CIS and Vagina Monologues

Well, it's my last holiday day off from work (yes, I get an obscene amount of holiday days - makes up for the crap paychecks), and I expect my posts to get pretty sporadic again. I used to have time to write posts during my lunch break at work, but lately things are so crazy there I can't seem to fathom the energy to do anything other than the mountains of work needing to be done.

Today is a lazy day... I considered going shopping, but I think it can wait until next weekend. I did a yoga workout video this morning, and now I'm trying to finish up Season 5 of Lost while doing laundry and dishes.

Tonight, though, I have my first training class to become a Crisis Intervention Service (CIS) volunteer. I'm pretty excited, because this is something I've wanted to do for a while, but I'm pretty nervous, too - the actual volunteering may be pretty far out of my comfort zone. As many of you know, I have a strong dislike for the general public. I blame it on working 1 1/2 years at Dairy Queen and 3 months at Walmart. I am still a good people person, but more with people like coworkers and clients - not masses of strange people. I'm not quite sure what to expect from my training and volunteering, but I think the contact with people at the shelter and others I may potentially help will be trying - but very good - for me. I am pretty proud of myself already for just signing up for classes - I am normally adverse to things that I am afraid I won't be good at, or will put me in uncomfortable situations. But I know this will make me a better person, and I should do it now, before kiddos and other obligations may get in the way.

I also think this is a good first step on my way to a goal I forgot about in my New Year's list - North Iowa Vagina Monologues 2012. I need to get cracking on my planning - I need to take this next year to build up contacts and partnerships to make sure the show can even happen, and that it will be successful.

List of organizations to contact:

• PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) North Iowa Chapter
• Crisis Intervention Service
• NIACC Student Services
• NIACC Student Senate
• Community Theater?

If you have any ideas on other types of organizations to contact, let me know. Other than getting all the details and cast of the show organized, I feel like I need community support to make it a success. I anticipate some conservative opposition, as there usually is to this type of production, so I want strong partners in the community to help support it. This next year will be a big challenge!