13 January 2016

Hump Day

We swam slowly up from the depths of sleep when the alarm sounded, this morning. It took me a minute to figure out what that noise was, and can't say I was happy about it.

That sound was at least two hours too soon for my liking, and I'd still rather go back to bed than be here at work ... but here I sit.

I've already processed bills, been on a conference call, dealt with a recalcitrant tenant, answered a letter, and investigated a complaint about cold office spaces. Now it's coming up on 08:00, and I need more coffee.

* * * * *

We got about an inch of snow overnight. It's awfully nice to have the fresh white on the ground. However, at this time of year, we should be talking about how many feet of snow we'd already received. Instead, I'm reporting a whole 1.25" of snow, the first we've had in nearly a month.

The weatherman guesses we might get another one to three inches today, and we'll take it.

But it ought to be more; in fact, we need more, to prevent another summer of forest fires. 2015 was the second-worst fire season on record, with over a million acres burned. Betcha won't hear that on TV.

They only mention Alaska to a) complain about how we get "free money" for living here, or b) toss another handful of insults toward Sarah Palin (or one of her offspring).

The rest of the time, we might as well not be a part of the U.S. at all, and that would be just fine with most of us, most of the time. Especially after watching the national news.

* * * * *

A friend in Missouri mentioned yesterday that gas in her town was down to $1.48 per gallon. Ours is still $2.29, as of this morning. We could really, really use some competition up here. The sole surviving refinery operator holds all of Alaska hostage, because he can.

* * * * *

That's about all I have this morning. Thanks for stopping by, friends.

10 comments:

OldAFSarge said...

In some ways it's good that the drooling ee-jits in the lower 48 tend to forget Alaska is part of the US of A.

Now if you could get those gas prices down...

Rev. Paul said...

Agreed, Sarge. The less they think about AK, the less they mess with us. Regarding the gas prices, Anchorage's price was on par with Missouri when we moved here in 2003. But that hasn't been the case for the last 11 years.

Sandy Livesay said...

Rev. Paul,

Hump Day it is!!!

When in a deep sleep or a dream, we really don't want to hear a nagging noise in the back ground implying it's time to get up.

Our gas in OK is close to your friends pricing. I worry about all those people working in the oil and gas fields. The price of a barrel of gas is at $30, and many employee's have lost jobs.

Rev. Paul said...

Sandy, the oil companies here are laying off already. Several hundred will lose jobs this year, unless prices go lower. Then the losses will grow.

Ed Bonderenka said...

Church Night!

Rev. Paul said...

Indeed, Ed. :)

drjim said...

Gas is running ~$2.80 for 89 octane here in SoCal.

Spent all day on the Iowa in various meetings. Really needed my "afternoon nap" when I got back home!

Chickenmom said...

Gas is down to $1.65 here in Joisey. Diesel home heating prices are going down, too. Maybe we should have waited another month to fill the tank.

Rev. Paul said...

drjim, North Slope crude closed at $28/bbl yesterday, yet our gas stays at $2.29. No reason but greed, I reckon. I do get a bit jealous when I realize you're hanging around the Old Grey Lady these days. Oh well, I have my memories of an old DD ...

Chickenmom, your gas is still considerably less than ours. Enjoy!

drjim said...

If you ever get down here before the wife and I escape from Kommiefornia, be sure and let me know.

We'd love to meet you, and of course give you the "full" tour of the Iowa.