ZOMG ANOTHER BLOG AHHHHH!

I have never been an "artsy" guy. I did take an art class in middle school (I think it was required), and i have seen my fair share of museums but in all reality I don’t particularly look for a deeper meaning in the art. After going into the listening room and well....listening I proceeded to wander around aimlessly.

Many pieces of art in the museum i had seen before on past trips when i was younger yet there were many that I had not noticed or hadn’t been created yet. A half hour into my journey I stumbled across the piece titled Be Afraid by Ken DeRoux. The piece of art is seemingly an American flag.

Upon closer observation you can see that it has writing on it and various symbols. If i was to take a step closer I would see that the writing is from presidents both past and present. The piece of artwork was created in 2005. I found this very important, simply because the US is very critical of our current president; they seem to have forgotten what was handed to him.

Some of the quotes were above my head. Either I hadn’t paid as close of attention to politics as I should have or they simply were not well known. Reading them I felt anger, frustration, and sadness. I am angry at the conflicts our country has gotten pulled into over the last 10 years. I am frustrated at the way it has been handled and i mourn for the loss of so many innocent people on both sides.

One of the quotes read "North Korea's missiles can reach Alaska." This was a quote taken from Senator Lisa Murkowski. Previously I had never heard this and was amused at the fact that North Korea's long range missile tests had failed miserably within the last year.


Another point of interest for me in this piece of artwork was the Security camera in the corner. Im not sure what exactly the Artist meant for us to think about but I immediately thought about the patriot act. I have mixed feelings on "big brother" watching over us. On one hand I fear for the safety of myself, my family, and my country. I know that having the government listening in on our phone calls, screening us at the airport, and taking people into custody without actually arresting them is important. I just fear that it is a slippery slope. The tears around this section lined with red paint leads me to believe that the artwork is saying something similar.

While i haven’t learned anything about myself from this piece of art I do believe that it is important to think about where we are and how we got here. How our actions have reactions. Finally that the people we elect into government may not be the best people in the world but they do the best they can.

Exploring Places

What is it that I love about the outdoors? I love the sunshine, the fresh air, and the freedom away from the "busy" life that Fairbanks has to offer. My favorite place in Alaska to go by far would be Birch Lake about 50 miles outside of Fairbanks. Now for this assignment we were supposed to go out and visit this place but I dont need to actually go there. Birch lake is like a home away from my home. When i was younger my family and I would go out and "camp" for a week at a time. Now while this wasn't camping in the way most people would have gone I enjoyed it. Camping with the Tigner's was eating prime rib for dinner, riding on our Jetski's, and tearing around on four wheelers. Birch lake is truly an Alaskan camping area, while you are far enough out of town to get away from people you are still close enough to get back to civilization with a short drive. 

Taking my friends little sisters out on the innertubes. 

My buddy Blaise, first ride on his new toy. 

The outcome of subbing the Jetski one too many times. 

For my indoor place I have decided that writing about my Grandmother's house would be a great place. Her house, located in downtown fairbanks, is like walking into the past. Looking from the outside you can tell that this was one of the first homes built in Fairbanks. The old wooden shingles make if feel authentic and the huge garden out front portrays the elder that lives inside. Walking into the house I feel truly at home. There is always something wonderful being baked in the oven and the house smells like christmas! My grandmothers house has been completely remodeled inside. From the wooden floors to the custom parlor that is filled with authentic furniture. It is truely like taking a step back in time. Now that is not to say that her house is filled with old boring items completely. If you walk down to the basement you will find a den that will make any guy happy. Filled with a big screen TV, an electric fireplace and a nice comfy leather couch. Weather i want to watch the Kansas Jayhawks college basketball team play or sit in the quite upstairs parlor my grandmothers house is a welcoming home to all. 

The third place I would like to write about would be my former home on Farmers loop. Growing up I never had a home that was a place i felt at home. I grew up living in whatever grouphome my parents were running at the time. We lived in 4 different houses in fairbanks, one in Soldotna, ohio, Georgia, and Michigan each. By the time I was 13 I knew that home was fairbanks but there was no house to call my own.  When I was 14 my parents bought there first home and I was finally able to decorate my room how I wanted. I had my first computer (that wasnt from the 80's). My own TV, my own non bunk bed, and a closet for all of my belongings. My house wasnt the biggest or the nicest but we made it seem special. The house had a big trampoline in the back yard that i spent many summer days lounging on. The biggest drawback to my first real home was the killer lawn that I had to mow every week. It seemed to take forever to mow because it was at a seemingly 90 degree angle (looking back i know it wasnt that bad). I cant describe the feeling I had of the house but I can say that I miss it very much so and would love to one day buy the house and raise my family there. 

Today my home is where ever I am with my Wife and my daughter. A place comes and goes but a family is forever.