Murphy’s Bye-Laws

The fund-raising options have been boiled down. There are no official forms for the MS Monster Stomp. My next option was to set up a PayPal account and accept the donations to deliver to the organizers of the race. This cost money and has a few other hoops I didn’t want to jump through. So instead of insisting on a middleman (this isn’t for my ego or glory, so no need for me to be in the middle of this transaction), I will just direct those who would wish to donate something directly to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s website.

https://secure3.convio.net/nmss/site/Donation2?idb=1291788400&df_id=13060&13060.donation=form1

To encourage donations, I think it would be helpful for people to let us know on this page or my blog if a donation was made. No need to list how much – and comments can be made anonymously at www.pintofstout.me. It isn’t a big deal if nothing is said at all, but I thought it would help encourage others to donate if they saw that other donations were made. Dang, I feel like NPR here – and now Ira Glass would like to guilt you into becoming a member.

Thanks for the support.

Jeff

It was Friday night after a long couple of weeks; busy with overtime at work, family visits, and house work piling up.  A__ and I had ventured to Lanigan’s in New Castle for the music of Corned Beef & Curry and some adult beverages. The Guinness was cold and refreshing, smoothing the edges roughed up by the preceding events. The music overtook and drowned out the cacophony of other things ringing in my head. I relaxed and slipped into a carefree joy.

Also at the bar that night was a benefit for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, who were promoting a 5K run/walk in October also to benefit the MS Society. I forget how it came up, but I ended up committing to A__ to register and run in that race. I had not run consistently (more than, like, three times over a two week period) for 15 years (and 70 pounds ago). What have I gotten myself into?

I have about 53 days until the race. What I need is a montage, so I can train like Rocky Balboa, arrive at the race, get my butt kicked, and somehow come away with a victory – or at least some sort of noble victory. If I can complete the race that would be victory enough. If I can raise some cash from sponsors for the MS Society, that would be all that much better.

I made a Facebook page to follow my progress in training and fund raising. I haven’t actually registered yet or looked into the fund raising aspects, but that will be something to post on the Facebook page when the time comes. So follow along, donate (check back for details), or come run with me (there is a big party afterwards!).
Fat Man Running

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It may seems to the casual observer that the general stress level of the population rises dramatically with the consumption of the last morsel of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving.  No doubt a day with the moniker of “Black Friday” doesn’t imply joyful afterglow.  This sudden thrusting of consumer obligation and manufactured joy onto the recently well-fed acts to counter the gluttony-induced lethargy which rebounds into panic for every second lost not completing the Christmas (excuse me) holiday shopping.  As the seconds tick away while reading this, take comfort in the fact that I am about to impart knowledge concerning the acquisition of gifts, which means this is actually considered shopping!  Just think of me as the latest colorful ad chock full of coupons and unbeatable deals.

Considering the state of the economy, one should strive to keep every lousy cent possible out of the hands of government, who is pretty much responsible for this mess (and by its “solutions,” will be responsible for the next one as well).  This means redoubling efforts to contribute to the counter-economy.  Know a friend or a friend of a friend that makes cookies or homemade jewelry or pottery or clothes or paintings or anything that may be gift-worthy?  Why not purchase from them this Christmas?  Sunni has a great page at her blog that lists some fine purveyors of counter-economic goodies.  While there Christmas shopping, be sure to order some delicious caramels from Sunni; they are the very bestest caramels ever!

Besides buying and recieving gifts during this time, many also take the time to donate to charities.  Maybe it is the encroachment of tax season (are they ever out of season?) and the potential for write-offs that drives this giving; or maybe it is simply the spirit of goodwill that can only stand to muster itself for a few weeks of the year before regressing back into paranoid tension.  Regardless of the motivation, one must make a wise choice when giving.

I was recently alerted to some shadiness behind the obnoxious yellow PlanetAid clothing donation boxes everywhere.  Apparently, only a small percentage of the money made from reselling the donated clothes actually goes to charitable programs; much much less than other typical charities.  A web search for PlanetAid will yield articles detailing indictments and fraud with associated organizations in various countries.  I looked at the Better Business Bureau’s website for Charities and Giving to make comparisons of PlanetAid, Goodwill Industries, St. Vincent DePaul Society, and the Salvation Army, the major charities in my area for clothing donation.  The information from this site was quite helpful in deciding who to donate to based on work in my local area, percentage of overhead, and their mission statement.  So be sure to do a little bit of research before giving to an organization, especially the government!

Speaking of charities and Christmas gifts, the two can be combined (if buying for the non-selfish, non-consumer-addled) via Redefine Christmas.  This is a website that will link to a charity in which donations could be made in someone’s name for a Christmas gift.  For the selfish and consumer-addled, this is like a gift card, only worse!  Consider it an intervention.

Beyond shopping and giving advice, I can only advise to keep your head down and keep moving.  This will all be over soon.  Happy happy.