Jenny L.’s Moving UYE

I admit Jenny and I don’t know each over very well (hopefully we will soon) but I saw someone in need and wanted to help. It was great to see so many people come out to help her!
Very proud to say we stayed until we knew she had everything out of the house and would not have to go back in. By the end of the day we had it down to a science. Ian G, Jenny’s in-​laws (the three of them provided food and beverages too!), and I finished at the packing end, Katie T worked transport, and Quani and Mr. Man played tetris at the storage unit; we had her completely moved out by 3 pm. Katie was even ready to store anything that wouldn’t fit at the unit at her house! She wins best friend of the day for sure!
Domestic violence is a passionate issue for Mr. Man and I and we want to help get a person out of a bad situation when we can. We can’t contribute much financially but we can certainly do the muscle and packing and were glad we had the opportunity to do so for such a strong awesome woman. If you need help, send me a pm and hopefully we can lend a hand to you.

As you know AND I know, moving sucks. Take your entire existence and put it in a box. Take box across town. Put on 3^rd floor storage unit. Oh, and don’t break anything. Hopefully you didn’t pack anything you’ll need for at least a few weeks. Yeah, it stinks. every. time. I think you get the picture.
So when Jenny L. created a ‘Moving UYE’, that was my first thought just that. Bad. Not at all because of Jenny — but more because the process just sucks. A LOT! But then I thought to myself «Hey…maybe this will get me out of going to church on Sunday… yeah!!» So in my mind, this became more of a Sunday AM UYE Service on Amittville Lane. Sweet! So right there was an upside!
But seriously, …when you get such a good turn-​out AND with the assistance of 12 – 15 of your closest Unilocaler-​friends — moving is really not that bad at all. This reminded me of the old saying ‘Many hands make light the work’ — which was certainly true this day. People pleasantly sweated as they padded, packed, cleaned, boxed, taped, shifted and lifted. no complaints. No bitching. Just production… and it was impressive in a divide and conquer sort of way. Half of Jenny’s house was loaded up and boxed by 10AM.
For me, I liked seeing many of my closest Unilocal acquaintances at this Sunday Service –and working along side them. All in all… It was pretty cool. I think Jenny was pleasantly suprised with the turnout and she thanked people like a million times over. I got the impression that — while this was a small effort on most people’s parts, this effort was going to be leveraged into bigger and better things — which is what we all strive for for our friends, our family and our kids.
All in all, this event was fun, it made you feel helpful, and it was probably good for our consitution. Well, all except for that one part where Errol got lost…

Number of gas gallons used for yesterday’s endeavor: 1
Number of free sodas consumed: 1
Number of french fries offered: 162
Number of sneezes due to dust: 27
Number of wasp stings endured: 0
Number of clothing items that can fit in the back seat of a Chrysler Sebring convertible: 82
Number of volume crank-​worthy songs heard on the car radio: 3
Number of punny food trailers seen driving on the way home: 1
Number of minutes in the shower afterward: 7
Number of pounds lost from exercise: Hopefully 10
Good feelings I got from helping a friend in need: Countless
(And I didn’t even need a MasterCard.)

I believe in karma, friendship, doing good things because you should and not because you’re going to get something out of it. For me, doing things for other people is rewarding because I feel better knowing I can help THEM feel better.
It was refreshing to see friendly faces and to see Jenny crack a few smiles, make a few jokes and hold her head up high despite what she’s going through. Sometimes you’re the bug, sometimes you’re the windshield but sometimes it doesn’t even matter. You do what you can with what you have.
Knowing I could help make things a little bit easier for her made me happy. I know it’s just the start of a long road but I think she knows she has lots of friends to help her travel on it.
I suggested for the moving UYE we get a keg. All in, say «I»! And also a helmet for Jenny when she goes to get that box and chair Ian put 9 feet in the air. :)

I had different feelings about this event: I wonder sometimes why people help other people, I’m intrigued over what motivates them, and I sense occasionally it’s not always altruism. But at this particular gathering, there were just a lot of decent people — a pause and tribute to The Human Condition.
But I’m also first to tell you if Jenny L. wasn’t involved, I probably wouldn’t have given a shit. I’m only concerned with how people affect me, and are they worth the investment of time or thought. Yeah, yeah, it sounds selfish, I don’t always bat a thousand, but I no longer medicate over people either.
The bottom line is Jenny L. makes me laugh, it impacts my real-​life world, and that’s good enough for me. Whatever her Karma is she’ll handle it, and on this particular day it apparently involved me moving boxes and curtain rods and getting lost finding a fucking storage facility. Just part of the plan, Stan. Coolio for both of us.
So six-​of-​one and a half-​dozen of another: If Jenny L. closes her Unilocal account and I never see her again, so be it, and thanks for the memories. This event was worth my time. But if she does keep at it, I’ll look forward to it, and this event was worth my time. This is what I call «Batting a thousand,» and that’s as good as it gets. Coolio for me.

Ahh. you know what’s great after a hot, sweaty, tough move? A swim in a pool… with beers… and lots of half naked ladies (ok, I’m dreaming the last part…) Anyways, it was fun, really, we should have more domestic disputes and get togethers like this :} (seriously, awesome organizing and moving effort… good job Unilocalers!)

At first, I was afraid, I was petrified
Kept seeing clothes and toys and furniture stacked side by side
But when some friendly Elite Unilocalers show up, you can not go wrong
They all were strong, and even let me tag along
And so we filled… the storage space
A buncha folks that really care took that sad look from Jenny’s face
She had to buy a stupid lock
But there were fries, and unsweet tea
Got paid in hugs and smiles and karma: Jenny’s Moving UYE
(apologies to Gloria Gaynor)
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — -
You will survive, Jenny. But any time you need, you know where to find us… But if you forget where to find us, I wouldn’t ask Errol for directions.

Holy shit.
Yesterday, I hated everyone. Well, all week.
Today, I love the kids that came out to help me.
Thank you to each and every person that has helped.
I love you.
Things that happened and that I learned today:
1. At one point, I sat in the storage facility lobby, on a stool, eating french fries and crying. I looked up, and saw I was being recorded by security cameras. Please tell me that will be on YouTube.
2. The kids and my lives can fit in a ten by ten storage locker.
3. Unilocal people are wicked strong. And tall. Very handy.
4. Boxes, cars, SUVs, trucks, ideas, laughs, snacks, drinks. Unilocal people had it all.
5. Unilocal people can ninja pack, and tetris organize. Amazing.
6. Unilocalers like hugs. And free beer.
7. The kids and I have a lot of stuff. I had no idea.
8. The generosity of people blows my damn mind.
9. In this situation, if you take spare change off the table? You WILL be blamed for it. Should have left that dollar fifty in coins.
10. I am stong. And amazing. And no one can fucking stop me now.