San Fran....A Sibling Get Together...

With Many Hidden Extra's!

My sister will be the first to agree that we were not the closest growing up.  Sometimes as we sit back now and talk about our childhoods, it almost seems we grew up in two different worlds.  However, as we have aged, we truly have become close and I love the relationship I now have with my sister.

When I was back in Montana this summer, we came up with this novel plan of a little get away and to take in a baseball game.  After checking schedules, and dates available, it was settled.  San Francisco was the destination.

We both flew in of a Thursday evening, and after meeting up at the airport in Oakland, we took on the Bay Area Rapid Transit System to find our ways into Downtown San Francisco and our Hotel.  Well this is where Extra #1 occurred.  We had decided to share a room.  Well there was a mix-up and that room had just one bed.  There were no extra rooms available at the hotel we were at or in the area, so a little nest I made on the floor for 3 days...

After we got settled, we decided we needed to grab something to eat, so we headed down to this recommended steakhouse.  As we checked it out, the little Irish Pub Bar sounded like a much better option.  I am so glad we did.  After eating, we were sitting there having a beer when in comes this group all dressed in U.S.A.  athlete outfits.  I mean wrestling singlets, Boxing Trunks, Swim speedo's, and Gymnast gear.

After a few minutes and of course my sister's outgoing personality we learned that these were the San Diego Padre Rookies and as part of their "Initiation" they were out on the town.  Seems when they got back to their lockers, their suits were gone and these outfits were in their place.  We had a blast talking and laughing with several of them for a good part of the evening.. For the highlight story of that night tho you better ask my sister.

Friday morning we got up early and had a plan of sites we wanted to see.  As we headed to Powell St. to catch the Cable Car Trolley, we realized we weren't gonna get on one of these anytime soon.  Shawna and I decided our best plan was to start hiking it up over the hill and hopefully catch one a little less full along the way.  No such luck, but it was a great way to see a great part of the city as we made it up and down the streets of SF on our way to Fisherman's wharf.


As we started along the waterfront, our first stop was the U.S.S. Pampanito and U.S.S. Jeremiah.  Aboard Jeremiah we had a great viewpoint as the Space Shuttle Endeavor circled the bay area giving everyone a glimpse.. WOW  a piece of history witnessed.   As we continued along the waterfront we took a cruise of the harbor getting to see up close both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge.  Good call Cody!  We took a trip through the wax museum, Pier 39 shops, including seeing Jeff Barnes from the Oakland Raiders signing autographs, and the Aquarium along the way as we ventured closer and closer to AT&T Park for the Giants game.

And what a Giants game to attend!  We saw them honor both past and the most current 2012 Olympians including Swimmer Nathan Adrian and Women's Water Polo Gold Winning Scorer Carli Lloyd.  Along with that, we also witnessed Buster Posey winning the Willie Mac award. The Giants won the game, and the following night they clinched post season.  What a night to witness.

Saturday we decided to take it a little easier.  A cab ride took us to Lombard Street to start our day.   This little windy one block is known as the "crooked street in the world."  From there we ventured down the hill where we just stumbled upon the Maritime park.  It was a much more low key and slower paced than Friday was.  The only real place we had to be on time... Alcatraz.

I gotta say, I don't think any trip to San Francisco should be complete without going onshore at the "Rock"  I was amazed as I walked about the island and through the cell block listening to the audio tour from both former inmates and guards as they told the stories of Alcatraz.  But our unexpected surprises didn't end there.  Aboard our cruise boat taking us over to the island were a bunch of folks all dressed the same in basketball warmup gear.  As it turns out, they were part of the 1 on 1 "King of the Rock" basketball tourney that would be played there that evening.  Within the crew filming was a fellow Montanan who was missing Bobcat Homecoming along with me...

As we finally got back to the mainland, we ventured back to the hotel, cleaned up a bit before venturing down the block to try some different cuisine.. On the menu was Moroccan, Belly Dancers included!

It truly was a great couple days.  Sharing my first taste of San Fran with  my sister will be a memory I will always hold close.  It was such a fun little trip, and I can't wait for the next Sibling Adventure!!

Oh Alaska State Fair How I Miss Thee

The Alaska State Fair kicked off  Thursday August 23rd.  For those of you who may not know, this has been my home away from home the past few years for 3 weeks at the end of August, first part of September.  For me, not being there this year is just another of the many  changes in my life this past year.

Although I am not there, Alaska State Fair is still a big part of my life. I have made some very good friends both because of and within the Alaska State Fair. Along with that, I have friends that have once again traveled up there for this years fair.

All of this got me thinking about the Fair.  The fair was a lot of hard work, long hours, lack of sleep lots of cool wet weather, but of course there are some great things I will miss this year...There is a real uniqueness to the ASF in comparison to other fairs I have attended.

People - Over the past few years I have made some very good friends in Alaska.  Many with the help of Social Media now make it easy to keep in contact with them all year long.  This includes folks from Montana, Washington, and Oregon who traveled up with me as part of the supervisory team, Staff of the Alaska State Fair that I worked side by side with,  and those I had the privilege of supervising over the years.  They truly have become my "ASF Kids!"

Food - Fair food takes on a whole new meaning in Alaska... Yes there are a few of the common fair food vendors, but the local homegrown specialty food items far out number them, and oh the flavors and smells.  A few of my favorites include the bread bowl soups, loaded potato, fresh salmon salad, glacier pizza, loaded local version of the philly steak, and the nacho's muchos.

The Location -  I don't know of another fair location that is surrounded by such beauty.  ASF sits right in the heart of the MAT-SU Valley.  Beautiful mountains surround the valley and even a glacier can be seen close by.  One of the traditions every year wqas seeing how quickly summer would end and fall would arrive during the fair, capped off with what the locals call "termination dust" (first snow) atop one of the mountains.

The Entertainment -  It has amazed me over the years to see some of the entertainment that ASF has attracted.  My job during the fair really didn't allow me to take many of the shows in however I was able to slip away at least a couple times each year to catch bits and pieces of some great shows including Rodney Atkins, Kenny Rogers, Colbie Caillat, and Garrison Keillor.

 The Gardens - Each year I have been amazed at the flowers and gardens around the ASF grounds.  Not only because of thinking that this is Alaska, and they would not have such a growing season for such beauty, but also the time and care they put into all of them. Each year they all have a theme.  I have never seen such beauty and colors as each of these are transformed each year. This years theme is full of blues, like the ocean with plants in the form of seals.     Along with gardens are the half whiskey barrels all over the grounds.  There is an entire crew who early each morning makes the rounds watering and caring for all of them.

The Vegetable Displays -  Home of the giant cabbage and pumpkins!!  Even with a very short growing season, they grow some amazing vegetables because of the very long days of sunlight during that summer.  Besides the cabbages and pumpkins, there is a huge botany  display that I always tried to grab a glance at.

Our Bunks

The Accommodations - No list would be complete in talking about our annual trip if I didn't mention where we stayed.  The last couple years I worked the fair, summers were so busy, I joked I saved all my camping for 1 - three week camping trip.  The entire experience is something that reminds me of church camp.  Old trailers that had been converted into bunkhouses.  We also had the "Clubhouse" which served as our kitchen, laundry room, and shower house.

One of the Unique Booths at AS

The fair is truly an amazing place.  The People, the booths, everything is unique about Alaska State Fair.  I Strongly suggest following their Alaska State Fair Facebook Page, and if you ever get to Palmer at the end of summer take in the ASF!!

Everyone is Replaceable... Or are We???

I've heard it time and time again, "Anyone can be Replaced!"  With the field I work in, we build plans so that if something happens to one person, someone else can step in and things continue.  I totally understand the concept on continuity in business and government.  In fact I believe as a concept it is crucial for emergency situations.  Certain things need to be done to restore and put in place life safety measures.  It it also imperative for public trust in their local leaders that everything will be Okay.  Having plans in order to help pick up the pieces and continue on I think, as a process is important, but I think we overlook the personal side.

We have become so focused on the almighty dollar, I think we forget how much some folks do in boosting moral and actually caring for the folks they are in charge  of.  Personally, this is something I hope I can always keep in perspective.  From the early days as the Fire Chief, to later days as a supervisor and manager, I always have held the philosophy that I would never ask someone to do something I was not willing to do myself.  When I was subbing in the schools, I saw this on a day in and day out basis of teachers who were tremendous mentors of the next generation, giving selfishly of themselves and connecting with students like none other.  I think we all can relate to this.  We all have one or two favorite teachers from our pasts that hold a special place in our lives.

Fairgrounds at Alaska State Fair

Bobcat Stadium

So why in a day when the majority of society is living paycheck to paycheck, do we work so hard to minimize the importance and uniqueness we each bring to the table?  As many of you know, and that is how we became friends, I worked for a company doing staffing at events
in the Billings, Wyoming and Alaska area part time.  I started doing this on a whim for a friend who was short
staff one year for the N.I.LE..  I said "no" I can't even remember how many times before I finally agreed to help out.  Needless to say a little over three years later that one time event became a part time position that  had taken me places, allowed me to see entertainers I would have never imagined or spent money on, but there was more to it.  I liked who I was working for, and I liked who I worked with.  We became a little family.  Just like my days on the Fire Department, we learned who we could count on when we needed help. This was not only while we were working an event, but in everyday life. The long hours and days involved in working some of the events all paid off knowing we had done a good job.  Not only was the person we worked for appreciative, we knew the client was also satisfied.

The Midway at one of the fairs

Kenny Rogers Performing at Alaska State Fair

Things changed the first of December last year, and new management was brought in.  I was included in this, at first but realized I could not fill the shoes of the person I was asked to.  Let alone the fun was gone. It now was just a job, and my family was still fractured.  As much as I was relying on the income from this job, I knew it was not worth the headaches and stepped away.  Looking back it was the best decision I could have made.  As I look from the outside in now, I see a crumbling empire failing.   Yes the corporation is bigger than one person, but the loyalty was to a person we cared for and considered a friend not the corporate headpiece a thousand miles away.


I think this is just another example of how little of an impact we place on having the right person in charge.  I think many overlook the human factor as they choose someone to manage or supervise within their organization. The right person can make or break it, and replacing someone can have long term consequences that far outweigh any small issue that might lead in replacing key management.    We are all human, and want to feel like we belong and are part of something we believe in and are proud of.  There must be a personal connection.

So yes everyone can be replaced, however no ONE is replaceable!

Lets Talk Shop!!

This week, there are a number of live crisis' going on throughout the United States.  Wildfires are raging in Colorado, and Tropical Storm Debby is creating havoc in the Gulf Region.  Watching weather, I am seeing Red Flag Warnings popping up for areas all over Montana.  Part of my job is watching and sharing information to keep people informed, not only of the hazard, but what they need to do.  Anytime a family member or friend asks for information on a certain fire, or hazard, I am more than happy to do my best in finding them the links to the most up-to-date information, however I think its important for you to understand a few things you need to do to stay informed and how you too can find the information you  might be searching for.

 Photos from the Derby Fire

To start, I believe you have a responsibility to be prepared yourself.  As these major disasters strike, it could be DAYS where you may be out of your home, if not longer.  Think about what you may need.  If you were told you had 30 minutes to leave your home or less, not knowing when you could return, do you have what you need easily accessible?  Ready.gov has made some easy check lists for what to consider in making a kit, and a plan.  PLEASE check it out.

Buts lets talk about communication.  Many today, (including myself) no longer have a land line in my home.  I rely on my mobile phone, along with a Voice Over Internet Phone (VOIP) to communicate.  Now, the mobility of these services are great, but there are also some drawbacks.  Did you know UNLESS you register your mobile phone or VOIP with your local area Emergency Dispatching Center, your number will NOT be included if they need to use Reverse 911 to notify you of a danger or in the need to evacuate an area.  You easily can do this by taking a a couple minutes and going to the webpage of your county/provider and listing your address along with the phone number. Mobile phones also have a couple other disadvantages.  We all rely on cell towers to connect our signal to who we are trying to get ahold of.  In an emergency, those cell towers can be overwhelmed pretty quickly if everyone in an area is trying to use them at once to contact a loved one outside the area.  It has been proven though that a text message can make it out when a call wont.  Learn and use text messaging in an emergency to let loved ones know you are alright.  The other issue is battery life.  As we use our phones more and more, we recharge constantly.  How long would your phone last without power?  Just like I carry back up batteries for flashlights, weather radio, its important to consider a back up power brick for your phone.  They are available for as little as $30 and well worth the investment.   Make sure you take the time to register your phone so you are included in emergency notifications. Don't forget to update this info if you move.

Benedict Gulch Fire

Now Social Media has become a big deal, heck if you are reading this, you are using social media. Just like when I was a kid, there was the "party lines," and we all tuned in at 5:30 and 10:00 to find out the news for the day, now it is available to us 24/7.   It can be a great way of sharing information and catching up with loved ones, but its also a great source of understanding what is going on and what you need to do.  There is a long list of  Social Media sites you can use.  I mainly use Facebook, Google + and Twitter.  Learn how to use them, "Like" or "Follow" your area Emergency Management agencies.  Many are now using them.  Learn how they are using them, and what #hashtags they may be using to follow in gathering information.

 Above:  Derby Fire, 

Below: Countryman Creek Fire

I encourage you to do some research and be ready, be prepared, be informed!  Please seek out someone who can help you if you need help in any of these areas.  I am more than willing to help anyone understand how to determine who and what they may need to consider to be prepared.  I LOVE Talk'n Shop!!  

"and Family is Crazy!":

Growing up on a farm I became familiar with "The grass is greener on the other side of the fence."  Certainly the cattle believed this. They were constantly finding and testing the fences around the farm. Even with an electrical wire added, they would just seem to know when something would short it out, and they would make their move.  I'm not sure how many hours I spent chasing, sorting cattle, and fixing fence as a kid.  Other than a few scares from the T-posts and some barbed wire, I will admit this was one of my favorite "jobs" growing up.  Most of the time it meant time spent on my horse, 'Steale."  Time spent with him, was always something I looked forward to.  I think he understood me growing up better than anyone else.   He was my escape when I wanted to get away.  I'm sure he will be a topic for a future post.

Like cattle, we too look for "greener grass" as we branch and make our own ways into the world.  Looking back over my childhood, I was very blessed in having so much of my extended family so close by.  Almost all of my Aunts and Uncles, and both sets of Grandparents lived within 20 miles.  This meant seeing them often and as I recently saw, "My cousins were my first friends."  Family get togethers were frequent, and we were all part of each other's lives.   As we grew, this same closeness also seemed like such an hindrance.  As any normal teenager, I wanted to spend times with my friends, not my family.  What was even more irritating was that growing up in such a small town, EVERYONE knew your business, and many times, if you did something, your parents knew before you even got home.

As many, I couldn't wait to get out and spread my own wings.  Its funny where life takes us.  Even after going away to college, I found myself back in that same small town close to family.  I know I didn't talk to them as often as I should have, but it was comforting knowing they were all there.  A peace just knowing, if  and when I may need them, I knew they would all be there to rally around me and help to hold me up no matter what.  That's what family is for.  Support and love unconditionally.

That "family" also became some other folks.  I've heard it many times, that "you can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family."  Well what if your friends become part of your family?  Over the years, I have met some people, that I would argue are "family" to me.  Family can take many different shapes and sizes.  As a single person I know this.  Now I love spending time with my family, but as we grow, family members start their own families.  As much as those close to us try to make us feel welcome, its hard not to feel like an third wheel tagging onto their activities.  So, my friends, have become my family.  We may look different, have different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences, but they have also had a profound influence on me just as my own family has.   They have helped "round" some of my beliefs.  They have stood by and been a shoulder to cry on when I was hurting, too embarrassed to admit my failures within my blood family.  They were the first ones I messaged when I had some good news to share.  They were the ones that spent hours on the hiking trails with me, enjoying a great cup of coffee or grabbing a pint.

Now that I find myself once again separated at least by distance by my "Family," its funny the little things you miss, even some of the things that drove you crazy when you were nearby and able to see them on a regular basis.  I don't think I would admit that I am homesick.  I realized that when I was back during Memorial Day Weekend, but I do realize how much I miss "Family."

In time, a few more folks will come into my life and my "family" will once again grow.  New people are introduced into my life almost daily, but they have a ways to go till they pass my "3 year rule."   Until than, its good to hear about those family members however far apart we may be currently.  And if you are looking for a vacation destination this summer, the Pacific Northwest is an awesome place to visit!  Oh ya, and I do have a spare room!!

Hurry up and Wait!

Sitting here this Monday morning, I find myself waiting on the Internet provider to show up and provide me with a better, faster Internet option than my wireless card I have been been using and going over my plan coverage since I moved to Vancouver.  I am happy the window for the technician to show up is only two hours instead of the old 4 hour window, but still here I sit. 

As I clean, do laundry and some bookwork to past the time, I gaze outside at what a nice day it is and keep thinking how much  I would prefer to get outside, and enjoy the sunshine.  It also brings to mind how much time we spend waiting. 

Waiting for all things from the bus, in line, on hold, for our  meal to arrive, sitting at a traffic light, waiting for a new movie to come out, a song to download, the list is endless.  I'm sure there is a statistic out there somewhere about the amount of time we wait over a lifetime.  But lets face it, in a time where we want our news, food, music, our friends, messaging, everything we do at our fingertips and instantaneously.  Gone are the days where we only get our news at 5 pm on the prime time channels.  Gone are the days where you wait for an artist to come out with a new LP/Cassette/CD  so you can buy it and hear all the new songs. Gone are the days when  "Aunt Bea" or mom would be in the kitchen all day long just to prepare dinner.  Gone are the days of the rotary phone, where you would have an hour conversation with a family member that lied just miles away.

 Even our weekend activities have changed.  Not too often do I hear of families where Sunday includes church activities and then home for a nice relaxing "Day of Rest."  Instead we are on the go, 24/7 with a busy hustle and bustle.  However as I STILL sit here waiting, I keep thinking, are we missing out on something that is really important for us to find inner peace?  When was the last time you stopped and smelled the roses?

Talking with a friend yesterday, I was sharing about the lack of knowing people here being my biggest hurdle, yet it is forcing me out of my comfort zone and do things I would have never done alone in Montana.  I've always been the type of person who is more comfortable at home, rather than out in a crowd.  I'm the complete opposite from my sister.  I don't have a problem doing most things, as long as I have someone to do them with.  You will surely not find me going out to dinner alone.  Instead, I'm the type who would order it to go, and bring it home.  I share this because this weekend, I ventured out doing things that I never did in Montana, because I hated having to do them alone. 

I must admit I truly enjoyed the Vancouver Farmer's Market.  Just people watching, and talking with locals about some of the produce, was an enjoyable morning.  Chatting with a lovely young lady about the gym close by, was something I needed to do to help get back into a routine.  Another shared about a couple churches in the area.  I must say, it was a wonderful day.  Yesterday I took a drive to Mt. St. Helens.  The trip was a great way to spend a few hours, and once again as I stopped at many of the observation points, I kept running into the same four folks (in two different vehicles) stopping at all the same stops.  We joked about how we "Kept meeting like this," as we continued up the mountain.  It was a super day of just taking in nature.

Today, with one hour down of the two hour window as I continue to wait, I realize too many times in the hustle and bustle of our busy lifestyles, we miss out on the smaller things in life.  So as I wait, trying not to watch the clock, I will enjoy my coffee, the sounds from outside my door, and the sunshine beating in the front windows.  This shall be "my time to smell the roses, or in my case, the aroma of my coffee."

Happy Monday!

Life IS Like a Box of Chocolates

Its hard to believe the movie "Forrest Gump" came out 18 years ago.  As I sit here this Saturday afternoon its funny how this line from the movie came to mind and this little analogy plays to life.  I would have never thought a year ago I would be where I am now.  Sure I joked with a friend about us both moving to some big city and getting out of the hustle and bustle of Billings, Montana.  Heck we had even went as far to set a moving date for the end of September 2011.

September, October, November  came and went without much more thought of what we had discussed so many months before, but change was in the works.  I was working 2 jobs, running from Columbus to Billings on almost a daily basis trying to hold life as I knew it together.  In reality, My life consisted of work.  That described who I was. I think many folks can relate.  We are what we do.  That was certainly the case for me.   I remember grumbling about wanting to go hiking.  Seems like I always had one of two problems... Either no money to get out and actually enjoy, or no time to get away to enjoy it. Usually and most likely the latter was the issue I faced.  Working at least six days a week, all I wanted to do was sleep and rest on the one day I usually had off. 

As time went on, December, January, and February, I finally found myself with plenty of time of my hands.  Leaving a certain company was the best decision I ever made, however it sure hurt the pocket book! It seems I tried to be so careful with money, All fun was the first thing cut out of my life.  My friends started referring to me as a Hermit, as I closed myself off in my little house.  So now I found myself with so much time on my hand, yet no funds to enjoy it. Seems all I did did was sleep.  It was the easiest way to pass the time.  Of course, I'm pretty sure I was a bit depressed also.  It was time to get myself together and out of my comfort zone, and start applying for the next "chocolate" in my life. 

I would have never guessed I would have not only picked a great flavored chocolate, but it seems I hit my favorite.  Now about a month and a half into my new life here in Washington, I'm starting to find a balance in between having the money, and the time to enjoy what life has to offer around us.  I never thought there would be a third obstacle to overcome.  Finding those new friends to enjoy life with.  I'm reminded there are greater things in life.  As I type this, the Movie "Into the Wild" popped into my head.  There is a scene in the movie when "Alexander" writes into his journal.. "Happiness is Not Real if not shared."  I'm hoping in the near future I can find those to share this "chocolate in life" with.  Until then, I know I still have a ways to go in this journey.  Friday June 8, 2012 was best friends day.  Thank You to all my Friends, who have been there for me during this chapter in my life.  You will never know how much you mean to me!

Eric