• About

northierthanthou

northierthanthou

Tag Archives: Winter

Northern Lights and Cold Hands

30 Sunday May 2021

Posted by danielwalldammit in Alaska, Bad Photography

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

Alaska, Arctic, Aurora Borealis, Lights, Night, North, Northern Lights, Sky, Winter

Looking toward town

It’s been awhile since I have posted anything, and we are now in 24-hour sunlight here in Barrow, so I am missing the light displays we had this winter. The northern lights don’t always make a substantial showing up this way, but this year, they put on a show that wasn’t half bad.

Of course, being a grumpy old bastard, I’m not always keen to drive out of the light pollution here in town to take pics in the freezing cold, and it doesn’t help that my camera these days isn’t great for night pics, but my gal, Moni, is still blessed with joy when she sees them, and she is always happy to drag me out onto ‘cake-eater road’ where we can take these pictures and I can grumble about the whole thing here in this gigantic run-on sentence.

Yeah, that’s just how I roll!

Often as not, I am glad that Moni makes me go out and take pictures with her, but I’ll be damned if my fingers don’t stay mad sometimes for hours. Hot chocolate helps.

In any event, we gots pics!

I took mine with my phone, so they aren’t the greatest, but some of these are kinda cool.

(Click to embiggen)

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Yes, I am Easily Amused

02 Tuesday Feb 2021

Posted by danielwalldammit in Alaska, Minis

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Alaska, Arctic, Cold, Freezing, Frigid, North, Outdoors, Water, Winter

It was a bit cold today (-24, I think, though I assume that includes some wind chill). So, I decided to do the old boiling water thing. Anyway, wait for it…

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Happy New Year!

01 Friday Jan 2021

Posted by danielwalldammit in Alaska

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

2021, Alaska, Arctic, Celebration, Fireworks, Happy New Year, New year, North, Winter

2021 Arrives

Moni and I spent the last couple hours before midnight, waffling as to whether or not we were going to head out and watch the fireworks show. See, fireworks don’t mean much up this way around early July. The big fireworks display in Barrow occurs on January First. And with most people in their cars (because it’s cold out there!), social distancing is a big can-do for this kind of thing. We heard different things about the prospects for fireworks this year, but in the end, the celebration was on. …not-so-much the gatherings that normally occur in the school afterwards, but fireworks? That part was definitely on! Only thing is Moni and I were both tired and feeling rather wimpy about the cold. In the last hour, we had decided we were definitely not going. Then decided to go in the last 15 minutes before midnight.

Hopefully, our inability to make a decision last night has more to do with the lingering effects of 2020 than the coming patterns of 2021. Either way, it was beautiful. I missed the chance to record the grand finale, and if my hand could talk, it would have been calling me names the entire time, but I recorded a decent chunk of the celebration. Moni got the finale.

Anyway, 2020 is finally behind us. Happy New Year!

Stay negative people!!!

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

STOP!

27 Wednesday May 2020

Posted by danielwalldammit in Bad Photography, Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Alaska, Frost, Graffiti, Signs, Snow, Stop, Stop SIgns, Street Signs, Winter

EN-E1CxUYAAwfv7

…cause even a street sign sometimes needs a helping hand.

 

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Foggy Day at NARL

02 Friday Feb 2018

Posted by danielwalldammit in Alaska

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Alaska, Arctic, Cold, Fog, Frozen, North, Video, Winter, Youtube

As I walked to work this morning, it suddenly dawned on me that the fog had given us a rather pretty day. So, yeah, this is basically a random video taken a few steps outside our home.

P.S.: NARL stands for the old Naval Arctic Research Laboratories.

 

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Ah, the Amusements of Polar Midnight!

18 Tuesday Apr 2017

Posted by danielwalldammit in Alaska, Animals

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

Alaska, Amusing, Arctic, Chase, Fox, laser pointer, Polar Midnight, Red dot, Winter

One of our students here at Iḷisaġvik College was curious about the foxes living out behind our dorms. Olive tells me they will chase a red dot over the tundra, for a little while anyway. She filmed her little experiment.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

The Ocean Wants to Be More Firm

14 Monday Nov 2016

Posted by danielwalldammit in Alaska, Bad Photography

≈ 18 Comments

Tags

Alaska, Arctic, Ocean, Photography, Photos, Sea, Sea Ice, Sunrise, Winter

15055704_10211157809206159_5684896551570056852_nThe sunrise brought a couple sun-dogs with it this morning. By this morning, I actually mean almost noon, but the point is I went out with a camera to see if I could get some nice doggie pics. I wouldn’t say the picture does it justice, but anyway, here is what I got.

Cute little puppies, aren’t they?

Afterwards, I remembered that the ocean has been flirting with solid form lately, so after playing with the sun dogs I turned around and headed the other way for a block or two. Kinda slushy right now, but definitely not my flavor. I expect it will get properly solid soon. In the interim, my hand has suffered enough for my amateur camera games. I think I’ll stay inside and write a bit now.

Might as well add a few more pics from the last month or two. As always, you may click to embiggen.

Nuther pic of the Sun Puppies
Nuther pic of the Sun Puppies
The windows at NOAA make good picture frames, but all this sciency stuff gets in the way.
The windows at NOAA make good picture frames, but all this sciency stuff gets in the way.
A barge and heavy equipment at dusk
A barge and heavy equipment at dusk
Patterns of erasure
Patterns of erasure
Little Junkmail stays inside when the northern lights are out. Smart Junkmail. She gets to keep her head!
Little Junkmail stays inside when the northern lights are out. Smart Junkmail. She gets to keep her head!
Sun Puppies
Sun Puppies
Colorful dusk
Colorful dusk
A snow fence at sunrise
A snow fence at sunrise
More northern lights
More northern lights
Just ocean. (I think this is an old one. I cheats!)
Just ocean. (I think this is an old one. I cheats!)
Sunset a few days back
Sunset a few days back

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

The Crystal Gallery Ice Sculpture Contest in Anchorage, A Review

08 Thursday Jan 2015

Posted by danielwalldammit in Alaska, Bad Photography

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Alaska, Anchorage, Art, Humor, Ice Sculpting, Photography, Sculpting, Winter

Last year I was in anchorage in early December, just a bit too early to catch the completed ice sculptures of this annual competition. I still got some interesting pics, but as I didn’t get the final products, what I got never quite found its way into the blog. This year, I’m stoked, because I’m in town later than before, and that means I get to check out the completed work.

Yeah-boyee!

So, let’s have a look at the completed projects for this year’s Crystal Gallery Ice Competition.

(You may of course click on an image to embiggen it.)

DSC00646

We can begin with this spectacular bit of minimalism, well placed in front of a colorful tree. It takes courage for an artist to run with an idea like this. Such a simple composition and so profound, all of it beautifully executed.

I really like this one.

Seriously, I am so excite to arrive in time to see the completed works here. This is really a treat!

??????????????????????????????? Now this piece, here is some real talent. I mean, the symmetry of it all, and I really like the use of color. I mean, you wouldn’t think that would be a factor in an ice-sculpting competition, but seriously, this piece has some real color going for it. Also, it’s very blocky. Yes, it’s quite block-like.

Why don’t these pieces have titles anyway? I would have entitled it “Colorful Block of Ice.” The artist should totally go with that!

???????????????????????????????This array of rough hewn blocks in front of the tree has a definite, um, ethos. Reminds me of Santa’s Reindeer, the way they are all stretched out in a line like that. I don’t know who the artist is, but hey art guy, if you’re looking for a title, I would suggest; “Reindeer in Front of a Tree.” It really is an excellent piece, but my one quibble would be that you know there are supposed to be more of them, 8 I think, or is it 9 with Rudolph? I forget the exact number, but I’m pretty sure that you need to add more.

…also, they are kind of blocky.

…for Reindeer, I mean.

DSC00731These guys over here look kinda lonely. I don’t think they made the cut, really. Better luck next time guy! If you don’t mind a little suggestion, perhaps, you could do something a little more intricate. Please don’t be offended. It’s just…

I mean, I know I’m not an artist. I just think, well, you know. Anyway, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t presume. I mean it’s your vision, and I respect that. It’s just.

I dunno.

???????????????????????????????

I think this one is some kind of ironic commentary on the public facilities around Anchorage, which I think is way cool. I mean, I know some people don’t like it when art gets too political, but personally, I like the edgy feel of it.

DSC00738

Yellow on blue? Okay, I simply love the way some of these guys work with colors! That really was a surprise here. Maybe some sort of study in contrasts or a meditation on the color green. I don’t know.

I just can’t help feeling the sculpture could have put more effort into shaping the piece.

No, nevermind. That’s just conventional thinking on my part. Who am I to question this guys vision? You rock-on block-carving ice-sculpture guy.

Rock on!

???????????????????????????????Now this is shear brilliance! It totally has my vote for ‘best in Show’. Do we get to vote? I mean, is the public part of this? Or is it, just professionals? I mean, well I don’t know. You just, you really gotta hand it to this artist. He has the shape of the blocks down perfect. So symmetrical, and so boxy! I mean, others seem to be exploring similar shapes, but I really think this piece nails it perfectly.

I’m also kinda hoping, we can move on to some more ideas here soon, because honestly, how are y’all gonna top this? You can’t really. Once perfection has been perfected, you just gotta go find your own bliss.

…preferably not in a block.

DSC00761

I just, I dunno.

These guys really aren’t listening.

DSC00668

Fuck it! I’m going to Humpy’s.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

An Uncommonly Normal Picture Post

02 Monday Jun 2014

Posted by danielwalldammit in Alaska, Bad Photography, Uncommonday

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Alaska, Barrow, Mondays, Photography, Photos, Pictures, Snow, Untouched Photos, Winter

035

(Almost wordless)

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Arctic Graffiti II

21 Friday Mar 2014

Posted by danielwalldammit in Alaska, Bad Photography, Street Art

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

Alaska, Art, Barrow, Graffiti, Murals, Photography, Snow, Street Art, Winter

001It’s been an odd year here in Barrow, rather warm in fact. Still, a bit of snow did manage to stick to a wall or three, and in due time a few creative individuals took the time to do something clever with it. I don’t have a huge batch of snow-graffiti this time, but a few of these are really cool.

In related news, I actually took the time to tweak a couple of these photos, nothing special. just enhanced the contrast and shifted the color a bit in an effort to make the art come through better. I wouldn’t say that I accomplished anything brilliant, but at least you can read the writing. This is, I think, the first post where I have actually done any post-production on a photo. Sometime, I may have to go back through my old pics and see what I can do to improve a few of them.

Click to embiggen! …come on, all the cool kids are doin’ it!

Snow Shark. He pretends to bring you arctic cotton, then eats your Gilda Radner
Snow Tuttu makes for cold stew!
A rather comforting thought.

It’s cute.
I think some of our students did this
I …uh!

Sunshine on an overcast day.

71.271549
-156.751450

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...
← Older posts

Top Posts & Pages

  • An Uncommon Holy Relic: Sheela-Na-Gig!
    An Uncommon Holy Relic: Sheela-Na-Gig!
  • Geronimo: A Manly Legend, No Women Allowed!
    Geronimo: A Manly Legend, No Women Allowed!
  • A Visit to the Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas
    A Visit to the Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas
  • When Sex Falls Out of the Performance
    When Sex Falls Out of the Performance
  • Master and Commander Kinda Queered
    Master and Commander Kinda Queered
  • The Erotic Heritage Museum in Las Vegas: A Very NSFW Review
    The Erotic Heritage Museum in Las Vegas: A Very NSFW Review
  • An Uncommon Security Guard: Dave Eshelman, AKA 'John Wayne'
    An Uncommon Security Guard: Dave Eshelman, AKA 'John Wayne'
  • Decalogic Schmecalogic!
    Decalogic Schmecalogic!
  • I'll Just Leave This Here
    I'll Just Leave This Here
  • Oh Come On!
    Oh Come On!

Topics

  • Alaska
  • Animals
  • Anthropology
  • atheism
  • Bad Photography
  • Books
  • Childhood
  • Education
  • Gaming
  • General
  • History
  • Irritation Meditation
  • Justice
  • Las Vegas
  • Minis
  • Movie Villainy
  • Movies
  • Museums
  • Music
  • Narrative VIolence
  • Native American Themes
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Public History
  • Re-Creations
  • Religion
  • Street Art
  • The Bullet Point Mind
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Uncommonday
  • White Indians
  • Write Drunk, Edit Stoned

Blogroll

  • American Creation
  • An Historian Goes to the Movies
  • Aunt Phil's Trunk
  • Bob's Blog
  • Dr. Gerald Stein
  • Hinterlogics
  • Ignorance WIthout Arrogance
  • Im-North
  • Insta-North
  • Just a Girl from Homer
  • Multo (Ghost)
  • Native America
  • Norbert Haupt
  • Northwest History
  • Northy Pins
  • Northy-Tok
  • Nunawhaa
  • Religion in American History
  • The History Blog
  • The History Chicks
  • What Do I Know?

Archives

  • February 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • April 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011

My Twitter Feed

Follow @Brimshack

RSS Feed

  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 8,098 other subscribers

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • northierthanthou
    • Join 8,098 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • northierthanthou
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: