LIFTing spirits?

Oy, am I tired.

I need to do something big soon. I did bake more cookies, though-- I took them to work to spread my philanthropic reach. They were well received... as in, gone within the hour. :)

Oh, and kind of weird this morning... I was waiting for a particularly slow elevator, and when I finally snagged one I saw a woman walking on her way over. Figuring it'd be a good chance for a small deed, I held the elevator... she saw me and did that sheepish half-run half-walk into the 'vator. What was weird was that she started gushing as soon as she was inside... about how no one ever holds the elevator, and people even push the "close doors" button, and how nice it was for me to wait the five seconds it took for her to get there.

I smiled and said that of course it was no problem, and I meant it... these are the little things that we think go unnoticed, but in reality they can really shake up your morning (or someone else's).

So anyway, just some small things that are getting me through the days. I need to make something bigger happen soon. Any ideas (that don't cost a fortune)?

Foodstuffs

It's been a couple of days because my place of employment sent me to New York. For business-- they weren't just sick of me. But I'm back now, and trying to get into the swing of things.

Small act of sweetness: I baked cookies. Now, I am a mess in the kitchen, but I can bake a mean cookie. Also, I use Splenda Blend for Baking and Splenda Brown Sugar Blend and they are absolutely fantastic. So, if Splenda wants to do its own philanthropy and send me some free product for this glowing review, that'd be awesome. ;)

I baked cookies specifically for two purposes: to thank my dad's friend Robert for helping me tow my car (currently out of commission), and to thank my mom for driving me to the airport for the aforementioned business trip. I also had a ton of extra cookies at home... had, because dad and Bradley have already polished them off. I'm counting that as accidental philanthropy. ;)

Today I was thinking about my recent lack-of-philanthropy on the way to work, and I noticed that The Homeless Guy was out. There aren't too many homeless people hanging around the area where I work, because it's not a very trafficked couple of blocks. But there is one guy that I've seen in the area for most of the 2.5 years I've been at the office.

I don't like to give money to homeless people. It's just one of my things. And yes, a lot of it stems from the "I don't know what you'll use it for" mentality. Is that bad? Anyway, I was on my way to pick up my lunch, so I intentionally ordered something that came with a side salad, and I offered it to him on my way back to the office. (I even remembered dressing and a fork.) He took it gratefully, but I still felt a little conflicted.

I'd love your opinion on this matter: is giving food to a homeless person a good idea, or should I have stuck to change? I feel like it might almost be demeaning, to give food... but I don't know. Any thoughts on this?

Tannenbaum, bulb, bulk

I helped take down our church's giant Christmas tree today. Normally I would leave right after service, but I'm looking for small windows of opportunity.

Also, I asked a few members of the church's Green Team about fluorescent bulb disposal. If you haven't been keeping up with the YoP comments, Lewis asked how to properly dispose of a fluorescent bulb, because they have small amounts of mercury in them. I found a guy at church who has some information that he's going to bring next week, so tune in for that. He says there are a few facilities around here that are specifically designed to handle them, but they have very limited hours.

For now, check out:
* Relevant FAQs from General Electric
* Earth911.org, where you can search recycling facilities by zip code
* LampRecycle.org

So I hope that answers your question, and maybe next week I'll have a few more pearls of wisdom for ya. ;) I wonder if I can create a place at Heritage where members can drop off bulbs, and then drive batches of them to the facility myself? The things never die, so it's frustrating to drive one bulb out to some recycling center, but if we collect them at church and periodically drive a batch over... hmm...

Bradley and I also did another paper dump (ew) at church-- the paper dumpster (as in a dumpster for paper, not a dumpster made of paper) was almost full. Such a small, easy thing to do-- and it's great to see our efforts adding up like that. I'm still a little skeptical about recycling things like paper, but I've already noticed that we have less trash at home.

Oh! And I wanted to mention that my friend Alison gave me a belated Christmas present: she sewed me some canvas shopping bags! She knows I'm "off" plastic bags, and has even witnessed me trying to juggle things in my arms as I walk to my car. (I'm horrible about remembering my totes.) The bags are gorgeous (brown and sparkly!) and I love them to death. :D

An almost-missed opportunity

I forgot to mention a bit of philanthropy this morning, so I'm posting it here to cheer myself up. I had to leave early to get to Hoxworth because I was out of gas and needed to stop on the way.

While I was pumping gas, an Indian man came up to me and asked me for help-- I was a little wary at first because I'm paranoid about being approached by people I don't know, but he continued to tell me in broken English that he needed to find Eastgate mall. I tried to talk him through the directions as visually as I could, but he left still looking confused.

It was really only then that I realized I was being horrible-- I mean, this is the YEAR of PHILANTHROPY and I'm shooing away a man literally asking me for help? So I ran after him and asked if he'd like to follow me. The mall wasn't on my way, but I'd left early to get gas so I didn't need to rush to get to Hoxworth, and I could afford to just take some backroads way that I'm familiar with.

The man broke into a smile and jumped into his van with his family. I drove him right up to the parking lot of the mall and he waved enthusiastically as I left.

To really live this year to its fullest, I'm going to need to break some bad habits I have.

Blood from a turnip

Today wasn't a complete success. Hoxworth beat the crap out of me.

Let's back up. I am a terrible blood donator (what's the word? Blogger keeps telling me "donator," "donater," and "donee" are wrong). Last time, my iron was too low. Before that, they couldn't find a vein (two occasions). Once, I passed out afterwards. For all my attempts, I've only successfully given blood twice, and one of those times ended up with me on the floor.

I'm not mentioning this for sympathy-- I'm bringing it up because maybe I'm not supposed to give blood?! Maybe I ought to leave it to stronger people?!

Today I ate a HUGE meal today (as in, considered changing to looser pants). Chugged water like there's no tomorrow. Went to Hoxworth and signed in... went through the whole finger-pricking ordeal (does not bother me in the least)... nurse couldn't find a vein in my left arm. (There are still bruises there from last time, but no luck.) But! She found one in the right arm. Hallelujah!

So, problem solved, right? Of course not. A few minutes in-- despite my squeezing and will power-- the nurse tells me she's not getting enough. I'm not sure how that works, honestly, but she wasn't getting enough blood from my arm. I squeeze more. I mentally force the blood into my arm. Nothing.

They bring scales over, and audibly count down as I'm drained. At this point the nurse is holding the needle in my arm in some strange position (I can't look) that hurts like hell. Finally they have to "call it" and take the needle out. They don't have enough for a transfusion, though they assure me that my blood will be put to good use for testing and stuff.

But I wanted to save liiiiiiives.

Yeah yeah, I'm sure testing stuff on my blood will indirectly save lives. Still, it felt like they were just trying to cheer me up, which I'm sure they were.

I've never left Hoxworth in gauze before. They gave me an ice pack and wrapped my arm really tight-- I peeked at home, and I have a bruise about the size of a quarter. Sexy.

Every time I "fail" I get mildly depressed about it. I recommit myself to be ready next time-- to drink MORE water... keep taking my iron... not travel to Africa? ;)

What do you want from me, blood?

I took a major step today!

My cell phone rang while I was at work. I checked the ID: Hoxworth. A chill ran up my spine. Whyyy? Because they call me three times a week! Argh!! Each time I get a message about how they are in critical need of 0-, which I believe... but still. Three times a week.

Well I almost ignored it before remembering that it's 2008. What is more philanthropic than giving blood? Seriously, that's a question that I want you to answer for me.

I answered and (after talking to a machine) told them that I was sorry-- I am way too busy at work to take the 1-2 hours it requires for me to get to the donation center, fill out the paperwork, give blood, recouperate, and walk back to work. I used to do it during my lunch period, but I hardly even have time to eat lately, let alone share my sweet sweet platelets.

I asked the lady if the donation center in Anderson-- far from work, but closer to home-- has any evening hours. Not only are they open until 7pm on many nights, but they also have Saturday times. Sooooo now I'm signed up to give blood... tomorrow.

Yeah, I don't mess around. ;) Reasons this is awesome:

1. My brother Ryan challenged me to give as much blood as I legally could during the year. I had already wanted to donate blood more... but that's stepping it up. And I think January 5th is a pretty good start.

2. Since it's on a Saturday, I'll have time to eat a gigantic meal beforehand-- I've skimped because I was busy at work before, and paid for it.

3. Since I'm doing this so early in the month, by the time I'm ready for my next donation, Bradley (other brother) will have turned 17 and he can go with me. Maybe I can even bring him when I go tomorrow so he can see what goes down at Hoxworth.

4. I've been taking iron supplements every night for a month or so, because last time I tried to donate my iron count was too low.

Two roadblocks:

1. Man I hate needles. I really really really hate needles. Let's just get this done already.

2. Once I couldn't donate because they couldn't find a vein. Must... chug... water!

Wish me luck! My appointment is at 4pm tomorrow.

Drivin' me crazy

I rode the bus to work today. Not a good start to the day/year. Thanks to the charming White Death we had this morning, I took the 7:10 bus and arrived at work at 10:30. Eek! A quick list of today's bus highlights:

Pro: Did not have to drive in the snow.
Con: Bus did not have heat.

Con: Didn't have a book with me.
Pro: Had my iPod, with fun transitions between "Holy Diver" and Iron & Wine.

Pro: I have a friend on the bus.
Con: We didn't know we were both on the bus until we got off.

Con: Almost bit it getting off of the bus.
Pro: Did not bite it.

Pro: Work is only six-ish blocks away from the bus stop.
Con: Entire six blocks were against the wind.
Con: Temperatures were near zero (with wind chill).
Con: Could not feel feet by the time I got to work.
Con: Seriously. It hurt.


Okay, enough whining. :) Despite it all, I still love the bus. I wish I could take it every day, but alas, I cannot. For this year, I am considering buying a bus pass for at least one of the months... but it's a major commitment because it's $95! I'd have to ride the bus both ways 19 days of the month to make that pan out. Does that seem fair to you? So I'll probably... er... not do that any time soon.

Driving the bus isn't a major act of philanthropy, I know. But it was one of my goals... so far so good...