Shop At Alternative Christmas Market

This is the second year in a row that I have shopped at the Alternative Christmas Market at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church. Actually, I should say that this is the second year that I have shopped ACM online.

You may have an Alternative Christmas Market at your church or a church near you.

The following is from Solana Beach Presbyterian's ACM website:

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For those of you who don’t know about the ACM, it’s an opportunity to buy gifts of food, shelter, medicine, water and education for needy people right here in our own neighborhoods as well as in many countries around the world. Purchase these gifts in honor of your family members, friends, neighbors, colleagues or children’s teachers and give them a beautiful Christmas card with an insert explaining the gift you gave in their honor.

Our Alternative Christmas Market (ACM) is turning 24 years old this year.

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Read more by clicking here or on the title of this post.

Below is a list of just some of the different causes to which you can make a donation. You can print out an insert to drop in a Christmas card that you give to a loved one.

I took these details from the actual online receipt less than an hour ago. If you look closely you'll see that I could have saved $3.00 by shopping "live" at our Alternative Christmas Market during recent Sundays at Solana Pres. Have you ever bought 1/2 kilo of earthworms for someone for Christmas?

I will tell you that I did purchase midwife training on behalf of the Afar, meals at Ladle Fellowship and earthworms in the Philippines as well as other worthy causes.

Who do you know that might appreciate something from the list below? (Would you?) Please take a couple minutes and look it over. You never know...

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Name of Event: Alternative Christmas Market 2009

Shipping Information: Not Applicable.

The base cost of $3.00 above is the service charge which will be added to each
order. Please enter the quantity for each item in the box. Your total will be
calculated and shown at the top of the payment page.

First Name Charles
Last Name Hicks-Moore


Afar Partnership (Ethiopia) - A Weekend Training for an Afar Midwife
Afar Partnership (Ethiopia) - A Month Supply of Sterile Blades to Cut Umbillical Cord
SBPC Creation Care - Spell & Smell for the Hamilton Children's Garden
Floresta - 10 Trees for a Family
Food Truck Ministry - One Child's Care Package
Ellie Goolkasian - 100 Cups of Milk for Migrant Kids
Ellie Goolkasian - A Pair of Shoes for an Orphan
SBPC Hispanic Ministry - One Pair of School Shoes
Ladle Fellowship - 7 Hot & Savory Meals
Marchena & Allred (Intervarsity) - Attending Leadership Conference for a Student
M.O.M Camp Pendleton - Fresh Produce for a Family
Oaxaca Partnership (Mexico) - A Breeding Pair of Rabbits
Oaxaca Partnership (Mexico) - A Brood of 10 Chickens
Presbyterian Council of Military Chaplains - One Share of "Chaplain Family Conference"
Presbyterian Council of Military Chaplains - Shipping Fee for Chaplain Devotional Materials
SBPC Reality Changers - One Share of Academic Scholarship
SBPC Reality Changers - A Forest Home Camp Scholarship
SBPC Reality Changers - A Full UCSD Academic Connections Scholarship
Greg & Kathy Saracoff (Team Tijuana) - Beans to Feed Hungry Kids
Greg & Kathy Saracoff (Team Tijuana) - 5 Dozen Eggs for Esperanza Rehab
SD Rescue Mission - A Hot Meal for 12 Homeless People
SD Rescue Mission - A Night at the Emergency Shelter for 3 Women & Children
SD Rescue Mission - A Day of Work Therapy, Recovery Class, Bible Study & Meals for 3 Homeless Men
South American Theological Seminary (Brazil) - 2 Weeks of Tuition at SATS
St. Leo's Dental Clinic - An Extraction
Farming with Natural Solutions (Philippines) - 1/2 Kilo of Earthworms or 4 Ducks
Safe Water Solutions (Gambia & Tanzania) - Training & Materials for a Village Group
Tranforming Lives Thru Micro Loans (Peru & Sri Lanka) - A Start-up Loan for a Family or Community
Tranforming Lives Thru Micro Loans (Peru & Sri Lanka) - A Small Business Expansion Loan

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Keep walking!

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To This Post

This is the time of year that @AvenueZ runs the Virtual Food Drive. I Tweeted more than a few people last year and I might have even annoyed some of them, but it was for a really good cause. This year I'm spreading out my annoyance, er, tweeting and decided to mention the Virtual Food Drive here.

As I was copying and pasting the link I noticed that Beth Ziesenis (she of Avenue Z) had posted about me donating to Ladle Fellowship. I want to take this opportunity to urge you to follow my example and donate to Ladle Fellowship or your favorite "feeding people" charity and tell the Virtual Food Drive what you've done.

Please note that this is not about boasting, but about shining a light on what is possible when we give. My hope and I'm sure that Beth shares this hope is that by seeing what and where people are donating that you readers will donate and/or share the idea with others.

I've included a re-tweet from me and another from Global Patriot that you can send out via Twitter. The first one sends you here to read about this. (For you physics enthusiasts - I do like infinite regression!) Hopefully, following that won't send anyone back in time! Global Patriot's tweet actually sends you to Beth's page where she mentions my donation. Your choice.

Clear as mud? Then just click on the title of this post!

By the way, I don't think I'm actually the Twitter King. Maybe something more like King Ralph, but a little more grey matter! Did I say that out loud?!

At the very bottom of this post is what I've copied and pasted from AvenueZFoodDrive.com.

Keep walking & Merry Christmas & Happy Hannukah, etc..!

RT Virtual Food Drive! @BigManWalking http://tinyurl.com/BMW3030 -Give where U live then register UR pledge! #09VFD

@GlobalPatriot
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RT @AvenueZ: Virtual Food Drive Donor Spotlight: @BigManWalking http://bit.ly/93eJkC - Give where you live then register your pledge! #09VFD
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The Twitter King @BigManWalking helped get the Virtual Food Drive off the ground last year, and he’s back with another generous donation (50 pounds) for the Ladle Fellowship. His blog is always worth reading….

Thanks again, Charlie!

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Things I Learned (TIL) A Year Ago This Week

Last year at this time I was in the middle of a cleanse - Jordan Rubin's Perfect Weight America or Maker's Diet cleanse. I had good success and felt great and in the past year I've found out how you can put the weight back on!

In order to not get discouraged I think it's important to ask yourself what you've learned from your experiences over the past year. For me, I recognize that getting back to a healthy weight means both exercise and a more disciplined approach to what I put in my body.

Keeping things in perspective is very important, too. Last night with Reality Changers I was really moved by the true stories of their lives that the students shared. I have never had to live in a car even one night, let alone for years. I have never had someone pressuring me to join a gang over and over for years. I have never had to take over a house cleaning job while I went to school because my mom had a stroke. All these scenarios are realities that these Reality Changers students are overcoming.

I can overcome, too. Dropping some weight I can do once again. I've done it before and this time I can keep it off.

Keep walking!

Speaking And More Speaking

What a great night!

I arrived 40 minutes early to start teaching some Reality Changers how to be more comfortable with public speaking and the students in attendance dove right in or should I say, stood right up! Hopefully some or all will go on to the Lion's Club speaking contest in the New Year.

The Reality Changers speech contest night was the best I've ever seen. The seniors had some of the most moving and inspirational true stories to share of their trials and tribulations and triumphs. They have really overcome some huge hurdles to get to where they are and now colleges and universities are just around the next bend in the road for them.

Compared to what they are doing and have already done, exercise is snap!

Keep walking!

Waking Up At Old California Coffee House

During the last 6 months or so I have become a regular at The Old California Coffee House in San Marcos. I do something most days that you can do, too. I walk 1/4 mile in the parking lot while my coffee is being made. This morning it was a nippy 46 degrees. Even if your beverage doesn't take as long to make as my organic Bolivian, you should find that your coffee is still hot when you get done.

Remember, an extra 1/4 mile a day year round means losing approximately three pounds a year. Usually it takes less than 5 minutes! Not much, but that's 30 pounds over ten years or 60 pounds in 20 years! How many people have gained about three pounds a year since high school?

If you are in the area, I highly recommend visiting The Old California Coffee House. Ask for Noelle and tell them BigManWalking (or Charlie) sent you.

I have walked* 764.25 miles in 2009.

Keep walking!

Reality Changers At Ladle Fellowship

Yesterday I joined Reality Changers as they joined Solana Beach Presbyterian Church's youth on a trip to Ladle Fellowship at First Presbyterian Church in San Diego. I urge you to find a way to serve at Ladle Fellowship at least one time. If you can't serve at Ladle Fellowship, there is probably a group that feeds the homeless in your area. Don't wait like me. I realized that the last time I had been to Ladle Fellowship was probably 1989 - 20 years ago! Our son is now in college and that was before he was born. WOW!

Stew Montgomery led our group and drove the "party bus" down to First Pres. Thanks, Stew! Last Sunday I searched on Twitter for Ladle Fellowship. I thought I could visit as my wife was in the desert for her "Teacher's Away Mission"(nod to Stargate SG-1) with several women from work. I found HEADSPARKS* had tweeted about his impending trip to Ladle Fellowship and asked about it. He said that you had to ask in advance for permission to come so I figured I would do it in the near future. Last Wednesday night I was at Reality Changers and they were making plans to volunteer at two different events on the weekend. They said they were going to feed the homeless on Sunday and since my wife would be visiting family I decided to go if my schedule was open. It was and I did. I'm really glad I did, too.

I chose to serve as a line monitor. I like to talk to people and I definitely did some of that. I met a young man named Reiner who is part of Solana Beach Pres.'s youth group. He took the end of the line and I was at the front. The people we were helping were in line for clothing and stuff like sunscreen or shavers and the like. As he and I were talking briefly about musical styles we liked, I mentioned that although I only liked a little bit of country (like Johnny Cash), I had heard of what many consider to be the #1 country song of all time, "He Stopped Loving Her Today" by George Jones. One Saturday afternoon I was missing my dad, who was a country music fan, and flipped through the channels and found the end of the countdown on the country music channel. I listened to the words of this song for the very first time and realized that it was really moving. I can get choked up just by telling people about it. Because I actually listened to the lyrics I realized that this was about a guy who loved a woman for his entire life, even after they were divorced. The real grabber is that you realize that the reason the songwriter says that "he stopped loving her today" is because this is the day of his burial. Oh. My. My.

As I was relating this to Reiner a lady in a wheelchair started to tell me about how painfully aware she was of the meaning of the "he stopped loving her today". As we talked I found out that her name is Deborah and her husband James passed away a few months ago. She can no longer stay in the house where they lived (I assume they were renting) and now she's not only in a wheelchair, but she is homeless and a widow. She and I talked on and off while I kept an eye on the line. Because she was in a wheelchair, she couldn't fit in the line. Ladle Fellowship has come up with rules for all kinds of contingencies as they've been doing this since 1983. In the case of someone who can't sit in the chairs that constitute the line, they had me give a piece of paper with a number on it to the last person in line at the time that someone in a wheelchair showed up. There's a twin to that piece of paper with the same number on it that I give to the person who can't fit in the line. That way, everyone seems to understand that they are being treated fairly and the person in the wheelchair isn't perceived as cutting into line.

After Deborah reached the front of the line, she and a friend made their way to the food which was reaching the end of its line and there wasn't as much selection at that point, but at least they got some soup and bread. She said it was more important for her to get the clothing than the food on this particular day. When all the volunteers were cleaning up there came a point when Deborah and her friend were done eating and she waved goodbye. We had talked about more than I have shared here and I feel like I know just a little bit more about her than I do most of the people who came to get fed yesterday. I expect that I'll have mixed feelings if she's there again the next time I visit Ladle Fellowship. I suppose that's even more true if she's not there next time I go.

Of course, our line for clothing was just one thing going on yesterday. The main reason people come is for the food. You can click here or on the title of this post to visit Ladle Fellowship's website and find out more.

For those of you who pray, please pray for Deborah and all who served or were being served at Ladle Fellowship.

Keep walking!


He Stopped Loving Her Today Lyrics Search

"Ralph Rubio Is Coming!"

Tonight, as on most Wednesday nights, I go to Solana Beach for Reality Changers, where high school students are preparing to be the first generation in their family to get a college degree. We have a group lesson, share a meal, and then most adults are teamed with one or two students as their tutor/mentor right after we have a speaker. This is the night that Ralph Rubio, founder of Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill, is the guest speaker! Very Cool! Thanks, Ralph!

In addition, Sydney, manager of the Carlsbad Rubio's listed below, is providing free meals for 50 people! And, in the new year we'll have a Reality Changers night at her Rubio's that will benefit the Reality Changers program. I hope you'll join us and enjoy some yummy Rubio's food. I regularly enjoy the Fiesta Chicken Salad which is great even if you're doing a high protein/low carb regimen.

If you would like to serve as a tutor/mentor, check out the Reality Changers website. Click on the title of this post to see directions to Palomar Airport Road Rubio's (Gateway Road Rubio's).

CARLSBAD - Palomar Airport Road & El Fuerte
2675 Gateway Road
Carlsbad, CA 92010

Keep walking!

"Keep Walking On Your Mind"

Whether or not you schedule in time to walk, I strongly suggest that you give walking "space in your head" or what is called mindshare. Below are two definitions from Dictionary.com.

mindshare

the amount of attention required by something, the time spent thinking about something

mindshare

the development of consumer awareness about a specific product or brand in hopes that they will buy the product or brand

One strategy for giving walking mindshare is putting stuff related to walking in your head. One strategy for doing just that is videos. Here's a link to The Police video Walking On The Moon.

Today I weighed 271 lbs.


I have walked* 711 miles in 2009.


Keep walking!

"Walking Improves Your Bones"

Looks like a good time to get back to basics. I ran across this information at Tone Your Bones. Take a peek.

Also, I started a new blog about investing in people and getting a good return. Click on the title of this post to visit 550 Plus 50!

Keep walking!

"Time For A Quick Walk"

I put in a call to a friend earlier. Now it's time to walk with or without him. Even a little bit at a time adds up to real mileage. You can do it.

Keep walking!

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P.S. I was blown away how fast Doracy's loan on Kiva.org funded within the next week after I kicked in my 25 bucks. Check out the previous post by clicking here.

"Kiva.org Microloans Help!"

Can You Suggest Ways I Can Make Posts About Kiva.org Consistent With The BigManWalking Theme?"

I just had to get back on the blog, so...

Quick Update - I have walked 1 mile so far today.

Yesterday I weighed in at 270 lbs.

I started on high protein/low carb regimen.

Today I weighed 268 lbs.

I have walked* 633.75 miles in 2009.

Read about Kiva.org and how you or someone you know can help! You can view Doracy's profile by clicking below or on the title of this post:

Doracy - the person I helped today

Below is the email the website would send out. Let me know if you would like a reminder sent to you!

Keep walking!

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Hi!

I just made a loan to someone in United States using a revolutionary new website called Kiva (www.kiva.org).

You can go to Kiva's website and lend to someone across the globe who needs a loan for their business - like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks. Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent - and you get updates letting you know how the entrepreneur is going.

The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back - and Kiva's loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.

I just made a loan to an entrepreneur named Doracy in United States. They still need another $2,875.00 to complete their loan request of $4,325.00 (you can loan as little as $25.00!). Help me get this entrepreneur off the ground by clicking on the link below to make a loan to Doracy too:

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=142773

It's finally easy to actually do something about poverty - using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they're using it for. And most of all, I know that I'm helping them build a
sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.

Join me in changing the world - one loan at a time.

Thanks!

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What others are saying about www.Kiva.org:

'Revolutionising how donors and lenders in the US are connecting with small entrepreneurs in developing countries.'
-- BBC

'If you've got 25 bucks, a PC and a PayPal account, you've now got the wherewithal to be an international financier.'
-- CNN Money

'Smaller investors can make loans of as little as $25 to specific individual entrepreneurs through a service launched last fall by Kiva.org.'
-- The Wall Street Journal

'An inexpensive feel-good investment opportunity...All loaned funds go directly to the applicants, and most loans are repaid in full.'
-- Entrepreneur Magazine

Las Vegas

Marianne and I are in Las Vegas at a Starbucks on Tropicana Boulevard because the internet at Emerald Suites Cameron doesn't seem to be working. We got a deal throught Priceline.com and it's nice for $49 a night - just like a little apartment across from The Orleans. Someone told me that their 1-3 No Limit Holdem game in the afternoon is the toughest in the world. I won $99 while relaxing the other day. Who knew?

It remains to be seen whether or not I will play in the World Series of Poker Main Event even though I won a satellite tournament earlier in the week. (It's complicated and I expect that most would be bored by those details.) I have walked 8.5 miles since I've been here which is easy to do in the casinos and much less so out in the heat. I can't believe my wife and I are in Las Vegas for the 4th of July!

More details soon...

Keep walking!