The week in review

I had four days off. Too bad I didn't handle them very well. The first two were fine. The third one was just so so. By the last one I bordered on insane.

Why? I'm not in my home. While I have my laptop that I use, I'm on extremely slow internet. I can't quickly get my internet activities done. Yeah, that's a small thing. But when it's combined that the rest of my things aren't around me, it was enough. Combine that with the fact that yes we can check out a vehicle, other than running into town, there's nowhere else to take it.

There are places to go, we just can't use the vehicle to go there. From what I understand there's at least one gorgeous lake just a few miles away. We can't take the vehicle to the lake. We're right by one of the largest national parks in the nation. Again, we can't take the vehicle to that area.

There are things to do, we just can't do them with the resources we have available to us.

Another problem I'm having to adjust to is when I want to run into town, I have to make sure a vehicle is available first. We only have two for all the temporary help, plus if there happens to be a board meeting, the board members flown have access to them, too. So far, a vehicle has been available when I've needed one.

I'm spoiled. I'm used to going out my front door, getting in my vehicle and going where I want to go. Yes, I could rent a car from town for the day. We might do that before we leave here. I'd like to explore some of the area. But first I have to get past being so cheap.

Normally, these are little things and they don't bother me. The slow internet and not being able to go when and where I want. During a regular work week, I don't have time to worry about such little crap. I'm too busy. When I have four days off, I let the little things build up and drive me nuts.

Yeah, I miss Homer. I really like Dillingham. I really like the job. I really like the hospital. It's not home, though. But it's a damned good place to be while earning money for my home.

Last Monday evening it snowed. We woke to a layer on the ground. It took a few days to melt all of it, but it's gone now.

The people. They're Alaskans. For the most part, very friendly. I've run into one or two that are a little stand-offish, but that's okay. I give them their space. If they don't want to talk, not a problem. I've found most enjoy visiting.

Like most of Alaska, people either like it in Dillingham, or they hate it. There's very few who walk the middle ground. The town itself is a functional town. The exterior doesn't have the same look or feel as Homer, but this area doesn't cater to the tourist industry, so they don't have the budget or need for little machines to clean the streets. The whole town has an hodge-podge look and feel to it. Some of the vocal let's-make-sure-Homer-is-gorgeous folks would stroke out over here. It goes back to my original observation, Dillingham doesn't worry about the exterior. They aren't trying to impress the fickle tourist.

Most of their tourist are hunting or fishing. They fly into the airport, then fly out to remote areas where the great outdoors is their public restroom. They sleep in tents or on the ground. They cook over an open fire. They don't shave or bathe in the wild. They don't give a damn if the streets of Dillingham are dust free or not.

What do I miss? The Homer Bookstore. I really, really, really miss it. I'd love to walk into that little bookstore and make them giddy with the dollar amount I spend there. When I come back to Dillingham, I'll make sure I have lighter books to read. The heavy literary ones aren't working over here. Maybe one or two per tour, but not too many.

Two temps left this week. A new one arrived yesterday. When I saw her, I wondered if I had the same look on my face. I refer to it as the Dillingham daze. Almost everyone has to spend way too much time stranded at the Anchorage airport, so by the time we land in Dillingham, everyone is exhausted. Therefore, they (we) arrive with a dazed expression.

Work is going fine. We will be super busy next week though.

Until next time...