeline days and is probably the most respected environmental engineering company in the state. VECO was not “reincarnated” as CH, but more like taken over by it.
Duly noted. Hopefully this will clear up any misconceptions others hold as well. Thanks for the info! AKM
Yeayyyyyyyyyyyyyy for the CH2MHill people. this may be only respected international company in all fifty states. bless ‘em.
Buff gal….. what Beth is saying about teh momma is right. especially since the number one killers of kittens are male cats. that is why i couldn’t take one. my Nooby is a 14 year old territorial male. he won’t abide kittens that are not his own.
Buff gal,
Welcome to the new mudkittens!
Congrats on the new kitties buff.
Huffpo has a new piece up about Sarah writing on her hands and comparing herself to God!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/08/sarah-palin-god-wrote-not_n_489864.html
Mudkitties! Buff, I’ll see you in chat to get the details. Love the boot tromping through the pasta. Health and peace to all.
Sarah—–what a nerd!!!!
While the irony is not lost on me, comparing Xe and Altria to CH2MHill appears to be comparing apples and oranges. The first two just underwent a name change with the same major players in place. CH2MHill is a different company with different players, and a much better reputation than its predecessor. I’m sure they kept many of the employees, but most of them had nothing whatsoever to do with the shenanigans of its owners and senior management, and I am glad they still have jobs.
Duly noted and fixed. Thanks! AKM
@ 6 OMG, thanks for the link.
The author captures the way she disconnects the audience from their reality and draws them into her fiction pretty well.
The only disconcerting thing is that even he seems to think she’s a conservative. She may be socially, but sure isn’t fiscally, as her record shows.
BuffaloGal -
If you are gonna send me “Mama” , I get pick of litter.
Beth & Bubs – I’d be happy to let her move the little buggers about but t’aint safe ! I’m in the middle of moving so there are boxes everywhere and chaos abounds. Lord only knows where they’d end up ! I’m serious – it’s scary crazy in here at the moment and it’s a really big house.
I just talked to the vet because I was getting worried about how long it’s been since the 2nd kitten. She said she’s seen birthing go as long as 72 hours. O dear !
The kitties are taking their first nap. They are 2 1/2 inches of powerful cuteness. So powerful in fact that I’m not even reading Palin news. ( it probably won’t last but it’s nice for the moment )
Buff: Just set up another box in the same room. Put a cover (like a towel) over half of it so she feels like she has a “cave’. Let her move them to it or not.
If you get a weak kitten, rub it. Back and forth all over it’s little body. That’s only if the momma isn’t licking it and caring for it herself, or is too tired to care. It will stimulate breathing, mewing, suckling and poopin’. Sorry for the visual. Make sure momma has access to plenty of fresh water, too.
PM me in the forum if you have any questions. I have birthed many babies, of many different persuasions and sorts. Even a baby duck, once.
Kitty #3 has arrived ! So far, so good !
BuffaloGal – SOOOO sorry, I totally forgot you were in the midst of a Crazy George ‘inspired’ move… you poor, poor dear!
Maybe open the door of a kitchen cabinet or two into which she can sneak and ‘hide’ her babies…or bring into the kitchen a couple or 6 boxes (placed as far away from her ‘birthing suite’ as possible) she can use for similar? Her instincts are yelling at her…both to continue the birthing and to protect her babies — might as well cooperate with her program, ’cause she surely won’t be happy doing elsewise…no matter how much you try to explain the logistics of your impending move to her.
beth.
–You will share with us, won’t you, any song Batty Step-F comes up with to commemorate the happy event? b. –
More from Canada:
http://www.examiner.com/x-5738-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2010m3d8-Video-Sarah-Palin-compares-herself-to-God-to-justify-her-use-of-hand-notes-at-Tea-Party-convention
Here is some eye candy. Click mouse a few times.
http://bestiario.org/research/eyecandy/
Next the former half term Gov will be telling us that HER hand
is the hand of GOD. Am sure there is a verse in the Bible for
that one too.
Good Grief….. am soooo tired of this woman!
1pm and we have kitty #4. Feels like there might be one more but I can’t be sure. #3 has long gold and black fur and he looks just like the big ol’ tom that was hanging out on my porch today right after Kitty’s labor started. Do they sense things like that ??
#4 kitty is still too gooey to tell what it looks like. Possibly another black one?
Thanks for the tips on getting around the “need to move the kittens to a safe spot.” I brought down another box ( in to which she promptly gave birth to #4 ). Must go get another ! Can’t wait for my son to get here so I can upload some photos.
Maybe she could get Mystik tattoos on her hand.
I don’t understand why this story hasn’t gotten some “legs”. Being a spokesmodel for a socialist owned enterprise should be out there and driving the bots nuts.
The HP story only has 58 comments after a few days, while the hand story is over 1,200. What gives?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/akmuckraker/the-palins-socialist-snow_b_488015.html
@30 OMG
I watched the clip. I now feel nauseated.
Unbelievable.
I’m glad others have weighed in on CH2MHill. AKM, I think you need to reframe the connection, as you are casting aspersions on a reputable company. You imply that CH2MHill is VECO reincarnated, when that isn’t even close to the truth. While we can all reasonably question the judgment of CH2MHill in acquiring a company of VECO’s dubious ethics, my read of your post is that you are saying that VECO renamed itself CH2MHill, a la Blackwater renaming itself XE. That’s not at all what happened. CH2MHill, a large and historied engineering firm, purchased VECO. The real question is whether CH2MHill cleaned house at VECO.
I, too, am an Oregonian. Years ago I freelanced for a small consulting engineering firm whose principal worked at CH2MHill for a good part of his career. This is a man whose integrity was beyond reproach, and I never heard anything negative about CH2MHill from him. And he was pretty open with his opinions.
My oldest is also going to be an engineering student at Oregon State next fall. CH2MHill had its genesis at OSU and from what I’ve seen of OSU’s engineering school, CH2MHill continues to do good things in academia.
Duly noted, and fixed. Thanks! AKM
That big boot on the ground needs to be properly placed up a certain part of you know who’s anatomy.
Calagry (and the crowd that she spoke to) is probably very similar to the petrocracy that Alaska is. The rape and pillage attitude of this state is one of the first things that horrified me when I moved here.
That being said, Oh how I wish she would quit comparing herself to all Alaskans. She is NOT representative of me or anyone that I hang with here.
CH2MHill is a decent company. They are not VECO. Oilfield services is only a tiny part of what they do. Clean water around the world is a bigger part. Please do not denigrate them just because they took over for VECO.
Buffalogal: Congrats on the kittens. Were they planned?
Duly noted and fixed. Thanks! AKM
I laughed so hard at this commenters reply on Huffpo to the Sarah/God palm thingy.
“I swear to ya – I just heard my doorknobs giggle.”
The Washington Post catches the hypocrisy in Palin’s latest yarn:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/03/palin-says-she-used-canadian-h.html?hpid=news-col-blog
Re: the Boot…..
Wish I had a photo to share, but here goes: Years ago, I “repurposed” a pair of Xtra toughs that leaked into one of the most charming planters ever…..I drilled drainage holes through the soles, filled the feet with gravel, then potting soil, and planted lobelia, alyssum, and marigolds in them. Placed them side by side on the front steps. They were absolutely lovely!
HMMMMM…not everyone in conservative Calgary were excited about Palin’s speech:
http://www.660news.com/news/local/article/33289–sarah-palin-sponsorship-controversy
“Boot on the Ground” I’m dyin’ here – that struck me as fabulously funny! AKM – how do you do it? However you do, please keep doing!
BuffaloGal – whoopee for kittens! I had one mama kitty years ago who would not have them anywhere except in my bed, under the covers. I made up little nests before she popped, and she’d have nothing to do with them. She did have them in my bed, and then I tried to move them to a new spot and she moved ‘em all back. That cat had attitude, can you tell? Good luck with those little cuties!
@OMG: Best comment :
“Give her a break, it’s hard to be evil without lying.”
lovemydogs…I missed that one!
The ADN does a good job combining the Canadian and Hand Writing stories:
http://www.adn.com/2010/03/08/1173743/god-supports-writing-notes-on.html
The last paragraph is lovely:
” She appears to have updated her memory of the time, because she earlier had told The Skagway News the Heaths had taken the ferry to Juneau for the emergency care. “
Just had to share these here too, about lovemydogs’s friend with the very special dog team and the very special cargo:
http://www.adn.com/2010/03/07/1172821/29-pound-lead-dog-has-right-stuff.html
and
http://community.adn.com/adn/node/150235
AKM,
Please update your post- CH2M Hill isn’t VECO reincarnated. CH2M Hill has been around for a long time and to the best of my knowledge is a reputable international firm.
Their web site is http://www.ch2m.com/corporate/default_north_america.asp for North America. Note the recognition they regularly receive for quality of workplace, advancement of women, etc.
Good companies need recognized for their efforts even as we call the bad ones out for their transgressions, and I think in this case the VECO affiliation is undeserved.
And one has to wonder, would VECO have participated in this event? Not likely.
discontinuous permafrost (longtime reader/lurker and fan)
Duly noted and fixed. Thanks! AKM
Andrew Sullivan over at the Dish thinks that Palin is a political genuis with her reference to the Isaiah passage about “God’s palm notes” as justification for hers. He thinks it will further endear Palin to the evangelicals and that she is a dark horse threat that everyone is underestimating.
I would be tempted to agree except:
1. Palin can do no wrong as far as her fans are concerned so comparing herself to God (basically – blasphemy) is alright by them. Anyone else would have been stoned to death by now.
2. She ingratiates herself to “The Base” with the Isaiah passage stunt but then admits she used “socialised medicine”?? It’s like 1 step forward, 2 steps back.
3. She gives a speech, charging $150 to $200 a ticket, complete with VIP treatment for herself and the monied interests she courts thus attracting legitimate questions about her authenticity and credibility as an “ordinary American” AND her speech is sponsored by….a city owned power company in Canada called Enmax.
So basically – Sarah Palin will take money from anyone who wants to throw it at her! Well heeled elites! Government owned entities! Plus she’ll take a lucrative correspondent job at Fox News for $5,000, Alex! And oh, don’t forget the multi-million advances from Harper Collins for ghost written book #2! Again, 1 step forward, 2 steps back.
Political genius? I think not. Political comedy act? You betcha!
There are so many contradictions in what she says (all in the public records) – the campaign ads just write themselves. So again, I hope she runs in 2012 =)
It’s also pretty cool to see WaPo and ADN reporting the conflicting stories from Palin.
Plus – I think people see a pattern of f*ck ups by Palin on national TV then a lame reason/excuse/justification on national TV some days later. Can anyone really take her seriously except her “supporters”?
InJuneau, that was cool! Go Penny!
Whew! Thanks to all who have provided further info on CH2M Hill. Sounds like a wonderful company and a far cry from VECO. Always feel free to email me at akmuckraker(at)yahoo(dot)com if you see something that needs to be addressed or fixed. You can put “Department of Corrections” in the subject line so I see it right away. Please understand that I do have lots of other things – day job, family, volunteering etc. that keep me away from the screen for periods of time. This is actually a good thing, but I can’t always respond immediately to situations that require clarification or corrections.
Thanks for your patience!
Okay, here’s a silly question from a non-Alaskan who’s seen the name in numerous posts and news stories (sometimes I get these inconsequential things in my head and they stick!) over the past year.
How does one pronounce VECO? Is it said vee-koh or veh-koh?
So , I just made a run to the local King Soopers grocery store here in Co. and was walking down the magazine aisle and right at eye level saw sarah staring at me.
GACK !!
I did some research and found that it has been out since January. No ads whatsoever. Yeah , I flipped through it.
The 8 copies that were at eye level are now BURIED at the further most lower hinterlands of the rack. Turned ass-backards also , too.
http://www.newser.com/story/79874/sarah-palin-magazine-tells-story-in-her-own-words.html
leenie17
Long e, as in “Eeeeeeeek, there’s Sarah the Stupid over there!”
Austintx @51- I’ve seen online bits n’ pieces of that nasty rag and I’m happy to say I’ve not run in to it here in town, just because I don’t want to see her face in any store that I frequent. However! If I did, I would buy a copy, bring it home and slip it in to a big ol’ ziploc. If she goes down in the way and for the reason I hope she will , this will sell well in the future. ( go back and getcher self a copy! )
“New Kitties” Update – We’re still holding at four. They are getting cuter by the minute. All of them have gone thru a “fluff n’ dry” process and are now looking like soon-to-be Disney characters. Once those eyes open and they start wrasslin’ with siblings and toddling about the kitchen , that’ll be it. I told them all earlier , ” You had me at meeeeyooooo”
(((((AKM))))). It has been a mad weekend. No one gets everything right all of the time. I have made one or two statements in the last day or two when I didn’t clarify things properly and I wish I had rephrased things a little better.
We are just human.
With faults.
At least we admit to them.
RANT alert! I just have to let loose.
Once again, I heard the local newscaster say Mr. Obama rather than addressing him correctly as President Obama. It makes me so angry as it is totally disrespectful on their part. This is the second time I’ve sent an email to the station (KOMO Ch4 in Seattle (ABC)) regarding this same issue.
Maybe I’m being a bit thin-skinned about this, but it does make me upset. Even my husband agrees with me on this one.
Ok, rant over. Thanks for listening!
1smartcanerican Says:
RANT alert! I just have to let loose.
Once again, I heard the local newscaster say Mr. Obama rather than addressing him correctly as President Obama. It makes me so angry as it is totally disrespectful on their part. This is the second time I’ve sent an email to the station (KOMO Ch4 in Seattle (ABC)) regarding this same issue.
Maybe I’m being a bit thin-skinned about this, but it does make me upset. Even my husband agrees with me on this one.
Ok, rant over. Thanks for listening!
****************************************************
I for one am glad to accommodate your rant. That kind of s^*t REALLY lites me up.
All the peckerhead Rethugs would have lost their f^*king pea sized minds if anyone would’ve said that about Bushie boy.
There , I’m done.
I could really go off , but I’ll play nice.
good Austin…nice Austin…..
One smart American,,, thank you for the rant and the e-mail. both are appreciated by me.
hahaha
hubby just sent this to me:
latest sp speech opens the sixth seal:
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/latest_sarah_palin_speech_opens?utm_source=EMTF_Onion
@fawnskin — thank you for that. “… and ‘gosh’ was spoken repeatedly”. The Onion knows.
1smartcanerican/austintx: There are, actually, two possibilities.
1. They are trying for faux sophistication. British papers routinely refer to “Mr. Obama”, as they did to “Mr. Bush”, because that’s how they refer to “Mr. Brown” (and formerly “Mr. Blair”).
2. They’re just butte-heads.
honest to goodness Fawnskin mudpup….sometimes it seems Mrs. Palin DOES have seven eyes and seven ears or whatever the end time Beast on it’s seven hills has…this lady is a walking, talking, money making monster on wheels.
Strangelet, I definitely go with your second choice – butt(e)-heads! After all, we are speaking of the great Pacific Northwest – not a lot of faux sophistication here. I suspect underlying lack of respect for President Obama on their part.
You know, life was much easier before I became aware of politics!
On the other hand, life is much more interesting since I found the ‘flats and a few other sites where thoughts and ideas are shared freely and openly, with the allowance for all ideas (well, maybe except the C4Ps).
[great herald fanfare] Ta-dah! Tadahdahdahdahdah-dah! Ta-DAH! [/heralds]
The Celtic Diva is SHORN!
No doubt about it, she’s a right beautiful lady! beth.
(SEE: “My shaving at St. Baldrick’s Day” http://divasblueoasis.com/diary/1011/my-shaving-at-st-baldricks-day )
60 fawnskin mudpuppy Says:
6:37 PM
hahaha
hubby just sent this to me:
latest sp speech opens the sixth seal:
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/latest_sarah_palin_speech_open
- – -
THAT was screamingly FUNNY! Recommended for anyone that hasn’t checked it out already.
Thanks for everyone for clarifying about CH2M Hill — and to AKM for updating accordingly. Grateful to see a good company didn’t go down the tubes, like so many have.
Their takeover of VECO bodes well for Alaska, IMO.
As a Corvallis OR resident where CH2M started, I have been lucky to work with many of CH2M’s people and can tell you from experience that these people really care about the work they do and the environment. Alaska will surely benefit from their presence.