We had so much fun making Sweet Wishes fairies out of candy wrappers and other junk that we are going to do it again: Sunday, November 11, 1 pm - 3 pm, at Whirligig (gogreen@thewhirligig.net, 314 Capitol Way N, Olympia, WA), $10, ages 8 - 108, bring some of your own candy wrappers and Dumpster Diving Diva Diane Kurzyna will share some of her supplies and secrets on how to make art from trash!

The potential that is latent in this "blog-space" overwhelms me...

To some extent >I muse< most 'bloggers must post out of no concern or expectation that "their posting(s)" will be read or commented on.

--I muse on this as I think about what I should do with my OlyBlog blog--

I ponder if there is inherent hostility (or at least angsty vibes) in this kind of perceived/shared space...

And also >about content< "what makes my content local, Olympia content"

...but that is a secondary concern at most, and certainly not gonna keep me from posting about gaming or rants, etc...

I like the idea that OlyBlog be "about" local stuff thou-

I thought about using this space for a writing post (fiction/fantasy), but nixed that idea

hmmm... maybe ASCII art? >seems a poor use of a blog<

In South Korea all males are required to serve in the armed forces, police department or fire department for no less than two years. There's a new law which would allow males to complete their two years in some other capacity (e.g. working in the equivalent to DSHS, Parks & Recreation, Water Department, etc.) that will be enacted in the next year or so. I'll say this: I definately wouldn't be opposed to some sort of mandated service to the nation in the United States.

KATUSA: Korean Augmentation To the United States Army.

KATUSA's are selected from the pool of Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) soldiers to serve within the United States Army. They work on our installations, wear our uniform (with the South Korean flag rather than the American flag on their shoulder) and so forth.

Before I'd sort of railed on having to work with international forces, but it's actually quite interesting.

We help them with their English and they help us with Hongul. They're also more than happy to take us out into various South Korean cities for a night out.

At any rate, the reason I'm posting is because this story stuck with me:

I was working an overnight shift with a KATUSA and we were talking about his experience working with the Americans and what other South Koreans think about the Americans. He told me that among the older generation in South Korea, the Americans are loved. The younger generation, though, wants to see the U.S. eventually leave South Korea so the nation can create its own identity.

The KATUSA said when he's talking to someone who is strongly anti-U.S. he tells them the story of when he went to the Korean War Memorial in Yongsan. At the site there are stones with the names of all U.S. soldiers killed in the conflict. He said it's interesting how we break up the names of our soldiers by state.

As Doug transitions to mayor the newly elected city council will appoint a council member to fulfill Doug's vacated term. The position will be subject to an election in two years.

Is Thomas a shoe-in? Will Hogan and Green be a factor in the appointment process? Will a non-candidate step up and ask to be considered?

Here's the text of the Olympia Municipal Code that governs this process.

In the event of the extended excused absence or disability of a councilmember, the remaining members by majority vote may appoint a councilmember pro tempore to serve during his/her absence or disability. In the event of an absence resulting from death, resignation or removal of a councilmember from office, the remaining members by majority vote shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy until the person elected to serve the remainder of the unexpired term takes office. If thirty days pass after the occurrence of the vacancy and the council is unable to agree upon a person to be appointed to fill a vacancy in the council, the mayor may make the appointment from among the persons nominated by members of the council. If the vacant position is the mayor's position, the deputy mayor shall make the appointment from among those persons nominated by the council, within thirty days after the occurrence of the vacancy if the council is unable to agree.

This is my favorite post I have read today. Hat tip to Sayanythingblog.com Rob Port and Ken McCracken

John Murtha once said that bringing federal money to his district "is the whole goddamn reason I went to Washington." And he sure doesn't let that conflict with his anti-war principles . . . when the two meet, the greenbacks win every time. He is chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, and as such he has steered quite a volume of military spending toward his western Pennsylvania district, including $293 million in spending on CROWs, the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station which is specifically designed for use in places like Iraq. So our troops can murder more " innocent civilians in cold blood," I suppose.

Resources:

http://www.house.gov/list/press/pa12_murtha/pr082307kongsberg.html http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/05/18/murtha.marines/index.html

SAN FRANCISCO—Hundreds of people from around the United States, Canada, and Taiwan gathered in San Francisco on November 3 to proclaim their support for the 28 million people who have quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). After marching form Union Square to Chinatown, the group held a rally to celebrate the imminent collapse of the world's last largest communist regime. http://en.epochtimes.com/news/7-11-6/61664.html

I love that place so much. Gives me hope to see how well it does and pride to spend my money there.

Recently I recieved training there, its such a deal to volunteer there and make a few bucks an hour in grocerys. After watching "The Future of Food" I realize how important establishments like that are so awesome.

I think the westside Co-Op needs to be larger. Its really a shame the Safeway prospect fell through. Would have changed downtown restaurants a lot. Places like the Blue Lotus Cafe might get more business once peoples minds are being exposed to more organic foods. Or maybe more competition?

Is there a petition to turn Olympia into a GMO free zone? Several countries in the EU are creating these GMO free zones due to peoples demand!

Really? Because reading some of the posts today (and realize, it's the day after election, and I know some of us are very down about it) you would think that Olympia is about to go up in flames.

Here's your thread folks. Talk about the woes of Olympia, and what this election is going to mean for the city's future. I'm really not getting it, my mayoral candidate didn't win, but other than that, I'm not feeling like the world is going to end. Are the winning candidates really that evil?

How much are you paying each month? What do your utilities usually come out to? For home/property owners how much are you paying in taxes?

Are you living where you want to? If not, where would you like to be? What is your (reasonable) living goal?

Maybe Jim G-Man can set up another chart.