Laura profile picture

Laura

It's The End of the Squirrels As We Know It, and I Feel Fine

About Me

Currently fending off red squirrels in the Tanana Valley State Forest in Alaska while working for the DNR. They're adorbable until they rip the stuffing out of your only mattress for nest material... Right now I'm preparing for the long winter. I've got one more big shopping trip to Fairbanks for supplies before I hole up. My goal for the trip is less GORP and more vegetables.Squirrel Disturbances Tally 2006:1. Destruction of Property-the corner of a mattress and one handmade afghan 2. Theft-any food left on the counter 3. Nuisances-squirrels clattering about in the overhead attic at all hours of the day

My Interests

Hiking, canoeing, backpacking---I pretty much have to like it. Surfing as well, but I'm a a little landlocked now. My brother keeps telling me to try snowboarding, but it just doesn't feel right when the water's frozen.

I'd like to meet:

1. A nice guy who doesn't turn out to be a visiting tourist...so my parents can stop calling and joking about the lack of men here in Manley Hot Springs 2. Other Californians here in Alaska

Music:

Mostly early 90's stuff. My favorite songs are the ones with sad lyrics but strangley upbeat tunes. Freedy Johnston anyone? Also, I can't seem to get away from grunge music and style: Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Sponge-- Maybe it's just an excuse to wear flannel.

Movies:

I'm not able to watch many at the time, but I like those old movies that suck you in even if there isn't a lot of physical action. Twelve Angry Men, All the President's Men, Good Night and Good Luck (a recent movie!)

Television:

I get absolutely no reception out here, but my newly graduated cabinmate provides enough drama. Some of my favorite episodes: "There's something furry in in my boot, OH MY GOD" "There was this creepy looking hunter guy up by the ridge, so I ran away and I've been hiding here ever since"

Books:

Aldo Leopold, Thoreau, Loren Eisley, Jon Krakauer-"Into Thin Air" Nonfiction only-if I know it's not real I just don't seem to care. I'm mostly reading nature writing, which is just as well. If I start reading about life in the big city I'll feel nostalgic for cement and asphalt (ha!).