And so it was...

And so it was that the Goodness Collective closed it's physical doors. The house on Ogden Street, the wellspring of so much warmth (figuratively), is empty. It's clean. It looks like anybody could have lived there and anybody could
move in...excepting, of course, for the wigwam, which still holds its place in the backyard, a lasting testament to the unique mindsets of the individuals that have frequented the house in the past two years.

Not even two years! On the last official night of our rental agreement, September 11, 2008, Trav walked through the empty rooms, poked his head in the cubby and the basement, stared at the spot where his bed once lay, and climbed out onto the roof. He stared at the moon, felt the warm summer evening breeze, and shut his eyes, allowing flashed of memories to occupy his head; thousands of feet have passed through this house! Hundreds of costumes, laughs, chords, and embraces...




As the residents of the house and the community scatter to the four winds and seven seas, many of us can't help but reminisce a bit. So many friends! This is what community is; potlucks continue, we laugh together and we all continue to hold our values with each other and help each other out with whatever talents and skills we possess. The world will be a healthier place if we only allow ourselves comfortable human contact, hugs, and the sharing of stories. Keep all of your stories strong...





Thank you all...thanks again! The friendships, trust, music, art, and poetry that have been born of this phenomenon will last a long time and, hopefully, continue to be passed along. It's not about the house, you know. Keep having potlucks.







You're beautiful. Keep in touch and keep posting--

--Trav--

Having a Great Time Not At Burning Man

As the dust swirls about the playa, the vans, busses, and bizarre creatures slowly swarm into the desert, and the first waves of heat begin to trickle into the already dopamine-laden minds of the Burning Man attendees...

We're at home. Drinking wine.

With abandon.

Steve and Trav have not been thinking of Burning Man. In fact, we did our best to purge our minds of the beautiful people, strange sights, and odd feelings that are to be expected there...

...UNTIL!!

Nooooooooooo!!





And so, being so rudely reminded of the fantastic experiences that their friends are no doubt having right now, Steve and Trav resolved to have a really great time at home.

They painted Arlo the Van and sat in it for awhile...


Then they decided to make their own little playa in the back yard with a Rototiller.

See how much fun Steve is having not at Burning Man?





Stomp, stomp...yaaa! Dust storm!


Just one of the amazing art installations at the Goodness Playa:


Luckily, before they had too much fun riding their bicycles up and down Ogden Street, Judy showed up at the common space to rally them for a very very sweet, super loud, wild, naked dance party at Townsend's Teahouse, after which Trav had his own little "Critical Go-Get-The Mail" bike race.

Hope you're all having a good time down there in Nevada. We were about to blow up the wigwam in a giant fireball, but Jon came home from work and said we couldn't. You guys are missing out.

--Trav--