BLOGATHON 2007: We can't turn back now ...

Someone, I’m afraid it might have been my wife, said,
“Do it from one of those Genie lifts, why don’tcha?”
   And so I told someone else what she said, and they
told someone else, and before you knew it, I had been
finagled (willingly so, it has been noted) into
writing/blogging almost without cease in this year’s
Blogathon.
   While sitting in a small bucket.
   From atop a 30-foot Genie scissor lift.
   On the H-E-B parking lot.
   July 28-29.
   For 24 hours.
   Did I mention writing without stopping?
   Let’s see, what else could you possibly need toknow?
   Oh yes, I am crazy. It helps when I am asked to dothings like this. Always have been, I suppose. This just tattoos sears the craziness into me, I guess.
   Oh, one more thing: I am not particularly fond of heights.
   About 10 years ago while sitting in the upper deck at the Ballpark in Arlingon, I dang near had to be airlifted out. My legs became so noodly I was actually offered an endorsement deal by Chef Boy R-Dee.
   But y’know, doing this whole Blogathon thing WHILE suspended in the air 30 feet WITH a fear of heights only makes it that much more fun, don’t you think?
   You can’t compare this to David Blaine holding his breath for 10 minutes. I’ll be at cruising altitude for 24 hours and frankly that’s a lot more difficult than not breathing until you’re blue in the face.
    I don’t believe I would attempt this were it not an effort to raise a little money for the good people
over at Midland Fair Havens, who are running a great transitional housing facility for women and their children. Moms that are trying to set out on their own after less-than-ideal living conditions. Moms trying to make a new start for themselves and for their kids while attending college at the same time. It’s a great organization and like so many worthy charitable efforts, it deserves so much more than it is able to get.
   Enter Blogathon 2007.
   Last year, Eric Siegmund over at Fire Ant Gazette and I did this whole 24-hour blogging extravaganza, but this year, family commitments are keeping Eric from returning. Last year, almost 100 of you helped us raise $5,000 for Fair Havens, but since Eric is gone this year, I figured who wants to watch a 47-year-old man blog for 24 hours from his living room? Who in their right mind would do that?? What kind of fun could that possibly not be?
   I should never have asked that question with my wife lingering about, because when I put the question out there, the Who wants to watch a 47-year-old man blog for 24 hours from his living room?, that’s when she chimed in and said, Why don’t you do it from one of those Genie lifts!?” And that, my friends, is how we got from there to here. And how I will get all ... the way ... up there. On top of that scissor lift. For 24 hours. 30 feet into the air. At the H-E-B parking lot. Over between Pinkies and Starbucks. Right next to the Midkiff entrance. You’ll know me by the green in my gills.
   You can help, too: Make a donation at blogathon.org (see the How To’s in the box on Pg. 1B). And come by on the day of Blogathon, July 28-29, and just say hi.
   Let me know you’re out there and ... that .... everything ... is going ... to be ... OK. And that all
the coffee I drink will not keep me awake when I so desperately need sleep on Sunday morning.
   We’re hoping to raise $5,001 this year so that we can just get past last year’s total. I figure if 500
people give $10, we can probably make it.
   So, take the time to drop by blogathon.org, and come by and see me on July 28-29.


THE DETAILS

When: 8 a.m., July 28
       to 8 a.m., July 29
Where: H-E-B Parking Lot, near the Midkiff entrance

Benefiting: Donations made through Blogathon 2007 go to benefit Midland Fair Havens, a transitional housing facility for women and their children.

How to donate before Blogathon: Donate either in lump sum or pledge by the hour anytime between now and the end of Blogathon by visiting www.blogathon.org. Select “Find a blogger to sponsor here.” Select the MyWestTexas/Midland Fair Havens button. Select “Sign Up” and after a very brief registration process, fill in your pledge amount by hour or lump sum.

Goal: $5,001, all of which will be donated to Midland Fair Havens

Comments

[D Benton]

I will make a point to get a loaf of bread that day! I share the fear of heights thing, based on the time when I was 16 and I was coming down Sierra Blanca with a friend and his parents and we started to slide off the mountain at about 10,500 ft, stopping only when our 4,000 car hit a steel cable that sliced through the bumper. (and this was with chains on the tires!) I still will not go up Sierra Blanca!

[Jimmy]

Thanks for that exhilerating story about fear of heights, told to someone else with a fear or heights as he prepares to go up high for charity. Can anyone else top Darrell? I sure hope not.

[Wallace]

Jimmy we're proud of your efforts. And don't worry about those Genie Lift things, I think the failure rate is only about 10%. Plus I've heard that there is usually a loud creaking sound before they collapse, giving you about a 2 second warning.

[Gwynne]

What are you? Nuts?!?! What a great idea! Your wife is brilliant, and you are a real sport. I'll definitely be there to support your efforts. Go Jimmy!

[Jimmy]

Wallace... as always, your wit drips with charm, thank you.

Gwynne ... hey long time no hear from. I hope you'll help me stay awake that night:) And yes, as a matter of fact I am nuts.