I posted this entry on my profile at the www.29gifts.org website. If you wanna friend me or join me on what will prove to be an incredible journey (UPDATE: I will be starting on Round 2 on March 1, 2012,) please check it out at: www.29gifts.org/profile/davidkav ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Today was a day off from the hotel. Today was a day off from everything for that matter. However, some could argue that I had two days bleed together since I only got two hours of sleep the night/day before. I guess you could say that my anxiety for the FAWM challenge bled through during my attempt to fall asleep when Beth Ann and I went to bed at 4:00AM. As I made my initial attempt to fall asleep, the Smallest things would keep me awake or just abruptly wake me up. I would get an itch, the rain against the window pane would get really loud, the door crept open from the relative wind (we had the windows cracked a bit,) and so on. Around 4:40AM, I rolled over very cautiously making sure that Beth Ann wouldn't wake up. I turned on the light at the lowest notch. I tried reading a chapter from the book that I'm currently reading: "Shattered Innocence," by Robert Scott (the story of Jaycee Lee Dugard.) Even in the beginning stages of reading said novel, it's already disturbing. So, could be the book that kept me up. It could've also been the voice in my head saying, "song song song song song song..." "Ok. OK. I'll get up and write another one," I surrendered. I wrote it, recorded it, I listened to it on my iPhone via my website to hear how it would sound. I was pleased with it. I had listened to another idea for my Final Song. Yes - even though the FAWM website called me a "winner," I wanted an "insurance" song since the challenge for FAWM 2012 was 14.5 songs in 29 days. If you round up 14.5 = 15. (Yes, I know. I don't make things easy.) I wanted to "sleep on" the final song idea. Besides, I had my doctor's appointment at 10AM. I wanted, at the very least, a couple of hours of sleep before I reset myself for the next day. Getting up at 8:30AM was brutal. However, I did get a bowl of cereal, a vitamin and a cup of coffee together before rolling out the door for the doctor's office this morning. I got off of the train at 9:30AM. PLENTY of time to spare. Also, after two or three cups of coffee, it's no surprise as to how I might need another boost of caffeine to get me through the next two hours. With that stated, I had the perfect opportunity to give my Final Gift for my 29-Day Giving Cycle AND get a "pick-me-up" in one fell swoop. I stopped into a Starbucks. I ordered a Doubleshot out of the can (Espresso & Cream mix.) I wanted something a bit different than the hot coffee that I already had. Not to mention that the weather today was MUCH warmer than I had anticipated. I was completely overdressed with my scarf, hat and gloves. Plenty of balmy sunshine. It had to be at Least 50 degrees Fahrenheit. So, a cold drink sounded much better. When I first arrived at the store, I was behind only one person. However, the woman in front of me seemed to have a Medium-sized order. There was only one cash register open even though there was four people behind the counter. By the time her order was done, there were at least three people behind me. I have to admit that I was a bit self-conscious. I didn't want to announce to everyone as to what I was about to do. However, my sleep deprivation also deprived me a bit of my nervousness. "Whatever," I told myself. "I'm giving this gift NOW to insure I don't pass out later and forget." 30 seconds after making this decision, I stepped up to the counter. "Hello," the cashier said. "Hey there. How are you today?" "I'm good. Just that?" She points to my Doubleshot drink. "Yes. I'm not sure if this Starbucks gift card will work. It didn't seem to do so at one store. Can you try it, please?" "Sure," she stated. After the swipe: "It worked. You still have $7.51 left on the card." "Ok. Great. Thanks. Also," I lean in a bit over the counter to whisper the next sentence. I have $5 in singles in my hand. I hand them to the cashier saying, "also, I'd like you to take this and apply it to the next order. Don't care who. Just make it random. Someone's cup of coffee or order is on me today, ok?" "Ok. Great. Thanks." "Thank you. Have a good day." "You too. Want your receipt with the remaining balance?" "Yes, please." I take the receipt and drop a single dollar bill in the tip jar. Gift is done. Cycle is done. Out of sight, out of mind. I go to my doctor's appointment. Another breakthrough session when I least expected it. I know, I know. With sleep deprivation, it could be argued that being tired is equivalent to being drunk AND inhibitions are gone. Therefore, maybe the deprivation opened me up. Maybe it did. Maybe it did. Regardless, I REALLY needed today's session and I am happy and grateful for where I am right now. I come home to wake Beth Ann up. This is good since she had to do some homework before her class this afternoon at 3:30pm. So, I took that opportunity to write my Morning/Afternoon Pages. After I complete my writing session and she finishes her homework, we have lunch and watch an episode of "Switched At Birth" - our new addiction. We only have a few left before we're caught up with the newest episode. After that, Beth Ann gets ready. I walk her to the train station and she's off for class. I am thoroughly exhausted. However, I REALLY want to get that Final song in. I had the riff, the melody, the first verse in my head. I had to get the guitar and the vocals down just right. I swear to you - just as soon as I do the Final Mix of the song, Beth Ann calls. "Hi!" "Hi. How are you?" "Good. I'm on the train." "Well, good. How was class?" "It was good." "Good. Well, I Just got done recording my song. So, I should be set when you get home." "Ok. Well, it'll be a while." "Ok. Be safe." In her cute voice: "OkBYE!" "Bye. Love you!" I put the recording mic and the computer away. Just before Beth Ann walks through the door, I make an important phone call. Because of my blog post yesterday (which I am TRULY grateful for your love, light, thoughts and prayers, by the way,) I got a more-than-generous offer from a 29-Day Member to give me a ride to and from Val's wake tomorrow. If that person is cool with it, I'll reveal who it is tomorrow. Just want to "play it safe" in this blog at present. We talk and make arrangements for tomorrow. I thank that person profusely. Beth Ann orders pizza for the evening from Domino's (cheap coupons.) I thank her for the gift of dinner this evening. We end the night by watching 3 back-to-back episodes of SAB. Only 2 to go at this point. Afterwards, Beth Ann takes her meds, I clean up from dinner and now I write this blog. I'll close with saying: I am Very Blessed and honored to be starting Round 2 of the 29-Day Giving Challenge with a member of this group tomorrow. I feel like I'm giving an Academy Award Speech with the final paragraph of the Final Day/Final Entry of Round 1 in my journey. But, with this being my "Graduation Day," I must say this from the bottom of my heart: It has truly been a privilege and an honor to have had the opportunity to take this journey with you all. Thank you thank you thank you for your never ending love, your never ending support, guidance, patience. With the last word, I have made a promise to you and to myself (with the exception of tomorrow's blog since I'm SURE tomorrow's will be a long one as well:) For Round 2, my blogs are going to be much, much, MUCH less verbose. Some members have voiced to me that they get tired while reading my novellas. I'm here to tell you, they Can be tiring to write as well. C'mon - I have to prepare for my book too, right? (The funny thing is - I'd be lying to you if I told you I DIDN'T have book-writing in mind while writing my "War & Peace" novels every night.) So, there. Guilty. ;) Notwithstanding (again,) thank you thank you thank you God, the Universe, Beth Ann, all of my friends at this site (to include Cami [which touches me dearly....again, I feel the need to include Cami in our prayers along with Beth Ann AND the victims of the Ohio shooting at this time.]) Thank you EVERYONE for sharing this journey with me. Until the next round, Peace, love, music, laughter, light, charity, art, David Kav