Damon Hargraves

I don't know how many times I've been inspired to update one of my blogs and have the wind taken out of my sails by fuzzy internet. I define fuzzy internet as internet that might be working, but I may have to reload pages more than once. Internet that works, but isn't reliable or even usable. If you rely on logging in to your website for ever little update, the fuzzy internet in Bush Alaska can be a real bummer. MarsEdit is a lightweight application that really helps you update your blog when your internet is down (which happens a lot for me). Since it is an actual application running on your computer it doesn't rely on an internet connection. I can click it open and start writing immediately; there's no waiting for pages to slowly load or frustration when the network croaks. It's a deceptively simple application, that just works for posting text and images. But it also integrates with Flickr, and can publish to as many sites as you need. It publishes as txt ...

Evernote is an application that I've been watching ever since it came out in Beta about a year ago. I went as far as downloading the app, but never signed up for an account, and thus never used it. It looked incredibly slick, but I just couldn't bring myself to use another app just for coolness. I have been using SOHO Notes for several years now, and have not been able to find anything that can rival its "FlashNote menu bar tool to search and view notes." However, things are changing. This summer I will be starting work on another degree. It's going to be an intense summer, which will include nine credits, tons of travel, and intermittent access to internet. This is a logistical nightmare, and I'm trying preemptively to modify my daily workflow so that I'm not caught unprepared. Specifically, I'm changing my workflow in the hopes of making it more ubiquitous, flexible, and resilient to withstand the high pressures and organizational needs of my clas...

Yes, it's still winter in Unalakleet, Alaska.  Snow isn't melting, but we're enjoying the sunny days.   We spent a weekend camping with some friends at  a cabin that's along the Iditarod trail, about 35 miles outside of town. Damon and Ryan gathered firewood We all spent time cutting it. The cozy cabin A beautiful sunset ski Back country skiing The 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classes spent a day of celebration at Ayuu's Hill.  A spot about 8 miles up river.   Sledding Picnicking Ice fishing Towing Darroll and Savanah came over Easter, we had a great visit. They brought the Easter ham along with other exciting groceries. Damon and I participated in the community ski picnic.  We skied a few miles outside of town, grilled hot dogs, drank hot chocolate, and then skied home.

Bread in Bush Alaska is a prized commodity. If you buy it at the store, it's expensive and usually on the verge of going bad. If you bake it yourself, it can take up a lot of time. Luckily, there's "no knead" bread. The "no knead" bread recipe published in the New York Times several years ago has become a sort of cult internet recipe classic. I however, didn't find it until recently when over at a friends house. During a dinner party, my friend John presented his guests with a beautifully round and golden old world style loaf of bread. I forget what else was served, but as a bread lover, I sure do remember that loaf. The crust was chewy and the insides soft and moist. It was delicious. "This bread must have taken you hours to make," but then John corrected us and pulled out his recipe. The beauty is that you let the yeast do all the work. No skill is needed, just time. Here is what I do to make no knead bread: -mix in a huge bowl (I add mo...