http://www.mic-mat.com en-gb mic-mat.com 2010-2-16T00:00:00Z mic-mat.com http://www.mic-mat.com/page2.htm#58487 After Angoon I headed to Fairbanks in the Alaskan interior. But Fairbanks wasnt my real destination. I was actually heading to North Pole no not that one. The one in Alaska. I admit that at first it was simply the name that had caught my attention but as I researched the place further I began to realise just how strange a place it was. You see in North Pole Alaska it is Christmas every day. And I mean every single day The streetlights are painted in candy coloured red and white stripes and you will even find Santa himself hiding out he actually spends most of his time screaming around the town on his motorcycle. Calling the department from London to arrange the ridealong had proved difficult as the novelty of hearing them answer the phone with North Pole police department never grew old for me. I wanted to ask if they patrolled in sleighs. Was Santa actually just some troublesome drunk as I suspected and did getting arrested mean not getting any presents Christmas But instead of aski... 2010-2-15T00:00:00Z http://www.mic-mat.com/page2.htm#58278 A little while ago I spent several months travelling around the United States. Starting in Alaska and ending in Maine by way of LA Las Vegas Texas Mississippi Delaware New York City Marthas Vineyard and a whole bunch of other places I spent time with a police department Sheriffs department or the State Troopers at each location touring with them and experiencing what they experienced on a day to day basis. It was quite an eye opener. From getting sick on chewing tobacco to getting arrested yes really. I know I know The irony it was the trip of a lifetime. I completed the manuscript and hope one day that it will see publication. Until then I have decided over the next few months to publish short excepts from each chapter here on my blog along with the occasional photo. I hope you enjoy them. I will start with the first ridealong which was with a State Trooper called Mark in Alaska. After a brief tour in Juneau we had to fly to the tiny native village of Angoon to provide them with one ... 2010-2-12T00:00:00Z http://www.mic-mat.com/page2.htm#56377 My first blog.The web site is still in the early stages but hopefully as the weeks go on and I keep tinkering with it it should take some form that isnt too offensive to view.The purpose is to showcase some of my photography and writing projects in particular the work I have done with police departments in the USA as well as other countries. I will also begin posting images and excerpts from manuscripts I have been working out. I write nonfiction. Its usually tongueincheek and usually involves me finding myself in some embarrassing situation or other. I seem to have a habit of getting caught up in situations others would manage to avoid with little or no trouble. But then again I kind of like a bit of trouble..... So here goes.... me startin out.... Wish me luck just like this guy did who I once bumped into. Apparently hes quite important. Thats what he told me anyway. By the way Im the one on the right of the picture. 2010-1-17T00:00:00Z