Talk Tuesday: You Asked, I Answered

Talk Tuesday is my most read post every week. It is where you get to ask me whatever you want and I answer you here. Did you miss the prior weeks, take a peek as there is some good stories in there: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7  | Week 8 | Week 9  | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16 | Week 17 | Week 18 | Week 19.  Have a question for me about anything under the sun? Ask away in the comments below before next Tuesday.

 

When are you coming to visit Texas again?

If all goes according to plan, I will be in Texas in March for SxSw in Austin. I haven’t really figured out my travel schedule for next year yet though, so anything is possible.

What was something new you learned while on your trip to the South?

I learned I have been in the blogging industry for years and I still have a ton to learn. I also learned that more people than I realized are paying attention to what I am doing in Alaska. A lot of people are rooting for me and want to see how this adventure will unfold. I also learned that what they say about Southern hospitality is true!

Are you ready for the winter in Alaska?

I’m getting there. There was snow on the ground when I returned, but none on the roads, thankfully. I get my snow tires put on this week and my snow boots next week… so little by little I am getting winterized.

What is something that you hope to experience during the winter in Alaska?

I would like to see the Northern Lights, watch a lake freeze over, and see a moose knee deep in snow. I would also like to learn to cross country ski, go snow shoeing, and ice skating.

What is something you hope you don’t experience during the winter in Alaska?

Crashing into a snow bank or into another car. I really don’t want that to happen. Nor do I want to fall through ice. I’ve seen this happen on TV shows and it freaks me out. I would just have to kiss my ass goodbye at that point.

Do you have a plan to adjust to the weird daylight/darkness schedule of winter in Alaska?

Sort of. Because we are in my busiest season of 4th quarter I am trying to stay on East Coast time (which will be a 5-hour time difference in just a few short days). This means I wake up at 4:00am ASTD and the sun doesn’t come up until about 9ish right now. I plan on breaking during the day to go out and walk and be in the sun. It is supposed to be only sunny from 10-4 at the worst of it and I plan on taking in every minute if I can. I am also buying one of these ion therapy lights as I hear they help quite a bit.

Whats left on your winterizing list? Did the bear come back?

I still need my Sorrel Snow Boots to come in and I need sweaters still too. I also need another pair of gloves as the ones I picked up this week aren’t going to cut it. Plus I wouldn’t mind some more wool base layers as I only have 1 pair right now and I don’t think those around me want me to wear them every day.

The brown bear has been here twice now in 3 weeks. Both times he went after the garbage can. I would like to see him though. 🙂 Although I don’t know what I would do if I saw him outside and I was inside. He could see me through the window! Should I wave?

How do you plan on handling power outages – if it happens a lot there. I am working on my 4th power outage in a week.

You know, I have no clue. We have electric heat and two gas fireplaces. I would think that the fireplaces would keep us warm but the lack of electricity would probably have me crashing with friends in Anchorage.

Where exactly do you live in Alaska, and what made you decide to move there?

I live in Eagle River, Alaska, which where I am is 20 miles north of Anchorage. I am nestled at the base of the Chugach Mountains – I have mountains on three sides of me. I had been looking for places in Anchorage but didn’t have luck in finding a place that wasn’t absolutely terrible. Housing here is expensive and for what I am used to in Phoenix at $1000 is easily $2000 here.

Are you planning on going ice fishing?

I would love to go ice fishing!! So yes, I hope I can tag along on an ice fishing trip this winter. 🙂

Whatever came of the odd picture of your car?

I still don’t know for a 100% yet. What I do know is that he wasn’t home, my keys were though. She showed up early to go to lunch and went inside his apt (he often leaves it unlocked) and took that picture and posted it to Facebook. One of my friends think she did it on purpose because after they had gone on a couple dates he had told her that he was only interested in her as friends. He was open and honest with my questions and we talked at length about everything. I have asked him to ask her about that photo if not I will contact her. You know I will too.

I was already nervous about returning to Alaska and this had me upset for many reasons. But I knew that no matter what happened, I would still be ok and have a whole blog post about it all. But I’m writing a short synopsis because you asked! Oh, and he showed up at the airport with flowers and my car cleaned from top to bottom – it was a disaster when I left. I know he had done that shortly after I left but I was stunned with how thorough he was. It looked like a brand new car! Before I had broached the subject of what happened he had asked if we could start over again as he had done a lot of thinking while I was gone.

Who knows what will happen. All I know is that I am glad that I am back in Alaska heading into a winter of new adventures.