(For Annie, I will post. Though I do quite enjoy the mini-conversation that the Google blog inspired!)

Today, it is cold. Winter has arrived. Two weeks ago I mowed the lawn and now it's covered with about 2 inches of snow. Here's something weird-- When I drove to work on Thursday morning, I passed 3 accidents! Anchorage is a very transient community, but still... I was surprised. The roads were in awesome shape compared to KY roads after a tiny snow like that, which is great, because I don't have snow tires, yet. Tomorrow, with the time change, the sun will come up at about 7:00 and set at 6:00. Not so bad. Today I soaked in the sun on a (very cold) beach walk!

How much do I love Google? Let me count the ways.

1. We can learn about whatever we want, whenever we want.

2. It's free.

3. It's run by some young idealistic guys who make idealistic decisions that actually work, and work astoundingly well, in the real world.

4. It's a socially and environmentally responsible company. For example: Google staff who buy a hybrid vehicle are reimbursed $5,000 by the company. Google serves organic food in its cafeterias, and furnishes its offices with recycled materials. And, in one of the biggest solar projects of an U.S. company, Google recently announced plans to convert 6 of its San Francisco buildings to run on up to 30% solar power.

5. I love those cute and clever illustrations posted on the logo during holidays and on noteworthy (per Google) days.

6. Who else can boast that their company name has become a frequently used verb?!

Want to learn more? http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/17/technology/17solar.html?ei=5088&en=8d5dd6dfa85d5d7d&ex=1318737600&adxnnl=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1161094233-NI77mblDBoQpoJtK2fZQuA

So, call me Kristy, but.... Today when I was walking around downtown, I found Trace Elements, a little home boutique with a style that is organic, artsy, Japanese-inspired, chipper! Though in its infancy, the store already has a nice and very 'Amy' collection of pillows, wall art, bedding, frames, stationary, a small collection of original artwork-- you get the idea. For a while now I've been wanting to experiment with shadows/profiles of flowers and branches, like the one she carries, above. It's called bittersweet. The one below is maidenhair.


Check it out for yourself at www.tehome.net!

"Dear Ms. Heattinger I know I have told you this 100 times I really will miss you. I went to the zoo and guess what... I saw Lexy! She went to Chuck E Cheeses and the zoo on the same day. I don't know how she does it but she does. Today I'm going to Ali's house to spend the knight. P.S. Look on back."

Have been reading the latest issue of The Sun. The theme of this edition, as best I can tell, is the human effect on environment. There's a great collection of spunky, historically interesting and generally entertaining letters from Edward Abbey to various academic and public figures of his day (am resolved to finally read The Monkey Wrench Gang). You can check out Abbey's letters, as well as an enlightening interview with Bill McKibben about Reforming Our Supersized Society, on The Sun's website (www.thesunmagazine.org).

"Action, there’s the thing. Action! When I grow sick with the buzzing of the brain, I like to go climb a rock. Cut down a billboard. Disable a bulldozer. (Eine Kleine Nachtwerke) Climb a mountain. Run a rapid. Pursue a woman. Etc."

--Edward Abbey, 30 August 1979, in a letter to George Sessions, Philosophy Professor at Sierra College, CA

Friday was my first day of work as a substitute teacher in the Anchorage School District. I know for some people this might sound like signing on to work in Hell, and I can see why one might think that. I applied, mainly, because the schedule is my own and completely flexible! Also-- I get to hang out with kids (they keep me grounded), put my kid-wrangling skills to the test and see the inner workings of a bunch of schools.

My first day was with a class of 6th graders, and it wasn't too bad. I felt a little like a glorified baby sitter until I had to teach Algebra!! (I don't remember subs ever actually teaching...) We got to read a current events kidzine about Cuba, which was great because I had just watched a documentary about Cuba a few nights before (Check it out: The Power of Community, How Cuba Survived Peak Oil). The best part of the day may have been when I first pulled into the parking lot and got out of my car-- A bunch of kids at the front door were hollering and pointing across the parking lot. There was a bull moose headed right toward them!! The parking monitor was yelling at walkers to get out of the way, and barking into his radio to the office staff ("Hey there, Cheryl, we got a moose on the grounds. I repeat, moose on the grounds! It's headed toward the playground. I repeat..."). I don't remember anything that exciting happening at my grade school.

All-in-all, I don't see this as a way to majorly affect the life of a child. But it's the perfect opportunity to be a little unexpected spark of love and fun and light for somebody who might need it. ;)

Just realized, yesterday, that my license plate (KY nature plate with the monarch butterfly) is "F8 360". F8 = fate. 360 = a big change, turning all the way around.

Saturday Jane and I hiked to the peak of Flattop Mountain (elevation 3,510 ft.). It's one of those rights-of-passage hikes that 'everybody' does. Jane had told me about a woman who hikes 1.5 miles up and back a few times a week after work. So, knowing all this, I wasn't expecting anything too strenuous (the book says "moderate"), even though there had been a few little snows on the mountaintops.





The view at the top was incredible, as you can see. Getting there was tricky. The last bit was raw, more of a climb than a hike (Left picture, above), and a bit treacherous in the snow. I am aware that I have a slanted awareness of ice and slipping, after my sledding accident, but still-- we most definitely could have died, with just a tiny misjudgement of foot placement, etc.

Was it worth it? I can say that it was an amazing experience. But it made me think about two big things: First, which people in my life would do that hike, knowing, as they got further and further along the path, its increasing danger? What is it that defines the riskers and our definitions of risk/danger? And second, maybe we shouldn't always do things just because we can. Elementary but profound when one is clinging to a mostly vertical wall of snow and rock with frozen fingers and a fall of at least a hundred feet (before a catchable cliff) below... I'm looking forward to doing the hike- with no snow- next spring. (Who's with me?)