Caterwauling

That’s “coma,” not “comma,” although I wish commas were also contagious because some people don’t write with enough of them. But anyway. 🙂

Today kicked off with the receipt of a $600 phone bill, to top off last month’s $400 one. I don’t make this much money, people. Lately I’ve been putting in the type of hours that would afford such an atrocity, but man, this ain’t the way to start off a day. My bill has been manageable for five years; why the sudden surge? Apparently they say I called and asked them to cancel my 7 p.m. nights. I’m like, huh? Why would anyone do that? So, I did the honorable thing and upgraded my plan, because $120 a month sure beats $600.

*headdesk*

*headdesk*

*headdesk*

I’ve gotten myself mostly caught up at work, which is joyous. But I’ve also hit a wall in doing so — it’s taking me longer to crank out the creative when the space bar key is embedded in my forehead. I keep hoping that if I whack my head hard enough, I’ll induce the coma that I so desperately seek.

It’s not all work and no play, although the “play” has turned into “too much fucking effort” so the pleasant distractions aren’t so pleasant anymore.

I told my friend D. that my single New Year’s resolution is to become a lesbian. Because, really, I can’t come up with one single reason why not. Sorry boys, I’m going off the market. Clearance sale in progress, so get me now before it’s too late! 😉

Got this nugget of inspiration from the amazing Barbara J. Winter in my inbox last night. Shows we don’t need any special magic powers to make a difference in this world:

Another source of inspiring stories is the highly under-acclaimed CBS SUNDAY MORNING. … Last Sunday introduced me to a young man I can’t get off my mind. After Hurricane Katrina struck, City Park in New Orleans was left in shambles and abandoned by the city. This bothered 13-year-old Jack McShane who decided something needed to be done. So every Saturday Jack and his crew of Mow-Rons tackle the 1300 acres with their push mowers. Interviewer Steve Hartman said to Jack, “Aren’t adults supposed to take care of this?”

“Yes,” said Jack, “but nobody was so I had to.” The Mow-Rons motto is Weeding by Example. “Our original motto was, ‘The Mow-Rons are in the park. The idiots are in city hall,'” Jack says. “But we thought that was inappropriate.”

Jack has also actively recruited the other mowing volunteers. His father says Jack didn’t get his passion for community service from him, but that he’s learned about the importance of volunteering from his son.

So there’s that old formula for success again: find a need and fill it. Not waiting for somebody else to give directions or permission is at the heart of every authentic entrepreneurial undertaking. It never fails to inspire me.