Salem

As usual, the Salem Mini yesterday was another great NW MINI success! However, there was one very sad point that needs to be brought out. One of the "charter attendees", Phyllis Hughes, was NOT in attendance (due to other professional obligations). However, I wouldn't want to be in the "path of her wrath" for having to miss a NW Mini due to a mere two hour meeting. We heard the Richter scale hit in excess of 8.5 from what was reported a "very irate and deadly storm". <g> However, behind "curtain number four", we were able to recruit two, maybe three new members for the Sisterhood........ so hopefully things will "equal out". Poor Yrral, he has to bear the "brunt of the storm". But in all honesty, a NW Mini is NOT a mini without the presence of the ever enthusiastic, joyful and wonderfulness of Phyllis. Phyll, you were dearly missed yesterday, but hopefully the "recruitment effort" made up for it.

A great big thanx to hosting by Rich & Susan Smith. Before I forget, Rich, you need to remind Susan about the Sisterhood as was Marcia and Sharon was. Other attendees to the Mini were...

George & Marcia Conklin - (who trekked down from the Great Montana wilderness... now there is "dedication to duty" for ya, to attend a mini! George, I won't tell if you won't tell, of the "massive expense" of driving that big motor home all that way. (LOL).

Vern & Sharon Rice - I guess the Rice's were the "co-host of ceremonies" for yesterday's festivities for getting this all together and getting the word out, too. Another lovely couple with a "great sense of humor".

Rich & Susan Smith - Our gracious hosts at who's home we met at. If ever going to visit them down there, don't make any "wrong turns", for you'll wind up in the "hops" fields... hmmmm, maybe not such a bad idea of gathering up one's own fresh ingredients for the "brewin' of the beer". Once again, another big thanx for their gracious hospitality!

Bzaza & Yrral Hughes - Now there is a "NW Odd Couple" for ya if I ever heard one! (LOL). Yrral, being the never-ending source of rich history and experiences made for the "three hour tour" down to Salem another event of informative education. HOWEVER (hey Yrral, you've been waiting for this part, huh??? LOL), Yrral came "hatless". He was wearing a 2000 Reunion Shirt, but "Yrral isn't Yrral" w/o one of his hats. Observe by the posted pics and you'll understand. I guess JimBart and Hap can easily attest to this great lack of fashion taste on his part. And also, I plead for contributions to the "save a windshield foundation" for the Yrralmobile. Hey folks, if you're going to drive in the NW, get some wiper blades that "do the job". However, Yrral was "auto pilot" and my navigational input was overridden as we made fantastic time from Tacoma to Salem (3 hrs) especially w/ the traffic and heavy rain fall. The same goes for the trip back... bookoo fog at times, but the autopilot was working great.... but don't know about the pilot himself. LOL Seriously, it was a great drive south and learned quite a bit of different aspects of SEA and TLCB that I was uncertain of before. This guy (Yrral) is a walking, talking "Library of (TLC&V) Congress"! And my duties of "driving shotgun" almost came into play when Yrral was confronted by a couple of yuppies, who in the dark, picked out Yrral (I guess for his 'naive' hatless look) and made the sly inquiry of, "do you know where Le Center is"? He really wasn't in no real danger after one could observe the limp-wristed driver walk into the bldg for the gas station to make a fool out of himself in there. But you could see the "killer instinct" in Yrral's eyes as he was thinking how he could "frag that Durango". LOL

Jim Sisson - Jim made a last minute inquiry yesterday, and showed up as promised (hey Charlie, "hint-hint"????). Strolling into the "Taste of Thai" restaurant, it was rather obvious who HE was and who WE were, too. But to keep his "arm's distance" and ever present diligence of "scoping out the action", Jim made the informative inquiry of who we were, and we all greeted him w/ open arms.

This is what is great about attending a "mini". So much that is and isn't discussed comes to light in great conversation during these events from one and all. And how great it is, too, to put "faces to the names"... and to personally interact for the first time (hopefully of many) with our new brothers and their families.

All in equal fashion, brought great input and experiences to the table yesterday. From the "first ceremonial pitch" at NKP (Vern), to the last inning out of closing Udorn (Bzaza), and everything in-between, the vast array of experiences was indeed a great educational and "brotherhood" experience. So for the many of you who do not know the brothers mentioned w/i this email, pay heed to their input and emails posted... a great bunch of guys indeed!

The meals included Phad Thai, Chicken, bookoo Kao Phad and Lad Na Combo. NO ONE was disappointed! And the Singha was good and cold!!!!

The disappointing factor of yesterday's great mini, was the absence of Charlie Porter. Hey, Chaz, I saved the "best for last". WHERE THE HECK WERE YA BRO???? Everyone was inquiring, "Where's Charlie" (it was getting to sound like a bad Walter Mathau movie)? It was said (either by Vern or Rich), that Charlie was suppose to bring down a buddy of his, too. But something was mentioned about some "vehicular trouble". How do you say, "hangover" in Vancouver????? (LOL) Charlie, you missed a goodun' bro. Ironically, Yrral thought I was going to chicken out (due to medical problems), but no one thought you couldn't make the <one hour trek southward to Salem. So, it was hereby proclamated last evening, in front of one and all, you owe "bookoo rounds" at the next mini of the "ceremonial beverage"... it was a unanimous vote, and we didn't need the Freakin' French nor the U.N. for any help on calling this one! <g> Seriously bro, your presence was missed.

An open apology goes out to our Brother Jose in Atlanta. He asked me to send his regards to the "mini", but I have to admit, the task was not accomplished. When upon leaving and heading for I-5, this came to mind, and I blurted out an, "O-Shit" in the car, and Larry looked at me. I just then remembered, less than five minutes after leaving, that Jose wanted me to send his regards to the attendees. I guess better late than never.

I don't know who will be posting the pix to the internet, but Yrral and Rich gave enough OJT to Somchit that she is now an experienced and proficient TLCB Mini Reunion Photographer "par excellance". Larry thought he was going thru "deja vu" ala the "P.I.", but his nerves calmed down upon mama-son's return. LOL