Wow, I still love vernors and chocolate ice cream when sick... but I have yet to convince anyone of the glory of this drink, julian (picturing his grimace now) included.
Mmmm.
So two weekends ago, Julian and I were slave labor, erm, volunteers for the JDRF "Cars" Gala Preview hosted by Pixar. I served as Volunteer Coordinator (again) for this event, which has its moments. We arrived at Pixar around 9 am.... and left at 2:30 am.
We were 'behind' from the get-go, understaffed in the morning, slightly overstaffed in the evening. Unfortunately, the way these events work, there are always "down" times - and it's hard to plan or staff around these, so sometimes people end up waiting around with nothing to do. It is frustrating but nearly unavoidable.
Thankfully our volunteers took in it stride.
I really relish these events, but sometimes it is hard not to cringe at the way volunteers are treated. At one point, a person strided towards the volunteers working registration clapping her hands, saying "Volunteers! Volunteers! Look perky! People are coming!"
Aside from these choice moments, most of the event goes off without a hitch.
At the end of the very, very, very long day, we raised $1.4 million dollars for diabetes research. One of our 'repeat' volunteers shared some news at the event: her husband had had a pancreas transplant. I can't say I'm not intrigued, though most people agree it is just trading one set of problems for another.
I'm sick; probably from overextending myself. I think I had like an 80 week, and the volunteering all occurs on my own time, not Pixar's, so... I'm sick. Strep + sinus infection. I just pray that this all goes away before my upcoming vacation.
Speaking of which, it is like torture waiting for it ;) I am so long overdue for this.... and cannot wait. My ears right now refuse to clear, so I feel lightheaded all the time, living in a tunnel. Hopefully the antibiotics will kick in stronger soon.
Nothing much else to report. Some frustration over old code at work.... that I can't seem to improve to boot. But alas, mostly just tired from working, volunteering, and being sick.
I saw today in a neighbor's window a sign supporting Dellums.
It surprised me, knowing the resident quite well.
I guess to me, Dellums knows how to talk the talk. I don't want to hear that someone is going "to end poverty and provide universal healthcare." I want to know how the City of Oakland is going to pave my potholes, trim my trees, keep my park clean, improve our libraries, work at reducing crime, and ensure that gentrification doesn't cause a loss of affordable housing. Dellums seems very good at making political promises - the type that are not even close to being affordable or realistic.
The other two candidates, to me, have a much better background and connection with the people of Oakland, having both served on Oakland City Council for a number of years. De la Fuente doesn't seem like the obvious choice to my southern, white, yuppie facade - but having worked with the man, he's really the only choice for the job. What can I say other than I am a democrat, a liberal southerner, and looks can be deceiving?
There is this blog I stumbled across about 'stopping' de la fuente's run for mayor - it was a joke. Apparently they think someone "who can't even clean up his own district" doesn't deserve to be running. I am still pondering under which rock precisely this blogger has been living under to have not noticed the vast changes de la fuente has made happen in Fruitvale. Anh, I'll write more later, I am just taking a break from some charity work... But having met two out of three candidates, my choice was immediate giving De La Fuente's track record - and personal ongoing dialog with constituents outside of his district (me!). I guess seeing the Dellums sign made me realize that De La Fuente as a mayor isn't obvious to everyone else, and that saddened me.
BTW given De La Fuente is like getting two mayors for one, he works so hard ;) Nadel, second choice. But Dellums? come on!