Well, just back in LA from a two week journey to San Fran. Home stomping ground of San Frandy. Looked for him, didn't see him. Mainly, just homeless disturbed sad people. Really, pretty brutal. For a town known for it's "liberal bias", the homeless situation was unreal. I haven't seen this much of a problem in L.A., and that's saying a lot. I suppose it didn't help too much that I walked into an odd situation - I took over one of the Greenpeace Frontline offices to replace their local city coordinator. Pretty much flying by the seat of my pants, truth be told. Nothing like walking into a new office to humble a person. Here I thought I knew exactly what I was doing here. Yeah, SF, not so much. Totally new set of challenges. Made me appreciate more the work that I've done here. Got to see what happens when an office is not taken care of for months on end. What was pretty sweet though was actually being in a campaigns office. People who know me know I've done this nonprofit thing for years, know that I have constantly been door to door or some other semi-humiliating position. I'm not doing it any more, but the whole time I was, I was always thinking to myself that somewhere, somebody was doing something good with the money I was raising, with the absolute 110% that I was giving (well, not all the time, but let's say 110% 90% of the time). I got to see those guys, meet the people that are on the boats, tied to the trees, and that are out there doing the thing. It's gratifying to know that when I have to put up with bullshit here, at least somebody is going to do something with it.

In a related note, got in touch with my old friend Teri. She was originally Andrea's good friend, to anybody who is asking who she is. Great woman, great human being. Organized district one in MI for Kerry/Edwards in 2004. A couple of the campaigners were talking about needing a truly strong organizer for district one in these elections. First person that came to my head, so I got her the info, and she was at the second interview stage last I spoke to her. Lots of good words were put in.

Also touched base with April Karwowski. Again, to those in the know, she is doing well. Her boyfriend lives out here, so hopefully will see her again.

Steve Webb in town. For my Han-guk peeps, he will be in Seoul in August. Anybody interested in a good time should hit me up to put you in touch with him.

While I'm on friends, made some re-acquaintences (is that a word?) with some folks from way back - people from Hawai'i, Patrick possibly coming out, and my old buddy Brian Van Eerden. Looking forward to a possible Aune family tradition of bringing myself and a bunch of other folks white water rafting in central WA the first weekend after labor day. That, of course, comes after what should be a hell of a get together at Jason and Ellie's wedding. Got my tickets to Mexico, baby.

If, by chance, you should read this and find your name not on the list, you should get in touch. Now that I'm actually in an office setting for half my time, I have plenty of time to get back to you. For some reason, I can't help but feel it's a good time to get back in touch with friends who I've lost too much contact with.

Much Love.