So the past two weeks or so have been pretty solid. The last few days were rough on a few fronts, but nothing that was too awful. But here's the deal. I have a few things I am going to launch into, but then going to go over the top 5 new artists I have discovered since I have been in Alaska. Sound like a plan? Great.
Last weekend we went camping as a house. One of our friends, T, gave us a ride to Pirate's Cove, a pretty cool little place that was about a 15 minute boat ride from downtown. Kind of a training trip for Denali, if you will. We explored the little island a little, climbing on, over, and around rocks. We set up a few tents and sat under the stars by the fire drinking wine, roasting marshmallows, and just sitting around talking. We got to watch the tide come in, and it was all in sight of Mt. Edgecumbe. Awesome. Oh yeah, and there was this giant fishing net set up as a hammock that was incredibly comfortable; Nick, Katie and I all slept on it. It was a pretty fantastic night.
Cruise ships are back. Town is significantly more crowded. And annoying. The amount of conversations I have had with locals about how annoying it is to deal with them on a consistent basis...I avoid town and stuff. But at the same time, there is a new energy in town, and it is pretty cool to look outside and see a giant cruise ship anchored right in front of my window. Good with the bad, I suppose.
Alright, the top music I have discovered since coming to Alaska:
1.) Monsters of Folk
This band is a collaboration of people I have been listening to for some time now. Consisting of Jim James (lead singer of My Morning Jacket), Conor Oberst (lead singer of Bright Eyes), M. Ward (She & Him), and Mike Mogis (drummer for Bright Eyes/producer), each of them takes time to write pretty incredible music for this band. In some songs, the signature of each singer is evident. But at the same time, they all find a way to work together and integrate their musical style into each song, and it all blends together for a pretty great collaboration. Unfortunately they only stayed together for one album and tour. Thanks to Trevor in Anchorage for this find.
Dear God (sincerely, M.O.F.) -
2.) Eric Hutchinson
Think Jason Mraz, just not as talented vocally or musically and a little more stripped down, but that in no way is a slight towards Eric. His debut album, "Sounds Like This," is a lot of fun and yet deep at the same time. I guess he had a pretty big hit last year, called, "Rock and Roll," but I hadn't heard it until this year. Not sure how much more I could say here other than that. Probably the most 'mainstream' music on this list.
Outside Villanova -
3.) Portugal. The Man.
Thanks again to Trevor for this bad boy. Portugal is a band from Wasilla, which is a town north of Anchorage. Their album, "The Satanic Satanist," is a solid record from start to finish. The closest band that I can think of is My Morning Jacket, but I could be wrong in that. This record is one that I have listened to a few times, but have a hard time getting a feel for. I more than like it, but still cannot pinpoint why. Musically, it's a great album. Lyrically, it's a great album. But again, cannot tell you why.
In the Sun -
4.) Pete Yorn
Ok, so I suppose this one is a little questionable on the 'new music' front, because I had been hearing about Mr. Yorn for a few years now, just never went out of my way to listen to him. But then I stumbled on his 'musicforthemorningafter' and was hooked. His voice is, for lack of a better term, haunting. I don't find it particularly good, but it really fits for the music he writes. 'Nightcrawler' is a good album. His collaboration with Scarlett Johannson was a pretty solid effort. But 'musicforthemorningafter' is still his favorite album of mine by far.
Strange Condition
5.) The Raconteurs
Jack White can do no wrong. 'Consolers of the Lonely' is a phenomenal album. While I have always enjoyed his work with the White Stripes over the years I had yet to pick up anything by the project. Whoops. Jeff, one of my coworkers, highly recommended this album to me, and thankfully I listened to him. I don't want to see too effusive with my praise for this album, I can really find no fault with it. Probably my favorite album on this list (although MOF is right up there as well), I have yet to find a mood in which I cannot listen to 'Consolers.' Good work Jack.
Salute Your Solution -
So there it is. The Top 5 Artists that I have discovered since being in Alaska. Pretty solid music in all. Joshua Radin was close to making this list, but just got beat out. He is worth checking out if you get the chance though.
Big week coming up. Paddy and Nicole get in from Juneau Thursday. Kristin gets in on Friday. Top Gun party Saturday. Cannot wait.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
So yeah, I still suck
Alright, so apparently my wish to update these more often has...well, I have downright failed. Sorry. Things here have been crazy and awesome and frustrating and...well, I suppose par for the course. But it has been a great few months. I will try to sum it up right...about...now!
So when I last updated we had just gotten back from our winter retreat in Juneau. That was a long time ago. Since then, the biggest change has been, by far, the complete lack of sunlight transitioning to almost constant light. Today, for instance, the sun rose at 5:08 am and will set at 8:49 pm. This is awesome and frustrating all at the same time. Awesome because there is just so much more to do with my day. When I get home at 6, I cant still settle down, relax, but then can still walk around, can still check everything out. Head down to the beach at low tide, just hang out on the back porch, go for a walk down to Totem Park. Soon I will be able to get back and just go for a hike. These things are pretty freaking baller to be able to do while in Sitka, AK. The flip side of that is that my concept of time is completely shot. For months I was just used to eating around the time it got dark. Now? I look at the clock and it is 8 pm and I still haven't had dinner. And I had no idea it was 8! So often this is the case; we will be sitting around and someone will ask, "Well, what are we thinking for dinner?" Then someone comments, "Oh, is it almost time for dinner?" and we all sit up and realize, oh hey, we haven't eaten yet. But I suppose that is just a small frustration.
Work has been pretty solid so far. Came to the realization a few weeks ago that I just couldn't do this for the rest of my life, work with teens. Maybe if I had the mindset for it, but it is just draining. If it were consistently rough all the time or consistently great then I could have the energy for it. But the constant swings from a positive energy to a negative energy and back again just takes a ton out of me. I also am slightly frustrated with my time at the school, which has basically turned into a series of 5 minute check ins throughout the day. While the kids have told me that it is reassuring having me there, and they all notice when I am not there, they just don't need me all that much. Well, at least in the capacity that I am there for. But that will be over in the next four weeks or so, and I will be at Hanson House full time, which I am looking forward to.
But all the same, I love some of the conversations that I have with the kids. I love the transformations that I am privy to, watching switches flip and break throughs made. I have come to really embrace the blow ups because I know that the conversations that are going to progress from those blow ups are really where the real progress is made (however, embracing them doesn't mean I have to like dealing with them in the moment :)). But I also love the little victories. When one of the kid answers the phone properly. When I get a thank you where there previously was no thank you. When someone drops the f-bomb in the house and before I say a word they catch themselves and apologize. Dinner time is awesome because everyone, staff and residents, come together and there are some pretty impressive conversations that happen within the group. Hanson House is a pretty dynamic and awesome place, and a place that I have been blessed with in my time in Alaska and as a JV.
Another big event was Folk Fest. Every year in Juneau there is a big music festival and JVs usually show up. This year about 20 of us attended and it was unbelievable. One of the most significant differences I have found between JVC down south and JVC: Alaska is that different communities don't really interact. We have orientation and three retreats. I can't just get up and drive to visit Anchorage and Bethel, which kind of sucks. But we did have this one weekend. We descended upon the Juneau house en masse, heading out early and getting in late. Some pretty awesome conversations were had, and the memories that were formed were pretty incredible. We didn't really listen to too much music, but we tore up the dance floor of any place that we went, generally shoving our way to the front of the crowd and making new friends who may or may not go to Boston College. I love the fact that I have the opportunity to meet these people and come in contact with them, but I hate the fact that I never get to see them. But this weekend was a pretty great one.
Other than that, Sitka is pretty great. I suppose the biggest transition over the last few months is our niche. The friends we have made have gone from being friends with one or two of us to friends with most if not all of us. I have developed pretty close relationships with people who aren't a part of our immediate community, and these people have been invaluable to my experience here thus far. Also, visitors are starting to descend upon us. Beginning at the end of the month we have about a month and a half of just jam packed visitors. Two JVs from Juneau are coming to visit, as is Kristin, one of my best friends from college. Then a few randoms, then we go on retreat in Anchorage, followed up with a backpacking trip in Denali National Park. We get back from that June 21st, my family arrives June 23rd, and every single person who has some sort of genetic relation to Katie arrives on the 24th. I cannot wait, it is going to be a pretty incredible time.
And with that, I bid you all adieu. Sorry once more for the time lapse between posts.
So when I last updated we had just gotten back from our winter retreat in Juneau. That was a long time ago. Since then, the biggest change has been, by far, the complete lack of sunlight transitioning to almost constant light. Today, for instance, the sun rose at 5:08 am and will set at 8:49 pm. This is awesome and frustrating all at the same time. Awesome because there is just so much more to do with my day. When I get home at 6, I cant still settle down, relax, but then can still walk around, can still check everything out. Head down to the beach at low tide, just hang out on the back porch, go for a walk down to Totem Park. Soon I will be able to get back and just go for a hike. These things are pretty freaking baller to be able to do while in Sitka, AK. The flip side of that is that my concept of time is completely shot. For months I was just used to eating around the time it got dark. Now? I look at the clock and it is 8 pm and I still haven't had dinner. And I had no idea it was 8! So often this is the case; we will be sitting around and someone will ask, "Well, what are we thinking for dinner?" Then someone comments, "Oh, is it almost time for dinner?" and we all sit up and realize, oh hey, we haven't eaten yet. But I suppose that is just a small frustration.
Work has been pretty solid so far. Came to the realization a few weeks ago that I just couldn't do this for the rest of my life, work with teens. Maybe if I had the mindset for it, but it is just draining. If it were consistently rough all the time or consistently great then I could have the energy for it. But the constant swings from a positive energy to a negative energy and back again just takes a ton out of me. I also am slightly frustrated with my time at the school, which has basically turned into a series of 5 minute check ins throughout the day. While the kids have told me that it is reassuring having me there, and they all notice when I am not there, they just don't need me all that much. Well, at least in the capacity that I am there for. But that will be over in the next four weeks or so, and I will be at Hanson House full time, which I am looking forward to.
But all the same, I love some of the conversations that I have with the kids. I love the transformations that I am privy to, watching switches flip and break throughs made. I have come to really embrace the blow ups because I know that the conversations that are going to progress from those blow ups are really where the real progress is made (however, embracing them doesn't mean I have to like dealing with them in the moment :)). But I also love the little victories. When one of the kid answers the phone properly. When I get a thank you where there previously was no thank you. When someone drops the f-bomb in the house and before I say a word they catch themselves and apologize. Dinner time is awesome because everyone, staff and residents, come together and there are some pretty impressive conversations that happen within the group. Hanson House is a pretty dynamic and awesome place, and a place that I have been blessed with in my time in Alaska and as a JV.
Another big event was Folk Fest. Every year in Juneau there is a big music festival and JVs usually show up. This year about 20 of us attended and it was unbelievable. One of the most significant differences I have found between JVC down south and JVC: Alaska is that different communities don't really interact. We have orientation and three retreats. I can't just get up and drive to visit Anchorage and Bethel, which kind of sucks. But we did have this one weekend. We descended upon the Juneau house en masse, heading out early and getting in late. Some pretty awesome conversations were had, and the memories that were formed were pretty incredible. We didn't really listen to too much music, but we tore up the dance floor of any place that we went, generally shoving our way to the front of the crowd and making new friends who may or may not go to Boston College. I love the fact that I have the opportunity to meet these people and come in contact with them, but I hate the fact that I never get to see them. But this weekend was a pretty great one.
Other than that, Sitka is pretty great. I suppose the biggest transition over the last few months is our niche. The friends we have made have gone from being friends with one or two of us to friends with most if not all of us. I have developed pretty close relationships with people who aren't a part of our immediate community, and these people have been invaluable to my experience here thus far. Also, visitors are starting to descend upon us. Beginning at the end of the month we have about a month and a half of just jam packed visitors. Two JVs from Juneau are coming to visit, as is Kristin, one of my best friends from college. Then a few randoms, then we go on retreat in Anchorage, followed up with a backpacking trip in Denali National Park. We get back from that June 21st, my family arrives June 23rd, and every single person who has some sort of genetic relation to Katie arrives on the 24th. I cannot wait, it is going to be a pretty incredible time.
And with that, I bid you all adieu. Sorry once more for the time lapse between posts.
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