Letters from the Inside, Michael Swango, #36

Dear KK---

High summer here in the Rockies with temps routinely in the 90s & low 100s---especially just a little to the east on the plains that stretch into Kansas. Looks like a gorgeous summer in Alaska--just received your photos & letters (more on that in a bit). And fromm watching the news shows out of New York, looks like you still haven't gotten an truly hot & humid summer weather.

At least it's not like 1816! Look it up on th enet: the so-called "Year Without a Summer." Fascinating story--caused by a massive volcanic eruption. I actually had to write a paper on it.

AND the prodigal daughter has returned to her roots here in the Lower 48. Tell the truth; wheren't you the least bit tepted to just chuck it all and stay up there?! I thought so...

Sooo---not a lot of time today to delve into your always interesting letters--but with much to discuss and catch up on with you, I watned to at least get a letter out to you today, albeit, "relatively" brief... So, just hitting a few high points.

>Are you sure that your friend on the cruise is not actually your sister?! You two look remarkably alike in that side-by-side photo. Both of you, however, have eyes *to die for*.

>Favorite photo besides that one: The one showing the people on shore preparing to embark in the rafts in your yellow hazmat/wet suits. For some reason, I thougth of a worldwide flu pandemic...thewse are the survivors from the lower 48 who have come to Alaska to float to a remote compound to try to survive the next year...grim, yet oddly uplifting! :) Hey, dark thoughts just like you--what can I say?!

[Regarding the eyes: a wickedly erotic thought comes to midn, but I will keep it to myself...]

Love the postcard "from" Juneau. Most everyone says that Juneau & vicinity & that most scenic parts of Alaska south of the Artic Circle. When we lived in Alaska as a child we were at the Army Base in Ft. Richardson near Anchorage.

>The plane as "petri dish" doesn't surprise me. In the apocalypitc but excellent film, elve Monkeys", the man who spreads the plague does so by flying all over the globe to various large airports, knowing that everyone on every plane will also spread the virus as they travel on in addition to what he releases of the various ariports. Plane are virtually ideal viral concentrators.

Anyway - hope it passed and you are now back to your healthy norm.

>Yeah, I was thinking you darn near starved to death on that ship...! Knew the ood would be outstanding, but it sounds lke they even outdid themselves. I think "bacon detox" deserves a separate & detailed blog entry! That isn't a phrase I have never heard before.

Briefly on films--way to much to get into now:

>Surprisingly, "The Hangover" received uniformly good & very good reviews, despite sounding like just another standard Vegas fratboy, grossout comedy. Will be curious to see what you think.

>May have mentioned I read a good review of "Humpday". Very interesting-sounding film to be sure.

>I DID read on article concerning, the "Mumblecore Movement" a while back reprinted I believe from the Times. But could you find it (or another) and download & send it to me so we can more fully discuss it? Thanks!

Will be going through your Alaska Chronicles more slowly. Kelly: you truly have a gift in writing about travel. Your career should be as a travel writer. I am totally serious.

Need to get this out very soon, so must stop. However, three tiems enclosed--as if you dind't have enough to catch up on.

You take care, stay
Thinking of you...

Yours, Michael