Update for Support for Local Farmers

The Olympia Farmer’s Market is still accepting donations for farmers and vendors that have been affected by the flood. Monetary donations are being accepted at the Olympia Farmer’s Market and also on line at www.olympiafarmersmarket.com. People have been so generous during this time and there has been a lot of support from the community. Thanks.

The Olympia Food Co-op is taking donations at the cash registers.

FEMA has declared Thurston County for individual and business now.

Work Parties as well as other fund raisers are being initiated and will continue through the new year. We recognize the end of the year is a busy time and that clean up will continue through the new year, especially for the larger farms.

Boistfort Valley Farm, Curtis,  is continuing clean-up. Daily carpools continue to leave Olympia at 9:45 from the Chevron on Plum and Union. Check the website and also for olyblog for continued updates on both people power needs and physical donations.  www.boistfortvalleyfarm.com

If I post something it typically means that I've put a lot of thought into it or feel very deeply about what I'm saying. I know that when I read criticisms of my opinions that carry an overtly argumentative tone, or if I feel like I'm being taken way out of context with no regard toward what I'm actually saying, or just flat our called names, it flips a switch in my brain that makes my synapses start firing in a different way. I immediately stop really looking for any meaning in what I'm reading and immediately start looking for things to attack.

I think a solution to this is for all of us to commit to not using inflammatory language with one another. If it does happen, we have to try to bring it up with the other person in a non-threatening way. If I say, "Don't talk to me like that," there is an implied consequence and it will immediately put the other person on the defensive, or perhaps on the attack. If instead we ask the other person to explain what they mean by that, it gives them the opportunity to withdraw, or clarify their point using softer language.

The issue of humor brought up as well. There was some fairly offensive, though good natured humor used on a thread recently. We have to be careful not to post offensive comments, even in joke form, because it has an effect on the comfort level of the blog for many people. Also, in my opinion, if we feel the need to use sarcasm we should make it abundantly clear that it is sarcasm and not serious. I've seen some threads get fairly heated because of misunderstandings around humor.

That's my two cents, what are yours?

I happened to stumble on these videos last night. I wasn't going to post them here, but I've been reading through the threads and felt the utter need to.

If nothing else, they're extremely motivating.

According to the profile on YouTube of the person who posted, he's with the 75th (Ranger Regiment).

Here's a link to video that was posted recently on the Portland Independent Media Center's website: link.

link to video

This is the best I can do thus far as far as posting.

I do have hi res dvds for those with an interest.

Come by our store to take a look at those products and find more great gift ideas.

For more information and all the days together on one page, go to:

http://www.1x1olympia.com/12days

Hiya all--

Here is a snap from todays headlines.

Fun times ahead (for sure).