[Personal Journal] For the most part I love snow. It's probably the single biggest reason to live in Alaska if you were to ask me. There is something perfect about the untouched white blanket that descends upon every surface without warning this time of year. When I woke up this morning I was shocked and pleased at the same time; partly due to the fact that I didn't expect it to snow, I had left a lot of things still out in the yard.I believe it's going to be a long, cold winter. Although I've done the best I could to get ready, as is usually the case, somewhere between forty below zero and spring there will be something I've overlooked or neglected. Hopefully this winter will be a time for relaxation and reflection on all the hard work of summer.
[Personal Journal] Lately the more I watch the news the more it tends to startle me. Between some of the "science" shows that claim we are heading for an "extinction level event" to the science fiction I tend to enjoy, I will agree that things are changing. A lot of television and movies use a person's fear to sell advertising. Of course, that's the runner up to using sex to make the sale these days. I sometimes wonder what the children of tomorrow will face. I can only draw conclusions based on my own investigations. I've grown up in the arctic. In fact, I was born here. I've went to distant places, met interesting and wonderful people from every corner of the globe, yet I always return here. This is home. I have known no other place in my travels, as beautiful and awe inspiring as Alaska. And, I've spend the majority of my life exploring Alaska. I tend to take a lot of pictures to share this idea with others. I've noticed some changes, not only in the weather, but in the social and political environments as well. Overall it's business as usual in the woods, and many simply decide to offer no opinion in the hopes this will conceal their lack of knowledge and wisdom. Of course that's what many politicians do, they take no stand either way, fail to even cast a vote.
Even in my own recent memory, I have noticed that winters seem to be warmer, with less snow. In the summer, it gets hotter, rains less and there are more forest fires that last longer and are, by far, more severe. There's a lot of things to be afraid of, in this day and age, so I tend not to be the alarmist that cause some extremists to thrive. I see myself in the middle at this point. However, math is the purest language and it never lies. There is undeniable data which proves what the truth is, and where all the Hollywood "hype" starts. I know that there are a lot of people who will say that there is no way that humans can alter the weather, and that the "Global Warming" theory is nothing more than a myth. So in response, I've decided to research this for myself and perhaps come to a well thought out, and informed conclusion rather than some who intentionally take no position on the matter out of sheer ignorance. I have a lot of photography on 35mm negative, and slides inherited from my parents that I have digitally rendered for the computer. This is the spot in my "blog" where I intend to demonstrate, and try to articulate what my personal thinking is on this issue. I will add to it as I find tid-bits that are interesting, either way, at least we can agree that the overall temperature for Antarctica is up and there's a huge hole in our "roof" at the bottom of the Earth...
[Edit]
Additional References:
http://www.edf.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming
[Opinion-Editorial] For the better part of the summer the skies around my home have been filled with smoke. Forest fires in Alaska are not a new thing. However, every year it is the same situation. The storms of spring bring thunder and lightning... along with people stomping through the woods with beer, firearms and chainsaws. Sooner of later it happens.
What starts out as a small smoldering fire, erupts into a few acres. Alaska is such a vast and largely undeveloped place, these small fires go somewhat unnoticed. Fire officials are summoned to contain a given fire only if it poses some threat to developments.
By the time these crews are organized with all of our State's resources deployed to combat fires which eat the forest, (these forest fires mean years to regrow), it is just too late. A hundred acres ablaze, soon becomes a thousand square miles, up in smoke. And, that means a lot of smoke. No greater shortcoming in our government can be so visibly noticed as the critically flawed methods employed to stop forest fires once detected.
I'm the kind of person who would rather fix a problem than place blame. There are a lot of things that could have been done sooner and better to combat this annual problem. We need more fire crews, aircraft, and a team able to intervene with a rapid and effective response.
I personally think it starts with our policies in dealing with forest fires, and falls squarely on the shoulders of our elected officials, especially with the governor's office. I mean, we picked them for their leadership and ability to manage a collective of resources, right? Still I have yet to see a summer in Alaska without a forest fire burning somewhere. I'm not saying that all their efforts are for nothing. But, I believe more can be done. And effective policy means effective practice.Finally rain has come, and the fires have been slowed down quite a bit. For the most part the fire crews are making progress. Still, to survey the miles upon miles of charred remains, and to live through months of the air being filled with smoke so thick you can taste it, is a problem that's not gonna' go away. Every year this happens. And every year, after the fires are contained, usually only when winter approaches, the annual event is soon forgotten.
Tourism is a business quickly harmed by fire. Roads get closed. Areas only served to tourism are torched. Who wants to come to Alaska and see nothing but burnt down trees? Still, the beautiful summer that so many look forward to, was full of choking smoke as entire cities were surrounded by uncontrolled forest fires for the better part of two months. "Air quality" is a constant talking point for these so-called environmentalists, and politicians who have for the most part, been largely detached from reality here.
The truth of the situation is that ONE forest fire can produce more carbon emissions, carcinogens, and toxins into a thick airbourne veil that smothers entire sections of Alaska, than all of our cars, trains, planes, buses, all put together. Waking up in the morning coughing for the better part of June and July as the forest fires slowly gathered into the 3,400+ square miles of scorched earth. If it were anywhere else but Alaska there would have been daily CNN coverage and possibly declared a disaster area. Instead, it's business as usual out here in the woods as the nearly two million square acres were all but ignored in the national media and press except for the local newsminer. I think this pattern is typical of a political environment that cares little about the forest, it's inhabitants or the fact that forest fires, are a part of a greater problem, global warming. I'd like to ask these so-called "experts" what they think is going to happen to a winter's worth of snowfall when the entire landscape underneath is black pitch, burnt trees and deadfall. For example: Take two ice cubes placing one on a white car, the other on a black car parked side by side. Which one melts faster? I expect there to be flooding and soil erosion over a large area of Alaska, not to mention a general lack of, and displacement of wildlife for years to come. This is, in my opinion, preventable with an effective plan for combating this annual problem.
[Edit]
Additional References:
http://fire.ak.blm.gov/
http://www.adn.com/news/environment/fire/story/858338.html
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=5763
http://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/fo/fdo.html
http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF6/610.html
http://forestry.alaska.gov/pdfs/2009AFResourcesPracticesRegulations_June2007.pdf
http://wbztv.com/wireapnewsnh/Forest.fire.fighters.2.1113726.html
Additional Notes:
Here's the jet I think we should get with the money Palin saved on the private jet she attempted to "sell on eBay" in the effort to augment our fleet of forest fire fighting aircraft. Although this is a Russian design, it is able to make a water landing which is a step above some of the others currently employed. You will note that this design has the ability to deploy its four retractable water scoops, (two forward and two aft of the fuselage step), that can be used to scoop a total of 12 tonnes of water in 14 seconds. It also has a slower operational drop and stall speeds meaning that it is somewhat more maneuverable while more accurately being able to "dwell" over, and deliver, a load of water or retardant to a specified target; this is in stark contrast to the Evergreen 747 which made its demo flight here last week. Since it is a jet aircraft being able to use less fuel per run, and due to the fact it has the ability to reload with water from adjacent lakes, makes its turnaround-to-task time far more efficient that any of its U.S. counterparts. It also happens to be more cost effective to build/manufacture and operate.
Beriev Be-200
Amphibious Multirole Twinjet Aircraft
[Opinion-Editorial] As long as I can remember there has been a fireplace somewhere in the house. My earliest childhood memories are going out into the forest, down long muddy logging roads during the summer, and up into the hills during winter to harvest timber. A wise man once said by cutting firewood you get warm twice: once when you cut it, the next when you toss it on the fire. There have been some really hard, long, cold winters here in Alaska, some of which would have been much more difficult to endure had it not been for the wood that helped us through forty below zero nights here in the last frontier.
Of course, there are people who believe that burning wood in some way is not as environmentally "friendly" as say using fuel oil, such as diesel or kerosene. There is a kinetic difference between the two when it is used as a method for producing heat. I will admit that oil is by far, a better force multiplier by weight or volume. Oil is capable of generating higher temperatures and is relatively easy to deal with once delivered as a product.
Some are quick to point out that wood burning significantly increases the amount of air pollution, not to mention the destructive mess that is often left behind in the wilderness after the wood is harvested.
I agree that some people show little if any respect for the environment. However, as far as pollution goes, there is as yet, no way about that five hundred pound monkey on our back until such time as a truly clean fossil fuel is invented, or we make the transition to clean, renewable energy alternatives. [See Hydroelectric Dams]
Many will claim that a typical furnace incorporates superior technology and that the use of fuel oil will always be more efficient; thereby the argument is for a more cost effective way of heating a home, (especially in Alaska), rather than the more sustainable way in cultivating and harvesting wood. I will agree that large commercial buildings and cities would have a difficult time manifesting an adequate supply of wood if ever even considered as the primary source of energy. And countless times I've heard the argument that trees endure pain, and that all living things should not be destroyed to pave the way for our communities.
I disagree with many of these claims. Wood is an alternative. The sad arguments to remain 'addicted' to petroleum products is akin to the alcoholic that makes excuses about why they need that drink. I am quick to point out the new technology behind burning firewood, and then remind these people that if they really want to see nature in its naked form, we have national parks at every corner of our country.
Of course I am not the expert. I'm only a cautious and careful observer. This debate has many facets that tend to be oversimplified by those who distort the facts. It is a common practice by people who have a weak argument, and tend to ignore future consequences. Many don't like change. And it's that simple. People fear having to give up on something that is outdated or obsolete. Burning wood has stood the test of time. As with any consumer grade product, advancements are made over time due to use. In the beginning of the twentieth century we burned whale oil, until such time as we discovered that oil could be pumped out of the ground. This put a lot of people out of business. Of course, there are those who still hunt whales, and it is often illegal. I'm not advocating a regression to earlier periods in our history. I'm simply pointing out that our current methods need a radical, however structured change to avoid the same situation we were at last winter.
If you recall last winter Alaskan's received additional funds from the State government in our Permanent Fund Dividend. It was an amount determined by our elected officials and ratified by our Governor to offset the cost of our fuel; to purchase what equivocates to oil by the barrel so as to survive the Alaskan winter financially. It was a move that generated a lot of political capitol for some and gave every Alaskan resident the much needed assistance for a long eight months of winter. The entire affair however, cannot be repeated each year. With the downturn in the price of oil, and it's inherent instability, there is no method to predict what the average Alaskan, especially homeowners will face come January. Personally I think using oil at all is a bad idea.
I prefer to harvest wood, and over the past few months I've been harvesting wood. In less than two hours I have been able to harvest two cords of firewood. Two cords is the equivalent of between seventy five and a hundred gallons of diesel depending on which type of wood is harvested. In my experience a cord is roughly four large trees, weighing between four thousand and five thousand pounds when stacked. It's enough to fill the bed of a typical large pickup truck twice. It's hard work and costs me roughly two gallons of gasoline to obtain two cords of wood to the final destination of the wood shed. There is a cost comparison, although slightly flawed due to the fact it does not reflect Alaskan pricing, referenced below in the links I've provided.
Many will argue that harvesting firewood destroys the forest, and I will reply with two words: forest fires. When I'm cutting wood in the forest, only every fifth tree is taken and at that, usually trees that are already dead. Freestanding dead trees are a fire hazard, not to mention by harvesting trees to "thin out" a section of forest, it gives smaller trees a chance to grow when not competing for water and sunlight. Of the resource management Alaskan government deals with, it is the management of our harvested timber that is most successful. Areas are made ready for development, and the natural beauty of these areas is enhanced while tending to prevent forest fires in these areas.
In the end though, it's really up to the individual to decide which is best for their needs and the environment. Responsible use of our natural resources versus the destructive path of yesterday. Do we remain addicted to fuel oil to heat our homes? Do we wait and see what the price of fuel oil will be before we end up in the woods? At what point will there be not enough fuel oil or revenue to sustain our lives? I believe in a more balanced perspective. A viewpoint that involves just as much hard work as it does ingenuity. There are no easy answers here, but the always inevitable winter that will be here very, very soon. Solstice is over, and as of now, we are burning daylight.
Additional references:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewood
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/alturas/woodheatcomparison.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Face_cord
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/02/pellet-stoves-vs-wood-stoves-greener.php
http://www.woodheat.org/firewood/cord.htm
http://forestry.about.com/cs/firewood/a/firewood_value.htm
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/A_cord_of_wood
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/AOP_Permits/Boiler/Outdoor_Boilers_home.html
Products:
http://www.heatmor.com/
http://www.wooddoctorfurnace.com/
http://www.centralboiler.com/
http://www.nextlevelsolutionz.com/
http://www.northlandoutdoorwoodfurnace.com
[Personal Journal] Making a cookbook just got easier. Blurb Beta is a fully functional, excellent way to become a published author. Personally I have been using the service to publish collections of photography which I've taken over the years. The graphical interface is seamless with the ease of drag and drop to make pages, build chapters and even offers an incredible array of page making templates. My first few books were simple and easy to produce, each uploaded quickly. The best way I know to put together and showcase your interests is finally here.
[Personal Journal] Something about it fascinated me ever since I can remember. Even at a considerable distance, and especially on a clear day, it is an incredible sight. It almost touches the heavens and casts a shadow for miles. Aircraft tend to avoid it. It is as unforgiving as it is enchanting. And it's timeless beauty, has inspired generations back to a place before history was recorded. It has been known by many names. You have to actually be here to really appreciate it. Pictures fail to do it justice.
You probably are curious what "it" is, eh?
Lately I've realized that I'm not going to be "young" forever. Already I can feel little whispers of old age setting in, every morning when I climb out of bed. Lately it's the first thing I see in the morning, the last before I sleep. I look at old photographs from the early 1900's when the mountain allowed the first person to view the world from the top of North America.
I've been thinking this for a long time. To climb to the top of the world, and capture a view from the summit - Mount McKinley. It is a lifelong dream that I still hold in my heart. For a lot of people who don't understand the concept of mountain climbing, it's one of those things you have to experience to actually understand.
To climb to the top of one of the world's tallest and most dangerous mountains requires strength of character as much as physical ability.
For me, as with many who have prayed for safe passage to the top, this is a personal mission that will not fade in the passage of time. Ahab had his whale. I have this huge mountain in my backyard calling my name.
Additional References:
http://7summits.com/denali/denali.php
http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/climbinghistory.htm
http://www.summitpost.org/parent/150199/mount-mckinley-denali.html
http://www.terragalleria.com/mountain/mountain-area.mckinley.html
http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=271
http://www.peakware.com/peaks.html?pk=174
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_McKinley
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Wickersham
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Cook
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Harper
[Opinion-Editorial] There is a definitive difference between ethics and morals. In the relatively short length of time I've been interested in captivating moments, and freezing them in time with the tool of photography I have discovered that both these terms apply, almost mathematically to my pursuits. Now I know that there are a lot of people out there who really don't seem interested in either. For the most part though, it would seem at least to me, that most believe that neither ethics or morals apply to what many consider a purely "artistic" endeavor. I tend to completely disagree with their 'artistic' beliefs.
As I've grown a bit older, there has developed this strict guideline I follow when going about my day to day affairs. I don't speak unless there's something to actually talk about, I got that from a prolonged exposure to the native culture. It comes from a long time spent encapsulated by the majesty and wonder of 'God's country' here in Alaska. Countless times I recall, it was a few poorly chosen words that managed to spoil the moment. More often than not, I never go where uninvited. And, personally, I leave it as I found it.
But, it goes deeper than this.
I've viewed and enjoyed thousands of photographs from scores of emerging, and quite talented modern photographers. The portion that interests me the most, is the message contained within that fraction of a second when the image is permanently preserved. It fascinates me to no end actually. Of course, a lot of my own preferences has to do with what I like, and my own personal taste, more than the raw beauty, or of the natural Universe or society in general.
One few rigid point is that I never trespass to take a picture. To me there's this little part that involves actually having permission. That's what separates the paparazzi from an actual photographer. There are people, living on this planet that are sought for their 'eye' as a photographer. Others are avoided. As far as I'm concerned, the guys that chase people around all day to take their picture unwillingly are nothing more than a stalker with a camera. I find it equal parts stupid and distasteful. And, it's probably the reason why I don't enjoy reading the gossip as much as I should, or enjoy the money shot upskirt Brittany Spears and Paris Hilton pictures as much as I might.
Of course, every parent believes that their child is special. And, for the most part they're right. As a parent, I take great delight in the fact that by some miracle I was actually able to create life. A lot of people tend to forget that. A child is a person, a developing identity that is equally unique as it is unpredictable. Documenting the passage of time however, can be rather depressing. That's why I avoid it. I try to conceptualize the change in life. That's what makes me feel proud, and happy.
There's plenty of "photography" out there to the contrary. I will never advocate censorship, but I am a firm believer in "tags" and "filters". (Besides it makes searches easier.) And I personally don't take delight in someone else's demise. I don't like images that fill my head full of nightmares. Never liked 'horror' movies that much either. It's all too easy to become entrapped in objectification, horrible exploitation, and every other pitfall that kind of fame provides. That's why my photography, has never been about the money. Besides, I feel people who make a name for themselves on 'shock-value' alone, are usually short-lived phenoms easily forgotten. Take a survey of a thousand, actually famous people, and ask them if they enjoy their stardom. I doubt the trend would show that 'popularity' is viewed as a 'good thing' overall. In fact, I'd dare say they'd wish to go back to being a nobody if they had it to do over.
This is why I don't photograph children. Period.
It's not up to me to put someone in the public eye. This goes double for children. I believe the only people qualified to take a child's photograph is their parents. Posting pictures to the internet has intrinsic risks often ignored. Besides, photographs actually belong to the person whose image is captured in my book. They make the final decision, as always. In a lot of ways, most people never grow up. For example, my mother allowed me to be old enough to make that decision for myself, and I admired her for it. Probably why I still actually enjoy photography. I'm glad she refrained from making a 'fansite' with a myriad of photographs I'd eventually find embarrassing.
Family pictures, at least to me, are inherently private.
Most people who believe in the artistic elements of a photograph, often skip completely over the concept of privacy. This is only my opinion: Family photography is for the family, not the public en masse. Same thing goes for pictures of my friends; these moments are personal, and for the most part I doubt you'd get the joke unless someone told a long ass story to explain it to you. Most of the time, even if explained in detail, you'd probably not understand the photograph anyways. You'd have to actually had been there with us, to 'get it' like we do. Of course, most of the photography I keep has a personal, and deeper meaning that only I understand. That's why whenever one of my friends finds something objectionable about my photography, the point is duly noted, and as always the photograph is either deleted or returned to the person at issue. This is my own personal concept of respect and trust. I make a lot of photographs, but I save only a small percentage. For me the journey to perfection is progress, so my collections are distilled or refined to a point where the best examples of my 'eye' remain.
That's why some people actually find my photography valuable.
As with anything in life, there tend to be rules. Even in the artistic there are conventions that take even the chaos and the abstract and render a form. Some things need to be photographed and shared. The world is a beautiful and changing place. It's all to easy to 'miss' things and only realize it upon reflection. There are all kinds of incredible places and people. I find the trip is always worthwhile. It's the exploration that's almost as amazing as the documentation. Inspiring the insights of others, daring them to take a different view, or go even further. Of course, a lot of people will disagree with me, and that's okay. I mean, I'm just a novice. And I'm still learning. This is a scratch pad, or sticky note for me to explain, at least what it means to me, to be a photographer in the digital age.
[Edit]
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/
[Opinion-Editorial] I enjoy driving musclecars. For me the hobby at one point was an obsession. Especially growing up here in a rural Alaskan town. We have some of the best roads you'll find anywhere in the world, and these incredible, perfectly smooth paths cut lines through complete and total wilderness, for mile after mile. Some of my fondest memories are driving a gas-guzzling high-performance late sixties era 'hotrod', filling the tank with gasoline then going for a drive, grabbing a bite to eat, then filling up the tank, afterwards going to the movies, and on the way home, before calling it a day, I'd usually stop by the station to fill up the tank.
I say this, because I know some will think that I don't like petroleum and all that it gives us. Trust me, I love the all-American musclecar. No other company but Ford, who brought us the assembly line, could have revolutionalized the automotive market. These machines we love eat up oil. Lots and lots of barrels of oil.
It's all about oil, when refined into fuel, and into gasoline and other products like diesel, that is becomes the single most effective force-multiplier that we use to build our communities with heavy equipment; it makes travel so much easier for our jet-aircraft. The engine of our interconnected countries lives and dies on it. Oil has historically been the life-blood of all industrial growth. Not to mention, oil allows us so many other comforts and luxury, absent in places where it cannot be bought. In a lot of ways, oil is a good thing.
What allows us to heat our homes in the winter?
Oil does, and without all the work involved in maintaining or actually having to harvest firewood. Since we switched from getting our oil from whales, to pumping it out of the ground, a lot of marine animals were saved from an industry which engaged in their wholesale slaughter. In fact, in places like Japan, they still kill whales. Just not in our waters. So in a lot of ways, I think petroleum engineering, and its research to find or develop new productive sources of hydrocarbon rich reserves is a very noble endeavor. Until we find a better way, the oil that comes out of the ground is what will make our country "stable" and in Alaska, we have a lot of oil. Control of the supply of oil has meant the demise of some governments; oil can give rise to dictators, as well as empires which regulate who gets it, and set the price. People will fight over oil. So sometimes oil can be a bad thing.
Oil spills, and companies like Exxon who have destroyed places in Alaska. Places where oil has polluted our home. Places where fragile ecosystems of Alaska are changed forever. This is what I hate. And I hate it with an incredible passion. I consider the fact they promised to protect wildlife. In fact, they made such promises for years. We decided not to hunt and kill the whales for their precious oil. So what happened? We allowed Exxon to carelessly dump oil into the ocean, and killed these whales anyways:
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