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The salmon are running!

Submitted by Rick on Sat, 05/06/2006 - 11:50pm.

By special request:

From the comments:

Isn't it odd that a guy in a fish suit would raise the hackles of so many people? I guess in Olympia the guy in a salmon suit is the equivalent of roller skating transvestite nuns for the religious right in san francisco. Stand proud fishman, you are what is right about olympia. May your spawn be prolific, your fry hardy, and may you continue to return to our welcoming streams.

Rick's blog
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My tax dollars at work

Submitted by white feather on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 3:30am.

Unbelievable, the city streets in Oly are in need of repair, yet the City spends my tax dollars on a freak show like this.

Hmm, something about the

Submitted by stevenl on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 5:40am.

Hmm, something about the subject of this photo looks familiar. I believe he was involved in an earlier OlyBlog discussion concerning the business which has a sign in the background. Next year I'm guessing he'll show up wearing his true colors-- in a caiman suit! In fact, there will be considerable numbers of marchers polarized in two camps: caiman costume wearers and nutria costume wearers. I hope OlyCop is still reading this, the Police Dept. should start preparing now in order to quell the inevitable riot between the two factions.

Meanwhile the real caimans and nutrias will be playing out the game of natural selection in Capitol Lake.

First with the news

Submitted by Sarah on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 6:57am.

You heard it here first folks, prediction of Caiman vs. Nutria (costumed and real) riots.

Smiles

Submitted by Sarah on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 8:47am.

Seeing this Salmon this morning gave me a smile and I can see it gave the procession audience smiles too.

Thank you for providing the

Submitted by Crenshaw Sepulveda on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 10:50am.

Thank you for providing the picture. For years I've been seeing this fishman everywhere I go. It doesn't matter where I go, the fishman shows up. At least I now have proof that I'm not crazy.

The Fishman

Submitted by Sarah on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 5:32pm.

We can keep records here at OlyBlog on Fishman sightings. This will be a valuable service to all of humanity/Olympia. Rick's crack team of 24/7 expert bloggers can help organize the records so we can prove to posterity that no, we're not nuts.

You guys are WAY off!!!

Submitted by Rob Richards on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 2:06pm.

This is my very good friend Mike Holzinger.

That's M-I-K-E H-O-L-Z-I-N-G-E-R

He's our tech support guy at Bread And Roses. He has such a love for Olympia and an undying spirit for the Salmon, that he chose to dress up as one and take part in the Procession.

P.S. - It didn't cost the taxpayers a dime.

(thanks for the help Rick)

Cram it White Feather

Submitted by Nicki on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 6:33pm.

If this was from The Procession Mr. White Feather, you needn't worry about your tax dolllars. The Procession got zip this year. Not a penny! Oh, wait a minute, there were 3 porta potties delivered for the Processioners that stoped at Sylvester Park while parading down the street?? If they are provided for the Procession, why are they not at the beginning or the end of the route? Next year come on down and we'll fix you up with a costume made from old discarded recycled materials, like most of the rest of us wear!

Just admit it, Nicki

Submitted by Rob Richards on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 6:40pm.

Mike Holzinger dressed up as a Salmon and parading through downtown Olympia IS, without a doubt, a freak show. Not to mention one of the funniest things ever (if you knew him you'd understand COMPLETELY), and something he will never live down. In fact, if he dies before me, I'm going to wheat paste this picture to his tombstone.

(And it's not very nice to tell people to cram it.)

Wow, thats not very nice...LOL

Submitted by white feather on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 6:43pm.

Nicki,

Well I saw cops downtown for the different events, and I'm guessing the procession of the freaks got some benefit from that. Also I'm willing to bet a City employee(s) put out barricades, etc.

So to say they got zip, not quite true. But the less spent of my money the better. If people enjoy this event, fine, I support you being able to block streets etc. to put it on. Just don't spend tax dollars on this event. I agree with TFI, Lakefair, Capital City marathon, etc. need to support themselves. I enjoy motorsports, racing motorcycles, cars etc. My groups have to support ourselves, so should your activities.

So you think that the

Submitted by Nicki on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 7:00pm.

So you think that the 300-400 children that were in The Procession are freaks? That's not very nice either! Some of those groups of children practice their dancing for months to be able to perform in those groups. They spend countless hours on their costumes. Also many of the artists for this event also spend hundreds of dolloars their own money, as well as hundreds of hours creating art for the Procession. By the way if I'm not mistaken, the streets were already closed and the cops, as you call them, were already there for Arts Walk too weren't they?

No

Submitted by white feather on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 7:11pm.

I didn't call the spectators freaks, just the participants, and not in a bad way, just silly. And yes the cops were there for other events, I said that. I think that arts walk should pay their way too. And for the record, I don't believe my tax dollars should go to pay for a football or baseball stadium either. That is their facility for their business they should pay for it.

It's not for government (taxpayers) to pay for this stuff. Government, I believe should pay for essential services, and infrastructure.

And if we are going to give money to a cause, help out the men and women Rob trys to help. As you should know from my past posts, I believe the churches should be funding projects like Rob's, not the government. But if I have a choice, give them the money, not the procession.

Funding

Submitted by paisleyboxers on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 7:29pm.

White Tickle, I think you and I should collaborate and build a "Sports Asphalt Area", downtown, where any group of persons can come together and play "Round Object Orientated" games. We could put "Opposing Team Recepticle Poles" up to help with the continued play of the sports that occurr therin. We could have those "Athletes" of fame and fortune involved, in paying for the "Sports Asphalt Area" with large likenesses of those said "Athletes" there in place to honor the "Game" and "Athletes" who sponsored this community building place. Does that sound like what you just cryptically posted? Probably not. I included elusive details. You should start too.

Rob

Submitted by Nicki on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 7:05pm.

I admit that Mike dressed as a salmon is probably a freak show on any other day, thouh I've never seen him. But on Procession day it would just seem normal, whatever that is. The thing is, if one doesn't like it, why would one bother to come and suffer through it?

I for one, concur

Submitted by paisleyboxers on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 7:06pm.

That fellow in the Salmon custume is quite fetching if you ask me. In fact, if I were to see him in say... The Brotherhood.. on any given MONDAY night, I would be (having read this blog) obligated to buy him a drink. I think it takes guff to walk around in a local parade dressed as a fishy. Walk on "Salmon Man"... Walk on.....

psst

Submitted by Rob Richards on Mon, 05/08/2006 - 12:45am.

(paisleyboxers IS mike!)(don't tell!)

W.F.

Submitted by Nicki on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 7:40pm.

So, like I asked, you think the 300-400 children who marched in the Procession are freaks and are silly? That's what I asked you after you said the people in the Procession are freaks. Are you not aware that there are always about that many children who come to the studio to make costumes to wear. I guess you must not have any children, otherwise you would know that this sort of thing is jist what they love. And they can do it with their parents, who also get to have some fun. Not many events anymore where parents and children can participate together to create something for others to appreciate. Too bad you are unable to.

:-)

Submitted by white feather on Mon, 05/08/2006 - 3:34am.

Like I said Nicki, I think its a silly event, even more since adults are doing it. But like I said, if people want to do it, fine. But don't make me pay for it.

only 2 porta pottys

Submitted by Crenshaw Sepulveda on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 9:32pm.

Actually there were only 2 porta pottys at Sylvester Park. I have reason to believe that the third was actually White Feather dressed as a porta potty. I can only hope he has a good supply of mouth wash. Oh,and I'm sorry White Feather. I must have eaten a bad burrito.

C.S.

Submitted by white feather on Mon, 05/08/2006 - 3:36am.

Yeah, and you might want to get your hemorroids fixed. I've never seen hemorroids like yours. How do you keep from tripping on them??? :-)

Fetching young Salmon

Submitted by John M on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 10:04pm.

I don't know about you but this salmon got my essential oils flowing. And you know that it's the oils that make the meat taste the best.

Caiman Alert

Submitted by Sarah on Mon, 05/08/2006 - 8:34am.

Attention everyone, a caiman just announced what it would like on its dinner menu.

So does anyone know exactly

Submitted by stevenl on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 10:06pm.

So does anyone know exactly how much the City of Olympia ponies up for (A) The Procession of the Species? (B) Lakefair? (C) Pet Parade? I don't even live in Thurston County, but out here in my little hamlet in the Old, original, non-Roman road I-5 corridor real Washington of Grays Harbor County, we don't kick at all about public dollars going into our 46-year festival since the investment is not only paid back economically, but also in a way that renews the community spirit of our Third World tiny timber town.

The whole "freaks" argument reminds me of a scene I witnessed at a Lakefair parade ca. 1970 when a drunk parade participant who was part of a fraternity that wore a fez and curled shoes cussed out a "hippy" for dressing funny.

Now, I grant you, there is no way in Hell I'll dress up and march in the Procession, but-- I took part in the Pet Parade ca. 1960-1962. That was no doubt subsidized by public funds just by the nature of taking place on a public street. I guess that makes me a "freak" too.

Apparently, freakdom means celebrating the spirit of the original creativity and magic we all experience as children. And since all three of those events are safe (as long as parents stay involved) and kid and family centered, as a parent I say, long live freakdom! And if some brave soul can carry that same spirit into adulthood, more power to them! The world needs a powerful dose of being less serious.

All we are saying.....

Submitted by Sarah on Mon, 05/08/2006 - 8:36am.

......is let the freak flag fly.

How Much You Ask?

Submitted by Nicki on Mon, 05/08/2006 - 6:18am.

As is said, this year, because the PPR Dept. sent the forms to the wrong address, The Procession got only the porta potties near Sylvester Park, and some police coverage, which would have been there whether or not there was a Procession. After all, weren't there some bands playing in Sylvester Park before the Procession, which were arranged by the PPR? According to the latest article I read, $5,504 goes to Arts Walk/Procession (2 days). Whereas Lakefair gets $24,701 for 5 days for police. With staff time, it came to $60,000. The Procession has never even come close to that!. The cost of cleaning up after Lakefair is $5,428. Costs for cleaning up after Arts Walk weren't given, but every year the day after The Procession, a group gathers to pick up any garbage left on the streets so the city doesn't have to pay for Procession cleanup. This year I drove downtown on Saturday morning after the Friday night Arts Walk, and there was a lot of garbage and broken bottles etc., but on Sunday mid-morning when I went down, the streets were pretty much clean. You cannont say that for Lakefair. AND, if you want to talk about some FREAKS!!! After going a couple times I wouldn't even LET my daughter go down there! And now she doesn't even want to go! In the most recent article, the organizer, Larry Watkinson, suggested having the Lakefair participants take home their own recycling in a bag!!! What a joke, like that would ever happen. Have you seen the majority of the low lifes who hang out down there? They probably live in a dump already so why should they care about littering up their surroundings.

Events like Procession and

Submitted by Crenshaw Sepulveda on Mon, 05/08/2006 - 10:04am.

Events like Procession and Lakefair are what keeps Olympia from becoming Lacey or at least from becoming Tumwater. Anything the City can contribute to keeping us from this eventuality would be welcomed by me. To be sure, I'm not asking for any money from the City, but it would be welcomed and wisely spent in keeping Olympia the city we all love. There is nothing wrong with Lacey or Tumwater, we just don't want that sort thing going on in our fair city.

Isn't it odd that a guy in a

Submitted by Crenshaw Sepulveda on Mon, 05/08/2006 - 10:08am.

Isn't it odd that a guy in a fish suit would raise the hackles of so many people? I guess in Olympia the guy in a salmon suit is the equivalent of roller skating transvestite nuns for the religious right in san francisco. Stand proud fishman, you are what is right about olympia. May your spawn be prolific, your fry hardy, and may you continue to return to our welcoming streams.

Fishy

Submitted by Sarah on Mon, 05/08/2006 - 10:40am.

.......there is something mighty fishy about this whole conversation........

Tribute song time

Submitted by Sarah on Mon, 05/08/2006 - 12:04pm.

Time for a song to be written about Fishman, anyone have the fins to do so? We already have some good lyric possibilities in this thread.

Maybe a song about the

Submitted by Crenshaw Sepulveda on Mon, 05/08/2006 - 5:28pm.

Maybe a song about the fishman, caimans, and nutria. Maybe something to the tune of Dylan's "Jokerman". Let's see: Standing on the corner, flapping his gills......

More!

Submitted by Sarah on Tue, 05/09/2006 - 8:15am.

Keep going, more lyrics!

Wow!

Submitted by Nicki on Mon, 05/08/2006 - 5:28pm.

This subject sure got a run for the money didn't it??? I like the salmon costume personnally.

wow, indeed

Submitted by Rob Richards on Mon, 05/08/2006 - 6:11pm.

I just wanted to poke a little fun at Mikey because he hated the fact that he was dressed up like a salmon in public.

I'm wondering if I can rent

Submitted by Crenshaw Sepulveda on Tue, 05/09/2006 - 6:16pm.

I'm wondering if I can rent the fish suit for a romantic evening with my woman friend, Beverly Rampart. Actually I'd also like a Nutria suit for our cat if anyone has one. I'm not entirely certain what a caiman looks like so I'm not sure if a caiman suit would work on our pooch.

Caiman Power

Submitted by Sarah on Tue, 05/09/2006 - 6:58pm.

Caimans are related to alligators. Ask Steve (stevenl) for the entire story of just how caimans ended up in our previously pristine Capital Lake.

I myself have absolutely nothing to do with Oly Caimans, other than observation and spy-age. A friend recently asked me whose side I was on, human or caiman, I don't think my answer really helped clear up that mystery.

Your pooch will look handsome and intimidating in a caiman suit.

#54

C.A.R.T.

O' horrid sight

Submitted by Rick on Tue, 05/09/2006 - 8:51pm.

It turns by blood cold...

In order to really get a

Submitted by stevenl on Tue, 05/09/2006 - 9:43pm.

In order to really get a grasp on the OlyBlog scoop on the caiman invasion of Olympia, you need to use the "search" option on the toolbar, search "caiman" and "caimans" and then you'll have a complete knowledge on the heinous underground plot taking place right in the heart of the State Capital. They have gotten as far as posing as lobbyists with expensive taxpayer-paid-for "3rd House" badges. Lobbyists and their money really make an end-run around our democracy. If you work on the capitol campus and watch them employ their craft, you would get sick.

Here's the story in short, as I have been led to understand it. Nazi refugees in South America produced a breed of supersmart caimans. Somehow, in the mysterious way invasive species populate a foreign land, they made their way up here. Maybe via Dixy Lee Ray, just a guess. Anyway, once they got into the artifically created Capitol Lake (henceforth known as the fetid "Lake of Doom"). (Look up the word "fetid" on the search bar as well-- it will change your life) all the rules of survival, social, political, economical, spiritual-- changed overnight. They swam real close to the depleted uranium supply of the USNS Fisher which was docked in Olympia last January and the critters grew opposable thumbs overnight.

So, as you can see, 2006 is their year. They dress like old gangsters, with fedoras, and trenchcoats. They smoke in public. They apparently find a safe haven in the steam tunnels at "The" Evergroove State College.

Now some of you might remember Ross Perot's promise when he ran for President as an independent in 1992:

"Now, all these fellows with thousand-dollar suits and alligator shoes running up and down the halls of Congress that make policy now, the lobbyists, the PAC guys, the foreign lobbyists, and what-have-you, they’ll be over there in the Smithsonian, you know because we’re going to get rid of them."

Well, Ross didn't get in there. (Where the heck is he these days anyway?)

He should have included the even greater danger of Caiman shoes-- with the caiman STILL IN THEM!!!These are dark days. Any political candidate wo seriously addresses the caiman problem will get my vote. So far, alas, I see no hope in this arena.

Alas

Submitted by Sarah on Tue, 05/09/2006 - 10:00pm.

The foul beasts have conspired to interfere with my god given right to search everything and anything, I only need click "Search" here on OlyBlog and I am given cryptic runes:

warning: opendir(hm/profiles/standard/modules/pathauto/../../../../../../../../..

.....instead of the information I so desperately require, even before I can begin my caimanetic quest.

Oh yeah, this is awfully fetid too.

Edit: As soon as I wrote this, the caimans released the search function, all now is well. Or is it?

I, for one, welcome our

Submitted by Crenshaw Sepulveda on Tue, 05/09/2006 - 10:54pm.

I, for one, welcome our caiman overlords.

Noticed the other day that

Submitted by Crenshaw Sepulveda on Tue, 05/09/2006 - 11:03pm.

Noticed the other day that the downtown Quizno's seems to have gone out of business. Dang, right before they were going to offer their new Cajun grilled caiman sandwich on chewy chiabata bread. Mmmmmm....Toasty. Well, there is always the lime-cilantro caiman burrito special at Taco del Mar.

How in the world did I

Submitted by Merwyn Haskett on Tue, 04/22/2008 - 11:29am.

How in the world did I stumble upon this disturbing old post?

You are under Caiman Mind Control?

Submitted by security_six on Tue, 04/22/2008 - 10:58pm.

Just remember, aim for the brain. Anywhere else just pisses 'em off :-)

I'm a bitter, clinging American.

The Caimans are going to be

Submitted by Merwyn Haskett on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 7:08am.

The Caimans are going to be the new Olympia Czars when the plan comes to fruition - something about converting algae into petroleum.

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