Ridgeway Retrospective - Omega Life 1991-94

Omega Reunion Gathering December 2007

2008-03-03T22:36:00.001-08:00

Here are a few snapshots from the latest Omega gathering in December 2007 in Bellevue, Washington.

Dan, Isaac and Matt enjoying their visit.

Kristine and Dave. Bill and his moustache, and Jason.

Another shot of Dan, Isaac and Matt. Isaac's MacBook Pro at the ready.

Introduction

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I attended Western Washington University from 1991 until graduation in 1995, and for the first three years of my studies, I lived in Ridgeway Omega, a dorm perched on a hillside above campus in the Ridgeway complex.

Since it has been nearly ten years since my graduation, I wanted to share some photos and anecdotes remembering the fun times had, friends made and lessons learned.

UPDATE:

In early April 2006, a group of former Omega residents gathered at Buca De Beppo in Kirkland to feast on Italian vittles and reminisce. This first batch of photos is from our luncheon.

The next set is of our (me, Isaac, Jason, Doug, Clarissa, Steve and Kim) trip to WWU, and back to Omega. For pictures of the rest of our trip, see my 'main' blog at http://sloppyjoe72.blogspot.com/

Finally, Isaac has lent me a bunch of old photos from life in Omega in the early to mid-90s. His supplement mine which I started this blog with last year.

Feel free to add your own comments or anecodotes by clicking on the 'comments' icon. Enjoy!

Omega Reunion Gathering 2006

2006-05-07T15:31:00.000-07:00

Former Omegamites (left to right), Steve, Dave, Christine, Dan (on cell), Steveo, me, Jason (standing), Bill (also standing), Grey,Karen, Charlie, Chris, and Isaac.

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Matt and Isaac

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Dave and Christine

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WWU Visit

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The remodeled Viking Union. Gone is Plaza Pizza, replaced with a cafe of some sort. Also gone is the Taco Bell Express (I may be the only one lamenting that). The upper level is much more open and accomodating, but the lower levels are still a confusing labyrinth.

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Vendor's Row in the remodeled Viking Union

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Walking by Wilson Library. In the late 90s, it was remodeled and connected to Haggard (in it's brick facade, it is no longer haggard in looks, either) Hall.

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The new Communications building, which opened in 2003 (or so) sits on the field south of Arntzen Hall.

Future Academic Instruction Center

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Being built next to the brand new Communications center in the field in front of Arntzen Hall.

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The new athletic field in front of the new WWU Athletic Center.

Omega Visit 2006

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In front of the Omega sign. The day we visited, the power was out. Making our way down to the first floor was challenging in total darkness. For the most part, Omega hasnt changed much.

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The Bumper Pool table has been replaced with...Foosball????

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The main lounge, complete with computer in the corner.

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Loitering in the main lounge

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The TV lounge looks the same, but is sports a fresh coat of paint. The TV looks the same..could it be?

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Doug and I in the study lounge. This was the most time I'd ever spent there! (kidding..of course)

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The gang in front of the Omega office.

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Walking under Sigma

Blast from the Past

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Enjoy these photos and memories from Omega, circa 1991-1995. The first batch were provided by Isaac for inclusion in this blog, while the latter part are from my photo albums.

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Taken at Isaac's old house in SeaTac. L-R: Me, Alison, Candice, Kendall, Emily, Jeff, Seth (in pre-drunken sailor mode), Isaac.

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Fraternizing with a plastic cow after a Vancouver Grizzlies NBA game in 1995. Left to R: Grey, Dan, me, Isaac, Chris, and Brad kneels next to the udder.

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I forgot this guy's name. He lived on the 3rd floor. Anyone recognize him?

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Liz and an unknown girl recline in Omega's comfortable confines. Is that face to the left another Matt sighting?

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Isaac and a bevy of Omega beauties before the 1993 WWU talent show. Back row: Isaac, (unknown girl who I had a crush on), Elizabeth, (another unknown girl), Front row left: Carla, Lisa H.

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Steve A gearing up for a Primal Scream.

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Despite the known fact the she had a serious boyfriend back in Bremerton, most of the boys in Omega had a crush on Reggie. She was very sweet and nice, and easy on the eyes as well. Here we see Tom cuddling up with her..

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Rachel, Creighton's cheerful ex-girlfriend.

Let's Play the Pyramid!

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Name these Omegamites!

Back left, Brad Y, Julie, (unknown girl), Elizabeth, Karen walking into the room.
Next row, left to right: (unknown girl), Woody the RA, Brad, (unknown girl), Abbey the RA,
Botton row, left to right: Sir Isaac, (unknown guy), (unknown guy), (unknown first floor guy), Mitch and chrisTOPHER.

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Michael, Lanae (spelling?), Kendall and Steve hang around Omega's office.

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Isaac and his famed Mambo Sock.

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Omega main lounge one rockin' evening.

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Perhaps the only photograph of Creighton and I.

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Bumper pool wasn't just a game in Omega, it was passion. Everyone played. Here, we see Karen, Jeff (standing) enjoying a game while Charlie cheers from the couch.

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John and pre-goatee Doug.

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Isaac, armed with his trombone, plays for a WWU football game.

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Isaac's mouth: Circa December, 1993.

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Isaac and Kennon (spelling?) share a pose before battling it out, bumper pool style.

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Jason M, probably forced out his room while I monopolize his computer playing Star Wars X-Wing.

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Isaac sharing the love with Jamie H.

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Hans (Isaac) and Franz (Charlie) getting ready to sign autographs during Omega's Halloween Party 1992.

We're Here to PUMP YOU UP!

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Halloween was a big deal for Omegamites. In one of the better costumes from the early 1990s, we have Isaac and Charlie as 'Hans and Franz' (from SNL).

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Grey prowls the halls of Ridgeway Omega.

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Praying over a bowl of chips and some beers. Ok, maybe not..but Chris, Dan, Charlie, Isaac, Brad Y, Steve me and Grey gather around something in Birnam Wood.

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Doug (perhaps the last known photo taken of Doug without the goatee) and Eliza enjoy a game of cards in the main lounge.

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One of Dixie's birthday parties. She was our dorm janitor/dorm mother. L-R, Jamie, unnamed girl, Doug (one of the first pics of him with his goatee), Angie (known to me as "Big Joe's Girlfriend"), an unnamed guy, Dixie, Isaac, Reggie, a girl whose name is on the tip of my tounge, and of course, Candice!

2006-05-01T22:40:00.000-07:00

Dinner the night of my surprise return from China. Isaac was the only one (except for my girlfriend at the time) who knew that I was coming home from Beijing early. He arranged a surprise party/dinner with my friends. The picture is dark because Isaac didn't develop this film until about 2 years after these pics were taken! (L to R) In the darkness sits Charlie, then in the foreground is Jason, Chris, Dan and me.

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Dave realizes he's missed the latest episode of the 'X-Files' (ok, maybe not..but something has surprised him!)

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Creighton standing over the bumper pool table.

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Chris Weaver with Isaac, taken when Chris had returned from military duty in the Persian Gulf.

2006-05-01T22:30:00.000-07:00

Another high-stakes card game passes the time in Omega's main lounge. Seated on the couch, and moving from right to left, Doug (yet another of the rare 'pre-goatee' Doug pictures), Kennan discussing strategy with Bill B. To his right is an un-named girl. Next to her is dorm president Michael, then we have Eliza and an unnamed man hovering over her shoulder.

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Candice saunters into Omega's main lounge. She is missed..I wonder where she is today?

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Bill Helbig in Utah, after transferring from Western after Freshman year.

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Ann (right) and an girl I do not remember too well standing in front of Omega. Can anyone remember her name?

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Bill H, Creighton, Steve A and Bill B shooting the sh#t in Omega's main lounge. Can you name the residents in the background? My guess is Matt Rosa is standing to the far left..but your guess is as good as mine.

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The 1991-1992 crop of Omegamites pose for a group photo on the steps of Old Main.

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Omega on the Ridge: I've circled it for ease of discovery. The balcony afforded a beautiful view of campus, as well as a launching point for frisbees and various other flying objects.

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Habitat for Joe-manity: My half of the corner room. Notice my Trailblazer paraphenalia and trusty old Mac Classic. Circa sophomore year .(1992-93)

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When I was applying for housing at WWU, I remember reading the advice that you shouldn't count on making your roommate your best friend. I didn't take that advice, as Charlie was not only the best roommate anyone could ask for, but a heck of a person and fun to hang out with. His witty observations alone were worth the price of admission... AND he is a talented artist. (hey Charlie, where's my $20?) ;-) Here we see Charlie dorking around with his 'Cindy Crawford shrine' smiling at him in the background.

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The Esquire shoot: Left to right, me, Jeff and Charlie..

Omega Memories, Part 1

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Here is a collection of random memories, both personal and general of WWU and Omega. Feel free to add your own in the 'comments' section.

Friday night basketball marathon sessions. They were the most fun after eating a ‘Viking Burger’.

They actually put study carrolls in the study lounge? What’s up with that?

Who is buying the condoms in the vending machine?

Freshman year: The first floor women’s ingenius use of feminine hygene products as ghosts for the Halloween hall decorating contest.

Late night on-campus games of ‘Capture the Flag’.

The Omega trip to see “Almost Live” and the mad rush home to see it air.

Geeking out to various videogames on Jason M’s computer.

Having to make up content for the Omega newsletter because the only submissions I’d get were anonymous, obscure, vaguely violent poems submitted in the dark of night.

The loud, wild, fun ‘80s music’ parties featuring the music of Duran Duran at Sigma.

Cans and bottles thrown from Alpha Hall windows. The drunken losers!

My extremely cool little sis, Karen!

Late night discussions of elf shoes for cats with Bill Helbig on the first floor.

The enigma that was Smoker Dave.

Stay tuned for more..

2005-03-31T15:45:00.000-08:00

Bill H wondering why I'm snapping his picture while we all try to eat at the Iron Horse in Seattle.

2005-03-31T15:42:00.000-08:00

Charlie tolerating Karen's eyewear make-over. Why Charlie didn't kick my ass for that Paula Abdul poster I put up, I'll never understand.

2005-03-31T15:38:00.000-08:00

Bill Clinton 'hanging out' outside my door to greet me on the morning of my birthday. Courtesy of my roomie, Charlie.. what a nice guy. :)

2005-03-31T15:36:00.000-08:00

Workers bonding molecules together to build the new Chemistry building, which opened in 1995 (?). Eventually another new science building went in next to it. This was the view from my dorm room window.

2005-03-31T15:33:00.000-08:00

Dave, Aaron, me and Bill B ham it up at Omega's festive Halloween bash.

2005-03-31T15:30:00.000-08:00

Isaac and I, circa 1994: I met him in my first hours at WWU, and we continue to be good friends to this day. He's one heck of a person, and very good buddy.

2005-03-31T15:24:00.000-08:00

The name's Bond: Isaac bursts into Charlie and my room Bond style.

2005-03-31T15:20:00.000-08:00

Christine prepares the official 'easy assemble' Omega Christmas tree she galantly harvested from the local wilderness.

2005-03-31T15:11:00.000-08:00

Jason M stops in for a chat with Charlie.

2005-03-31T15:02:00.000-08:00

To all of us, Dixie was a fixture of dorm life. She truly cared about each of the students in Omega (some might argue that she cared too much). She was less of a janitor to some of us and more like our dorm mother. Sadly, she passed away a few years after our time in Omega. She will be missed.

2005-03-30T17:02:00.000-08:00

Posed? What makes you think that? L-R, Jeff B, me and Charlie. We were on the way to a Mariner's game.

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Angela and Karen prepared to duel before going to the Picadilly dance.

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Bumper pool was nearly a religion in Omega. From Isaac and Kenyon's historic duels, to the casual weekend games it was a major draw. Here Doug and Bill H play while Candice and Charlie watch.

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Steve chillin' in Birnam Wood. I cheated here, this was after he moved out of Omega and lived in BW with Isaac, Charlie and Jason M

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Pat and Emily looking spiffy for Casino Night.

Western Jamming

2005-03-30T16:34:00.000-08:00

Angus would’ve been proud. Several intrepid Omegamites decided to lip-sync perform AC-DC’s famous song “Thunderstruck” at the annual springtime ‘Western Jam’, a campus-wide talent show.

To support Omega, and boost our chances at winning..all the Omegamites watching were urged to clap, scream and go nuts during the performance, more that what people would have normally done. At one point, everyone was to rush the stage.

The spirit of the song took us over and our adrenaline pumped, pushing us to rock hard! In the middle of the song we all broke loose and rushed the stage, surprising the judges and the rest of the audience. By the time the song was over, the whole audience was yelling and screaming along with us.

The performance earned Omega 3rd place out of the 10 dorms represented!

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Western Jam. The night Omega rocked the house!

2005-03-30T16:26:00.000-08:00

This room was the nexus of Omega. It was here you could find your mail, as well as visit an R.A. during office hours. You could also check out various recreational items or see who was on duty. Personally, I came here for the mail.

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The TV room! Home to movie marathons, X-Files and Northern Exposure watching. Here we have (L-R)Brad, Chris H, Michael and Dave J

Omega: The R.A.s

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Most would think being an R.A. in Omega would be akin to being a forester in the arctic circle--Easy job, not much action, boring even. That might be partially true, because most of the partying took place in other dorms. Those few who took on the responsibility of being R.A.s in Omega found a warm place with some interesting folks.

There were 2 R.A.s each year in Omega. From 1991-92 I remember Tim, and Amy, a blonde girl who was studying genetics. From 92-93 we had Woody and Abbey. I can't remember who was there in 1993-94, maybe you all can refresh my memory.

Personally, I stayed out of trouble with the R.A.s, but did once get into a verbal scrap with our Resident Director, Mara. She wouldn't let me publish an article on the Secret Training of the R.A.s in the Omega newsletter, because it referred to the 'German boot-making industry'..she believed those of German extraction would be offended. My answer was a confused "What the hell are you talking about?"..I ended up scrapping the article to avoid my 20 lashings.

That same year I remember a secret operation to bust Smoker Dave and his girlfriend, Cherilyn drinking a whole six pack in Dave's room. I walked into the bathroom just as Tim was dumping beer after beer down the drain. What was mysterious about it was that no one had seen any R.A. anywhere on the first floor that evening. I suspected that they rappelled down the side of Omega and in through Dave's window.

Here's a couple snapshots of famous Omega R.A.s -->

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Isaac with Abbey, one of the most popular R.A.s during my time in Omega. A very nice lady!

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Woody, one of our friendly R.A.s from 1992-93

Omega Memories, Part 2

2005-03-30T15:24:00.000-08:00

Here's a few more personal and general memories of Omega and WWU life..

Jason M’s insightful commentary.

Somehow always finding dorm president Michael standing in the shadows near the front door whenever me and my ex gf would come back late at night.

The massive start of the year dances in Red Square. Do not swim in the fountain afterwards! I stayed away after getting accidentally (emphasis on that)pepper-sprayed during that event one year.

Isaac and I surviving bottle rocket mortars at the WWU homecoming celebration.

Filming the “Bubble gum Bandit.”

Pool and faux-brewskies at Bigfoot’s Bistro

Real brewskies in Nash/Mathes, Highland, Alpha, Gamma.

The size of my thighs from walking up the stairs to the Ridge daily.

The elation of finding an open parking spot on Squatter’s Row.

Many late-night hours spent playing Doom 2 in the Ross Technology building. This led to a harsh campus-wide ban on gaming in the computer rooms.

The fact that we survived the ‘Acura Boys’ incident. (Ask me, Steve B, Charlie or Isaac about that dangerous day.)

Weekend forays up to the sleazy bars just across the Canadian border to drink.

2005-03-30T15:23:00.000-08:00

You knew that your tastebuds were in for a treat on Gourmet night... ;-)

Door Art

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Artistic impression took many forms in Omega. Some went beyond the standard name tags for their dorm room doors and took a more artistic tact. Here are couple examples of decorated doors in Omega Hall.

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Isatode Lives Here: Isaac and Bill's door.

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Watched by Zeltar: Charlie and my door told you exactly where we were. Kathy Ireland was the object of my celebrity desire at the time. I wish I would've had a 'Dorking Around' option for me!

Formalities

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Each dorm at WWU had some soft of holiday get together each year. These pictures are from the Fall 1992 Omega holiday dinner up at the Ridge. It was a nice excuse to get all dolled-up and hang out with fellow Omegamites.

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Holiday Cheer: Seated, left to right we have Aaron C and Rena O. Standing behind them are Bill B and Amy L. Bill was kind enough to let me be his roommate in the coveted 'Apartment' in Omega after his old roommate moved out.

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Clockwise: Chris, Kevin, Eliza and my fellow SW Washingtonian and basketball opponent, Grey.

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Left to Right: Elizabeth (I might add that many an Omega male had a crush on her..), Seth (my former roomie) and Rachelle. Dixie, Marcie and Gina round out this table.

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Third Floor Men: Chris W, Mitch, Topher, Dave J. enjoying the fine water and conversation that the Ridgeway Dining Hall offered students.

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Left to Right: The dynamic duo Reggie and Jamie, Anne, Angie, Doug and Ericka.

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The 1992-93 Omega Hall officers strike a pose. Top Left to bottom Right: Emily, Mara, Ericka, Steve, Michael and Kendall.

2005-03-29T15:21:00.000-08:00

Our Gang: From left to right, Isaac, Matt (partially obscured), Leigha, Jeff, Karen, Sir Charles and that wild man, Jason M.