Maybe its my Olympia heritage that helps to speak Hippie.
Once, way back in high school, the band was playing a gig out at Evergreen State College. There was a guy standing on a little hill. In a mushroom suit. He was wearing a little sign that said he was "The Grand Shroom".
It was probably a coursework assignment, being that it was Evergreen and all.
Shroomology 302 - Greaaat class, man. B~)
I have yet to go to the Evergreen campus. But judging from the Greeners you see around...I imagine it's a bit of a scary place.
Your story would tend to back up that theory.