Mrs. Alaska wows or is it “Do what?”

This was going to be about something else today but I saw something in our newspaper, Anchorage Daily News that I had to comment about.

Many of my observations are about life here in the far northern regions around the Artic Circle. Hopefully some of them funny or maybe even thought provoking at times. Today it struck me in a strange way reading about this. Some of the next excerpts are from the AND story by Rose Cox and then my twisted take on things.

“Michelle Martin has done something few Alaska women ever do -- break into the top 10 in a national pageant. She topped off that success by becoming the first Alaskan to win the Mrs. America pageant's state costume contest, wearing a frothy confection shaped as an igloo.

The Anchorage resident was crowned Mrs. Alaska 2006 at the state pageant in July, her second attempt at the title. Martin wowed five judges in separate interviews to break into the top 10; the first such success since Cindy Roberts of Anchorage was named Mrs. America in 1978, said local pageant director Rita Corwin.

The state costume contest is not part of contestants' scores at the pageant, just a fun way to highlight the place they call home. Mrs. Alaska Whitney Brewster numbered among the top 10 with her Alaska musher outfit in 2004. Others have appeared as the aurora borealis and a huge snow flake. So, why choose an igloo as Alaska's icon?”

"People always ask me when I go to (other) states 'Do people really live in igloos in Alaska?" Martin said.

My twisted take:

When I first started ready the story I thought it was another “weird Alaskan” story. It may be that and after thinking about it for a bit I think it has many more possibilities as well. I looked at the picture of this lovely lady and can see that she is a “hottie” with a great sense of humor.

Michelle Martin

Mrs. Alaska 2006

I read of her being a cancer survivor and her work within our school system for counseling homeless children, all worthwhile efforts.

I looked at this dress and couldn’t help but thinking a few very different things or ideas. It is true, many people from Outside (Alaska) always ask if we live in igloos or do we have electricity which always brings a laugh.

I’ll show you the picture so you can also think of the possibilities . . .

Igloo Dress

My first thoughts were how cool would it have been to have a few of the Iditarod sled dogs to come running out from under her dress through the front ice portal followed by a few ‘munchkin’ sized mushers with their sleds.

When I quit laughing from that idea my next thoughts were . . .

Mrs. Alaska does her part to keep terrorism from Alaska and the Artic.

The complete wackiness of the outfit including the boots confirms to the world that we (Alaskans) are completely nuts and in much need of S.A.D. lights. S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a type of winter depression here and other places that affects an estimated half a million people every winter between September and April; in particular during December, January and February. It occurs throughout the northern and southern hemispheres but is extremely rare to those living within 30 degrees of the Equator, where daylight hours are long, constant and extremely bright.

Showing the world that, to paraphrase an old Alaskan line (usually about the men here but works in this instance), “The Odds are good but the Goods are Odd” and we truly are.

The ability for us to show our weird and wonderful ways to each other lets the world know that there is no reason to come here to disrupt anything. We’re nuts already and are a threat to no one. Lol

We build “bridges to nowhere” and have 10 to 12 day camping trips in minus twenty five below zero temperatures in the snow over a 1,100 mile distance in the Iditarod.

We fish for hours on end in the summertime being bathed in continuous daylight that probably fried a few brain cells over the years.

We allow our Caribou to roam free over thousands of square miles of tundra (not a tree in sight) while Outsider’s vote NOT to drill for oil in the ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) that would help our energy problems.

I am sure any one wanting to harm us will look at that dress and say, “we cannot do any more harm there!”

Congratulations Michelle you make us proud! ! !

Ice