Lucy's Peregrination: June 2015

The Ski Train and the Nose

Dear Alaska Railroad,

It was a beautiful day in Curry, as we moseyed off the ski train, taking a leisurely pace. We figured with the low snowpack we’d skip out on the skiing and just enjoy ourselves with a little sledding. It was a relaxed time, as you can see.

But then disaster struck. On our last run of the day, Brian managed to smack his nose against the plastic edge of the sled. Blood gushed. Railroad employees swooped in. First we were found by Conductor George and his stalwart co-Conductor (whose name we sadly never learned). Then EMT Nick P. arrived and worked to staunch the blood. At -6 degrees the components separated and coagulated at very different rates. It looked like a blood slushee. Ew.

A decision was made to run us to Talkeetna in the hi-rail. Paul valiantly drove us the 40 miles there, but to no avail. They had a “real” emergency at the medical clinic and the staff couldn’t help us. So he kindly drove us back to the depot in Talkeetna and talked the train into stopping for us so we could make it back to Anchorage.

Since I wasn’t the one with the broken nose, and I had always wanted to ride in a hi rail, this was quite the adventure for me. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hi-rail Brain claims he wasn’t in pain, and now has a guaranteed memorable costume for next year’s ski train: Broken Nose Guy.

All told it was a fun and fascinating trip. Many, many thanks to all of the railroad employees who helped us out, bagged the bloody sled, and got us home again.

Brian’s “Blue Steel” pose at the surgical center after his reduction.

Yes, he was still stoned out from anesthesia at this point.

PS. Even though I am adamantly opposed to so-called “Reality Television” (and if you want to know why, that’s another blog post), we did sign the waivers for the crew of Railroad Alaska. My understanding is that it mainly shows in Europe, so friends there should keep a lookout for us in the next season. I think, despite the breathless “we’re all in danger” storytelling they do, Brian may have been their first actual bleeding person.

The Mosquitos interviewing our driver Paul

Seattle Trip (II)

In later May, Brian and I took a week in Seattle to (hopefully) get the last of our Ikea needs met. But the big draws were friends and family. We stayed with the most amazingly awesome hosts – Chris and Kirk. While trying to explain to Brian how we all knew each other, I had to admit that I met them by crashing a party at their house. And then doing it twice more. Thus great friendships are built.

Both (separately) Jenissa and Autumn trekked up from Oregon to spend a day with us. That allowed us to play tourists and wander Pike Place, the waterfront, the Olympic Sculpture Garden, and have a three hour luncheon at Le Pichet. Heaven.

We trekked (seriously, I’ve forgotten how heinous Seattle traffic can be) to the Eastside to visit the newest addition – Riley Flynn Clark Scattergood, who was born on April 8^th. He is both named for me, and born on my ½ birthday, so there is no way I’ll let this little boy out of my life. While both his parents call him a Screamapillar, he was remarkably quiet during our time together. Definitely trying to lure me into a false sense of security. Babies are sneaky.

Seattle Trip (I)

I snuck down to Seattle in early May to meet up with Hilary. I was the only mutual weekend we had free for 4+ months. Seriously, we are overscheduled people. Then I screwed it up by trying to renew my Nexus card and discovering I couldn’t do the in-person interview in Seattle, but had to go to Blaine (I say this once more…map!). But we took it as an opportunity to play along the beautiful coast of Washington. We walked the Semiahmoo Spit, checked out Birch Bay State Park, drove down Chuckanut Drive, and visited Bow and Edison where foodie heaven is underway. We had freshly made cheese, wine on the patio at Sloughfood, picked up noms at Breadfarm, and had blueberry ice cream at the Lopez Island Creamery. We then went and took a hike/got lost in Washington Park, in Anacortes. We watched a pod of dolphins cavort at Fidalgo Head until a Steller sea lion came and broke things up.

Thoughts for Michelle

Since returning to Alaska, I’ve kicked off a Ladies Swap Party event that occurs every quarter. I started this because, upon unpacking my boxes from storage, I had a lot of clothing that didn’t fit or didn’t suit me. The parties have since exploded, and now include clothing, shoes, accessories, makeup, books, and housewares. We all make investments in stuff, and it’s often kept long past desirability or utility because it’s too good (or we spent too much on it) to just throw out. Swapping with girlfriends makes you hope you goods are going to a loving home. Lots of the participants are co-workers and we all share a thrill when someone comes in looking fabulous in our cast-offs. By now, about 1/6 of my wardrobe is made up of these freebies. And if something doesn’t suit, you can throw it back in the bag for the next party. Without the monetary investment, it’s easier to discard what doesn’t work.

These parties lead to a kind of intimacy of course – you’re wearing someone else’s clothes, and you stripped down in front of everyone to try them on. One of the new friends I’ve made asked me some questions about my goals and philosophy.

I started talking about books I’d read. The once that first came to mind isn’t even philosophy. It is about how to keep a clean house. And the author is brutally honest in writing that if you want a clean house you should have no kids, no dogs, and no houseplants. Not that everyone needs to eschew those things. But it’s about figuring out what your commitments are. Does your stuff own you, or do you own your stuff? If you plan to travel, would you be hampered by having those things? What about jewelry – would you wear the item walking down a street in Europe? South America? Would you feel safe? Would it be worth your safety to wear it? What are you advertising by wearing it?

So I made up a list of things I’ve read and found insightful. I don’t agree with all of them, of course. Some aren’t even good writing. But they helped me to frame what I want and how I hope to achieve it.

Web and Blogs:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/seeking-simplicity-how-to-start-living-a-more-minimal-lifestyle-210936

https://unclutterer.com/2007/07/23/extreme-minimalism-monday-bucket-o-food/

http://www.gocurrycracker.com/

http://www.gocurrycracker.com/recommendations/blogroll/

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/culturebox/2013/03/graham_hill_essay_in_the_new_york_times_is_minimalism_really_sustainable.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/boomers-unwanted-inheritance/2015/03/27/0e75ff6e-45c4-11e4-b437-1a7368204804_story.html

http://www.becomingminimalist.com/

http://bemorewithless.com/

http://bemorewithless.com/25-reasons-you-might-be-a-minimalist/

http://asklizweston.com/

http://www.vox.com/2015/5/1/8518455/extreme-early-retirement