Out of the Office

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Hello, Neighbor

Even after living in Alaska for the better part of a decade, it still surprises me to run into my nonhuman neighbors when I step… Continue reading

 

People wait for planes at Kenai Municipal Airport on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Out of the Office: Of planes and XTRATUFs

I’m not a huge fan of flying. That wasn’t always the case, but, as I’ve gotten older, there is something about the cost, hassle, environmental… Continue reading

 

R/V Sikuliaq research crew in the Gulf of Alaska, July 2022. (Photo by Emilie Springer)

From the plankton to the aurora

Northern Gulf of Alaska Summer Research Cruise: R/V Sikuliaq, July 7-27, 2022.

 

Neldon Gardner speaks while being inducted to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame following the duel wrestling meet on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Look for the good in things’

When I think of Neldon Gardner, who said after the state tournament Dec. 17 that he would be stepping down as head coach of the… Continue reading

Neldon Gardner speaks while being inducted to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame following the duel wrestling meet on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye’s “Mostly Invincible” Toyota 4Runner sits outside The Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, still indomitable. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Out of the Office: Really cold

At a certain point below zero degrees, I’m not so sure I can tell the difference anymore. Anything below zero may as well dispense with… Continue reading

Jake Dye’s “Mostly Invincible” Toyota 4Runner sits outside The Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, still indomitable. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Michael Armstrong poses at his desk in February 2015 at the Homer News in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by McKibben Jackinsky)

Out of the Office: So long, and thanks for all the cookies

Like many things in life, I didn’t intend to stay at the Homer News for 23 years and six months. When I first started working… Continue reading

Michael Armstrong poses at his desk in February 2015 at the Homer News in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by McKibben Jackinsky)
Papers are in at the Homer News building on Thursday, Dec. 1 in Homer. (Photo by Charlie Menke / Homer News)

Out of the Office: In the Office

For my last out of the office story, I am going to bring you into the office with a short description of the Homer News… Continue reading

Papers are in at the Homer News building on Thursday, Dec. 1 in Homer. (Photo by Charlie Menke / Homer News)
Downtown Seward on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Out of the Office: Something about Seward

There’s something magical about Seward. It’s more than the quaintness of a sleepy seaside town and more than the million-dollar views of Resurrection Bay. It’s… Continue reading

Downtown Seward on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
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Out of the Office: On Andrews’ legacy

I thought it would be appropriate to rerun my column, originally published on June 5, 2001

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Two roses washed up with the tide on the Homer Spit on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Out of the Office: Finding grace on the beach

Last Monday while walking the Homer Spit beach I came across two red roses and a scattering of petals that had washed up on the… Continue reading

Two roses washed up with the tide on the Homer Spit on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The sun rises over the mountains on the Sterling Highway on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, outside of Sterling, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Out of the Office: Deep breath, long drive

I’ve made the drive between Soldotna and Anchorage probably hundreds of times, including twice a week for a large part of the last two years… Continue reading

The sun rises over the mountains on the Sterling Highway on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, outside of Sterling, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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Out of the Office: Walking

“Only ideas won by walking have any value,” 20th century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once wrote. Given the whole host of dilemmas that can mount… Continue reading

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Snow falls around the Peninsula Clarion building on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Out of the Office: One day at a time

So, it snowed this week. Not, like, a little bit — it snowed a lot. I’d guess about 10 inches around where I live and… Continue reading

Snow falls around the Peninsula Clarion building on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
This artwork placed Sept. 11, 2022, on "Breathe," the 2022 Burning Basket in Homer, Alaska, expressed the author's hope that his prostate surgery would remove the cancer from his body. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Out of the Office: Journey to Cancerland

These Out of the Office columns give the writers of the Homer News and Peninsula Clarion an opportunity to tell of exciting adventures in our… Continue reading

This artwork placed Sept. 11, 2022, on "Breathe," the 2022 Burning Basket in Homer, Alaska, expressed the author's hope that his prostate surgery would remove the cancer from his body. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A room in the process of being painted Ultra Pure White. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Ultra Pure White

I recently painted the living room of the house in which I am living. The wall had once been a pleasant silver, but (lesson learned)… Continue reading

A room in the process of being painted Ultra Pure White. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A rainbow is seen on Aug. 28, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Out of the Office: Eye-opener

It’s a cliche that folks from Alaska take Alaska for granted. I know I definitely always have. I was never an outdoorsy person. The last… Continue reading

A rainbow is seen on Aug. 28, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Community soccer players after a special match celebrating the life of Drew Brown at Homer High School Field on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022. (Photo by Uliana Reutov)

OOTO: Our Soccer Community

Imagine a park ranger, a lawyer, a teacher, an artist, a fisherman, a student, an engineer and more all working together. The group possesses a… Continue reading

Community soccer players after a special match celebrating the life of Drew Brown at Homer High School Field on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022. (Photo by Uliana Reutov)
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Out of the Office: Acceleration

Sometimes a standard run can feel incredible, and I now have a theory as to why. Sept. 1, I had one of those runs at… Continue reading

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Fog rolls in on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022 at the Halibut Campground in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Out of the Office: Rain happens

As I write this Sept. 8, since July 1 Homer has had eight days of clear weather, 30 days of rain and 31 days of… Continue reading

Fog rolls in on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022 at the Halibut Campground in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Kids playing soccer on a sunny summer day. (Photo by Charlie Menke/ Homer News)

Out of the Office: Coaching

Sport has been a well of vitality that has nourished me since I was a young child. Growing up in Homer, playing hockey and soccer… Continue reading

Kids playing soccer on a sunny summer day. (Photo by Charlie Menke/ Homer News)