Arctic Odd Couple.

Saturday and Sunday mornings have been a special time at Senior Housing. Wild Bill Bajczyk has whipped us up a batch of Arctic pancakes paired with the ever-loving bacon for about as many weekends as I can remember. His pancakes are sprinkled with everything from blueberries to sunflower and pumpkin seeds. And although we took a minor break from the accompanying bacon, we’re now back to savoring perfectly charred bits to compliment our breakfast conversations.

Yeah, we’re the Arctic Odd Couple - a couple of teachers that didn’t know each other from Adam now living together as roommates in the far reaches of Bush Alaska. Except things aren’t so odd.

Bill has become a great friend. I actually worried a bit about my placement with a roommate when I signed on to teach up here. I can generally get along with anyone but I wondered what the roll of the dice would throw my way as far as flat mates go. I struck gold.

Bill and I have plenty in common and have become the sounding board of reason for each other in a difficult place to teach and work. I think we mesh for a number of reasons. Probably first and foremost, we’re both dads. And we’re Hockey Dads which makes it all the better. We have listened to and learned so much about each other by sharing stories of our children. Bill’s only son, Robert, is the same age as out eldest, Tyler. Robert is living in California and chasing his Hollywood Dreams with dad’s full support. I’m really pulling for Robert to make it big. Bill promises me a seat at the Academy Awards when it happens. It might be my only chance to meet Jennifer Aniston.

It’s not just the bacon and Jennifer Aniston though. ByCheck is a genuinely good dude. He is a hard working teacher that cares and awful lot about the kids of Kivalina, both young and old. I live with the High School English teacher. That sentence would have scared the beejuzus out of me back in the day but now I’ve learned that English teachers are people too. Kirby Krew Reading Club member, Mrs. H, and Mr. Bajczyk have been the litmus test that I mentally run my essays by before I click “Submit” on this here Blog. Would Mrs. H. approve? Would Wild Bill agree?

 Arguably, Bill has the most difficult job on the island. Teaching stubborn, alliterate, high school aged children under the watchful eye of a Principal that herself was a Kivalina English teacher is not a job for the faint hearted. But he’s a good soldier. I’m proud to have missed only 4 school days this year. 55 year old, Bill is the only teacher to have missed less. The two old dudes from Senior Housing take our commitment to our jobs seriously. It must be our Mid-Western work ethic. A Minnesota Guy and a Wisconsin Guy living in harmony and being the two most dependable “lunch pail” guys on staff. Who would have thunk it?

We also share an interest in all things Sports. Over the course of the year, Bill has become a surrogate Minnesota WILD fan and has tolerated the fact that I won’t convert to root for his beloved Green Bay Packers. We’ve watched NHL games streamed on the web, listened to the NFL Draft and acquired a deeper appreciation for Curling due to our inquisitive nature. No video games in Senior Housing. No Satellite T.V. and only an occasional DVD to pass the time. Bill is a voracious reader as I assume most English teachers are. He has recommended many books to me over the course of the year and when I’ve accepted the challenge, each book has stood up to my buddy’s high marks.

But it’s not just been kids and hockey. Bill has listened and advised me through one of the most difficult periods of my adult life. I mean over the course of the last year I have experienced some highs and lows both professionally and personally and Bill has never once let me down. Admittedly, daily email contact with my wife has helped sustain me but it’s been the words of affirmation and maniacal wisdom from Mr. Bajczyk that has pulled me through this year. I am grateful for his friendship.

This coming Saturday morning I’ll be on a plane somewhere between Seattle and St. Paul, on my way to a long awaited rendezvous with the rest of the KREW. Bill will probably wake at his usual weekend time and to start, throw down some coffee and a hundred pages of whatever novel he’s reading. I think he’ll probably whip up a batch of bacon and pancakes only out of habit. And if he does, I hope he thinks fondly of our time together. I know I’m gonna miss him.

Until the Bitter End – my friend….until the bitter end.