WWU Soccer Alumni to gather in B-ham - Saturday May 14, 2011

Put Saturday, May 14th on your 2011 calendars!

After many discussions with older soccer alumni, despite support of the Western program, I discovered that many are not interested in playing in the "official" alumni soccer game each year, for various reasons... mostly because it's no fun for a slow 45 year old has-been to chase a speedy 20-something soccer star down the field.  Additionally, many folks reported interest in coming back to WWU and participating in a soccer function with the people they shared memories with at Western.

I've been wanting to organize something like this for a long time, and hope to encourage everyone that has fond memories of Western Soccer to come back to WWU on May 14th, 2011 for a fun get together open to all WWU Soccer fans... and hopefully on the old grass field on campus!  Depending on the numbers, I'm thinking of a friendly kick around with ex-players to start, and then opening it up for other family members to join in once our ankles/knees/backs give out.    

I'm throwing this out to a lot of folks, hoping to develop as much interest and feedback as possible.  The idea is to plan the event to coincide with WWU's "Back to Bellingham" festivities that will be taking place the same weekend (I highly recommend the Wilson Library gathering... I attended this at the last B2B, and there's nothing like enjoying a nice cold one and some great food in that classic library setting.)  Here's a link...

WWU B2B http://www.alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/WWH/wwu_page_43.jsp

Anyway, I've been in touch with many folks like Simon Evans (Michigan) and Steve Storer (Minneapolis) about returning to B-ham for a soccer reunion... and Jimmy Myer must be there representing with some good tropical island mana from Bali.  And speaking of island adventure, Allan Wright's going to have to move some of those zephyr adventure tours around to make this date... hope to see you Al! 

I know if I can get Blaine Donnelson  to show up, he can give Doug Keller an altrec order to cross the border from Vancouver and make an official appearance.  Darin Koob is in the middle of starting up a new business, so hopefully he'll be there representing... with some coffee!  After the George and Dragon shindig, I'm planning to see Jim Bialek, Steve Bowmer, and Dan Higgins in attendance... and Tony, you gotta come back for a Sheik reunion!  Jon Fleck, Tom Venable, and Kevin Quinn are still Bellinghamsters, so they better be there, rolling out the red carpet.  Dale Kepley... put down that chair and get on up there!  Kolya Rice... cancel class, it's time for a roadtrip.  Santee and Sammy... bring your Kells kilts!   

And what old fart soccer alumni party would be complete without Tom Bunnell... "Here's to Brother Bunny!"  It's folks like Jason Woodward, who is usually going 100 different directions with his four beautiful blonde children, that will be difficult to corral.  As for the ladies, I will need some help in this department, as I'm not in touch with many lady alums.  But I recently met with Debbie Carter and Annette Duvall at a lunch meeting, and I'm hopeful they will be able to help motivate the ladies to head back to B-ham and join us for some soccer fun that weekend... Stephanie Armesto... you better be there!

In other cool news, along with Debbie and Annette, Peter LeBarge, Dave Miller, Scott Harrington, Brad Swanson and I met with others to discuss a proposal to bring soccer back to Western!  Not sure if you're aware, but both the Men's and Women's Soccer Teams play their home games at... uh... Whatcom Community College... ugh!  Can you believe that... well, I couldn't when I first heard it.  Thus, there is a proposal in place to build a sweet soccer stadium on campus and bring both team's back to their fans... it would be awesome!

Anyway, lots to talk about.  Drop me a line, keep me updated on your status, and let's spread the word and make May 14th, 2011 a memorable reunion for all you soccer nuts out there... more details to follow!

The Volleyball Group... is Fantastic!

I've wanted to do this for a long time now... but I've hesitated, because I feared that I would have trouble doing the group justice with just a simple blog post.  But, it's time to move forward...

When I was a little kid, my parents (both teachers) hooked up with this great group of people (most of them associated with public education) who played volleyball every Friday night at one of the local school gyms, usually Somerset Elementary.  The history of the group goes back before my family joined the group... I'm not exactly sure of the exact date of creation.  I do know that I was hanging out with this group back in the mid 70's, before I was big enough to join the fun on the court.

Thus, my sister Kristin and I would hang out with all the other kids in the unused sections of the gym and play with all the PE equipment... and that was a blast... bowling pins, hoola hoops, scooters, jump ropes, basketballs, soccer balls, etc.  For an active kid, it was an awesome place to be.

One reason it was such a great experience was the wonderful people that have made up the volleyball group over the years.  The group has been such an inviting, and engaging group of people that a snotty-nosed kid could feel comfortable hanging out with them... especially if you knew some jokes!

Over the years, I spent many satisfying Friday nights playing my heart out with this group.  We would have great rallies, and competitive games, and tons of fun.  Everyone gave it their best, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  For many years I looked forward to ending my week with this tradition of  a great, sweaty volleyball workout with a great group of people.

Well, I wanted to pay tribute to all these volleyballers... the people who gave me so many years of great memories... the people who eventually opened their wings and let me whack the volleyball whenever I was able to make it to the court.  The people who have been making good things happen for decades!

One of the traditions since the beginning has been after Friday night volleyball, everyone would head out to pizza afterwards, which is another fun thing to do when you're a kid... stay up late, listen in on some crude adult conversation, and eat pizza... fun stuff!

The volleyball group has also done extra-curricular activities over the years, whether it was heading down to Jim and Sheila Wimberly's place in Manzinita or Long Beach, or heading to Jim and Carol Gaston's place in Winthrop.  There were also the Apple Cups at Lance and Karen Mauden's or the occassional Husky Women's Volleyball games.  The amazing part about this group is that it's had unbelievable staying power.  The volleyball group has existed for almost 40 years, and they are still showing up at the same school on Friday nights and playing volleyball.  Yes, the spikes are a little less smashing, and the lateral movement a little less graceful, but they're out there doing it... and doing it well... and I think that's fantastic!

Circa 1982?

2003 Apple Cup

Dave expresses his distress over a weak and beaten up Apple Cup Husky squad.

Dave cries Uncle and lets Alli pour salt in the wound.

Pizza Time!

Hangin' out at the Gaston's

After Keith's smashing victory at horse balls, Dave's seemed to sag a little lower.

Front Yard V-ball at the Wimberly's

Hangin out in Winthrop

Bocce Ball Tourney

Look at Sherry balancing that stick!

The good old school of Somerset

Dave always had trouble knowing when it was appropriate to play with his rod.

Over the years we saw many players take the court and join the fun.  With a little help from my friends, here's what's in the memory bank (If anyone has any additions, please add them to the comments section below!)

Dave Preszler
Pat Preszler
Keith Preszler
Nancy Denney
Lance Mauden
Karen Mauden
Jim Gaston
Carol Gaston
Mel Robinson
Sherry Robinson
Chuck Zuber
Jan Zuber
Jim Wimberly
Sheila Wimberly
Woody Haizlip
Suzanne Haizlip
Judy Brison
Rob Brown
Wayne Lamm
Sharon Lamm
Eric Lamm
Doug Lapchis
Rob Denney
Ben Zapata
Shirley Zapata
Dennis Lapchis
Kristin Lapchis
Tyler Rooney
Tom McCann
Gary Emery
Pam Emery
Terry Everman
Sandy Everman
Frank Albertini
Jeri Albertini
Wally Peltola
Bonnie Peltola
Brian Peterman
Debbie Peterman
Gordon Holder
Cheri Holder
Vivian ?


With that said, I would love for this post to live on... with updates, more photos, a better accounting of the factual data, and added stories of all the good times.  I know that Dave Preszler has an amazing witty means of communicating, which would be fun to somehow add to this tribute... here's an example...

"Last week was pretty good, but we did experience some truancy.  Woody has been having MRI treatment, which I think stands for magnetic repellent insertion and he thinks will enable him to block without jumping...whatever, but maybe he should stick to steriods and blood doping like the rest of us.  Karen was also out, something about having Woody's back.  Sherry missed and I don't know if she has a leg to stand on.  Judy was antipodal.   And there was something fishy about Chuck and Wayne's absence.  So I am calling in the man you see below.  Some people ask me: Is that Charles Manson?  Some people ask me: Is that a friendly smile or the glean of a crazy man?  I don't respond to questions.  I just point out that if you are not at volleyball this Friday, April 24, you will be at home when this guy is creepy-crawling your house.  See you all Friday,

Dave"

And then there were the various graphic handiworks of Woody...

I'd post one of Lance's jokes, but I'm keeping this thing PG.  ;)

I have to say that the most laughed about and enjoyed story that I remember was the 5K Fun Run on the beach in Manzanita that Eric Gaston participated in, with sand in his shorts... and the results have become a legend that has lasted for years... ah, that was so funny.

Another year, on the 4th of July, a beautiful fireworks show started, and I looked up to watch, and the "punk" that I was using to light my fireworks accidentally lit the pack of jumping jacks off in my hand... ooh that hurt like the dickens, and I remember being up all that night, putting new ice cubes on those burns.

Another memory was playing sand softball, when everyone was telling Dad to backup because Lance was going to hit it over his head... so he took a couple steps back... "No, go back farther Doug"... so he took a couple more steps... "Farther"...  a couple more steps... then of course Lance proceeded to hit the leather off that ball, sending it sailing over Dad's head.  It was hilarious.

See, I'm sure there are dozens of stories to be added to this recap.  Like the contest that Mom and Mel recently won... I hear there is video of that?!  ;)

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this post.  Despite my lack of presence on Friday nights in the past decade, I still have wonderful feelings and memories for this group of people that will go down in history as one of the greatest groups of people I've associated with over the years.... the one and only Volleyball Group!

Sincerely,
Dennis Lapchis

P.S.  Let me say that it would be very quick and easy to setup a separate blog for the volleyball group that would allow anyone to post articles, pictures, announcements, etc. (it could be public or private)  Please let me know if there is any interest in this, and I will set it up.

Update:  4/14/2014

Karen Mauden forwarded the following additional photos... great people, great times, great memories!

 Mel and Woody contemplate their next spikes!

 Two good looking Friday Night V-ballers!

Some more Woody PhotoShop Magic!

Keith brings out the animal instincts in most ladies on Friday nights!

 A classic Woody pitch.

 Sharon and Wayne whoop it up at a Husky V-ball game.

Jim prepares to bareback a big elk.

Not Impossible Foundation

The name says it all... a very interesting, inspirational concept.



Eye Writer Trailer from The Ebeling Group on Vimeo.

Text from the video page below...

The name kinda says it.
We are about doing things that people never considered possible.

I guess that is what makes us different. We think that most of the things that people really need are possible. We just have to look at it from an unencumbered, non-hierarchical, apolitical, and most importantly an UNPROFITABLE point of view.

1st Rule of Not Impossible is: Talk about Not Impossible. The more people we tell about what we are doing, the more people step forward and offer their help, services, money, food, connections, etc. We say bring it.

2nd Rule of Not Impossible: We take on causes not problems. It might sounds grandiose (but so does our name so what the hell) but we want to take on causes that people have considered impossible, or just haven’t figured out yet .

3rd Rule of Not Impossible: Everybody owns what we create. Open source baby. The collective good and the collective profit. Its like the 60’s but with internet and cell phones. No one person or entity can take what we create for their sole profit.

4th Rule of Not Impossible: Document everything. This is a huge thing for us. Creating things that were thought to be Impossible is amazing, but documenting the “behind-the-scenes” process allows everyone to see how we got there and that is what will feed the beast and give rise to other people creating other “not impossible” inventions/solutions.

5th Rule of Not Impossible: Be unprofitable.

6th Rule of Not Impossible: Believe. Believe that everything is possible.

Cider Press Party - 2009

Grandpa Doug and Jennie purchased a fun old fashioned cider press, and we scavenged a bunch of apples and made some yummy cider on a nice warm day.  It was a great idea... it's a team effort throughout the entire process... to get the fruit... find the bottles... grind up the apples... feed the fruit into the grinder... press out the juice... bottle the juice... and finally drink the juice!  It looks like to me like the press was a good investment!






While we were getting things setup, Ben and Alli wove mats out of reeds from the lake.

How the press works




The first grind...




Ben and Alli cranking and refilling...




Auntie Kristin and Cousin Tyler cranking and refilling...




Alli cranking the press...




Abbi cranks away as Ben refills...




Tyler and Alli keep it going...




Abbi tightens the press down and the juice flows...




Grandma Helen joined us and enjoyed some of the sweet nectar.




Grandpa Doug bottles it up...




A dragonfly decided to crash the party and road in on Tyler's shoulder.

And finally, the girls took the canoe out for a nice ride on the lake.

Yogi Zen Master PO'H

One day, Pat O'Hagan, a good buddy of mine at work, and I decided to have some fun at one of the KJ jobsites and create a piece for the company newsletter.  The following is our creation... Thanks for being a good sport Pat... I think it turned out great!

Yogi Zen Master PO'H

Many have pondered the tight schedule at the Urban Yoga Spa Project and the high stress, long hours, and sleeping in trucks that go with it.  I recently visited the site to discover how Foreman Pat O'Hagan's handles the adversity... I had no idea that I was about to uncover a powerful alter ego and yoga routine that helps Pat (aka Yogi Zen Master PO'H) cope with the daily grind.  

The Tool Time Posture:  Yogi PO'H begins his day in a meditative state, freeing his mind from worldly distractions.  He breathes deeply and strives to better his karmic relationship with the tools of the trade.                       

Down Doughnut Doggie:  Balancing three boxes of doughnuts throughout this difficult pose is only for Masters of the Art.  Once complete Yogi PO'H will be fueled up, ready for action... he has become one with the jobsite.

The Plywood Pose:  Once oneness is achieved, it's time to move some materials.  Nothing aligns the chakras like packing sheets of three-quarter-inch plywood.

                                     
The Walking Tree:  Yogi   PO'H   frees   his   mind   from   the drudgery of the moment and contemplates higher thoughts.  He gives thanks to the trees for providing him with wood that is not too warped.

The Nail Gun Warrior:  When attempting this posture, it's important to be profoundly present in the moment.  Otherwise, Yogi PO'H is likely to nail his hand to the wall.  That uncomfortable pose is known as the Stigmata.

The Carpenter Corpse:  After a long day of enlightened creation, Yogi PO'H loosens his tool belt and lies still on his mat.  His soul and spirit are calm and clear as a mountain lake... he will soon be ready for another 18 hour day.

Hazen Gang Trip - Blue Lake 2009

Every few years, the old Hazen Gang (Allan Wright, Craig Chucka, Dave Visse, Dennis Lapchis, Rick Wire, and Ron Gopal), meets up at some destination and spends a few days together.  This year Ron treated us to a great weekend at his pad at Blue Lake.  The weekend was full of adventure,  good times, and a few drinks thrown in for good measure.

We checked out Dry Falls, and we were completely impressed with the history of the area!  Can you imagine it being ten times the size of Niagra Falls!  It's truly amazing!

We explored some caves and cool rock formations...

We did a little GeoCache exploring, which was fun!

Don't mess with the Hazen Gang!

Hiked across the coolie valley...




Did some boating and exploring of Blue Lake...

And ended up doing some cliff jumping from the rock monster's nose!

All in all, it was an awesome weekend, and Ron was the consummate host!  Thanks again Ron... we had a great time!

Zip Line Fun 2009

This year, Dad and I decided to put some effort into building a zip line on the 20 Acres... it was a great project.

We brainstormed and scouted out the best route.

Researched what cable, hardware, etc we would need to purchase, we were on our way.

After a fair amount of trial and error, and understanding how come-alongs, cable clamps, turnbuckles, etc operate, we were close to making the zip line a reality. 

We were hoping to have the zip line up and running for the Lapchis Bash, but ran out of time.  That, and we "saddled a dead horse", which is a term used when the cable clamps aren't properly tightened on the cable.  A special thanks to Woody Haizlip who worked as a "cable guy" his entire career, and knows "zip lines" better than anyone, was able to point out a couple spots we needed to fix in order to eliminate potential risk... thanks Woody!






We had a high point in the path that we had to overcome... tightening the cable did the trick.  It wasn't an issue for those less than 125 lbs... but those closer to 200 would "bottom" out.



One thought... there is no way you will be able to pull the cable tight enough without using some type of come-along tool.  We tried manually to do it... no way will you have enough muscles to get the cable tight!

After some final adjustments, Grandpa Doug made one of the first runs...





It was eventually safe enough to let the kids take a try.