Uncle Sam like you've never seen him, The Look and Keel and government workers....

There is a Liberty Tax service just at the end of my street on 59th and 15th where a rather large man is paid to dress as a bright red and blue Uncle Sam. He's unlike any Uncle Sam you've ever seen - he has a big round belly, dark curly hair and a beard. He sports a walkman and dances at the street corner, waiving as you go by, making "peace signs" and dancing, dancing is his clear plastic slicker.

Last night I headed down to the Lock and Keel, where I've been once before. I wandered down there after work for happy hour and found a spot at the end of the bar. The beer was good and cheap. Shortly thereafter, two other guys came and sat down next to me eventually striking up a conversation. By the end of the night, I was friends with "crabbers", a couple of fisherman and a guy I called "Boston", with whom I shot pool. I managed to meet a couple of their wives, made promises to come back to this neighborhood bar, leaving at midnight, walking home in the pouring rain.

Thursday night I went to a "thank you dinner" for all of those people who raised money for the Campaign Fund Drive of King County. I have been to, in my many years of working in non-profits, many campaign fund kick-offs and events. The Campaign Fund Drive is for state and county government workers who give money to various charities and non-profits - much like the United Way for government workers. A variety of people were being honored for raising money in their departments; for being super coordinators and volunteers; for being motivators and inspiration. Various non-profits where thanking everyone for all of their hard work. There was even a woman who sang a "thank you" song with her acoustic guitar. The room was filled with granola crunchy hippies (squared) who all are dedicated to their communities. There were more awards, more cheers, and along with a deli tray and potato salad. By the end of the evening (which was bordering on torturous) I struck up a conversation with a couple of women who worked for the WDOT (wash. dept of transportation). One gal's family was from Puerto Rico and another was from Argentina. We exchanged information and promised to go out dancing and check out the Latin food scene here in Seattle making the whole evening worthwhile.