On the seventh day of...

Today was a challenging day.  A reorganization of my company announced a couple weeks ago resulted in the laying off of a large amount of workers, many of whom worked in my department and I've known for 5 years, 10 years, more.  Today was the last day they were required to work, and though they will continue to get pay and assistance from the company for a bit, for all intents, today they were done.  It was a hard day for both those leaving, and those staying.

Combining these emotions with a heavy rainstorm pounding our area made the idea of doing a Random Act today difficult.  I just didn't have the heart, or the energy.  I just wanted to go home after the long day, relax, escape in a movie.

But I couldn't seem to let the idea of doing a RAOK go; I suppose once you've gotten used to the habit, it feels a little odd when you don't do one, like forgetting your watch at home or going to bed without brushing your teeth.

So while sitting and watching my movie (The Dark Knight, if you're curious) and sipping on some red wine, I took a little bit of time to browse through some LinkedIn profiles, doing a few endorsements and a couple of written recommendations for colleagues I consider friends, and friends that were once colleagues.  It may not be a huge thing, but it suddenly seemed really important to make sure their talents/skills were recognized.

My energy petered out again not long after, with my eyes crossing a bit from fatigue (even now this blog post is getting fuzzy), but the few that I managed to do felt not only good, but really right.  It's something I plan to work more on this weekend, after I've given my eyes, my mind, and my emotions a bit of a rest.

On the sixth day of...

Continuing the literacy theme started yesterday...

Knowing that the project I mailed to yesterday wasn't able to accept hardcover books, I decided to use today to drop off a few of the hardcovers I was ready to get rid of at a location I knew could and would use them: my local library.

As city/county/state budgets become increasingly slashed, hindering many of the public services offered, libraries are struggling to compete for a piece of the pie.  The gap continues to widen between those that have ready access to the latest tools and information via electronic devices and the Internet, and those that don't.  As these budgets are cut, libraries often have to fight to maintain some kind of funding to enable them to continue providing services and materials.

One method that many libraries use to help supplement their cash flow is the Friends of the Library book sale (or some variation of).  Some libraries do it quarterly, or on weekends.  Some libraries are lucky enough to have the space for a shelf or a bookcase they can keep up year-round, where patrons can browse donated books for purchase, often at just a few cents a piece.  But they can't sell them if they don't have them.

Well now they have another dozen to add to the selection options.  And I've placed an empty bag in my closet to place additional hardcovers into after I've read them because this will be an ongoing RAOK, performed whenever I have them to donate.

On the fifth day of...

I've been out of college for a number of years, and most of my textbooks were sold back or given away a long time ago.  But as an English major and Religious Studies minor in love with both subjects, there were a lot of texts I kept as reference, in case there was a time at some point when I wanted to pull them off the shelf to look something up, or re-read something.  Realistically, though?  The only time they really get moved is when I dust.

Last night I read on Tumblr about a book project being orchestrated by a group trying to collect and build (or re-build) libraries for women incarcerated (primarily for non-violent crimes like shoplifting or prostitution).  While fiction books were greatly appreciated and accepted, the post said, what they were truly hoping to receive were non-fiction books: text books, workbooks, books in different languages, books about different cultures, about parenting, about self-improvement and self-employment.  Books that could be used as study aids so that the women could use the jail time to study for and pass their high school equivalency exams.  Books that could teach them about being single mothers, or about exercise and diet, or simply about improving literacy skills so that, when they are released, they have better opportunities for breaking the jail cycle.

The books needed to be softcover, with no spiral bindings.  Even with simple books, in jail there is danger of  them becoming weapons.  Outdated books were ok; they could be catalysts for sparking a desire to learn more about the subjects discussed.  But they needed to be postmarked by November 30 in order to meet the project goal deadline.

This morning I took a good look at just one of the 10 bookshelves I keep in my house (not even counting the stacks of books in my closet and in boxes in the bedroom....not even thinking about the 4 boxes in my car, or the 20 in my storage unit).  While a few of my texts kept were thick, heavy anthologies of literature and, therefore, not suitable to send, a lot more weren't.  I've held onto them for years, a few of them for a couple of decades, and yet suddenly, this morning, I found it very easy to pull 5 off the shelf and prepare them for mailing.  I might have done more if I'd had time, but I was limited in terms of mailing materials and needing to dash off to work, especially knowing I'd need to mail it today in order to meet that deadline.

Just five books...about diabetes, about religious diversity, about contraception, about non-violent protest.  Five books that may now pass through dozens of hands, and may spark something that changes the path someone has stepped on but no longer wants to travel.

Just five.  Imagine what a whole library could do.

On the fourth day of...

So that shelter that my friend volunteers at, the one that I gave the lip balm to?  Well, in addition to accepting and re-circulating clothes in good condition, they separate out the "bad" clothing donations (the stuff too worn, stained, or hole-y to be of use) and sell them by the pound to a recycler who re-purposes them into other things.  They don't advertise this because of the fear of getting inundated with things people are trying to dump, but for those that already volunteer or who have donated before, it is brought up as a way of helping clean out additional household clutter.

So while putting away laundry yesterday, I pulled out a few things that have been hanging out in my closet a while: jeans with holes too worn to repair, sweaters that have certainly seen better days.  Just 3-4 things for now since I didn't have time to dig through the closet and I was busy with another task.  Rather than wait until I can "finish that project" by going through everything, I decided to proceed with getting rid of what I'd already set aside, and brought it to my friend today at work.  For now, at least, those things will add to the pound weight that the shelter gets money back for, a recycler gets a few more items for their projects, and I have a few less things taking up room in my closet.

This was a RAOK on multiple levels (even one back to myself!) and one I hope to do again before the month is over, so you may see a repeat of it soon.  I want very much to be less cluttered and more organized, but I despise throwing things out if they seem even slightly useful still.  Anything I can do to re-purpose things and keep them out of landfills where they slowly rot is a plus for me, and this definitely checks that box on my list!

On the third day of...

I knew I was going to the pharmacy today, so I told a friend I'd keep an eye out for discounts.  While standing in line to get my prescription at the pharmacy, I spied some lip balms on sale.  A two-pack for $1.85.  I bought two of them.

That friend of mine volunteers at a local shelter that primarily offers services to women with children.  However, they also, when they can, provide items to homeless men that pass through their doors seeking assistance.  Because the shelter is known for its assistance to women and children, most of the donations are geared for (and needed for) this population.  However, also because of this, any assistance they can provide to the homeless men is limited to what they have on hand, and they don't often have things on hand for men.

I can't even imagine the simple dignity that must be set aside to ask for just a spare bar of soap, or how it must feel on both ends when the volunteer has to look at the asker and say, "I'm so sorry.  I don't have one to give you."

For under $5, something I would spend on a cup of specialty coffee, I can offer four men relief from chapped winter lips, at least for a little while.  And at least four times, a volunteer will be able to tell someone, "Yes...I have something you can have."

On the second day of...

The second day for the Random Acts For Misha is kind of a multi-day project that is being "wrapped up" (so to speak) today.  Every year, The Family Giving Tree brings a stack of wish cards that have been filled out by the under privileged in our community---mostly kids, but some special needs and homeless or homebound adults as well.  Choosing a tag or two to shop for is an annual tradition for me, but was especially poignant this year.  In late April, my mother passed unexpectedly, and though (because of other circumstances) it has not been an occasion of horrific grief, it has made this holiday season a bit surreal.  Reminding myself, for example, that I did not need to buy the annual Christmas slippers for mom this year felt really odd.

Having also made the decision that, this year, all gift purchases would be made through local stores and none through the big box chains presented a challenge.  Most of the children's wishes involved things that you generally tend to only find at those big chain stores.  The smaller ones no longer carry them because they can't afford to compete.  I was determined, though, to find a solution and stick to my plan.

Being a believer that mom is still with me, I decided that I wanted to make "mom's gift" the donation wishlist item this year.  And she helped find the right wish!  My mom always loved doing arts and crafts types of things, and we found a wishlist tag from an 11 year old boy who wanted art supplies.

So from the choosing of the tag, to the shopping, to the assembly of it, it's been a few days, but today I've put together the gift that I will give to the drop off location in the morning:

I hope he'll love it.  It's from me, and my mom.

On the first day of...

Inspired by several folks in the fandom of Misha Collins and Supernatural, I'm launching my December giving a few days early.  #RandomActsforMisha is a hashtag being used on Twitter for fans to help share their Random Acts during the month of December, to help motivate that holiday spirit in each other that seems to get sucked away by the crazy madhouse that is the "holi-daze" season.

My first random act isn't so random this time around since it's something I do every year anyway, but perhaps by writing about it/blogging it/Tweeting it, it'll spark an interest in someone else to do the same and that can also be a random act.

Today is Small Business Saturday.  As soon as I'm done posting this, I am heading out to support local businesses and craftspeople with my money rather than spending it at the large corporation stores.  Sure, it means thing might be a little more expensive, or I might have to make a few more stops to get what I need.  But it also means that the money goes back into the economy through the spending by these small store owners, rather than sitting in a big bank account collecting dust.  It means that my family and friends will receive gifts made by the hard working hands and imaginations of men and women crafting in their garages, their kitchens, or at the sewing machine after the kids have gone to bed.  It means helping one more family stay in business instead of seeing one more empty storefront.

And after I've done my shopping, I'll head downtown for some lunch at a local restaurant, and a cupcake at the local sweets place (which was broken into on Thanksgiving Day...boo, Grinch, boo!)  Not that I need an excuse to go get a cupcake...

From replacement bulbs for your tree to gift wrap for under the tree, consider supporting your local businesses this year.  They need us!

GISHWHES 2012: The Aftermath

Even before the submission deadline loomed, I knew that I was going to blog about the experience, that I'd want to share the accomplishments and frustrations that came from participating in GISHWHES.  Now that the time has come, though, I find myself somewhat at a loss for words.  Not entirely, of course, but I find that, nearly 12 hours after the final submissions and closure of the challenge, there is a feeling inside that I can't fully articulate.  It's composed of elements of wonder and sadness, exhilaration and awareness, and some other things that I can't name, I can only feel.  I can tell already that blogging will never come anywhere near to living; it's a pale reflection of the experience.

So why blog about this here on my December giving related blogspace?  While it's not related to my annual December giving, it is connected to my choice for this year's December focus so here we are.

For those who haven't been in the loop on this weird artsy charitable thing, GISHWHES is an acronym for (the) Greatest International Scavenger Hunt (the) World Has Ever Seen.  Hosted by actor Misha Collins and a tribe of minions representing his non-profit, TheRandomAct.org, GISHWHES is not a typical scavenger hunt where teams run down a list and find miscellaneous items.  Instead, it takes that basic concept and then flambes it on the backyard barbecue.  GISHWHES is about imagination, breaking routine, creating random out of ordinary, letting go of regimentation and trying to make yourself and those around you see something different in their day.

We've been asked not to share our entries until scoring and a winner has been determined, though many teams seem to already be doing so on their blogs and across social media platforms.  My team doesn't want to risk being deducted points for sharing before we're supposed to, so I'll save those revelations for a second post once the contest is officially called.  In the meantime, though, on the "day after", I'm feeling a bit bereft and decided that doing a write-up of some thoughts and experiences will help the separation anxiety, provide some information for the curious, perhaps resonate with others who participated and who are feeling a little lost on this first day without GISHWHES.  And also, it's helping to keep me awake at my desk so that I can get through this workday because my brain is at a level of tired it hasn't experienced in years.

I first heard about GISHWHES in early September, when someone posted about it in a local online forum.  She was soliciting members for her team, and after reading about it (and despite being an introvert by nature and nervous because I had no idea who this girl was), I sent her a note asking how I can join up.  I love games and puzzles and crafting, and I can be competitive with those kinds of things.  Plus, the prize was a trip to stay in a haunted castle in Scotland, which is also entirely up my alley.  The girl never responded but I wanted to play badly enough that I decided to register anyway; I signed up as an individual participant.  A sliding scale registration fee funds the prize, with the remainder going to projects sponsored by TheRandomAct.org, and while participants had the option of finding and registering as a team of 15, teams absent members were to be combined and then filled in with the individual registrants so that, when the list was released and the game began, all teams would have 15 members.  I was really worried about this.  What if I got put into a team that had, say, 12 members that all knew each other already?  Would I feel alienated, excluded?  Would they think I, at age 38, am too old to do anything helpful when so many of the people who had been talking about it were in their teens and twenties?  My desire to participate was greater than my fear, but I was still concerned.  It brought up a lot of schoolyard feelings.

I was really lucky, though.  The team I was added to was a small one, three gals from Sweden who dubbed themselves Teenage Superhero Werewolf Marble Hunters in an attempt to squeeze in nods to all their various fandom participation and who called themselves TSWMH to make things a bit easier.  I found myself mentally referring to us as "Team Marble" for the rest of the competition.  Along with these three ladies, we were joined by other individual participants: two from Australia, one from India, four more from the United States (including a later substitution to replace someone who had mistakenly been placed on two different teams), one from Finland, two from the United Kingdom, and one from France who remained forever unknown to us.  She never replied to any of our messages, so we're not sure what happened.  We hope she's ok.  But the 13 of us (and eventually 14 when the replacement was established), along with a few unregistered but willing minions, quickly formed a private Facebook group, chattered about skills and connections that we might have that would be useful for the as-yet-unknown list, and hovered expectantly around the GISHWHES log in page, waiting for the countdown clock to reach zero.

What happened when it did, up until this morning, is a bit of a blur.  A mad rush of excitement and crushing disappointment and pats on the back and virtual high fives and weird mistakes and funny looks and global laughs and the experience of cementing 13 friendships with people I most likely would never have had an opportunity to meet otherwise.  Every one of them younger than me.  And none of them making me feel, even once, that I wasn't where I was meant to be.

So what have I gained from this experience?  What have I learned?  Again, I'm not sure I could articulate everything, but perhaps a short list is a start:

* Not having someone participating with me locally was a bit of a challenge, especially given that most of my local friends who would be able to help were away for the weekend at another event.  However, having a team with members all over the world was a HUGE plus; people were working on things 24 hours a day and had access to all kinds of connections.

* The importance of having team members who are really invested in getting things accomplished cannot be undervalued.

* There's only so long one can go with limited sleep and food before crashing, so it's probably a good thing that GISHWHES as an event is only for a certain time frame.  However, GISHWHES as an experience lingers even when the dash is over.  I feel internally changed.

* It's not just about finding what you're passionate about.  It's about investing passion into what you find.

As the adrenaline is fading, my quiet self finds that I'm actually looking forward to returning to a bit of normal this afternoon.  I'll begin working on the house chores that were completely neglected during this past week, tidying up that place we call a sanctuary from the world.  I'll return to my nighttime habit of reading an hour or so before bed, and writing/blogging book reviews.  I'll finally have a real dinner, one I make instead of buy ready-made or cobble together from whatever I can eat raw and one-handed from the fridge (I'm thinking baked lemon-pepper chicken and some roasted potatoes and zucchini in garlic and herbs).  I'll probably settle in on the couch with my kitties who have been putting up with my crazy for a week; maybe we'll turn on the news and watch a bit of the election results come in as I slowly tune myself back into reality.

But within my quiet self, creativity has been rekindled.  It was never a fire that fizzled entirely, but over the years of routine and taking care of "the business at hand", it became one of those things occasionally tapped into but mostly relegated into that "someday" pile that seems to do nothing but collect dust as time passes.  So tonight, while I'm snuggling with the kitties and watching normal TV in my normal living room, I suspect that keeping me company will be the coloring book and colored pencils I pull off the dusty bookshelf.  And I think some gardening is in order this weekend.  And perhaps, just perhaps, I'll bedazzle a flowerpot or two while I'm out there.

A lot can change in a year's passing; it's not known yet if there will be a GISHWHES 2013, and who knows what life circumstances may come along between now and then?  But if you've seen all this discussion about this thing called GISHWHES and wondered, if you've heard people talking and find yourself wanting to do it yourself, don't wait for an official event: make something, bake something, take something to someone who needs it more than you.  Offer to help a neighbor instead of waiting to be asked.  Approach the inevitable with more patience.  Give yourself permission to blur the lines between childhood and adulthood.  Better yet, contribute to exploding the myth that being a grown-up requires that you become boring and/or a lemming.  The world, the people in it, and the possibilities are so much more, so much larger, than any one person can explain.

And if you find yourself bubbling internally with the thought of participating in the actual scavenger hunt come 2013, start opening your eyes and your brain to the universe around you now, take it all in, let the anticipation grow.  When registration time returns, Team Marble may have a slot or two available.


Coming Soon: The visual evidence that is the Team TSWMH - GISHWHES 2012 experience.