Monday, December 29, 2008

STATEHOOD CELEBRATION DEAL

Are you the same age as the State of Alaska (50)? Then the Alaska Railroad has a special deal for you. One day of free travel aboard the Blue and Gold.

If you have never been on our state’s rails you are missing something special. The Kodiak Perspective took a ride a few years back and really enjoyed the experience.

Be sure to get your “Ride Guide” at the Anchorage depot for a mile by mile tour of Alaska.

Even if you are not 50 years old, the Alaska Railroad is also have a special for Fur Rondy. There are more specials at the web site.

All Aboard.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

CHINA’S ANSWER TO SNOWZILLA

Snowzilla has reappeared in Anchorage. City officials have condemned the creature as a menace and want him destroyed. His crime is that he attracts attention and creates traffic.

Meanwhile, in Harbin China snow has been manufactured to complete their answer, a giant Father Christmas, who attracts attention and creates traffic.

Hmmm . . . sounds like the number, an illegal gambling activity until the states embraced it as the lottery.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

MEET MISTER MUCUS

Christmas morning has arrived with not only a visit from Santa, but also from an unwelcome visitor, Mister Mucus. Instead of enjoying a delightful morning of presents to unwrap and greetings from friends to enjoy, The Kodiak Perspective is steaming his head to breakup the congestion that has invaded his lungs and sinuses.

Hopefully your Christmas morning finds you with better holiday spirits, twinkly lights, and brightly colored presents under the tree.

The Kodiak Perspective wishes all of you a joyous holiday to be enjoyed in good health. Merry Christmas to all, and to all ach-choo.

Monday, December 22, 2008

WHITE CHRISTMAS?


The Kodiak Perspective awoke this morning to a fresh dusting of snow on the lawn. Hope soars for a White Christmas. 

Funny, when he moved to Alaska, The Kodiak Perspective thought that a white Christmas would be a foregone conclusion, but it has not been so. His first year in Kodiak, The Perspective took a hike on Christmas day up Pillar Mountain just to get to the snow.

With the holiday on Thursday, snow on Monday is a good sign. Let us hope that it puts people in the spirit of the holiday.

Friday, December 19, 2008

NORAD TRACKS SANTA

How does Santa Claus visit all the children in the world in just one night? The Kodiak Perspective may have his own theory, but if you would like to see Santa’s flight as tracked by NORAD and broadcast over Google Earth, you must download the widget, then leave Google Earth on on Christmas Eve. The show starts at midnight at the international date line, as Santa works the time zones and his magic to spread joy to all the good little boys and girls.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

OH, THOSE FRENCH

In a move that can only be described as French, Parisian nude models staged a protest . . . by removing their clothing. Imagine a strike by manufacturers by building stuff, or retail employees striking by selling goods. It all just screams the French anthem “I GIVE UP.”

At issue in this dispute is something called the “cornet” which is something extra paid by the artist in addition to the models wages, the tip if you will.

Maybe The Kodiak Perspective has this wrong, maybe the nudity is not the point of the protest, maybe these nudies refuse to keep still. Keep an eye out for French artwork featuring fuzzy nudes. . . a return to impressionism.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

THE DEATH OF PRINT JOURNALISM

Recent changes at the Anchorage Daily News reported by Ish over at Kodiak Konfidential bode ill for print versions of newspapers. Newspapers rely on circulation numbers (demand) to justify advertising rates. News of a paper voluntarily reducing circulation by limiting distribution means that advertising space will be less valuable.

Printed newspapers are struggling due to timely reporting via the internet (blogging). A blog with 1000 daily hits such as the KoKon can generate support in the form of ads and siphon off some of the dollars that used to go to print editions. Blogs may not be as encompassing as a newspaper with a staff of writers, but there are blogs for every conceivable interest, news, sports, travel, fashion, outdoors, regional happenings, games, comics, politics, editorials. Today’s readers have many options available.

Newspapers still have some advantages, portability, “one stop” source, reputation. and the tactile feeling of the paper, but have been in decline for some time. Newspapers may soon disappear, no longer to fill up our landfills. The Kodiak Perspective expects newspapers to disappear within his lifetime. 

Friday, December 12, 2008

FROM THE OBITS

Jesus Christ may be 65 and still kicking, but a sad note today from the Obits. Bettie Page has passed away at age 85.

Miss Page is a was a model known for her photographs in fetish-wear and bondage, and is an iconic figure in America’s sexual lore.

SWEET JEBUS

The Anchorage Concert Association is hosting a production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Atwood Concert Hall for the holidays.

This production features Ted Neeley as Jesus Christ. Mr Neeley has played this part on Broadway (1971) in the film (1973) and continues now (2008). Ted Neeley has been Jesus Christ for 37 years, he has been Jesus longer than Jesus himself! Mr Neeley wasn’t born into the role in 1943, he started his portrayal at age 31. That makes this Jesus 65 years old!

Jesus on social security with medicare benefits, or can you get benefits if you’ve risen from the dead? 

If you are in Anchorage this holiday season, you may want to catch this performance, reported to be his farewell tour, at the Atwood Concert Hall. Let’s just hope that Jesus doesn’t break a hip.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

BAH, HUMBUG SAYS CITI BANK

Even though the last time they tried it there were 22,000 complaints. CitiBank has announced that they will not set up a model train display in their lobby in 2009.

The display which creates jobs for 5 people year round and attracts over 100,000 visitors to CitiBank plaza, is said to be too expensive to run in these tough economic times. 

CitiBank gets a large bump in its revenues at Christmas from holiday shoppers who use a CitiBank credit card, so removing a Christmas display sends a bad message. 

The Kodiak Perspective encourages you to send a message back to CitiBank, please do not use a CitiBank credit card for your holiday gift purchases. 

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

DEAR SANTA

Thank you for all the great toys you have brought me over the years, though I could have done without the having to open up a pack of undies in front of my family. I note that sis never got panties or a bra at Christmas, is this embarrassment saved only for boys? Never mind that.

I wanted to tell you that I have been pretty good this year, though with the instability in the price of fuel, I could have used the lump of coal, but who admits to being naughty, unless they enjoy being spanked?

I am very lucky, I have all the things that I need, so what could I want for Christmas? Certainly not something that will end up unused, and eventually in a landfill, I want to think abought the carbon footprint that I leave on our beautiful island of Kodiak.

The perfect gift for me is something usable, enjoyable, and doesn’t cause too much waste when disposed of after used. Hmm . . . that lump of coal is looking better and better. 

Santa, when I hang that stocking, freshly removed from a beautiful woman, by the fireplace I am hoping that you will find it in your heart to put in there a couple of really nice cigars, the kind I am too cheap to get for myself.

Thank you Santa. I hope that this year has been good for you, the missus, elves, and deer. I’ll have the chimney swept so your suit won’t get too sooty. 

The Kodiak Perspective

Monday, December 8, 2008

INFINITE JEST

The Kodiak Perspective has finally finished reading “Infinite Jest” by David Foster Wallace. What makes this book special? The book was published in 1996 and is set in the near future, when the governments of Canada, Mexico, and the USA have been combined into “One North American Nation” or O.N.A.N., but not everyone is happy. The Quebecois do not want any part of the new conglomeration, and have their operatives busy in the field. Much of the book also deals with alcohol and substance abuse and recovery, and the characters that live under a supervised roof just downhill from a boarding school for tennis prodigies. The high school pranks and jests make up a large portion of the book.

The material here is dark, dealing with people who are unhappy and unable to control their own destinies. Mr Wallace suffered from depression and hanged himself in September. His vision of this near future and his writing though are very funny, there are many laugh out loud moments in the book.

What is really striking though is his use of language, taking common roots and using them in unexpected fashion. The language usage in the book may take readers out of their comfort zone. This book is also a hefty 1100 pages heavily word filled pages, which along with the unusual language may be why The Kodiak Perspective has yet to meet a single person who has read the book, add to that over 400 end notes.

If you choose to read this book, you will need two bookmarks, one for the body, and one for the end notes. There are over 400 end notes, some of which may explain the text, some expand the text, and even some that are the text, with whole sections of the book taking place in the notes.  

The Kodiak Perspective recommends this book, and will be giving away copies to friends for Christmas. It is a good reading project for our long winter evenings here in Kodiak Alaska.

Friday, December 5, 2008

NOT A COMMON STREETWALKER

The Kodiak Perspective has chosen to live without an automobile. He depends upon his feet and his bicycle to get around our beautiful island. It is a common occurrence whilst on foot to have Kodiak citizen pull over and offer a ride, especially if it is raining or snowing. The Kodiak Perspective thanks all of the kind citizens who make these offers, but he really enjoys walking.

The other day a red sporty car pulled over and honked the horn. The Kodiak Perspective did not recognize the car. Bending down to peer in, his view was obstructed by tinted glass. Don’t tell the troopers. It wasn’t someone trying to find a “date”, it turned out to be a friend driving. 

Thank you Kodiak for being such a friendly town.

START OF THE PARTY SEASON

Today is December 5th, only twenty days until Christmas, and already the parties have begun. The Kodiak Bridge Club held their party at the final game of the year on Wednesday. The party brought players out of the woodwork that haven’t been seen in a while and there were four full tables (16 people), and food a plenty. Santa even made an appearance, though he traveled without his reindeer on this rainy and foggy Kodiak evening. The reindeer are in training for their big night, short jaunts interfere with the training schedule.

In these troubled economic times a pack of cards and a beginning Bridge book may be an inexpensive gift that can provide a lifetime of pleasure.