Serial:

I'm sure y'all are sick of hearing about my adventures on the Great Peace March but, to keep my own head from exploding, I need to let go of something.

At the risk of sounding like my head is the size of the Hindenberg, the truth is, I am one of roughly 5 people in the country who can do what I did not the March. The complexity of directing the logistics of a 3700 mile march with 1500 people can't be described in _any_ brief format.

Since the March, I have been approached by lots of groups asking me to repeat the feat. Many of the approachers have been Marchers hoping to recapture the glory days.

In self-defense, and an effort to do good with the knowledge, I wrote a manual that I released to the world for free. It has long since been lost to me, but anyone who wants to read it can find it in the Swarthmore College Peace Collection.

Recently, a couple of fellows, both tangential to the March have come asking for my help with a 'green' march, focused around climate change. I appreciate both of their efforts. I think they should definitely do it and I will cheer for them when they succeed.

One gentleman has been hugely respectful and appreciative when I laid out a basic outline for him and is learning what he needs to do the job himself.

The second fellow has been pestering me on Facebook. His last missive definitely has me in a NONpeaceful frame of mind.

He wrote to tell me that he had hired a logistics coordinator but she doesn't know what to do, so he planned to call me the next day so that I could tell her what to do. What is my phone number?

I just stared at that for a minute and then went on with my life.

This evening, I get a message from _another_ Marcher who knows me ever so slightly more, asking me to help this guy.

At first, I felt like a wicked bitch for being stingy with my knowledge but my bff, who was on the March but did not now until years later what it entailed, said, "The fact that you succeeded in the monumental feat does not mean you are obligated for life to do it again for anyone who asks. By the way, fuck him. Why isn't he paying YOU!"

That made me feel better, but I'm still grappling with 'how is it people think they can ask me to do this' and 'but it's for a good cause, maybe I should do it.'

Still, my friends who are still fighting the good fight I abandoned long ago (which is really why I feel guilty) are making a helluva lot more money than I am, in so doing.

Bonny - follow your passion and what keeps you sane. That is more important than money and pleasing other people.

Thanks, Suzi.

To be honest, if someone came to me with a viable plan that made it possible for me to live my life while throwing myself into such a project, I would probably do it.

I would end up regretting it at times, I'm sure. The people who have so blithely asked me to 'oh, just explain it real quick' just don't know what they are asking.

Ugh. I guess that makes me pretty much a whiner who whines.

Pix, ugh, that's too much all at once! All best wishes to Becca. Keep us posted when you can. *hugs*

bonny, there's absolutely nothing wrong with not wanting to play a role in another major undertaking like that! He's being clueless and disrespectful. Just because his cause is noble doesn't excuse poor manners and the inability to take NO for an answer.

bonny, don't take on more than you can handle, and don't feel guilty about it.

My quick little errands turned into 4 hours of errands, most of which consisted of finding pez dispensers for my niece and nephew, which I finally found. If I send out nephew's birthday gift without pez, they'd be so disappointed.

I am just now eating dinner.

ETA: Pix, so much ~ma for Becca. I'm sorry.

Just because his cause is noble doesn't excuse poor manners

One of the things I liked least about 'us' these many years ago, is that was way too easy to view ourselves as the big, damn heroes many people told us we were.

A noble cause is no excuse for poor manners. Thanks so much, Kate P. I think this is what I will say to him...in that many words.

Thanks sj. I feel guilty for not having the intestinal fortitude to stay with the cause I once devoted my whole life to. However, I _do_, sincerely feel that I am doing more good in what I am doing now. Others have skills in the global political, diplomatic and strategic arenas that I just don't think I have.

The people who have so blithely asked me to 'oh, just explain it real quick' just don't know what they are asking.

Anyone who says that does not have the logistical know how to make this happen. If they can't grasp the magnitude of the job, they will not be able to make it work.

If they can't grasp the magnitude of the job, they will not be able to make it work.

This, in an elegant nutshell, is precisely what makes me groan nearly every time someone like this guy approaches me. The idea of hitching myself to a wagon destined to plummet off a cliff just does not appeal.

The other fellow I mentioned had a very good idea of how crazy stressful and detailed the process is. Him, I did not mind helping at all. He may not succeed, but he won't take hundreds of other people down with him.

I'm sure y'all are sick of hearing about my adventures on the Great Peace March

Not me. I would sit at your feet and listen to tales as long as you should like to spin.

Why isn't he paying YOU!

Too fucking right.

If they can't grasp the magnitude of the job, they will not be able to make it work.

And word to that.

Pix, I send you lots of love. And to Becca, too.

I am in that phase of sleep dep where I'm kind of giddy and bitchy and can't focus. I NEED TO FOCUS. ALL THE FOCUS.

...can't focus.

Oh, smonster! Not to go all Lloyd Dobler on you but, YOU MUST chillSLEEP!

God. I hate sleep deprivation so much.

What would help you?