This really solidified for me the importance of communication. Had I and the other party had meaningful conversations about things at a regular interval, we never would have gotten to the point we were at. I bring this up because I think most of the problems we have in the world are due primarily to a lack of real conversation. It is so easy to become insular to other points of view. Too often, we entrench ourselves and at the slightest sign of contention, we explode upon one another. This manifests itself in violence, shouting, anger, passive aggressive manipulation, and so on. My point is that we need to stop and breathe, and then really talk about things. There are tough issues that we have to deal with, but if we establish a frequent and open dialogue, there are no limits to what amazing things we can accomplish together. OlyBlog is the seed of that, let's keep it going. Let's welcome dissent, let's not get in the way of progress. True progress involves us all.

I kayaked with my friend Julie last night around the inlet, departing from West Bay Marina.  Tug Boat Annie's has a two-hour rental for $15.00.  I haven't been out there in forever, and was pleased to find out the Columbia Street Seisun Group plays out there on Wednesday nights from 8-10.  I wondered where they convene, and I haven't really listened to them since Clancy's went away.

The kayaking was beautiful.  We kayaked right up to seals and herons.  One seal followed us out, and followed us back in. We knew he was around from his periodic appearances and snorts.  I had no idea that so many logs are stored out there, but they make excellant perches for our friends the seals and herons. 

The kayak launch is a little rickety. Both of us passed the 'standing up from sitting' test, so that is good.  And our friend the seal did not tip us over.

24-hour silent "Meditate for Peace" event on the State Capitol Campus around Tivoli Fountain.

Starting noon on Sunday, August 6 until noon on Monday, August 7. Come anytime. Everyone is welcome. Pray and/or meditate for Peace.

The event is non-political and non-denominational.

With our world so filled with fear and polarized on so many issues and beliefs, we all have choice -- a choice to bring Peace to ourselves and our world. We can choose to say "Peace be still" and envision our Earth a tranquil home.

I'm sitting at Yenney's waiting for the music lesson to start.  In comes a woman I do not know with her little boy.  He is wearing a monkey backpack complete with "child leash."  Ha ambles along as if walking is a recently a new-found delight. I'm talking with my musician friend.  Suddenly thrust in my lap is this little boy while I hear his mother with a thick accent and a huge smile ask...er...uh...command, "You take care of him because I have to use the restroom?"  My mouth is open to say...well, I don't know what I wanted to say and before I form even a consonant she is gone.  I look at my friend and he says, "Well, I guess you look trustworthy."  Suddenly my arms and hands, accustomed to"mommy-handling" babies and children are unsure of what to do with this precious, breakable egg.  Many words float through my brain...puzzlement, crazy, condemnation, wonder, burden, honor, disgust, abandonment, trust, confused.  The little boy exclaims in his prophetic child voice, "Feed it!"  Since then, I've pondered, feed what?  Feed trust, that really it would be a fine world where we could trust anyone to watch over our children.  Feed children? Because there are children starving for food and love everyday?  Feed community building?  Trying to understand expectations and perspectives that are not my own?  Ah, the tension of working towards the ideal, not giving up and yet, the little bitter pill that in reality we may never have it completely.  I'll keep trying.  I hope everyone else does because the next arms that receive this little boy may not be trustworthy.

"Nobody can be exactly like me.  Sometimes even I have trouble doing it." - Tallulah Bankhead

On The Way To Suhla: Making reconcilitation in the Middle East

Video: "On The Way To Sulha"
Wed. 8/2 Olympia Center 7 pm rm #103
Monday 8/7 Traditions Cafe 7 pm.
The video will be followed by a discussion of how to involve our region in this process of peacea and reconciliation in the Middle East. More dates and places to follow.

For More Information call:
Jim Shulruff
867-1780

On The Way To Suhla: Making reconcilitation in the Middle East

Video: "On The Way To Sulha"
Wed. 8/2 Olympia Center 7 pm rm #103
Monday 8/7 Traditions Cafe 7 pm.
The video will be followed by a discussion of how to involve our region in this process of peacea and reconciliation in the Middle East. More dates and places to follow.

For More Information call:
Jim Shulruff
867-1780

Check out this image by theunabonger on flickr. Then check out this website that collects pictures of this sort.

Now, you are ready for "I humped your Hummer".

More hummer humping here.

[via email]

Heritage Park improvements begin August 1 Work will close sections of park until spring 2007

This message is being sent to you because of your past interest in and support of the development of Heritage Park. We will send you several project updates as the work progresses.

We will begin construction at Heritage Park on Tuesday, August 1 to finish the elements essential to a basic park. This work will require some closures of the park until some time early next year.

We will spend $1.8 million during this phase of construction to complete the following:

• Re-grading portions of the park to raise the perimeter elevation by about one foot, which will improve flood protection for downtown Olympia.
• Installing irrigation and drainage systems.
• Adding topsoil and hydro-seeding lawn areas.
• Installing additional picnic tables and benches.

We will reopen the lawn areas once the grass can withstand foot traffic.

You will still be able to access the "Arc of Statehood," the walking path next to the lake, throughout the project, even during construction. The public restrooms will also remain open.

The parking lot at 5th Avenue and Simmons will be closed during construction, so we can make improvements there. Parking along Deschutes Parkway and side streets will not be affected by the construction.

We invite you down to the park during construction to watch the progress. We appreciate your patience as we further improve this already popular park.

Please send your comments and questions to Nathaniel Jones, GA project director at: njones@ga.wa.gov.

From The Seattle Times Editorial Page:

The emergency contraception drug known as Plan B, though deemed safe and effective, remains at the center of the social wars.

Whether it's the ideologically inspired foot-dragging of the Food and Drug Administration or the alleged passive-aggressive "out of stock" excuses of drug stores, it should stop. On Monday, nine women filed complaints with the Washington State Pharmacy Board, saying they were unable to fill 17 prescriptions at four stores in the Olympia area. One woman, unable to fill a prescription after a condom failed, said she ended up pregnant and then miscarried.

It will be interesting to see how the pharmacy board handles the complaints. The board recently proposed controversial rules to make Washington one of a few states that permit pharmacists to decline to fill prescriptions for personal reasons. After an outcry, the board delayed adoption of the rules until Aug. 31.