The three day WFUV member drive is over, so my life is back to normal. The plan yesterday was to volunteer for seven hours, 6 AM – 1 PM and then go to therapy. Then my therapist had to cancel. I figured I’d stay until 1 and then go shopping. But the supervisor that was scheduled to take over for me canceled so Jim and I stayed until the drive ended at five. Good thing as we were both needed. There were not enough volunteers let alone supervisors. Usually the drive ends in the evening so things sort of peter out. Because of electrical work being done on the Fordham campus had to end early. The drive ended during a time of day when many more people listen, and they all wanted to get their pledges in before it was over. From four until five I was never off the phone. A call would end and as soon as I hung up the phone would ring again. This was like the old days before sustaining members and online pledging. It’s a lot of fun, the adrenaline pumps.
We were powered by an excellent lunch from Boston Market, rotisserie chicken, ribs, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, and corn bread. I ate enough for two people. That was after the cinnamon French toast, bacon, and sausage, for breakfast. A pledge drive marches on its stomach.
I suspect that my sleep apnea was mild the night before. Even though I was there at 5:45 AM I felt far more rested than I’ve felt of late. I didn’t not off while at the drive or when I got home. I felt like myself. I miss that. Maybe that’s why I still remember the names of the students I always forget, Jackie, Sarah, and Emmanuel. They have been there a long time and I always feel bad when I forget their names. I never forget them. They are people that I enjoy talking to. It’s easier learning the names of the volunteers, they wear name tags. Everyone should wear name tags whenever they leave their homes.
I always feel better after a member drive. I spend time with people that I like doing something useful, eat good food, and feel appreciated. It helps me feel good about myself, I’m good at supervising. I know how to handle things when they fall out of routine. People and technology don’t always work like they are supposed to; often in ways that’s hard to comprehend. Teaching was good preparation; I have internalized that people’s minds can work very differently than mine. When someone is told, “fill out this form” and they leave most of it blank, it hurts my soul but in a way that doesn’t surprised me. I have built up soul calluses.
I had enough energy at the end of the day to stop at the supermarket to get milk and then walk over to CVS to pick up my meds. It sounds like a sedentary day but as I walk to and from the station and walk around a lot when I’m there I racked up 4.67 miles. It’s actually quite a bit more than that as I’m not carrying my phone which is what tracks my steps, much of the time when I’m there.
I spend enough time on my feet that I make it easy on myself. I take off my shoes and put on slippers while I’m there. My feet thank me. This should be the cultural norm; people should wear slippers while at work. We’d have a happier society if we did.
I seem to have nothing on my agenda today. I’ll try and record both Gord’s Gold and my top albums for Folk Music Notebook. I’ve been listening to my potential top albums on shuffle as I write this. That was perhaps not wise as I find myself loving music that did not make the cut. If you haven’t cut things you love from your top ten list of anything you have not done your job. If I can stay as awake today as well as did yesterday I can dive deep into The Expanse. I have to be able to concentrate when I watch that. It’s the best science fiction series ever. It would do Arthur C. Clark proud.
Tomorrow I do my annual Christmas Caroling led by Terre Roche. It’s at 6 PM under the arch at Washington Square Park. You should join us; it’s magical. I always have plenty of friends there but one of the regulars can’t make it, so I want him to be replaced by two newbies! Don’t feel self-conscious. I’m a terrible singer and I sing anyway. Don’t feel that you’re too good for it, there are loads of great professional musicians taking part. Don’t worry if you aren’t Christian. I’m an atheist Jew. I always try extra hard to bring non-Christians to the table. The Christians and the Pagans sing together at the arch.
Wise Madness 