Mercedes & Kitty Kat Don’t volunteer with cats if you’re allergic. I repeat, differently: If you are allergic to cats do not volunteer with them. En espanol: No voluntario con los gatos si usted alergico a ellos. Obvious? You’d think so, but I had occasion to test this. Here’s what happened… I set up a volunteer activity with one of the most helpful* volunteer groups of all time – Heaven on Earth Animal Sanctuary. They have a small house in Van Nuys, which they’ve... [Read more]
Happy New Year! Why is everyone so attracted to bad boys and girls? And how can I be bad while maintaining general wholesomeness? I decided this would be best to answer during the holidays because of the naughty and nice tie in. And if you type naughty enough your SEO goes off the chart – naughty naughty naughty naughty… The answer (based on nothing but wit): It’s not bad behavior that attracts us. It’s the unattainable, the person or the behavior we would like to be, mimic, have... [Read more]
The Ladies Payne Repaid Again! Re-loaned again. And just in time for Christmas. I would never suggest that Kiva is more fun as a competition. Especially not a competition between family members. That would be tacky and defeat the purpose of being generous out of the goodness of your heart. But… if, lets say, my family members and I were all making Kiva loans then… I would be ahead. By a lot. Maybe it’s because I do due diligence. Maybe it’s the fact that I’ve learned to stick... [Read more]
The Occupy Wall Street campaign has inspired millions across the country and the world to evaluate their governments and the strangle hold corporations have on career politicians. Occupy New York has even managed to raise $500,000 to continue the fight “to end the tyranny of the 1%.” But ending “the tyranny of the 1%” is more about decisions we make every day versus donating or supporting a protest (which is taking donations by major credit cards?!?!). Lifestyle choices like living... [Read more]
Freezing for Furry Friends Ladies and Gentleman, the following is an account of my weirdest volunteer activity as TheGoodMuse- yet. I had never volunteered with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), but then I got this email, which said something like… Come take a shower in the middle of the LA Convention Center to promote water conservation by eating less meat. Sold. You had me at public nudity. In all seriousness, I’m a vegetarian. I have been since I was a teen. It’s... [Read more]
TheGoodMuse Thinks After an in-depth investigation of male hostility towards Jane Austen and adoration of all things thong we return this week to the focus of this blog and answer… What is the lamest thing about volunteering? And how do we fix it. Shockingly, the answer isn’t waking up early on a Saturday or Sunday, which is often on the top of my personal “I hate this about volunteering” list. Why someone can’t schedule a beach cleanup from 5-8pm or right before... [Read more]
WeHo Cheer - the official Good Will Ambassadors of West Hollywood If AIDS Walk LA (which raised over 3 million dollars to benefit people living with HIV) was a video game it would go something like this: Your car zooms through the back street of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills avoiding the mass of traffic trying to get into free parking at the Beverly Center. Get into free parking (100 points). Park on the street (20 points). Get a ticket (-100.) You hop out of the car and remember your sunscreen,... [Read more]
