Next: The Execution!

Well, I've got the go ahead from Frank at Fortinos. He hasn't be letting other charities near the entrance lately but was willing to give me a chance. NO HARASSING THE CUSTOMERS (They've complained). But, Frank was very good and sounds like I can go anytime. He told me weekends are better and which entrance would be advantageous!!!

So, next weekend I'll start. I have a few other store numbers and some wanted to know what others said or want letters. Now I have one the rest should be easy. I'll just tell them it's been done.

Let's see what kind of response I'll get. Could be really cool. Can't wait!!!!

The Plan.

Okay, went to Fortino's & Food Basic in the hood. Manager not there until tomorrow night @ F but got name and number for Basic's Manager. I should be good though lots of space at each one. I'll start calling other stores tomorrow. Managers are pretty busy on the weekend so during the day would be better to set up dates.

I'll be out there this weekend. The girls at Fortino's were already excited. They thought it was so cool I'd be riding my bike! :)

I'm gonna test out Thea's portable speaker. May just pump out some inspirational music - not too loud. Not sure. Would this turn people off? Maybe I should just be cool at first?!?! What do you think?

Gearing up NOW!!!

Okay, it's time to gear up and get going!!!! May has been a really really really busy month. So, now I have to really focus. Time to raise dough and fitness. Going to get out there this weekend. I hope the weather is cool... er, warm and no rain actually.

Got a donation last evening from PE. Kind of bittersweet because its in memory of Libby's father in BC. I worked with Libby for years at PE and I'm sorry to hear the news. Libby has been so kind by asking people to donate to my cause in memory of her dad. Thanks so much PE and Libby for thinking of the contributing to the ride. Your generosity is really appreciated.

I was chatting to another childhood friend Lynn in LA. She told me her mum passed away with cancer 12 years ago. I hear too many of these stories unfortunately.

To Leif!

Leif, the teacher of the illustration students participating in creating postcards for HammerCancer, lost his father-in-law to cancer a few days ago. Leif and his family only learned of his illness in March after we started the project. And just like that, he is gone. They took comfort in that fact that Bill touched so many lives in a positive way as a doctor. It was nice to hear he died peacefully at home with his family by his side. Leif has generously donated his time & I want to thank him & wish his family strength during this difficult time.

Today I received a surprising anonymous donation in the honour of John Spoltone. I am still as humbled & much appreciative as I was in the beginning. I am a very fortunate I get to do something like this! Thank you for thinking of my efforts!!!!

Wasn't that a party?!?!

Tuesday night I had the good fortune to attend the Ride With Lance kick-off/reunion party! It was great. I got there right on time and was pleased to see I was only beaten by Jamie. We introduced ourselves and the chatted for quite a while. We were joined by a young lady Anita. We must of sounded like a bunch of teenaged school girls. Jamie had lots of great stories and just the excitement around the patio was crazy!

The book turned out really well. It was really great to experience riders flip through it with such wide grins.

At one point (knowing I'll be doing the book again next year) I grabbed an organizers camera and shot a whole series of group shots. I wish I would have got a few of them looking at the book but there you go.

Here is the brief video I took of Jim Balsillie. It's brief because as I approached him I heard him say he had to go. To be honest I don't think he made the connection that I was from Hamilton. I believe he thought I was kind of joking. He agreed to do it though. I got a sense from the speeches that although he is prepared to speak in public, I didn't pick up that he sought nor relished in the limelight.



I heard he loves the book and wants to make sure its done again this year. I must be doing something right and it's nice to know he's kinda in my corner.

I'll post a few other video surprises soon!!!