Overseas GC Connections

So I showed up in Mumbai about a week and a half ago. I knew that Ashley (for those who don't know Ashley is a friend from Bend who also is traveling in India) was going to be flying in two days later. So I tried to meet her at the airport but somehow we missed each other, then for the next two days I was trying to connect with her but emails got delayed and we were having a hard time meeting up. I was getting a bit frustrated because I really didn't want to spend that long in a big city (population of nearly 13 million). So I was walking down a street right at dusk, wondering if I should forget about meeting Ashley and just continue with my traveling. As I am crossing the street guess who is on the other side smiling at me...yep straight from Bend Oregon to the streets of Mumbai Ashley Stone. Turns out we weren't even staying on the same side of town, she had met some new friends and was just going for a walk around the city.

We both had in mind to go check out a place called Auroville in Southern India. We are currently staying at a Botanical Garden/ Seed Farm, volunteering in exchange for a grass hut to stay in.

Ashley adds that she misses everyone terribly and loves you all greatly.

Much Love,
Brent and Ashley

Hi from Clam Gulch

Hello good people! I have been down her, in Clam Gulch, for the better part of a week now and it it absolutely beatiful.
I would write more but I have a 200 mile race tomorrow and it is past midnight. I will let everyone know when I am done and give you a proper update. I just wanted everyone to know that we are here, my new partner is wonderful and I miss you guys. Your wonderful music will keep Joe and I company for the next 200 miles.
Wish me luck.
Much love
Rachael

Goodness Collective Live Radio Debut!

Attention! attention! Here ye! Hey!

On Friday, January 25 (that's this week), the Goodness Collective will be gathering in the KPOV studios and jamming for a couple of hours on the air. If anyone out there traveling the world, living in Portland, or anyplace else is around an internet connection, you can tune in via the website.

Either tune in to 106.7 fm in Bend or go to www.KPOV.org and click the "listen now" button and you'll find yourself listening now.

It all goes down from 10:00am to noon, Oregon time, on Friday. You can all tune in and call in to say hi and maybe even get on the air. 541-322-0863. Email me with questions, comments, and concerns: twilliams@fastmail.fm

Listen!

-Trav
Goodness Collective media coordinator-

Nothing really.

"Ahhh Begin looks good in the mountains."

----Tex Kokes----

Howdies from Asheville

Hello Friends, Howdy. Guess what? The snow from Oregon followed me accross the country, 3000 miles to Asheville. Well, we don't have enough snow for a Snow Family yet, but this is North Carolina and we'll take what we can get. The drive went well; my Sister in Davis, CA showed me around at her gory pathology office, and my 6 year old cousin in Nasheville TN showed me her sweet new Robo Raptor toy. Back in Asheville I'm looking for balance between getting my shit together for India and relaxing and enjoying my time. I'm not having an easy time of it. I'm feeling way stressed, I miss ya'll, and on top of that we had to put our dog to sleep yesterday. I'm not predicting a nervous breakdown or anything, but I'll admit to being somewhat depressed.








I know that I left the house quietly, and I'm truly sorry if anyone felt slighted by the lack of a goodbye. I apologize for having become insensitive to leaving, and for generally doing a poor job of farewells. I have spent a lot of time reflecting on my time at the house, and I consider myself very fortunate to have been a part of the Goodness Collective. There was a lot of pain in leaving you all. And there will be a lot of joy in seeing each of you again.

I have finished something I am eager to share. I made a blog of my own (ethanburns.blogspot.com), filled it with pictures and stories from my past, and now it's ready to continue with tales of adventure from India. Go ahead and cruise back through time and see where I've been, and check back to see where I'm going. Hopefully, this will be a good blog and you will enjoy checking it. I will, as well, continue to post here at GC.com once in a while.

Ahh sweet sadness... I reminiss already. Writing Oregon makes me feel like I'm there, on the couch, writing these words. Begin plays guitar. There's a fire. Travis is cooking quinwa and Tessa and Tex are being girly, laughing with femininity. I feel joy to imagine the house and its occupants, and with that joy in my heart I give a BIG HUG to you all. Many thanks. Be well, With Love, Ethan.
Thank You All

Relevant article

I found this article to be fairly relevant to the GC. Minus the dirty dishes, Punk culture and Gothic references :-)

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/03/garden/03punk.html

Sunsets Temples and Scooters

Hello Family... Just wanted to check in and say that all is well from SE Asia. My time here is running out however I fly to India in less then a week, soon to be meeting up with Ashley. Latly my life has consisted of exploring temples and beaches.

To anwser your question Travis. I actually brought in the new year at a local Cambodian club in Phnom Phen. I met an French NGO worker and we cruised around the city to find the most exciting looking place to bring in the new year. We wanted to experience a Cambodian New Year celebration so we stayed away from the foriegner spots. At first I couldn't figure why the place felt a bit different. Everyone was super friendly and touchy feely, which is not like anywhere I have been in SE Asia, most local people don't really touch each other at all when in public. I thought this is cool its just like being back at the GC (kind of). Then we went to the dance floor and things got really interesting really fast. Turns out it was nearly all Cambodian men. We later find out that the club is a very well known gay pick up bar. And yes Alyssa, I did get a new years kiss but just one and it was just on the cheek(from the NGO girl).

Thanks for the post from home. Its always good to hear about quality gatherings coming from the home base. Of course I would expect nothing less coming out of the GC. Rachael I wish I could have been there to see you off, Blessings from Thailand.

Much Love as always,
Brent

Music and love!

It was Rachel Scdoris' going away party. She is off to conquer the Iditarod!
We had a small gathering of perhaps 20 people. There was the usual variety of instruments and great singing. The energy was incredible! Many of those present knew the songs so it was a glorious chorus of joyful people (Brent, it was NW Jefferson style). We wound the night down with Jenna singing Trapeze Swinger amongst others. Anyone that has heard Jenna sing knows how soothing and wonderful her voice is. The fire crackled and we were all sprawled out in raptured silence.
It was a marvelous night at the Goodness Collective. To all of you in distant lands we missed you and love you!


In other news: Beegs' wigwam has become the new hotspot.