'What the Hell Dat?!'

Oh, what a night...late February back in 2009. I'm a volunteer with the Oregon Toxic's Alliance. I agreed to help them with a fundraising event this evening, a Zydeco dance at the local bar referred to as "The Hodeo" by most Eugenians. The Logging Convention was in town for the week, and as I'm sure the Hodeo is a main hot spot for their patronage, the "damn tree hugging bastards" were holding an event there tonight. As I sat innocently at my small table, holding literature on the proposed Insecticide Drop over South Eugene (More on this later), and the dangers of "topping off" at the pump a brusque gentleman weighing about 330 lbs strolled in, looking bewildered by the table and by my presence. This was a normal occurence for the night....for we had about half of our guests show up this way, as if every single one of them had "logger" tatooed on their forehead. It's dissapointing when stereotypes are fufilled by loggers or by lefties. I explained that this was a Zydeco Dance (the word 'Zydeco' was tough to move past...) benefit for the Oregon Toxics Alliace. This gentleman took one look at the sign next to my raffle basket that read "Free From Pesticides" with a pastel hummingbird floating above the words and remarked "I ain't down with no tree huggin' hippy shit!"...then, just as he was to turn around to leave he caught a glimpse of one of our attendees with her Mardi Gras mask on...and exclaimed this time... "What the HELL IS THAT!" right into her face.

Ah, what a harmonious blending of two political-social cultures. I love Eugene.

There was an amazing band playing tonight, Voodoo Mountain Zydeco.

More on the pesticide drop in South Eugene...I plan on fighting this one to the death, because it could very well effect me directly in addition to a school, two parks, and about 1500 South Eugene homes. Please read up on it.

Brewfestin' w/ Kimmie Jimmie

Last weekend was the annual KLCC Brewfest held at the Lane County Events center about 4 blocks from my house. While it happens every year I have typically been too cheap to attend. In retrospect, I was an idiot not willing to indulge in the luxuries of my place and time. It was $15 to get in and $1 for each tasting...which was half a pint. It was incredible. I was lucky to have my most enjoyable companion along with me, Kimmie "jimmy". We circled the brew tables probably about 50 times, running into former teachers, former volunteers, current volunteers, a kitten foster parent, and 'Old Man Dancing' (see video below).

Below is a list of my top five favorites from the night.

1) 'Seven Grain' Porter from Hopworks Brewery (Portland, OR.)
2) Wild Blueberry
3) Oakshire Wheat (Eugene, OR)
4) Waconda Amber Ale (Florence, OR)
5) Too tipsy to remember this one, was from Bend, OR!

Saturday was one of the happiest nights of my life. I was completely unabashed and out there, yet not too embarrassing to warrant any harsh criticism. Kimmie is my perfect counterpart in these situations because, well, she is "more composed" than the average Kyla on an average night. She lets things slide, and for this I am grateful.

This man, lovingly referred to as 'Old Man Dancing' in the community was at the Brewfest on Saturday twirling to the Essentials. His dance moves are legendary, his glitter and long white hair proudly displayed. The video below will be worth millions someday, or maybe already is. Thank you, Old Man Dancing.