The world may not be ending soon.

Really, I had to take a complete break from the news and most of the Internet this weekend. My Web actions were limited to looking up funny gifts for people and downloading The West Wing episodes on iTunes.

After the recent onslaught of political madness, the up and down of hurricanes that should be devastating but are sort of just bad, to the hurricanes that were actually devasting, on top of horrific and senseless train accidents, hotel bombinngs, and (by the way) the Millenial Depression started last Monday.

And then who did they get on the bullhorn to cheer us up?

Bush.

I admit it. For about 36 hours, my greatest defense against the apparent apocalypse was to stick my head in the sand, only coming up to eat pizza and attempt to evade phone calls (not so succesfful in this.)

To my relief, that world has not actually ended, and I was able to go to a planning meeting on Sunday that revived my hope that I am not actually helpless in this mass of mess. There is quite a lot of work to do, and too few days left to make a difference in this election.

By the way, surely there is something good happening in the world? I mean, did somebody get married? Big anniversary? Something? Throw me a bone, people.

Ah well. I read my parents the Gallup "happiness" level polls, and they were shocked to hear that it was something like 55% happiness, 9% stress.

They must not watch CNN. I think I'll stop.

The interesting part about being in Alaska is that we really do (usually) feel so disconnected from the rest of the country. Okay - we technically are disconnected from the rest of the country. But with three electorals, few people, and a reputation for only beautiful views and (apparently) corrupt politicians, we've just never been heard from.

I've talked to many Alaskan bloggers and friends that are feeling the fatigue of - as one reporter put it at a gathering last weekend - Alaska suddenly becoming the "center of the universe."

Alaska may - and I only say MAY - not actually be the center of the universe right now, but I think most Alaskans are in the middle of really wanting to show off the state that we're proud of (stop laughing - we have lotsa' good stuff up here that has NOTHING to do with corrupt politicans) and really wanting to defend ourselves against how this attention (and, well, Palin) are making us look.

I'll never forget the first comment I read that said, "Wow, I never knew Alaska was so screwed up before."

Yeah, that's serious frustration, hearing that.

But like we're been doing for so long, Alaska will cease to become the center of the universe after awhile, and just continue to be the very independant, little bit crazy because of the light and dark situation, great land we've always been.

Sure, we've got problems, but it sounds like the rest of the world does too. What really, honest to goodness energized me this weekend was seeing so many Alaskans getting together to try and do something about it.

We've got a lot to offer the world - certainly more than just a good view of Russia.