Friday, 11/16/18: God's Word, and Social Commentary

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Psalm 119:18 KJV

Be generous with me and I’ll live a full life; not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road. Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders. ... Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight; I listen to them as to good neighbors!

Psalm 119:18 MSG



Our weather is a thing of beauty today ... not. We've been cool for a number of days, but not frigid. Today, so we're told, a warm moist air mass moves in from the southwest, bringing rain and freezing rain into the area this afternoon and evening. Temps are supposed to be in the mid-30s today, although it's only 21° now. We'd much rather have the white stuff. Oh, well.

If one watches the Anchorage news broadcasts, the stories seem to be dominated by sex crimes, car thefts, bomb threats, murders, hit and run accidents, rampant property theft ... it's appalling to the observer. Those of us living elsewhere can only watch in dismay as the crime wave allowed by a change in Alaska law (see S.B. 91 for details) continues its toll on that city.  There are many factors at play, beyond the scope of my simple observation here. But we are so glad we don't live in the city anymore.

To be honest, it's not as bad as the newscasts make it sound: sensationalism brings ratings and the resultant advertising dollars. "If it bleeds, it leads" and all that. But it's a fact that crime is up in Anchorage, and most blame the permissive change to the sentencing laws (see SB 91, above) which opened the door a bit wider to the criminal element and opiod abusers looking for an easy source of funds. And don't even get me started on the doctors who over-prescribe the opiods in the first place.

The average visitor to Anchorage, and the summer tourists, will likely remain unaffected by the above.

Moving on ...

The winter solstice is only about five weeks away. Today's sunrise is at 9:09 am, and sunset at 4:19 pm. We lose just shy of five minutes of daylight today. And today's total is two-plus hours more daylight than we'll have in another month.

It's the the price we pay for the long summer days when it never gets completely dark in June and July.

And it's worth it. :)

We've Entered That Long, Dark Tunnel

... of the six weeks surrounding the winter solstice.

Sunrise today was at 10:08, and sunset will be at 3:42pm. Okay, that still feels wrong. That's 15:42, thank you very much. We're still losing 90 seconds per day, although that slows down a lot, this close to the shortest day. We get about 4 1/2 hours of daylight on the 21st. Unless it's cloudy; then it will be dark later earlier, and then earlier later, if you get my drift. :)

The only reason I get to have any daylight at all, on weekdays, is because I work such an early shift. Leaving work at 14:15, it's still bright out.

Well, as bright as our northern latitude will permit: the sun's roughly 30 to 35 percent dimmer here than in the central Plains.

But I'm not complaining. I get to drive home through the mountains, and I never EVER get tired of that!

Winter Solstice

Today is the winter solstice — the shortest day of the year.

Day length varies by latitude on this day. In Anchorage, the sun rises at 10:14 a.m. and sets about 5 1/2 hours later at 3:42 p.m.

 

 

The winter solstice is an exciting day for many in Alaska as it marks the last day of losing daylight. Thursday, we’ll gain 11 seconds in Anchorage and by late January we’re up to an extra five minutes of daylight per day. The daylight really begins to add up as we get closer to the spring equinox in March. By May, Anchorage will experience 24 hours of daylight, or continuous twilight.

The summer solstice will occur on June 20, 2017, when daylight peaks in Anchorage at 19 hours and 21 minutes.

 

 The next two or three weeks will not make much apparent difference in the length of the daylight hours. But sometime in mid-January, we'll realize with pleasure that the days are noticeably longer.

 

Then they just keep getting longer (at peak acceleration, so to speak) at the rate of some 5 minutes and 42 seconds until the summer solstice approaches, when the acceleration slows. Then we'll have about six weeks when it never really gets dark.

 

Sometimes it's downright fun to be an Alaskan, and this still fascinates us ... even after nearly 15 years up here. :)

Hold On, It's Coming

The winter solstice, that is, when we here in the frozen North have our shortest day. But in five days, the sunrise and sunset begin moving farther apart again.

So what does it look like, at 1430 (that's 2:30 pm for you landlubbers)?

What you see here is the sun which has just reappeared from behind the mountains to the south, as it sinks rapidly toward the 1536 (3:36 pm) sunset today.

It's 25 minutes later, now, and the sun is already below that horizon.

You ask, does "all that dark" bother us? A little bit, this time of year: it's hard to tell what time it is, in the afternoon and evening. We frequently think it's 7 or 8 pm, when it's only 4:30.

On the other hand, there's the joyous rediscovery that we have lots more time than we thought. :)

Winter Solstice

We won't see a lot of daylight today, since we're all inside at work. At least it's not cloudy, as that just makes it worse. (UPDATE: the forecast was for "mostly sunny" today, so - naturally - we have a thick fog. At 16 degrees. Yay.)

But the days will be appreciably longer in a month, and we'll be enjoying the daylight even as we enter the coldest months of winter. I always think of it as God's promise that summer is coming again.

And now, work beckons. I'm planning another chapter in the MHI Alaska series, but haven't had time to jot down even an outline yet. Don'tcha just hate it when life gets in the way?

* * * * *

On a happy note, the lady next door to us became a U.S. citizen on Friday. Welcome, Janet!

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Thanks for stopping by, friends. :)

Friday Morning: Moose, Firearms, and Terrorists

Good morning. I have the radio on, as I type this, and it occurs to me that there are probably not many other cities where the morning traffic reports include moose (and, occasionally, bear) warnings.

The winter solstice is rapidly approaching, and most Anchorage denizens are showing suns of sunlight deprivation. There are only about 4 3/4 hours between sunrise and sunset now, and it will be down to 4 1/2 by the 21st. We really, really need some sunny days, but we also need snow. It's a problem that folks in the Lower 48 don't usually face, but it's a real thing for us.

* * * * * * *

The news, and the ongoing coverage about the San Bernadino terror attack this morning made me think about the times in which we live. I carry concealed anytime I step out my door. Those who would rather that people leave those "nasty guns" elsewhere are, IMHO, living in denial. With Mexican drug cartels using Anchorage (among other cities) as a distribution point; with bears, moose, and wolves in town, it's just prudence on my part. My safety, and that of my family, are my primary motivation for carrying a firearm.

There is no on-site security for the property I manage, and I assume responsibility for that, as well. I fervently pray that I never have to draw my weapon for any reason other than target practice ... but I will not assume that it won't happen. Sors ventus qui es paratus.


* * * * * * *

But since we're on the topic of firearms ...

A lady I work with has known me for years now, and we have a great relationship. Some time ago, she saw my holster sticking out from under the tail of my vest, when I was retrieving papers from the floor.

She got a little pale, and said, "Is that a holster? I hope you don't have a gun in that thing. Guns make me nervous." I tried to keep a straight face while answering that it wouldn't make much sense to wear an empty holster.

I asked her if I make her nervous, and she said no. I gently pointed out that the firearm is an inanimate tool, and that it obeys my commands. While she thought that over, I said, "If I'm trustworthy, then you needn't fear any tool I might use. A hammer, a screwdriver, a cordless drill - all could be dangerous, in the wrong hands."

She allowed as how that's true, and then said, "And you were in the military, so I guess it's okay."

Baby steps ... sigh. But at least those steps are in the right direction: I'll take that conversation as one minor victory.

22 December

So yesterday was the shortest day of the year, measured in daylight hours: less than 5 1/2 hours, at this latitude.

Today's sun time is perhaps five seconds longer than yesterday.

But the longer days to come are God's promise that, even as we approach the coldest, snowiest months of the season, Summer will come 'round again.

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. (Genesis 8:22)

But Of Course

Since the forecast was for freezing rain with ice build-up, naturally the clouds cleared and the sun came out.

Darn. :)

Meanwhile, the house is filled with the aroma of chicken-and-white-bean chili that is simmering on the stove. My wife is packaging gifts for the Lower 48 relatives, and I'm practicing a few songs for Tuesday evening's jam session.

Looks like the clouds are slowly drifting back in. The short days* this time of year make every bit of light precious, and we resent anything that interferes ... unless it's big, fluffy Alaska-sized snowflakes.

Alas, there's nothing like that outside now, so we're loving the light. :)

Thanks for stopping by, folks.

Another Sunny Day (NOT!)

Today's sunrise:  10:03 a.m.

Today sunset:        3:41 p.m.

With the days so short this time of year, today's weather isn't helping:

25° and freezing fog, at 11:38 a.m.

Oh, well, the days start getting longer on the 22nd.

Polar Plunge

What to do with a 25-foot-wide, 5-foot-deep hole cut into an icy Anchorage lake?

Some say, jump in.

Margie Trudean and Che Coleman, of Team Marche, react to the cold Goose Lake water after plunging into the lake. Over 1000 people took the leap into the frigid waters of Goose Lake during the annual Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Alaska on Saturday, December 21, 2013. BOB HALLINEN — Anchorage Daily News

That's what about 1,100 people did Saturday at the fifth annual Polar Plunge at Goose Lake -- raising more than $400,000 for Special Olympics Alaska.

During the winter solstice's five hours or so of daylight, some 250 teams took the plunge dressed in costumes ranging from snowmen to superheroes and hippies to hula dancers.

"And what do Alaskans do on the shortest day of the year?" said Jim Balamaci, president of Special Olympics Alaska. "They jump into the coldest water."

There were the "Groovy Gastro Girls" from local gastroenterology offices, the "Furloughed Fedcicles" from the FBI and the "Flannel Panel" from Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse.

Some belly-flopped, a few flipped, but most just took the leap feet first into the 34-degree water before paddling to the ladders and jogging, cocooned in beach towels, to the nearby hot-tub tent.

Here are few more of the 54 photos which accompany the article, at the link:

Winter Solstice, 2013

Long, Dark Nights Dept: Many seem to be fascinated by the short daylight hours in Alaska. So you'll be interested to know that sunrise today in Anchorage will be at 10:13, and sunset at 3:42.

To be completely honest, it starts getting light (if the skies are clear) some 30 minutes prior to sunrise, and stays light for about 25 to 30 minutes after sunset. Since our forecast is for snow flurries, the cloudy conditions make it seem darker.

And remember, the days start getting longer tomorrow. Even as we go into the coldest months of the winter (January & February, here), the days are much longer by then, so it's not so bad.

Think of it as God's promise that summer is on the way. That's not a bad thing. :)

* * * * *

Criminal Stupidity, But I Repeat Myself Dept: 

A police officer in the Northwest Alaska village of Kobuk is charged with soliciting a 12-year-old girl for sex.

The officer, Leon Outwater, was arrested Thursday, according to Alaska State Troopers. Court records said Outwater is 22 years old.

Outwater sent at least 20 text messages to the girl in a 24-hour period asking her for sex, troopers said Friday. He allegedly sent the text messages from a village-owned cellphone while he was drunk on duty. [emphasis added]

Outwater faces three felony counts: two charges of soliciting first- and second-degree child sexual abuse as an authority figure and one charge of evidence tampering.

Unbelievable. Well, almost unbelievable ... and sad.

* * * * *

Headline of the Day Dept: "Boehner the red-nosed Speaker has some very whiny foes". 

I disagree with the author's views, but the title is clever.

Winter in the North

As the winter solstice approaches - a day with only about 4 1/2 hours between sunrise and sunset - this seems an appropriate time to run this:

12/21/12: We Made It

Yep, just like we figured: no Apocalypse o' Death, no meteors, no Mysterious Meaningless Alignment of the Planets ... meh.

Like anyone with a brain was actually worried.  :^)


Okay, so it's the winter solstice. Here in Anchorage, it's -6°. Sunrise will be at 10:13am, and sunset at 3:42pm. It's nice to know that as we head into the coldest months of the winter (Jan-Feb), the days will be growing longer in promise of another break-up and eventual summer. And tomorrow we gain twelve seconds of daylight. Party on, dudes!

Could be worse: in Fairbanks, it's -41°, with a forecast high of -29. Okay, so it could be a lot worse.

I've got nothing else, and am anticipating a busy day at work. Later, friends; thanks for stopping by.

Finally Sunrise

We're only a bit more than a month from the winter solstice, and the new header you see above was taken this morning at 10:20, with sun just clearing the mountains to the southeast.

This time of year, as the days grow ever shorter, we're happy for any sunlight we receive. While the sun is shining for the next few days, I expect that many of us will be a bit happier and ... well, cheerier than usual.

SAD* lights up here sell like Odd Thomas's pancakes**, and many are affected. While I don't require the lights, it's still nicer to have sunlight, than not.

In the meantime, it's a slow day here in Lake Wobegone Anchorage. The only thing of note from this morning's paper is the October jobless report: it seems the unemployment rate here has dropped to 4.7 per cent, which is pretty respectable. The State's rate of 7.1 per cent isn't too shabby either (assuming that the Alaska Dept. of Labor's figures aren't subject to the same manipulation as the national numbers).

But enough of politics and all things political; not today.  Today the sun shining, and God's on His throne.

Cheers!  





* Seasonal Affective Disorder
** No, I don't know Dean Koontz, nor have I received anything from him for this mention. I just like the books, 'kay?

Vis-a-Vis the Winter Solstice

Sunrise today: 10:05 a.m.
Sunset today:    3:41 p.m.


No need to thank me; just doing my job.

Winter Solstice 2009

Good morning. From today through January 1st, we'll add about 12 minutes of daylight. The local birdcage liner says that's enough time for a coffee break. They must use smaller cups ...

I'll be spending at least part of this morning working with a tech rep regarding a partial failure of the computer controlling our electronic door/security system. It's still reading the magnetic cards, but ignoring keypad entries. Its selective memory loss includes my account & password, but the rep set me up with a temporary account from which I can access the controls until he gets things working again. I just hope the timer unlocks the employee entrance at the proper time, or I'll be hearing about it for hours. I'll know, soon enough.

On the other hand, if that's the worst thing that happens, it will be a calm week. One can only hope.

Update: the system is back to normal - for no apparent reason - although it still refuses to acknowledge my original password. It makes no more sense than Friday's malfunction.