Home Again

It was an exciting few days in the Big City, and as always, I am very glad to be home. Anchorage is just too big a place for me, and I find it tiring to be there. Too many people, too much noise, too much traffic. It is a city in a beautiful setting, surrounded by huge mountains and the Gulf of Alaska; I intended to pick up a postcard with a nice aerial view to post here, but forgot until it was too late.

The wrestling tournament went well. It was held in a beautiful new sports complex in Wasilla, about an hour north of Anchorage. Henry and I drove up on Saturday morning in a nearly white-out blizzard that dumped about four inches of snow in a few hours. We were there for 12 straight hours, to watch Michael wrestle for 12 minutes (two matches). He won them both, and wrestled well. He was seeded third at the start, due to a last-minute weight class change by a high ranked wrestler (he had been second). He lost one pivotal match on Friday by a single point, and finished in third place. Not bad for a junior; both of the guys who beat him are seniors, so he has high hopes for next year.

Henry and I managed to see two movies in the three days we were there. The new James Bond flick, Casino Royale, was very good. A different kind of Bond than the previous ones; I wasn't sure at first, but in the end I liked him. Then we saw Blood Diamond. It is hard to imagine any one film having more violence in it than this one. At several points I had to simply cover my eyes. I don't need or want those kinds of images in my brain. I wish we had chosen something different.

For restaurant choices we went for variety. My favorite steakhouse, a lovely Italian place, a good basic Mexican place, and Henry's favorite seafood place (twice). It is such a thrill to experience Fine Dining; we just don't have that here. And to be able to have a glass of wine with dinner--what a treat!

In the end there was not much time for shopping, and it mostly consisted of utilitarian stuff (household goods) over holiday shopping. I checked one bag going over and three coming back, so clearly managed to pick up a few things. The retail bombardment this time of year wears me out.

Our experience dealing with Big Medical Center went well. Henry has given me permission to write a post about his health issues, which are mostly of interest in the context of access to care, about which I have written before.

Our flight in last night was nearly on time (always a blessing, and never to be counted on). It was wonderful to see Dutch's warm smile waiting for me at the gate. And some exhuberant dog love waiting in the truck. It is good to be home.