Yep, Another Birthday Post

[neversremedy8]

Hey, I'm turning 33, so cut me some slack on this. 3^3 is the number of the goddess to some people. 33 is the age hobbits reach adulthood, and thirty-three is one third of Ana's current age. Nifty, no?


I posted this the other day, mostly as a happy flag of wishful thinking and a full and complete assumption that I would need to save up for and buy these things myself over time. I know that there are only a few people in my life that have the funds to buy me high priced items, and they do so when they can; it helps keep my ego in check. ;)

However, I've been thinking that I need help in ways that don't require money, but rather time, energy, and expertise. Usually I have a policy of "presence over presents", but my with my health getting worse and my to do list piling up, I could really use help in certain areas of my life. If you are willing, able, and have the time to assist me as a birthday gift, I would be eternally grateful.

• Web Design & Simple Graphics: I have a web site and blog I want to start--feel an imperative to start--but my skills in both graphic and web design are extremely rusty. Outside of HTML and a smattering of CSS/JS code, I don't know much of what's in current use (I hate Flash, btw). I know what I want, I just don't have the physical wherewithal to spend the time relearning and coding by hand as I used to. Sitting at my desktop computer for more than half an hour causes physical illness. If I still had the software I used to, I could probably throw something together in a day, but I've not been able to sit for long and work on either. I can add content remotely when they're both up, but getting them done and on line is a big deal. Anyone who can help me with this will get credit and links from the sites in question.



• Gardening: Not only do I not have much gardening experience, but there's a lot of reclamation work to be done in the back yard. I have a design, I've studied how to do what I want to do, but I need help with the labor. At the very least, I want to start with an herb spiral and a simple path. I can source the materials for free or for very little money, and already have a lot of what's needed on hand. Ana's been doing a lot of clearing, but a day's work out back would be a huge help in getting us started toward my long-term goals and help me put some of this permaculture research to active use.



• Re-Organizing: There's a lot that needs organizing, and I could use a hand and an objective opinion on clearing clutter, especially in my office and craft spaces. Four hours of intense, focused time could significantly improve the disorganized feeling I have all around me. (I can't believe that I, a quadruple Virgo, have come to ask for this.)



• Fact-Checking: If you don't organize but you're a great fact checker, I could use your help finding out some things for my fiction writing. Despite all the reading and research I do, I hate formalized research, and I especially hate having to cold call people or organizations to find out the information I need because they don't bother putting it on a web site. The last time I tried to call the Atlanta police department on a non-emergency line to ask a simple question, I had a panic attack afterwards and never called to follow-up when I realized I didn't get the information I needed most. Sad and pathetic, neh?

If not for a birthday gift, then perhaps for trade. I'd be willing to support you in efforts to which I am capable in exchange for time spent helping me with what I need. Of course, anyone who comes to my home and assists me in any capacity will be fed a tasty meal (or meals depending on length of time visiting). I like to feed people, and I like to show off my 133t skillz in the kitchen when I can.

Ana does a lot more than people realize to help me get the basics done around here, and so much doesn't get done because she's only a kid, not an adult caretaker, and I have such limited energy and physical abilities at present that my lengthy to do list only gets longer no matter how manic or productive I am on a given day. Once something is completed, it tends to be replaced by three more items that have been waiting their turns to be addressed, and eventually, I've got nothing left.

So . . . if you feel compelled to give something to help me celebrate my birthday, there's good food and gratitude in your future. Thanks.