We’re fast approaching the end of the regular school year here at KPC…one week and one day left of classes. This last week was quite stressful. I procrastinated on a few items of homework and it really bit me in the behind over the past couple days. I got everything done, but I almost made myself sick in the process. Compared to what I just went through, the final days of the semester will be much easier. Most of my classes during the last week will consist of final tests, which I’m not extremely worried about. I promise that I’ll study a little bit, but at this point in the semester for me, I either know it or I don’t. The classes I’m in are all comprehensive in nature…you have to possess a good understanding of one thing in order to learn the next.

On the topic of learning…thanks to everyone who participated in the Earth Day event here at KPC. I gained a great deal of useful knowledge and am really chomping at the bit to get started on some new summer projects inspired by ideas talked about at the event. I have a really good plan for hanging some solar panels where I live. And while it may not get used this year, I’m seriously considering the construction of an attached greenhouse. Some of the designs I leaned about from the Cooperative Extension Office can actually help heat your house during parts of the year. And during the winter, I might be able to heat the greenhouse using the waste heat caused by resistance in a wind turbine system. But first things first…I really need to find a better coffee pot. I had no idea the Mr. Coffee used so much juice to make my wake up juice.

This is an exciting week for me and many others at KPC. Through the hard work of many of us in the Sustainability Club, the Art Students League Association, and many others at KPC and the surrounding community…two big events are ready to go on, hopefully without so much as a hic-up. Today the Sustainability Club is holding “Earth Day at KPC” up in the Riverview Commons from noon until 8:00pm. There’s going to be multiple speakers, information booths, live music, and through several donations and the good graces of Joe’s College Café…snacks and refreshments. Then this Saturday at KPC, stop by at noon for some great eats as well from Alaska Classic Catering and Funky Monkey during the annual Celebration of the Arts. I’ve been through the gallery a few times and I’m excited to see which of the student artists is chosen by the guest judges, but I’m also really excited about the food, because again, with the help of some great mentors at KPC…I did a lot of the legwork for the catering, so I’ve seen the menu, and it’s going to be a work of art in itself. So, I hope to see you all at both events. I know it would mean a lot to everyone involved if you could share in the fruits of our labor, and besides…I don’t think I can eat all of those fruits and other consumables myself…without a major case of the hic-ups.

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal talked about innocent mistakes that interviewees make, that often blow their chance at a prospective job. Among the mistakes, was alluding to financial hardships during the interview, and arriving more than ten minutes earlier than the scheduled interview time. Last week I applied for positions within the Student Union for next semester here at KPC. Since the people interviewing me are the same people that approve my blog entries every week, I know they’ve been exposed to my comments about being a poor college student. But even worse than that…I guess I wasn’t paying very close attention when I set up my interview time earlier this week, because I showed up to the interview a little early. Not just ten minutes early, even an hour early would have been better…I showed up a whole week early! I don’t think I ruined my chances at getting a job, because one of the ‘future’ interviewers just chuckled a little and said “better early than late,” but it was still a little embarrassing. I blame the mistake on a very busy schedule, and am actually kind of glad I made the goof in front of people that know me, instead of for example, the Shell hiring team…if I where to get an interview with them. I’ll just add it to the many learning experiences, in and out of the classroom, I’ve had here at KPC. I know it won’t be the last opportunity to increase my skill set, but I hope only a small percentage of those upcoming opportunities involve me being a goofball.

Spring is a real killer on my springs. Just about all of the 329 potholes on the 4.1 mile stretch of unpaved road that I have to drive at least twice daily during the week are big enough to fit an entire 31.5 inch tire inside of them. I may be exaggerating a little when it comes to the size of the holes, but the road conditions have forced me to allow considerably more driving time when I head to work or school. I have tried increasing my speed…and just like the “MythBusters” proved, the bumps feel less severe, but in some spots the placement of the divots start to make my Jeep skim over the road sideways. The sideways driving is an equally unsettling feeling, especially when the six-foot-plus deep ditches are completely filled with ice water.

Speaking of ice water, where I live in the Moose Meadows subdivision east of Soldotna, a stream of water is flowing free in the middle of the mostly still iced over, Kenai River. It started sometime yesterday, and has been wider every time I’ve looked at it. Talk about spring fever, I’m glad classes are nearing an end because it’s hard to get homework finished when there’s fishing to be done.

I just wanted to give another quick shout out to Suzie Kendrick, the Coordinator of Community Relations at KPC. I already told you that she gave a couple friends and I the opportunity to voice some registration ads for the KSRM radio group. Well, because of that opportunity, you’ll be hearing yours truly a lot more on the radio from now on. I’ll be playing “Your Kind of Country” on Q-100 the Point, Saturday from 10:00pm to midnight and Sunday from 6:00pm to midnight. The folks down at the station decided to give me a shot at some on-air work after hearing the KPC commercials, and it’s a gross understatement to say that I’m pumped to start making a fool of myself on the radio. But however bad I do, don’t make too much fun of me when you see me at school next week…my ego is sort of fragile.

I can finally take a breath…that’s how I feel this lovely Friday afternoon here at KPC. Sure I still have lots to do, but I finally got my FAFSA done (sorry I didn’t do my part Freddie the fish), my KPC scholarship application is turned in, and the butterflies are finally exiting my stomach after the interview with BP this morning.

It seems that no matter how confident I feel, or how much I’ve prepared…interviews always target my nerves a little bit. I really had nothing to worry about, both interviewers from BP, Joanna Tomuro and Todd Lirette, where extremely nice and easy to talk with, and it was really considerate of them to come here to KPC for the interviews when they could easily have required us to go to them for the chance to talk. I would have definitely made time for a trip to Anchorage if necessary, but being able to stay here really kept my schedule from self destructing like an Inspector Gadget message. And I’m sure being in a place where I was comfortable helped keep me from stumbling over my words and twiddling my thumbs any more than I normally do. Whatever the outcome, if I’m hired for the summer operator internship or not, it was a great experience, and I’m just really happy I made it this far in the process. But if BP saw fit to bring me in as part of their team, I honestly wouldn’t mind missing out on any possible upcoming interviews this spring.

Mother Nature finally cooperated a little bit over the weekend, giving all of us the chance to see Mount Redoubt once again. The most striking thing about the mountain that I noticed was the lack of ice and snow. The volcano looks dark and menacing compared to the other, still white mountains in the range. Even though I saw the mountain, I didn’t get any pictures of the bare rock…the conditions were never really right when I was out with my gear. I‘m actually not really sure what images I did get during Saturday afternoon’s mushroom-cloud like eruption, but that’s just because I personally haven’t entered the digital age when it comes to photography. All three cameras that I was taking pictures with at the time are film cameras, and I haven’t had a chance to get in the darkroom to develop the negatives yet, but I’m sure that between the three rolls, something will turn out.

I probably won’t have any free time to do anything fun in the near future anyway, I’m busy as usual. Along with the constant school work, a few big events that I’m taking part in planning are getting closer. I want all of you to mark your calendars for the Earth Day event during the afternoon and evening of Wednesday, April 22nd here at KPC, and also for the Celebration of the Arts being held a few days later on Saturday, April 25th at noon here on campus. And while you’re marking up your favorite puppy picture calendar, remember April 6th for priority registration, and April 13th for general registration. Get the classes you need online starting at midnight, and I wouldn’t wait too long, classes fill up fast. You’ll hear the same warning on the KSRM Radio Group stations over the next couple weeks. The Coordinator of Community Relations here at KPC, Suzie Kendrick, arranged for a couple friends and I to go over to the radio station yesterday and record a few commercials. It was a little awkward at first, but all in all it was a really fun experience, and another friend told me they already heard one of the spots on the air. Between my air time on the radio and this blog, I feel I’m well on my way to becoming famous…I’ll try not to let it go to my head. Ta-ta for now, my loyal fans!

I was driving home from school last night and for a moment I thought we were finally getting some ash fall…but then I realized the stuff was falling from the wrong direction, and it was melting on my windshield. I really don’t want any ash, but I’m still hoping for an opportunity to take a decent picture. With the weather the way it is, and the dropping of alert levels from the Alaska Volcano Observatory yesterday, I’m starting to get concerned that I might not ever have that chance. But even if I don’t get a snapshot, I just really want to see Redoubt again with my own eyes. Every morning on my way to school, I drive on East Redoubt Road, and every night I take Poppy Lane from school in the hope that the clouds will no longer be shrouding our now infamous volcano, but so far I’ve seen nothing except disappointment in my eyes in the rearview mirror. There’s always the pictures on the AVO website and in the news, but nothing that really takes my breath away. So if any of you out there have any good shots, you should get them publicized for the rest of us.

I did see something a little disconcerting the other day at KRC. Someone had hastily ripped down one of the posters put up by one of the candidates running for Student Union President. Regardless of the person’s reason for disliking the candidate…I feel vandalism is a sad and childish course of action, and I’m glad to hear that the opposing candidate felt the same way. That being said, take action the correct way and vote for one of the two candidates while the polls are still open. Student Union representatives will be in the commons today and tomorrow, and all ballots must be turned in before 2:00 p.m., Friday afternoon. And to both of the candidates, I hope you find the process more rewarding than the gratification my camera and I have received since the beginning of the week.

I feel swindled, cheated, and various other synonyms of ripped-off. What’s the point of a volcanic eruption in your backyard if you don’t even know it happened until someone else tells you about it? I mean I’m glad someone did tell me about it, because otherwise I’d probably still be in the dark. The eruptions happened in the middle of night, it was overcast and cloudy so you wouldn’t have been able to see it anyway, and we haven’t even got any ash from the event so far. I just think it less than courteous of mother nature to not let me get a snapshot of Redoubt in action after I spent all that time advocating for the eruption. I wrote about it more than once in this very blog, and held a well planned party themed towards the promotion of said eruption, not to mention all the one-on-one discussion in favor of volcanic activity. Was it really too much to ask for just one little photo op?

Maybe the fire gods will still give me another chance to see some explosions, otherwise I guess I’ll just have to be satisfied with aftermath shots. On the bright side, at least I’m not wearing a dusk mask to school and cleaning up ash, and the power didn’t go off long enough so that my pipes froze, but who’s to say I won’t get another chance at that sort of fun in the near future as well.

I don’t think “Spring Break” is an appropriate name for the coming week. It may be a break from classes on campus, but I still have homework in the form of projects and preparation of presentations that will keep me busy. I also have twice the amount of hours scheduled at work, and to top it off, family from the lower 48 is coming to visit. It sounds more like “Summer Preview” than “Spring Break.”

Unlike summer, my fun activities for the week do involve snow and ice. If it doesn’t all melt before the weekend, I’m heading to Alyeska to brave the probable peninsula crowds for one more weekend on the slopes. Then during the week, I want to show my father some of the local cross-country trails, and try some ice-fishing the next weekend. Then finally, I’ll load everybody up in the truck and tote them down to Anchorage to get them on a plane back to South Dakota. As much as I’m looking forward to this poorly named break, I also can’t wait till it’s over.

There are many benefits to extending your education and gaining a broader skill base. One of the big items in the plus column is the ability to hopefully get a good paying job. But during the years actually attending college, the pay normally isn’t very good. I’m sure that as a “poor” college student…I’m in the majority, meaning I’ve had to adjust to living on an extremely limited budget. But besides finding less expensive means of entertaining myself, I have it pretty easy compared to some people. Thanks to some great parents, I’m never in any danger of going hungry, and by all accounts, my relative poverty is a choice that I knowingly made in hope of a better life.

Less fortunate individuals don’t have the support system I have, and their current financial situation is not by choice. An event here at KPC this weekend will likely convey this reality much better than I could ever hope to in words. Imagine putting in your time, or in this case money, in the hopes of feeding your family, but then when dinner time rolls around only half of you get to eat. To get a taste of what this would feel like, bring your appetite and $15 to KPC Saturday night at 5:30 for the annual Hunger Banquet. And if by chance you’re one of the unlucky ones at the banquet, know that proceeds from the event will go to the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank to help those experiencing an extended period of hard luck. Besides, there’s probably a candy bar somewhere in your car if you really need it.

If your budget is a little tighter, but you would still like to help out with the issue, a food drive is being held at the KPC bookstore next week, March 9-13. Non-perishable food items will also go to the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank. Besides the knowledge that you’re doing something noble, as an added bonus the bookstore is giving anyone how donates a ten percent discount on KPC logo items. Maybe you can get a nice sweatshirt so you can lower the thermostat at your home by another couple degrees.

I may not have been able to frequent the darkroom lately, but other students and fellow artists have been picking up the slack when it comes to creating new images. I’ve seen fellow photographers scurrying around putting finishing touches on their pieces for the opening of the Tustemena 200 KPC Photography Competition. The work that I’ve seen so far looks brilliant and I look forward to seeing the rest of it at the opening reception this Thursday, March 5th from 4:30-6:00 at Coffee Roasters in the Red Diamond Mall right out here on K-Beach Road.

At 6:00 I’m heading over to Funky Monkey Coffee House in Kenai to take in the first solo show by another fellow student and thriving photographer, Samantha Becker. The reception for Sam’s Alaskatography is going on until 8:00 Thursday night. Sam specializes in Nature and Wildlife Photography and has a tremendous eye for explosive color within her compositions.

If graphic art is more your thing… a new show by Chris Jenness called “Details” is opening Friday from 4:30-6:00 at the Freeburg Gallery here at KPC. Refreshments will be served at the opening.

One last thing for those of you who enjoy supporting the creative process. The KPC Art Department needs a model. It’s intermittent work, but really not that tough. You just have to sit or stand there for 30 minutes at a time and let students paint or draw you. The classes are from 9:00-11:30 and 1:00-3:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you’re interested or want more information, contact Celia Anderson at 262-0361, or you can drop by the studio across from the library at KRC.

Some of my favorite people will be returning from the 50th state over the next week. I’m sure they enjoyed the weather in Hawaii, but they missed out on one of the 49th state’s most fluctuating week of weather this winter. There were wind storms, heavy snow that came out of the blue, and gobs of bright sunshine. It was a beautifully different week up here on the Kenai Peninsula.

The aesthetics of nature will be one of the topics discussed by speakers at the Sustainability Club’s First Annual Earth Day Awareness Extravaganza here at KRC on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22nd. Some of the other information that will be presented includes how to implement solar and wind energy in your home to combat those rising electricity costs, how to support local agriculture and tips on organic gardening, and how to create a sustainable community. There’s a lot more we hope to include as part of the extravaganza, and we’re looking for help from other clubs and students if they want to volunteer or have any ideas. The Sustainability Club meets every Thursday at 3:00 p.m., or you can stop by the Career and Community Engagement Center next to Student Services to share your thoughts.

I have a lot of loves in life, a lot of interests and hobbies, but unfortunately paperwork is not one of those things I really enjoy doing. It’s tedious, time consuming and in some cases, a bit excessive in my opinion. I wish there was something that would make the task a little more rewarding.

I’m a member of a couple clubs on campus that are helping to plan events for this spring…The Celebration of the Arts for the Art Student League Association and an Earth Day Extravaganza being put on by the Sustainability Club. Along with the KRC radio station proposal project, I’ve experienced a marked increase in forms and requests over the past few weeks. In the end, I guess the payoff will hopefully be that all these plans that I care about will come to fruition in a seamless and orderly fashion, but until then, crossing a plethora of t’s and dotting an innumerable series of i’s comes with very little immediate rewards.

I wonder where I can get the forms to initiate a program that would provide a cookie each time someone filled out some kind of paperwork? It wouldn’t be much, but it might make us feel a little better. But then I suppose there are liability issues with handing out cookies, and what would we do for people with diabetes or those trying to watch their weight?

I need a cookie just thinking about all the paperwork the cookie for paperwork program would require. Maybe I’ll leave it for someone else to worry about…right now I need to fill out a FAFSA, a few more internship applications, and my time card.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by for a moment to look at the petition for a fee increase to pay for a student-run, campus-based radio station at KRC. The feedback was invaluable and the amount of support encouraging. The next step in the process involves a lot more research, but don’t be surprised if the issue comes up again. The media group has a new president that supports the radio station and everyone that gave me their email can expect to get a note when the next meeting is scheduled.

The week was a busy one, even without all the petitioning. The last of the three tests this week was by far the hardest, my lower back is spazzing out on me although a quick trip to the chiropractor stationed at the health fair did help for a while, and the Pebble Mine dialogue last night in Kenai was extremely interesting.

I was surprised to learn how little a percentage of money the state would see from the mine, compared to the percentages the hydrocarbon producers pay. All in all, Pebble seems like an extremely risky prospect, especially for the villages downstream of the proposed mine site and the fishermen who enjoy the bounty provided by Bristol Bay. If you haven’t taken a good look at the potential effects of the mine, I encourage you to do so. And while it may not be our backyard, these are our neighbors. The claims for the largest mine in U.S. history are just across the inlet. Like one of the presenters said, “There would be a whole lot more people in this room right now if the proposed site was upstream on the Kenai River.”

Over the next couple days I’ll be recruiting lovers of music and freedom of expression alike. I need people who wouldn’t mind parting with a couple of dollars per semester and any of you that would consider volunteering a few hours a week to further that freedom of expression and cultivate a non-commercial choice for music on the Kenai Peninsula. If you see someone sitting at a table in the commons Wednesday and Thursday with references to music and college radio nearby, stop by and let us give our spiel on how a student run radio station could benefit both the college and the community.

At this point, the station is just a glimmer of hope on the horizon, and the sheet of paper I’m asking supporters to sign is not binding in any way. If a vote does end up taking place on the subject, you’re most definitely free to change your mind. All I want to do with this petition is to gauge student support, telling me whether or not I should continue chasing this goal. I’m asking for students’ opinion on a $1 per credit fee, not to exceed $12 per semester, that would go for equipment and two part-time employees to run the station.

Not only would a radio station provide an outlet for student expression and an alternative to the mainstream broadcasts that dominate the airwaves in Kenai and Soldotna, but it could be a venue for all students to better their communication skills. Others have brought up the possibility of a future distance education radio news writing class that could provide content for short news briefs. Another idea was a show featuring all local musicians with mentions of upcoming entertainment events scheduled at local venues, or a talk-radio program discussing more controversial subjects than commercial stations dare touch. These possibilities are just the tip of the iceberg, and I’m really excited to hear any thoughts you might have.

Of course if the majority of you inform me that now is just not the right time to be promoting this project, I know I can find something else to occupy my time. But before you cite the struggling economy, think of the boost in credibility and identity that a ‘voice’ broadcasted from KRC would give to this thriving institute of higher learning…then tell me it isn’t worth the money.

I love this new campaign being used to spread awareness about financial aid deadlines. FAFSA Frenzy…where if enough of us don’t fill out our application by February 28th, Freddie the Fish gets fried. I wonder what kind of fish Freddie is, because most varieties are really quite tasty when fried up right. If the quota of 2000 isn’t met by the end of the month…I wonder if UA President, Mark R. Hamilton will share the meal with those of us who do fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid? I also wonder how President Hamilton is keeping Freddie alive? Does he have a large aquarium in his office? Maybe Freddie is living it up in President Hamilton’s Jacuzzi tub at home…or maybe they’re using cryogenics. I wonder if a fish that is brought back to life after being frozen loses some of its tastiness? I know salmon doesn’t taste as good after being in the freezer for too long…but then those fish are usually dead before becoming a popsicle. But in all seriousness, you have two more weeks to “save Freddie,” but only a couple days to save yourself some money on your college tuition. The deadline for most scholarships is Monday, February 16th. As an added bonus…you can even win a free 1GB jump drive (!!!) for submitting your FAFSA application online. So jump to it…save Freddie…I can always go ice fishing for a fresh meal.

What a beautiful morning…cold, but beautiful. Did you see the mostly full moon setting right alongside Mt. Redoubt? It was still a little too dark when I was heading in to get a good picture, but the scene was definitely a postcard in waiting.

Much like that Volcano across the inlet, our government across the Gulf of Alaska is in a period of unrest. They’re looking at a big budget deficit in Juneau and that means a rough go for anyone looking for funds. And guess what student representatives from KPC are headed to the capitol to do next week?…You guessed it…they‘re asking for money for state funded scholarships. So if you know any of the people going to the guillotine, so to speak, give them a pre-Juneau hug, because it sounds like they’re going to need it.

But don’t stop there, spread the love around a little. The Student Union will be helping you make that possible when they give out free roses tomorrow from noon till until supplies last. So pick one up for that professor who’s really helped you out over your college career, or for the one that teaches that class that you’re not doing so well in, maybe for someone interesting that you haven’t yet had the chance to talk with all that much, or for a friend that might not have a Valentine this year. Spring is getting near, time for love to bloom…again.

Forgive me if I’ve been neglecting my duties as the writer of this blog, but I’ve been busy. We’re one quarter of the way through the semester and I’m about to make a few excuses! This was the first real week of tests for me…plus it’s prime time when it comes to searching for an internship. Then there’s the always present: part time jobs, heavily neglected housework, clubs and whatever else makes you feel like you’re doing something to contribute to the collective of mankind…feeding your face, hobbies and sports like photography or getting in a good ski every now and again…maybe a movie once a week, a toast with family and friends, and an itty bitty nap… I can’t even imagine something silly like adding a child or truly significant other to the mix!?

The extensive list is not something that needs to be nailed to a church door. I don’t mind being busy. I’d go crazy without something to do. All it means is that I have to prioritize the things I want to accomplish, and presently…I’d like to accomplish much. My new big task is looking into the possibility of starting a college radio station here at KPC. I’m just in the beginning phases of the process…trying to gather information on cost and other logistics…and so don’t be surprised if you see me around campus giving a little speech and passing around a petition to see if you, my fellow students, would be willing to pay an extra fee every semester that would be used to fund said station. There’s a lot more needed than your approval…space on an already overcrowded campus, equipment including a transmitter, a license from the FCC, a faculty advisor, students willing to become volunteer DJ’s, station rules and by-laws, and approval for the whole shebang from the absolute top of the UAA food chain…but I don’t want to go through all that work if you guys tell me you don’t want me to. So think about it, how does college radio on the Kenai sound to you?

Eruption Ready
January 27, 2009

I’m glad Redoubt hasn’t blown it’s top yet. I’m not quite ready for an eruption. I have very little clean water, no extra filters for my Jeep, and I don’t own a single pair of pantyhose! Then again, I almost don’t want to spend any time inside the store for fear that I might miss something. You’ll have to excuse me about being excited…before Alaska, I never lived in an area with any real seismic activity. And somehow I slept through the little earthquake over the weekend. I remember looking at the alarm just after 9:00 in the morning, but I don’t remember any movement, and I just went back to bed for another hour…so I really don’t want to miss a possible eruption.

I know it’s not a simple thing to name were and when an earthquake will occur, which leads me to wonder how accurate the Alaska Volcano Observatory’s predictions are when it comes to an actual eruption. Is it like a hurricane where we just wait and see how strong it’s going to be and which way the eye of the storm moves, or is it more like a tornado where we know that conditions are right but you won’t know if one is going to actually touch down until it’s right on top of your house?

I feel like I have to amend the opening statement of my last entry. Since there have only been two U.S. presidential inaugurations in the last ten years, only seeing one of them isn’t that outrageous no matter what profession you’re in. The thing is, I don’t remember ever watching an inauguration before Tuesday, and that’s where my personal surprise stemmed from. It’s odd to me because I remember my parents making sure I kept up on current events and at least had a minimal understanding of the politics of my community/state/country, and I guess I just thought I had kept myself in the political loop more than I really had.

My new found understanding of my lack of involvement at the national level is one of the reasons I will not be nominating myself for the President of the Student Union here at KPC. But don’t let the number of presidential speeches you’ve seen be a gauge for whether you should throw your name in your hat or not…I have lots of reasons for deciding not to run that are much more relevant than my inauguration count.

You might be wondering what I’m talking about, because looking back on your own personal voting history you might say to yourself: “I don’t remember even having the opportunity to vote for a Student Union President here at KPC!?” Well, times they are a changing…starting this semester we the people will give our recommendation on who we think should hold the job next year. If you would like to take on the responsibility, the Student Union has details on the nomination process, but you’ll need to get it taken care of before the February 19th nomination deadline. Then, just before Spring Break, we make our choice on who will be the big man or woman on campus (pending official approval of course). Voting will take place from March 9th to the 12th. One stipulation for presidential hopefuls…you need to be eligible for student employment here at KPC, because it is a paid position. I don’t think it pays very much, but that’s good because the job should be about your commitment to public service, not the money.

It might surprise you to learn that in nearly ten years of either studying or working in journalism, I have only watched one presidential inauguration. And the viewing experience I’m referring to happened while no longer studying or working in journalism, but rather this morning, in the KPC commons. Love him or hate him, agree or disagree with his policy, believe in or strongly question his proposed course of action…the swearing in of the 44th president of the United States was a historic occasion. Being the first black president of the United States, Barack Obama undoubtedly bridges a slowly closing chasm of racial segregation this country has been struggling with since inception.

It’s estimated that nearly 2 million people braved the cold to watch Senator Obama become President Obama this morning at the Mall in Washington, D.C. Because of the cold, some of them left as soon as the oath was taken. And up here in Alaska, it was so early that I can’t blame you if you missed Obama’s first speech as president. But I would recommend watching it on the internet if you have the time. Besides the fact that President Obama brings a breath of fresh air to the platform after 8 years of addressment type thingy’s from President Bush, President Obama did touch on a few points of interest to everyone living in the 49th state: such as the future of energy and our country’s dependence on foreign oil. President Obama also used some interesting words regarding the country’s sagging economy and hopeful reemergence as the global leader…I think personally, best represented by the word “humility.”

But we’ve all heard President Obama’s way with words before…now it’s finally time to see what he can do. One of the students in the commons said “the proof is in the pudding,” and I would say that right now the pudding is tapioca. The president has his work cut out for him, and you can bet there will be bumps along the away.

It feels like mother nature isn’t sure if it’s the middle of winter, or if spring should be starting soon. Yesterday, after a nice long and bitter cold spell, it snows…then today it’s raining on my way to school and I’m wearing a t-shirt out to my vehicle in between classes. I don’t think we’ve made the technological advancements required to force a decision on mother nature, so I guess I’ll have to deal with the temperature swings and the ice that’s bound to come with it, but maybe we should at least rename this part of the year “sprinter.”

But enough about mother nature’s identity crisis…I have my own decisions to make. The most present in my mind currently is if I should I register for a 200 level English credit this semester? I need it for my degree, but there’s a possibility that I could be granted a petition to use another class already completed for the credit. But the petition is far from a sure thing, and this would be the best semester to take the class if I really do need it, even though it would push me to 20 credit hours. Other than that little conundrum, my schedule is pretty much stamped and approved. All the classes I am actually registered for, seem like they will be challenging, informative and rewarding. But a word to the wise…if you’re having doubts about any of your classes, the deadline for getting a full refund is fast approaching, it’s at the beginning of next week, the Tuesday after Civil Rights Day.

Another deadline a little further down the line marks the last day you can check out a wonderful photography exhibit right here at KPC. The Rarefied Light 2008 exhibit will be in the KPC gallery until February 4th. The traveling exhibit includes work from some of the best photographers in the state, including some from right here on the Peninsula. As an amateur photographer I’m a bit biased, but to me… not taking a few looks at this show while it’s here would be like walking away from a slot machine in Vegas while it was still pumping out the jackpot…and I really like quarters!

I recently realized that I’m actually looking forward to finals. This past week has been demanding…to say the least. Last night was the first night I got home before 10:00 p.m., and I still stayed up till after midnight doing homework and catching up on chores that I had been neglecting in favor of obligations at school. And the next few days won’t be any slower with my nephew’s ‘laser tag’ birthday party and the Art Extravaganza on Saturday and then final exams starting on Monday.

Don’t forget to stop by the bookstore next week if you have any text books that you can bear to part with in exchange for a little extra change in your pocket. “Book Buy Back” is Monday-Friday, December 8-17 from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. The bookstore plans to buy back as many books as they can to fill upcoming course needs and will also purchase books for a national wholesaler at their pricing and ship the books for you. If I’m reading between the lines correctly, I think that means get there at your earliest convenience to get the most bucks for your books. Then again, I’d advise you not to sell your text before you’re sure you’re good and ready for the big test.

When all the finals, presentations and projects are finally over, I think I’ll relax with a nice frosty, and (I believe) well deserved…beer. I might even spend more than a few seconds mulling over the perfect brew to treat myself with. I don’t consider myself a beer snob, but I do enjoy trying new and different barley pops, and there are a lot of wonderful ‘oils’ to choose from here in the great state of Alaska. This spring at KPC there’s even a class that will give you a first hand account of the thriving breweries right here on the peninsula. The Art and History of Brewing is a one credit course that will provide participants a closer look at some award winning local ales, including field trips to two breweries and a guest lecture from Anchorage Press and The Celebrator Beer News columnist “Dr. Fermento,” as well as possibly ’lining up’ a generally unrealized appreciation for what some might consider the common man’s alcohol. Instructor Bill Howell says his main goal in the course is to “expose people to the rich culture of beer.” A culture he says is just as rich as wine, even if it is less known. I just hope I can fit the class into my busy spring semester as a metaphorical mid-week “cold one” after a hard day’s work.

If you’re anything like me, you probably tried to grab up all the leftovers you could from that wonderful holiday where it’s ok to be a glutton…Thanksgiving. Not only are turkey sandwiches gloriously delicious, but during this week I’ll hardly have time to go to the bathroom, much less cook myself anything to eat. With a procrastinator’s schedule like mine in store over the next seven days…if it can’t be “nuked” or eaten right out of the fridge…I don’t have time to worry about finding a way to get it in my stomach. If I do try to cook, I’ll probably have to be doing homework at the same, so even the rice will most likely be burnt to a crisp.

Thanks to the KPC Student Union…and everyone who paid tuition…I’ll at least have a little extra time in the mornings. The good people across from the art gallery will be brewing fresh pots of coffee for all of us caffeine junkies during the final two weeks of school. You can grab your cup of Joe anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., but be quick about it…I don’t have time to stand around in a line.

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to give thanks for too much turkey, stuff myself with stuffing, and try to keep myself from puking after just one piece of pumpkin pie. Just kidding about the pumpkin pie, I’ll probably have more than one piece, and I’m confident that I’ll be able to hold it all in. I come from a long line of what some people refer to as garbage disposals. The men in my family have traditionally been able to eat just about anything that was set down in front of them. And we don’t pass out in the recliners afterwards either. Thanksgiving diner at my grandparent’s in South Dakota is usually followed by grabbing a shotgun and walking the fields around the farm for pheasants.

I’m not sure what I’ll do after dinner this Thursday at my aunt’s house on the Kenai…there are pheasants, but it’s not as challenging of a hunt up here. The pheasants just walk right up to you…they must be hanging out with the Ptarmigans too much. My sister is heading to Anchorage to do the “Black Friday” shopping thing. But, even with a shotgun to my back, you couldn’t get me into a department store this weekend! I’d like to go skiing…Alyeska is supposed to open the mountain for the season tomorrow, and college students get a pretty good deal on lift tickets. But even with the discount, my funds are limited…and I should probably stay closer to home and get some work done on my final projects that are due over the next few weeks. (I say that, but I’ll probably procrastinate all weekend as usual…especially with family around for the holiday.) I bet I can talk my cousins into going for a hike or doing a little cross-country skiing, or maybe some sledding. Then of course there’s always football…I bet you could watch games the entire weekend, especially if you have Tivo or a DVR. But I can’t do that…I’ll need a little exercise if I want to eat leftovers; I absolutely adore cold turkey and mayo sandwiches. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

I’ve already reflected on how much I like to downhill ski, and it’s still something I plan to do a lot of this winter season, but Alyeska costs money, and I’m in college, so funds are limited. But don’t despair, I’ve found an alternative that costs almost nothing. Since the fresh coat of snow on Sunday morning, I’ve been cross-country skiing at the Tsalteshi Trails three times so far this week. Monday afternoon I went over to Skyview High School and took a short loop from that trailhead. But then Tuesday night I noticed another access point to the trail just a short way down K-Beach Road from KPC. So the last two days, I’ve spent an hour or so exploring the trails between my morning and afternoon classes. Today I took on the one called “Mountain Goat” and it was the best one yet. As you might expect from the name, the first half is a bit of a climb, but the payoff comes during the second half, when you get to enjoy a moderately quick descent back to the connecting “Wolverine” trail. I’ll admit, I did let out a little “woo-hoo” as I whooshed through the trees.

I don’t think I would have had the breath to give a yell about a year ago. During the previous Great American Smoke-Out, I was still reaching into my pocket for cigarettes and a lighter. I don’t want to preach about the evils of smoking, because I know if you still smoke you’ve heard enough…but I do have to say, since replacing the nicotine with a little physical activity, I feel, well “woo-hoo!”

When I first heard about the movie “twilight” I thought to myself, I might have to go to the theatre to see that one. I like vampires, and vampire movies are usually really good on the big screen. But the more I hear about the flick, the more I’m leaning towards catching it a little later, when some of the buzz wears off.

I became really curious about the new movie yesterday, when I saw a flyer on one of the tables here at KPC advertising an after party for the film at Odie’s Deli. This is actually the first after party I’ve heard about in the area since moving to Alaska, but the ones I knew about before were usually for people involved with the production, or roundtable discussions after a really controversial piece. I don’t believe this after party will involve either controversy or cast members. Amidst all the fanfare about the movie, I found that like many feature films that become popular pre-release, “Twilight” is based on a series of books. I get the feeling that this series is like a “Harry Potter” for teenage girls. Apparently, the “twilight” opening last night in Hollywood was packed with the screaming teenie-boppers, fainting, waving signs, and some actually bringing crates to stand on, in the hope that they could catch a glimpse of the stars’ hair as they walked the red carpet.

The “Hannah Montana” type atmosphere alone is enough to make me shy away from showing my face in public in an effort to watch the film, but there’s another reason that I’ll probably wait to watch until my sister rents it on Blu-ray. Whether it be screaming teenagers, or overzealous promotion tactics, when a movie gets a lot of hype before I see it, I’m usually disappointed when I leave the theatre. It’s better if I wait a while so I remember why I wanted to see it in the first place. For me, it’s more important to be fully entertained, than to be among the first to experience something.

Looking towards spring, one movie I really want to see in the theatre is the animated film “Monsters vs. Aliens”…so if any of you are discussing the possibility of holding some kind of event for your 10-year-old and their friends in conjunction with the opening…please take a moment to consider my feelings on the subject.

I wrote earlier about how I’m prone to cycles of enhanced and much more limited productivity, and that usually my attitude reflects those various periods. Today I participated in a “depression screening” provided by Peninsula Community Health Services here at the KPC campus, and I’m happy to report that the professional I talked with seemed to think I was a fairly well adjusted individual. He wasn’t overly concerned that my “mood cycles” where anything too threatening to my well-being, and explained that one of the elements that makes something a disorder, is the seriousness of the problems that come as a result. Since I’m still a law-abiding and functioning member of society when I’m on a down-swing, I guess I can live with a bit of bi-polar-ness, Also, as I concluded earlier, I wouldn’t want my up-swings to be any less productive as a result of decreasing the unproductive times…and besides, “the sweet just isn’t as sweet without the sour.”

Lately, I feel I’ve been in a very nice creative up-swing. I’ve been able to digest a plethora of new literature, and I’ve been making a lot of great pictures. I’ve been printing like mad in the darkroom, and you’ll likely be able to see, and possibly own some of said prints, if you attend the Annual Art Extravaganza on Saturday, December 6th at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center. If you have any work that was done in conjunction with an art class here at KPC as far back as the Fall 2007 semester, and would like to include it in the auction, bring the piece to room 163 no later than noon on Monday, December 1st. If you don’t have any art you would like to put up for sale, but would still like to get involved with the event, take in an Art Student League Association meeting. The meetings start at 3:00 p.m. in room 163 (across from the library) every Friday, except the day after Thanksgiving. Volunteers, and more art, is needed.

I stayed up late last night, with the countdown to priority registration showing the seconds tick away on my computer screen. Of course, when midnight rolled around, my computer locked up (should have got a Mac!) Then, when Vista rebooted, and I got back onto the KPC website, it kicked me off while I was trying to get to the “Add/Drop Classes Worksheet” page. It could be because I use Internet Explorer 7, but I know a fair number of my classmates must have been trying to do the same thing I was, because navigation was just a tad bit sluggish. Every time I clicked a link, I was able to read about a page in my DC Physics textbook while waiting for the page to load. I finally got to the page where I could enter all the CRN #’s for the classes I wanted, 23 minutes after I started. When I checked a few minutes later, my schedule reflected that the process had been a success, and I had a new bill for Spring 2009.

Besides the system bogging down a little right at midnight, Student Services Director Bill Howell says all aspects of the online registration are running smooth, and that by late Monday morning over 250 people had registered online, already filling a few select classes. If you haven’t registered yet, you have until January 9, 2009 to get it done online. But don’t wait too long to get the classes you need…people not currently admitted to a program will be allowed to register for classes on the web starting November 17th.

If you have a problem registering for a class online, make sure to scroll down and find out what the problem is. And don’t hesitate to talk with Student Services if you’re unsure about how to resolve the issue. As for me, a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders, knowing that I have the schedule I need to allow me to graduate on time. Now, I just need to pass the classes I’m in right now, so I still have the needed prerequisites two months from now when the next semester begins.

Halloween is over, hope you had fun, because now it’s time to get to work. According to the stores, Christmas might as well be tomorrow. And I’m actually kind of thankful for the reminder. Since I’m a poor college student, I plan to make a lot of the gifts I’m giving this holiday season. With the increased shipping time needed to be taken into account for those friends and family down in the lower 48, I guess I should get started.

On top of the fast approaching holiday season, this semester of classes at KPC has just entered the final stretch. I have another round of tests over the next two weeks, and then just six short weeks away, semester projects will be due and we’ll all be neck deep in final exams. In the meantime, countdown to priority registration has also entered the final week, so I need to figure out which classes I want to take next semester by November 10th.

After Halloween, the “Big Two” holidays coming up are my next favorites…mainly because of all the food involved. And then there’s another good one, where I usually enjoy even more excess, and then promise myself I’ll be better next year. But even if I wasn’t a perfect example of a human being this year, the most important thing is that I must have been having fun, because the time sure has been whizzing by.

Student Blog: Happy Halloween
October 31, 2008
By: Jon Mann

Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year. If you’re a kid, all you have to do is put on a costume and presto…free candy. This was especially satisfying for me when I was younger, because my father was a dentist and most of the time the only “candy” around the house was Trident gum.

Now that I’m older, I don’t have as much of a sweet-tooth, but dressing up still has its advantages. At most social functions on October 31st, it’s considered kind of lame not to get into character, and the cool people that do are usually rewarded with some kind of door prize, a few chicken wings and a beverage, or at least a couple compliments on their costume.

I have to admit, as I sit here writing this blog in one of the KPC computer labs, I have not yet donned proper attire for the day. But I’m going as a vampire this year, and it’s just too light out right now. Kudos to everyone here at KPC who is spending the day in ghastly garb. I wish the campus wasn’t so “dead” on Fridays, so everyone could see the devils, witches and geishas that are running the school right now. But I suppose the sparsely populated hallways add to the overall spooky effect. Happy Halloween KPC!

True to my word, they have chairs up in the new atrium, and I’m sitting here writing my blog. There’s still some work going on: a few painters are covering the new carpet before touching up some of the spots that have gotten dinged during the final stages of construction. They plan on being done Thursday.

The abundance of light makes the area perfect for study or work, and has to be great for the plants being brought up from downstairs. The view is already quite nice, but already there’s talk of making it even better, by converting some of the roof tops of the other buildings into “green” roofs…replacing the appearance of tar and flashing with lovely little plants.

I’m going to take leave of this new favorite place of mine for now, because the fine sanding being done by the painters is starting to show up on my keyboard. But I’ll be back soon…and often.

They might not be there for much longer, with our latest snowfall rapidly melting, but yesterday I looked at some of the biggest bear tracks I’ve ever seen. And they were on the KPC campus. The monster tracks were in the wooded area between the fire pit and the edge of the new fence going up along the riverbank. They were at least a full third bigger than any of the imprints I’ve noticed by the river in front of my place.

I especially don’t want to go to any funerals for any of you in the near future, and of a lesser concern, I also love those big hairy beasts. Every time I see a bear, I spend as much time as possible just watching the big guy. I can’t get enough of their simply survival orientated, but for some reason, fascinating activities. So don’t give the game wardens any excuse to get rid of one of them by acting carelessly. Plus, my studies don’t allow me any time to attend a wake.

I know I’m consistently talking about the weather, but to be honest, it’s been dominating my thoughts since this whole winter thing started. I just bought new snow tires. They’re wonderful…I get better traction in two wheel drive than I did in 4WD with my old tires. I dropped my Jeep off before class yesterday morning and the shop was so busy that I didn’t drive away until 5:30 that night. The guys at Alyeska Tire say they can’t remember a season being busier than this one. Some of you must have bad memories from last winter.

I don’t mind driving in the snow (stopping and turning are a different story), but I’ve tried to plan my schedule so that I don’t have to spend that much time on the roads. I drive to school in the morning, spend the whole day here studying, writing sometimes useless blogs, and taking pictures of my understandably uncomfortable peers; and then I drive home at night. It helps me to conserve gas, and avoid a confrontation with any drivers who don’t have nice, fresh tread snow tires.

If you’re looking to fill your days and possibly spend less time sliding through our winter wonderland of highways, the Business and Industry office is looking for a secretary assistant. You can get a full list of job responsibilities at the Financial Aid office, but if you can type and answer the phone, I’d think about turning in an application.

Another development coming soon to Kenai Peninsula College, is our very own television commercial. I had the pleasure of meeting some of the production people from FOX over the lunch hour today. They came up from Anchorage to shoot a spot highlighting the distance education opportunities offered through KPC. Opportunities great for people who would like to spend absolutely no time on snow covered roads while pursuing an education.

I am not an Energizer Bunny. At times I’m really productive and have an attitude were a lack of tasks equals unbearable boredom, and I usually end up getting a lot of things accomplished. But at other times, I have to force myself just to get the basic, everyday things crossed off the list. During those periods it seems all I want to do is sit around and be lazy. This results in an apartment that’s a mess, homework that barely gets turned in on time, and a blog entry that’s kind of a downer. It’s not as extreme as bipolar disorder, but the cycle does affect my personality and mood more than I’d like. During the lazy times, I wish the cycle was more even keel, but I don’t want to trade any of the productivity experienced during the “fear of boredom” times. And at this point, I haven’t figured out a good way to eliminate the slumps.

The solution might be easier to find if I knew what caused the bad times in the first place. In the past I thought the weather could be partially to blame because in the Great Plains of South Dakota and Minnesota, the rapid changes in temperature and precipitation coincided pretty well with my ambition level status. Still, up here in Alaska were the change in weather is more gradual, my vicious cycle of go-getter and bum attitude persists. But I have to admit, I am angry that the rain took away the nice white blanket of snow we received Thursday. I know I haven’t pulled together all the variables, but do any of you students of psychology care to make a diagnosis?

On a less mysterious topic, I’ve been told the weather is the reason for a decision regarding the surplus auction planned for this Saturday at KPC. With the precipitation expected to continue, the auction will most likely be held inside the Ward building. Because of my minimalist move this last summer and my inherent pack-rat mentality, I would really like to win some of the items up for grabs. I just hope my dreary attitude lifts in time to get me to campus for the start of bidding at 11:00 a.m.

“[Fall] moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” I’m new to the area, but I know from the last two weeks, that living in Alaska, you don’t get much time to appreciate Autumn. I had just enough time to get the garden hoses inside, do a little weather-stripping, and then start scraping my windshield in the morning. Most of the leaves fell to the ground over the weekend and today they were blanketed with our first measurable snowfall of the season.

I’m not complaining though, winter is my favorite season. I’m an avid snowboarder and skier, that has lived in the Great Plains until now. So I hope Alyeska got completely dumped on, and has another record snowfall this year. But I understand if some might feel a little gypped when it comes to “summer fun.” The summer I experienced after moving up here in July was all rain and cold, a big change from the “dog days” I left behind in South Dakota and Minnesota. And after our short fall, now it’s winter.

But don’t despair, your shorts can still be put to good use. The KPC Student Union has planned a free family swim event at the Nikiski Pool this Saturday. Bring your KPC ID and you and your family get in free from ten to one…cannonball!!!

Get some physical exercise, listen to some soothing music, or vent frustrations in writing…these are some of the ways I have found help relieve stress. I’ve been doing a lot of stress reducing activities over the past few days. The first round of tests this week, the deadlines for scholarships and registration approaching in the next month, and even the ongoing concern over the country’s financial future all add up to an increased need for those “yoga moments.”

So far, I believe I’m doing well on my exams. But the studying process has made me think that I should push to make our informal little study groups in the commons a bit more regular. In between studying, I have to think of some way to wow the judges for the Process Technology scholarship. The deadline to apply is October 31...spooky. For EMT students, don’t forget the application deadline for the Boundtree Medical scholarship is due November 7. A few days later, on November 10, I’m sure we’ll all help in an inadvertent effort to crash the network. Admitted, returning, degree seeking students get first dibs at next semester’s classes online at 12:00 a.m. It’s going to make Sunday a late night, but after scrounging for classes at the beginning of the current semester, I plan to do everything in my power to complete my registration by 12:01.

Concerning finances, as a college student I’m poor by default. Hence, the interest in scholarships. But I worry about the broader financial sector, because once I graduate, I’d like to get paid with money that’s worth something. I hear all these stories about people hoarding cash because of distrust in the stability of our financial institutions. My economic theory is a bit shaky, but I don’t believe hoarding cash under your mattress at home will benefit any of the parties involved. First, it takes away “good” customers from the banks, leaving only customers with debt. Secondly, if the country’s financial sector was to fail, stagflation would be a likely result, meaning that money under your bed wouldn’t be worth the deep sided sheets hiding it from your dinner guests. Hoarding isn’t the answer, our economy is driven by consumers spending money and buying things.

I believe one of the most important things we can do is to spend wisely and keep our debt manageable. Lack of responsibility is what got banks and some buyers into this mess in the first place. For example, even though NASA just announced that their Mar’s rover recently found snow falling on the Red Planet, I’d advise against investing in Martian ski resorts. It turns out that the snow vaporizes before reaching the ground.

PS: Don’t forget, we all paid for “free” pizza in the Brockel commons tomorrow, Wednesday October 1, at noon. If you can’t make it, don’t worry, I’ll eat your share too…eating helps reduce stress.

I have a love-hate relationship with technology. I love the ability to easily stay informed of my acquaintances’ trials and tribulations with a quick email, but I hate the steady disappearance of friendly letters in my physical mailbox. I love being able to pull out my cell phone and make a call from almost anywhere, but I hate the sentiment that’s starting to take root where people are almost justified in feeling angry if they can’t get in contact with someone at any particular moment in time. I love having the resources of the world at my fingertips, but wonder if the time spent “browsing” is subtracting from my in-depth experience with my immediate surroundings.

I guess, as in all things, you have to find a balance that works for you. A way to blend the new and the old in a way that enhances your life somehow. Last weekend I learned a photographic printing process, that without recent advances in digital imagery, was impossible unless you had access to a very large and expensive camera. Thanks again to Kerik Kouklis, the workshop was informative and extremely enjoyable.

Another example of technology that I think is beneficial, are the recordings of some classes here at KPC that Jack Bell and others make for students that are also shift workers. I’m sure the DVD’s found in the library are a big help to them, otherwise they’d be missing half the lectures. But the video’s have also allowed me to catch up after missing a few classes, and with the first round of tests just around the corner, I’ve found that re-visiting some of the lectures has really helped clear up some of the things I was having trouble grasping the first time through. But one thing that’s been especially helpful, at least when it comes to convenience, is the placement of some of those videos on the web. So no matter where I’m studying, if there’s a hole in my notes, I can easily go back and take another look at the lecture on the web.

The uploading process is only being done in one class that I know of at KPC this semester. It’s a pilot project and it isn’t perfect, but it’s my opinion that the pilot should become a series. Go technology!

So far I’ve been a little bit of a cheerleader for KPC, but this time I’m writing a call to action. KPC is one of the only institutes of higher learning that I’ve been to that doesn’t currently have a recycling program for aluminum cans and plastic bottles on campus. In Alaska, we have vast amounts of natural resources, but even here, the more we mine or produce, the harder it will get to extract those resources. We’ll always need more of these resources, and that may seem like guaranteed job stability for those of us in and going into the various process industries, but imagine…instead of mining for aluminum in the ground, we’re digging through the great landfills of the world. That sounds like a very dirty job. As for me I’d rather save a step and send the metal straight back to the manufacturers. And then there’s plastic, made primarily with petroleum products. Individually it might not make a difference, but if the whole world did a little to help, we could use less oil to produce more new plastic bottles. According to simple economic principles, more supply helps keep price down. And I’d really like not to have to pay any more to heat my home this winter or drive my Jeep to school.

So what’s the problem? Why don’t we have recycling besides paper and cardboard on campus? I found out that it’s not the school, it’s us. From what I’ve gathered, faculty and staff at KPC support a recycling program, and actually used to have one a few years ago. The problem is that maintenance was doing all the work. People would use the recycling bins like regular trash cans and then the KPC maintenance department was forced to sort through all the leftover food from Joe’s and used chewing gum to get to the cans and bottles, kind of like my future aluminum mining scenario on a smaller scale, but still equally disgusting. What we need is for everyone to help develop an awareness of the problem and help others to remember that all trash is not created, or disposed of equally.

If you have any questions or ideas about how to move our campus towards re-instituting a more comprehensive recycling program, a student club is forming in an effort to do exactly that. If you interested, you can stop into the Career & Community Engagement Center right next to Student Services and talk with Krista Timlin. You can also call Krista at 262-0337 or email her.

I expected this when I visited Juneau, but I didn’t think we got this much rain here in Soldotna. I usually don’t mind the rain, and I hope it translates to lots of snow for skiing this winter, but I’m starting to miss the sun. It peeked out it’s shining face for a few hours on Wednesday, and then the clouds came back and the heavens opened up once again.

I wouldn’t complain, but the moisture does make photography a little difficult. I wanted to have some fresh shots for a workshop I’m taking part in this weekend at KPC. If you’ve peeked into the gallery near the library, you’ve seen some of the beautiful work on display by photographer and instructor, Kerik Kouklis. Mr. Kouklis is teaching a digital negative enlargement workshop on Friday, which leads into his platinum/palladium workshop on Saturday and Sunday. If you have ever been to a fine art museum and looked at any of the monotone photographs by the great photographers, chances are you’ve seen this type of print hanging on the wall.

I believe there are still spots open for Friday’s workshop, and if you’re on the fence about attending, Mr.Kouklis will be speaking tonight around 7:00 p.m. during the gallery closing taking place from 6:30-8:00. I know you’ll get extra credit for attending if you’re a photography student, but even if you’re interested in other types of imaging, the talk will be a great opportunity to see one of the ways “old school” techniques are being used in the digital era.

September 10, 2008

"Hey Mann"

Alaska is a place filled with stories. Almost everyone I meet has something really interesting to tell me about their life here, or how they came to live in this great state. There are people born and raised here, who find some of the things taken for granted in the lower 48 just plain weird, and there are others from all over the country and other countries around the world who have fallen in love with Alaska and decided to make it their new home. I fall under the latter category, and if you read on, I’ll tell you a little of my story.

My name is Jonathan Mann. My mother still calls me Jonathan if she’s angry, but that hasn’t happened in a while. Some of my relatives call me Jonny, a few old coworkers named me Jo-Jo, but most people refer to me as Jon, or in casual circumstances: “hey Mann.”

I’m attending KPC with the goal of attaining an Associate of Applied Science degree in Industrial Process Instrumentation. But this isn’t my first rodeo. Five years ago I graduated from South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota with a Bachelors in Broadcast Journalism. I worked as a photographer at a TV station in Sioux Falls, SD for a couple years before becoming the Executive Producer at a rival station. Then two years ago I was hired as a morning show producer at one of the best stations in the country, KARE 11, in the Twin Cities of Minnesota.

I thought being an employee at KARE would be my dream job, and the station itself did live up to my expectations, but something wasn’t right. I was never at ease in the big city. I missed the unpopulated great outdoors, the sense of knowing all your neighbors that you only find in smaller communities, and the trust that you weren’t going to get mugged walking past the next alley.

I think my dad felt my growing frustrations, so when he asked if I would move to Soldotna to take care of his place on the river, I’m pretty sure he knew what my answer would be. In a month I was boarding the ferry in Bellingham.

When I first arrived in the Twin Cities of Alaska, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. I got a part time job at KSRM radio running boards during high school football, but there aren’t too many openings in television here on the peninsula. Luckily, I dropped in on KPC, and a new student orientation happened to be scheduled.

Our knowledgeable professors have made me extremely excited about my next career choice. And I thank all of you for making me feel more than welcome at my new home. If you have any stories, comments, or just want to say hi, send me an email with the subject line "hey Mann";