Raw Footage, The Sequel

Here's a note to the last post: I have no idea how it ever posted. I'd waited until well after 11:00PM, the hour at which we don't get FAPPED for file uploading etc. I worked for over two and a half hours on the combination of the photo loading and the text for the post. But when the time came to actually put the post together- nothing. No uploading. No internet availability. No response from Blogger, even though I was connected. Zero. Zip. I tried over and over every trick I have to get reconnected and finish the process, but early in the morning I gave up (something I hate to do- ever) and went to bed, disgruntled with the idea that the entire piece would need to be re-written in the morning and the photos dealt with as best I could. The night felt like it had been a total bust. But this morning when I turned on the computer, everything "resumed" on auto pilot where I had finished trying last night. Not only that, but when I checked mail I actually had a comment on the piece I had intended to post- Raw Footage. How that ever went to post I have no clue. Even the photos began uploading without prompt. That just doesn't happen! Only it did on this occasion. So stopping just short of miraculous, there was no raw footage (that is to say the slide show I had worked on), so here it comes now. I think! I hope. maybe a prayer thrown in for extra assisitance.....

I only repositioned one shot for the show- the rainbow that will appear (he said hopefully) at the end of the show. I was shooting with multiple cameras at various times and weather conditions so the sequence is broken on a lot of the material. But the rainbow really did come at the end of the festival and it was fitting. Not because the rain was ending necessarily but because of all the hard work that will justly benefit the people of Eagle as a result of the generosity of many, but most especially on the part of the Busbys who own and operate The Chicken Gold camp and Outpost. Whether there is a pot of gold at the end of their rainbow, even here in gold country Alaska, noone can say for sure. But one thing is certain: They have some mighty fine people up here who care a lot about them and will do what they can to help.

Raw Footage

Sometimes when the news or a good story is happening way too fast for editing the network puts what they call "raw Footage" on the monitor. They tell you a little bit about what is going on and the pictures tell you the rest of the story. That's pretty much how it feels in Chicken right now. We've been busy. First getting the camp ready for the official opening. Then making sure planned improvements get made. Then taking care of guests...and within two weeks of the official opening pulling off one of the main events of the season: Chickenstock, Music Festival on the Top of the World ( a play on Woodstock Music Festival for those of you too young or too old to get it). Except this is a Bluegrass event and not rock and roll, heavy metal, psychedelic, or any of that other stuff. And even in this tiny town, yes, it IS a big deal. People came from hundreds of miles away, not to mention those from the lower 48 who traveled thousands of miles to attend this high energy but laid back concert. A year of planning on the part of Mike and Lou and most especially Josea came to fruition with the aid of many of their friends, the entire staff here and a lot of other community volunteers. Some sunshine. Some rain. A bit of wind. Some warm. Some cold. And none of that mattered because everyone was just plain having a genuinely fine time of it all. I don't know the financial numbers for the festival itself, but judging by what we saw all went well. I know that part of the profits were to benefit the Rebuild Eagle Fund and on that account I am sure we did well. Any of our readers that would like to contribute to this cause - helping to rebuild not only the homes and businesses but the lives of these very fine folks, most of who lost just about everything they had built over a lifetime and beyond can go on line for more information to:

www.eaglefloodinfo.wikispaces.com

I will tell you that after meeting and speaking with some of these strong but hurting individuals from Eagle, that our own check went in the basket and we set out to see what else we could do to help. You say times are hard? Because it hurts to fill the gas tank, or buy the heating oil, or maybe you even lost a job? Just imagine if you car was gone, your house was gone, your business was gone, your job was gone.... Get the picture? Trust me there are no FEMA trailers here. If you can find a way to help, please do so. If you don't wish to do so on line, you can send a check or whatever you can to:

Chicken Gold Camp Rebuild Eagle Fund
C/O Postmaster
Chicken, Alaska
99732

But back to Chickenstock. What a concept. A music festival on the Top of the World! Where it's light all night long. You can play and dance til three in the morning and not even have a clue what time it is. A big deal? Sure but nothing that can't be handled if everyone involved is willing to put in a couple 18 hour days to get ready and hold the event. And so we did. And what a fine time we all had. As for the "raw footage"-if I can just get the photos to upload, I'll give you the slide show, pure and simple, blurry shots and all just so you get a feel for the event....because right now I don't have whole lot of energy to do anything else. Raw footage it is!