Missoula Rabble, Yuriko moved here 11 years ago from Hokkaido, Japan. She knew very little English. "I knew enough to communicate," she told me. Yuriko's first and only job in Missoula has been at Sushi Hana. She started as a dishwasher and is now the head sushi chef. "I like making sushi so that's why I keep doing it." Straightforward enough. She told me she also likes working there because of the people. "They're fun to be around," she said. "They are real, honest people."
Missoula Rabble, Carol was confident, cute, and content sitting in her chair next to her booth this morning. She has been selling her jewelry and knitted materials for the past 5 years now. What was once a pastime hobby turned into a job because she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a syndrome that causes long-term body pain, while pursuing a graduate degree in social work. "Between [fibromyalgia] and everything else, I had to quit," she said. "I could work but I couldn't be dependable." She started selling her crafts to pay the bills. "It's called making ends meet," she told me. Carol is a woman of strong faith and told me that is what keeps her strong. "I try to give something to someone every market," she said. "It's a way to give back."
Missoula Rabble, This man is an inspiration. As soon as I saw him
walk into the gym this morning, I knew I had to approach him. Erwin
Byrnes works out three days a week at 6:30am. He turns 85 next month.
"I've come down with Parkinson's and its been an ongoing battle," he
said. "If you don't workout at my age you lose your ability to do a lot
of things." Erwin retired as a property manager and also worked as a
school teacher and administrator for many years. He refereed local
football and basketball games for 38 years and said he has always
prioritized his health.
Missoula Rabble, Mackenzie, 30, saved Canner's life. Canner was a severely neglected horse, terrified of anything people, and was considered a "lost cause." Mackenzie adopted Canner before he could be put down and has worked with him for a few years now. "He can still get antsy, but he's nowhere near where he used to be," he said. "I can chase him around and it isn't the end of the world." Mackenzie is a dog trainer and a certified poet. He has an interesting view on how poetry and animal training can overlap. Almost so brilliant I hate paraphrasing it. But I will try. He said a good poem can make him change how he sees something he's already seen before. He said you can do that for an animal, too. All said, this guy is a very passionate person. He really cares for these animals. Check out the live web cam at the Dunrovin Ranch to watch Mackenzie work with the animals. You'll surely be impressed.
Missoula Rabble, Clay, 41, retired
from the military last October and has been growing his beard out since.
"I haven't been able to grow a beard for 20 years," he said. I
couldn't pass this beard up. I'm sorry. He sported beard tails
and zebras with wings flying around the word Z-Bird on his shirt. He's
clearly a cool guy. He was taking El Cazador carry out home to his
family when I caught him. Clay is currently working on getting his
degree in energy technology and paints for work during the summer.
Missoula Rabble, Mike, who informed me he's "old enough to know better," is a member of the Montana Libertarian Party. He caught my eye at the grocery store tonight. He had a raggedy salt and pepper beard, wore a red shirt tucked into his forest green pants, and topped it off with a felt hat that had a red, white and blue Libertarian bumper sticker stuck on front of it. He told me he campaigns for individuals rights to their freedom of liberties. They're preparing for the upcoming election currently. "We're selecting candidates right now." He's been living in Missoula since the 80s and campaigning with this group for the past 5 years.
Missoula Rabble, James, 17, has been skating for the past 8 years, "but I'm more known for my art than skating," he said. James wants to be an artist and described his art as cosmic and trippy. "It's something you'd have to see. I can't really describe it to you," he told me. James is in high school currently but isn't sure if it's the place for him. "School doesn't teach me about enlightenment or the spirit," he said. "What they are teaching me in there isn't preparing me for much. I feel like it's all a bunch of lies."
Missoula Rabble, Matt has been working for the carnival for the past 30 years. He is 50. He told me about a time when a ferris wheel almost fell over with people on it because of a storm. "A lot like tonight," he told me. Matt says he likes this life. "It's the life for me," he said. "I am a good guy but not because I have to be."
Missoula Rabble, Cara Gravagno, 22, is a tough chick. I was honestly intimidated to approach her because of her fighter physique and technique in kickboxing today. Turns out she is very sweet and just happens to know how to hit a bag. "This is my cardio," she told me. She is a small town Montana girl who got into kickboxing last year. She only trains now, but has dabbled with the thought of getting in the ring. "I at least know I could handle a fight if I had to, but there's always someone a little tougher than you."
Missoula Rabble, I overheard Chris's fiancée say Shuck (pronounced Shook) have a bit of a bromance. I believe it. I don't remember a time where I've seen Chris and I haven't seen Shuck. Chris is a story producer at Warm Springs Productions, a dog trainer on the side, and fits most stereotypes of the average Missoula man. Active, fit, happy, environmentally aware, and he owns a dog he calls his best friend. Shuck is a 5-year-old, 100 pound Shiloh Shepard. He is a gentle and tame spirit and spends most of his day lounging around an office and offering crabby office employees therapeutic pets. Chris totes Shuck to and from work every day on this homemade contraption you see attached to his bike. "Most people remember his name before they remember who I am."
Missoula Rabble, Brooklyn, 8, was selling lemonade in one of the most souped up stands I've ever seen. She sold regular, raspberry, and strawberry lemonade for a dollar a cup. This was her second day of business. She said she made $21 yesterday and believed she had exceeded those sales by the time I got to the stand. I asked her what she planned on doing with the money she earned. "I'm saving it for the fair."
Missoula Rabble, Preston, the hardcore ginger Cake fan. He gave me his card and turned around. Enjoy the music, man.
Missoula Rabble, I met Mark biking home from work today. He was immediately defensive and told me most people assume he's a white supremacist but he's just a man of the Wiccan faith. He warmed up to me and explained his faith and told me he wears white in honor of the Wiccan white candle which symbolizes purity and peace. As we spoke, several people yelled at Mark regarding racism and his white robe. "I think we should quit discriminating against what people look like and focus on what really makes those people unique."
