Carmen's Birthday Shindig

December 21, 2012, was an important day.  Yeah, I know what you’re thinking.  Mayan apocalypse.  Doomsday of all doomsdays.  The End of the World.  But it was also the 30th birthday of my best friend, partner in crime, confidant, and sidekick, Carmen.

It’s a challenge living so far away from a great friend like Carmen, but fortunately, I was in Alabama for her big day.  We celebrated in style with a 1920s themed “Murder at the Juice Joint” Murder Mystery Party.  I'm blessed beyond measure to have a friend like Carmen in my life. 

Happy birthday, Carmen!

Carmen (left) and me (right) in the third grade.  Notice the pink glasses and poodle bangs - all the rage in the 1990s.

Carmen and me at her 30th birthday bash.  There were no pink glasses or poodle bangs in sight.

Mobsters and flappers.

Our crew.

Believe it or not, but we're actually a pretty normal bunch.

Here's a GIF of one of the evening's more memorable moments.  The camera captured a normal group shot, then I tried to show off my trademark cheerleader heel stretch, then subsequently fell backwards out of frame, which was followed by the next shot capturing everyone else's surprised expressions.  EPIC.

From Alaska to Alabama: Week One

(blogging today from Huntsville, Alabama)

Today marks one week that I left Alaska for a long-awaited and much needed excursion down South.  It has been a whirlwind of a trip so far, catching up with family and close friends, eating a ridiculous amount of Southern food, and marveling at the warm winter temperatures.

Traveling from Alaska to Alabama isn’t always easy.  This trip included the “milk run” out of Juneau, which took me through rural Southeast Alaska with stops in Petersburg, Wrangell, and Ketchikan.  I then traveled to Seattle, took the red-eye to Atlanta, and a short hop over to Birmingham, Alabama.

Regardless of the jet-lag, it is so much fun being back in The South.  Here’s a photo synopsis of my trans-continental travels and my first week in Bama:

All aboard the Boeing 737-400 Combi aircraft in Juneau!  This is a combination cargo and passenger aircraft with all passengers way in the back.

It never fails.  The moment I depart rainy Juneau, the sun starts shining!

De-icing the plane in Petersburg, Alaska.

Petersburg Airport.  Not to be confused with St. Petersburg Airport.

Wrangell Airport

Ketchikan International Airport

An Eskimo and the moon.

Deplaning at the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport

First class fruit plate. 

Watching "The Dark Knight Rises" and drinking champagne during my red-eye flight to Atlanta.

First stop in the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport : CHICK-FIL-A!

Catching up with my good friend, Eduardo, who wore a Nome Ice Golf Classic t-shirt in honor of my visit. 

Noshed on a Krispy Kreme Doughnut Milkshake at the Flip Burger Boutique in Birmingham, Alabama.

A little bit of Alaska at the Anthropologie store at The Summit in Birmingham, Alabama.

I wasn't expecting it to be this warm IN THE WINTER.

The weather was so balmy and hot for me, we had to drive with the windows down.

Sassy shoes!  Glitzy stilettos = a fixture of Southern couture.

I'm not sure if this is practical in Alaska, but it sure is cute in Alabama!

You know you're close to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center when you see Astronaut Ice Cream for sale.  (I think I prefer Eskimo Ice Cream now.)

Catching up with my very good friend, confidant, and mentor, Audrey, who also happens to be a big reason I moved to Alaska.  This woman has changed my life!

Finally able to wear my sunglasses - something I don't do very often in the temperate rainforest of Juneau!

Scoping out Alaska fish condition and prices in Birmingham at the Whole Foods market.

Milo's, it's been too long!  <gulp, gulp>

Shameless promotion of my site at Whole Foods.

Yes, this happened.  Why I'm not working for them, I do not know.

Celebrated my best friend Carmen's 30th birthday with a Murder Mystery Party.  Unbeknownst to me, my character was cast as the killer!

Took part in an OUTSTANDING Christmas service at a new place called Church of the Valley.  I partook in communion and was pleasantly surprised with their use of disposable communion sets.  What a neat idea.

Two Southernisms: "Bojangles" and a fast food discount for going to church.

Stopped in to see "Mr. Jerry," a great family friend.  Jerry Swanson is the founder of Alabama Orthotics and Prosthetics which provided artificial legs to my Dad throughout the course of much of his life.  It's always a pleasure visiting with Mr. Jerry and his wife, Bonnie.

Had a lovely visit with friends, Deb and Tim.  These folks ooze Southern hospitality, and I enjoy soaking up time with them.

There isn't a Target store anywhere in Southeast Alaska.  Needless to say, I was beyond surprised to discover Target is collaborating with Neiman Marcus now!

At the Guvnah's House

(blogging to you today from Atlanta, Georgia)

Alaska Governor Sean Parnell and First Lady, Sandy, continued an Alaska tradition on December 11 with opening the Governor’s Mansion to visitors for a festive holiday celebration.  The annual open house welcomed more than 3,200 visitors to savor the holiday spirit and enjoy an assortment of cookies, nuts, fruit, and oodles of delectable fudge. 

This is one of my favorite events in Juneau and a big reason I enjoy living in the capital city of Alaska.  The proximity to state officials is remarkable, and I appreciate this sizable event gives Alaskans the chance to hob-nob with the Governor, First Lady, Lieutenant Governor, and Cabinet members.  It is also a neat occasion to see the inside of the home of Alaska’s top public servant.  Exploring the impeccably decorated interior and exterior really puts me in the Christmas spirit. 

According to the Juneau Empire, this event has been held since 1913, with the exception of a two year hiatus during World War II.  I first attended the Governor’s Holiday Open House in 2010, and it has become an annual tradition for me and my friends.  It is delightful to stand outside the mansion and socialize with my Juneau neighbors in freezing weather.  Being served hot cider and homemade treats by the Governor’s Cabinet members makes the low temperatures, snow, and ice more tolerable. 

This year’s event also included 24,000 cookies and 200 pounds of fudge, all locally made.  It was charming to see kiddos and adults alike, exiting the home of the Governor while hoarding plates and piles of sweet treats as they trudge back to their homes.

If you’re planning a visit to Alaska in early December, try to schedule a stop in Juneau during the Governor’s Open House.  You won’t be disappointed.  And you might, just might, get to shake hands with the Guvnah.

A rare blue-skies Juneau day, overlooking the Federal Building (left) and the Governor’s Mansion (right).

Same view as above, but at night.

 

The Governor’s Mansion is so brightly lit, you can see it a mile away.

My Christmas photo with Governor Sean Parnell, First Lady Sandy Parnell, and Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell (right to left).

A visit to the Governor’s Mansion isn’t complete without the requisite photo at the door.

My Carhartt Boyfriend

Growing up in Alabama, believe it or not, I didn’t see a lot of folks wearing Carhartt.  It seemed like most people were usually dressed to the nines and always impeccably put together.  You know, stylin’ and profilin’.  They had the look.  Don't get me wrong.  Southern men and women know how to look mighty fine.  But up here in Alaska, style is different.  Not better or worse, just different.  And I’m enjoying it immensely.

I didn’t develop my newfound respect for Carhartt until after I moved to Alaska.  I discovered that up here in the Frozen North, you need to wear ridiculously practical clothing, and it’s got to be durable.  And warm.  Best of all, wearing Carhartt makes you fit in here, even if you've got your pearls and cashmere on underneath. 

Carhartt is worn all over the world, but it’s clearly a signature of Alaskans.  And that’s why I was so impressed to recently discover Carhartt's new advertisement campaign, shot entirely here in Alaska.  The marketing geniuses over at Carhartt really hit a home-run using real Alaskans, real scenarios, and yes – even real muskox. 

What followed this clever marketing tool is a hilarious response to the captivating masculinity of Carhartt's Fall 2012 catalog.  Dodai Stewart of jezebel.com wrote a spot-on account with Get to Know Your Carhartt Boyfriend.  Take a gander through the gallery and check out Dodai's quips. You'll be ROFL in no time.  Some of my faves are:

"Your Carhartt Boyfriend kayaks through white water just to get to home every night. The commute's a pain, but the tiny island where his log cabin is located has its charms. Electricity isn't one of them."

"Your Carhartt Boyfriend knows about some places that aren't on any map. Places deep inside your heart."

"You look cold. Your Carhartt Boyfriend will make a fire with his bare hands, or at least strike the match on his chest."

SWOON!!! 

So of course I took the liberty of coming up with a few of my own scenarios:

"Your Armani Boyfriend will treat you to a posh restaurant with a filet mignon and a bottle of ’61 Château Latour Grand Vin.  Your Carhartt Boyfriend grills up the moose he harvested last week as he was on his way back from chopping down a Sitka spruce, all because you said you wanted a “real” Christmas tree."

"Your Banana Republic Boyfriend orders risotto and truffle butter and dabs the corner of his mouth with his linen napkin.  Your Carhartt Boyfriend reaches for his buck knife, slices the fresh-from-the-fire caribou loin, and hand-feeds you."

"Your Brooks Brothers Boyfriend invests in Italian silk neck ties.  Your Carhartt Boyfriend invests in you."

"Your Nautica Boyfriend wears sunblock.  Your Carhartt Boyfriend stands in the snow with his shirt off.  Because he can."

Pick up a copy of the Fall 2012 Carhartt catalog, and see what all the fuss is about.