Friday, April 5, 2013

Real Men of Alaska - April


Join us here each Friday for a new post. Especially on the first Friday of each month, when we're posting interviews with some of the rugged, intelligent, male specimens found in such abundance in the great State of Alaska.

Please Join us in Welcoming:

Wil, Mr. April 2013 - Real Man of Alaska


Wil with his 4 month old lab, Neo.
1: Were you born in Alaska, and if not, then how did you end up here? What do you do for a living, and what do you do for fun. Age, height, fav. food, and any other statistics you are willing to share. Just remember though, we are a PG 13 site and blush easily.

W: I was shoved kicking and screaming (at 4:15 AM) out of the womb into the middle of northern Anchorage. I currently subsist on scholarships and parental handouts while finishing my Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at University of Alaska Fairbanks. I like long walks on the beach (or, as they’re called in Anchorage, “mudflats”), fine wines, and long conversations about modern art (I made that last one up). I’m 21, 5’ 11”, and I love tacos. Then again, who doesn’t? (Editor's insert: Wil's 22nd birthday is later in April).

2: What kind of woman appeals to you, and who do you let make the first move, you or her? 

W: The living kind. You’d think that would be obvious, but with the growing zombie and vampire populations, it turns out you actually have to let people know that. And I’m fine with letting her make the first move, as long as it’s not for my blood or brains.

3: Where is your favorite place to take a girl on a first date, and why?

W: Laser tag. I don’t think I need to explain why.

4: What's the wildest thing you've ever done, other than, well you know, with a female companion since living in Alaska?

W: We went to UAF’s Starvation Gulch celebration, which had five massive bonfires. Things got pretty hot.

5: Winter can be long, dark, and very cold here in Alaska. What are your favorite frosty pastime activities? Not counting the obvious of course. Remember the PG 13 rating. And, what is the coldest temp you’ve seen/been in?

W: Hibernating ranks at the top spot, though sledding comes in as a close second. The coldest I’ve ever been in was -48 degrees, though I have walked outside without a coat at -36 degrees. I don’t plan on repeating that any time soon.

6: And, if we ask about winter then we simply must inquire about the too short, wonderful summers. What are your favorite things to do during all those long hours of sunshine?

W: Disc golf, tennis, bowling, barhopping, you name it! Anything at midnight with the sun out is fun. Except for taxes. Those are never fun.

7: Alaskan men take their vehicles very seriously. What is your favorite mode of transportation – car, truck, snow machine, four-wheeler, airplane, skis, snowboard, etc., and why?

W: My motorcycle’s definitely my favorite way to get around, as long as the roads aren’t covered in gravel and it isn’t icy or raining. Unfortunately, living in Anchorage, that leaves only about 15% of the year.

8: What is your favorite Alaskan animal – to see along the highway or on your dinner plate?

Polar bears. They’re pretty rad.

9: Have you ever wrestled a polar bear, mushed a dog team, panned for gold, eaten muktuk, done the polar bear plunge, climbed Denali, run the Mt. Marathon, or any of the other, found only in Alaska, activities?

W: I have been to Denali National Park, gone gold panning in Hope and at El Dorado Gold Mine in Fox, caught king salmon in the Kenai River, and caught halibut on a fishing charter out of Seward. I haven’t wrestled any polar bears, but I did see one at the zoo once. It was pretty small. I probably could have pinned it in 10 seconds.

10: In your opinion, what exactly is it that makes an Alaskan Male so wonderfully macho and appealing?

W: It must be something in the water. I’m not sure which has a greater effect: the glacial runoff or the bear steroids. 

11: What’s the biggest fish you’ve ever landed? And we mean the kind with scales and fins that swim in water, not the locker room bragging rights variety.

W: The largest fish I’ve ever caught was a 400-pound king salmon. I may have added an extra zero to that.

12: Other than making love under them, what is your favorite thing to do when the Northern Lights are out and putting on a show?

W: Two words -- interpretive dance. 

13: And last but certainly not least, in your opinion, what is the most romantic thing about Alaska, and why?

W: Mosquitoes, because nothing says “I love you” quite like a mosquito buzzing in your ear.

Join us next month when we feature another True Alaskan Man!

5 comments:

Maxine Mansfield said...

Loved your answers Will :) and so glad you agreed to represent Alaska for us... Thanks

Tam Linsey said...

Hahaha! I love your answer to number 2. Great getting to know you!

Anonymous said...

Hibernating, my kinda guy.
Thanks for sharing with us.

Sandy Shacklett said...

Bear Steriouds? So that's what does it. Thank you for manning up and doing this interview. Very entertaining.

LizbethSelvig said...

Awesome answers, Mr. April. I think if you can walk outside coatless in -35 degrees, you can be an honorary Minnesotan! And I wish my daughter had met a guy who likes bonfires, barhopping and interpretive dance. With some of the things she's done (or so I've heard) that would have given me some awesomely creative grandchildren :-) Thanks for sharing the fun, Wil!