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

[DollyCali]

that is terrible.

I never thought I was a libertarian but in taking a libertarian/conservative test, I came out pretty strongly in that corner.

I detest this type of rule. I would bet more dogs bit people than snakes. (I am a dog person as you know)..

On our towpath people have all sorts of pets they take when they hike, job, bike ride. I have NOT seen snakes, but have seen dogs, cats, monkeys, birds, ferrets..

too doggone many govt rules!

[DollyCali]

I stole borrowed it from Lady Jag... maybe she would post it?

[DollyCali]

chuckle!

[snugs]

I guess a snake would freak a lot of people I know dad cannot bear to even watch them on TV.

I have never held or touched a snake but I would love to.

[DollyCali]

maybe rather than age division we should have a single klutz thread & a single graceful/coordianted thread?

[ilovew]

Lol! I'm definitely the biggest klutz on the thread. ;)

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

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..

With the exception one maybe two younger folks, based on what I’ve read in this thread tonight, most are adamantly against a separate thread.

I have REALLY tried hard to make this a friendly thread

And you have been doing a great job of it!!!

I am one of those who likes themed openings

Personally, I think the theme idea seems to get in the way of starting the thread. I could be wrong, but I suspect that you would have a lot more volunteers to post the thread if we didn’t have to come up with a theme. To me, it feels like having to turn a report in at the end of the week.

I would be upset if a married guy came to the thread & was hitting on the single younger gals...

Agreed, this is why I think we should keep it a mixed thread including the married folk (chaperones).

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?

**GHASP**

[DollyCali]

when we get you here to the USA, we need enough notice to try to get a big group together to meet you. Of course Bill can bring his friends.

I never was afraid of snakes. I think a lot of fear of them comes from parents.

My folks were not afraid of any animals that I can think of & we would find little garter snakes etc in yard & find them "fun" not scary.

I have so many men friends that are fearful of snakes. One of my friends is a cop(retired).. he is truly terrified. I will pick them off the towpath & move them (or turtles etc) so they don't get run over by bikes.. He really moves out of the way.

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

Hey, that's Arthur Dent!

[DollyCali]

I have had many more years to develop klutziness... it does take time & talent to make it really an art, Kate.. You can always keep me as your Klutz role model.

:-)

[ilovew]

Lol whatever you say, Dolly. :)

[DollyCali]

yes, we have always stressed that hosts can keep it very simple with just an open the door post. The themed threads are for those who have interests to share or on special holidays/events.

Taking turns with the hosting/pinging shares the responsibility & helps people to get to know the host. I had hoped that people would share their intersts when it was their turn.. so we get to know them better..It does not have to be fancy.

I sweated bullets the first dozen or so Finest threads I posted & now & then still have a terrible time w/formatting.

a disney thread would be a natural for you...

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

Ooooo.

Now there's an idea.

[DollyCali]

Okay.. perhaps you & I can share posting a thread in future on klutziness okay?

I really have some stories that you wouldn't believe.. truly..I have most of them documented in one of the books that are "in the works"..

a couple examples... First time I was asked to help in nursery at church I dropped a baby(he was okay) but I was NEVER asked to work in nursery again.

On the first visit to my future in laws home, I lost my footing getting out of chair, grabbed onto a bookcase & pulled it, all books & all sorts of knick knacks over (made a great first impression)

I was a PE teacher. My first two years of teaching I broke or sprained my legs/ankles/arms 6 times. Never missed work, but it hurt like crazy & I was always "wrapped" it seemed.

Visiting my grandparents, I was moving my great grandmother in her wheelchair.. somehow, don't ask me how, I dumped her out of it. I was so embarrassed & my grandmother her daughter had a super fit & almost a heart attack over it.

I have a VERY LONG list of similar things.

These four things happened by the time I was 24.. (about your age)

[ilovew]

Okay, you win. But I'm a pretty close second. I mean, I've got the ankle thing and the elbow thing twice and the ice skating thing. Oh, and the time I sprained my wrist. And when I kinda fell off the ski lift instead of sliding off. I'm pretty good at the klutzy thing. :)

[Lady Jag]

[onyx]

Where am I? LOL

[DollyCali]

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

Like that reoccuring dream that you have a final for a class & didn't study OR attend any classes.. or have a big paper due & didn't start...

Mine is that I had not attended ANY classes & it is near end of term & I know I will get an F..

[DollyCali]

Okay.. let's make it interesting.. how about one of the Chippendales?

[DollyCali]

Like, I said..give it time. It really is an art form...