“On the cover of the Rolling Stone…”

“Big doings here in Mystery. Price World wants to build a store here, and now the New York Rangers are coming to town.” – 

Bailey Pruitt (The fat guy lawyer from Mystery, Alaska)

I am proud to be cranking out blogs left and right. Word from the Peanut Gallery continues to fuel me. Writing is good therapy because some days I hurt. And there’s just so much to write about in this little hamlet I now call my home away from home. 

“Big doings here in Mystery.”

Kivalina is the epicenter for Climate Change. It has been for years but now that the POTUS has put it on his radar, KIVLs has been electric! The way I see it, Mr. Obama is looking for a human-interest story to ease in to once he leaves office and becomes a true humanitarian. Political attention directed toward global warming and climate change on the home front would solidify a worthy cause to stick his name to. Coincidentally, there is an International Arctic Commission that is lead by Senator John Kerry and they’re convening in Alaska as we speak. Thus – Barack will become the first President to visit the Arctic Circle while in office. Tomorrow he arrives in Kotzebue. My teacher friends have been posting Facebook pictures with Marine 1 and their tickets for the official presidential address, complete with seal and all.

Here on the Rock, Wild Bill and I debate daily.

“Is he coming?”

“Could he really only come as far as Kotzebue and NOT see Kivalina?”

“He can land un-expected in Afghanistan. He can land unannounced here!”

Either way tomorrow is going to be the day. September 2^nd, 2015 – Emma’s birthday…I’m carrying my camera on me all day for the slightest chance that there might at least be a Presidential Fly By.

“Big doings here in Mystery.”

Since I first missed The Weather Channel visit to my classroom, I’ve been intrigued with the visitors coming and going. I was still in KOTZ myself when my roommate said that TWC was staying in my classroom for a few days. Ya see, there are no 5 star accommodations in Kivalina. When guests come and need a place to overnight, McQueen School is their one and only choice. I believe the going rate is $150 bucks per night per person. There’s electricity, running water and a coffee pot in the paper room. Other than that, we’ve had a revolving door of cameramen, news reporters, inquiring minds and the like sprawled here and there in our building for quite some time now.

I’ve taken a little interest in making small talk with those that are willing. I’ve thought about putting up a Guest Book sign in like you might see at a Bed And Breakfast. It’s become second nature to hear – “Oh, that’s the Germans staying in the counselor’s office.” Or “Do you have time to take Al Jazeera to the airport?”

                      I’ve decided to take pictures when I think of it.

Blokes from iTVN on First Day of School.

Two of the nicest blokes I’ve met, Rob and Matt, were here for two days from iTVN, the BBCs competition. They carried many heavy bags and had thick British accents and actually overnighted in my class on the first day of school. Stationed out of Washington D.C., they told me that they were affiliated with NBC and sent as an advanced party to film footage in Kivalina and that there film would probably be distributed widely. They were gracious and thankful. They asked very poignant questions off the record…mostly about the seemingly lack of jobs and the high cost of living not exactly correlating. I agreed.

I didn’t get a picture with the LA Times but we had Author Maria L.LaGanga over for spaghetti dinner on Friday and on Sunday her article was in the Times and circulated to the Chicago Tribune and Duluth newspapers among others I assume. Maria’s article was sprinkled with bits from our dinner conversation and used as a great talking piece in class on Monday.

On Sunday I was at school, cleaning up some Lesson Plans around mid-day  when Zoe came in and asked me if I would mind hooking up the trailer and "taking Al Jazeera to the airport?" It was great. I got to drive the school's 4 wheeler and I got to meet 3 more interesting people. They heard a little of my story and I heard a little of theirs. 

Al Jazeera - 9/30/15 - My 1st day at the Dump was their 1st day at the Dump.
They seemed pretty concerned when I told them about the bear tracks
and why I carried a weapon.
(They hadn't thought about that.)

Tonight after dinner I went for my routine walk around the village. I actually went to take a picture of the BARGE parked out front.

9/1/15 Barge w/ the new POD.

“Big doings here in Mystery.”

If you look closely you can see the main purpose of this load. Our school is overcrowded and there is a POD on there for us. The 6^th and 7^th graders will have a new classroom once the crew gets here to unload that bad boy.

After a quick pic of the boat, I walked on. And what has become common when I spot a group of kids, I readied myself for the rush. A half a dozen kids or so were bunched up and accompanying 3 adults - one villager and two reporters. When they spotted me, they screamed my name and ran in for hugs. The reporters followed. The older lady from the village that was escorting them let them know that I was a teacher and then asked me if I would mind doing an interview with Rolling Stone.

I didn’t mind.

Rolling Stone and my boy David - maybe he'll get the cover shot. 

Tonight I was briefly interviewed by Rolling Stone. I couldn’t make this story up in my wildest dreams.

I shook a Governor's hand. I cooked Beluga. I haven’t caught a fish in Alaska. The President might be coming. I ate dinner with a big wig from the LA Times and tonight two cameras from Rolling Stone were shoved in my face.

I haven’t shaved since July 22^nd. I did shower once this week though.

I don’t think it’s going to be a cover shot… but weirder things have happened.

“Big doings here in Mystery.”