Antiques and Steve Miller Band

I'm approximately 75 years old on the inside (see porch sitting, game shows, gardens, golden girls, sewing.) I say things like, "cattywampus" and "Did your mother let you out of the house like that?" I like to eat dinner at 5. If I had a lawn, I would most certainly tell kids to get off of it. And I enjoy antiquing. I blame my mother. She took me to antique shows/stores/malls as a kid. At the time I thought they were terrible (mostly because I wasn't allowed to touch anything) but now I go of my own accord, I even peruse Craigslist's antique section (of course I need depression glass, thanks Craigslist). I'm sure 7 year old Maggie is very disappointed in the choices I'm making.

But it's the thrill of the hunt that really gets me. You never know what you'll find. Maybe you'll buy an ugly painting for the frame and find a Rembrandt behind it. Maybe not. YOU JUST NEVER KNOW. I mostly look for weird stuff and mid-century modern stuff.  Sometimes those are the same thing, the mid-20th century was a weird time.

Exhibit A. I do not own this, but it is something I'd totally look at.

We have a few antique stores in Anchorage, two are large enough to get lost in. Or play a really fun game of Sardines. And, honestly, that's all I'm looking for in a retail environment. Last time, I found an AMAZING dresser for super cheap. I fell in love. Then discovered it was on layaway. Oh the pain!


This week's hot jam is Dance Dance Dance by Steve Miller Band. Okay, I agree, Dance Dance Dance sounds like it might be on Kidz Bop. But that's okay, because it's catchy and fun and easy to dance (dance dance) to. For the past couple years, I've attempted late night square dancing (not a euphemism) at Granite Creek Bluegrass Festival, if Dance Dance Dance was played, I'd probably by much more successful.

American Science and Surplus and Janis Joplin

When I grow up, I want to write the product descriptions for American Science and Surplus. I want to write things like: "You pick the big blue or big red marker, both made in Canada where stuff is bigger on account of all that extra space. These markers measure 6-1/2" long x 7/8" dia with a 1/2" wide chisel tip, and would make nice gifts for IBM employees or Cincinnati fans." (If you are interested in buying these markers, you can get them here.)

Let me paint you a picture of AS&S. (No, that's not lost on me or the company) Imagine Costco, Sam's Club, or some monstrosity like that. Now imagine Toys R Us. Now imagine a dollar store where everything is a little bit dusty.  If those stores had a baby it would be AS&S.

They have EVERYTHING. I mean it.

Perhaps you are looking for an 8 pack of purple dental mirrors.

Or a model of an eye

Maybe you are in the market for 3 painters hats from Circus Circus

Or a USB microscope

Maybe  nonpolarized bimetal heat sensors are more your style.

YOU CAN GET ALL OF THOSE THINGS AND MORE AT AMERICAN SCIENCE AND SURPLUS, YOU GUYS. That is why it is my favorite store in the whole wide world. (Not to mention, they help out Project Exploration - a non-profit run by my hero, Paul Sereno.)


I'm not a huge Janis Joplin fan (gasp!) but Piece of Heart has been stuck in my head all week. So you win, Janis, it's the hot jam of the week. Bonus: there are some excellent dancers in this video.

Special Edition: Adventures!

I know I've been really bad at updating the past couple weeks, but that's because I've been busy going on adventures!

Three weeks ago (already?!) I went to Unalaska, AK. Home of Dutch Harbor, the number one fishing port in the US, most famous for being the home of Deadliest Catch.

Here are somethings I learned:

That place is overrun with eagles and it's simultaneously cool and terrifying.

Throw your hands in the air

There are SUPER old wooden headstones in the cemetery and I don't know how they've lasted so long.

It's a little like being at living history museum. There's leftovers from WWII everywhere. Seriously. Everywhere.

 It's BEAUTIFUL

Two weeks ago I went flightseeing in Denali (Thanks Mom and Dad!). It's like sightseeing. But from a plane. A tiny, tiny plane.

Here are somethings I learned:


Denali is always impressive no matter how close or far you are

Far

Close

They don't call it The Great One for no reason, ya'll

Friday, I'm headed home to California for a couple days. First time home since Christmas!

Back to regularly scheduled writing and topics next week!