TechZati

July 30, 1995

We all went to the T (Tustumena) Bar last night.  They made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for having 6,000 hats in the bar.  Men with No Pride was playing.  They call themselves that because they never practice.  The only time they practice is when they’re performing.

Great band to dance to we danced all night!  From the time I got there to when I left at 3:30 in the morning.  It was probably the funnest night I’ve had here.  I had a lot of compliments on my dancing – ha.  Sue was trashed and was telling me “If I were 10-15-20 years younger, I’d be after you!” Erin was dancing like a manic crazy girl, she totally opened up and changed as soon as Nick left – definitely for the better. She was “impressed at my rhythm.”  God, 6 hours of dancing. When we got out of the bar, I walked over to talk to Doug and some girl was pissing on the ground next to the car.  I couldn’t believe it – she didn’t stop telling a joke the whole time – outrageous.  Lindsay told me this morning I dance like a “city boy.”  A compliment, I suppose.

July 28, 1995

This last week has been insane here.  We had a beach party [near Soldotna] and it was NUTS.  Freddie rode his mountain bike off a dirt cliff – broken leg.  I jumped off after that.  At the party, it was definitely more than a normal bonfire.  Everyone was blitzed and doing crazy stuff.  Doug was fire-rolling and people were falling in the sand all over the place.  Sparky got bit by a dog and it slashed is palm pretty good. It must have been a full moon or something. It was “insanity.”

Salmon run is almost done.  I’ve been fishing tons.  These salmon runs are great – I learned how to fillet fish a couple of different ways.  I’ve definitely proved something to myself.

July 25, 1995

2 days ago, I went fishing for salmon in the Upper Kenai with Chad, Doug and all the Wisconsin guys.  Caught 2 mostly by snagging.  Definitely a fight.

The day before I drove up to Denali and found a job.  I’m not sure if I’m going to take it yet or not.  This cannery wok is actually still ok.  I can’t believe that it’s almost the end of July.  The WI guys are going back to school in a couple weeks. Then, I think it will hit me I’m done.

July 19, 1995

I just got out of work.  Basically, I just worked 20 hours with an 8 hour period to sleep.  I’m definitely disenchanted with this place.  Nicko and Erin had a parting of the ways.  I guess it shook Nicko up pretty bad.  He just up and left, he wants me to call him if I go to Denali.  DENALI – Collin’s advice to me of deciding if I want to see Alaska or make money here keeps going through my head.  AND I’m definitely NOT going to make money here.  Time to move on, I think.

July 17, 1995

Per just got married (day before) yesterday. The wedding was beautiful.  I’m happy for the new couple, but I just can’t imaging being married, or even being in love for that matter. Carrie looked beautiful with her gown.  Very long veil.  The deacon was hilarious. “Sit down and have a beer, and talk about it…”

The reception was fantastic.  Per and Carrie were picked up in a Rolls-Royce limo.  We met them at the reception.  They had everything – ice sculpture, read and white wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres all flowing freely.  I’m really impressed with how classy the whole event was.  Per’s professing his love to Carrie at the cake-cutting was extremely touching.

Yesterday, I picked up a hitchhiker. He’s spent some time in Taiwan.  He was pretty interesting.  I met his boss – very interesting man – a French-Louisiana Cajun who was really into philosophy.  He and I had a deep conversation.  He wanted to transcend to a different plane.  He was trying to explain that after you “evolve” beyond the star of the five sense, you transcend.  He was using the lotus as an example.  While alive you can only do it through meditation.  Nothingness.

We went for laundry today and I saw that Denali is hiring.  Chad seemed pretty interested.  He said he wanted to come out and ski for the winter [to Utah]. That would be great!

A couple days ago I felt like it was time to move on.  I think I’m getting caught up in the whole idea of “hanging out” again.  That’s alright.  Now that Per’s wedding is past, it’s almost like now I don’t have that commitment.  Big weight off the shoulders.  We’re all here waiting around for work – still. I guess I’ll see how this Denali thing works out.

July 12, 1995

Well, I’ve been working long hours a couple times a week.  14-16 hour days.  The feeling here is definitely different than Glacier.  People here are actually willing to work, and a lot.  People are almost fighting for hours.  Chad and I finally planned a climbing trip in Anchorage.  We’re going up tomorrow.  He and Doug are going to kick while I’m at Per’s wedding.

I went to “T’s” bar last night with Lindsay and Jenn. I can tell this is their first “real life” experience.  I’m actually sort of jealous of the newness for them, everything they do will be compared to Alaska.  Weeks are beginning to fly by.  Soon summer will be gone.

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may

Olde time is still a flyin

The flower that blooms today

Tomorrow will be dyin

- Robert Herrick

July 6, 1995

Right now I’m working around 2 days a week.  For the 4^th [of July] a bunch of us went to Seward.  That place is beautiful.  Mountains are all the way around the town. I went with Todd, Sparky (Mike), Mark, Chad, Jenn and Lindsay.  Sparky rode with me.  When we got into town we drove around forever looking for the other guys.  We went through town and stopped to wander through their 4^th carnival bazaar, or whatever it was.  We ended up going bar hopping that night at this bar called DJ’s.  They had an L-shaped pool table.  Can we say a little sloppy?

The next morning we woke up and went to breakfast – reindeer sausage is pretty good.  We decided to climb to the top of Mt. Marathon.  Can we say Bee-atch of a hike, pretty much 3,000 feet straight up.  Sparky and I made it up first and were hanging out on top for about a ½ hour before anyone else got there.  Beautiful up top!  You could see the ocean with mist on it and the sharp, jagged peaks all around.

The hike down was pretty wild, there were snow chutes and I boot skied them (I’m ready to ski again, definitely).  We got into a bunch of talus and shale, which was definitely harrowing.  We finally got down far enough to cut across some fields of flowers until we hit the trail again.  We hit some heavy skree and made it down quick.

That evening we went fishing at the Russian River.  Jenn and Lindsay asked if they could take my truck back to Trans-Aqua – I told them I didn’t feel comfortable with it.  Sparky even said “They shouldn’t even be asking.”  We camped next to the river and saw a moose, everyone thought it was a bear.

Lately, I just don’t feel decisive.  Maybe it’s because I’m trying to break into a new group who all already know each other – really well.  I feel I’m trying too hard.  Oh well, I suppose I’ll just have to get over it.

I almost forgot, while we were in Seward and looking for the other guys , we drove past a group of people trying to rescue some dumb girl off a cliff.  OK, let’s analyze.  These guys are supposed to be search and rescue right? Right.  Well they had no clue as to what they were doing.  Everyone was trying to be a hero.  Oh well, ego, I suppose.

July 3, 1995

The cannery I work for is called Trans-Aqua [Kenai Peninsula] and I’m still waiting for work…  A couple days ago I went fishing for King Salmon. I snagged a few fish [not King's] – it was exhilarating!

There are a few guys from Wisconsin who I’ve been hanging out with.  They are hilarious.  These guys, I think, are the kind of people I wanted to hang-out with this summer.  The granola-partier type.

I still have no idea what I should write in this journal, but I’ll give it a while.  I’m not sure what I’m looking for being out here.  I think it may be I’m trying to find a place for myself where I’m not second guessing myself on whether people are looking at me because I’m Chinese or not.  I’ve been talking to this woman Erin who is curious as to my perceptions on what I think – people think…? Neat lady…  Maybe I’m searching for friends whom I totally click with because I didn’t really have any good childhood guy-fries.  I guess I’ll know it if and when I find it.

I didn’t feel the thrill of being away as much as in Montana [Glacier National Park – summer of 1994], but I’m expecting something to be a certain way – I need to stop that.

I think about my experience in Glacier a lot.  That place had a profound effect on me.  Definitely because that was the first time I took time for myself.  I’m beginning to look forward to moving on from this cannery.

But these guys from Wisconsin are really nice people – genuinely.  We went out to the beach the other night.  The sunset was beautiful on the ocean.

July 1, 1995

What we’re living in what could be considered chicken coops. It’s pretty funny.  But I tell you, this is nothing like I thought it would be. Working your way around is tough.  Job discussions what you should wait for, what you should believe.  I’m having a good time after losing Cord.  I think it will be better.  Never thought I’d be working at a cannery.

June 27, 1995

Okay, let’s be honest.  Cord is a dork!  We came up to Kenai today.  He’s like a lost puppy checking everything with me.  Flattering, I suppose, but irritating.  I think I’m going to ditch him –  not here to take care of him.