the people of Costa Rica protest CAFTA

How inspiring is this?!

















Here's an article about the protest against the Central American Free Trade Agreement: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070930/pl_nm/costarica_usa_protests_dc

The Ministry of the Presindency and brother of Oscar Arias said that there are only "4 gatos" supporting the NO to the CAFTA agreement.

This is a common expression to say that very few people are involved in something.

So the crowd of more than 100k people are calling themselves "Los cuatro gatos que tuvieron gatitos" the four cats who had kittens.

I really hope that the Referendum next Sunday is approved, which would effectively remove Costa Rica from CAFTA.

with friends in Portland, Seattle (Ballard), and San Juan Island

Biking in Eugene with Jen & Calvin & Rocco! We met up with Jen's brother Joe & sister-in-law Rose for the ride.


















Beer tasting with Sarah and Adam!


















Being glam with Evie and Autumn - oh yes, we are those girls!


















Surprise! Friday Harbor has moved to Ballard! Well, not quite, but it was great to have so many people show up to see me when I stayed over with Whitney. This was my first chance to meet Morgan & Misa's little guy... he makes an awesome monster baby face, by the way!







Visiting with best friends from elementary and middle school!

(Auralee top, Liziee bottom) and their beautiful daughters!

Kashmir Cocktail Lounge Grand Opening!!!

Since getting home about a week ago I've been mostly trying to get caught up on email and just relaxing into being home in our own space with my wonderful Julito.

And then there was a shocker of social interaction, the pre-opening party and the grand opening of the Kashmir Cocktail Lounge.

To borrow some text shamelessly from my friend Cyril:
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My good friends and fellow CouchSurfers Anna & Joe Russell have been working tirelessly for months preparing for the opening of one of the coolest new venues in Costa Rica.

They left Australia 4 months ago to come to Costa Rica and begin working on this bar, which is also the central focus of their reality TV Show: "No Way San Jose". A 13 episode show which will be aired throughout the world.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVEHgz92Duw
www.tvfinternational.com/index.cgi?program_id=1005&page=cata...

Located in the trendy Ribera de Belen area, Kashmir Cocktail Lounge has an international appeal, featuring live performances by the best bands.

Saturday 29th (was) the grand opening, featuring Gandhi.
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Other friends helped out during the day, but I got myself in deep by volunteering to help out with the actual grand opening event! This meant taking orders, making drinks, serving food and drinks, helping organize the cash register and then just generally cleaning up as we went along. I was doing a little bit of everything to help fill in the inevitable gaps that will happen on the first day of business anywhere!

The evening was truly amazing. The lounge was packed - so many people showed up! The drinks and food are delicious (though there were some... shall we say... delays) and the ambiance is sexy and elegant. I even got to break a few beer bottles and clean it up on film - I guess I made sure I'll show up in the footage for the reality show!!!