Ahhh... Internet at last!

I can't believe it. You can actually have withdrawal symptoms when you are deprived of your Internet access. I can personally vouch for that. (Urp.)

I'm back, folks! Back and better than ever! Or is that bitchier than ever? I guess we'll see by the end of this post, eh!

Mama Mia, I miss everyone so much. We've been sooooo busy, it's inconceivable. And yes, that word means what I think it means.

We've been putting in at least 12 hours a day at the new store, getting it ready. We're so tired, we still haven't hardly unpacked anything. I long to make a real dinner.

Okay, so you probably want to hear about Alaska, since that is what this blog is about.

Yes, it's as cold as the deepest winter in Northern California and it's only October. But actually, as long as you dress right, you don't really feel it all that much.

Unless it's windy, like today. Ye Gods, that wind slices right through your clothes no matter what you're wearing.

But it's gorgeous here. Snow covered mountains, lots of lakes and creeks everywhere we go (can't wait for them to freeze so I can go skating!)

When I got to Wasilla, all I saw was ...

Drum roll, please.

A big sign that said "If you lived here, you'd be home now!"

Just kidding. But it does feel like home.

And besides, I may get a real underground following here. Last night after the employee dinner, a bunch of people, including corporate higher-ups and several of the store managers, went to a local bar for karaoke night. I was a bit worried because I hadn't sung in public for a while and I was afraid my voice would crack.

One of the footwear employees got up and sang Hanky Panky, which cracked me up. She had a very strong alto voice that would be perfect for theater belting.

So what song did I choose for my first? My Immortal by Evanescence. The footwear girl started bowing before I even got all the way up there when they announced what I chose. "We're not worthy! We're not worthy!"

Holy crapola, what have gotten myself into?

Apparently I have a reputation for being a quiet, straight laced girl. No drinking, no smoking, no chew (very popular here), hardly eat red meat, aways working.

So my going up to the stage garnered some extra attention.

Since this is my blog, I'm going to be completely honest about what happened. No inhibitions.

I kicked ass.

The part of the song where it crescendos into the heavy guitars and crashing drums and then goes into the chorus, they all started cheering and whistling and stomping their feet.

Afterwards, I got so many compliments, I wondered if I'd been replaced with someone else. I mean, I've gotten compliments on my voice before, but nothing like this!

One of the higher-ups shook my hand and said, "I don't get it. We've been working in the same building for a week and I've heard maybe five words out of you. And then you get up there and do that?! Where did that come from?"

People were still talking about me all day today. One lady I didn't even know came up and said, "I heard you were the karaoke queen last night!"

I'm still aglow. The ham got some time in the spotlight and I desperately needed it.

I wish my theater friends could have been there to sing with me. I sure do miss you guys.

And my mom and dad. I finally got my guitar back, though I haven't had a chance to pick it up yet.

Well, the spouse creature is pacing, so I better go. Now that we got Internet again, I'll try to post more regularly and paint pictures of the Alaska adventure we're having.