Week #.... Oh, I've lost count! But two weeks left!

Hi everyone! I know you've been wondering what happened to me. Life got crazy, and time got chort. Of course, that's why I started this campaign to begin with, but best intentions, right?

Anyway, here's where we stand:

• I have made a much stronger effort to keep in contact with old friends. I've made some new contacts that might lead to friendship - we'll see.
• I have said yes with greater frequency. This has led to middle of the night skiing, dance parties at assorted night clubs, and (I think) a weekend trip to London.
• I have set up an account on Match, made out with one stranger and went on two coffee dates.
• Most importantly, we raised $815 for this great organization! That's $685 away from my goal of $1500.

But I have two weeks left! There is still time for me to be active and you to donate. But I'll admit, I'm loosing speed - I could use some additional motivation. And nothing motivates me - in this case - like moola!

Except maybe comments. So, let me know what you think of my campaign, my progress, whatever. If you have ideas and contacts to help me make additional progress on my priorties, this is also appreciated.

Look forward to hearing from you!

Week 7: A date, at last!

Hello, faithful readers. I'm surprised at how many of you there are, but I have received feedback from more than one person that you are actually reading what I write here. Of course, these are the same people who have criticized me for my lack of action on priority #3. Well, the wait is over, friends....

I WENT OUT ON A DATE!!!

And it was good. :)

Now, pay up, suckers!

Week 6: Fling in Ferndale

Week #6 - Progress
So, this was my last week in Detroit, as I ended my project there. Luckily, I made one outstanding friend there - Kate. She is the one amazing person who I will definitely take with me, and I expect that at least some of my faithful readers will have the chance to meet her some day. Kate is a beautiful, funny and smart woman who has made my time in Detroit just a little bit more pleasant, and for that, I am eternally grateful. I'll miss our Tuesday night dinners, but I expect we'll find other ways to stay in touch.

Because both Kate and I have March birthdays, I decided to stay in Detroit for the weekend and see how Kate flies. Great fun was had - coffee in the morning with great talks, shopping in the afternoon, pedicures, cocktails, delicious dinner and nightclub dancing. And a little tonsil hockey with a cute boy on the dance floor never hurt anyone. Thanks, Kate, for a great weekend! I hope to repeat the experience when you come see me in MN this summer! (hint, hint)

Week 4: Reality sets in

This was the week that I suddenly realized I won't be able to end my campaign on April 16, as I originally intended. Why, you ask? Because I won't be available to date until early April. Where did the month of March go? Its full of fun stuff, but no free time for encounters with prospective dates.

In order to make sure that all you hold-outs who refuse to donate until I date, I will extend my campaign till the end of April. This should allow me more time to experiement in the dark world of dating. But you'll better be ready to pony up the cash! You know who you are!

Week 3: A bit of a bust

Okay, so I didn't post an entry for this week immediately because I barely had the time to sleep, much less embrace life. But there was definitely some fun to be had.

Priority #1: Reconnect with old friends/make new ones

I left MN and Margo to go to Chicago for company training. But first, I got to spend the afternoon with my friend, Karma. She moved to Chicago from Australia just over a year ago, and it is impossible for me to visit her in her fancy, super urban apt and not be jealous. It was great to see her again.

I then went to training for the week, and made new connectionc with people from Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Brazil, and Singapore. They will all be hearing from me the next time (or first time!) I am in their country!

Priority #2: Say yes to opportunities

As I said, I really didn't have time for any non-work related activities this week. But I did agree to a new work assignment, which will be a major stretch for me. So, I am taking a chance on myself, and assuming I am up to the challenge. Wish me luck!

Priority #3: Date

I have been working the Match.com angle, but so far no luck. Since additional donations require action on this front, I may have to lower my standards a bit. But a little encouragement in the way of a donation would be great!

Week 2: Rocking the night away

Priority #1: This week, I got to spend time with someone I know longer than anyone else in San Francisco. Margo came to MN to interview at the U of M Vet School, and it was a great opportunity to spend some time visting with her, while supporting her as she took an important step towards realizing her dreams. Our visit was too short, but maybe we'll see here again when she starts her studies. (Fingers crossed!)

Priority #2: Once again, Danielle and Pat were the directors of another great adventure. Thanks to them, we found ourselves at the Minnesota Music Cafe listening to the awesome funk cover band, Westside. (Ok, this isn't really a "say yes" opportunity. I would have done this one even without the campaign.) It rocked!

Priority #3: Thanks to Margo, I now have a Match.com profile. (YIKES!) Let the games begin.

Week 1: It's a start!

So, I've finished Week 1, and I have some progress to report.

Priority #1: I've reconnected with three old friends. Nicole, Erin and Lillian are friends of mine from San Francisco, and I have been incredibly slack in keeping in touch with all of them. Thankfully, they've forgiven me, and I was able to catch up with each of them. As it happens, these 3 were also the friends that joined me on my "Goodbye to San Francisco Tour: Napa Valley Chapter."

Priority #2: A new friend of mine, Danielle, invited me to join a birthday party celebrating she and her husband, Pat. Sounds great, right? Only it was night skiing with people I didn't know at a place an hour out of town and could end up with a return in the early morning hours. I know, not my usual outing. But I decided to "say yes," and I had the most amazing time! We skied until the early hours (12:30am for the girls, 1:30am for the boys), returned to the city around 3am, and I was in bed by 3:30am. And it was totally worth it! Thanks, Pat and Danielle, for the great opportunity, and happy birthday!

Priority #3: No progress. But c'mon people! It was Valentine's Day weekend! Next week there will be updates for sure.

*****

Thanks to Anne, Kate V, Kay Ellen, Nicole and Travis for your donations. You guys rock!