The ***OFFICIAL*** Weekend Singles' Thread -- "Alaska Singles Thread (January 05 - 07, 2007,)

various | 5th January 2007 | Proud_yank

[snugs]

The 49th State - The Last Frontier
by proud_yank

Having recently moved here, I thought an Alaskan Singles Thread would be pretty fun.

Alaska is the largest state in America, roughly twice the size of Texas (sorry Texas!).

Putting Alaska into perspective. The Aleutian Islands over California, and South-eastern Alaska over Georgia.

An interesting fact I learned the other day is that in addition to being the Western and Northern-most state, Alaska is also the Eastern-most state too. The Western tip of the Aleutian Islands is just West of the International Dateline.

Alaska can be separated into five regions. The Far North (Also known as the 'North Slope') extends from the Brooks Range (the Northern-most extension of the Rocky Mountains) to the Arctic Ocean. Here are some photos of the Brooks Range, and the North Slope region. Barrow is the most Northern city in America. For fun, here is Barrow's weather.

Most people in Alaska live in Southcentral Alaska (Anchorage), and then the Interior (Fairbanks). Temperatures in the interior are sometimes colder than in the Arctic. Western Alaska is famous for the finish of the Iditarod dog-sled race in Nome. Southeastern, and the Interior, are famous for the Klondike gold rush.

Juneau, the state capitol is located in Southeastern Alaska. As a staunch conservative, it makes me smile that the govt. is located somewhere that can only be reached by boat or plane :-).

The Regions of Alaska

There are lots of moose here, and you really have to be careful driving. In the winter moose will come down from the mountains, and casually stroll through downtown Anchorage. We had one right outside the front door of our main office today! Other animals here include caribou, grizzly, polar, and black bears, muskoxen, beaver, otters, wolves, wolverines, tons of birds, and lots of delicious fish!

Some other interesting info about Alaska....

At 20,320 ft., Alaska has North America's highest peak, Denali.
State bird - Willow Ptarmigan.
State fish - King Salmon.
State tree - Sitka Spruce.
State spore - Dog mushing.
State animal - Moose.
State flower - Wild Native Forget-me-Not.
State song - 'Alaska's Flag'.

Eight stars of gold on a field of blue -
Alaska's flag. May it mean to you
The blue of the sea, the evening sky,
The mountain lakes, and the flow'rs nearby;
The gold of the early sourdough's dreams,
The precious gold of the hills and streams;
The brilliant stars in the northern sky,
The "Bear" - the "Dipper" - and, shining high,
The great North Star with its steady light,
Over land and sea a beacon bright.
Alaska's flag - to Alaskans dear,
The simple flag of a last frontier.

Here are some of my photos that I've put online so far

[WFTR]

Actually, my problem isn't finding time to post. My problem is having the energy to post anything intelligent. I'm pretty tightly wound about the whole job issue, and putting together three or four coherent paragraphs on one topic would be tough.

[Kate of Spice Island]

I would prefer that it stays as one thread, but merely made diplomatic suggestions.

The opposite side of the coin is to just not post/ping for a while and see how long until everyone under the sun is FReepmailing Dolly to get it up and running again. That would be the true litmus to see if we want to stay together or be split up.

[snugs]

I agree

[snugs]

As far as I am concerned it is not a done deal it is a wait and see what others say - I am now in charge of scheduling and as far as I am concerned I would prefer a mix of ages.

[snugs]

.

Dare I ask where are with the schedule ?

[Kate of Spice Island]

I'd like to keep it just the way it is...

[DollyCali]

Just got in..anyone around?

[ilovew]

I am.

[RockinRight]

Evening!

[snugs]

I am here we seem to have a lot of people who do not want the thread split

[DollyCali]

Well, just quickly scanned the thread..

Nothing is a done deal…and I am NOT a dictator (almost but not quite…lol). There is one single man who has voluteered to head the younger thread if they decide to go that route.

There have never been complaints.. just many, many FReepmails & Emails over the time..referring to a VERY YOUNG or VERY OLD thread…(one day it was the same thread…figure that.) Now & then a statement on the thread to that effect . Seems older folks are reticent to discuss “mature” issues to NOT scare away the younger participants & the younger ones feeling they really can’t be their selves w/o scrutiny from the old fogeys(like me & I am guilty, I know of giving TOO much advice unsolicited)

I don’t know what is the correct way to go… seriously …or series..

The way I see it now ..we are one thread. If a contingent of the younger folks feel it might be a good idea to try (and hey, if it doesn’t work, can always go back)…separate for a few months..that is fine. We are here to support each other & if it means that both groups will benefit, that is good

The younger folks don’t seem to like the themed threads.. I cant recall one commenting on any of the intros or contributing with them.. just an observation. The younger set might just want NO opening.. just an open the doors & lets chat.

Now, I believe we have proven ourselves to Jim Rob(I MIGHT be wrong) that we are a good thread. The couple problem folks have left the thread & a couple have been banned. I still am missing supernatural.. he was a great help to me & encourager along the way.(I don’t consider that he was a problem.. he was caught in a web that was unfortunate)

In all honesty.. we know one of the underlying purposes of the thread is that MAYBE we will meet someone.. Heck, on the regular threads, I normally don’t even know if many of the posters are male or female..yet alone single or married.

Clarification. I have REALLY tried hard to make this a friendly thread & one that our friends.. married or single can visit. The two married “Alaska” visitors(both married) contributed a lot to this thread in my opinion. But then again I am one of those who likes themed openings & the opportunity to learn more about the interests of the other posters. I would be upset if a married guy came to the thread & was hitting on the single younger gals... the "mama" in me would get POd. Now there is playfulness (which is fine) and there is series bad actions.. I think we know the difference

NOW… just for further clarification Sunshine (aka Max).. I too get carded… (well, so what if it is for Sr. Discount!)

If we keep the thread intact I guess some of us will just have to find other outlets to discuss walker & wheelchair maintenance; wrinkle cream & social security benefits?

I have come to love & appreciate you all… and I mean that!

[Hoodlum91]

Okay - just getting to read this and get the updates.

I'd be against splitting the group. One of the justifications for the singles thread was to offer support to each other AND offer advice, hence including all age groups and situations. I don't think either group would have enough to maintain a thread throughout the weekend, but together we can have a happy community of support.

Interestingly, I read the responses and nearly all of the "younger" crowd was against the split and nearly all of the older was for it. No comment on it, just found it interesting.

[Hoodlum91]

I was asking Rockin that last night. I started to panic that we were hosting and I didn't know!

[DollyCali]

Kate you have gone through some rough times.. working on a doctorate through it all...geeze didn't know that. Lots of luck to you!

[DollyCali]

Bill..not sure you realize how many women LOVE the thought of a man like you. I know this sounds weird to you but so many woman want a man who can be stable, a good provider, loyal, honest, caring..

Most don't even dare to think there are men around without LOTS of experience. It is a dream ...not a disadvantage, like you feel. I know you feel a bit inept.. I think you might find the younger gals a bit more demanding & a bit more self centered ...that is part of the job description we all got as young gals. Time & experience tempered most of us

The biggest thing in relationships is being honest, caring & kind. NOT being self centered is the hardest thing for both men & women at any age.

Just be open to someone who will be your partner. She may be 10 years younger.. but then again she may be 10 years older.

Age in itself is a very poor criteria for relationships.

(see there I go again..Ms. Advice!)

[DollyCali]

Lori.. you are

ALWAYS

welcome on this thread.

ALWAYS.

It is a thread for singles AND THEIR FRIENDS. You are not only my friend, but a friend to others here. I am so glad you visited & shared you expereices /pix of Alaska.

BTW.. other "marrieds" who participate..Onyx, ohioWfan, Maximus ridiculousness, Kate of Spice Island.

Soon to be marrieds are RockinRight & Hoodlum91 who got REALLY acquainted in the Singles HOT TUB! I anticipate they will visit with us once they become Mr/Mrs this year

[DollyCali]

You opened up a very meaningful & VERY overdue discussion.

Thank you.. and I MEAN That. You are fun. Hope you will stick with us.no matter what

[WFTR]

anyone around?

I'm a "round" because I don't get enough exercise.

[Mama_Bear]

Lori.. you are

ALWAYS

welcome on this thread.
ALWAYS.

Awwww......thank you, sweet Dolly. In that case, will you add me to your ping list? :-)

[WFTR]

Seems older folks are reticent to discuss “mature” issues to NOT scare away the younger participants

To me, half the fun is scaring the younger people. LOL