REINDEER GAMES

Ish of Kodiak Konfidential has challenged The Perspective’s list of reindeer names, specifically Donder, who is sometimes mistakenly referred to as “Donner”. The Perspective believes this simplification is because it is easier to say, but having “Donner” in the party might lead to disaster if they got stuck in a snow storm.

The names of Santa’s reindeer were first revealed in a poem in 1832 by Clement Clarke Moore commonly know as “The Night Before Christmas". For a discussion of the reindeer names see this informative website.

For additional information on reindeer, The Kodiak Perspective consulted Two Hot Girls in the Shower, here is what they have to say:

NORAD TRACKS SANTA

NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) is teaming up with the folks at iGoogle for a kinder gentler approach to a certain visitor entering our nation’s airspace.

The NORAD Tracks Santa website, is filled with activities for children leading up to the big night, and will use Google Earth and Google Sky to track the Fat man and his flying reindeer. (Quick: name all eight).

Since the end of the cold war, there is less to do at NORAD, and we have yet to see signs of an Al Qauda Air force or missile technology, so why not turn to happier thoughts at this magical time of year.

Visit the North pole to see the latest buzz and what those elves are up to and learn about Google Earth.

Have you named the reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, and Blitzen. Bonus if you also include Rudolf who only works on foggy nights.

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Nothing can get The Kodiak Perspective into the Christmas spirit faster than freshly fallen snow. Yesterday was beautiful here in Kodiak and the fresh blanket of white had The Perspective singing carols all day,

Unfortunately the Christmas spirit comes to a crashing halt when after shoveling the sidewalk three times and enjoying the satisfaction of keeping things neat and tidy, the snowplow comes around the neighbors truck that is parked on the street and deposits all the slushy mess onto the cleaned sidewalk. Now you are moving dirty, slushy, heavy snow, and it is not as much fun.

Two thoughts come to mind:
One is that in other places The Perspective has lived there is a snow parking ban. When the snowplow has not cleared your street, you may not park on the street. This eliminates the problem of an extra heavy load of snow on the walks of those of us who live down street.
The other is, why did the city of Kodiak decide to put the sidewalks abutting the streets? Other places The Perspective has lived there were tree lawns, a buffer of green between the street and the walkway. Even without this buffer, maybe the plow could clear to the “fog” line and make it easier on those of us who walk. There are many people who walk in Kodiak, and with the sidewalks covered with chunky street refuse, they are forced to walk on the streets, subject to traffic and getting splashed by unnoticing drivers.

Mister Snowplow driver please help us out. We appreciate your being called out at all hours when the snow falls, and a little courtesy to the walkers would be a wonderful Christmas present. Thank you.

WEB COMIC STRIP

The internet has a lot of content, much of it easy to miss.
This is an example of from a site that the Kodiak Perspective visits.
Please visit Partially Clips to see more.  Click on the image to see it full size.

THANKSGIVING PIRAK

The native people here in Kodiak bake a dish they call pirak, which is usually a salmon pie, but can also be made with corned beef.

Start with a large baking tin, and line it with a pie shell, then add layers including rice, salmon, cabbage, what have you cover with a shell and bake. Umm umm. These are very popular at bake sales here on the island.

Using the same idea, the Kodiak Perspective is planning a Thanksgiving Pirak. Some items are cooked separately then added to the mix for baking.

From the bottom up, first start with a layer of stuffing, then a layer of turkey (white meat), gravy, mixed vegetables, mashed potatoes, gravy, turkey (dark meat), yams (marshmallows optional), and finally a layer of cranberry sauce. Cover with a flaky shell, and bake until a golden brown. 325 for 40 minutes. Bake your pumpkin pie on another oven rack and thanksgiving dinner is served.

It may not be as visually appealing as the full thanksgiving spread, but sometimes you miss something cause it didn’t get passed and was then lost in the confusion. With the Pirak, the whole meal comes in a slice.

Happy Thanksgiving

KODIAK'S SEXY MEN

The Kodiak Daily Mirror reports that Dr Sven Haakanson is on the short list for sexiest man in People magazine. Dr Haakanson is the director of the Alutiiq Museum and recent recipient of the MacArthur Foundation Award, a genius grant of half a million dollars. This recent spotlight has revealed Kodiak Island to the world outside of Alaska, now we are known for our brown bears, geniuses, and sexy men.

International male model and Kodiak blogger, Nick Sandin was not included on the list. The host of "Jock of the Rock" on KMXT and Kodiak sex machine, said the he wasn't sure why Sven made the list, weather it was his boyish good looks, his amazing brain, or having half a million dollars, "Sure he's good looking, but they haven't seen me in a Seattle Seagal's uniform."

Also missing from the list is Keith Anthony, you may not know the name, he is the fisherman with the dreadlock beard. Keith has been a fixture on Kodiak Docks for many years.

It anything good comes out of this list, it may be the start of a Kodiak couture, as GQ is rumoured to be planning a photo spread. Soon the streets of New York, Milan, and Paris may feature Xtratufs, Carhartts, and Grundens, with the obligatory Kodiak Marine Supply Sweater.

LE ROI EST MORT. VIVE LE ROI!

The Kodiak Arts Council will present “Camelot” for the spring production. Robert Goulet, who rose to prominence for his performance on Broadway as Lancelot, passed away this week at age 73. In revivals of the show he switched roles playing King Arthur.

Lancelot makes his entrance with the song “C'est moi” showing the arrogance of the young Knight whose hubris is part of the fall of Camelot.

“A knight of the Table Round should be invincible,
Suceed where a less fantastic man would fail.
Climb a wall no one else can climb,
Cleave a dragon in record time,
Swim a moat in a coat of heavy iron mail.
No matter the pain, he ought to be unwinceable,
Impossible deeds should be his daily fare.
But where in the world
Is there in the world
A man so *extraordinaire*?

C'est moi! C'est moi, I'm forced to admit.
'Tis I, I humbly reply.”

Let’s remember Robert as we enjoy this spring’s musical “Camelot”.

KODIAK KOWBOY SLIPS IN THE MUD

Today is Breeder’s Cup day at Monmouth Park. The Breeder’s Cup Juvenile at a mile and a sixteenth sets up the betting pool for the Kentucky Derby in May. The winner of the BC Juvenile is often the pre-race favorite though only one has actually won the first leg of the triple crown, Street Sense, last year.

Here in Kodiak Alaska, some have been following the career of two year old Kodiak Kowboy who had 4 wins, each showing improvement before faltering in his last prep at Belmont Park.

How would he fair against a strong field in a longer race?
The Racing Form showed a lot of talent in this race, including undefeated War Pass, trained by Nicholas Zito, not the State Trooper assigned to Kodiak, Nick Zito.

When it came time to laying down some green, after carefully perusing the Racing Form, the Kodiak Perspective got lucky in this race hitting the 2-7 exacta of War Pass and Pyro paying $25.20 for a $2 bet.

As for Kodiak Kowboy, he didn’t like the sloppy track but managed to show, though well off the pace.

KODIAK JAIL

Now that the voters of Kodiak have spoken, it is time to revisit options for the Kodiak jail/police station.

The Kodiak Perspective came across this interesting configuration for short term storage of infants. It is intended for church groups to keep the criers out of the worship service.

This idea is one that could be adapted for the overnight portion of the “guests” of the Kodiak jail, say 10pm to 8am, and augmented with some larger common areas for the daytime. This idea is presently used in Japan where crowding is a problem with people overnighting in what appear to be overlarge dog kennels.

Of course the wooden structure would be replaced by something less tamper proof.
Just something to think about.

CRUISING HOLIDAY

Today is Columbus Day, when the United States celebrates the discovery of the new world. Of course the new world was already discovered and inhabited, just not by the colonial powers during the age of discovery.

Columbus never did find the new world, but rather landed in San Salvador, in the Bahamas. Or if you will, the first cruise ship to make port in these tropical islands. The Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria were a far cry from the modern cruise ships that visit these island, for one thing there was no midnight buffet. But like all good tourists, the crew gawked at the native inhabitants, called them the wrong thing, and took home souvenirs (including t-shirts that said, “Chris went to the Bahamas and all I got was this lousy T-shirt”.

Cruise ships are a wonderful way to spend a relaxing vacation, and visit many ports. The Kodiak Perspective encourages all to celebrate by booking your cruise today.