Familjen with "Det snurrar i min skalle" - Zealous Swedish Techno

Ladies and gentlemen...the great beardo of our generation...Devendra Banhart (& Friends)

Mesa: Land of 300,000 Retirees

Hi all, sorry it's been awhile. Just to bring you up to date. I got laid off my job in Klamath Falls, OR as a firefighter for Lost River around Sept. 24th, a lot earlier than I was told the fire season would end, but realistically no one is ever sure when the work will end. My boss felt bad that she told me I'd have work until much later into fall and took a train from MN for this job, so she paid for my train ticket to Seattle, WA, where I met up with some friends. I spent a few days there, seeing the city with my friend Bill, we were both impressed. Seattle is beautiful, clean and sophisticated. Our mutual friend Mike, who was also in Americorps, works at the famous Pike Place Fish Market, so Bill and I got to catch one of the giant fish they toss across the counter and then we all went out for fish and chips at Lowell's in the market.

A friend of mine told me about a temporary position working for the sw conservation corps in Tuscson, AZ until December. So I was heading down to Tucson to do that and was going to visit with my grandma in Mesa beforehand, though as it ends up, I haven't made it to Tucson. My grandma told me she could use some help taking care of her terminally ill husband Ed. Someone has to be near him 24/7 so she couldn't even go get groceries or visit a friend without hiring someone to be with Ed. So I'm planning on being here until November and that's as far as I've planned out my life. I'm hoping to live in San Diego for awhile after this. Wishing you the best.

Kevin

A Big Hello From Klamath Falls

Hello all. So life is pretty good in Oregon/California (I live right on the border). We have a day off today and hopefully that's it, since there are many fires in the region and I came out here to be gainfully employed. The biggest trip for me has been witnessing the culture out here, as a mexican on the team often repeats to me (disgustedly at my ignorance) when I ask him about life out here: "What'chya know Minnesota?" Lost River employs two crews of 20 (ages 19-37) which for the most part work independently of eachother all over the west, and of them all, I understand I'm the only one that has been to college. Not too surprising, but coming from college and this last year amongst highly educated and intellectual Americorps co-workers it is an abrupt departure.

I'm staying with one of the crew bosses (Dango) and his girlfriend and his girlfriend's son right now. Dango's a really good man, but there's a lot of drama at the house from his girlfriend and his girlfriend's friends - which I try to avoid.

Some observations:
1) I've noticed that people out here are much more expressive when conveying a story: using sound effects and hand gestures to convey a vivid picture. I wonder if this may have something to do with oral vs. written tradition, since in the same vein, no one on the team reads.

2) There's a fairly strong gang culture here between the mexicans who live in northern cali and those that live in southern cali (sobrenos).

3) Homophobia is huge - I can't even begin to relate the insults and negativity directed at gays. I've expressed my opinion (it's not a choice, etc...) and the crew is semi-receptive to this logic though I don't think I'm changing anyone's opinion.

4) Quite a few people believe in UFO's - and very strongly. I really enjoy these conversations.

Overall I am very pleased with how this venture seems to be working out. Though the people I'm working with are different then those I'm used to being around, they do have a wisdom and perspective I've never had the opportunity to hear before. It is fascinating. I hope to write more in a few weeks.

Love, Kevin

Oregon, never been & Photos

Hello all. I'm going to Oregon tonight, by way of Amtrak (42 hrs of bliss). I'll be working for Lost River Management Services on a hand crew (stationed in Klamath Falls, OR) until sometime in November, at which point I will be doing something else. I'll post a few stories of my time out west when I get the chance. Your amigo Kevin

Some Old Pictures

Bob's Fall Formal 2002

Family Trip to AZ 1996?

Family Outing 2001

Walk up to the ceremony

A gas station in Nebraska

The second years

In a Smoke jumper plane in Missoula

Outside Fleecer Station, our residence in MT

After Montana, comes missoury

I'm in STL currently, back from a month long hiatus in MT. We did some work on the continental divide trail, unnecessarily building a bridge over a creek so hikers don't get their toesies wet (CDTA wanted it done) and refurbishing some puncheons. Our hike out of this area, called the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, was kinda something wonderful: near Rainbow MT., through old-growth forest and along mt. lakes and streams.

Some of the most momentous times this last month have occurred while sitting around, getting to know the other members better and better. Amazing people I feel fortunate enough to have had so much down time with.

I'm catching a Greyhound back to St. Cloud on Wednesday the 15th, to arrive Thursday morning.

Hope to see you soon, love, Kevin

After the Americorps graduation ceremony in MT. Our boss, Bruce, is the white-haired hobbit in front

Cedar removal in Washington State Park.

To Montana

Hello all, hope you are well. Yes, Bonnaroo has come and passed already, always so quickly... Tim, Zack and Peter got into St. Louis late Saturday the 9th. I had made enchiladas to feast upon as a sumptuous beginning to our week together, though McDonald's stole that design from me while my mates were hungry on the road. Damn accessible, cheap and easy victuals. No problem though, we went to the nearby hang-out bar: Barney's, had a few, shot pool and returned to dine. We hung out in STL till Monday. Went to the Zoo one day and the city museum another - my two favorite destinations in the city of blues.

Monday night through Wednesday night we camped. Tuesday we had fantastic luck, finding an empty and isolated beach/campsite early in the day which we enjoyed to ourselves throughout the night, perhaps in part thanks to our peculiar appearance. It was a lovely time for us. Thursday we rolled into Bonnaroo around 3:30 p.m., having spent around 3 hours in line to get in. The wait wasn't bad since we could play frisbee in the ditch and people watch - one of my favorite enjoyments at Bonnaroo. Highlights: dancing at the discoteque friday night, STS9, Manu Chau, Ween, the Flaming Lips show, DJ Sasha, guy dressed as a Mechwarrior, our neighbor Marcos and Tool. The Flaming Lips put on the best show I've ever seen. Wayne, the leader singer, emerged from a space ship on stage in a plastic bubble and rolled into the audience where upon the delighted fans pushed him around the crowd. Earlier in the show and to the puzzlement of the crowd, thousands of lazer pens had been distributed. The purpose became clear later on when the audience was prompted to shine their pens at Wayne who cleverly shielded himself behind a giant mirror, deflecting the beams back through the fog into the audience. An imaginative, theatrical endeavor. He also gave very impassioned speeches throughout the show about social change, politics and the Bonnaroo community.

This Sunday I leave for Montana until the end of July. Our 18 person crew will be building trail, possibly fighting fire and doing some various forest restoration projects.

Trail Conquerers

Mia reflecting in Sherwood Forest

Trail building action in Sherwood Forest

Cat, Ben, Whitney and Carly sharpening tools...while I play with grass

Carly, Sabrina, Pat and I sitting on stage after the work day
Note that this stage which served as our headquarters was canopied under a
circus tent.

Greensburg

The first Greensburg team

AJ with Miss Rodeo America and miscellaneous state winners, he loves rodeos

Dan, Don and me

Hanging out in Greensburg...getting things done

Staffing the check in points was usually a headache
I don't know why Carmen is smiling

F5...F Yeah

Howdy, howdy. I returned to STL from Greensburg Kansas, where I've been since the 6th, this last friday, the 25th. At first our operations consisted of tying in with the Salvation Army, and helping them at various point of distribution (POD) sites and working on their canteens, since we had not yet received a mission assignment from the State (which then works through FEMA to assign us). We also staffed the two check points into the city which was a complete waste of everyone's time. The concept was to keep track of everyone who was entering the city and also turn away sight-seers - but few people actually got deterred. People would drive up, fill out paper work and the official "tag" they received from me which signaled they'd been through the check point was a handsomely ripped piece of caution tape duct-taped to the inside of the windshield - not our idea. This measure would have had some salvageable integrity accept on Tuesday, the day we were implementing this broader check point, Pres. Bush was visiting and secret service shut down our operation mid-morning because the checkpoint was too close to the helipad- where henceforth, paradoxically, anyone could get in since they didn't implement their own checkpoint. We were about 250 ft. from the 6 blackhawks, including Marine One with the prez in it, when they landed near our check point.

Soon after the check-point debacle we were given our mission assignment to run the volunteer reception center (VRC) - which is a lot of work. Our tasks include: keeping track of what residents want done on their properties with continuous updates, scouting properties, keeping track of all the legal paperwork volunteers and residents must fill out, making sure volunteers sign-in and out so that the city can be reimbursed for volunteer hours from FEMA, operating a call center, leading teams out into the field, coordinating with the Samaritan's Purse, Mennonite Disaster Team, NCCC teams, Christian Disaster Team, etc...

I also encouraged a semi-successful recycling program in Greensburg after witnessing how much waste was accruing from donated plastic bottles of water, cans, cardboard boxes filled with food, etc...It wasn't too hard to do since the surrounding cities were so very eager to help Greensburg in anyway they could. I got donated recycling bins, a recycling trailer, a construction site sized waste bin for used cardboard and drivers to pick the stuff up and bring it to a recycling center in Dodge City. The support for this recycling iniative has been very positive and I hope continues long after Americorps has left the city. My very competent friend Sabrina has taken over this program in my stead.

It is hard to say how long some of our Americorps team will be down (or over) in Greensburg - as long as FEMA/Kansas wants us there, we'll be there. I forgot to mention that FEMA has a food tent set-up which we're permitted to enjoy (along with the other gov. agencies and a few volunteer ones) and let me tell you - the cheese cake and steak roll out in abundance. This feature served as a pleasant beginning and end to the day (also they had a laundry staff to do our dirty work).

I will post pictures as soon as I can - my friends who are still in Greensburg have many pictures on their digital cameras.

My warmest.

The second years and our director Bruce (on far right) at their award ceremony. My roommates Dolan is next Bruce and A.J. is in the middle.

Getting some grub on STL Serves Day

The Heat is On...

Howdy, howdy. So I've spent another week in STL getting two red, swollen protusions on my neck checked out. The doctor wasn't sure what has been causing them since the test results (bacterial and viral) were negative. I'm not very worried about them, though it would make me feel better to have a solid answer. Other than that, things have been quite well. The temperature is on the rise which means a sweaty, sweaty Kevin. I like to start the day out with a good sweat by biking 40 min. to work and then just keep sweating all day long - last night I was even sweating while eating -what could be better? Fortunately, I sleep in the basement which is 15 degrees cooler than upstairs.

We have not been called out to any disasters in the last 2.5 months to the aggravation of some people on the team, since disaster response is the reason many signed up. We've just been cutting down invasives, spraying garlic mustard and building a short trail in Sherwood Forest. For me it's been fine, and in fact I think I could pretty much do anything with some of the people on this team and have a good time - though some travel outside of MO would be nice and luckily I should be doing so in late June.

This past weekend some of us went to a patio bar after work on friday called "Big Daddy's" which carries the slogan: "Best Bar in the Whole Wide World". An understatement if you ask me. Saturday we had a mass bbq at a member's backyard to celebrate "mad cool meghan p's" birthday and then wound up dancing later in the night at a bar. Sunday we played ultimate in tower grove park, which has been the norm for the last few sabbaths.

Hope you are well.

Fire Season

Staying in shape

A fireline construction team

Hello all. Sorry it's been so long. I've been able to see some fire activity in the last two weeks. The crew I was on was led by Russell, the ERT co-leader and also comprised two 2nd years who are really good sawyers so we got called out a lot. I had no idea what the hell was going on so I could only do what I was told, which was mostly blowing fireline with a backpack blower while the experienced members cut down burning snags (dead trees that are close to the fireline and may fall past it starting a fire on the non-burn side) and lit backfires. It was still for the most part very enjoyable, exciting and tiring. Wildfires are beautiful at night. We were out close to Midnight a few nights trying to control fires that were racing towards homes. Rural areas don't have the finances to hire firefighters and equipment (and in some cases people can't be reached) so we're more valuable there. If the conditions are right (low relative humidity and high temperatures), our director Bruce will cruise around rural areas he knows arsonists like to light and watch the skies for smoke. He also likes to go to high points and gauge the wind and scoop up a handful of leaves and crinkle them in his hand to register the relative humidity. After a few dramatic seconds he'll boldly declare: "32% guys" while we if not outwardly, inwardly snicker.

Slip slidin away...from sw mo...hopefully

Hey all. I'm back in STL for the weekend. Yeah. I mean it, because I sleep in my bed here 4-6 nights a month. Not nearly enough to justify paying rent. I left Mt. Vernon MO last week ("Home of the "Mountaineers" which funnily enough was "Mountainqueers" on Wikipedia up until last week. I'm not sure how good their high-school athletics are though.). I left with a bang, literally. To make a semi-long story short. I was driving a Methodist truck with a trailer and a skid loader on the trailer to work. Not 2 minutes from the church where I was staying and storing the rig, the trailer started to fish-tail half-way down a fairly steep hill. I thought it would steady out but it definitely didn't. It swung more violently with every pass and to avoid hitting a school bus I drove into a ditch totalling the truck. I was and am fine, somehow.
This last week I was at Shaw Nature Reserve cutting down honeysuckle and spraying them with herbicide. It was a really great week. The weather was gorgeous, my crew was good, the accomodations were cozy and we ate well. What more can a man ask for. We were working with one of the volunteer coordinators there named Bob. Bob is kind of a crotchety old man, but we got over our differences and he took us on an amazing hike the last day we were there. It was to date the most beautiful area of MO I've seen. I wish I had a camera with.
Last night found me and my close associates here prowling the best part of St. Louis: the Soulard neighborhood. We visited quite a few bars and danced till late in the night. Very satisfying. I'm not sure what this coming week will bring. Perhaps back to Mt. Vernon or perhaps deployed to an area affected by the weather this weekend. Hope you are well.
Love, Kevin

Recovery in SW MO

Hey all - hope all is well. Things are going pretty well here. Americorps is now committed to keeping track of the volunteer hours in the area, databasing work requests from residents, recruiting volunteers and matching volunteer groups with jobs = an office life - something I don't want to be doing for too long. I've been doing a lot of calling lately and thankfully have had the opportunity to obtain a skid-loader (bobcat) certification. My spirits are up but I find myself bitter about the area. I'm sick of the redneck sounding accent, the horrible grammar (ex. speaking: "we'z been told ya'll could help..." ex. of writing: "need lotz of..." , "been veary busy"), they don't have recycling down here (we've been keeping our plastics, etc... to bring to Springfield), disabilities are really common, obesity is rampant....the list goes on. I keep thinking how different this area is from the really progressive areas of the U.S., such as the Portland area. How much wider can the cultural differences between these types of communities become (environmentally, education level, social and international awareness)?

Gotta run, Kevin

Ice Storm

Ice Storm '07

It's been a bit of a hiatus from the blog. Right now I'm in Mt. Vernon, Mo working at the Lawrence County EOC (emergency operations center). I was deployed to the STL County EOC at first (which is really cool - in a bomb shelter - lots of expensive equip) and then traveled to SW MO before ending up here. Our primary duties have shifted from providing emergency relief: shelters, food and water for the area to setting up for an invasion of volunteers when we get the ok from the government (there is a lengthy declaration and clarification process we have to wait on before FEMA can work through SEMA and then the county and municipalities). At the height of the power outage there were about 300,000 without power. There are still quite a bit without power, though mainly in the rural areas so peope forget about it. Farmers are having a tough time getting drinking water to their cattle, etc... I'll hopefully have time to write more later. Peace.