Day 2 ---- Evening Update

What a wonderful and busy day it has been, and beautiful, too. The sun and warmth came back after thunderstorms cooled us down a bit ;-).

Today began with Live Chat out the gate, and that was followed by calls to a lead, and followed by calls to folks I met yesterday. Also had a new member in another sponsor mall and so called and gave a welcome VM.

My first lead was a great interview for the Miracle Team . . .

I followed up with my other contacts.

I called my Mom and checked in with her. She got my email, listened to Ginny and wasn't able to go further. I asked her to think about who she knows, and she asked me a bit more about the certificates and what it costs to be a member.

I called my brother and spoke with him for quite awhile. He's looked at programs I've done before, and so, he's willing to support, but he's also pretty skeptical and wary ;-). We talked about the video. He watched it. I asked if he knew of anyone that could benefit from our Together We Can Change The World Stimulus plan, and he said, "Well. I'm not sure. It sounds just a little bit too good to be true." I asked him what point? So we worked through details of certificate program vs. the payment plan and rebates for shopping. I was appreciative he watched the video, and told him how important those certificates are to us having been on a very limited income for many, many months now. Having an extra $25 (or $50) back into our pocket a month is powerful . . . Our conversation turned to the struggling California economy, IOUs and how secure he and his wife's jobs might be, future planning, and wondering what may happen. We talked about REI and it being on the mall, and about the three affiliate networks, bicycling, exercise, and how his video game that he was playing may just be something he could get on the mall and family. And, yes. It was a bit of a mish-mash! I don't know that he'll look further, but he has a better understanding about what are involved with and how we are sharing it with others.

I sent an e-card welcome to our new member (non-Miracle Team Boot Camp) and the follow-up email to our interview earlier with the lead from Miracle Team.

When the time came and tasks completed, we hopped on our bikes and headed to the library.
We locked up our bikes and went into the library. I scanned the scene for folks to talk with and all folks were either absorbed in their books or a parent was quietly reading to their child. I got the feeling it wasn't the place . . .

So we wandered the few aisles and since I told Big Z Harry Potter's book 7 was out in paper back today, he had HP on his brain. We looked for fiction and the row and found a young woman in the aisle. We passed her and she looked up curiously. She had a book in her hand and a stack of books to the side, so I asked her, "What is your favorite book to read these days? It's been a long while since I've read these books." She shrugged and so I asked if the books set to the side were hers. They were. I asked permission to look at the titles and she was okay with it.

As I engaged her, she wasn't so engaged. She kept to her book and so we left her go.

We hopped on our bikes after finding a mom and daughter in the middle of the lawn reading, all too cozy like for interruption, and I just wasn't comfortable going to ask the few other people that were on the side-walks. Well, we tried to strike up a conversation with a woman walking her two dogs, but she wasn't about to stop. Another Mom was there, but she was enthralled with her toddler. And the other fellow was a homeless guy that was lacing up his shoes after putting on his socks.

We hustled back home so I could listen to the evening Miracle Team BC call, and made it back even after Big Z had his chain come off on his bike. I was glad to hear the stories . . .

After the call, I went to hug Big Z and see how Harry Potter was coming. He read the whole call. And, I wanted him to know we'd be headed out.

Camper Lisa called and so we made plans for me to go pick her up and head to the sun to meet and greet folks down on the water.

We met quite a few people, but it wasn't all that easy to get our contacts ;-). The info we got didn't always include the required phone, email and name . . . but we practiced our art of getting the word out about TWCCTW and the Economic Stimulus Package, etc.

When we got to the square near the book store to use the restroom first, we noticed the Pink Flamingos were all over the green. We talked about them and I tried to remember what I'd heard about them --- they move to other people's homes; they were once stolen; women get together . . . but that was it. We made our decision to go and talk to them, but alas, they were picking up the flamingos into bags and boxes were being carried off the green.

We got to them just in enough time to get clarification on those Pink Flamingos and why they move about town. They'd just written a book of stories about people's experiences with the Flamingos over the years and were there promoting their book, with 100% of the profits donated to raising money, raising awareness, raising hope for the fight against cancer. Wow! I said, "You're just the kind of people we like to meet!" and began to tell them about who we were and about Together We Could Change The World. We got the business card for one woman; the other said she's on vacation all summer and not checking her email. They said their website had been up; it had been down, but they thought it was back up. Yes, okay to call. I thought the card had all the info, so I gave them our card and found out later it didn't --- no email address after all, and wasn't able to locate web address. What I did find was a link in the local paper:

I've been working so much with leads and the Miracle Team (pre-Boot Camp), I'd not paid attention to our local Relay 4 Life event ---http://www.bellinghamherald.com/255/story/983101.html.

We thanked the women as they carried their books away and I said I'd call in a day or so.

{Update, found the web address on the back of my card--I wrote it down. Checked it out and it's parked at GoDaddy.com --- so site isn't up and running yet after all.}

We hit the trail and met our first set of people walking. They looked at us a bit quizzically, but I made a joke about it and it ended up a wonderful conversation ensued. We helped each other along and Lisa got the contact info for a referral.

We met another group of smiling college kids with a take-out box, so we asked them where they'd eaten and was the restaurant tasty? They replied with smiles and they were feeling good. We asked if they got paid to eat there and they replied, "No." We said we found a program where they can get paid to eat out and wondered if they'd like to know how they could get money back. Some of their joy left their faces and they said, "No." So we wished them well.

We saw two nicely dressed men out walking 3 rottweilers, so we talked to them. After we talked about their dogs a bit, we said our friend and CEO of our company has a rott/black lab mix and they agreed, he must be handsome (he is). And, speaking of Ginny, we asked if they would mind if we asked them a question. They didn't mind.

So, it went something like this, " We are with a company called Together We Can Change The World. We're are on a mission to help those in our community with our new economic stimulus program that will help a person save $6oo over the course of a year based upon the shopping they do everyday, on groceries and gasoline. Our larger vision is help fund charitable organizations around the globe through the power of everyday shopping. You seem like the kind of folks that have nice personalities. Do you know of anyone who may benefit from a program like this?"

James said, "No, not off the top of my head" and Jay said, "Maybe Tim".

So I asked James, "Would you mind if I got your contact information, sent you to our website and you watched the video, so that I can call you and see if you thought of anyone else after seeing more information about our company?" He said that would be okay, did I have a card? I said I did and showed him our laminated copy of the Combo Certificate.

We attempted to meet more people and talk with them, and succeeded, but no openings for more. We decided to head back and try a market. Our return yielded a great chance meeting with a woman who had a 4 1/2 month old puppy, an Italian Spinone. Hmm. Never seen one of those! A great story that Lisa can share.

We were off to the market after this and found a father and his son to the side of a parking lot and Dad had his arm in a cast . . . We'd been joking about having a CaSh Cow "shout-out" and this was our chance. We rolled the window down and as we drove by, we asked, "What happened to your arm?" Hmm. A bike wreck on Galbraith left him with 2 surgeries later and a plate in his arm for a few months . . . hmmmm. Not good. Our conversation lasted, and we were wasting fuel, so we asked if he and his son minded if we parked and turned off the car and came back to visit. He said it was okay and had said he loved my car (old Volvo wagon) and joked about the sedan he'd just brought back from the big city for his teen-age daughter who we later learned was away at camp.

We touched upon Volvo, local repair shops, maintenance, trips and close calls, and such. They were awaiting burgers to be cooked and so we kept visiting.

Eventually, as the conversation turned to the Volvo and why he chose it, the idea of "insurance" came up--- safety, reputation, low repair costs, good mileage. So, I asked him, "Since you seem to have bought that Volvo for your daughter as a kind of insurance plan, what kind of insurance plan do you have in place for your daughter and your son for college?"

He looked a big chagrined and didn't really have an answer. So I began to tell him about TWCCTW and what we were doing, how a group in WI had a young woman of 14 years who was wildly growing her college fund; that she was helping other kids her age do the same, with parental assistance along the way; and that's what we're doing for Big Z's college savings as well as to help set him up so that by the time he's my age, he won't have to wonder about struggling to survive. I spoke about our certificates and our larger mission, and asked if he knew anyone who may be able to benefit from our program.

Along the way, we somehow got onto an example of using the certificates for gasoline for his daughter's new car ;-), and how he could get additional rebates on other items such as shoes, clothes, and groceries for his children. He looked at his son and said, "Nah, we don't buy any of that." lol

So I asked if I could get his contact information and Big Z had been standing by with his notepad. We'd talked so long Big Z put it back in his pocket, and when it came time, I asked if Z if he would be so kind as to take David's information down for us. It was lovely to watch Big Z take his name, email address complete with a perfect @ symbol and phone. David was patient, and during this time, we learned he is a podiatrist with a medical facility, and of course, right now, with his hand all broken up, he isn't able to do his work.

I finally asked, "How long for these folks to make those burgers, anyhow?" and he sent his son to fetch the order. I'd never eaten there, and so didn't have a clue, but it sure felt like a good long while ;-).

I thanked David for his time and said we're always looking for someone who can benefit from our program, and that includes local charities, so we'd appreciate anyone he can refer to us.

I shook hands with the young man, and thanked them both for their good visit and time tonight. Told the young man to enjoy his sister's car before she returns, and shook Dad's hand and said we'd call.

Off we went, then, into the market in search of . . .

Not too much happening, or folks were on their cell phones . . . so we though to buy a nibble and at least have a "reason" for being there. We finally ditched the idea in favor of heading to a larger shopping store.

We did, struck up a short conversation with a young man on the bench inside the store. He was tired and easy to talk to but surely didn't want to know how to get paid for buying is favorite ice cream wheels.

Next, caught a young college graduate working in produce. We had a famous good conversation about his field of study, economy and how that may lead him into needing to gain a Master's Degree which would take him out of town, which led to the mind and cells and a great book called, Infinite Mind by Valerie Hunt, etc. In the end, as his boxes were emptied, we lingered a little longer on the mind, quantum physics, my healing work, etc. but it just felt like it wasn't the time to ask him to stay longer to get the question out to him. He then said, "I'd better get back to work" and I agreed we should let him go, but we wished him well and thanked him.

Off to the snack to "pretend" we were really after food, a reason to have a basket in our hands ;-). We found our snack of Ya-Ya's popcorn (it wasn't very good at all . . . I'm spoiled by my own popcorn with the famous Nutiva Extra Virgin Coconut Oil and sea salt on top that I can buy from Vita-Cost on our mall). We then trekked to see who else we could talk to.

We were all feeling a bit tired by now and Big Z accidentally pushed me into the coolers. Lisa helped straighten us up and as I turned, I saw a young and fit man coming towards us who seemed to have a much bigger bounce in his step. So, I said, "You sure look a lot more alert than we feel." And he smiled, said he was pretty tired after working, but was getting some shopping done. As he said this, he pulled his cart to the side, slowed it and leaned to have a conversation.

We visited about his life, that he's a Texan in our town (like how many Miracle Team Boot Campers do we have from Texas!), and had a really pleasant visit. Lisa will tell you more, but he was really easy to talk with, open, friendly, and willing to share, for the most part. He's hoping to get on the police department and wants to keep his contact information safe just in case. But, he was very interested in our company and seemed genuinely interested in checking it out.

By now, we knew we had to get back. We'd already passed our deadline of 9PM PT for our reports, having heard Jacki's voice in our heads: "You do not stop until you get your 5!" But by now, it was after 10 and we were all very tired. So we headed for check-out.

We picked our line, and attempted a meet-up with the woman in front of us. She was cold as a cold fish, so we scouted out and decided to go to the self-serve lines where everyone was congregated to get out of the store (go figure--- stand in line to serve yourself). So we stood there with them, too, and figured we'd have more chance for a conversation. And, we did.

We happened upon, or rather, he happened upon us, a young man with his basket and we joked about everyone being in the hot self-serve check out line. We learned he drove for UPS, hasn't been laid off yet, but he knew my driver, who was cut back on his hours a great deal, and he said he always uses the self-check out. We asked him why as we moved forward and he said it was easy. I started our transaction and said I'm not a good multi-tasker, so Lisa took over and shared the certificate and got his contact info. Big Z and I moved away as the overseer of the shoppers' progress monitored and it seemed like he didn't want anyone pretending they were going to confiscate products before they were paid for. As Lisa rejoined us, I thanked the man and waved to him but he didn't acknowledge it and we left.

Got to the car, called Carlos and came back to my pad to enter our info into our reports, a wee bit after 11.

It's now after 2 a.m. and Big Z fell into bed less than 30 minutes ago after more reading and a snack. We are wiped out . . .

But we are looking forward to another day tomorrow, making follow-up calls and sending an email to our podiatrist Dad and catching up with our folks we shared with yesterday.

Already I feel the crunch of keeping up with leads from Miracle Team . . . we will succeed.

Lisa and I agree, we did good tag-teaming and we shared the conversations and contact info between each other. We did a good job of promoting our local mission of helping people in these tough economic times and funding charities along the way. We didn't do so good with complete contact information. And, we saw that meeting people along the trail while they were actively walking was easy with some; not so easy with others. We will try a more populated part of the beach tomorrow. Working together was easier; Z was a champ; and we also realized we are both people who wish to establish a connection with people and have a real conversation with them, not just be trying to get their contact information, even if we are bearing a gift.

We also had a moment to meet a fellow as we left the first market as he stopped and waited for us to go out the door first. I hesitated and thanked him very much. Lisa said something to him after my comment and then the man followed us out. He said, "Why did you say that?"

We said that we always say thank you when someone is kind like he just was. He was taken off guard and seemed to well up saying in so many words, "Wow. You saw me. Most people walk over me. They don't see me." We shook his hand, gave him our name, and then wished him a good night.

Big Z asked as we got to the car why we didn't get his contact info. I explained to him that we had a very nice interaction with the man, however, I got the impression he was not only down on his luck, but that he had addiction issues, and that I didn't want to bring that into our lives. I said that we are not able to help him with that right now and so sometimes it's okay just to know that we touched his life just then and helped him feel seen. I added that with this feeling, he likely didn't have the resources to be the best business partner for us at this time, too. Lisa agreed with my assessment of his challenges. I also told Big Z that those he has a speech challenge, that I didn't think that was from drugs or alcohol, but perhaps from some other development issue.

The great thing about what we are doing is that we get to choose. We choose who we work with, even as we are getting our 5 --- not everyone is a match, for us, for our company, for the Together We Can Change The World Heart. And that is okay. But we can still be human to the best of our ability; and we must remember that not everyone wants to be helped; and that we are not desperate. We are looking for who My Power Mall and Together We Can Change The World is FOR, those who looking and those who "see" that what we are offering, right from the start, is something powerful for them, or for an organization they know of.