Season's greetings to all hash members here in Samoa as well as overseas. The holiday season is upon us again and the start of another year is right around the corner. This is a wonderful time of the year and I hope we don't get too carried away with the mechanics and logistics of everything and forget the enjoyment side. Please take time to enjoy the wonderful xmas music, the delightful xmas lights, the many parties where we can meet old friends and acquaintances. Please renew and treasure your friendships. It's one of the most precious gifts we can have in this world. That is one of the main reasons Hash means so much to me personally.
When I came to samoa 10 years ago, after being away for many years, I didn't know very many people. All my friends from when I was 17 years old have died, were in jail, or have been kidnapped by aliens. Then I joined Hash and I immediately had 20 friends to my name.
A year ago, Karaoke and I went to Australia and I ended up in the hospital emergency room. The doctors there said that I shouldn't even be alive, but by some miracle I made it through. When I got home I decided to celebrate my second chance at life, so I made a list of all my friends to invite to my back-from-the-dead party. When I looked at the list, 90% of them were hashers! That's when it hit me just how much hash means to me.
As I reflect upon 2008, I realize that in the hash world, a lot has happened. Here's a few highlights that I can think of from the top of my head.
- Lewinsky and POD get married and Happy Feet joins the hash family
- Jazz festival hosted by Hash which resulted in a monetary donation to FLO organization
- Australian Navy Hash run that resulted in Kuini's hash name
- Melborne Cup run and hat competition with the GM taking top honors for his outrageous helmet
- Halloween run and costume competition with Tony Blair and Selina winning the top prize in their Robin Hood and maid Marion outfit.
- Thanksgiving run and turkey dinner
- Cinco De Mayo run
- Shafter's untimely death and funeral
A quick glance back and a few new hash names jump up
If that's not the craziest bunch of names for hashers then I don't know what is.
I know there are a lot more events and incidences worthy of mention but my excuse is that I only took over as GM in July; before that my records are not too good. All the above mentioned highlights have been happy and joyous ones except for one. I'm sure you all know that as the untimely passing of our brother Shafter. As far as I can recall, this is the first time hash has been this heavily involved in a hash member funeral. This funeral was a little different in that from the very start, it was planned not so much as a cause for sadness and mourning but as a celebration of a well lived life. This event really brought the hash family closer together and it brought out the best in all of us.
For 2009, lets all look forward and help support these theme runs for the near future.
Jan. Australia Day and 1450 run
Feb. GM's birthday party run (age not important)
Mar. St. Patrick's day run (corn beef run)
Apr. Easter run
May Cinco De Mayo run (Mexican food run)
Jun. GM's farewell run (hooray!!)
One of my New Year's resolution is to be the best GM I can be. I will try my best to make hash not only a fun but also an exciting outing. I'm always open to new ideas and constructive critizisms (but not too many). I'm sure with your help and support we can all have lots of fun at hash. What do you say we make 2009 even better then 2008. I think I did mention it before but I'd like to repeat it here that the theme for my administration is "PARTY HARD OR GO HOME"
And if I haven't told you before I'm telling you now. THANK YOU to each and everyone of you for all you've done for hash in general and the GM in particular. I really didn't want the GM job because I didn't think a non-drinking and non-running hasher should be a GM. I took the job hoping you would support me but you have not only supported me but you have accepted me and for that I will always be grateful. A special thank you should be given here for my beautiful sidekick Karaoke for the unwavering support she has given me. Truth be told, I couldn't do half the stuff I've done without her help and support. (Karaoke, I'll drink from your shoe anytime!!)
Finally, I want to ask for your forgiveness. In the performance of my GM duties and in my efforts to improve hash, I know I probably offended or stepped on a few toes, maybe even all the toes at one time or another. Please know that none of my actions are ever intended to offend anyone. What do you say we bury the hatchet and start over again with the new year? Lets not look back to past indiscretions cause it will only give us a stiff neck. If you can forgive and forget, I give you a solemn promise as your GM that many many down downs will surely come your way!!
From the GM and the entire mismanagement crew, I want to wish all the hash family (especially our members who are overseas for the holidays or who have moved overseas) a very merry Christmas and a very happy New Year where ever you may be. May the force be with you!!
On On from the GM
PS: Please take care of yourselves this holiday season so that we can hash together again in 2009.
Remember: If you lose your fame and fortune, you've lost nothing
But if you lose your friends and your health, you've lost everything.
Sorry for the delay... net access here has been out since Christmas day.
Hash Run #1444 will be hosted by Delectable at her place in Aleisa (click-on above map). This is a fantastic location for jungle runs! So bring some extra clothes and a towel so you can hose-off and enjoy the post-run activities.
The Christmas Hash Run #1443 (see map) will have a special dinner. Hash will provide the BBQ, and Hashers the dishes to complement the meal. Karaoke (Adria @ 23-338) asks that Hashers contact her ASAP during business hours to reserve their dish. Single Hashers that are "cooking challenged" need not worry, Karaoke has some easy off-the-shelf dishes you can bring; just give her a ring.
The Christmas Hash, Run #1443 will be held downtown at the Snake Pit. The run will be hosted by Snake and Fang. This is a special run where we visit several businesses and sing Christmas carols. Santa himself will be joining us. Hashers are asked to do the following:
Hash Run #1442 will be hosted by Richard and Francis at their home next to NUS. Food will be provided.
August 2008 - Shafter and Lewinski ham-it-up for the camera at the infamous Australian Navy Hash Run.
Hash Run #1441 will be our Thanksgiving Run. The run will be hosted by Mr. Whippy and family in Lotopa (see map).
17 November 2008 – Shafter was bid farewell on Monday in what Godfather described as a memorial “befitting a king.” Take a look for yourself. We have described Shafter’s day / Hash Run #1440 via more than 100 photos with detailed captions. Please click here to view the photo album. It includes Shafter's Memorial Service, Burial Service, and Hash Run. Nearly all Hashers contributed to making this day a special one. Shafter would be proud.
April 2007 - Shafter strips down in the Hash Circle to put on his brand new Hash T-Shirt for completing 500 runs.
Hash Run #1440 will be held at the Yacht Club immediately following Shafter's burial service at the Vailele Cemetery.
October 2008 - Shafter, The Hash Monk makes a grand entrance at a recent hash run. Shafter always relished his role as the Monk.
As per his family's request, the Apia Hash House Harriers will be bidding Shafter farewell the way Shafter lived, in his style, singing the International Hash Hymn; gestures and all.
February 2006 - Shafter goes topless and enjoys a cold one during a fantastic island themed Hash.
Afternoon All,
Hey Hashers, don't forget to wear your hats for the Melbourne Cup Hash Run downtown at the Snake Pit. Just bring any old hat, and join the crew for a nice run, some coconuts, and a few cold ones. 'Am sure the GM will reward those who dawn the best hats, and punish those who forget.
GUILTY. GM, take note.
As per Snake, the Melbourne Cup Hash Run will be held downtown at the Snake Pit. Hashers are required to wear their hats or face the wrath of the GM. Get into the spirit and wear your biggest / brightest / wildest hat.
The Halloween Hash Run is here. As per the GM's earlier message, wear a costume or face the wrath of the GM in the Hash Circle.
Hash spies have noted a certain Hasher making a brief appearance on national TV in Australia last week. Appearing as the usual monkey that he is, he was climbing a coconut tree to impress host, Catrina Roundtree. Allegedly, "Getaway is Australia's longest-running and most popular holiday and travel program", that would have been watch by over a million Aussies last week.
Hash Run 1437 on Monday, 27 OCT 2008 will be the Halloween Hash. Hashers must wear costumes. Those who do not will drink down-downs. And no, as scary as it might be, dressing as yourself does not count.
Hobbes will be hosting Hash Run 1436 from his place in Lotopa - located just behind Karaoke and Eveready's (see map). In the neighborhood of Underrated, Mr. Whippy, Eveready, Karaoke and their fun crew, look for a good turnout and likely after-party.
Hey Hashers, don't forget that this week's run (Mon 13 Oct) will be at Tafatafa Beach. The run starts at 2PM sharp. Check out the map we posted earlier.
Wow, what a great Hash we had on Monday. No rain. A classic jungle crawl. Great keg. $3,000 Presentation to Samoa Lifeline. Another raid by the Hash Monk. Crash Bandicoot naming. The Order of the Boot. Bats Blood. SOTB and Crash Bandicoot's fantastic spread of food. This was a classic Hash Run.
It appears that the Resolution will miss the Monday Hash Runs on her trip to Samoa next month. She's scheduled for two Thu - Sun stays in Apia: Nov 6-9 and Nov 20-23. Here's the update we received from Flea on the HMNZS Resolution:
Monday, 6 October 2008 - The Apia Hash House Harriers presented a check for $3,000 to Fa'ataua le Ola, also known as Samoa Lifeline. Samoa Lifeline operates a 24 hour phone service to assist those in distress. They are dedicated to preventing suicide in Samoa.
The Hash Run for next Monday will be at the beautiful Tafatafa beach. The run starts at 2:00PM. Godfather will be hosting and providing food. Hash will provide the drinks. There will be no fee for Hash members - FREE BEER!!! Do bring some cash though - You are responsible for your own entrance/fale fees. If you'd like to have your own fale, arrive early. The fales fill-up fast on holiday weekends.
Thanks to Poumuli for more pics and for having Dawnraid deported hehehe. Check out the pics by clicking on the title.
Many thanks to Poumuli for sharing his photos from the 22 Sep 08 Hash Run hosted by Tony Blair and Selena. You can find these photos and more in the Hash Photo Albums.
We have three OPEN hosting spots that we need to fill soon. They are:
The Run will be from Vailima, across the road from Poumuli's digs. SOTB or Whippy will put up a map (Done! 3 Oct by Mr. Whippy) for those who are not familiar with the area ....to Crown of Thorns and SOTB's abode.
Things got a bit cozy. We all tucked into the garage as the rain poured. The keg was great - an excellent brew. Many of us were spending time catching-up with Tramp, Woman in Black, and Einstein before the awards. AC/DC hit the BBQ. Tony Blair got the mugs ready. Mr. Whippy poured the beers. The hosts for tonight Bits & Pieces, Goer, and their daughter (spaced the name!) were well prepared and doing all the little things you do when you host a run.
Beware Hashers.
Our friend Puff shares the following exciting news:
Talofa ALL HASHMEN AND MERES,
The hash run was in Vaivase and boy what a run (not that I ran) but the On Ons after the run was one to remember (although I don’t remember too much). Because of the poor turnout (apparently due to the rain) there were only a handful of hashers and a mighty big keg to drink. Needless to say, the down down count went through the roof. In saying that, congrats to all the hashers that made an effort to come last night, the keg was uma lava pisupo! The hosts put on quite a spread considering the numbers, but thanks again to our hosts for last nights run.
Coming from the west (town), it is the last house on the road.
Was perusing the stat's for our blog (yah, I'm a geek) and guess what? I found a fantastic blog by one of our new Hashmen! He has a boatload of great photos and even a little Trash for the 25 AUG & 1 SEP runs. My favorite quote, "Funny thing is, I have never drunk that much beer..." We must be doing something right!
Here are some more great pictures from Poumuli's and Pussy Snatcher's hash.
