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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.