I drive past Iditarod Musher Vern Halter as he runs for Borough Assembly - other election day images as seen from my bike and the car
Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 9:12AM ;)
I began election day by spending three hours at my desk, working on my project, during which time I composed one single paragraph - a short one at that. Yet, coupled with the photographs that it will run with, I think it is a paragraph that sings. It will make a strong statement about life and death and I know it will bring tears to some people's eyes. It brought tears to mine.
Afterward, I took a bike ride and as I pedaled, this Cessna flew over my head. It is very difficult to photograph an airplane flying by directly overhead while you are pedaling a bike, but I did it.
;)
I had not been able to get Margie out of the house for a few days, but today I succeeded. I took her and Kalib to a fine lunch at A&W/KFC. Along the way, we passed people raising signs urging me to vote for Taffina Katkus for the Wasilla City Council. A little girl inspected a crash pole.
I did not vote for Kaffina. I did not vote against Kaffina. I could not. I cannot vote for anyone who runs for Wasilla City Council, Wasilla Mayor, or any damn thing like that. It's because I live in the unincorporated part of Wasilla - that part where we get to pay all of the sales taxes that fund the city, just like those who live in the incorporated part, but reap none of the benefits.
Mayor Rupright is trying to change that, trying to bring us in.
I don't know if he will succeed. The only time I really cared was when I had to make a citizens arrest of the drunken ice cream good humor lady and hold her for a full hour while I waited for the State Troopers to arrive, as the Wasilla Police would not come.
Taffina is an artist, by the way, and she makes postcards.
;)
I had two hot dogs and fries; Margie had a hamburger and onion rings, which were better than my fries. Kalib had a bowl of macaroni and cheese.
As we were about to leave the Fred Meyer complex parking lot back onto the Parks Highway, we saw these four students of the old Russian faith entering the trail that leads past Wasilla Lake.
;)
The day was one of exquisite beauty, sunny, the air wonderfully clean, crisp and brisk and Margie suddenly decided that she wanted to stay out for awhile. So, even though I could not afford the time, I took advantage of that feeling and drove her up to Pittman Road. More people were campaigning on the corner of Parks Highway and Pittman, but I only had a second and instead of photographing the sign carriers, I photographed these members of the support crew, also of the old Russian faith, in the back of their van.
;)
Not far down Pittman Road, we came upon more people carrying signs, this time for Vern Halter, who everybody in Alaska knows, because he is a famous Iditarod musher. And there was Vern, right in the middle of them, waving at us.
I did not want to be rude, so I waved back. It is pretty hard to take a picture while waving at a famous Iditarod musher as you drive past, but I did it.
It was very safe, because there was no other traffic and I was going slow and the only people nearby were these folks and they were on the other side of the road and I never looked through my camera, I just pointed it and clicked and it took less than one second, so don't get excited.
;)
Notwithstanding this big trip, come 4:00 PM, when All Things Considered comes on the radio, I again broke away from my project to take my coffee break. Margie did not want to come. As I sat waiting in the drive-through at The Metro Cafe, I took this image in my rear-view mirror of these workers pouring asphalt.
Let me make one thing very clear: there were stories in the news today about bloggers accepting cash and gifts from sponsors that they then praise highly, but never reveal that they were compensated for the endorsement.
I have never done this. I never will do this. When you see a photograph in my blog of someone making coffee or serving me a hotdog with Pepsi and then you read my words and I tell you that the coffee was superb and the hot dogs delicious, you can trust my integrity.
I have not received one cent for my endorsements. In fact, in all cases, I pay for the product myself. These merchants cannot buy me. I buy my own damn hot dogs!
As for Vern Halter, I just learned from another blog that he won his assembly seat.
The tile of the post included these words, "Weird, huh?"
I don't know. Two actors have been governor of California, one went on to become President of the United States and all kinds of lawyers run for office.
So what's weird about a dog musher running - and winning?
Good dog mushers are smart people. They have patience. They think, they know how to communicate - with dogs, at least.
Then, of course, Bev Masek was a dog musher and she ran and won state house. In fact, for a while, she was my representative, although I voted against her. Now she is going to jail, for not only taking payola but soliciting it. Sad story.
But see how wise I was?
I know her, too, a little bit - I interviewed her a couple of times when she was mushing; later, I chatted with her in White Mountain, when she pulled in with her dogs. I once briefly shared a cabin with her brother in Tanana. He is a good guy.
I have a feeling Vern will do better. I hope so.
Technically, I remain in Cocoon Mode, but I overdid it, put in 53 minutes, so this post does not qualify.
Reader Comments (5)
Would it not be wonderful if people were actually attempting to give you free coffee and free hotdogs and macaroni and cheese for a mention on a blog post? Nobody is beating down my door for this opportunity, and it is hard not to be the tiniest bit hurt by this.
*sniffle*
The good humor lady was probably in pretty bad humor by the time that the troopers arrived. What a funny story.
Bill, I like the theme, (Is it a theme?) of the "It wasn't easy but I did it in this series of photo's. I think that is fun and also a good one to roll with. I would try and keep it up if I were you! Hope you and all the family keep that attitude going strong! It will be helpful for the soul and make you all proud of what you have really accomplished! Take care,
Charlie
Debby, If anybody should come and start offering me free stuff, I will be certain to suggest that they go offer some to you, to.
Charlie - It was pretty hard to get up this morning and to think about getting another day going - but, I did it!
Well, gees Bill, you're great, no matter what the rest of Wasilla thinks. I'll be sure to return the favor. (Do not hold your breath...)
I always knew it would be worth it for you! Each day leads to a few things we never expect. Each day can be incredible, mundane, or not even significant, but regardless each one of us makes the day better for those of us who care and love each other! I am glad you were able to do it!
P.S. Let's get some ice cream!
Charlie