Hickeys & Halibut.

Is that a… hickey?

A… what?

Looking down in horror, I realized that the mark on my upper chest did, in fact, resemble that of a hickey.

Unfortunately, my life is not that exciting, and the blemish depicted a far more realistic and very Alaskan culprit:

A scabbed over mosquito bite.

A bite that I discovered the other day as my sister was taking pictures of me. After having swatted at what my sister thought “might be a mosquito”, I went inside and promptly began scratching. Sure enough, as I was later perusing through the photos, I noticed this dark little mark on my chest.

Zooming closer and closer, I found that the bloody mosquito was present on my chest front and center for all to see.

Funny story, right? The kind of story that probably captures empathy from fellow Alaskans who have likely experienced the same thing (and probably in worse spots than the neck!).

Well then I was at the Yoga Yurt, finishing up a rather strenuous core class, and I overheard a conversation regarding these evident dents (ha!) in the instructor’s Hydro Flask.

Apparently, she was out fishing in Ninilchik just off the shore a few days ago and instead of reeling in her typical 15-20 pound halibut, she managed to bring in a monster 55 pounder.

Without a bonker on board (a bonker is typically a wooden bat used to... stop the fish from living), the only heavy object available was her Hydro Flask.

Hence, the dented water bottle.

I told, and have been telling, that story to everyone: friends, family, and even strangers, because I believe it’s such an awesome Alaskan tale that deserves to be told.

Like my mosquito hickey (though not quite as cool), it was an experience that needed a platform to be shared.

See, it all keeps coming full circle back to my idea for a magazine, for creating this outlet that enables women to share these stories with the world.

Hickeys and halibuts are just two of countless other stories out there that should be shared with others.

This medium that’s in my head that I’m trying to create (a magazine) is one that centers around storytelling. It revolves around the idea that if I can create a place where people can express their adventurous, brave, and brilliant tales, it would inspire others to tell their stories as well.

Whether or not that includes mosquito hickeys doesn’t matter. What matters is all of us embracing our stories and sharing our individual and unique selves to the women like me who would love to hear them. 

I know that my stories aren’t the same as that of the ‘but bonker (which may well be my new name for her because it’s EPIC), but her tale energized me because in my eyes, she was this badass fisherwoman who oh-so-casually wielded her water bottle to detain a halibut.

And her story inspired me, just like I hope my stories and experiences inspire you.

(or at least makes you chuckle)

 Do you see the mosquito? Tell me you see it!

SenSEAtional Day.

*warning

What follows next is a conversation between myself and my dad that primarily consists of nautical puns. Read at your own pace and try not to laugh.  

It’s a reel nice day to be out fishing!

I sea what you did there.

Water you thinking about now?

How profishcient I am when it comes to puns.

That one was on the line.

Now we’re tide.

Can’t stop now, I’m hooked!

I’m starting to feel gillty.

Time to scale back?

If I spend any more time on a boat with you, I’m gonna get ship faced!

The above conversation occurred midday this last Monday. We were dining with friends in Halibut Cove’s The Saltry, and with the accompaniment of a couple of cocktails, the likes of which brought out the giggles, my dad and I battled it out with a few senseational puns.

There was laughter and knee slapping, and for me, it felt like a curtain had opened and I was singing in the spotlight.

Only in this case, I wasn’t singing, but instead showcasing my skills in the wit department.

It had been awhile since I laughed that hard, and it had been even longer since I felt so welcome in expressing my true self, which is sometimes a nerdy nerd who can’t stop won’t stop talking in puns.

Lounging there on the dock, seagulls flying overhead, good food and drink gliding down my gullet (oops, I did it again!), it was one of those run of the mill Mondays that ended up being one of the good ones.

Not just because of the lovely food and drink, the location, or the weather (though those were all fine contributors), but because of the company.

Feeling comfortable enough to let the puns pour out of me as the alcohol poured into me was a big deal because the people I was spending my precious day-off-from-work time with made me feel welcome in expressing my silly side.

Friends have a massive effect on one’s life, and I’m starting to really feel the difference in how certain “friends” of mine make me feel. Having experienced firsthand what it looks and feels like to become wrapped up in the company of misery, I’m all too aware of how negative people can negatively affect my life, and ultimately how I feel about it.

We become like those whom we surround ourselves with and if I want to flourish and thrive as the eclectic Elan, I need to find a community that supports me in all of my endeavors, laughs at my jokes, and makes me feel good about telling them.

What made this day so special had to do with the crew I was hanging with. A crew that made me appreciate how important it is to have accepting friends, no matter how corny my jokes may be. Friends that also know how to turn ordinary days into extraordinary days.

I otter focus more on the company I surround myself. We all otter start noticing how massively the people around us affect our lives.

I’ll finish the puns for now, and leave you with a final wave…