20 Years, Where did it all go and has it really been that long since graduation night in 1986? I stumbled upon this site while working on something for my dad’s 45th reunion (West High Class of 61). It’s amazing the things that you find on Google and that Google has become more than just a name.
I’m still living in Anchorage, the only place that has ever been home for me except for a 3 year stint on Fire Island way back from the late 60’s to early 70’s but we could see Anchorage from there. I have a wonderful wife Kristin, that I met in early 2000 and we were married July 8th, 2001. We often finish each others sentences, have the same ideas at the same time, or have the same sarcastic comments at the same time. She’s a great friend and companion, hope she keeps me (she keeps threatening to keep me to the end!). Kristin comes from the great state of Maine. I finally got to go there last September to meet some of her family. If you’ve never been to Maine, go! It’s quite picturesque and if you like lighthouses or sail boats, they got lots of them. Also lots of lobster to. We have 1 boy, Alec. He came with her and graduated from West last year with the class of 2005. Also 2 cats, but I swear, those are the Wife’s!
I’ve been working out at the airport for the past almost 12 years now and have been with my current employer Atlas Air for the past 6 years. We’re an international 747 operating cargo carrier and we also own Polar Air Cargo of which I work with those guys too. They call me a Station Representative which means I do a little of everything, Mostly working in Flight Ops handling the logistics of the flight but I do make it out to the ramp to play on the plane either dealing with crew issues or dealing with cargo issues. They tell me I’m some hot shot cargo loader guy but I think they are just appealing to my vanity to get me out to the plane to do some manual labor and it sometimes works.
I also have a little graphic arts business that I run on the side. I do some of my own art, all generated on the computer and also some photography, I also work with other peoples stuff and I also do picture framing and matting. Last year I had the official print for the 70th anniversary and reunion of the Matanuska Colony Project. That was quite a large deal and lots of trips up to Palmer delivering prints and other things I created for them. I do the graphic arts stuff to justify the computer equipment I’ve picked up since my wife tells me I’m a tech nerd. OK, maybe I am, I have a Palm Pilot, ok, two, but one’s old and I let my wife use that one. It’s all just an excuse to irradiate my eyes in front of a little box and hack at some keys or just fool around in Photoshop making pictures.
My wife and I are both aviation nuts and avid snowmobilers. I introduced the sport to her after we got together since I had been riding for years before we met and finally got her a sled several years ago. Now she gets me up to go riding. It’s a great way to get out and see places in Alaska that most don’t get to see. Ever been to Skwentna? We just did the Tok to Dawson “Trek Over The Top” run this year for the first time. There is a 400 mile round trip on snowmachines and a 3 night party in Dawson with the Canadians! Shows, drinks, slot machines, card tables, what more does any one need? We even went curling!
It’s good to see so many names I recognize from way back when. Some go way back further to grade school at Inlet View Elementary and I’m guessing the user name pblake is Paul Blakney which goes back to Kindergarten at Lake Otis Elementary. Boy that’s digging back a few years. Paul taught me (or was it encouraged and corrupted me) to pull beer from the taps at night when we were closing the store up and the manager was counting the tills in the back office when we worked at Godfathers Pizza back while we were in school. The large to-go take out cups were great for the drive home back then!
Any ways, I’ve written too much as usual. I should wind this up. Great to see so many of you are still out there and keeping on keeping on.
Cheers, Norm Odsather
