Why I Love Alaska

As of late, my local RWA chapter has been blogging about all things Alaskan. I’m not a well-seasoned or elegant blogger, my sisters are much better at it. But after careful consideration, I’ve decided to share what I love most about this enchanting state.

There’s so much…

Of course, I love the fact that most of the important accomplishments in my adult life occurred here; my wedding, college/graduation, my first house, my career as an environmental scientist, and the publication of my first novel.

 

Although these are all blessed events, I found something even more valuable within the boundaries of this vast playground— a real home.

I’ve lived in six other states (Pennsylvania, Texas, Colorado, Maine, New Hampshire, and Delaware).

None of them compare.

 There’s something magical about the fresh air, ice cold water (from the tap), seeing snowcapped peaks every day, eagles overhead, moose stripping bark off my front yard birch trees, the seemingly endless days/nights, a crackling fire in my fireplace on a frosty evening, Christmas, the first snow, the first warm day in summer, eating a reindeer dog in downtown Anchorage, a hockey game, flipping through all the cable channels with reality shows focused on Alaska and grinning because I live here, all the wonderfully tiny villages and towns I’ve visited (reachable only by plane), salmon and halibut, humpback whales surfacing in the water only a few yards away from me, a carriage ride downtown in the dead of winter, getting to wear boots and jeans to work every day and having it considered fashionable, four-wheeling to the edge of a glacier, hunting, fishing, hiking, men (very handsome), the cultural experiences I’ve had, and most of all—just being here.

That’s it.

 Alaska isn’t for everyone. It’s a hard place to thrive if you’re opposed to dark cold winters.

However, if you’re one of the lucky few to call it home, you know what I mean—its paradise.

--- Violetta Rand

Real Men of Alaska

 

Mr. September 2013

 

"Brandon"

 

As Romance Writers we're always on the lookout for Hot Hunky Hero Types. So, this month we're going to hear what BRANDON is all about:

Here are some questions that we asked Brandon, and his answers follow, so sit back and get to know him.

(Brandon, remember we are a PG 13 site and blush easily). 

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

   Fun loving, nerdy, a good sense of humor - the kind that can put up with my ...bad puns, either way.

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

   Why, the mall of course! We can get to know each other better - and I can find out what kind of stuff she likes.  

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

   Hmmm...I punched a moose once - he snuck up on me. (True story!)

 

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?  

     During the dark, cold parts of the year I like to curl up and watch TV shows I missed during the summer - enjoying some tea and spending time with my loved ones.

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?

 

   I really enjoying the sunlight, spending time outside.

 

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?

   Ah...a blimp? Yes, that would be fine with me. Why, you ask? Because it would just be awesome.

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

   Along the highway...birds - any kind of bird. On my plate - no, thank you.

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?  

   Eaten muktuk...I have done that - not something I would like to try again - and I have ran outside in knee deep snow, in my boxers.  

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

   It might be the cold. It might be that we all drive moose to work. Who knows? My guess is the chest hair!

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

     Get photos of them! (Sometimes I just sit there and watch)

And last, but certainly not least:

In your opinion, what is the most romantic thing about Alaska, and why?  

   The sunsets, and the mountains. I love it when it the sun is setting and the sky is blooming with reds and pinks. It's very relaxing. (Or moose poop...cauz it’s all natural.)

 

 

 

 Our Thanks to Brandon for this candid interview!

 

On the first Friday of each month we'll have a new Alaska Man for you - watch for Mr. October!

 

See you next time...

 

 

The RWA National Meeting on  Extrovert-ism

(and 6 hours of Sleep)

 

 As I write this it is just edging past midnight on Thursday (morning) of RWA 2013. I’ve been here in Atlanta since 10:00 a.m. Tuesday morning and, truth to tell, I have very little recollection of packing to leave home or the trip to Georgia. All I can say is, it’s a good thing I’m a night owl, extroverted, and run on the energy I gather from people during the day because this has been a truly interesting start to a conference!

The run up to this trip really began three and a half weeks ago when I got edits for my second book back from my editor and a deadline of July 15.

Since my brain is getting older by the day, it took me a week of editing to realize this was going to take me right up until I had to pack for the conference. So, I planned my editing schedule to finish a day early. I did well on this plan until the last week, when the wheels might not have come OFF the bus, but one of the tires went very flat. 

Suffice it to say, that due to a couple of family issue and some previously scheduled obligations, I watched the sun come up on Monday morning the 15^th after a full night session of giving my manuscript a final read-through. I watched the sun come up, took a three hour nap and then finished the last of the work. I did get brownie points for meeting my deadline. But I didn’t have a stitch of anything packed for Atlanta.

So, good thing I’m a night owl, extroverted professional procrastinator.

I’m used to pulling projects together last minute. I started hauling things out of my closet, matching folded clothing items by color to make outfits and plopping them into a suitcase hoping against hope I’d remember most of what I needed.

I got bags packed and plants watered and dog brought to my son’s house for dog-sitting...and fans running in the basement (oh, yeah—hubby is at Boy Scout camp this week and the basement flooded a day before deadline J ).

I spent the night at my parents’ home so I could be at the airport at 5:15 a.m.

As I said, there’s very little recollection of packing. Or sleeping. Or getting to the airport! But, I must have done all that, because I did arrive safely and it’s been an amazing two days so far.

What’s my point in all this? It’s that no matter how insane the lead-up to RWA, how many necklaces that match earrings you forget (that would be three) and how many half-pairs of earrings you bring (that would be two) or how little sleep you get (that would be eight hours in three nights) it is so very worth it to be at this meeting.

Granted, I wouldn’t recommend this prep routine for a first time conference go-er, but this is my sixth time and there’s little to get my undies in a bunch about anymore.

I am just thrilled to meet up with some old friends, to be making new ones and to just sit in the wide open bar area and watch the writers chatting, laughing, joining up and hugging.

The energy is full-on; inspiration just plain floats through the air, and I already want to head home and just start writing my little fingers off.

Can you tell I enjoy coming to this? This is our professional organization in all its glory. There are controversies and there are opinions about things but, mostly, there are kindred spirits. And that’s the real reason I come. My life would hardly be ruined if I didn’t come, but it would certainly be missing a little spark that comes with hooking up with the mother ship once in a while.  It really is a cool place to be—even if I only managed to bring one of those favorite swirly dangling earrings with me – dang it!

 Next year’s RWA is in San Antonio. If you’ve never come to the meeting or only come once in a while, I hope you get the chance soon.

 There are spots waiting for us in the bar. J

--- Liz Selvig