Random happenings

A few weeks ago while we were closing up at work, I took the trek over to secure the computer room. That pretty much consists of shutting down computers. It's thrilling. But on this particular day, there happened to be a Word document open. Earlier in the evening, I had been trying to help a student print out college essay, so I thought perhaps it was a simple case of said student getting the print and bailing before closing out.

So I started to read it. And it was totally not a college essay. Instead, I blundered into a letter this guy wrote to a girl. Apparently they had been friends for years, and he's loved her for pretty much that whole time. It was a confession, a plea, a total opening up of himself. I felt awfully guilty but part of me couldn't stop reading it.

Of course, because this is just the way things go for me, the guy walked in when I was about halfway through. I'm not sure who was more embarrassed, though I do admit relief that he didn't decide to take anything out on me. He pretty much said what I had gathered: He fell in love, didn't think she knew and wanted to tell her, and this was the only way he was comfortable enough to do it.

I helped him print the letter out while he nervously made some small talk, and before he left I wished him the best. Chances are I'll never see the guy again. Or, if he's come in since, he himself didn't make any lasting impression and I haven't noticed. Sometimes though, when the thought crosses my mind, I like to think it worked out for them.

It reminds me of a quote by T.H. White though, which would lead to another conclusion:

"Perhaps we all give the best of our hearts uncritically--to those who hardly think about us in return."

Relay For Life 2009

Yesterday was the big day, and I'm still recovering today. My drenched butt didn't get home till after 4 this morning, and I'm tired as hell and sore all over. But it feels good.

We got rained out once again (although, I actually wasn't responsible for calling it... and it stopped raining around 1 maybe? 2? And by 3 there was nothing. I was sort of disappointed). Yet, even with that setback, we managed to get almost everything in.

The sun actually came out for a while, and most of the afternoon proved to be beautiful. Survivor/Opening Ceremony went off without a hitch, laps and activities went as smoothly as could be expected. There were people playing football and volleyball. Our DJ was awesome. There was singing, laughing, food, fun all over. I didn't get to partake in too much of that, but it was good to see everyone else enjoying it.

Around 8 or so, my uncle told me the weather didn't look too good. I pow-wow'd with my Luminary committee, and after JUST telling them how great they were, and how much pressure they took off the rest of us, and how my co-chair and I never for a minute worried about what they were doing, I told them to do the ceremony at 9:00 instead of 10:00. By this time it was 8:30. The look of shock didn't go any farther than that, and with the help of half the stadium, we got all those bags--almost 1700--out around the track. 20 lighters and some sprinting around the field later, those bags were all lit. The speaker was even able to make it back and we started pretty much right at 9. It was awesome, and the Luminaria Ceremony, as always, perfect.

[If there is one thing you must experience, at least once, it would be this ceremony. It's one of the most touching and emotional things I've ever taken part in. And that sensation, those emotions, are never dulled no matter how many I've done.]

Then the rain came. And some thunder and lightning. And more rain. And everyone left. Well, almost everyone. My ACS chair and I were the last to take off after finally getting some ghetto children to vacate the premises. (Yes, we actually got some participation from "kids" this year! But now this means we're going to have to really stay on top of those chaperone forms, because said kids should not have been there by themselves. And I don't do babysitting for strangers.)

So now it's over, and I'm left feeling a little... I dunno. Hah. At first, I had this feeling of accomplishment. But there's something tarnishing that, and I'm not sure what it is. I had many people come up to me yesterday and thank me. Not only Committee Members or Team Captains, but some perfect strangers. Friends and family congratulated me for a job well done. One of my teammates informed me that if given the option, she'd have a son just like me. (Hehe, how awful would that be, the poor boy!) I had people thank me for bringing them together, for introducing them to new friends, for helping them through difficult times.

And here I am, with a team that has raised $10,000.00 (okay, we're like $400 short, but I've got 3 months so you damn well better believe I'm going to find a way to make it happen), in charge of an event that's raised over $49,000.00 ($6,000 more till our goal!! Granted, a little tougher to raise in 3 months, but still doable). A good 85% of the program got done! Smiles and all, despite the weather...

I should still feel proud right now, ya? I should smile (haha, okay, well I am smiling), and feel like I did as great a job as I keep telling everyone else they did.

I wanted to help people, to make a difference. I guess I did...

And I want to do it again.

GSK does Relay?

As I mentioned, my staff partner is on the other side of the world, but our sub was supposed to meet me at GSK this morning for a meeting with what I thought would be potential Team Captains. I was a little nervous, as I usually am when I'm on the spot like that, but I thought, "What the hell, I got this stuff down and I'll have backup."

But! Back-up was late getting there, and when they came to get me I find myself quite alone. I figured I tell them I wasn't ready or ask them to wait. So I was lead through the building to this meeting room. And what sight do I behold?

20 people, sitting in a horse-shoe shape staring at me.

If there is at least 1 thing I'm thankful that the library has taught me, it's how to hold my own when I'm put on the spot. I'm not the most elegant speaker, and I drop more "Ums" than I'd like to admit, but I nailed most of that stuff. When ACS help got there, she didn't even have to bail me out. Sure she added some stuff, but I handled most of it without throwing up or passing out. (Not that I've ever done either of these while on stage, but I'm sure if I thought about it enough I could.)

It has probably also given me the tools I need to be comfortable enough to chair an event like this and talk to people and all that.

Blast you library! Am I really indebted to you??

Naked in the aero-plane?

This isn't new, and through all my traveling I have yet to be so explicitly violated. I think it's a bit too far. Does it really make flying any safer?

I'm undecided. Although I find amusing the one comment about not minding so long as the traveler doesn't have to remove his shoes. Hahaha.

And speaking of naked people...

41 Days and venting

I can't believe it's April already. There's only 41 days until our Relay For Life event. It's crazy how fast time goes, and I still can't believe I'm in charge of an event for an entire city. Who'da ever thunk that?

It really is approaching the point where it's becoming a little overwhelming. I had the toughest time Wednesday night, where I essentially ran 2 hours of meetings by myself. For having over 100 people so far registered for the event, it's tough to see less than an eighth of that show up for a meeting. It's frustrating to invest so much of myself into this and to see how little other people do for it.

Sometimes I wish I could just be a participant. Go to Unos or Pennellas or Applegates and stuff my face and hand over a flyer so they can donate the money and show up and walk on May 16. It's like pulling teeth to get someone to participate. I'm not even talking about donating at this point. (Although, seriously, I cannot name one person who cannot donate money, economy be damned. You can't tell me that you can't give up your lunch money one day and eat leftovers, or have only 5 beers instead of 10 one Saturday night to support your friends or family.)

Granted, I am making huge, sweeping statements and assumptions. I realize this. I guess I'm just surprised at certain situations.

[Also, please note that my intention is to vent and not make vague accusations against friends who might read this. And I fully intended to plug and praise you in here Em, but I got carried away. Next time! :)]

Gallery reception

Today was the reception of the gallery I judged. It was a nice little event. Nothing too big or flashy. I did cause quite the stir with my selections. Some of those little ol' people are so cute when they're flustered.

"This one is BEAUTIFUL. This should have won. Who would even PICK that one?"

(Apparently I would, my good crone!)

"Francis, come here. This is the one I want. Why didn't this one win?"

(Because it's bathroom art. You can buy it and look at while you poop.)

I wanted to sort of mess around with them and have some fun. But that wouldn't have been very nice. Especially since I already rocked the foundation of what was considered to be beautiful. They were already convinced the judge was on crack! I love it. Haha.

Now I get to decide if I want to be part of this Artist Association. Of course, that might just be inviting more old-school, rigid-minded approaches from the 65+ crowd. I'd be the only one not old enough to collect social security! Though it might be fun to have my young-hooligan-ness dripping on their set ways. Good times.

Hey dude, wanna buy an entertainment system?

Almost without fail, every place I've traveled to I've encountered at least one person who wanted to sell me drugs. In Florida, it was "something to tickle my nose with." In Oregon, I think it was your regular run-of-the-mill pot. In Cali, it was heroin. It's become sort of fun to see what I'll be offered next.

While I haven't been offered drugs recently, today as I was leaving the store a van pulled up next to me and a youngish guy leaned out the passenger side window to ask, "Excuse me dude, would you be interested in an entertainment system. I've got an extra one."

My tongue got the better of me and I asked him how much. (I think it was a combination of trying to do something so I wouldn't laugh and trying to be neighborly to someone addressing me.)

His friend leans over the steering wheel to tell me it's worth a few thousand dollars, and I can take a look at it and tell them how much I think it's worth. Original van man tells me he'll give it to me for "hundreds, or make a deal."

Oh, to be a random guy in a parking lot trying to fit dog food and bags into a car without dropping anything and with no visible backup or rent-a-cops in sight.

I also find funny that even had I trusted these upstanding citizens with an "extra" entertainment system to allow me to view their goods and not rob me or beat me or anything, I'd have absolutely no idea how much anything would cost.

Yay random people in vans.