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Changing Tides

Welcome to Bruce Rettig’s blog, Changing Tides. This blog focuses on topics related to the natural world, the creative process, and general musings. It focuses a keen eye on environmental and social issues and examines how the human spirit might, or might not, correct current trends. Many of the observations are colored by experiences from the road. The author posts once a month, and all comments submitted to this blog are welcome, including challenging or opposing views. Please visit with an open mind—there are many different viewpoints but we all share the same home.

A New Definition of Insanity: Alaska’s Willow Project

by Bruce Rettig | Mar 19, 2023

All photography copyright 2023 Bruce Rettig THE OVERY-USED DEFINITION of insanity is "doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." Its origin, attributed to Albert Einstein, Ben Franklin, and Mark Twain among others, appeared in a 1981 document...

Tracking Flying Objects at the “End of the World”

by Bruce Rettig | Feb 13, 2023

Photography by Bruce Rettig IN MY BOOK, REFRACTION: AN ARCTIC MEMOIR, I recount a comment by a union personnel director in Seattle the day before I traveled to the North Slope of Alaska: “Prudhoe Bay might not be the end of the world, but you sure as hell can see it...

2023: Onward and Upward

by Bruce Rettig | Jan 3, 2023

IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR since I last posted in Changing Tides. As they say, "life happened," and for me that included heavy work obligations, long stints of traveling, time for my family and outdoor activities, and finally, the publication of my book, Refraction: An...

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NEW POST ON "CHANGING TIDES" The Willow Project w $NEW POST ON "CHANGING TIDES" The Willow Project was recently approved near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, where I once worked as a laborer and merchant marine. To read about this new oil development endeavor, please check out my Changing Tides blog post, “The Definition of Insanity: Alaska’s Willow Project.” https://brucerettig.com/2023/03/19/willow-project/ Please consider subscribing to Changing Tides to receive notices of future posts (https://brucerettig.com/changing-tides-blog/). I created this blog over four years ago and it focuses on environmental and social issues. My only disclaimer: "Please visit with an open mind—there are many different viewpoints but we all share the same home." Thanks! My website: https://brucerettig.com My book, "Refraction: An Arctic Memoir": https://bit.ly/3tdZR0R #brucerettig #refraction #alaska #prudhoebay #arcticmemoir #changingtides #changingtidesblog #deadhorse #willowproject #bidenadministration #conocophillips #environmentalwarming #climatechange$

Enjoyed reading with Elizabeth Nguyen, Nan Turner, $Enjoyed reading with Elizabeth Nguyen, Nan Turner, and Tom Lin at Avid Reader in Davis last week (just received this photo). Many people braved the rain and we had a strong showing—so great to talk with everyone afterward. Thanks so much, Avid Reader Bookstore! (https://avidreaderbooks.com) Check out my website at https://brucerettig.com Check out my book, "Refraction: An Arctic Memoir," at: https://bit.ly/3tdZR0R #brucerettig #refraction #alaska #arctic #prudhoebay #arcticmemoir #transalaskapipeline #oilpipelines #bigoil #tugboats #barges #avidreader #avidreaderbookstore$

$A lot of writerly happenings for me this week: • Tuesday: Tahoe Writers Works (TWW) meets for a night of workshopping. • Wednesday: Podcast interview with "Two Old Bucks." • Thursday: Reading at Avid Reader in Davis. • Saturday: Attending "Stories on Stage Davis" to hear two friend's stories read on stage (an excerpt from my book, "Refraction," will be presented in September.) I hope the weather cooperates! #brucerettig #refraction #alaska #arctic #prudhoebay #arcticmemoir #transalaskapipeline #oilpipelines #bigoil #tugboats #barges #tahoewritersworks #twooldbucks #avidreader #storiesonstagedavis$

After clearing my driveway of snow for too-many-ti

Outside my back door—how I take the dog for a wa

FRIDAY TUNES: Pink Floyd, Brain Damage Excerpt fr $FRIDAY TUNES: Pink Floyd, Brain Damage Excerpt from Refraction: An Arctic Memoir "Keeping Sane" The prior year I learned a term that held more relevance as each season wore on. The “Prudhoe Stare” was best described as an affliction that drifted throughout the AMF camp as we made our way past mid-season. Workers who had been at camp too long, and whose mental state had slightly slipped, stared off into the distance at some object invisible to anyone else but themselves (several steps beyond the “pining-for-girlfriend-missing-family-must-have-sex-need-a-f*****g-beer” stage.) The gaze sometimes drifted toward the north, across the vast expanse of ice. Or maybe southeast, following the causeway then over the tundra to the far distant Brooks Range. Other times, the focal point simply fell upon a rusting weld mark along a barge deck, a jagged path running between one’s work boots. In more advanced stages, the eyes did not focus on anything at all, the fixation fading somewhere into the overcast sky above Prudhoe Bay. I speak from experience. ——— The Floyd was one of my fallbacks for music and seemed the most fitting when enduring a long stint at the North Slope. Enjoy a link to "Brain Damage": https://youtu.be/BhYKN21olBw ——— Check out my book, "Refraction: An Arctic Memoir," at: https://bit.ly/3tdZR0R or brucerettig.com ——— #brucerettig #refraction #alaska #arctic #prudhoebay #arcticmemoir #transalaskapipeline #oilpipelines #bigoil #tugboats #barges #pinkfloyd #floyd #darksideofthemoon$

This looks like an awesome event—wish I could be $This looks like an awesome event—wish I could be in Astoria, Oregon, this weekend! The FisherPoets Gathering is a celebration of the commercial fishing industry in poetry, prose and song. The event has attracted fisherpoets and their many fans to Astoria, Oregon the last weekend of February since 1998. More info: http://www.fisherpoets.org #fisherpoets #fisherpoets2023 #brucerettig #brucerettigauthor #refraction$

Evening skiing is the best after-work decompressio

I'm excited to be reading at Avid Reader Bookstore $I'm excited to be reading at Avid Reader Bookstore in Davis, on Thursday, March 9th. I'll be joining authors Tom Lin, Elizabeth Nguyen, and Nan Turner. Should be a fun night! Check out my book, "Refraction: An Arctic Memoir," at: https://bit.ly/3tdZR0R. If you've already read Refraction—thank you! Please consider posting a review on Amazon (even if you didn't purchase it there) or Goodreads. Reviews really help. #brucerettig #refraction #alaska #prudhoebay #arcticmemoir #changingtides #changingtidesblog #deadhorse #barterisland #kaktovik #avidreaderbookstore #TomLin #Elizabeth Nguyen #BruceRettig #NanTurner$

Early morning trek in the woods—always a good st

NEW POST ON "CHANGING TIDES" Last week, a U.S. fi $NEW POST ON "CHANGING TIDES" Last week, a U.S. fighter jet shot down an unknown object flying over Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, where I once worked, near Deadhorse and Kaktovik. To read about past monitoring and activity in this area, please check out my Changing Tides blog post, “Tracking Flying Objects at the “End of the World.” Please consider subscribing to Changing Tides to receive notices of future posts (https://brucerettig.com/changing-tides-blog/). I created this blog over four years ago and it focuses on environmental and social issues. My only disclaimer: "Please visit with an open mind—there are many different viewpoints but we all share the same home." Thanks! #brucerettig #refraction #alaska #prudhoebay #arcticmemoir #changingtides #changingtidesblog #deadhorse #barterisland #kaktovik #flyingobjectsalaska #flyingobjects$

Looking forward to more night skiing along the lak

FRIDAY TUNES: In my book, Refraction, one of the $FRIDAY TUNES: In my book, Refraction, one of the more colorful and eclectic captains made a practice of blasting punk rock and industrial music as we worked the decks of the tugboat, "Prudhoe Bay." Imagine if you will, sailing a sea of ice while listening to an industrial tune like "Slug Bait" by the English band "Throbbing Gristle" . . . Link to Slug Bait: https://youtu.be/la2-_S2ksnk Check out my book, "Refraction: An Arctic Memoir," at: https://bit.ly/3tdZR0R #AlaskaStoryProject #brucerettig #refraction #alaska #arctic #prudhoebay #arcticmemoir #transalaskapipeline #oilpipelines #bigoil #tugboats #barges$

Excited to have received Wendy Red Star's photo bo

Hmmm . . . timing really is everything. #bruceret $Hmmm . . . timing really is everything. #brucerettig #refraction #arcticmemoir$

A huge thank you to GaiaLicious Boutique for havin $A huge thank you to GaiaLicious Boutique for having signed copies of my book, Refraction, available at their store—so nice to see it on their bookshelf. GaiaLicious has always been super-supportive of local artists, and their boutique is full of Locally Handmade, Made in the USA, and Fair Trade Imports, and they carry many products from around the world. The environment and local community have a big influence on how they run their business and their lives. GaiaLicious remains a favorite shopping spot for both locals and Lake Tahoe visitors! GaiaLicious website: https://www.gaialicious.com Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/gaialiciousglobalgifts Bruce Rettig website: https://brucerettig.com #gaialicious #brucerettig #refraction #alaska #arctic #prudhoebay #arcticmemoir #transalaskapipeline #oilpipelines #globalwarming #climatechange$

"The mail must go through . . . " (top of the Sier $"The mail must go through . . . " (top of the Sierra, Jan. 11, 2023) #brucerettig #brucerettigauthor #brucerettigwriter #refraction #sierra #sierrasnow$

My interview with the "Alaska Story Project" has b $My interview with the "Alaska Story Project" has been posted! Thank you so much Dan and ASP—it was a pleasure discussing my book, "Refraction: An Arctic Memoir" with you (https://www.alaskastoryproject.com/podcasts-master/brucerettig). ASP features "Storytelling with authors, scientists, artists, fisher-poets, and a colorful cast of characters passionate about Alaska." The podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn RSS Feed, or through your favorite mobile podcast player. To purchase Refraction, visit my publisher's online store at https://bit.ly/3tdZR0R #AlaskaStoryProject #brucerettig #refraction #alaska #arctic #prudhoebay #arcticmemoir #transalaskapipeline #oilpipelines #bigoil #tugboats #barges https://www.alaskastoryproject.com$

Fantastic exhibit at the Nevada Museum of Art in R

Happy Friday, everyone—have an excellent weekend $Happy Friday, everyone—have an excellent weekend (more nighttime snowshoeing and skiing are on my agenda . . . ) #brucerettig #refraction #arcticmemoir$

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