Day 580: Diverse and Dangerous

Diverse, that's what today has been. Despite researching a shed-load of libraries, I chose to spend the morning in EAT on Marylebone High Street, working, taking calls and talking to trustworthy-faced strangers. I am one of those too, which means I get asked to look after people's computers sometimes, and chugged by every single street fundraiser that ever breathed. Even if they see me being accosted by five of their colleagues, even if they've just done at me themselves, it's like they take one look at this face and their killer instinct kicks in. Surely she'll... but she's a sure bet.. (etc). I'm not. I have never neglected my computer-guarding duties, though. Not once. 

Then I went up to Vital Regeneration/The Help Project - a scheme that helps people in temporary accommodation get back into the employment market. There is SO much potential here. I feel strongly about working with people affected by homelessness and obscene London rents, as I do about helping people be a relaxed and easy version of themselves, at their actual best, in situations that scare them (as job interviews often do). And I get to volunteer with them.

Another thing I noticed. I WAS going to "have to find somewhere to volunteer" when it was part of a guardianship organisation's deal (dot dot dot... a great organisation, actually, that encourages community connection by housing people in residential properties as guardians and asking them to volunteer for at least 16 hours a month in return for the cheaper rent). I think it's good and I was up for it. However, it does taste sweeter to be volunteering for a project purely because I want to, and am excited by what we can do. 

After that, a whizz over to St Pancras and a quick sit (some work, again) and then off down to Elephant for a French conversation session, then back to Haggerston for a rehearsal. A good one. It started painfully slowly, but ended with energy and playfulness. Though I'd love to do something about the draggy starts, it's so, so, so much better than it going the other way and I enjoyed it. And on top of that, thank you, Jo, for lots of free clothes, including one with a scary rabbit face on. Pretty, pretty!

Oh, oh, oh! And Ella was a potato!

Ella Jean