Project Hands On

Part of this whole "voluntourista" thing is actually volunteering. Currently, I'm not exactly an excellent candidate for some volunteer work, because I will be leaving relatively shortly, and I can't make a real commitment to an organization. I do, however, want to help.

Honestly, getting started as a volunteer in any capacity can be daunting. If you're looking to get involved doing something, but you're not quite sure what, like I am, I suggest hooking up with your local Hands On Network. If they aren't directly operating a volunteer referral office in your area, they may know someone who is.

One of the great reasons to volunteer through Hands On is the supported volunteer events. This means that the network has recruited a volunteer team leader to help orient new volunteers. Having a person like this can make it easier to be helpful in a new environment.

Since I'm looking to be helpful in the short term with few recognizable skills, I think it would be best for me to join a few of these HandsOn supported "done in a day" projects. Hands on Portland does a great job of outlining volunteer opportunities in a simple calendar, many of the other cities linked up to the Hands On Network have the same easy to use web-site. I just signed up, logged in, and got started.

I chose two projects to get my toes wet in the wild world of episodic volunteering. First! In honor of my mother, I am going to sort through reusable materials at The Rebuilding Center with Our United Villages. Than as a nod to the food bank, I shall serve a free hot meal to anyone in need with Potluck in the Park. Combined the projects only require 6 hours of my time and should be quite fun. If you don't mind getting a bit dirty and lifting some things around.

Also, through Hands On you can also find referral projects that get you in touch directly with the organization that your helping. This is a better way to make a long lasting connection and ultimately a larger impact. Who knows? If it turns out I like to sort through scrap materials or serving food, I might just stick around and do it again.

PS. Yes, I'm still volunteering with Skate Club and have learned how to turn around on my board, and even do that cool move where you step on it and catch it in your hand. This is not as easy at it may sound.
Also, You will be delighted to know that my ankle isn't sprained, just twisted. More updates to come.

Love or Something Like It

We ran into Metin the other morning. Coincidentally of course, it was right after I posted my thoughts on serendipity & life choices.  He was sitting beneath a painting that said, "Everything you imagine is possible."

He wanted to share this poem with us and you:

 Love,
     My higher-self, my gut-feeling, instantly knows the best answer and the reaction during my tests and trials.
     Such ‘sense’ is deeper than any conditioning I may have.
     When I’m with you, Love, I’m a child again,
     And I’m back to the times when I didn’t have any concepts and requests.
     Now, beyond doubt, I surrender to your beauty,
     And as I do so, I remember the reason I’m here is because of a promise I made long ago,
     Before my existence, in a dream,
     That you’re the emotion I would choose to live.
     __ Happy Valentine’s Day __

**Find more of Metin's writing on his web-site.  

Many knowing looks were exchanged. A particular milestone in my relationship made this poem all the more poignant. Sipping hot cocoa before the sunrise; we held hands under the table as we read. 

Disgustingly sweet. I know, but its all part of the story. 

PS. Feel free to ridicule my sappiness at your leisure. I don't mind. Old me would thank you.

Happy Accidents

After the little afternoon at the river, I started to think more about "serendipity" an how much it plays into my philosophy on life. As it goes, I choose to read and accept 'signs' as they come to me. This isn't exactly easy to explain, but perhaps an example would help.

Let see. I currently live where I do because I am of the the hippy-dippy "listen to the universe" ilk. About two months ago I was unhappy with where I was staying. I wasn't exactly sure what to do next. I had the same uncertainty of future that I do now, but without a timeline or a next step.

Painting above my bed

At just the right time I hear word that there is a room opening up in the house where many of my very best friends live. Its a partial sublet, which means that every once and a while I need to... find a different place to live. As awful as that may sound, its the perfect living situation for what I've been calling my, "transitional phase."  It's less expensive, and is forcing me to ease into a more transient lifestyle.

Wait, is that serendipitous? Is the room opening up the serendipitous part? or me deciding to jump on the offer? or what?

Just like anyone else, I decide to look it up on Dictionary.com

Wait, should I train for a career in Criminal Justice? Is he cheating on me? Gah! Never mind, back to the matter at hand.

Serendipity. Yes. I do, in fact,  have an "aptitude" for making desirable discoveries by accident, and things often work out for me--or at least I choose to remember the times that things work out for me.

I don't necessarily think it is some sort of cosmic gift. I am convinced that by choosing to listen to the "signs" that come up, I am actually just listening to myself. Its kinda like flipping a coin to make a decision but not necessarily doing  what the coin says. But instead, noticing that you flinch when the coin lands on heads and doing the opposite.

But really, I didn't think that serendipity was an "aptitude" or even luck like dictionary.com says. So where do you turn next? Why Wikipedia, of course.

Wikipedia says:

Serendipity means a "happy accident" or "pleasant surprise"; specifically, the accident of finding something good or useful without looking for it. 

It also says that serendipity is one of the top ten most difficult words to translate, which is a whole 'nother story. Ugh.

Anyway, moving on...

The second half of my aptitude for desirable discoveries is deciding that things are in fact, desirable discoveries. I was once told that deja vu is a sign that you are on the right path--whatever that means. Somewhere along the line this concept got twisted into a how I currently decide if I'm on the right path.

You see that painting up there? The one that is hanging above my bed? Well, about two years ago I was a at a garage sale in Washington with one of my best friends. I begged her to buy this painting for me. For some reason, I felt like I needed it. A bit out of character for me, but whatever.

She bought it, because she is amazing. That evening, however, I didn't take the painting back to my house. I bike everywhere and I can't take home a 12-pack of toilet paper let alone a full painting. So, I left the painting in her garage and forgot about it.

Years later, I end up renting a room in that same friend's house, and guess what? Hanging above my bed is that very painting. I didn't realize it at first; I just knew that I liked it. But later, I find out the story behind the painting, and that I had picked it out in the first place. The guy that lives in my room found it in the basement and hung it above his bed... and months...maybe years later, I take shelter in its shadow.

Therefore, I'm convinced I'm on the "right path".

BONUS SERENDIPITOUSNESS

for my reference and yours

1. Right after I decided to write this entry, I see a car with SRNDPTY for a licence plate at the coffee shop where I am enjoying a beverage
2. The Raw Food Detox Diet Book was dropped off at the house I was staying just when I was wondering why I get sick all the time.
3. And finally, there is a cat at Ooie's sailing class named Shmoopy. Don't ask. 
4. UPDATE 2/16: Ran into Metin again at a coffee shop. He gave me a poem about love at just the right time in my life.
5. UPDATE 2/17: I run into an old friend whom I haven't seen in while, and she reveals that she has a skill that I never knew about; she grew up her entire life sailing and would love to get back on a boat. 
6. UPDATE: 2/18: My horoscope (I know, gross horoscopes) in a publication I rarely read, but do support, suggests that I need to write more, and include more romance in my writing. Weird.

I wish I could think of more examples, but I am sure they will come. I'm not crazy, I swear.

Raw Foodist?

While I was "floating" last week, someone dropped off The Raw Food Detox Diet book. Oh god, not another book about food.

At my last job, we were knee deep in the shortcomings of the industrialized food system. In my humble opinion, a lot of our problems concerning our health, education, nutrition, environment and economy could be solved (or at least addressed) by implementing a strong local food system in every community. It's heartbreaking how easy it could be. Please pause for a moment of silence for the loss of our natural food system.

I am not, however, here to preach about the problems of the world or act like I have the solution. I'm just here to blog. Right? Whatever.

So anyway, I read the entire book that day--cover to cover. A lot of the information wasn't new to me. Really, the craziest things I learned about were poop, and the types of poop that there is. Never mind. I'm stopping here.

I'm not becoming a raw foodist. Eat more whole foods. Great idea! I really do feel best when I eat tons of fruits & vegetables and almost no wheat/gluten. I'll try to be better about that, but that's not really the epiphany that came out of this. What was the epiphany? Simplicity in food & habits.

The less I need my extravagant food & bad habits the longer I will be able to travel the world. 

Plain and simple.

So what's the first thing to get the boot? COFFEE.

And what was my secret? NAPS. LOTS & LOTS OF NAPS.


How's that for some self-help blogger guru bullshit? You're welcome.

Getting there is Half the Fun. Right?

He's looking at submarines right now.

We've probably had this conversation a million times. What is the best way to travel? We seem to fluctuate anywhere between strapping a 40-foot trailer to his ready for anything Cold War Van to an ultra-light self supported bike trip. We were starting to settle in on bike touring with inflatable boats when this submarine thing hit. I wasn't having it.

"So submarines are a deal breaker?" he pries. "Would you fly with me? Which would you do first? Fly or submarine? Both homemade."

"Both? Homemade?"

"Well, not homemade....I'd rent a garage...to make them in." I chuckle. I can't tell if he realized he's made a joke or not.

Unfortunately, its not really that funny. He could be serious. If I didn't want to travel the world by submarine, I better speak up now. "Sorry, dear. I am not about to die in your submarine o' recycled materials."  He has the same affinity for recycling and aversion to trash as I do. I'm surprised we don't live beneath piles of scrap materials.

"Fair enough." He's still clicking and searching. A big grin creeps across his face, "I can see this half-submarine thing working for you though," he turns around the computer screen to show me.

Now there's the ticket. I'd take a half-submarine for sure.

You're never quite sure where he's gonna land concerning this topic. He has a wild imagination, and them internets sure can take you for a ride.

I'm pretty set on biking to the Redwoods and beyond. He's also into the idea, but honestly, I don't see Ooie doing the lightweight camping thing. We'll see what he settles on or if he settles at all.

The future is definitely uncertain.... to say the least.

He has his first sailing lesson today at noon.

My First Skate Sesh, Bro

I've started volunteering with an after school mentor-type program run through SUN Community Schools. Each Wednesday after the last class the kids join up with their leader/mentor/teacher and my dear friend, Early. They check in together and then Early juices up the van and takes them to a park to skate together. Pretty simple. Extremely effective.

This particular class consists of solely middle school boys. I had two brothers growing up, and have always had lots of male friends, so hanging out with lil' dudes isn't really the issue. The issue is middle school. yuck! It's a crazy crazy time. Everything is changing. They're growing and learning a lot, seeking to rebel against previously established norms and find their own identity. Actually, that sounds an awful lot like my life right now. Adultescence? Maybe they can mentor me too.

My attempt at cool 

I'm not around kids much these days. I have no idea what they are into. What do they listen to? What do they talk about? Will they be taller than me? Will they like me? Am I a square? Do they even say 'square'? ack!

Truth be told, I can't skate. If I were ever actually charged with the task of teaching children how to skateboard, I'd have to admit that I have no tangible skills in this area.

Fortunately, however, I don't have to teach them to skate. They already know how to do that. They skate around me like little fish in water. I, on the other hand, am extremely clumsy. I run into things. I trip over my own feet. And I've decided to take up skateboarding? hmmm.

Early filming as the kids show off their skills

All the of the boys were incredibly sweet, intelligent and helpful. They saw that I couldn't skate and started to teach me the basics--where to put my feet, how to use my hands, what it means to be goofy foot, etc. And yes, in case you were wondering, I am goofy foot.

With their guidance, I managed to stand on the skateboard and pump my leg to make it go faster! I can even turn slightly! The only problem is when I get going too fast, I panic and jump off the board. This doesn't really surprise me.

Over the course of the afternoon, I fell a total of three times, and still can't quite feel the tip of the middle finger on my right hand, but we're all good.

I'm really excited of the possibility of shedding my fear and gaining a new skill. I'm also excited to hang out and do fun things with these great lil' dudes... I mean medium-sized dudes (oops). I have a feeling that when this is all said and done, they will be giving me more than I could ever give them...

...but that's volunteerin' for ya.

Introduction to Homelessness

These past five days or so, I've been..."floating." I don't really want to call it "homeless," because I feel like I have many homes in lieu of the traditional one. I don't, however, have a place that is all mine and that houses all my stuff-- now, I'm saying "stuff" like someone punched me in the stomach, stuuuuff. Oooof.

Well, I don't have one of these places. I don't  have a place that isn't occupied by the man that actually owns the the place. You see, the guy whose room I'm currently subletting is back from tour, and needs a place to rest his weary head while he is in our beautiful city of roses. Therefore, I needed to do my best to disappear.

My homeless house circa 2007

I've been houseless before. About a five years ago, I ended up in  the woods of Colorado. Its a long story, but essentially I was squatting in an abandoned miner's cabin without electricity or running water, 10,000 feet above sea level for several months after college. I even held a job in fancy hotel a mere two mile hike away.

Unfortunately, this time I wasn't quite as prepared. Here are some things I've learned during this initial bout of houselessness.

1. A portable bag of toiletries is extremely beneficial. Be sure to include shampoo.
2. If you're staying with friends, cook them dinner. And while you're at it...do the dishes,.
3. If you're sleeping in a car, make sure you go to the bathroom before you settle in.
4. If you're staying with men in their twenties remember that they may or may not have clean towels and/or toilet paper. Be self-sufficient.
5. Always carry a change of underwear. Always.

My expert traveler homeless vagabond self of several years ago would be ashamed that I hadn't already learned these lessons. However, at this point in my life, I feel no shame admitting my shortcomings and feel even more compelled to write them down, because hell, my memory could go at any moment.

Bear with me.