Fairbanks!

Well, after an entire 4 days in my job I’ve decided I need a vacation.

We’re going to Fairbanks and Chena Hot Springs for the weekend. It should be lots of fun.

Things I recently overheard in court

Just another day in the Alaska State Court System. A jail house courtroom, numerous shackled defendants dressed in yellow jumpsuits behind a glass partition, judge in black robes and a court clerk behind a computer screen.

A female prisoner, dressed in yellow, hair disheveled, vacant look to her face comes up to the podium so she can be arraigned.

Judge asks her how she wants to plead, guilty or no contest.

She immediately says, “I gotta get out so I can have an abortion.”

Judge, attempting to get the defendant on track with the proceedings, asks her if she can afford an attorney or if she wants one appointed.

“I don’t have any money, I’m waiting for SSI and medicaid to pay for an abortion.”

Judge appoints an attorney and enters a no guilty plea on her behalf.

The defendant interupts the judge by saying, “I’m pregnant, you know.”

She had been charged with prostitution.

Iditarod 2007

 

  

For the third year in a row I went and saw the start of the Iditarod here in Anchorage. While technically it’s not the official start (that happens in Wasilla or Willow depending on the weather) it is the big ceremonial start where tens of thousands of people show-up. This year, like last, Anna and I parked over in Fairview and walked the route up Cordova Street until we got to 4th Avenue when we walked over to the start line.