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]
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]
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]
Sara and I with Trevor Project Survival Kits “Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15 to 24 year olds.” Downer opening but, let’s face it, 15-24 is rough. For many of us it’s the worse time of our life. Almost impossible. You get raging hormones, a new body, acne, and hair in random places. You want to experiment with stuff, learn what you are and are not capable of, but you’re still under the watchful eye of the ever present parentals. And then there are your... [Read more]
Dirty Kitty From Episode 64 Grows Up & Becomes "Chrissy" Back in April, I had a dirty, starving kitten in a Frito Lays box shoved into my arms. I didn’t really have a clue how I was going to find it a home. I didn’t have the time or resources. I just knew kitten rehab was required. As usual the person who dropped the baby off assured me they would find it a home. Then they changed their cell number, hair color, and moved out of state. Now I love cats. I love all animals, but I... [Read more]
