Evergreen had retreats for the students and faculty on a regular basis. Sometimes they were at the very start of a quarter, so everyone could get to know each other. Sometimes they were held at the end, so we could all summarize what we had learned. They were usually conducted at youth camps in various Western Washington locations. In September 1978, the "Shakespeare and the Age of Elizabeth" program held their retreat at a YWCA Camp at Spirit Lake, at the base of Mt. St. Helens.

We had not the slightest iota of a clue when we boarded boats at Harry Truman's lodge that Harry and his building would be buried under tons of rock and ash in just over a year and a half later. We didn't know that the beautiful mountain we could see completely reflected in the lake would be the site of the most destructive natural event in Washington in our lifetimes (so far).

A group of students were sitting in the YWCA lodge, when a tall, sincere young man dramatically entered the room and announced with complete seriousness, "I just made love to myself at the top of the ridge." Another student, the same guy who leaped over several rows of seats in Evergroove trivia pt. 35, happened to be drinking a beer at that very moment, which he spewed all over the floor and followed with a loud guffaw.

It was going to be a weird year.

There is an incredible number of Olympia neighborhood associations with websites. Most of the big ones do, and they aren't simply online fliers or out of date websites, they're actual to goodness sites and most very well designed.

Surprisingly to me, one of them is mine, the Chambers Lake Basin association, which is pretty cool because it seems like it's a cross between a neighborhood association and a watershed council. I've been talking to people in the neighborhood about starting the last few years, and so it's cool that someone went ahead and did it. I'm thinking of going to the meeting next week.

How many of us live in any of these neighborhoods?

I've gotten food deliveries from them quite a few times now and am always impressed. High quality food, delicious fruits and vegies, and other necessities.

When a bunch of green banannas refused to ripen and I called it in, they came to my door as soon as possible with a replacement batch, and told me to call anytime. It is understood that occasionally things happen and also that they work to keep their customers happy.

And the food is yummy. Yummy!

Tuwmwater City Council chambers on Israel Rd. next to the library, across from the high school.

555 Israel Road SW, Tumwater, WA

Brian Baird's website

While walking past Sylvester Park this morning, I noticed a man standing close to the statue of John Rogers. He was alone in the park and appeared to be reading the inscription and looking the statue over. Then I heard him talking out loud as if in conversation with the statue. I could not hear everything he said but the impression I got was that he was filing a complaint with John.

I continued on towards the library, pack full of books to return. On the way, I saw a dead rodent of some kind on the sidewalk.

Then back towards New Moon Cafe. I stopped briefly to watch road work being done in front of Otto's. A man holding a traffic sign danced in place to keep warm.

Round the corner, I saw an older woman in a wheelchair outside the Christian Science reading room. She asked if I could spare coffee money. I stopped to talk with her, asked the usual type of foolish question we Washingtonians ask: "You managing to stay warm?" Conversation continued.

She: Are you kidding?
Me, rummaging through my wallet for funds
She, said in confidential tones: "I have 18 more days before service."
Me, assuming she meant either missionary stuff or something to do with her income: "What's that?"
She: "Secret Service duty."
I gave her some cash and said: "Coffee and warmth."
She: "Bless you."

What did you see this morning?

[via tesccrier]

UCAN (United Communities AIDS Network) will also be having a candlelight vigil tonight from 7pm-8:30pm at United Churches. United Churches- 110 11th Ave SE Olympia,WA

Today is World AIDS Day! Here are some statistics for you!

• There are over 1,000,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States (cdc.gov).
• Over 520,000 people in the United State have died to HIV/AIDS
• There are around 40.3 MILLION people living with HIV in the world today.
• In 2005 4.9 Million people will become infected with HIV
• Ronald Reagen did not mention AIDS until 6,100 people had died of it, 3 years after it was named.
• 3.1 Million people died of AIDS in 2005 alone.

Today is a day to remember those who people have lost and also a day to educate others on this issue that is affecting many people around the world in one way or another.

Take the time to stop by red square or the 1st floor of the CAB and get information on where you can get tested and most importantly how to protect yourself as well as others!

UNAIDS/WHO annual AIDS epidemic update for 2005.

I was an insomniac for a few hours last night and I decided to try a mental exercise. I decided to play a What If? game, this one specifically about caimans. What if they are invading?

My mind calmed right down with this puzzle to work on. I decided that toddlers and cute puppies should all be equipped with dye packs, so when toothy critters bite them, the biters are then marked for future imprisonment. Maybe we could use neon green for toddlers and orange for cute puppies.

Once I figured that out, I fell asleep immediately.