The Dude

So...what have we been doing here on this mountain learning about conflict resolution? We've been learning to respect and love The Dude. The Dude...is Firas' self-described "idol," his guide in life. Firas gave me some reasons for his idolatry when The Dude and I were first introduced. I think it's because he's (1) cute and (2) he has a hood....I'm not doing justice to the reasons...but anyway, here's a picture of him and the fabulous Jeanne.



The Dude has been coming with us to class everyday, positioning himself in cute postures and outfits in many prominent places. inspiring many and accompanying a good number of people. I have not been privileged enough to be one of these people---but I have certainly paid my respects. (I.e. I do nod back to The Dude when he nods at me.) The Dude's got lots of wisdom, since he's so well-traveled, but this also makes him kind of dirty and smelly.

Apparently, one weekend while I was away, The Dude's family was found at a pharmacy in Montreaux. A reunion was scheduled, and the Dude exchange was born. We all signed up to buy Dudes for one another, and here we all are....now we all have little "idols" of our own to bring back to our own respective homes all over the world.



(The banadana I am wearing is a tribute to the fine country/continent of Australia. It was a gift from Linda, given to me only 5 seconds earlier...Kathy tells me it looks dorky.) By the way, I am happy to report that The Dude has since gotten a bath. It took a long time to convince Firas to give him one, but we are all happy that he did. He's startlingly whiter actually.