back-stabbing slimeballs

so you know how i felt jealous of all those returning college students? i may have to rescind that comment...today i was reminded of how rude those returnees can be.

a lot of people who grow up on the rock and never leave get what is referred to as "island fever" or "cabin fever," especially during the winter. it takes either a plane or boat to go to the nearest city, the biggest of which is a 2-hr flight away. in the cold months when it stays dark for 16 hrs, people tend to get stir-crazy and claustrophobic if they can't leave. the rain gets to you too, with the near-constant drizzle soaking into bones and making life pretty soggy. but despite all these "downfalls," some of us manage to survive in southeast alaska...some of us manage to thrive...some of us manage to develop a love for this little island, one that cannot be formed nearly as strongly to any other place. some of us CHOOSE to come back after moving away.

my problem comes when those people who left and come back decide to complain mercilessly about this little island and its inhabitants. the comment i heard today is how ketch is "a black hole with nothing going for it." if that's your attitude, then GET THE HELL OFF MY HOME, ASSHOLE! don't rag on a place that you hate, other people live here who happen to think it's one of the most beautiful places ever and who are offended by your immature and pessimistic mindset. then don't come back. find some other place to go to. sure, this island doesn't offer the commercial prospects that cities down south offer, like national chains and department stores. but we have things that you can't find other places--natural trails up gorgeous mountains, the ocean and beaches only 5 min. drive away, and numerous uninhabited islands that can be easily reached for camping or fishing.

i've heard nearly every negative comment about this place that can possibly be concocted, and they sting my heart every time. i'm sick and tired of the complaints. it's the bad attitudes like that that make it harder for this great little city to stand up tall and reach its fullest potential.

in short, GROW UP!! take a lesson from bambi & thumper: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.