I had a couple hours of free time before I met with Beth Loffreda, so I decided to take some pictures at the university and then walk down to downtown Laramie to take some more pictures. I'm sitting in Coal Greek Coffee Co, which I understand is where the members of Tectonic would often be found.

I feel wierd taking pictures. I've also felt wierd about taking my tape recorder out, so I haven't. That sucks, because now I won't have quotes for my paper. But I feel like I get more from people without it running. The journal writing has been helpful, but it sure would have been nice to have what Rebecca said on tape.

I haven't written yet about meeting Zackie Salmon this morning. She is just the sweetest! She was very excited I was here and introduced me to everybody. She was just as interested in my plans and project as I was in listening to what she had to say. I wrote down notes over breakfast of what was most striking. She truly loves Laramie and living here with her partner. I only thing she dislikes is being so far away from a real airport and from the rest of the world.

I'm starting to really love Laramie too. People are welcoming, laid back, I went to the student union for lunch and there was lots of life, students just hanging out on their Friday. Zackie introduced me to lots of people. A woman who works on her floor, Sharyl, said I should seek funding research from the American Heritage Center, where her partner works. The AHC has established a Matthew Shepard collection of videos, photos, letters, and newspaper articles. Zackie showed me the Rainbow Resource Room where I talked to Amy, a freshman at the university who does work study with the University Multicultural Center (UMC). She told me how much she hated Laramie because there was nothing to do and she felt like she wasn't getting opportunities in the theatre department as a freshman. I might hang out with her and her friends tonight if things work out. Zackie took me to meet Jonas Slonaker and we didn't get to chat much- he was very busy administrating GREs but he seems pretty fabulous. I watched him get annoyed on the phone with a student, trying to remain understanding. I hope we get to chance at another time, but it might not work out.

So...what impressions are forming at this point? People are looking to move on, and yet Matt's death still partially defines this town. Mickelson still struggles at the Fireside, Zackie and Rebecca have received endless emails. The university has an upcoming program on diversity called the Shepard Symposium. I feel like a straggler here. The reporters are long gone and even Tectonic hasn't been back in a while. I'm a reminder here, I'm out of place. But I'm also very welcome here.

P.S. I went by Catherine Connolly's office and she wasn't there.

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