Although it is still too hot for me to be outside I was up on the west side this evening for errands. Grocery Outlet was cooler and Vic's was fine for dinner. I have a somewhat random series of observations to blog about and I invite anyone who wishes to dive in too. How are you surviving this heat? How's life in Olympia?

On my meanderings around the west side I discovered that I was walking on tiny chips of glass, probably this is left over from the single vehicle fatality that happened up there recently. A utility pole still has candles at the base of it and flowers tied round. R.I.P.

Summer heat means you see body art more, all those intricate tats that people bear. At Vic's many people were sporting tats and that mellowed exhausted by the heat expression.

My guess is that emergency workers - police, medics, even coroner will probably be busy tonight and into the morning. Intense heat for us, the official heat advisory last time I checked doesn't end til 10 pm tonight, Saturday night it is tonight, add some alcohol and stress and I know things can get bad. I hope downtown Oly is relatively peaceful tonight.

Speaking of emergency workers, I am so thankful for all they do for us. Usually I don't have to even think of them but sometimes things get up close and personal. I lost a dear friend recently and was so impressed by all the authorities involved, including the coroner's office. Everyone works hard to provide what dignity and respect they can to difficult situations.

Thank you.

I'm lucky, I'm home now, the fan is whirring, I know that the temps will drop and I'll get some sleep. How is everyone else doing? I hope everyone with bicycles in town are now keeping them secure, the recent reports of theft sound bad.

Stay cool, enjoy life, take it easy.

Volunteer to support the Demo Burger Booth during Harbor Days August 29 - 31.

Read more about this opportunity here, link included to the legend of the Mighty D. 

I think I understand the kind of world that Legrand fears. In Russia, (at least 15 years ago) the police would stop people randomly and if you looked at all like a westerner (like I did), you would get stopped often whereupon you were to show him/her your "dokumenti". While most of the time it was simply an annoyance, every now and then you would be advised that you were violating something or other and would need to pay a small fine for which the "offender" was given no receipt.

The title of this post is taken from the lyrics of the song I just heard while shopping at Grocery Outlet up on the west side. An older gentleman with a good voice sang along with the song playing as he browsed through the dairy cooler. Made for a delightfully eerie moment. I would not have been at all surprised if my fellow shoppers started dancing.

I acquired soap, the snack I'm currently hooked on (True North peanut clusters), and other items at Grocery Outlet and appreciated the "You saved $9.34." that closed my purchasing transaction.

My errands today roamed me all over Olympia. I walked a new sidewalk up on the west side, the first time I walked on it I thought "I am a citizen". Yes, I purely love sidewalks.

I bought a much needed new computer mouse at Target. I've been struggling for a long time with a dying mouse, this new one is so crisp and clicky, a reminder that sometimes little things can make a huge difference.

A friend bought me lunch down at the FishTale Brew Pub. Good sandwich, great cheesecake. A family with a decidely under-21 son wandered in and was politely told that only 21 and older allowed.

Are you in a registered domestic partnership in Thurston County? Would you be willing to speak to the press? If so, please contact David Walega at david@equalrightswashington.org.

Here is the original request via the PFLAG email list:

I have been contacted by numerous media sources looking for registered domestic partners that would be willing to speak to the press. That would be great if they were wiling to speak - the reporter specifically asked for Thurston County residents because it is for the Olympian.

Thanks so much for your help.

David

-- David Walega ERW Field Manager

(o) 206-324-2570 (c) 206-713-1750

While Ruby Re-Usable remains the diva of the Olympia Dumpster Divers, there are some truly talented trashettes showing off their stuff, and we finally got some pics to show you what Olympia High School students Lily Smith and Teasha Feldman have on display at the Capitol Theater in the space where Ruby had her art installation (I love the fact that they reused my wire to hang their plastic bag clothes!).

Go check out Trashion Fashion at OFS and elsewhere for the full story. Comments are enabled there. 

Check out what Jim Anderson at decorablia has to say on the issue, he includes a local example.

I'm not going to even pull out a quote for my own post here, go to his blog and read, browse around, comments are enabled there.

Is privacy important to you?

In the latest episode of this ongoing farce, the bidding for the new jail has come in at a much higher price than the county expected. But that’s no problem, say county officials. True; after all, it isn’t their money they will be spending, it will be yours, so why should they care.

We are seeking an energetic and responsible individual to assist Washington State University Thurston County Extension’s Native Plant Salvage Project with a variety of program needs. Duties will include conducting environmental education activities involving teachers and students in elementary schools with water-wise learning landscapes; assisting with numerous field projects, such as salvaging, replanting native plants, and installing and maintaining water-wise gardens and rain gardens; assisting with numerous community classes/field workshops; and assisting with other needs of the non-profit organization as necessary, such as special events, web site improvements, and volunteer management.

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