Hi. Dave Criley here (89-90, 91-92…3…4…) I had a great time seeing old friends and meeting new people. The turnout from my era was particularly impressive.
I heard a horrible story about people showing up late with guns, shooting up at the treehouse, and later pulling the fire alarm. Is this true? (If so, I think we need Gandalf more than ever.)
What kind of pro-active stance can we take as old elves to try to improve the situation? With the closing or remodeling of all the other “alternative” houses (Barrington, Chateau, Cloyne), the “Loth spirit” of a creative, cooperative, healthy and beautiful household is being eroded by an element that prefers graffiti, darkness, dirt and neglect. It would be a good idea to schedule annual get-togethers, where old elves show up, clean the house and courtyard, cook a great meal, and then tell stories about how the house used to be: emphasizing the extraordinary contributions of elves like Scott Lancet , Josh Polston, and Eric Ongerth, or the creative entrepreneurship of Lauren Geller, just to mention a few elves from my era. Without being overtly critical, I believe we can set a positive example for the current and future elves.

If we don’t do something, I fear that Loth will fall on the chopping block like the other houses.

On a more positive note, I was very pleased with the reception from the current elves, the pizza production, and the overall good spirit in spite of some intoxication (I include myself.)

There was certainly some dissent regarding the planning and presentation of “Dina’s story” but I won’t go into that here. — BTW When I first read that on the eVite schedule (4PM, not 8:30) I thought it was a misprint, I thought it was going to be “Dana’s story”: Dana Starret (88-89, 90-91)

Dana. God rest her soul. I did not know her well, but what I saw was an absolutely pure spirit of openness, giving, and tolerance. She was the oldest of many (8?) siblings, and I saw how she watched after her little brothers and sisters, and at the same time got along with the craziness at Loth while still maintaining a beautiful balance and integrity. To her family, I have gratitude, respect, and empathy. She was a gift, the product of a loving family, and her loss was more than tragic, it was the manifestation of a cruel and unfair universe. Surely I idolize her, as I said I did not know her all that well, but it was beyond my control to mourn her loss, as I mourn it to this day.

Lothlorien 30th Reunion

Lothlorien Student Co-op 30th reunion, September 17, 2005.

Here are the picture I took at Lothlorien's 30th reunion. Click on an image to see it larger. Once the larger image is up, you can move back and forth between them.

I had a wonderful time meeting people, showing my films, enjoying the food, music and place.

   ,

   Enric