[Folks, Robert's e-mail below was accidentally omitted from the previous Oak Leaf... all my fault. Anyhow, the time references in his letter are completely goofy. Just assume everything future is now past and everything in the past is waaay in the past... you'll get the idea. Sorry, Robert. Sorry, all! -Ed.]

I haven't talked to some of you in a while (sorry), but I wanted to update everyone on a big change I'm about to make. After eight wonderful years living in San Francisco, and 4+ years working for 415, Inc. I've decided it's time for me to move on.

415 survived longer than most of us expected after the internet bubble burst in 2001, but still, we've been struggling for the past couple of years. This year has been difficult, and we haven't closed as much work as we had hoped to. Given the state of the company, I've decided (in conjunction with our owner, Grace) to try and move on to something new. I'll still be doing some consulting work with 415, but will also be pursuing other work.

So, that explains the job change--but what about leaving San Francisco? Well, I've always figured that I would eventually move back to Portland, and given the changes with work, this seems like a good time to make a break. In addition, I have the added benefit of being able to house sit for my parents who are on a 15 month volunteer project up in Sitka, Alaska. My current plan is to move up to Portland around Oct 1st. My hope is that I'll be able to get settled in up there, find some work, and hopefully next spring I'll be able to buy, or better yet build, my own house.

Building a house in Portland has been a dream of mine for several years, and now it seems like it may finally become a reality. If all goes well, I will move into my new house sometime late next summer, just in time for my parents to return from their trip to Alaska.

I don't have a cell phone number up in Oregon yet, but I hope to have one sometime early in September. Call me or email me if you'd like that, and I'll send it to you once I get it. I'll actually be going up to Oregon at the beginning of September to visit my sister in Bend, and to start getting things organized for my move. I'll be back in San Francisco for the last couple of weeks of September to pack up, see the Giants one last time, and say goodbye to everyone.

I hope that some of you can take time out to visit me up in Oregon, or if you live in Oregon that you'll just come over. The weather up in Portland is great, there are real trees and plants, and they even have lots of great wineries! For those of you who live in the Bay Area, I'll be making several trips back to San Francisco next year, so keep in touch and maybe we can get together and hang out.

I hope you're all doing well, and thanks in advance for your good thoughts and well wishes for my move and job hunt!

Sincerely,

Robert

P.S. Since I sent this out, I am now happily settled in up in Portland. I'm doing web programming as a contractor for BART and SFMOMA and recently bought a house. (Nope, didn't build one this time.) If want to get in touch, or if you ever visit Portland, please feel free to contact me:

[Just like Robert's e-mail, I dropped this one from the last Oak Leaf. Again... my apologies! -Ed.]

Greetings Paul and by default all other Nappies out there -

Short update. Finally got latest issue of Oak Leaf. I do hope the cabin can be rebuilt and await further news on the subject.

Will be sending rebuilding donation by snail mail. Glad to see the fraternity weathered the initiation storm and hopefully such incidents will be placed firmly in the past as a warning.

Got out of the academia racket - too much emphasis on making the right friends, not enough on research and teaching. It's too bad that science is run like a business these days and completely lacking in the sense of wonder that makes many people wish to become researchers, at least initially.

Moved to the Netherlands last year to live with my fabulous husband, regretfully leaving Atlanta behind. Learning Dutch (an... interesting proposition). Considering going BACK to graduate school (must be a glutton for punishment...you'd think one doctorate would be enough) and studying conservation biology and ecology, then going to work for one of the many primate reserve/rescue organizations that thrive in this country.

Finally publishing some of my research as well.

If anyone is coming to Europe and plans to be swinging through Amsterdam, I'd be happy to show you around. Alternatively, we are planning to go to Royal Ascot next year and possibly Wimbledon as well, so if you are near London then, we can go have a pint or a cuppa.

I hope all is well with Nappies everywhere. Drop a line if you so desire.

Meg Buck

Here's something you can publish if it brings a smile to someone...she's 4 months old today.

http://www.stryder.org/zoe

My liberal arts book came out today--just in time for those holiday gifts (hint, hint)! It's cheaper on Amazon.com, though.

http://www.sunypress.edu/details.asp?id=60680

Let the Nappies know!!

Best,

John

[Pomona released a nice news story about John's book, here:

-Ed.]

I once again have a new address. Finally owning a house again rather than renting. [See below. -Ed.] Oh, this reminds me that I haven't told Pomona.

I have a new job as of last April. I am the Technical Director at the Cutler Majestic Theatre in downtown Boston. The place is gorgeous inside, and I usually don't like ornate theaters. Built in 1903, it underwent a complete restoration to its original splendor. Pictures are here:

http://tour.emerson.edu/index.cfm?view=tour&locationID=8

-Greg

Dear Editors and otherwise great Nappies,

I don't remember my exact Maggot number. Don't know why I should care. Somewhere in the low 200s in the Class of '43, but in the frat 41 or 42. Really appreciate all the news from everyone, including the status of the cabin and the Fraternity itself. Dues follow.

Charles E. 'Dug' Duggan of '43

It's always good to leave an abusive relationship. So... AOL and I have parted ways.

I have a NEW email address.

Write it down, put it in your Palm, append your address lists. In the words of Dr. King: Free at last! Free at last! Thank God, I am free at last!

Hi Paul,

Just read the current issue--nice work. I appreciate your comments in the editorial. While I can't pick up the torch and take over the responsibility, I will gladly include a lengthy life update letter with my donations. Which brings me to...

Could you consider adding paypal payments for dues on the site? Not only would this make life easier for those of us who spend most of our time working electronically, but it will probably increase the amount of dues NAP receives every year due to the convenience. What do you think?

Anyway, best wishes and I'll hope to hear from you soon. I'm your neighbor now, living right by the park st. bridge to alameda on the oakland side.

Justin

[Hiya Justin, or should I say, "Neighbor." We have looked into enabling PayPal dues and contributions before. At that time, I couldn't make a compelling enough case in favor of PayPal or any other electronic payment technology. Quite a bit of time has passed since then, however, and maybe the world has changed enough to carry such a suggestion to fruition. I will send off an e-mail to our President (Jim Ach '63 #565) and Treasurer (Jim Mitchell '80 #850). Hey, we should meet up at the next Park Street festival or some other local event. -Ed.]

Here is a personal note I invite you to share in the Oak Leaf. I heartily enjoy this every time I get it, a check is in the mail for past dues (no, seriously, it really is!)

I am a punchline in search of a joke. "If I wanted to have patience, I would have been a doctor." See, where does that go? I am not a doctor now, and I have no intention to, but who knows what will happen when I grow up? Sure, some things have changed. For example, my name (I used to be "Jeffrey McDowell", "Ed" wasn't even my legal name; it is now!). Also, I have changed my marital status (yes, ten happy years with Sara), and breeder status (Edmund is 3.5 years; Mariah is 3.5 months). I quit drinking, I play ice hockey, practice writing and qigong, and am gainfully employed with a large software company in Redmond (yes, that one). But some things have not changed. For example, I always double down on eleven (except when an ace is showing), and I never take insurance (never!). I long for endless, sunny afternoons, watching dogs chase frisbees, and trying to get a handle on ROYGBIV. I smile at strangers, sort my books by color, my thoughts by size, and pay with exact change. I am still trying to figure out what to do with my hair. If you have a little extra sunshine, could you send it my way?

Please update my NAP email directory with the following: Ed Prescott (formerly known as "Jeffrey Douglas McDowell").

Best wishes,

- ed

Hello Paul,

Just want to make sure you have my updated contact info.

I'm living with my soon-to-be-husband Daniel Davila (CMC '96 - not a nappie, but soon to be a nappie in-law) in SF. I would love to get a copy of the Oak Leaf if you could send one my way.

Hope you're doing well. I'm trying to make it down for reunion weekend - maybe I'll see you then.

Cheers,

April Collier

[Sent dues and back dues.]

[Sent dues and a cabin and a general fund donation.]

I retired from the U.S. Geological Survey (after 42 years!), but I'm working still with the Volcano Hazards Team as a Scientist Emeritus.

Aloha,

/s

Here is my new email address.

Thanks for all you do with the Oak Leaf, etc.

Jack Peck '56 #446

Here is my current contact information.

Rick Counihan

Dear All,

After almost a year of living here in Hamburg, Germany, I'm coming home. That's right, I've packed my bags, moved out of my apartment, said my good-byes (well, most of them), and will be moving back to my parents' house in Berkeley on Tuesday, August 3rd.

I will miss the wonderful things and people I've come to love here in Europe. There are people here who helped me more than I can say, simply by being there for me and doing what they could to help me adjust to my new home. I also cannot reiterate enough what a beautiful city Hamburg is. So very few people know what a great place it is, and how much interesting history it has! I encourage anyone who has a chance, to visit Hamburg if they are ever close enough to swing by.

Despite regretting all the wonderful things and people I leave behind, I am sooooo looking forward to seeing my friends and family at home- and introducing some of you to my wonderful boyfriend, Dennis! He will be with us for six weeks, then will return to Germany for the fall semester (sob!) We hope he'll be able to find an internship in some sort of business/finance related office in California in the spring, but it will be a hard five months without him. (If anyone has any leads on an internship in the Bay Area starting in February or March, please let me know!)

I hope anyone in the Bay Area will drop me a line or give me a call. I can't wait to catch up with all of you! Folks outside the Bay Area should also please keep in touch! I hope to see all of you again at some point, especially those in Europe and Australia! My address and phone number at my parents' house (where I will be living) below.

love, lindsey

[Sent dues and a cabin fund donation.]

[Sent dues and back dues.]

Managed to reconnect with DB Brown '68 [David H. Brown '68 #653? -Ed.], Brian Stecher '68 #669, and David Brown '70, Bob Jerome '70 #703. All have proven to be productive citizens disproving all predictions.

[Sent dues.]

I appreciate receiving the Oak Leaf with news of the current scene and notes from aging brothers. The news of Jerry and Diane Lloyd's passing was difficult; the newspaper's obituary fell short of a fitting tribute to such a warm, friendly, and enthusiastic brother. I will really miss Jerry who was my closest tie to the Pomona experience in recent years.

Since retiring from the Geological Survey in 1986, Suzanne and I have been living near Ashland, OR, where I taught for a while at Southern Oregon University and sold real estate for a few years while keeping my hand in Pacific-rim geology through consulting work with the Circum-Pacific Council. Currently I'm managing some rental houses in town, taking an occasional Ceramics course at the University, and enjoying living on our 5-acre spread in the mountains above Ashland. Suzanne and I take in the Shakespeare Festival plays every year and an occasional ski at nearby Mt. Ashland and float down the Rogue River.

Last year we bought a small condo in Victoria, BC, and look forward to spending time in Canada, Suzanne's homeland. In recent years we've traveled extensively in South America and India. This April we'll travel to Italy and Spain (where I did geological field work for a while in the mid-seventies.)

/s

[Doug has a new e-mail address. -Ed.]

[Sent dues and back dues.]

Jane (Mathis) and I are still raising flowers and apples in Julian and cattle in Corning, CA and Ft. Klamath, OR.

[Sent dues, back dues, and a scholarship fund donation.]

http://geraldkelly.com

[Sent dues and a scholarship fund donation.]

[Sent dues.]

[Sent dues and a scholarship fund donation in the name of the Class of 1957.]

Hello,

I have just switched my email address. Please use this new address for all future emails and instant messages.

[Sent dues and back dues. Chuck forwarded a notice regarding Norm Voorhees' '58 #500 death. See In Memoriam for the complete notice. -Ed.]

Norm was my roommate for several years at Pomona College. The above information was sent to me recently by his wife.

Sincerely (and sadly),

/s

[Sent dues and back dues.]

I'm still selling municipal bonds at Stone & Youngberg. My sons Michael and Martin are working with me. I'm slowing down a little.

/s

[Sent dues, back dues, and a scholarship fund donation in the name of Ted Anderson '54 #387.]

[Sent a scholarship fund donation in the name of Charlotte Anderson '90 #1002.]

[Sent dues, a very generous general fund donation, and an extremely generous Memorial Fund donation.]

[Sent dues and a general fund donation.]

[Sent dues.]

Purchased a new golf-cart. Ultimate optimism: Score my age--84!

/s

Here are my current and updated coordinates:

Sukle Advertising & Design

[Sent dues, back-dues, a cabin fund donation, and a generous Scholarship Fund donation.]

Dear Paul,

Let me add my thanks for all you've done (and tried to do) for the Oak Leaf, Alums, and Actives. I think the new format and e-mail innovations are great.

I enclose two checks--one for dues, back-dues, and cabin fund, and the other for the scholarship fund.

As my address indicates, I have closed my downtown office, and such work that I now do is from my home. Thank God for computers!

The balance of my time is spent in tending the homestead and with family (five children and ten grandchildren). I have also tried my hand at writing, and anyone addicted to mystery/thrillers can run down either of two novels I have recently coauthored (The Castration, in 2002, and The Cry of the Loon, in 2004) on the Internet.

Very best regards.

Yours truly,

/s

We are doing well in New Canaan - I am still at Citi and Jennifer is 'tween jobs. Our daughters Hannah and Claire rock. Had a great night in Portland last summer with Abby Poust (nee McGehee) '86 #920, Alex Poust, Roger Wood '85 and Steve Terry '85. Tried to reach Steve Stern '86 # (number lost), but his cell was old (like he is now!) Hope everyone is doing well. All that matters is your health, friends and family. The other stuff is a rounding error.

[Sent dues, back dues, and a general fund donation.]

[Sent dues.]

[Sent a generous cabin fund donation.]

[Sent dues, back dues, and a general fund donation.]

When I joined the NAP fraternity I remember, in 1942, I felt it an honor to be invited to become a member. It was a very respected organization at that time. The advisor was Chester Jaeger, a very thoughtful and admired professor. The status has certainly changed over the years!

/s

[Sent dues, back dues, a cabin fund donation, and a scholarship fund donation.]

Very sorry to hear about the loss of the cabin. A lot of good memories there, but they still exist.

Could you send me a list of the members and maggot numbers? This would be greatly appreciated. Keep up the good work!

[Direct your web browser here:

and select the Member Directory link. - Ed.]

/s

[Bruce has a new address.]

[Sent dues, back dues, and a general fund donation.]

[Sent dues.]

Glad you're still around. This is to reimburse you for postage & printing.

Fond regards,

Jon Don

[Sent dues and back dues.]

[Sent dues and back dues.]

Thank you for the recent edition of the Oak Leaf. I believe I am in arrears to the Fraternity. I will appreciate your letting me know how much I owe and I will get current.

So sorry to hear about the cabin. It is an irreplaceable asset to the Fraternity.

Cordially,

/s

Harry Sheppard

[Sent dues.]

Dear Nappy friends,

I apologize for my many years of apparent fallen-off-the-edge-of-the-earth-ness. Things have actually been good overall. I've spent most of my time in New York City pursuing work performing in little dark theaters at night and as a costume designer by day. Several years at the Jim Henson company left me with groovy Emmy statues and an extensive Google persona... if you type in "carol binion". Please ignore anything that has to do with horses or Alabama. She's someone else.

I was married for about 10 years, but no mas; that fellow has just moved to Iceland which is too absurd for me to have made up. No kids. I'm back on the West Coast where I have been heading up the puppet shop for the Comedy Central show "Crank Yankers." I advise my parents to watch it with the sound off, due to the overall narsty nature of the show. It's a very fun life; I keep pinching myself to see whether it's real.

Enclosed are some dues. I'd like to thank my little sister for receiving my NAP mail all these years and occasionally forwarding it. And I'd really like to thank whomever is typing this for me. After Paul Nagai's* public address, I'm right spooked off of me email! YARRR!

Love to all,

/s

* Paul, Paul, Paul. The greatest Nappy ever.**

** [Thank you, but that is Zibby, Zibby, Zibby. -Ed.]