Back in the Game

I was very sick for two weeks, but I spent the first week pretending I was hardly sick at all. But after I accomplished Good Friday, I crashed. My respiratory system and sinus pasages rebelled against me. I couldn't speak, could hardly sleep (and only sitting up), couldn't eat. I had no energy for anything but reading and watching TV. I think I have officially grown to HATE daytime television.

I finally gave in last Wednesday and went to the doctor, who gave me some meds and said I'd live, and would even get better. It was the only time I left the house last week.

But I'm better now. Back at work. And getting jazzed up for the AIDS Marathon. I hope to have my lungs well enough to start running again this weekend. Training starts on the 6th of May. I'm so very, very exited.

Most of you who know me have received a request for support. If I missed you, drop me a line. Or, if you have ideas for other people I should contact, or ideas for fundraising, drop me a line.

Here's the hot skinny:

For 6 months, starting May 6th, I'm going to be in a marathon training program with the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. I'm training with the Chicago Marathoners, but I"m actually going to be running in the Dublin Marathon, which is one week after the Chicago Marathon. I'm going to Dublin by myself, and not with the AIDS Marathon people, because they're actually going to be going to Italy this year and not Ireland. But I want to go to Ireland, so I'm gonna.

Through July, I'm going to be fundraising for the AFC with the Chicago Marathoners. My absolute minimum goal for the AFC is $1,400, but I hope to raise more than that. Also, if anyone wants to donate to me personally to help with the costs of the Dublin trip, that would be way-cool. The trip is going to cost between $500 and $600. No, seriously. That's all.

My master plan is that I'll get to stay at the Catholic Worker House in Dublin (whom I've not contacted yet), but if that doesn't work out, I'll bed down in a hostel, because I'm low maintenance, have stayed in hostels before, and have not seen the movie Hostel.

At any rate, my starting rate for donation acceptance is $1, because a lot of the people I know here in Chicago are volunteers, or teenagers, or just generally poor. So seriously, if you're reading this thinking, "Hey, I'd like to help, but I'm broke," I would like you to look into your hearts, or wallets (wherever it is you keep your money) and see if you have five dollars to spare. Although twenty would be better. :)

Yeah. I'm bouncing, I'm so excited. I've got some new running shoes, just broken in. I've got a dream. And I've got a plan.

What more is there?

peace out, loves,
Kati

Mute

It's the worst week of the year to be sick anyway, so of course, Michael and I thought we'd give it a go. Holy Week is the culmination of a lot of projects we've been working on, and plus, there are big events everywhere, all the time.

We got sick Palm Sunday night. I lost my voice on Tuesday. It's showing no signs of coming back. I can't speak at all. Tomorrow is Via Crucis in the morning, and in the evening, I'm taking ten teens to a baseball game (I know-- what timing).

This. Is. Going. To be. Interesting.

Give my love to the wife and kids!

Some New News

E had her baby!!! Dot was born Thursday morning. Yay!

Also, I've officially signed up for the AIDS Marathon.

Those of you who had been paying attention will remember that I had been bummed earlier in the year when I found out the official AIDS Marathon was not going to be going to Ireland this year, but to Italy. I contacted the AFC, and discussed my options, then obsessed over it for a couple months, then made my decision and acted within a couple of days time last week.

Here's the deal: I'm going to Ireland this fall.

A rep from the AFC had suggested that I train and fundraise with the Chicago AIDS Marathon group (the people who will run in Chicago this fall), and then get a plane ticket and lodging and all that stuff for Dublin on my own. And that's what I'm going to do. Those of you who know me, I'll be sending out fundraising letters soon. Don't know yet what other fundraising things I'll be doing. For the AFC I'm going to be raising at least $1,400. The trip will cost about $500ish. I think I'll include that in the fundraising, or maybe I'll put out the call for cash for birthday and Christmas presents this year. I'll figure it out. And I'll let you know.

Because, hey... can I have a dollar?