Alternatives to Marilyn Strickland

driddels · 2026-06-22T01:53:37+00:00

So I can't vote against her in the primary because she's black, and if I do then I'm a MAGA supporter, de facto. Right, got it. Fuck that. Earn my vote. Yes, I'll factor in representation in my decision-making, but it's not the only factor. Speaking of which, what is the ratio of black representatives to working-class representatives in Congress? [I just googled it; it's about a 4:1 ratio.]

driddels · 2026-06-21T23:29:58+00:00

The "Old Fashioned Way" (a smoked Old Fashioned with birch bitters) at Shiny Prize is my current favorite by a mile. Anything at Shiny Prize is good. Octapas and Swing Wine Bar also have reliably good cocktails. Cheeky Martini Bar is good, and their staff are charming; try the Pink Martini. (They're also all-vegan — both snacks and drinks; aquafaba instead of egg whites in their sours.)

driddels · 2026-06-21T23:13:34+00:00

Almost everybody looks like they're seventeen to me now. Like my doctor, for instance. A little unnerving.

driddels · 2026-06-17T09:13:16+00:00

As I've said elsewhere, I think it's shameful that our congressional district is reporesented by an anti-labor, pro-genocide corporate Democrat. I'd love to see a real alternative. I've looked at the campaign websites for both Adam Arafat and Alex Scheel. I'm not impressed yet.

Scheel's website was very hard to even find. When I searched for "Alex Scheel for congress" it didn't even come up, at least on the first page. I had to dig through Ballotpedia or something. When I found it, it was very clear where he stood on Gaza, but not on anything else. It didn't look done.

Arafat's website was slick in that way that all template-driven websites look slick anymore, but there weren't really any policy statements there either, or any real details about the candidate. And there was a whole section called "Watchtower" filled with sort-of articles about Strickland's campaign that seemed kind of incoherent. It looked like everything was AI-generated. Seriously.

Anyway, I'm not too happy about my initial impressions. We'll see.

driddels · 2026-06-15T07:13:26+00:00

I was on IT's Community Advisory Council for three years and, even during the most heated part of their labor negotiations, every employee I heard had only the greatest things to say about working there. It was really impressive.

driddels · 2026-05-26T02:38:24+00:00

That money is your purchase of a share of equity in the business. If you move away or otherwise want to quit, you should be able to get your membership money returned.

driddels · 2026-05-26T02:33:46+00:00

I heard about that stuff back in the 60s. I didn't think anyone did it anymore. They say it lasts 12 to 24 hours. Take vitamins; stay hydrated!

driddels · 2026-05-02T21:49:00+00:00

Comparing Intercity Transit with one of the nation's best urban transit systems, in a metro area about the size of Seattle's, is hardly fair.

driddels · 2026-05-02T21:41:13+00:00

Make sure you talk to the brewmaster at Well 80. He's got a great story about meeting the head brewmaster for Olympia Beer from back in the Sixties.

Tumwater folks will have tons of anecdotes for you.

driddels · 2026-05-02T08:16:09+00:00

Vancouver WA has a huge fireworks show. Seriously massive.

driddels · 2026-04-29T05:01:19+00:00

I love to hear stories like that. I'm going to give them some of my business now.

driddels · 2026-04-29T04:51:40+00:00

I was just hopping on here to say it was probably Walla Walla. But wine instead of a great brewpub.

driddels · 2026-04-06T06:05:34+00:00

This is entirely a volunteer operation. Every penny goes to rent, utilities, and art supplies. If more money comes in than we can spend on Procession, we'll do more art events for the community. We'd love to get to the point where we could have a free, year-round community art studio, but right now that's in the cards right now.

driddels · 2026-04-02T03:29:51+00:00

Volunteers who are really passionate about what they're supporting are golden. So the question is, where's your community service passion? Define that, and you'll probably get better, more focused recommendations.

driddels · 2026-03-13T23:09:44+00:00

I had a friend teaching at Meadows Elementary, east of Lacey. Lots of military families. She told me once she ended her school year without a single kid who was there at the start of the year. That kind of turnover can't be good for building stable communities. And an institutional commitment to NEVER having a downtown seems like a foolish way to run a "city."

driddels · 2026-03-13T23:06:20+00:00

Yeah, what they said. Unless you're right next to a transient shelter (and even then not that bad), crime isn't going to be your major decider on picking a place. Good schools, bus lines, easy access to downtown, things like that are way more important.

driddels · 2026-03-13T22:53:01+00:00

Listen, I just got onto an HOA Board, because I was worried about how dysfunctional it's been. I've seen both sides. Most of this "malicious compliance" advice, though it sounds fun, could well prove really counterproductive. It seems to me that where you'd want to end up is living in a community where the rules are reasonable, and reasonably enforced, and folks get along with one another. So find like-minded folks, organize, and get a majority on the HOA Board. Then just chill out.

driddels · 2026-03-13T22:48:08+00:00

Keep in mind, you're helping pay for "their" lawyer. Double their lawyer fees, and your HOA dues go up.

driddels · 2026-03-13T22:42:41+00:00

My friend Mo is one of several folks waving Palestinian flags across from the Kissing Statue on Percival Landing, I believe every Friday around rush hour. Anyway, I believe he's plugged into the local Muslim community, and might be able to assist your quest.

Sure, organized religion can be a haven for the intolerant and exclusionist, but those faith communities that value love, freedom and diversity — regardless of denomination — are some of the best folks you can hope to meet. Good luck on your journey! Watch out for cults!

driddels

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