Waiting for the grapes to Ripen

I liken the steps of fundraising to being dropped on a deserted island with only your best friends and a corkscrew. Its fun most of the time because your with your friends building up a community. Other times its frustrating because your waiting for your grapes to ripen.

Waiting... its a tough thing for me and the committee to do. Guess I could go open a bottle of my own wine.

Rockstars

Its so much fun when other people get more excited about the project than yourself. For example... one of the guys on the committee (Scottie) gets us a very important meeting to pitch our proposal to a major donor. Were both so nervous before the meeting, so nervous we don't even eat that day.

The meeting goes better than expected, to the point where were feeling like rock stars. The donor ends up throwing out ideas that were more grand than we had the guts to propose. With reason to celebrate we end up going for eats and meeting a few other friends as they finish their work day.

As others are discussing their day Scott and I are ready to burst at every seam ... Ahhhhhh! Where do you put that energy?! Pass another wing please...

That Buzzing Feeling

Do you ever get a buzzing feeling inside your belly? kind of like... someone put a vibrating alarm clock in your large intestine. Some days I wake up with this feeling... so excited about the event and the tiny bits of progress were making each and every day.

We've been working on our logo. I never knew what went into designing such an important representation of our event. It must come across as being serious (because CF is a terrible disease), it must be modern looking, have some eye appeal, memorable and all encompassing of the enormity of this world record attempt.

Wow, I'm getting that buzzing feeling in my gut again!

Many Many Months update www.longestgame4cf.com

Guess what people?? The pieces are falling into place... the website is officially up! Still lots of work to be done on the design and the scripting but it actually looks fantastic! Thanks S!

Still searching for the arena where we will have the game... minor... ha ha my nervous laugh. It's not like were not trying, its just a lot to ask... can you please donate 10 days of ice time... oh and did I mention we need a Zamboni driver free of charge 24 hours a day. Heh heh yep

I never really believed it when people would say... "yep, that was totally meant to be." Meaning that destiny was already decided before you even arrived. What! Where am I going with this... well I would have to say that since my first blog back in November 09' I've been waiting for that impenetrable road block to stop the progress of setting up the longest game. Let me tell you, every time I turn around I run into another person who wants to be part of the planning committee or contribute in some way... wahhhh I'm a believer!!

65_Redroses Trailer

Pebble Tossing

The word is starting to spread. The pebble has been dropped in the ocean.

I find it rather amusing how positiveness finds positive participants. The three P's... interesting!

It's true... people don't give to a cause, they give to the people with a cause. I can see now that my body language, the beaming intensity in my eyes and the emotion in my voice about the belief in making a difference is inspiring others. Hmmm... maybe one person can make a difference... someone, anyone just needs to toss that pebble.

I'm amazed at how much I've learned from the people who have already come forward prepared to jump on the CF/Longest Game bandwagon. Good Stuff People!

On or around the 2nd of October 2009... I decided to full fill a life long dream of making a difference in the lives of those who suffer from Cystic Fibrosis.

Sitting in a bar in Toronto over 40 years ago my father (Bill Skelly) struck up a conversation with a Dr. Crozier. The doctor explained that he was treating young children with a deadly disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. The body produces sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening infections and also obstructs the pancreas and stops the body from breaking down and absorbing food. Few children are living long enough to attend their first years of elementary school.

My father invited Dr. Crozier to speak at a Kinsmen meeting in Toronto and from that day on the word spread across Kin in Canada, today Kinsmen and CF have an extensive working relationship.

Just out of High School my father gave me the opportunity to help the CF office organize a golf tournament as a fund raiser. This was my first opportunity to understand the disease, meet and work with families affected with CF.

When I walked into the CF office I said hello to a young woman working at her desk. I introduced myself to her, she said her name was Lucia. Shaking her hand I thought I would break her wrist. I joked and told her she needs to put some weight on. She shyly said she has CF. From that day on Lucia and I started a relationship that would change both our lives forever.

World's Longest Women's and World's Longest Ice Hockey game!! 2011