More Joy 2009

[silensy]

And if that's true, then we need a new story, and if that's true, the most powerful thing you can do is reach across the divide and say, "You're not alone." And that's the story you continue to tell, until we all believe it...

...but what it means is something altogether more powerful, and it's that you continue to stand, and you continue to remember that you're not alone, and with reverence for this fact, you can't help but add to joy. Which is your entire job, from the day you're born until the day you die: more joy. Caring Is Creepy, but not as creepy as not caring, or only caring when somebody reminds you to do so.

-- Idol Gives Back

The real concept of More Joy is that you pick a day, do something selfless, something caring for someone else. You draw them a picture, write them a fic, give them a compliment and spread joy.

This isn't that.

I've coopted the name for something entirely different. I hope there's joy in this, but I'm not trying to do something nice. I'm just trying to give a small reward for a job well done. Here's how it works:

I know some of you are trying to kick a habit or build a habit. I want to help. If you're trying to save, I'll kick in $5 every week you do the same or more. If you're trying to quit, $5 for each week you hold on. If you're trying to lose weight, if you're trying to hit the gym, whatever it is that you have a weekly goal set for, $5 when you make it. You don't have to prove it, just tell me and it's yours.

Weeks end on Friday and start on Saturday. When you join the project, you get a number. Since comments are screened and the project is anonymous, the number is going to serve as my way of tracking you. I want to add in quarterly updates with totals earned and stuff which is why we're not doing the 100% anonymous version of last year. Only I and you will know which number you are.

Starting NEXT Friday (the 16th), each week I will post a reminder at or around 5 pm Pacific. Tag into each post and give me a yay or nay. You have five weeks to tell me if you made your goal or not, then I just assume it's a no--I figure if you haven't told me after five weeks, you probably don't remember anyway. At the end of a year, you'll get whatever you've banked sent to you (unless you want it sooner).

Ready? Comment in with your goal to join. These comments aren't screened but the rest of the project will be. Questions? Check out the FAQ that I totally made up.

EDIT: Okay, I'm going to cap this at 15 people (so, two more.) I think about $3900 is the most I can risk without robbing banks.

FAQ

Really?

Yes, really.

How much can you get for perfect attendance?

Whatever 5*52 is. Do I look like a math major? (It's $260)

Did anyone get that last year?

No, but a couple people got damn close.

Okay but there's a limit to how much you're giving away, right?

Yeah, whatever 5*52*however many people sign up is. Last year's total was $835. There's probably a limit to how many people I can manage but, eh, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

What's with the weird quote at the top?

That's what inspired the original More Joy project. Jacob, who recaps at TWOP, wrote that during the first Idol Gives Back. It's up there because I like it.

Comments

[silensy]

Um, I suppose it should be to take advantage of my Wii Fit and step away from the computer long enough to use it.