Weekend Full of Waste and Treasure - Dumpster Diving Experience

Mom: "WHAT are you doing? Oh my Ga! What you do? Mommy says stop that now! Oh my Ga... Don't you have a job baby? I mean, what's the matter with you???!!!!!"

I went dumpster diving and my mother called. Friday night. I have been training her for years not call on Friday nights - but I guess you can't change your mother. Friday night, when most are doing traditionally fun Friday night things, I am...looking for treasure in the trash!



Me: "Mom, calm down...it's OK. It's not like I am touching anything gooey or diving in a medical receptacle!" (That didn't help.)

I told my mom that I needed both hands for this endeavor and I would call her tomorrow. She hung up without saying goodbye. I looked at my partner in filth and said, "She's really REALLY upset about this."

Of coarse, it would have helped if I started out by saying I was doing this for my NWPR Blog. (evil giggle) But sometimes I like to freak my mother out! Mwha ha ha ha!

My Mother's reaction is very common. When you think of Dumpster Diving you imagine the down and out scavenging for food - anything to survive. You don't imagine they would find anything of real value - or what you find valuable. Does this have value to you?



Many Americans wouldn't imagine ever finding these brand new Kitchen Aid Food Processor Attachments in a dumpster. Who would throw these away? The items in the above picture are worth at least $70. Retail

Or how about a brand new down feather bed? Brand name $98 jacket? Various KitchenAid Mixer attachments? Brand new sheets? Not all department stores donate their wares.



I was inspired to fully explore Dumpster Diving this year because of the reports I have heard on NPR.
Here is an interview with a woman who wants to marry chic with scavenging!

And maybe you saw the video from my last post about the New York couple who get their food from a dumpster?



I didn't experiment with food diving...yet. That is later in the week. Frankly, I was exhausted from Dumpster Diving because... I GOTS ME SOME TREASURE!!!!!

My hands are sore. I have a couple of bruises, my apartment is stuffed with "garbage!" So the food experiment will have to wait. Here are some of the items I found.

Old gas BBQ - I left it and someone else took it away later in the day.


Disco Ball Baby! Lots of wires that my Dumpster Diving Partner could use, a cement power drill and ... another BBQ. I found 3 very nice BBQs.


A couple of broken chairs that I will repair and pass on, two nice bar stools. When I was pulling these out of an apartment complex dumpster a guy came up to me.


Guy: "Hey. What you doing?"
Me: "....check out this chair man! There's a TV in there ( saw 3 TVs that night )!
Guy: "Yeah. It's a real shame the things people throw away. Man. If I wasn't moving out of here next week I would do what you are doing."
Me: "Yeah. It's amazing what you can find."

He moved on. You're probably wondering what do you do when someone sees you?
Dumpster Divers have rules. I researched online that you do the following.

BE SAFE - no sketchy dumpsters, medical dumpsters...etc.

1. Have a partner because lids can drop on top of you and things can be heavy
2. Wear protection - gloves and full clothing.
3. Spend only 2 minutes or less looking in a dumpster. If you don't see anything that catches your eye leave.
4. If it takes longer than 2 minutes to remove an item - leave.
5. If someone tells you to leave - leave and never return
6. Know if this is illegal in your town. Most places it is not. But respect trespassing signs and never open a locked dumpster.
7. Always leave it cleaner than you found it.
8. If someone asks what you are doing, "I'm looking for boxes." Then be willing to leave behind your finds.

Barely used cooler with wheels, tiki torches and an old fire pit grill that is now yard art!


I found a lot of furniture and only picked up a few pieces. I have this thing about furniture. I like it. I like fixing them up and perhaps gifting them or selling them at consignment shops.


I found one dumpster near a huge apartment complex that was stuffed with barely used clothing and shoes. I pulled out this enormous duffle bag and it was full of men's size 13 Nike shoes. Barely worn! My Diving Partner found a bag full of women's size 8 shoes...including Sketchers and Michele K sports shoes.


Here are a pair of shoes rescued from Landfill. These shoes retail for $75 on sale now for $50.


My co-worker, Robin Rilette, was uneasy when I told her what I did for the weekend. I have a feeling, she is shocked by what I found and thinking...how wasteful Americans are. But Wait! There's more!

Very nice clothes including a GAP jean jacket.


Outdoor Bar that needs one leg fixed (got a pal who can do that) and wash the cover!


This amused me. Recycling bin in the trash, next to paper, next to barley worn shoes.


More furniture...


I had to drop off a key at Thom Kokenge's and this was after a round of "Rescuing Things." He was amazed! Except with one of my arty pieces. It is now hanging artwork on someone's garage! Out of the landfill - safely above a garbage can - viewed by alley cats and happy to be reused.




Tomorrow I will share my thoughts about this experience and what I plan to do with my found treasures. Oh. And I will share my convesation with my mother - who lost a night's sleep because of me!

What Are You Doing Tonight Sueann? Dumpster Diving.

Your Friendly, Local, All Things Considered Host here...soon to be in your dumpster. Come Monday I will tell you all about my Dumpster Diving experience! Will I find food AND eat it? Will I find anything good? Will I get an infection? Touch something questionable and gooey? How far will I go to bring you this story and share the experience? My digital camera and camcorder will tell...just don't tell my Mother.

Built From Trash

I have been thinking about reusing - how to look at something and reuse for another thing. For example. How can you look at an old bicycle and think lawn furniture? Brilliant!

Well I got to thinking about houses. Are there homes out that reused other things? Then I found this site. Two grandmas making a house out of junk!
Built From Trash

I then found this home on Colorado. All recycled materials.

Read about it here

Do you know of other homes in the area like this?

I Don't Need More Stuff! Why Is the Mall Closed?

Over the weekend I saw the John Butler Trio at the Big Easy in Spokane. They. Were. Amazing. It is such a pleasure to listen to talented musicians who have humility and genuine love for their art and fans. Check out the video. My favorite part: Life's Not About What's Better Than!



I think this song is a theme for what NPR has been covering; The environment. How much do we need to consume? What about our food? I had no idea that beef used up so many resources. Pork is better? Really? Listen to this interview that was on Day to Day.

I know. If we really thought about all our choices and life - respiration would be un-green. I heard someone on the radio say, "Why should we consume less? Live more green if India and China won't think about it too?" What do you think?

WINDOW INTO SUEANN'S LIFE:
After a great weekend, hearing this lovely concert, not buying anything at the clearance section of Macy's...I found myself aimlessly wandering Ross. I had an arm full of stuff. Nothing important to mention. I put it away. The mall closed. I walked out into the parking lot and thought...why do businesses close at 5pm on Sundays!? So I went to Walmart and aimlessly wandered the isles. I bought pupperoni for my dog.

I drove home and thought to myself... It is easier to buy and consume than to create. I had to get a consumer hit.

9 Year Old Crosses the Street! Gasp!

I was glued to the radio today. Talk of the Nation had Lenore Skenazy...Read Article... as a guest. She let her 9 year old son take the subway home. In New York. By himself. With no cell phone, and the possibility that he would have to ask a stranger for help.

At first, I was taken aback. In New York? The kid could have been (insert nightmare here) and how would the mother have felt then?

Well. Of coarse Lenore would have felt horrified. Silly question. What we really want to say is...I don't think you are a good parent because you are putting your son in danger.

Danger? Lenore gives various stats on the crimes and random acts of violence in N.Y. Seems times are like the 60s now. Apparently, letting your kid out doors in N.Y. is similar to letting them out in Boise.

I remember fondly riding my bike all over Base Housing on McChord AFB. I would be gone for hours discovering new places. I remember discovering two horses that lived behind the Base Housing fence. I fed them grass and touched their noses. I remember finding out where all my classmates lived. Sarah Love and Michelle were neighbors! No wonder they were best friends! I remember finding new playgrounds and realizing my block playground was the best. It had the best acorn trees, that's what we called oaks. I had a watch and knew what time I had to be home.

I had a sense of freedom. I was able to exercise skills my teachers and parents had been teaching me. I had some independence and it was exhilarating!

When I was 9 my mother started to worry about strangers abducting me. I wasn't allowed to go outside as much. When I was 12 I begged my mother to let me walk the 3 blocks to the Feed Store. I wanted some penny candy. She said no. It was too dangerous because the store was next to a busy road.

Luckily, my father convinced her otherwise and I had that wonderful feeling of independence again! And I hate to admit this, but I had that same sense of independence and freedom when I bought my own bar of Irish Spring soap in college. Yup. I was pretty protected. I won't go into being grounded my senior year for 3 months, or having a 10pm curfew, or never being allowed to go to a sleep over...I'm not bitter. (Dad was working abroad)

I don't have children yet and know ideas and feelings change when you do. But I would love for my kids to have that wonderful feeling of independence. I know it will depend on the kid, his maturity and ability...but I think kids are smarter and safer then we think...or rather, allow them to be.

My friend, Mr. Davies, said when he was 9 years old he was running his Dad's grocery store. By 12 he was working the books. Of coarse, that was back in the 1930s. Do we make 9 year olds like that anymore?

I am very curious to hear your stories and thoughts. Read the article and let's discuss! But one thing. Please don't tell me, "You'll see" or "You'll find out when..." That right belongs to my Mother.

Super Thursday Pictures Last Hour

Talking strategy with the producer and then....



getting on the air to tell you that....



My partner, Rita Brown, is hinting at....that.....(wait for it...)



You DID it! (playing Earth, Wind Fire's You're a Superstar) We hit the goal of 2200 pledges! In fact, MORE came in as we were speaking. About $266,000 in ONE DAY! Super Thursday is a success!



The volunteers in the studio go wild! We also had volunteers in the Murrow Addition building still taking pledges.



Thank you to all who contributed. Big thanks if you mail in your contribution prior to the drive because we really do rely on that annual gift. Thank you if you became a new member with us because we need to have you on board. And thank you for renewing your membership because it is with your support we can air the great shows you enjoy!

Go Team!
Sueann

PS here is a little Pre-Super Thursday Super Friends encouragement.

Autism, Vaccines and Jenny McCarthy?

I read this article on CNN.com and did a quick search for other sites. I am interested in this article for many reasons.
1. Sometimes we just settle for what professionals tells us to. Maybe we should challenge some more?
2. Food is very important.
3. Don't Panic (where's my towel?)
4. Big Pharma is very powerful. Ever wonder why we make money off of bad health?

What struck me the most was the number of vaccines babies take now. According to Jenny McCarthy, and yes I realize the source, in the 1980's we took 10 vaccines by age 5. Now, 32 vaccines by age 2. WHOA!

Tell me what you think?

The World CLock

Visually fascinating to see the statistics click away the time....

http://www.poodwaddle.com/worldclock.swf

Bruno Ramella and Lessons from the Great Depression

My Pappy, Bruno, is a real Italian American. He has large ears, a large schnoz, a temper and eats well. I always thought it was tight with him money - and didn't think that was nice. Nice? What does that have to do with money? Well. Grandma had to drive a super old car for decades DECADES because Pap said they didn't need another. This car was so old it had moss growing in the window slits and was practically rusting away. OH. And he would be upset if she used the air conditioning because it used up gas. But he would turn it on for guests in the car - they live in Florida.

But recently I heard a story from my Mom about Pap. Here's how it played out.

Phone rings: Hello?
Mom: "It's Mommy. The reason Daddy grew up in a trailer is because Grandpa didn't want to owe anyone money..."

Me: "Oh Mom. Did I hurt Dad's feelings because I called him trailer trash? I was only kidding...and celebrating his heritage!"

Mom: "No. Not really. But I wanted to tell you story. Grandpa's Daddy lost his house in the Depression you know? So he lost everything they have. Your Grandpa remember this and said he would neber lose like that. So when he bought the land he also buy trailer to live in. Then as he got money he start to build his own house."

Me: "Whoa. That's why he built his own home? So he wouldn't owe anyone any money!?"

Mom: "Yes. He remember the Depression time. You know Baby, that was hard time. He was a kid and had to work...he would deliver milk and bring his mommy cream and give her his quarter...he would buy food and he was only a kid."

Me: "Oh wow."

Mom: "Yeah. So see? There was reason Daddy lived in a trailer."
Dad: (in the distance) "I never lived in the trailer! I was born after the house was built!"

Me: "So really...I have no trailer trash heritage."

Mom: "I think you miss Mommy's point."

So Dear Reader... can you be that patient and avoid owing? It seems to me that in order to have American comforts we must carry American debts. Sueann's Magical Quick Math-estimator indicates it would take me 3 years to save up for my car - $17,000 Hyundai Tuscon with 10 year bumper to bumper warranty and free tires for life (good deal huh)- and that's IF I only had a $500 rent payment and $200 in other expenses ok make it $350 in other expenses cause baby's got a shoe addiction...

Anyway - YEARS to buy my car out right cash.

Pap and the Family lived in a tiny trailor for about 2-3 years. The kids slept on the dining room benches. I have a feeling today's Child Protection Services would be upset at that...

But they were happy, fed well and warm. Eventually, they had their house - that Pap and Nanny owned outright. They never had a mortgage payment in their lives. Who can say the same now?

With the mortgage crisis and the shared veins that trouble has with various banking institutions, it is amazing we have not hit the Depression. If we did, how many of us would learn the lesson of credit?

But maybe a more realistic question is: How long can you go without in order to have it for real?

Not very long.

Couldn't Work. Had to Listen to Robert Schimmel

There are few interviews that I am motivated by, moved by and given direction by. Normally, those interviews are by Terry Gross of Fresh Air. Comic Robert Schimmel. He survived cancer.
Worth the 40 minutes to listen
What I got from this interview is.
1. Get over yourself and pettiness. Life is too short to waste
2. The hardest trials have the richest rewards
3. Attitude is everything
4. If you know what you want and need, get it.

Upset and Helping

This upset me

This is what I did to help and feel better about it

Thanks Day to Day and NPR for reminding me that I live an extraordinary life compared to millions of women. I give thanks for my blessings and the capability to help.

Executive Function and Urge to Slap Rising!

Scene: Dallas Airport at one of the many mini Starbucks in the American Airlines Hub. Ordering coffees at Starbucks, now nicknamed Fourbucks.

Actors: Myself, your friendly All Things Considered host; My Father, your half Italian, Pittsburgh Stealers fan, Magellan antithesis; A disheveled, angry faced mother and her two terrors; A very stylish, mid 40s woman.

What happens next clearly indicates the children are lacking in executive functions learned during old fashion child's play; "good self-regulation, able to control their emotions and behavior, resist impulses, and exert self-control and discipline." (stated by NPR's Alix Spiegel)Hear the report HERE.

In other words, these kids were loud, overly emotional, hitting each other and their mother, unable to resist the impulse to whine and had no self control or discipline.

Before I go on let me say that I dig kids. I love them. Want some of my own some day.

I wanted to smack these children.

We heard them coming before we saw them. The little girl, maybe 8, was screaming at her mother to give her a jacket. Then she would fake cry. Then her brother, maybe 9 or 10, shouted he wanted a mocha. When they turned the corner I saw two overly plump, Caucasian kids. The little girl grabbed the back of her mother's purse strings and pulled the woman to a hault!
"STOOPPP! I WANT IT NOOOWWW!" The little girl stomped her feet (so 1st grade darling!) and screamed...SCREAMED "IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS THEN YOU WILL BUY ME ANOTHER ONE FOR $100!" Then her brother punched her in the arm - she cried. He shouted to his mother, "I DON'T CARE. SHUT THE HELL UP!"

OMG. OMG. No he didn't. I looked at my father with eyes asking, "Did he just say that?"
My father whispered loudly in my ear, "Wonder who's fault that is?"
I said to him, "I am this close to going over there and talking to that little girl."
Dad: "Nah. Don't bother. It's none of your business."

We heard more screaming and whining while waiting for our coffees. We noticed the disgusted looks on everyone's faces. One woman looked at me and said, "That family needs to be on Nanny 911!"

As we left my Dad said, "I hope they're not on our plane!"

They were. With Grande Mocha Frappes and whipped cream.

So after I heard the report on Morning Edition about executive function and child's play...I thought of those two kids. Maybe unplug them from the video game console, open the door and tell them to play. With what? Their imagination. Have them make their own rules, follow them, learn some self regulation and contemplation.

Then offer some help to the mother.

Am I being too harsh here? My COMMENTS has taken a vacation...I'm looking into where it went so in the meantime, email me your thoughts for posting sramella@wsu.edu


FROM ROBIN RILETTE
Sueann,



About seven years ago I was in Tacoma visiting my best friends from college. At the time they had a four year old, Eva, and a two year old. Eva was on a play date with another little girl. Their youngest was napping upstairs. Lynn and I were sitting on the front porch when the mother drove up in her van with Eva and her little friend. Everyone got out of the van and congregated on the sidewalk for goodbyes. Everything was going swimmingly until Eva wanted her stuffed animal back. The other little girl then proceeded to pitch a fit of monumental proportions. Eva didn’t grab the toy, she didn’t punch the other little girl or scream at her she just wanted her toy back. The little girl would have none of it. Lynn and I stood there, almost transfixed, by what happened next.



First, the mother started pleading with the little girl. “_________, please, please, please give back the toy to Eva. Please listen to mommy, honey.” You get the idea. All the time the little girl is screaming her head off, crying and flailing around. The highlight came when she took off down the street carrying Eva’s toy with her mom chasing after her saying, “Honey, please stop. Please listen to Mommy. Please give Eva back her toy.” At this point, I had retreated to the safety of the porch to watch the horror unfold before me. Eventually, the girl was persuaded to give up the toy and persuaded to get in the van. It took quite some time.



After they left and Eva had calmed down and gone upstairs for a nap Lynn came back outside and sat down on the porch with me. There was a long silence. Then she said, “Robin, what do you think of what just happened?” I hesitated and finally said, “I’m not a parent, so I don’t feel qualified to say anything.” “I really want to know what you think,” replied Lynn. “Well,” I replied, I have a question. Who was in charge? Because it certainly wasn’t the mom.” I’ll never forget that mother following that child, pleading and literally begging for her cooperation.



I told Lynn that my mom was not perfect, but I know that I would never have been allowed to behave in that manner. My mom would have firmly grabbed my arm, pulled the toy away from me, told me in no uncertain terms that the toy was NOT mine, would have made ME give it back and if I’d whined and continued crying would have swatted me on the behind, put me in the car and driven away. My mother was in charge and I needed her to be in charge. I also needed her to teach me how to control myself, how to return borrowed objects and how to be respectful.



Okay, I feel better. J



By the way, my friend Lynn and her husband Jeff are excellent parents. They are loving, firm, compassionate and disciplined and are teaching these qualities to their children who are a pleasure to be around. Their Auntie Robin loves them dearly.



Robin

What Oil Do You Use? Beef.

First let me say that I couldn't have planned the timing of my vacation any better. I hear you had a lot of snow while I was gone? Grocery store roofs collapsing, WSU closed, 6 hours shoveling snow off driveways! But when I drive home...it is all melting; Seems I brought some warm weather back with me!

Second, I would like to give a shout out to my new friends in Walla Walla! I will write about my visit with the Walla Walla Chamber and Canoe winery later.

Now, let's get crazy like the Kiwis!

Cement Luge. Check it out! You have to do this and be careful to not hit the little children on the way down. Instead, aim for the screaming adult female...as my highly competitive traveling partner did. Here's the scene. You wait patiently in line with a hundred kids, sprinkle in some parents and Asian tourists.

NOTE: Not all Asian tourists in NZ are tourists...they are Kiwis! As my mother says, "Koreans are everywhere. I am not surprised. Kiwis need Kim chi too!"

Grap your black, three wheeled, motor less cart. Prove to the 16 year old safety guard that you know how to use the brakes...shimmy your way to one of three lanes; scenic, intermediate, advanced and GO!

Scenic was nice and....scenic. Took a long time and this is where most of the parents with kids on their laps drive. Weaving in and out of them was a breeze! Ha Ha Suckers! Intermediate was a nice test of your new driving skills...just don't let go of the handles or your cart brakes COLD and you go flying. Didn't happen to me but I was told it does sometimes. Advanced: Now we're talkin! I totally kicked some 5year old's butt on this run! You should have seen him screaming at me! Let off the break little dude and you MIGHT catch up!

Then you take a ski lift all the way up the mountain to do it again. This time I would race my friends down the advance. I was in second place...passing my HIGHLY COMPETETIVE TRAVEL PARTNER, who will be known as Jerk for the rest of this blog. There I was, spotting the end...going for the silver when I look behind me and see Jerk speeding up. He ignored the SLOW DOWN NOW sign because, well, let's be honest! It's like a red light in Italy - a suggestion.


Here comes Jerk and the lanes are merging and BAM! He squeezes me out of the lane! I am ejected from my cart and forced to use my bum as the brakes!


I got back in the saddle and limped my way to the finish line. I was laughing because it must have been a ridiculous site. Jerk was mortified when I showed him my raspberry. Then he felt so bad...I milked it the whole rest of the trip! I won't tell you how I scraped the same spot while riding the SCENIC luge; no one to blame for that but myself!

On to ZORB: This is where they throw you in a plastic, human sized, hamster ball and push you down a hill! GREAT FUN! I highly recommend you try this with water. When I did it there was a water shortage at the site. (Global issue huh?) So I did the dry run and that was fun...but the water allows more people in the ball with you! On second thought that could mean elbow in the face and after the luge I am done bleeding.


Then Swing Catapult! Good rush!

Then Rally Car Race. Am I tired? NO! But I have to admit that I cried in the rally car because the driver was insane. Which must be the point.

NOTE: Idaho farm boys have learned a variety of ways to entertain themselves with speed, engines and B.B. guns. Give them a bike, a cliff and near death experience and you have a friend for life.

When it was my turn to drive an evil sensation swept over me as I gained speed. I felt the inner Sue-animal emerge! I am gonna make this Sucker CRY!!! And I detected a wee little tear as he learned I had the fastest overall time! He may have had the fastest LAP but technique ruled the race that day!

Cave tubing was amazing! The 16 year old guide (they have a lot of them employed here) gave us directions.

Kiwi: Yeah. All right everyone. I'm Chris that that guy over theh is Mike. Give a wave Mike. Yeah. Uh. Mike doesn’t like you to pee in the wet suits. It's very bad smell and hard to clean. Right Mike? Yeah. See he's noddin yeah. So please do not pee in your wetsuit. The pee will be trapped in and you will essentially be marinated in your own urine. Not very appealin.

We were off! Glow worms are really cannibalistic mosquito grubs with glowing poop. But that is not as cute as GLOW WORM! They are beautiful and all activities at the Waitomo caves are highly recommended! After the 2 hour caving/tubing/water jumping run you get a hot shower and soup!


Geothermal parks are everywhere and a must see. In some parts of Rotorura the Earth let's you know she's alive with her perfume sulfur scent and steam. I was in awe of the mineral pools, lakes and streams. The variety of colors - gold, highlighter yellow, sky blue, Ana Sui Spring collection 2002 green, and the mud! How the mud bubbles up and farts! So many giggles and thoughts of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!

The landscape of New Zealand is both romantic Jane Austen novel, Jurrassic Park 1 and yes...Lord of the Rings. I am at a loss for words.



The fish and chips in NZ were delicious! Last year a student got scurvy because he only ate fish and chips. Cheap and good...why blame him? Guess he didn't like tomato sauce (ketchup in Kiwi talk with a clove flavor). When I asked the fish and chips guy what oil he used for frying he looked at me like I was strange.



"Beef" the man said.

"I love your country Sir! I'll take the number 2!"

1 Bruise, 1 Butt Scrape, 1 Terrible Burn

Your no longer bleeding local All Things Considered host here...reporting from the Sydney airport and survived New Zealand. Ahhh...New Zealand! I would like to say it was relaxing and refreshing but this is the land the invented the bunji jump! So when in New Zealand be extreme like the Kiwis!
The List: Explore geothermal villages - try to touch the water and steam
Zorb (placed in a giant hampster ball and thrown down a hill....FUN!)
Drive like a maniac in a real off road dune buggy
Drive on the left hand side of the road
Get catapolted into the air on a swing
Innertube 200ft down into the earth and look for glowing worms (or as what I call them, cannabolistic maggots with shiny poop)
Avoid gunshots in Auckland
Luge down a cement track avoiding children and keeping my skin on

Results: 1 bruise (caving) 1 bad skin scrap on my bum (luging) and still recovering from a burn from snorkeling.

What I can't wait to tell you is about the details of it all and the culture I am learning about.

What is strange is I lost all track of time, days and have no idea what's going on except that Obama won South Carolina? Really? And McCain and ...Romney? Are playing the liberal card. Can't say it is something I am dying to get the details about but I can say it is interesting how much American politics is reported on here. We really have a huge impact on the world.

Here in Sydney I plan to walk on top of that enormous bridge...surf and maybe take a nap. G'Day Mate!

2008 is Off to a Bula Start

Bula! BULA BULA BULA!!!!!!!

Your friendly local All Things Considered host here, in Fiji, reporting on the weather! Tonight, clear skies after the afternoon monsoon shower. Expect temperatures between 70 to 75. Tomorrow, blue skies in the afternoon with a chance for showers on the main land. Otherwise, sunny and FREAKING AMAZING!!!! Highs in the 80s to 90s.

Oh, and remember to continuously reapply the sunscreen because the ozone is thinner here....ask my back end. It has been intimately introduced to the ozone. It was left blushing beat red by the end of snorkeling.

Next stop, New Zealand then on to OZ! Now, this is only partially fun and for my own private entertainment. I am here...researching the water issues in these countries. Work is so hard sometimes!

PS for those of you wondering if your contribution is funding exotic research trips - it is not. But that would be nice and we would be happy to send any one of our on air hosts to the place of your choosing....if you pledge. www.nwpr.org

Vinaka!
Sueann Ramella

Can American Inmates Dance Like Them?

The inmates in the video are from the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC)in the Philippines. Their approach to rehabilitation is discipline, physical fitness, dismantling of the culture of corruption and preemptive decongestion. From the video...DANCE is part of the physical fitness.

I wonder if the feeling of teamwork is also part of the rehabilitation? Perhaps even fun? The article below is great. I wish we could try this in the States.

Read this article on an interesting idea on corrections.

Before Christmas Says Hello, It Says BUY BUY BUY

Remember a while back I said I was going to have a "spend as little as possible"
Christmas? I think I did it. Sort of. For my father I made a "Ramella Radio Hour" cd with Holiday tunes. Hosted by Moi. He loved it! But then I bought a $10 coffee card at his favorite Barrista drive through. I didn't feel it was enough...

For my mother I made her a "Music to Paint By" cd with various Enya and Loreena songs. I also bought her a $10 purse organizer (which...oops...she already has) went in on a rock/crystal candle holder (have yet to pay my share) and bought her an electric bean sprouter machine from a Korean store. Total, including debts outstanding = $100.

For my dear friends I got some great pictures of Moscow, Idaho from the early days. Thanks to Kym at the Latah County Historical Society for her help and enthusiasm! I also made a bear out of a sock. Total = $57 Pictures, frames and sock.

I also made some bird seed wreaths = free because my neighbor provided the materials. Thanks Rhonda!

Finally, a gift for my special friend, Robin Rilette: A cd with my singing "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." Now. This is especially special to Robin because I did it in my nerd alter ego voice. She loved it. Price = priceless!

My gifts were good. Thoughtful and nice. Yet, I felt they were wanting. It wasn't enough for me to give my mom a cd I made. I had to buy her some big ticket items. I found it interesting that while walking in the mall I had a urge to just buy things. I started to question my gift choices. Am I being cheap? Will they think I am cheap if I just give them this? Maybe I should buy a gift card to supplement.

I had to get out of the mall stat. I was starting to feel guilty for no reason.

Frankly, this has been a financially challenging year. My close friends know this and wouldn't expect me get into debt for Christmas. But there is something inside me that is so willing to do that. Why is this?

Merry Belated Christmas My Listener. Happy Late Holidays!

Soapy Water, Theatre People and Taxi

I went to Soap Lake to visit my friend, Bobbi (with no E). We had a great visit and she took me to a Masquers Theater Holiday Party. I managed to almost embarrass her and myself several times. I love meeting strangers. Especially ones full of drama. Many asked me why I was there and I told them I was there to celebrate Hanukkah with Bobbi.

Person: "Oh!? Are you Jewish?"
Me: "No. I'm not one of the chosen people. But Bobbi is."
Person: "Bobbi? Really? I didn't know that?"
Me: "Yeah (finger to lips) but it's on the down low because she hasn't told her mother yet."
Person: " ...?"
Me: "Well. You know it's..."
Bobbi: "SUEANN! What are you doing?"

Bobbi made Latkes... which for the life of me I am saying LatKEYS and thinking of Latkah from Taxi. Remember that show? It came on at 7pm and after that was my bedtime. Yup. My parents let me watch Taxi and I went to be dreaming of Tony Danza.

Everyone at the party was associated with the Masquers Theater. They are very nice people and seem to attract men by the name of Don.

After settling in the Hostess, Mary, said I had to play a game.
Mary: "You have to tell us a secret about yourself that no one else knows!"
Me: "But I just met you people!"
Mary and Masquers Gang: "Oh! But you can say anything because we don't know you! Yeah but it has to be true!"
Me: "uh...ok... (the stares were intense - like theater lights!) Well. I don't think even Bobbi knows this...Sexual reconstructive surgery is really not that expensive."

They laughed. I got out of that one! Phew!

Then Bobbi took me to her secret club - the Businessmen's Club. Apparently, they have very cheap chicken dinners...that's why she became a member. I bought Bobbi and I two Cosmopolitans had made her pay. (They don't take plastic!) What was cool was talking to the ladies there about the attention spans of today's youth.

What was I talking about?

Oh yeah...today's youth. Attention... OH! LOOK! Flip This House is on!

Shoot. I really need to stop playing the video games, listening to my Ipod ALL THE TIME and chewing Bubbalicious.

Seriously. We met another Mary and she works with kids. She says it is a whole lotta work to get them to pay attention then what it used to be. This thought was confirmed by a Jr. High Art teacher recently. Unplug your kids people!

At Bobbi's house we lit the Menorah and watched the candles burn. Happy Hanukkah Bobbi!

The next morning I had to leave early to get to work - so I could talk to you, Dear Listener! But on my way out I stopped by Soap Lake to get some of the water.

All night long I heard about the healing properties of this Alkaline lake. Cancer curing, skin irritations curing...could it work on my allergies?

The water was delicious. I highly recommend it when you are craving fish.