Blog Archives - The Land of the Weird

The Land of the Weird

Vacation Mindset

5/31/2018

I'm having a serious motivation problem. At first, I blamed it on the jet lag--which ended up being an actual issue for me this time. However, I now feel mostly recovered from that--at least when it comes to catching up on sleep--yet I have very little motivation.

For the most part, this isn't much of an issue as my role in the wedding planning is quite limited. If that was all I had to worry about, I'd be fine. Unfortunately, my last set of classes from Walden started up this week. I've managed stay on target as far as the initial postings go, but I've had to push myself to do so. This could be more of an issue as the tasks get more complex than simply getting to know our classmates.

I've had the same issue regarding exercise. Sure, I've used the excuse that it's been super hot and humid, and that my parents' air conditioning has not been at 100%. Still, I'm going to have some serious problems staying in shape if I don't make any effort to do so.

Then there's the part of my mind that says, "Don't worry about it; you're on vacation..." That part is going to get me in trouble if I'm not careful.

Deadpool 2 [mild spoilers]

5/30/2018

This movie was both exactly what I expected and yet not at all what I expected. Like the first Deadpool, this sequel is filled with over-the-top violence, action, and dark humor. What surprised me is that this movie did not go in the direction that I expected (in its over-the-top violent, action-filled, dark humor way).

The movie is amazingly entertaining and filled with surprises nearly from the start. Many of the surprises include wonderful cameos throughout the movie (although I missed Stan Lee's). I certainly will need to see the movie a second time just to catch some of the jokes that I missed because I was so busy laughing from the ones that came before (that, and the references that I will need to look up to understand).

Despite what it tries to claim, this is not a movie for kids. For that matter, I'm not sure what it says about me that I like it so much. But I do, so I'm just going to have to live with that.

Ticket to Ride

5/29/2018

Based on several friends' recommendations, we decided to purchase the board game "Ticket to Ride." Rather than wait a few weeks for it to be delivered to us in Alaska, we had it sent to my parents' house. I was entirely too tired to even look at the instructions yesterday, but we gave it a go today and were immediately hooked.

Despite my jet lag, I found the rules quite easy to grasp. Even Rowen caught on and played for a couple of rounds (proving that it is appropriate for ages 8+). The sessions run pretty quickly, depending on the number of people playing, usually finishing in under an hour. Considering we often play Catan: Cities and Knights and Carcassonne with multiple expansions, it's nice to have a shorter game that is still interesting and challenging.

The idea is to connect cities with your trains using matched sets of cards. Each player has different (and secret) destinations across America to connect with their trains. The concept is fairly simple, but the strategies get interesting as people try to build their paths without letting others know where they are going.

It's nice to have another family board game to play.

In Michigan

5/28/2018

We arrived this afternoon after one of the more challenging flights that I've had these past few years. Our departure had been moved later, to nearly 2 am Alaska time. I wasn't able to sleep on the flight to Seattle as the man in the seat next to mine was rather large and reeked of cigarette smoke. Rowen and Connor did not do well with ear pain they had due to the pressure changes when landing. Rowen was so tired that he was nearly inconsolable.

I fared a little better on the second flight, but the adrenaline rush from seeing my daughters and parents has not been enough to combat my fatigue. As is, my eyes have been closing of their own accord while I have been trying to write this. Hopefully, I will be more coherent tomorrow. The good news is that my body should quickly adjust to this earlier time zone.

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity:

5/27/2018

The Trinity is a continual reminder that God does not work in the same ways as people do. Rather, even God's presence is a Mystery of the highest order. As today's sermon mentioned, we cannot hope to fully understand God or His plans for us.

I was reminded of a fantasy novel that I recently read. In it, there is an evil tree that has the knowledge of all future events and possible future events. Because of this knowledge, it knows precisely what to say to anyone within hearing to bring about total calamity. To me, God is the polar opposite of this idea. He knows exactly what to say and do at the precise moment needed to cause the chain reaction that will create a wondrous future. As we are but infinitely small pieces of an infinitely immense puzzle, we cannot hope to see (let alone understand) the entire picture.

Countdown

5/26/2018

Janelle is getting some of her last-minute gardening done. I did some similar work on the lawn mower. It's not quite time to mow the lawn, but I want everything set up for my housesitter.

Meanwhile, we have nearly completed our packing. Largely, we have everything in the suitcases except the stuff that needs to wait for tomorrow before it can be packed. All of our bedding has been washed so that we will come back to relatively clean sheets. All but the leftovers that we are going to eat for lunch tomorrow and some of the items for our housesitter has been cleaned out of the fridge.

We are nearly ready to go. Those of you who are in Michigan (or will soon be in Michigan), we look forward to seeing you soon.

Packing

5/25/2018

We picked up another large suitcase today, bringing our total to 8 checked bags and five carry-ons. Quite likely, we will have extra space on the way back. We are still limiting ourselves to about a week and a half of clothes for our three week trip. We will have to do laundry while we are away.

Now that we are down to just a couple days before leaving, I have to plan out what I want to wear for the next couple of days. I need to choose clothes that I are appropriate for the occasion (such as church) but that I will not want to use for the next half a month. At the same time, I want to make certain that non-clothing items aren't forgotten.

As my next round of classes starts on the first day of the trip, this means bringing my books and laptop. I'm a little concerned that I won't have access to my desktop computer as it has some of the programs and information that I have used in my program thus far. I'm certain everything will work out, but I like to be prepared, so I spent a portion of the day just updating the laptop.

Packing for the trip makes it seem all the more real. Katrina's wedding has been on the horizon for so long that I was getting comfortable seeing it there. It has been a big part of Janelle's thoughts, planning, and efforts for almost half a year. I almost wonder what we are going to talk about once it is over.

Luggage

5/24/2018

I am grateful that Alaska Airlines offers Alaskan residents two free checked bags when flying on any ticket that includes an Alaska city. Considering our trip to Michigan is going to last several weeks, even with washing clothes, we are going to need those bags to bring enough changes, plus the wedding clothes, plus Alex's camping gear, plus some wedding supplies (such as the infamous table runners). Actually, we might need to purchase another bag to make certain we have the space.

I don't like feeling grateful for the two free bags. I recall when two free checked bags was the norm. I remember when some airlines starting reducing that to one. It was only a few years ago when they started making people pay for all of their checked bags. Grrr ... I'm growing old.

As for packing, Janelle initially thought that she and I would share a bag. She then started filling one and realized that I wasn't going to have any space. Considering that I needed a bag and a carry-on when I traveled on those ten day trips, I wasn't as surprised.

I just hope that we will be able to fit all of the luggage in the van.

Last Day of School 2018

5/23/2018

Another school year comes to an end. I have to say that this one really flew by. I feel like we are only a two-thirds of the way through rather than at the end. I don't think that it will fully hit me for at least a week.

I'm still going in tomorrow for checkout and our end of the year potluck. As I'm not moving classrooms (or schools, for that matter), I don't need to pack up as much as I have the past few years, so it should be a pretty easy day.

Today was entertaining. As we finished our finals yesterday, today's sessions did not see many students attending and were much more relaxed. Although we did a bit of cleaning, I spent the most part of the day playing the Psychiatrist and Mafia party games with a growing number of students until the school barbeque.

It was a nice way to end the school year.

Graduation

5/22/2018

Tonight, the class of 2018 graduated from Soldotna High School. Although I have only taught there for one year, I have come to know a couple dozen of these seniors fairly well. They have been a pleasure to teach, and I look forward to seeing what they will do with their futures.

Watching the ceremony made me realize that Trevor is going to be graduating next year. I couldn't help but wonder what his graduation was going to be like. Various random questions popped into my mind: What will his senior pictures be like? Which baby picture will we use for the slide show? Who will be the guest speaker? How many family members will be in the audience?

When I asked Trevor about his thoughts on his senior year, he told me that he thinks it will be great and a little bit terrifying. When I asked what might be terrifying, he said that once it's over, he'll have to start college, and that's a little scary. As for senior pictures, he would like to have at least one with him holding a sword.

24 Years Ago

5/21/2018

On May 21st, 1994, Janelle and I began our journey as husband and wife. The officiant was Father Jim Kolb. Because St. Mark's (the college parish) held its masses above the UAF cafeteria, we had the wedding in a nearby Lutheran church. Our witnesses were Desmond and Tina, with my brother, Jon, and Janelle's sister, Rachel, rounding out our wedding party. My sister Jennifer sang our wedding song. Ken and Karl took the video and pictures.

My parents, Greg and Cheryl; Janelle's parents, John and Nancy; and my sister Kate came up for the ceremony. My Grandmother Marks, Janelle's Great-grandmother Nora, and her Aunt Jean were in attendance as well. Other guests included a few of our friends from the college and our church as well as our daughter Alex (who spent most of the ceremony trying to get milk from a bottle that still had its interior cap in place).

Our reception was held in the small community building in UAF married housing. There was sparkling apple cider since, not only do I not drink, I was only 20 at the time. Our cake was absolutely delicious. While we did not have any dancing, I still enjoyed spending time with everyone there.

It seems so long ago. It seems like yesterday.

Pentecost Sunday

5/20/2018

Arrayed in red, we attended mass today. Not only was today the celebration of the "birthday" of the Church, it was also a celebration for all of the recent graduates, who received a special blessing at the end of mass. Around the edge of the church were red banners adorned with yellow and orange flames--our priest referred to them as birthday candles.

There were moments today when I felt filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit (and some when I didn't). I usually ask the Holy Spirit to guide me when I sing the Psalm at mass, and I have yet to be let down. Unfortunately, I am not as good at allowing the Spirit to fill me at other times--times when I do or say things that are not very Christian.

I hope that the graduates who were recognized today do better than I have when it comes to allowing the Holy Spirit to guide them. The ones that I know certainly demonstrate excellent Christian characteristics. It seemed fitting that we would celebrate their going out into the "real" world in the same mass when the disciples went out into theirs.

Eagle Scouts

5/19/2018

Three of the young men from my church had their Eagle Scout ceremony today. I have had the privilege to have two of them in one of my classes this year. They are all fine young men whom I am happy to have had a chance to get to know.

The ceremony included explanations about the steps they took to receive this honor as well as some of the benefits that the award entails. Overall, becoming an Eagle Scout is a rigorous process that provides the young men (and now women) with leadership and service experience. It requires a great deal of work in a wide variety of fields, which is one of the reasons why Eagle Scouts are often sought after by businesses, agencies, and organizations.

I was honored that I was one of the teachers they asked to attend their ceremony. I hope that this is just the first of many successes that they will find in their future.

Minor Travel Dilemmas

5/18/2018

Although we have our airline tickets for our upcoming trip and our house/dog sitter set up, there are still a couple of items that we need to work out. One is what to do with the van after we drive up to the airport. There are several long-term parking options in and near the airport, but we are not certain of the cost or security benefits of any of them. It doesn't help that Janelle keeps reading reports of people having their cars stolen in Anchorage and then used in crime sprees.

This is the first time the little boys have ever flown and that Trevor has flown since he was eight months old. We are uncertain what level of snacks we can and should bring with us for the plane. When I travel alone, I don't bring anything and just subsist on the small cookies and ginger ale provided by the airline, but they might need more than that.

Finally, even though we haven't even left yet, I'm a little concerned about our return. Assuming we arrive on time, we won't get into Anchorage until after 10 pm. Should we book a hotel (which we would need to do soon) and spend the night before picking up some groceries at Costco and heading home the following day? Or should we just drive back (as I have done before), avoiding most of the summer traffic while driving in twilight (since it will be close to the solstice), sleep in our own beds, and figure out groceries in the morning? [I tend to favor the latter.]

We have a little bit of time to still decide, but the days are certainly passing quickly.