the laanba blog

Night Night Post Script

40 for 40

On the 25th I will turn 40.  That's one of those big numbers that is supposed to have a lot of meaning in life.  If I let myself I could really dwell on where my life is and more likely where my life is not at this birthday milestone, but I don't feel like going down that inevitably negative path.  

Instead I am going to do something for somebody else and I invite you to join me.  Project Night Night is an organization that creates care packages (bags actually) for homeless children.  In each bag is a blanket, a stuffed animal and a book, things that are all  a comfort to anyone, but especially to a child that is already dealing with so much instability.

 Books are definitely an escape and comfort for me.  Some of my favorite books are the ones that I read in times of greatest turmoil.  They allowed me to escape from my personal struggles and fall into their world.  They gave my mind a break from its weary toil.  Many of these books have been read so much that their covers are falling off.  I know that many of you feel the same way about reading.

For my 40th birthday I would like to get 40 donations to Project Night Night.  If you would like to help me out there are two easy ways.

1.) Project Night Night Amazon Wish List
Just head over to the organization's Amazon Wish List and pick out a book (or two, or three!).  Add it to your cart and when you check out it will allow you to send the books directly to Project Night Night. I know a lot of you shop Amazon regularly and / or have Amazon Prime.  Some of the things on the list are only $5.  You can do it!

2.) Sponsor a Night Night Package
You can sponsor a whole care package for just $20.

If you do either of these things please let me know in the comments, by email, on Twitter or on Facebook.  I will be keeping track of all the donations here on this page.  Feel free to spread the word to friends, family and strangers alike.  The more the merrier and a life full of merry times is my 40th birthday wish. 

 

UPDATE: We did it!  Tonight's grand total topped 40!! Thank you so much to everyone who donated books and care packages to Project Night Night.  You can see the roll call in my comments of this post.  I can honestly say that I haven't had this much fun leading up to my birthday for a very long time.  The people who run Project Night Night know about our little project here and are grateful for your support.  I will be donating $40 worth of books to finish it off.  

Ok 40.  I'm ready.  Bring it. 

Change, Hope and Rekindling

I have long been a fan of the office of the president.  It didn't matter whether it was a Republican or a Democrat in the seat, I was fascinated by the history of the job and all the pomp and circumstance that goes along with it.  I always watched the beginning of the state of the union, always watched inaugurations, always watched those White House Christmas specials.  Once it turned into long political babble I'd turn the channel, but I was always excited about "The President."  That has been lost in the last eight years.  We have taken a wrong turn.  We have become the bullies of the world with no idea of our place in it.  And as the years went on I watched less and less of presidential things.

I really feel that things are about to change for the better.  I am excited for the change.  For a call to personal responsibility.  For a leader who will inspire us to make those changes.  Today is an exciting day.  And most exciting of all is that my presidential interest has been rekindled.  

Ho ho ho

I have always wanted to get involved with the organization Elves and More, but December is such a busy time.  Usually by the time I think about it, it is a few days before my concert and just impossible to do.  

Elves and More gives bicycles to kids in the poorer areas of Houston.  Their philosophy is that with a bicycle comes freedom.  Their approach is to give the bikes, not to just one or two families in an area or one school, but blanket a neighborhood with bikes.  

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to be an elf for a day.  Elves and More came to my school to give bikes away to students who had set and achieved goals in academics, behavior and attendance. Not only did they give bikes to students at my school, but also the neighboring elementary and high school.  Once they left the neighborhood was filled with children with new bicycles.  

Such a wonderful organization and now I'm more determined than ever to give them some of my time next year.

    

Yes We Can

I was moved much more than I thought I would be by last night's events, especially by the speech by President Elect Obama.  Here is an excerpt in case you haven't seen it. I think this is my favorite part although it is hard to choose, the whole thing was wonderful.

 

If

April is National Poetry Month

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,

If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!

--Rudyard Kipling