Lessons from Alaska

One of the recommendations from our annual audit this year was, “County employees need to take a minimum one-week vacation.”  I took their advice a bit further by taking the longest vacation of my life – Ten Days.

Yet, even though I was on vacation, I couldn’t turn off my learning engine.   So here’s what I learned while on vacation.

It rains in Seattle.

Yet the people of Seattle are the hap, hap, happiest people you’ll ever meet. Our guide explained that an abundance of food made the natives lovers not fighters.  And, it doesn’t rain always.  The sun has a tendency to make a brief performance at sundown for those kayaking the Puget Sound.

Even in the happiest places you’ll run into some “not so happy people.”

He was our tour guide.  A rich bank of knowledge.  Dick was his name and it fit him well.  He talked a lot, but not so nicely and he didn’t listen. Dick gave me a reminder that you can be the most knowledgeable, but that doesn’t give you the right to be rude – nor does it mean you should do all the talking.

God decided to keep Alaska for them – the bear, the eagle, the fish.     

You can visit Alaska for a few months, but you can’t stay.   God will cast darkness upon you if you try.  If that doesn’t make you go home – he’ll turn the thermostat down until your nipples freeze off.

Eating a crap load = gaining a crap load. 

The buffet room had at least a hundred choices.  And, I believe I might have tried all one hundred.

Ten days = ten pounds.

Relax and let it all hang out. 

Humans have a tendency to worry about what others think.   A rich Italian showed me what it looks like to do the opposite –  to let it all hang out.  Big tan beer belly, nipple rings, and a leopard themed Speedo.

My wife and sister-in-law were mesmerized by Alphonso’s banana hammock.

The secret of total giving. 

Cruise lines have an intricate ID card system that starts off by qualifying you to “Board the Ship.” Your card includes your personal data, a picture, and most importantly – Credit Card Information.  If you conclude your cruise with more that fifteen cents in your pocket, you’ll be escorted to the dungeon to meet Sir Blackbeard where he will explain a “Rhapsody of the Sea” concept called, “Total Giving.”

On a serious note  – do visit the great State of Alaska!