Before SA 2

The following is free thought from tired brain.

I leave tomorrow for the two day staging event. This will probably be my last blog entry for 7 weeks or so, as I will not have internet access during Pre-Service Training. But I can receive mail so all are encouraged to write me.

I've been doing a lot of social preparation for my departure. I spent a weekend in Miami Beach visiting Martha and a week in Washington state to see my grandfolks - three people cooler than you. There was also a going away party upstate with guest spots by out-of-towners Schainker, Kaury, Anna and Jeff, Wilson and Julian, Ian and Gerald. The weekend was kicked off when Rastetter's car landed in a ditch Friday night at around 2 am. Though Jesse, Rastetter, Schainker, Diana and myself have always been thought of as 'beef-cake' (maybe not Diana), we were unable to get the car out. In true horror movie fashion, we split up*. A cop eventually drove us out while four of us jumped up and down on the trunk and someone pushed. Erich was given a stern talking to. The party went by in a technicolor blur. Memories I have retained: flip cup, bbq, karaoke, Wilson licked my face before he left because he hasn't mastered the social nuances of parting.

I then failed my road test.

Rapid skin deterioration owing to impending departure. Poison ivy, pimple.

Last night some folks went to dinner. Big big margaritas. Karaoke. german to english to german du hast rock. Kristin and Tim - room's MVPs. Drinking during instrumentals. Diana's hair - cute. Dancing and ejection by Sinatra. See pictures. Props to Tom for taking pictures and to Rastetter for tech support.

Email from the Peace Corps regarding Pre-Service Training, a little bit more nervous than I had been. I will be living in a village for 7 weeks and undergoing training there, which means that I'll probably have limited access to other volunteers as well. For the curious, the Pre-Service Training will be in Moletji in Limpopo province (2.5 hrs. north of Pretoria).

I've also started to hear from various sources that quite a few people drop out or don't get accepted after training. There is fear. We are assessed on productive competence (your guess is as good as mine), motivation, emotional maturity, and social sensitivity. The PC staff assess the volunteers and the volunteers assess the assignment and I guess quite a few people drop out.

I'm amped. With a side of trepidation.

* who would die first? Schainker, the soulless economist doing pricing for pharmaceutical companies - screwing you and me. Rastetter, the driver getting consistent play... and for that he must suffer. Jesse, the rising film student who dismisses lovers of zombies and voodoo. Diana, the minority and a chick with uber game and for that she must suffer. Me, the most blonde.