The eye of the New York Times focuses on Barrow; winter draws nigh to Wasilla
Monday, October 17, 2011 at 9:39PM ;)
This is New York Times reporter William Yardley, as his byline reads in the paper, although he introduced himself to me as Bill Yardley. As I am Bill, too, and we were in Barrow, that would make him my "atik," which, in a way, kind of makes us like relatives of sorts.
I first met him, along with New York Times photographer Jim Wilson and videographer Erik Olsen, in the North Slope Borough office building, where they had just interviewed Mayor Edward Itta.
Then, the next day, I saw them at the Barrow Whalers' football playoff game when our boys defeated Monroe Catholic and again immediately afterward at the site where the Aiken whale had been landed and butchered.
I took this picture in the rearview mirror as Yardley drove the car they had rented from the landing site back to Barrow, about five miles. We happened to leave at the same time and they were kind enough to give me a ride.
Judging from what they told me, they must have more coverage coming, in addition to what appeared today in two parts online.
The two parts can be found here:
Yardley has also spent a lot of time in Wasilla, covering... well, you know who... the same person who pulled media from all over the world to Wasilla... while I, a media person who lives right here... just turned around and walked away from it all, just about. Yardley covered her for the New York Times.
;)
I took a walk today. As you can see, winter has not quite reached Wasilla, the way it has reached Barrow and the Arctic Slope, but it is getting close.
;)
This dog came running, barking, growling, snarling, charging in from behind, pretending that it was going to rip me to pieces. When I turned and pointed my camera at it, it stopped cold. It let its tail fall down.
Most "mean" dogs are like this - but in Barrow, I met a genuinely mean dog.
It was scary. Given the level of its gnashing teeth teeth to my body, I was thinking it was good that I had already fathered all the children I ever need to, but, at the same time, the idea of losing the capability to a mean dog did exactly please me.
;)
Later in the afternoon, during my usual 4:00 PM coffee break, I drove down Shrock Road and discovered that it had snowed there - just a couple of miles from our house. It was late in the afternoon and it had been sunny all day, so the snow must have completely covered the ground in the morning.
Winter is drawing nigh to Wasilla - I hope. The leaves are long gone now. Once the leaves go, I am ready for the snow.
Plus, I got used to it in Barrow and Atqasuk.
Reader Comments (2)
It was a neat video. But did you notice in the print article, that Barrow residents are quoted as saying, "ah ah ha," which most certainly should be, "aarigaa"?! oops!
Also, this is the first time I've had a chance to post since your hiatus, but thanks making time for the blog again despite your lack of sleep! Everyday I look forward to your posts on places I do not yet have the resources to travel to, as well as the adorable grandkids.
Bill, I love that photo of New York Times reporter William Yardley in the mirror. The eye of the New York Times focuses on Barrow. Great title too!