Alaska is Alaska. My practical pants are holding up quite well, thank you. Going native all the way. You see carhartts everywhere up here, though mine are a different color than most. I hemmed them, naturally, as they were way too long, but I don't think I actually hemmed them quite short enough, so I've been stepping on them and wearing out the cuff. I think it makes me look more hard core. And I have been doing all sorts of hardcore things in my pants, like painting buildings, stacking firewood, chopping devil's club with a machete. Oh yea.I don't know though..the whole situation up here is...okay..it's not that great though. I am trying to keep a positive attitude, but it can be difficult when stuck on an island with a bunch of married Mormons. It's just...there's not a lot of variety in who to hang out with, nor what to do with those people when you are hanging out. I mean, it IS a job after all, not Fun Camp, so I shouldn't have expected TOO much, but I didn't QUITE expect for there to be so many married folk. Mel is really the only person I truly like. The others I'm basically completely neutral about. Which is better than being negative, but nevertheless. Ugh ugh uuuugh. I don't know I'm confuuuused.