earthquake sickness

we have had over 80 quakes over the past 24 hours in our region. i only felt the one really though.  it was quite large so that is not surprising.  seems like the most recent quakes i've been in i've felt my head feeling funky during the quake.  i had a concussion a few years back...could it be related?  all day today i'm fine laying down, but anytime i get up, it's like a wee bit of motion sickness.  my head feels full and i get a bit woozy, dizzy and a bit nauseated.  reminds me of how my head felt for months after the concussion.  strange.  does anyone else have these symptoms?
the earthquake center posted something about it..something they have been noting.  i thought perhaps it was the lettuce i had eaten, but after reading that i'm wondering if my symptoms all day are post quake symptoms.  off to lay down and rest.  hopefully, these symptoms pass quickly.

7.1 quake wakes up the town of Anchorage

 Pogi was not amused.  he apparently dove for cover in this cupboard.  he came out after a bit but then stayed close to the open door and dove for cover 2-3 more times.  i was awake...just had finished the blog and was headed to bed.  a steady rattle started but it was in no hurry to stop and got stronger as i headed for the bedroom..

 when it kicked up a notch i figured i'd head downstairs while i could still stand.  Blossom was down there standing on alert.  pretty powerful rattle.  just stuff falling down at my place, no damage at all.

 the epicenter was across from the Kenai penninsula out by Iliamna.  so like 160 miles from Anchorage.  it was felt as far away as Fairbanks though.  overall not much damage though there were 4 homes lost in Kenai.  those families are all lucky to be out alive.  gas line breaks caused explosions and then fire.  one family had been couch surfing and homeless but had saved up enough to make a down on a house and had moved in a few weeks before.

 after the quake they returned to bed and then the house lifted up off the ground from an explosion. one report said the kids were blown out of the house in their bunkbeds still unharmed.  so 4 houses burnt to ground.  always sad.  guy seemed grateful to have gotten out alive with his family.

 it happened at 1:30 am.  i probably finally got to bed around 3am or so.  lots of aftershocks, a few decent sized but i haven't noticed any.  i had great plans to get out today and enjoy the weather, but when i got moving i had some taco's and i'm now convinced the lettuce was tainted.  heard about a packaged lettuce recall after i'd eaten.  who knows, but my gut was not happy for hours and still isn't 100%.  will need to hit the gym the next 3 days to make up for this weekends loss and keep my goal up.

 had another scare the other day. i came home from work to find one burner burning on low...all night!! could i be more stupid. i could have lost all my pets, burned down my house.  i'm neurotically careful about that stuff so pretty surprised that i could possibly have done that.  extra hugs for the pets this week.  they are family.

 did manage to get to the dog park at U-lake for some play time with Blossom.  i'm sure she appreciated it.  did some clutter pick up downstairs tonight.  having the whole place rattle is a good reminder to clear up the clutter.  less of a mess that way after big quakes.  nice to have everyone texting and chatting on facebook in the wee hours after the quake.  does make you feel less alone when these big events happen.  a brother called to check on me and a friend from CA so great to chat with them for a bit

Grateful for:  1. making it through the quake with no damage other than rattled nerves...i was shaking for a few minutes after the house finally stopped shaking 2. that overall there was little damage in AK...my heart does go out to those who did lose their homes on the Kenai.  3. that my house didn't blow up/burn down and my pets were not harmed from my idiotic oversight.

Melancholy kind of day...

 got sleep, got out...but some days you just don't feel the world loves you. you feel alone...surrounded by humans but still not a part of it all.
these moose were crossing over..it's winter you start to see more and more moose this time of year.  the more snow on the mountains the more moose

 my plan was to head to Portage.  i stopped at Potters Marsh and Blossom and i wandered the marsh a bit.  always fun to be places in winter that you can't be in the summers.

 this guy was flying around just above the marsh.

 as i headed towards Portage the weather got crappy.  the wind was kicking it up and there was rain/slush coming down.  the idea of walking in that slop was not all that appealing so i headed back to Anchorage.

 We pulled into a trail head and did the homestead to cut through to Moose Meadow and back to homestead via Viewpoint i think it's called.  just over 3 miles.  didn't make it to the gym today.  did get my minimum 3 days at the gym in though so i am good with week three of my exercise plan!!  Go Me!!

 only one day did i miss the 10,000 step minimum and most days i was well over.  i think my average was still over 11,000 steps/day.

 saw some friends on the trail and another friend texted me...otherwise i was in a humanless time warp.  living alone can be like that some days.

 probably one of the many reasons i blog.  when you live alone all that stuff you would normally just chat with whoever you live with or spend time with...it's all trapped inside your brain.  i have to get it out some how.  have to feel heard.  i think you'd go nuts if you never felt heard.  at least i would.  so i blog.  it's not the same as a conversation but i can go to bed feeling like i have spoken and it's out there waiting to be heard.

 often in life i've had like a consistent and solid walking mate.  these past few years it's been mostly me with an occasional person joining me for a walk.  i miss having a bestie...don't get me wrong i have a lot of good friends...it's just that i miss having a more consistent friend.  someone who checks in almost daily...

 i suppose we all want people who want to be around us, who we can laugh with and make fun of politics and religion and news and social stuff without feeling we have to watch our words.  safe...

 most days being alone or single...it's not an issue, but some days it does weigh in on you.

 i know though that it would be much worse to be surrounded by people and feel this way. i've been there before as well.  being surrounded by people yet still feeling like you aren't a part of it all.  like you just don't fit or belong.

 i think we all know people as well who are in relationships that are not fulfilling.  where you just live in the same space but live totally different lives.  having no idea how to bring those lives back together how they once were.

 miss that big sweet pup as well.  she was my couch snuggle beast.  the couch has a lot more room on it, but i never minded sharing it with her.  Pogi was quietly snoring today, but his snore is pretty quiet compared to that of Rio Catalina.  haha.

 after my walk i decided to head over to watch the sunset back at Potters Marsh.

 it looked like it may be worth it...i think it was.

 got a few pesky canker sores.  those can drive you nuts.  painful buggers.  still managed to eat some taco's.  i'm always a fan of taco's.  i really need to do some early spring cleaning this stretch off.  time to get the paper shredder out and go to town with it.  crap just collects in houses.  the clutter starts to make you nuts.  some days i'll just start purging...it feels great after a good cleaning.

 this is the old snow blower for the rails.  pretty massive.  i'm sure more than one moose got taken out.

 that thing would be pretty crazy coming at you i would think.

 i pulled up and got out of my car to check out the sunset.  this guy had been sitting in his car when i pulled in.  as soon as i started taking a few pictures he jumped out of his car with his camera and tripod....felt like he wanted to make sure and get himself all set up for the best shots.

 i'm just having fun...no need for him to panic and get all competitive with me.  plenty of room for everyone to take pictures out there. i was never very competitive and i get less and less so the older i get.  i really get annoyed by how competitive our culture is.  so many toppers out there or just people who have to make sure and let you know how so very cool they are.

 generally the cooler you think you are the less cool you really are.  as far as coolness goes it's probably something others are supposed to see you as not something you see yourself as.  am i cool?  i have no idea.

 perhaps i just don't mix well with the general public.  maybe everyone is just so cool and i am the fool to question their insight into their cool factor.

 awesome...the overused word.  heard that on that idiot tourist show.  the guy was in AK and not happy with trekking through deep snow.  it was pretty stupid that he was made to do that without the benefit of snowshoes. the guy from reality tv who was supposed to be his guide kept saying awesome...the idiot was annoyed and pointed out that we Americans think so many silly things are awesome...a word that should be saved for things that are truly awesome or awe inspiring.

 this cute dog  cut out was on the side of the train.

 tracks above and just part of the train below.

 still winter but the plants are preparing for spring anyway.  it will come again and the plants will be ready to explode.

 liked the train with the sunset behind it. probably should have gotten out my wider lens.  lazy...gets me everytime

 tomorrow is a new day.

 the sun sets and the sun rises and each day has new promise.  though melancholy today, tomorrow i probably won't be.  i will still walk and get to the gym.  the habits of life move you forward even on days when your heart doesn't wish to.  some days it's just so tempting to lay in bed and let the day pass by you...but you know you should get up and that you will feel better if you do.

 walking and writing...those are things that keep me grounded.  you have to find things that help you to cope on the days when you don't want to.

 so often at work i see that those who have no means of coping find their only means to be alcohol and drugs.  there are better ways. it's a reason i feel our schools should be teaching art, writing, music, sports...well rounded people not just educated.  educated and capable of coping with the trials of day to day life.

Grateful for: A.  the many ways i have of getting through lonely or difficult days B.  the animals, who are always there C.  blogging and walking and photography

1 mile swim....!!

 that felt good.   great to push it on occasion.  woke up on time, walked with a friend, went for my one mile in one hour swim at the pool and then met another friend for dinner.

 only one day with step count under 10,000.  worked ICU 2 nights.  tougher to get all the steps in there many days.  generally helps if i get that walk in between shifts.  generally lose one walk day every few weeks at least.  Blossom isn't as demanding as she used to be.

 my fitbit is surviving pool time which is good.  i do not sleep many hours in a week. will be interesting to see if i catch up some on my days off.  i get 4-5 hours between shifts it looks like.  not exact science these fit bits.  for sure you get extra step points due to it being on your arm.  in the end i probably lose steps with the phone counter because it's on my person...or sometimes not on my person i guess...so somewhere in between.  i could for sure survive without a fitbit but it was a little post Christmas gift to myself.

 the other day i'd left a water bottle in the car with very little water left in it.  i opened it up and took a few sips when suddenly pop...it turned to slush.  i was impressed.  science is cool.

 walked the bog one day, the campbell creek multiuse trail and then today some loops out in N. Biv.  moose seem to be heading into town.  have seen more. saw the pair of young moose today that i'd seen at Campbell Airstrip last week.  then as i was driving home from dinner, a mama moose and 2 babes were racing across Tudor Rd.  gotta watch out for those big moose!!

 in strange news...Alaska's ever embarrassing family, the Palins have been in the news again this week.  Mama Palin came out to endorse Trump.  i don't recall her being that odd of a speaker...i mean it seemed really choppy and odd, more than usual. made me wonder if she'd drank an entire bottle of wine on the flight south.
odder still was that she attempted to turn her sons recent arrest for domestic violence into being Obama's fault.  loved all the comments...not much for those who love the Palins to comment on. seems they were pretty silent.
the facts seem to be that her son was involved in high school in some school yard vandalism.  something about cutting the brake lines to a school bus.  whatever happened he was given the choice by a kind judge...jail or join military.  not sure how commonly this option is doled out.  does this happen in the inner cities?

 he served under Bush, who is also the one who was in command when we started these wars that have caused her son his apparent PTSD.  he never was in a active war zone instead serving his time protecting the brass...i can't say i know all the specifics.  it was just such a strange story to be telling.

 the selection of Palin as a supporter does make me wonder if, in truth, Trump is really just running for President for his own entertainment.  filthy rich, what should i do for fun this year.  i've traveled everywhere, bought everything...oh i'll run for President of the United States.  it's like he's being as outlandish as possible just to see how far it can all go.

 Iditarod Musher Martin Buser got a few penalties in the last race he ran, the Kusko 300.  he wasn't too happy with it all, but i just read that this is of little importance to him and his family today...his son Nikolai was in a bad car accident in the lower 48.  thoughts with the Busers that healing happens and they are all safe.  life can take a bad turn in a heartbeat.  always frightening.

 work week went reasonably well.  ICU kept me busy.  always amazed.  not to be a person who lacks compassion but you see it time and time again.  people who smoke their entire lives...such a horrible way to die and yet this is well known and documented.  people still smoke.  i guess i still eat chocolate too though.  you do feel badly for these folks but at the end of the day we need to all be responsible for our earthly habits and realize that medicine can only do so much to reverse the damage you inflict upon yourselves

 annoying habits of patients to an ICU nurse..1.biting your ett and making your ventilator alarm 2.scooting out of position when placed there on your q 2 hour turn 3. apologizing over and over for being such an annoying and needy person while continuing to be said annoying and needy person.  

 the village of Newtok was without power for 4 days.  that can get very serious very fast in one of these villages. i remember reading that the guy who keeps the heat running in Antarctica is like the most vital..if the basics aren't working you could all die.  i always tell newbs to AK who are house shopping to make sure they have a wood burning fireplace.  big quake and your heat source will be totally useless if it's a gas fireplace.

 Oscars boycott...really.  there aren't more important things to fight for in this world.  the further i am away from Hollywood the more silly it all seems.  these big award ceremonies are pretty ridiculous in the big picture of life.  it often seems that those who come away with awards don't necessarily do so because of one stellar performance but instead it's more of a popularity contest.  dress up, smile for the cameras and enjoy the parties and swag bags.

 so many cute, sad puppy pictures...dogs waiting for their people inside a local bakery.  so cute.  these pups are pretty cute as well.  Blossom walks with buddy Savannah today.

 when will the Oregon occupiers shut themselves down.  i'm sure as they destroy public property the charges for their little trespassing party go up.  some would say it's been wise for the feds to leave the situation.  the longer they stay the more annoyed the locals become with them.  i still think the locals should band together without arms and just march in to reclaim the refuge....if those idiots fire off one shot they are toast...then the feds have a valid reason to just crush them.  those occupiers have left themselves with no alternative exit plan.  personally, i don't understand why they are able to come and go as they please, why water and power don't seem to have been totally cut off yet.  these seem like reasonable things to put in place.  if you walk off for whatever reason...supplies, to make a call....you ain't going back.  eventually they will all have left.

 was listening to a story about a woman who had grown up in Burma. she was relating the first time she and her family made a phone call.  it was in 1984 and they all got dressed up and traveled to the location where this call could be made.  this must have inspired this woman because she grew up, moved to the US and specialized in telecommunications. she has returned several times to Burma to help improve the infrastructure there in communications.

 was surprised to read that a few nations are responsible for putting 60% of the plastics in the oceans...all of them are in Asia...there were 5 but i could only remember three of them.  Indonesia, Thailand and China.   i'm always a wee bit happy to hear that US isn't on a list such as this.  go USA!!  it was predicted that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

 pretty tree.

 my friend was loading her dog...thought it looked sweet so snapped this shot.

 i think these are the last of the CA trip.  now i'll have to actually go out and start to explore again. haha. we are getting more light so that does make it easier.

 Blossom is padding around downstairs.  i'm doing laundry. goal is to get into bed before the sun comes up.  i have a stretch off so i want to enjoy it.

 yours truly doing some bizarre modeling.

 missing having eyelashes.  tempted to either get these drops..but those are spendy or do as all the young girls are doing...get lashes put on.  i'm not much into spending money for such things but there are a few things that are nice.  would be strange, but then in my late 40's my eyelashes seemed to decide they wouldn't grow in anymore.  how much would i be willing to pay and bother with for the sake of vanity?  we shall see.

 still would rather save towards some home remodeling though.

 anyone up for sledding Sunday at 3pm at Kincaid?????  i see some possible snow in the forecast!!

 well, i have come to the end of another dull entry in the life of Guns.  hope you enjoy. i'll try and get out for some fun adventures to share this week.

thankful for: A.  having snow on the ground...please don't melt  B.  friends, old and new.  C.  paper shredders..time to put mine to use.