February 06, 2005

Another day another entry

Article still isn't done... God this stuff takes a long time to do. Well it has to be done by Wednesday and emailed to the editor. And so it shall.

I had a dream about my old boss the other day. I was a great dream, I so rarely remember them. I was inspired to give her a call and check in. Felt good to visit by telephone with her. She appreciated the call and felt that my dream was a omen. Hopefully a good omen for her.

I am grateful to her for turning me on to this new life. A life that for so many years was lurking in the background (working as an insurance broker for alot of non-profits in DC). It was the chance I needed to start over, sort of... and this ultimately led to the change in my marital life as well. Perhaps a change that had been waiting a long time as well.

But there comes a time when the student leave the teacher and find their own way. That graduation came with the move to ED of ASAA.

In some respects I was prepared... I had run an office before, sort of. I understood customer service (managing a bunch of clients) And I had learned fundraising or at least I have a good sense of what it is all about... though at point I have not gotten to the grant writing (too much other stuff to do, at the moment anyway).

So far, so good... there is money in the bank, there is a steady flow of new members. Still need to figure out what is the average rate of attrition in a membership organization. I am excited about going to the office each day and look forward to the challenge (like writing this damn article).

Time to hit the rack... and hopefully get up early and bang away at this article, before the sun gets too high. Later

February 04, 2005

First post, what am I doing?

To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: there's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life;


Writing for me has always been a challenge. It is not that I have nothing to say, I have lots to say. It is just that I have a hard time putting the words on paper, organizing my thoughts.

I am in the process of writing an article for a trade journal, the first of what is likely (I hope) to be many and I thought to include the passage from Hamlet's soliloquy ... "To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub...."

Not remembering the context of the quote, I googled it and came up 125,000 entries including a blogger post from someone who had recently a sleep study done. I am a procrastinator of the first magnitude, so instead of finishing the writing, I have created a web log.

I am the exexutive director of the American Sleep Apnea Association. The Association is dedicated to reducing injury, death and disability from sleep apnea and enhancing the well-being of those with this common disorder.

My background is fundraising which is part of the reason I was hired. As I have gotten into the job I have figured out that another reason I was hired was they could not find anyone else to do it for what they were willing to pay.

The work is challenging... too much to do and never enough time to do it (especially if you add my tendency to procrastinate). But I am thoroughly enjoying what I do. I am up for the challenge and I am pleased what I have accomplished so far.

I need to get breakfast and get back to work on this article. I will be back ....