Years Past

This was supposed to be a recap chockerblock full of amazing pictures from the "real" Alaska. Sorry. I have all of my pictures on my other computer, which is at the school, and really don't really like walking up there. So... in lieu of this I am going to post something else before I update you on the incredible trip I had with pops.

My favorite book (well book on tape) is Bridges of Madison County. As the story goes Francesca Johnson falls in love with this mountain man Robert Kincaid while her husband is away at the State Fair with their kids and cow. (I know what I wrote really doesn't exactly enthrall the reader, but you get the point.) Each year on her birthday in the years following Francesca's love affair with Kincaid, she would sip a glass of brandy, take out a box with memories of the two of them and reflect on her life then and how it might have been had they stayed together.

I figure most people reading this are aware it's my birthday and I figured being I don't have much else to do up here I would sip on a glass of brandy and reflect on what I have been doing on my birthday the last few years. I have a poor memory in my later years, so I apologize for forgetting any good ones.

March 10, 1984 - Born. Wang Chung #1 on Billboard top 100.

March 10, 1990 - I had a birthday cake with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle "Raphael" on it. Why he was on it I still do not know. I thought he was the worst turtle. I still think the sai (his miniature trident) is gay. Leonardo and the swords on the other hand...

March 10, 1995 - First co-ed birthday party. Whoo Whoo! I partied with all the coolest dudes and the hottest sixth grade chicks (yah I know, sounds pretty bad now that I am 24... too bad the delete key is busted on my keyboard). They all came over to head out to the pool and community center. One memory is of Emily clawing the bejesus out of my arm under the hoop in what she considered "defense." Of course I let it go being the gentleman I was. Read: Of course I let it go due to the fact that I had an enormous preteen crush on her.

March 10, 2003 - First year out of Frazee for the b-day. Headed down to Omaha to once again see Emily (wow that was one loooong crush). Hung out for my spring break down there. I am chuckling to myself as I recall a few events, I apologize I can not put them in words due to certain people reading this. IE - Mom and Dad. If you really want to know you can hit me up for an email.

March 10, 2005 - Aloha & Aloha. This was the year I spent in Maui. It was right around the time where things were pretty shaky with Aspen, she had moved out, I had bought my new plane ticket, she decided she wanted to get back together, I called her John Kerry for the flip flopping, she decided she didn't want to get back together... But on my birthday, 21st nonetheless, I spent it with no college friends who taught me the meaning of a porcelain god, boonesfarm chugging, and teamwork through beer bonging. I had no high school friends that taught me all about the beauty of drinking a beer while looking out the window to see if ma and dad pulled in early. (Blew that one a few times...) Back to Maui. I didn't get to go out the night before due to a scheduled deep sea fishing experience that was scheduled to leave at 5:30 am. The weather was shoddy so that was called off. High regards for ma and dad though, they sent me a nice little shooter that I pulled shortly after finding out my fishing trip was canceled. That day was spent not really doing anything that I can specifically remember. The fishing was rescheduled for the following morning so I didn't get to celebrate big that night either. There was a conspiracy against me drinking by all of Maui, just so you know.

March 10, 2006 - The night before I spent it hanging out with my great friend Ryan who bought these incredible beers that brought back some good old times from Colorado. That night we sang our hearts out at Rooters. On my actual birthday Robb, Seth, and I headed down to Lincoln, Nebraska to hang out with Tanner and Mitch. I recall things getting slightly out of hand and, for the first time- definitely not the last, embarrassing myself over actions on facebook.

March 10, 2007 - Last year was a year to remember. At midnight Ben, Kory, and Kevin - some buddies I have picked up along the way, pulled into my drive in Fargo. We loaded up Ben's mom's Suburban and headed West. With little to no sleep that night, we pulled into this great little diner in the middle of Montana for breakfast. A few Bloody Mary's and corned beef and cabbage definitely started the day right for me. We drove on down to Big Sky, where Anna and Anna lived. That weekend in Big Sky was "Dirt Bag Weekend." Everyone basically dressed up as sleezy as possible, so us four guys pretty much fit in after driving for 14 hours straight. After a quick nap we headed to this local bar to hear a local artist rock this bar for a couple hours. There were people and tall boy PRB's everywhere. We jammed there then headed to the official "Dirt Bag Ball." People dressed up and dancing everywhere. That night was truly the highlight of my day though. I got to sleep between the Annas, clutching a box of Frosted Flakes to my heart. True love.

March 10, 2008 - It's been a good day. A great day actually. Nice to be back with the kids, nice to see the teachers again. Not nice to come back to a disgusting classroom (remember I was burnt out before Spring Break). It was a pretty normal day. The school did sing me the Yu'pik version of Happy Birthday (still don't know how they figured out it was my birthday.) The cafeteria also sang my Happy Birthday at lunch... that was cute. But the highlight of my day was while eating dinner tonight. I was gorging my face with a burrito (I had been thinking about it all day) when someone knocked at the door. One of my students was on the other side of the knock. She said hello and said she would be right back. She brought me a big cake and a big chunk of caribou she had shot on her first hunting trip over the weekend. She told me that no matter the differences we have and even though I always move her away from her friends, I'm still one of her favorite teachers she's had. The cake and caribou pretty much reached the top of my list of best gifts I have ever gotten (along with the flashlight from my dad & the quilt from ma). I almost went right to the school and signed the contract for next year.

Then I remembered the hippie chicks in Homer. Maybe that will be my home in '09.

Here's to all of you. Thanks for everything you've done over the last 24 years for me. I know if you are reading this that you have made some positive impact on my life. Thank you.