mudcatters in Fairbanks, AK

Subject: mudcaters in Fairbanks, AK
From: bet
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 09:40 PM

Well, the years have been rolling by and I find that I have been in the education field for 39 years. I have been at my present job for 19. It's time to move on. The 1st of June I will be going to Fairbanks to end my career where I wanted to start, that didn't work out and I never got up there. I now have a daughter and her husband and a grand son living there and a new one on the way. It's time for me to go!!!! I can hardly wait but it is rather scarey to leave a very comfortable job not knowing what I'll do when I get up there. I guess I can put the cup on the side walk sing or play for pennys, not!!!!!!! Yesterday Melissa said it was -42 at 3 in the afternoon. Anyway is there anyone up there that is a mudcatter?? Sure would like to be somewhere where there are some.

Subject: RE: mudcatters in Fairbanks, AK
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 10:10 PM

Holy Cow, SisterSue! You've always been my hero(ine) and now, even more so! I love that you have always followed your dreams and done what you loved to do. I know the kids, parents, and other school teachers are going to miss you and the wonderful music you have taught and shared with them so much over the years, but THIS is EXCITING and I am SO happy for you and proud of you! What an example you are, big Sis!! Congratulations and I am sure you will have a blast and love it; I know your grandkids and their parents sure will!

luvyakathleen

Subject: RE: mudcatters in Fairbanks, AK
From: Ebbie
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 10:12 PM

I'm 400 miles or so from there but I can tell you there are a LOT of talented musicians there. And if they aren't Mudcatters yet, well, here's your chance! Most of the musicians I know from there come to Juneau for Alaska Folk Festival each April.

Will katlaughing be visiting you there? The two of you will have to come to Juneau and meet a number of us here! What a kick that would be.

Subject: RE: mudcatters in Fairbanks, AK
From: Ebbie
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 10:13 PM

We crossposted, kat. So, will you visit her in Fairbanks? You won't likely get that close to Juneau again any time soon!

Subject: RE: mudcatters in Fairbanks, AK
From: Amos
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 10:26 PM

When the moon-eau in Juneau
Shine like some silver spoon-o,
That's a -moooor-ayyyyy...

Congratulations, bet!! Ballsy move!!

A

Subject: RE: mudcatters in Fairbanks, AK
From: Ebbie
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 10:55 PM

The moon-eau in jun-eau not shine all that oft- O, Amos! We're in a rain forest. I tell friends down south they have full moons much more often than we do- we can go for months without seeing one.

(But we're having a snowy winter this year again; winter as it should be.)

Subject: RE: mudcatters in Fairbanks, AK
From: Rapparee
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 09:16 AM

Three words for Fairbanks:

DEET.
Shorts.
Warmth.

That takes care of Winter, Summer, and the warm months, in reverse order.

Congratulations on guts! Fairbanks is a nice place, and UAF is a great school (don't know about the high schools, etc.).

From a friend who worked at UAF for some years:

Get good quality Sorels and, if you can find them, REAL Mickey Mouse boots (accept no substitutes for either). It's dry cold, so you don't need waterproofing so much as insulation -- get the best you can. Mittens are warmer than gloves. Fur, worn fur-side inside, is the warmest of all. There's a reason for the big meals and calories! Wind kills, but not using you head kills quicker.

Subject: RE: mudcatters in Fairbanks, AK
From: bet
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 09:38 AM

Thanks, Rapaire. Most of the cold weather stuff I have and it is good quality not substitite stuff.   I was raised to us my head in survival situations, so I will be sure to do that.
Ebbie,
Good to know you are up there. Can't make Juneau in April 2004 but will keep it in mind for 2005. I'd love to go to the Folk Festival. I hope to see a lot of Alakasa while I'm up there so may get to Juneau before the snow flies next fall. It would be really fun to have kat come visit me. If it happens I'll make sure she gets to see you. bet

Subject: RE: mudcatters in Fairbanks, AK
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 10:09 AM

Rap, there's fur and fur. The best is from otters, though I prefer to see otters wearing it, and there's plenty of opportunity for that in Alaska.

I know some people who did degrees at Fairbanks (astronomy-related) and they all took four years to do three-year courses, which is apparently not unusual as the human body really slows down in the gloomy (and perishing) winter months. When spring comes around, with the days lengthening by 20 minutes a day, people behave as though the're drunk, and that can be quite entertaining. And Penny's store puts fantastic discounts on winter clothing in the spring sales....

Subject: RE: mudcatters in Fairbanks, AK
From: Sorcha
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 11:06 AM

Alaska Mike (Mike Cambell) is in Fairbanks. Nice guy. Catter, chatter and friend of Seamus Kennedy.

Subject: RE: mudcatters in Fairbanks, AK
From: Rapparee
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 11:51 AM

Yup, there's fur and there's fur. And the otters look better in it than I ever would. But coyote, for instance, is NOT endangered and you can't beat canine fur for parka ruffs if it's combined with a soft wire insert so you can close the tunnel. It keeps out the snow better than anything I've ever seen, because the hairs interlock -- you can see out, but the snow doesn't come it.

Now, I don't recommend it for everything. Most of the time, the hood ruff is strictly decorative, so let the fur decorate a coyote. Ditto for decorative fur coats, fur muffs, fur collars, and the other products of an urban society. But when you REALLY need it, you can't beat mother nature.

Good quality man-made stuff is also excellent. I've been wearing a wind-proof "fleece" jacket and it does the job down to about -8 F (-19 F windchill), as cold as it's gotten here so far this winter.

Bet, there IS one, and only one, thing you might consider which will make Fairbanks eminently livable during the Winter:

















Honolulu.

Subject: RE: mudcatters in Fairbanks, AK
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 01:11 PM

AlaskaMike lives in Anchorage, the last I knew. Another mudcatter lives in Chugiak (closer to Anchorage than to Fairbanks). Anchorage and Fairbanks are several hundred miles apart, Anchorage on the coast (duh!) and Fairbanks in the interior. From Juneau we have to fly to Anchorage first then to Fairbanks from there.

Subject: RE: mudcatters in Fairbanks, AK
From: Sorcha
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 01:34 PM

Right, Ebbie....I forgot. Brain cramp.....

Subject: RE: mudcatters in Fairbanks, AK
From: Alaska Mike
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 02:53 PM

I am, in fact, living in Anchorage. Its 360 miles to Fairbanks by icy road in winter, but a very scenic drive. There are lots of great musicians and music activities in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Juneau and other places in the state throughout the year. One place to check out what's happening is at this site.   

One of the best music festivals of the summer takes place just 50 miles south of Faibanks. The Anderson Bluegrass Festival comes up the last weekend of July and is lots of fun. Bring your insect repellant and an umbrella, you will need at least one and probably both. Besides the big festival in Juneau in April, we are having our Anchorage Folk Festival right now. It ends next weekend. Plus there is a folk festival in February and another in June right there in Juneau.

The music community up here is very friendly and supportive, so take advantage of us whenever you can. Welcome to "The Great Land". Feel free to PM me anytime if I can help your move somehow. This is a great place to live. Its a little far away from the main stream, but I'm sure you will enjoy your stay. We are gaining almost 5 minutes of daylight each day now and it won't be long before we have that midnight sun thing happening again. I hope to hear from you.

Camai,
"Alaska Mike" Campbell

Subject: RE: mudcatters in Fairbanks, AK
From: Alaska Mike
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 03:08 PM

OOPs, the festivals in Feb and June are in Fairbanks not Juneau, sorry

Subject: RE: mudcatters in Fairbanks, AK
From: bet
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 06:17 PM

Alaska Mike, Thanks for the info. I've added that site to my favorites and will really check it out when I have more time. Right now I'm off to a rehearsal with my string people.
I'm really excited about getting to some place that has a variety of music to offer. I'll keep your offer in mind and hope to meet you after I get up that way. this is sooooo exciting, I feel like a little kid. bet