Just for Fun:

Start suggesting baby names First (and Middle)… I’d like to hear some ideas about what you’d name a child, especially if you have a reason why you like a particular name. Serious or silly – I’d like to hear them.

I’m not saying we’re going to use any of them, but I thought it’d be neat to hear what names you’ve always liked (or didn’t like), or what you’ve named your own children, and how you came up with the names.

For example:
Polly (Ester): Sounds like a synthetic fabric popular during the 70s (silly and mean – would never actually do that)
Helen: My grandmother’s name.
Issac (Oliver): My father suggested this for me (in jest) while I was still in the womb. He had his hand resting on my mother’s belly at the time, and I kicked him – just to be sure he know my thoughts on the matter.

Ready, set, go!

Getting our ducks in a row.

As I just said in my previous post, I haven’t been blogging much. One of the reasons is because I’ve been waiting (since December) to write this one. I almost blew it a couple of times commenting on frostedlexicharm‘s blog. So I stopped blogging at all for a while, (with the exception of a couple random “work” or “on the net” posts)

So without further ado, I’d like to introduce you to “Duckling”:

[Spoilers] [/Spoilers]
Click the spoilers text to see the sonogram picture.

I’m pretty excited, Jenny and I both are. I’m a little scared too, but people keep telling me that I’m going to make a good dad. I hope they’re right. We don’t know what the gender is yet, we should be finding out in a few weeks. I’ll be sure to post an update.

The baby is due on August 28th, but of course that date is subject to change with no notice. šŸ™‚

Some of the folks here already knew about Duckling, and I’d like to take a moment to thank you for not spilling the beans.

You’re probably wondering why we’re calling the baby “Duckling”. We haven’t picked names yet (we’ve talked about a few different ideas, so we are thinking about them.) However, we have decided on a duck motif for the baby’s room, (yellows and greens are good gender neutral colors) so we thought Duckling would be a cute nickname. Certainly sounds better than “it” since we don’t know the gender yet.

decides against using the “Announcements” category, even though it would fit…

Edit: Added spoilers text around the image at Jenny’s request.

Edited on Feb 23rd 2004, 05:32 by Hooloovoo

Man Pleads No Contest in Cabbie Killing

[Spoilers] By DAN RICE, Staff Writer
The Fairbanks man accused of killing a taxicab driver pleaded no contest to a charge of second-degree murder Wednesday.

Jonathan Biederbeck, 21, faces as much as 50 years in prison for the death that occurred during a July 14 robbery attempt.

He entered the plea in exchange for state prosecutors dismissing a host of other felony and misdemeanor charges he faced in connection with the stabbing death of 53-year-old Michael Belknap.

The plea agreement binds Judge Mark Wood to assign a base sentence of 50 years. However, Wood can choose to assign a shorter prison term by designating some of the sentence as suspended time. Biederbeck is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 19.

He will be eligible for parole after serving one-third of his sentence. That means if Wood sentences Biederbeck to the maximum of 50 years in jail, he will be eligible for parole in 16 1/2 years, or when he is 38.

Appearing in orange jail garb with his public defender, Biederbeck said very little during Wednesday’s hearing, other than offering prompt replies to questions from Wood.

His no contest plea means the case will not go to trial as scheduled this month.

Biederbeck was charged with stabbing Belknap to death with a kitchen knife while the men struggled. Biederbeck, who was also charged with breaking into the Northland Aviation Building and stealing Cutco kitchen knives from a warehouse one week before the murder, called Yellow Cab for a ride early in the morning and was picked up by Belknap, according to a charging document.

Biederbeck admitted stabbing Belknap in the throat and chest during a struggle off Henderson Road that followed Biederbeck’s robbery attempt, the document stated.

One of the Cutco kitchen knives Biederbeck was accused of stealing was the suspected murder weapon.

Fairbanks Police Department officers first contacted Biederbeck when he called dispatch to report that he had been robbed and stabbed behind the Northgate Mall.

While investigating Biederbeck’s claim, which turned out to be false, police learned that Yellow Cab reported a missing driver, police said. Law enforcement later put the two reports together and arrested Biederbeck after discovering Belknap’s body on the side of the road near the intersection of Bluebird Avenue and Dome Road.

Alaska State Troopers reported that Biederbeck drove to that location and ditched the cab and Belknap’s body.

Prosecutors brought charges against Biederbeck in three different cases.

One case filed in connection with the day of the murder charged Biederbeck with one count each of second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and first-degree vehicle theft as well as two counts each of tampering with physical evidence.

A separate case was filed in connection with the July 7 break-in and charged Biederbeck with two counts of second-degree burglary as well as one count each of second-degree theft and third-degree criminal mischief.

The last case accused Biederbeck of a misdemeanor crime of making a false report in connection with the erroneous story he told police.

Prosecutors agreed to dismiss all the charges but the second-degree murder count. Had he been convicted of the charge during a trial, Biederbeck could have faced a sentence of as much as 99 years in prison. [/Spoilers]

Just like my previous posts back in July, I’ve add the text of the article to the spoilers tag above. You can read that, or the original article. I also found an AP Newswire story here.

I’ve been meaning to post a few things about the trip to AK, but I haven’t yet. I’ll probably get to it sometime this weekend. I’ve got some photos to put online as well.

Weird Mood

I’m in Fairbanks, Alaska. I just found the computer “lab” (one machine, printer, and phone line) with free access for hotel guests. Yes, as usual, g-blog was the first site I came to.

We didn’t make it out to the oyster farm on this trip becuase of the wheather, so we spent two of the days we were to be out there in Anchorage instead, and then headed up to Fairbanks a day early. I’m still hoping my the aunt who lives on the farm can make it to Fairbanks this week, I’d like Jenny to meet her.

We spent yesterday at our other Aunt’s house going through dad’s personal effects. We made pretty good progress, but we still have several boxes of books and cookware to go through.

One of the things we came across was a suitcase filled woth pictures he had taken, or people had given to him. A lot of the photos are of people that we don’t know, friends he made after our parents got divoreced, both in CA and later in AK. Boogie (that would be my sister) seems to be bothered by the fact taht se doesn’t know any of the people in the photos, or maybe she’s just worried tatht a lot of them are going to be at the memorial on Saturday.

I’ve identified one of the locations (a bar in S.L. where a lot of the photos were taken. I’m thinking obout bringing them back with me to see if any of the people in them are still around, and if they would like to have the photos. I’m also thinking about bringing a lot of the AK pictures to the memorial to see if anyone there would like any. Boogie and I probably me mostly) are going to go though them and take out any family pictures before that.

In the box was also a lot of documents dealing with my parent’s divorce, strange reading through all that (as well as what look like notes from counselling sessions.)

We’ve spent most of the day at the hotel, and I’m getting kind of antsy to get back over to the house to go through more boxes, but a the same time I’m content to let Boogie drag her feet so we don’t have to go over there just yet.

There’s still a lot to do and I think someone is waiting for the computer, so I better get going.

Ashes to Ashes

A portion of my dad’s cremains arrived in the mail today. My aunt (in Alaska) mailed them to me in a tupperware container. Several thoughts (a few which seem absurd) crossed my mind as I opened the mailing box to see if there was a letter or anything inside as well. (There was – a small paper origami crane, not sure why.)

Did the post office or any of the mail carriers that handled the package know what was inside? Did my aunt need to get some kind of clearance to ship human cremains? Will I need to deal with explaining what’s in the box at the airport when we fly back to Alaska next weekend? (That’s right, mailed from Alaska to be taken back to Alaska. I know it sounds odd, but it was the easiest way to make sure they get to where they need to go.) I was also reminded of a line from the “Tupperware Song” by The Rock Bottom Remainders. Basically it goes: “I hope that when I die, tupperware makes caskets too.” I guess, in a way, the do.

Anyway, I’ve sealed the box back up and it’s sitting on our kitchen table. I don’t know what else to do with it right now.

Still Alive

Just wanted to let folks know I haven’t totally dropped off the face of the earth. the new job is keeping pretty busy – (over-time is both a good and a bad thing)

I’ve been really bad about keeping up with blogs. (Both my own, and others.) When I do get home, I usually don’t feel like sitting on the computer, and when I do sit on the computer – I’m more likely to fire up SWG than Firebird. (I reactivated my account last week.)

Nothing much new to report. Jenny, Boogie (my sister), and I will be heading to Alaska in a couple of weeks to go thhrough dad’s belongings and scatter ashes.

Anyway – my lunch break is almost over, so I best be headed back to the lab.

Edit: updating names for consistency

Edited on Oct 2nd 2003, 16:36 by Hooloovoo

Michael King Belknap ā€“ 1950ā€“2003

Michael King Belknap died in Fairbanks on July 14, 2003, at the young age of 53. Known to friends and co-workers as “Mikey,” he drove a taxicab and touched the lives of Fairbanks residents since 1996.

Mike was born April 25, 1950, in Yonkers, N.Y. He grew up in New York, New Hampshire, Michigan, Colorado and California. Mike was a gourmet cook and the best oyster shucker in the state of Alaska. He was a voracious reader, thinker and practical joker. He moved to Alaska in 1996 to help out at his sister’s oyster farm in Prince William Sound, visited Fairbanks on the way, and never left.

As a cab driver, Mike enjoyed meeting people and helping them move about safely during the long hours of the night. He was known to befriend and counsel customers in times of need and assist people in distress. An important part of his life was to look out for and encourage young people in their efforts to lead clean, sober and responsible lives. He told his father recently, “Dad, I have found my calling. I never want to retire.”

He was preceded in death by mother, Helen Belknap, in 2000.

Mike is survived by daughter, Polly Belknap, of Chicago; son, Robert Belknap, of San Leandro, Calif.; father, Dan Belknap, of Redding, Calif.; brothers Bill Belknap of Terre Haute, Ind., John Belknap of Redding, Calif., and Andy Belknap of Sterling, Colo.; sisters Elizabeth Belknap of Fairbanks, Susie Sczawinski of Prince William Sound; and a group of dear friends throughout the Fairbanks community.

A memorial gathering will be held at the Dog Musher’s Hall on Farmers Loop on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 4 to 8 p.m. Please bring a potluck dish or beverage to share with Mike’s friends and family. His large family will also gather in California in spring 2004 on the 54th anniversary of Mike’s birth.

Edited on Aug 7th 2003, 07:14 by Hooloovoo

Man Pleads Innocent in Cabbie Killing

[Spoilers] By DAN RICE, Staff Writer
The 21-year-old man accused of killing a taxicab driver during a robbery on June July 14 pleaded innocent during a court hearing Friday.

Jonathan Beiderbeck, 21, is charged with stabbing 53-year-old Michael Belknap to death after robbing him in an Eagle Cab taxi.

He faces one count each of second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and first-degree vehicle theft as well as two counts each of tampering with physical evidence in connection with allegations that he tried to cover up the crime.

In a separate case, Beiderbeck is charged with two counts of second-degree burglary as well as one count each of second-degree theft and third-degree criminal mischief.

Those charges stem from accusations that Beiderbeck of broke into the Northland Aviation Building one week before the slaying and stole more than $500 worth of high-quality kitchen knives from a storehouse. One of the Cutco knives is the suspected murder weapon.

Beiderbeck was arraigned on all the charges in front of Fairbanks Superior Court Judge Niesje Steinkruger during a hearing Friday. He made no statements and a public defender entered not guilty pleas to all charges for him.

A trial in the murder case is scheduled to start Oct. 6. Beiderbeck is being held at Fairbanks Correctional Center on both cases in lieu of $260,000 bail plus a court-approved, third-party custodian. [/Spoilers]

I didn’t post this yesteday because there is an error in the article. I’ve corrected it in the spoilers text above, and sent the author an email about it.
As before, you can read the spoilers text, or follow this link to the original article.

Some Hard Decisions

Our family has decided that my sister and I should be the ones to make the decisions regarding memorial services and what to do with my father’s possessions.

I’ve never had to deal with anything like this before. There have been deaths in the family in recent years, my paternal great-grandmother and grandmother, and my maternal grandfather. But in those cases, they passed due to natural causes, and there was time to make peace, and say goodbye. And someone else had to make the hard decisions.

This is totally different. I did not get a chance to say goodbye. As hard as it was for me to see my grandmother lose her final battle with cancer, I at least got to hold her hand and tell her that I loved her. I’m never going to be able to do that with my father. I will eventually find a way to say goodbye, but I’m afraid that when I do, it’s going to be empty; there isn’t going to be the same feeling of completeness, or of resolution.

There are things that I wish I still had the opportunity to say to him, things that I wish I still had the opportunity to take back. I won’t be able to hug him ever again. I won’t be able to hear him say he’s proud of the man I’ve become ever again. I wont be able to call him someday to let him know he’s going to be a grandfather.

And it all changed so suddenly. So violently. He didn’t die because of a disease, or of old age. It wasn’t even an accident. Someone took his life. Someone stabbed him and left him on the side of the road over a few hundred dollars. I think that is what I’m having the hardest time dealing with right now.

I feel at a loss as to what to do. At a loss as to what to say to everyone who has called me in the last couple of days to offer their condolences and find out how I’m doing. I don’t have a good answer for them. I’m upset. Iā€™m angry. I’m hurt. I don’t know how to articulate the thousands of thoughts, feelings, and memories that have been running through my head since I got the news that my father was killed. How do I explain to someone how it feels to suddenly be reminded of how much I loved my father, despite his imperfections, and to know that I’ll never be able to see him again? “I’m doing okay, considering the circumstances” doesn’t seem to cut it.

We’ve made one decision so far, but it was the easiest, and the most time sensitive. My father wanted to be cremated. My sister and I have told our aunt, (who lives in Fairbanks,) that we want to honor that wish. When the authorities are done with their investigation, she will inform them of our decision.

My sister is flying back from Chicago next week and we will be going to Redding to be with family and to try to make some more of the hard decisions.

More from the News-Miner

This time it’s an opinion piece that mentions my father.

[Spoilers] Consider the cabbies
Driving a taxi is a dangerous business, even in Fairbanks.

This week’s killing of driver Michael Belknap, the second cab driver killed in Fairbanks in recent years, brings home the vulnerability of the taxi driver. True, most fares give drivers little trouble. But Fairbanks drivers routinely deal with a seedier sort: with belligerent drunks, with people who suddenly don’t have the money to pay at their destination, with criminals.

A 1996 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention makes it clear. Taxicab businesses had the nation’s highest rate of occupational homicide, at 41 per 100,000 for 1990 to 1992, up sharply from the previous study period of 1980 to 1989. The newer figure is nearly 60 times the national average. Robbery, as appears to be the case with the killing of Mr. Belknap, is often the primary motive.

The risk factors are all there: Cabbies work alone, work late, exchange money with the public, and often are called to out-of-the-way places. The operations manager for Eagle/Yellow Cab, the company for which Mr. Belknap was driving at the time of his killing, acknowledged the dangers of the business and said drivers know it, too.

The CDC has suggested some ideas for reducing homicides among cab drivers and workers in other high-risk professions. In Alaska, state law does not require any such protective measures, but the municipality of Anchorage acted a few years ago to improve taxi driver safety after three drivers were murdered in early 1998.

Anchorage municipal code requires that every cab have an emergency switch that an endangered driver can press to send a distress signal to his company’s dispatch center. In addition, each cab must have one of the following items: a Plexiglas partition between the front and rear seats, a global positioning system unit so that the company’s dispatch center knows the whereabouts of the taxi or a hidden camera that regularly takes and stores electronic images of activity inside the vehicle.

The system isn’t without its difficulties. The plastic partitions have proved too expensive, according to an Anchorage city official, since they do not transfer easily between vehicles. That’s a problem since taxis are often involved in accidents or in the shop for repairs. GPS units can be disabled by an attacker intent on a crime.

Even so, it’s something.

By comparison, Fairbanks has no such safety requirements. The city aims only to ensure the safety of the passenger by conducting background checks of those who have applied for a taxi license and by requiring annual updates of drivers.

Although requiring safety measures such as those Anchorage has implemented would be an added cost for Fairbanks taxi companies–perhaps even putting some out of business–the Fairbanks City Council should begin the discussion of imposing such requirements in this city.

City files show 485 people licensed to drive cab in Fairbanks. Mr. Belknap’s death leaves 484 who might want a safer cab. [/Spoilers]

You all know the drill by now, use the spoilers link above, or view the original article at the link below. In case you’re wondering about why I’m bothering to repost here if I’m just going to link to the original articles anyway, it’s because I want to make sure the text is still available. The News-Miner only guarantees articles will remain online for fourteen days.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner – Fairbanks, AK