This little robot is specially dedicated to Kate, a graduating senior at Reed College who's finishing her thesis come hell or high fever. Soon she will get her advisor's signature and throw herself into the heat and noise of Renn Fayre, a three-day bacchanal to honor all seniors like her. She is the last (paying) member of Reed that I know, and when she puts the plastic laurels on her head, my link to the Reed student body will be effectively broken. That's not so bad. A little poignant, though.

Also this weekend, I'm helping Jes move. A long time ago, he lived in a pink house with broken stairs and graffiti stenciled on the walls. Very picturesque, lots of character, no heat. Now he'll be in a respectable duplex made of beige, with a stellar housemate and the entire Alberta arts scene just a block away. And best of all, he's easy walking distance from my place, which means the robots will have more field trips.

Speaking of Alberta arts, if you live in Portland and haven't visited Last Thursday, I strongly endorse it! (And so does this person, but with better words and pictures.) April's Last Thursday was yesterday, and it was best I've seen. There were parades, tallbikes, mobile espresso, and ambient synth music. One guitarist outside the crepes shop had a sign language interpreter. This is Portland at its best, in my opinion. Don't miss it.