Tons to catch up on. So after 1 attempt at a garage sale and making exactly $9, there was still to much of my stuff from storage that I couldn't justify schlepping about or making fit at the apartment or at work. So we tried again. Bigger signs, more craigslist posting, and later on Sunday so it was POST church. It was a HOT day, but I managed to make about $60 selling the weirdest stuff. Holloween decorations, my old mac classic II that doesn't even boot (I think someone was going to make some art out of it) an old 10-speed bike, which had to have been at least 15 years old, a VCR and a VHS player, candle holders, a small disco ball, a lamp, pillows, books, a polish language CD....who knew... very worthwhilse, gives me hope that if I REALLY wanted to clean out, I could. A neighbor of the woman whose house we used for the sale has a 10 year old redheaded daughter who loves drama, so I hooked her up not only with REALLY good books that I read around 11 or 12, but also gave them some info on theatre in the area that would be good for her. They then helped us take a bunch of stuff to GoodWill. Then my former roommate Justin helped me get the last couple truckloads to my apartment or to a dumpster. There's still a lot of stuff I could ebay, garage sale or craigslist, but at least there is no more storage unit. WE are on our way to a more clutter free environment... I think....
So the week leading up to the big fundriaser, the Cat's Pajamas was your typical stress heap! My computer got a NASTY virus the weekend I was planning to do all sorts of work for various projects, and the LCD on my phone when out on Monday. I could make calls and take calls but couldn't see who I was calling, couldn't access all my numbers and couldn't read texts. Long story short, the electronic warfare most certainly was caused by the electronic signals my stressed and sleep deprived body was sending out.
In the end, though in some regards I was way over my head, and certain things for the event were NOT up to my own person standard, folks came out of nowhereto save the day, the event went off wonderful and I realized I have a lot more stamina that I give myself credit for, and my instincts to hire/involve those that need very little direction ultimately saved the event in many ways. I am learning to delegate intelligently which is key. You don't have to delegate everything, or the big stuff, or the stuff you are good at, but thinking ahead of the kind of things that others can do well is a skill in and of itself. Well over $4,000 was made profit, from this event and I wouldn't be surprised if we get volunteers, fosters, repeat auction item donners, and much more benefits than we can really track as a direct result. I could not have done it without the help I had, but to the same token I do realize, this would NOT have happened with anyone currently in the organization but myself heading it up. I've done a good thing, and I feel great about it. This whole week, with me being gone so much, Ive felt so sad that I haven't been able to spend time with Paxton and Lincoln, and when I got home on Sat night after Midnight, having been gone since 6am, it was almost as if they KNEW I had been gone because I was helping kitties...they thanked me with snuggles, laughs and letting me sleep. I woke up to "the fox" one of Lincolns fetching toys right in front of my nose...sleep over...now play.
Two things that I thought about during the mad day of, were the amazing technology advances that both contributed to the chaos and the success of this event. Despite left and right technical difficulties, the USB Flash Drive was AMAZING. How cool are these things? Can not say how awesome it was to have this device around. Too cool. Along the same line, the microchip for cats(pets) is another invention that has to be among the most creative and useful. One of the cats that MCA adopted out last year escaped and was missing for 5 months, it was recently rescued off the street again and identified by the Mircochip. Pretty cool. On to theatre updates...
Flag Day is going well. I have such AMAZING stage managers (TWO!!!!) which is a blessing and our co-producer brings in amazing MEALS to our production meetings. Show is funny, dark, but funny, and I will be interested to see the audience turnout.
I had first rounds of auditions for
Over the River and Through the Woods last night and though I was nervous I wouldn't have the over 65 crowd I needed, I think we are going to be fine! Some really fun, sweet, wonderful folks who are so excited to be retired and now getting to audition for things. Love it. Makes me happy that I have never had to put anything I love Art wise on HOLD. That I haven't done anything more practical or more lucrative and denied myself something/things that make me really happy. In some cases I've fallen BACK on the arts to get me through tough financial and emotional times. Pretty cool. Now to get back into a position to travel. Save and sell and plan....I have less than a year to make solid arrangements to get to Africa...
Raises this year were intended to be small...my was larger than expected, not as high as I would have liked, but with an additional opportunity with the incentive plan to make $12,000 before taxes as a lump sum it's certainly fair. All my professional goals this year hinge upon being able to cross train, delegate and document my job so that I can indeed not be missed for 5 weeks next fall for a proper vacation. Ona totally random note...
I finally experienced an attempted Craigslist scam. It amazed me. Was selling a $400 guitar and someone said they wanted it but was out of town. OKAY. If they can pay cashiers check or cash that's fine, you can pick it up next week. THEN there came an email about having a shipping company give ME a check for $1500 and taking the stuff, and I would deposti the check, keep $400 and then send him the difference. WTF? Or maybe not. The next guy that wanted it paid cash and send along FLicker photos of his 3 month old before picking it up. It amazes me though that people would try to scam others. There must be easier ways to make a dishonest buck and it would seem it would be so easy to track them down if you went through with it. Oh well. The guitar has a very good home, he promised to play it.
So there you go...a few of the things going on...still to come, pet photos, possible acting engagaments and a potential writing comission...
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