Charity

I consider myself to be a relatively charitable person. In the past four years, I've lit the night, I've slung beers for kidneys, I've taken pride in America, I handed out gifts at a cancer gala, and relayed for life among others.

Anyway, despite all of my charitable activities, I've decided that it's time that I really start giving back to a metro area which has already taken so much. This is why I am proud to announce the:

KIMBERLY BICYCLE AWAY FOUNDATION FOR HOPE

That's right. For the past three years, one bicycle that was in my possession, bought by my hard earned money has been generously "donated" to a self serving individual in the DC metro area. As with the previous two years, once again, my own generosity surprised me, when I returned to my apartment to discover that the 2007 recipient had come to claim their bicycle and ride it off into the bowels of southeast, southwest, northeast, northwest, Virginia, or Maryland.

I'm sure that my bicycle went to a very deserving man/woman/child who needed a diamond back hybrid to ride/sell for crack money/dump/give as a gift understands that despite the initial resistance to losing my THIRD bicycle to this area, that deep down inside, I am a truly charitable person. I like to think that the subsequent screaming, crying, swearing, and overwhelming urge to kick a small puppy was only because I truly wanted them to know what sort of a sacrifice I was making for them to enjoy "my" bicycle.

And I'm sure that they didn't mind all my hysterical "don't buy this bike if you see it" postings on Craigslist were only in hopes that they would identify themselves to me, so that I could contact properly tell them how much I appreciated the fact that they didn't wait for me to give away the bike, but rather came and "claimed" it themselves, making my charity very efficient.

Anyway, I'm sure that some of you have seen this Washington Post article. It turns out that many of us out there operate these sort of "charities" with our generosity level varying from year to year. I'm thinking if we all band together in some way, we can really make a difference for the poor/privledged/down on their luck/random punks/crackheads in this area who have the moral flexibility to understand that things that don't belong to them, actually on some level, do belong to them, as evidenced by my charitable "givings" in 2005, 2006, and now, 2007.

Ps. If the 2007 recipient is reading this, can you at least write me a receipt to include as a charitable deduction in my taxes? Why don't you come right back to where you "picked up" the bike and I can truly express my feelings for you?

BEST It's That Time of Year Again EVER

It's that time of the year again… the weather is getting warmer, the sun is shining longer, and my clothes are soaked in beer and the scent of chili is wafting through the air. Well, not quite yet on those last two, but on May 12, 2007 that will be true.

That's right, the emails came today, inviting Em and I to take part in one of Best Summer Evah's favorite DC Events… the DC Chili Cookoff sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation. For the past three years, we've bravely volunteered during the morning shift beer truck, which involves collecting tickets in exchange for beer to the chili cookoff crowd.

As Em pointed out, working at the beer truck gives you an awesome sense of power… It is perhaps the most power I've ever experienced-- you have no idea how much command you have over a crowd of hundreds of sloppy drunks when you are serving beer. It can also get scary, especially when all five kegs kick at once and the happy drunken mood of the crowd takes a turn as they gather around the counter. A few years ago, when this happened, Em showed more cojones than the rest of the workers combined, who were cowering under the truck at the time, by organizing an impromptu talent show, diffusing the angry mob for the three longest minutes of my life while the kegs were being changed.

In addition to spending a warm spring morning in close proximity to a free flowing source of beer, the Chili Cookoff offers some of the best people watching the DC metro area has to offer. The 300 pound man in the "I beat Anorexia" shirt and the people wearing "you looked better on myspace" t-shirts are just a few of the delights that are amid this crowd.

Anyway, if you are interested in joining us here at Best Summer Evah at the truck (we need 12 - 16 willing and able volunteers), you can get the info here or just drop us a line*. Qualifications for the job include the ability to take tickets and place in a box or fill cup with beer. Improved hand eye coordination after beer consumption is a definite plus.

*Keep in mind, you don't have to necessarily from the DC metro area to participate in this event… Sheesh traveled from Buffalo, NY days after her 21st birthday to help out the National Kidney Foundation. From what she remembers, she had a really good time. Our couch will be available for you out of towners on a first come first serve basis.