Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Rainbows, Earthquakes, Domestic Violence Awareness, Radio Pledge Drive, Electronic and Non-Electronic Reading Devices

We've had some big, gorgeous rainbows around town lately. This one was right outside our door the other day. It's one of the perks of the storms we've been having. I heard we also had some earthquakes in the region on Friday night, supposedly felt here in Unalaska. Can't say that I noticed! Blogger is not letting me insert links this morning but you could cut and paste this address if you are interested:
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kial/news.newsmain/article/0/1/1565633/Local.News/Earthquakes.rock.region.no.damage.done

I've been up since 4:30 this morning when I received a phone call about a psychiatric emergency. At first, I was pretty disoriented but ended up being thankful that it had nothing to do with any of our family. You know how those phone calls instantly create a frightening scenario in your mind. I am not sure why I am still on the on-call list since I left my previous job in MARCH. I had to call my friend Donna, wake her up and scare HER next, so she could take over and make sure everything was okay with the situation. Thanks, Donna! Meanwhile, I could not get back to sleep. After tossing and turning for about an hour, I finally just made myself get up. I'm listening to our cool radio station (just so happens I work there but I am not biased!) which is playing Bob Dylan's "Tangled up in Blue" at the moment. One of my all time favorite Dylan songs.

This is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Last night, the City Council made a proclamation and the Chair of USAFV (Unalaskans Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence) presented a statement about the issue. USAFV staff, Board members, volunteers and supporters stood silently before the Council, masks over our faces, holding signs depicting common situations of domestic violence. Our masks represent the invisibility and anonymity of many victims, who remain "faceless" to the community at large. Because many victims are fearful to come forward, we wanted to stand for them.

Unfortunately, Alaska has one of the highest rates of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and suicide in the nation. Organizations like USAFV are working diligently to bring more awareness and education to the community as well as assisting victims with a variety of services. Look around--victims of domestic violence are your family members, your friends, your coworkers, your neighbors, your kids' friends.

Seems like it's been really busy lately and I just can't get motivated to blog. We're working on the radio pledge drive for next week--local musicians in the studio all week long, which is always a lot of fun and everyone's favorite thing. We're calling it a one day pledge drive this year, not asking for money till Friday, the 23rd, when we will have a full day of activities and promotions. See www.kucb.wordpress.com for more info and go to our website at www.kucb.org to pledge online! You don't have to live here to support our local community radio station! You can even stream via the website if you want to check us out.

I just ordered a Kindle and am anxious to see how it works on our vacation. I usually weigh our luggage down with too many books! With no more free checked bags and outrageous prices for the second bag, I no longer have the luxury of carrying a library with me. My mom loves her Sony reader and I know a couple of people who love their Kindles. It sounds like it's a toss up between them but what sold me on the Kindle was that you can access wifi with it and download from anywhere. That will be easier for us on our many travels.

And it's Book Club this Sunday night--we are reading Red Earth and Pouring Rain, a novel by Vikran Chandra. It's a pretty thick book and I am just getting started, as usual. So far, it's intriguing. How could it not be, when it includes a poet reincarnated as a monkey who can type?

10 comments:

Betty said...

Sounds like the Kindle will do the things you want and you are tech smart (which I'm not) so good reading to you! Your blog simply amazes me with everything in your life. You should write a book. Speaking of - I see your ex-gov has one out. Guess she blasted everyone altho' I don't know anyone who's bought it.

Kathi said...

I've been thinking about a Kindle myself, so let me know how you like it! Domestic violence has been in the news a LOT here in SA lately, and way too many children being killed by overwhelmed, crazy, and/or drug abusing adults as well. Society should be so far beyond that by now, but it sure doesn't seem to be getting better.

Kathi said...

OH, and if you do write that book, I'll edit it for you!

Gigi said...

I would kinda like to see what Palin has to say but I refuse to buy her book and I am sure I would disagree with every bit of it. LOL I am too lazy and not skilled enough to write a book myself so no worries on that one. :) I'll let you know about the Kindle.

Alaska Steve said...

You'll like the Kindle, especially in the lower 48 where anywhere you have a cell signal you can buy a book over whispernet (no usage charges) and be reading it in about 60 seconds with one click purchasing activated through Amazon. I still read on it back on the island - buying books doesn't really require extra out here, just download it to your Mac and drag the file over to your Kindle while it's connected. Let me know what you think - and be sure to pick out a pimping skin to cover it with! I have a cover (two, actually) that you can have if you want.

Gigi said...

Thanks, Steve! I ordered a cover with it, nothing fancy, though. I am excited to try it out!

Suzassippi said...

Randy loves his Kindle and uses it all the time here at home, but loves it for travel, too. He can use his iPhone to somehow as a Kindle--it has an application that interfaces with the Kindle, so when he is stuck somewhere without his Kindle, he accesses it via the iPhone. Now me--I just want my paper book. :)

Looks like lots going on at the station and on the island also. Randy and I were talking last night about a trip up there again.

Lauri said...

I would buy a Kindle ONLY for the purpose of lighter traveling...working in a library, I can't help but push REAL, LIVE BOOKS!!!! LOL (Just my 2 cents)!

Gigi said...

Lauri, I am definitely a book person and have sorta resisted the whole idea for awhile. On the other hand, I think it will be really handy for travel! Maybe I can straddle both worlds successfully. :)

Lauri said...

Yeah, I'm REALLY tired of dragging books around the country...let me know how you like it?