Contacting Master Xan

[Lord_La_forge]

eskimoyockey @ myldsmail.net

 

Hey La_Forge! I managed to aquire the email you sent to my normal account and get it forwarded here. Due to mission rules, I'm only allowed to access this email account, therefore all emails should be sent here (eskimoyockey @ myldsmail.net). Granted, I could disobey and get emails from the other account, but I'm not much into such things.

 

As you're the only one I have an email address for on this account, I don't suppose you'd mind passing out my email to anybody else interested? Alaska is an interesting place, and I'll be happy to tell people all about it... though I forewarn you that I can only check my email on Mondays.

 

Until later,

Master Xan

"The Eskimo Elder"

 

I've got this reply today from our main man in the Alaska Mission

I'm sure he enjoys living there right now, but why don't we just bomb him with all our questions and greetings?

I suggest, if he replies something interesting for the public, let us post it in this topic too.

[Krytos]

Woo! Great news LLF !

 

Errm *clears throat*

Hey Xan,
Krytos here.  Great to here from you mate! The forums just haven't been the same without you ;)
We've had an eventful time since your mission started - and I'm sure LLF has informed you of the little server crash incident.
Personally, I'm up to the same old same old - 3d modelling and going out in my spare time, Uni work for the rest.  Just started up my exam period - less than fun, but at least it means the end of another year! Woo!

How have things been over there in Alaska? Fill us in on all the "gos" - what's the weather like, what have you been up to for your mission? The usual 20 questions ;)

Any who, that's all from me and down under for now.
All the best mate,
-Krytos

 

That's my responce

[JediHunter]

Good to hear someone got in touch with him I'm probably one of those anonymous "newbies" to him.. so.. I'll just say..

"What's up Xan? How's Alaska? Gotten to see any Aurora Borealis yet? Hope you're having a good time. Take it easy."

[Mad78]

Sent an email off.

[DarthTofu]

Woo! Off to send an E-mail... Oh, yeah... I was supposed to mail that letter for his snail-mail address...

[Mad78]

Maybe someone should ask him about that in an email.

[DarthTofu]

too late, already did.

[Mitth_raw_nuruodo]

Excellent news! I'll have to send an email out before the end of the week.

[DarthTex]

Eureka! We've hit Pay Dirt! Following is an e-mail from Master Xan. He says he sent the same e-mail to several people who contacted him, so I don't think he would mind sharing this with the rest of the SWR members ...

 

As you all had very similar questions, and my time is extremely limited, I included you all in the same letter. Hopefully this doesn't bother anybody...

 

To be perfectly honest, it was something of a miracle I remembered the address for the temp site, and can't begin to remember what all I added to the .dll files or even which ones I edited to begin with. They were completely up to date when I left, including revisions I made. I'd suggest figuring out what if anything was changed since I left (August 16) and make the modifications to mine, just to be sure you get all of everything.

 

Tex, you mentioned finding Mark &Jean Yockey and their address. That would be my parents, who certainly do know who I am. I think anybody with the last name of Yockey residing in the US is related to be in some way. Speaking of which, "Jaeggi" is the Swiss version of "Yockey", while "Jacky" is the German version. Perhaps some of you in Europe know people with these last names? If so, I would be happy to get their contact info and forward it to my grandfather Glenn Yockey, as he is knee-deep in family history research and would love any help he could get.

 

As for a basic rundown of what I do, well I teach the gospel. More specificly, I get up at 6:30, and am in bed by 10:30 every night. Every morning I study the scriptures and such for two hours; one hour by myself and the second with my companion. Add in breakfast, shower time, etc., I leave the apartment (or in my case, our cabin) at 10 everymorning. Between 10AM and when I return again at 9PM, I teach the gospel to other people.

 

Which means I teach people, look for more people to teach, talk to members who give us referrals (i.e. tell us which of their friends have expressed interest in learning about the gospel), that sort of thing. We also do service, usually things like helping somebody reroof their house, move heavy things around for older folks, etc. We don't do major service, like building schools or such. It takes too much time which we could be spending teaching people, and besides which we don't have much expertise in the necessary trades required for such things.

 

I'm in Willow Alaska, which is North and slightly West of Anchorage (the largest town up here, pop. 300,000). We don't have too much snow right now, which is pretty odd for this time of year. Only about two inches (compacted though, it was 6 when it was fresh). Or around... what, 6 cm? I forget the conversion from inch to cm. As for temp, its usually around -10 C, and has gotten as low as -25 C. Pretty cold.

 

Every 6 weeks we have "transfers". Meaning we could be transfered out of the area we are in and moved to another part of the mission (which if you recall covers all of Alaska and the Yukon territory of Canada). But we usually stay in an area for two or three transfers (three is about 6 months).

 

Each missionary has a companion. We're never out of eyesight of our companion, with the exception of bathrooms and interviews with our church leaders. This keeps us pretty much out of trouble, but also makes it very hard for anybody to falsely accuse missionaries of doing something because there is always another witness.

 

Each transfer we can get a new companion or stay with our old one. Theoretically, I could be working with a new person in a new area every 6 weeks. But nobody has that. If two missionaries just can't get along at all, sometimes the mission president (Pres. Lewis for my mission) will shuffle around people inbetween transfers.

 

Alaska isn't so desolate as I thought, though half the population is in Anchorage. My area covers five smaller towns, the largest of which is Willow. I'd guess the population at around 30,000, but that's a guess and includes everybody from all 5 towns and the outskirts.

 

Continuing to answer Tex's questions, my mission will end August 16th of 2008. I access the 'net at libraries, and am only allowed to get on to this email account (no surfing the 'net). I cook my own breakfasts and lunches, and often dinners, but usually church members cook us dinner. The trip up was cool; I got to ride in a 737. Fairly large plane, though not nearly as big as a 747.

 

I get one day a week, Monday, as my preporation day or "p-day". I do all my shopping and such on p-day, and that is the only day I'm allowed to go sightseeing or other fun stuff. I've so far explored an abandoned mineshaft, hiked up Hatcher's Pass (mountain range) twice, learned how to fence using authentic replicas of midieval sabers (not those wussy little modern fencing swords, REAL blades... well, real except a blunt tip), and other random things. I'm hoping to go dogsledding soon, as we know several people with teams and sleds.

 

I've seen around two dozen moose already, several foxes, and a black bear. Polar bears live much farther north than where I live. Eagles are also common in Alaska, but not in my area. Also common are drunk natives, but again not in my area. Only a few.

 

What is extremely common is firearms. Most people I meet have a small arsenal, usually consisting of a few different types of shotguns and a few rifles, often .22 or the larger, bear-killing varieties. .44/.45 are common, as are 30 aught 6 (spelled out because I've never seen it written). One of the church members here has a single-shot 50 cal, which is the size F-16s use (though theirs are machine guns, not single shot). Alaska is definately not a place for conservationists, and most people here are not in favor of "keeping the frozen wastelands of Alaska intact". i.e. they are all for drilling more oil, as the oil sites are usually tundra with nothing living on it.

 

Alaskans are often anti-government, and are very talkative people. Many are pilots, and small planes dot the landscape, often the only means of travel. Drugs are very prevalent (alcohol, tobacco, and the illegal varieties). Alaskans consume more ice cream per capita than any other state in the US, and most of that is during the winter... that's because most Alaskans stay inside for much of the winter, watching EVERY MOVIE KNOWN TO MANKIND. Seriously, they have the largest movie collections I've ever seen.

 

Tofu asked for my snail mail addy... I'll give you the office one. That way I don't have to give you another one whenever I get transfered (they forward mail sent to the office to us). You can send packages if you want, though I shudder to think of what you might send me. Remember, I'm a missionary! Address as follows:

 

Elder Yockey

12350 Industry Way, Ste. 218

Anchorage, AK 99515

 

Well, that should be long enough to keep you guys satisfied for a time. And I think I answered all the questions you asked... feel free to ask more though! Also, feel free to send me snail mail as well. Until later,

Elder Yockey

 

I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I; and let's keep MX in our thoughts for the next two years (I'm sure he'll appreciate it)

[Mad78]

I go it as well. i think i shall send hi, a letter next.

[Jahled]

That was ace Tex! Nice to hear our Xan is doing what he wants to do and getting his spiritual nourishment. I tried the same about a decade ago at a Buddhist monastery, appreciated the entire experience, and realized it wasn't the life for me; but i'm not going to knock anyone for realizing the deal for themselves. Yay for Xan!

[Lord_La_forge]

I tried the same about a decade ago at a Buddhist monastery, appreciated the entire experience, and realized it wasn't the life for me;

 

Had a similar experience with a buddhist school. Maybe we are still too young for these, mate. Who knows, some day we'll be chanting together somewhere

[Mad78]

A buddhist ninja with a mad british gifmaker... What a sight!

[DarthTofu]

What am I, chopped liver? There's going to be a psychotic American along as well!

 

Still having trouble eliminating swear words from my speech, but I have tried to adopt Buddhism... It's a work in progress.

[Mad78]

Out of all the religions out there i must say Buddhism is one of those I prefer but i am protestant and thats me.

[PsychoInfiltrator]

I'm technically a Protestant, but I'm (by beliefs) a Catholic (Traditionalist).

 

Yes I've changed since that religon discussion years ago...[/i]

[CDL_Undertaker]

What is extremely common is firearms. Most people I meet have a small arsenal, usually consisting of a few different types of shotguns and a few rifles, often .22 or the larger, bear-killing varieties. .44/.45 are common, as are 30 aught 6 (spelled out because I've never seen it written). One of the church members here has a single-shot 50 cal, which is the size F-16s use (though theirs are machine guns, not single shot). Alaska is definately not a place for conservationists, and most people here are not in favor of "keeping the frozen wastelands of Alaska intact". i.e. they are all for drilling more oil, as the oil sites are usually tundra with nothing living on it.

 

 

For those of you who are wondering...30-06: Caliber .30, Model 1906. It's a very common hunting rifle.

 

If there are any real sportsmen out there, please correct me if I am wrong.