From: johnturmel@yahoo.com   
      
   WP: There you go John, about 775 words that   
      
   JCT: I asked Wayne to describe his fun day explaining LETS   
   timebanking to people I've always enjoyed and I think you'll   
   get the message:   
      
   WP: Exercises in Serendipity   
      
   What John fails to mention is that between his hopes of   
   having Gold Stars waving 150 gram bags of herb at a table in   
   the Queen and Bathurst area of Toronto was, for me, such an   
   intriguing prospective scenario that it was worth the effort   
   to don a suit and even bring a guitar. The idea got nixed at   
   the last moment because of what initially necessitated a   
   change in transportation arrangements which as it turned out   
   never materialized.   
      
   So after some minor confusions and clarification thereof,   
   there we are Del, John & myself, at Queen and Bathurst   
   accosting pedestrians for signatures. While John is quite   
   right in saying I had never been in a position where I have   
   had to accost people for signatures, what he is not   
   considering is my extensive background (45+ years) in   
   presenting art (and at one time music) in public venues and   
   all the various scenarios which those experiences transpired   
   in.   
      
   So there we are, Queen and Bathurst. The first hour and a   
   bit was almost a total write-off for both Del & myself   
   meanwhile John's chalking up signatures left right and   
   center. Once I found the least intrusive spot where I was   
   clearly visible to those approaching in either direction but   
   not an impediment to the general flow, things greatly   
   improved. So much so that over the span of the next couple   
   of hours I found myself signing up people by the two's and   
   three's all from the same spot.   
      
   What was most grueling (on my back and hips) was being on my   
   feet for such extended periods of time; that was offset by   
   doobie breaks. Conversations with those that opted to add   
   their signatures to John's candidacy bid provided sufficient   
   distraction from the physical anguish endured. That the   
   majority of them happened to be exceptionally attractive   
   late twenties-early thirties type females that appreciate   
   engaging conversation, well what can I say. I oblige, thank   
   you. Here's a shout out to J., R., & K., . . . you rock,   
   ladies!   
      
   By 3:30 it started drizzling so we called it quits. It was   
   decided that John & Del would go back the next day and that   
   John would finish up getting signatures while Del attended   
   to other matters. Because I thought I had a dentists   
   appointment on Monday I wouldn't be available. They dropped   
   me off at the door and within a half hour and a doob it was   
   lights out.   
      
   Around 4am Monday morning there I am bright eyed and bushy   
   tailed and getting ready for the appointment when I realize   
   I had gotten the dates for the appointment wrong. So I   
   mention in an on-line conversation with John that as it   
   turns out I did have the day free. He asks me if, in that   
   case, I'd like to tag along to keep Del company. I said   
   sure.   
      
   Around 10ish John and Del roll up and off we go. Little did   
   any of us know at the time how things would play out and how   
   instrumental both Del and myself would be in insuring that   
   John's bid would even meet the deadline on time. There was   
   some mention about me tentatively filling in as John's   
   official agent, but that Laurence would according to plans   
   be John's official agent.   
      
   So there we are at 420 Bathurst office and there's minutes   
   left. Del & I were talking with a couple that Del had got to   
   sign the day before when out of the blue a silver haired   
   fellow dressed in light blue attire goes flying by screaming   
   "I made it! I made it!" With his arms flapping John   
   disappears into the building, Del and I just look at each   
   other. Five minutes or so pass and out emerges one John   
   Turmel all nice and calm and composed. He ushers us inside   
   where we are all warmly received by the entire office.   
      
   One other thing, John's concern about having blown a grand   
   opportunity to get the Gold Star Message out is for naught   
   unless of course he is referring to the fact that perhaps he   
   (and possibly Del) didn't mention the point enough but that   
   was not the case where I was concerned. The fact is, I   
   actually had numerous people that were in the process of   
   walking away who did an abrupt about turn and decide to sign   
   solely based upon John's platform to Repeal the Cannabis   
   Laws. Moreover, it was this very topic was that which I   
   endeavored to explain to a bevy of very engaging,   
   intelligent and attractive assortment of people who just   
   happened to be female. What can I say. Thank you John   
      
   Jct: You just found out that LETS timebanking and pot make a   
   powerful political aphrodisiac for both sexes. And   
   especially the ladies who love a guy working to get them an   
   interest-free credit card for a new wardrobe we'd both like   
   to see them in. Just so many many darned non-residents!!   
      
   It got to a point I'd shout at a group: Any homeys from the   
   riding who can vote? One guy got offended because he thought   
   I was offending homos. I said: Wow, no, are there a lot of   
   gay people around who'll be offended? I use it for home-   
   towners. I'll watch my mouth." He nominated me for   
   Parliament. I've played Poker with gay guys, they can be   
   pretty tough, nothing gay about them. But always clean!   
   Nothing wrong with the odd subtle whiff of expensive   
   cologne.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)