Happy Thanksgiving

Hi friends!

I'm alive.

Sorry I've been MIA this year (and the past two years). More ghost than host, right?

btw, thanks to everyone who recently voted for Comfort Zone Camp. My conjecture is they have a good chance of winning the top prize, so thank you again for your support in helping more kids.

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Hopefully everyone is doing well and staying sane, safe, & healthy. :)

If anyone wants to do any outdoorsy activity together (e.g. hike, walk around a park, go to the beach, etc.), feel free to lmk and maybe other group members can join you.

I'm a sociopath who usually tries to volunteer on Thanskgiving (day & weekend), so if anyone has some free time and is looking for something to do, feel free to consider volunteering too. :)

So this is incredibly late/short notice, but if anyone is around tomorrow (Thanksgiving Day), and isn't traveling or has any family get-togethers or friendsgiving events, a few volunteer events have been posted.

Totally understandable many of you are busy...but just in case anyone is feeling lonely and doesn't want to spend the holiday alone...volunteering can be a healthy way to get out of the house and participate in something meaningful and rewarding.

Something evident in recent years is many people are feeling tired, stressed, anxious, depressed, burnout, fatigued, exhausted, etc....and struggling with mental health.

For some, volunteering can be an effective way to meet some really nice, kind, and friendly people.

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It's my fault for posting these events so late and not giving enough time for people to coordinate and discuss possibly volunteering together...but if any of you decide to participate in one of the events tomorrow (Thanksgiving Day or another day in the future), you have a decent chance of meeting good people.

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I'm so busy and behind on personal to-do stuff, but I'm thinking of helping in Garden Grove in the morning with Gobble Gobble Give, distributing food & stuff to some homeless individuals in Anaheim, and possibly stopping by Venice to help with another Thanksgiving event if timing works out.

If any group members want to help on their own or with others, please feel free to do so. See below.

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Here are some Thanksgiving Day events in/near Orange County:

Garden Grove - https://www.meetup.com/socalvolunteers/events/297535776

Tustin - https://www.meetup.com/socalvolunteers/events/297535774

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I'm sorry I got "busy" and didn't have more time to find more volunteer opportunities in OC.

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And here are some in the Los Angeles area, posted in our LA group:

DTLA - https://www.meetup.com/lavolunteer/events/297535777

Hollywood - https://www.meetup.com/lavolunteer/events/297535783

Santa Monica - https://www.meetup.com/lavolunteer/events/297535814

Crenshaw - https://www.meetup.com/lavolunteer/events/297535827

Another Thanksgiving event in West LA, but they usually have enough volunteers - https://www.westsidethanksgiving.org/volunteer

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If any group members are encountering hardships / challenges, and want to find others for support, please feel free to lmk.

Whether it's related to

making new friends in general

finding others who are struggling with infidelity/adultery or other relationship issues

finding other parents

finding others who have health issues (e.g. cancer, long Covid, child with autism, etc.)

finding others who share a specific hobby/interest

etc...

Despite me being a horrible group organizer -- we know some good people exist, and some are in this group -- and I want to help facilitate you meeting others (without me since I'm such a delinquent).

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If any of you have an interest/desire to volunteer, but are unsure how/where to start, feel free to lmk.

Or if any of you want to plan a group get-together to volunteer together...such as at one of the soup kitchens or food banks or food distributions (those events typically can accommodate small groups of people)...then lmk and maybe we can set something up so that other group members can join you.

The holiday season can be stressful and hard for some, so for any who are struggling (family problems, health issues, relationship drama, hate your job, dissatisfied with life, feeling empty & unhappy, etc., there are sources out there that can help...

...whether it be therapy/counseling, better nutrition (eating healthier), exercising more, listening to music, finding a hobby/interest that is healthy & productive, etc...

Hang in there, don't give up, and stay strong.

Believe in yourself. Sometimes life is hard and things look dark, daunting, and discouraging, but may some of you seek & find light, love, and happiness.

Earlier this year, while on a road trip (in Wyoming & Montana) this song resonated with me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmMOMK5c4EY

And for any who didn't see my post from a few years ago, this song caught my ear (eye):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzNvk80XY9s

I don't usually pay attention to lyrics...but this stood out

"With shortness of breath
I'll try to explain the infinite
How rare and beautiful it is to even exist."

Okay...I'll shut up now. :)

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Cheers.

- wiseman