I made another dollar origami! I did not make another elephant...

I made another dollar origami! I did not make another elephant because it’s not a lucky dollar, I EARNED THIS DOLLAR BY THE SWEAT OF MY BROW when I accidentally busked in the subway today.

I took my ukulele out with me today because I wanted to get a case for it, and I didn’t end up with a case, but I did discover that a ukulele, even if it’s just the fretboard and knobs sticking out of your pack, is an invitation to conversation with ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE. 

So I went fruitlessly shopping for a case and talked to some people, then I got lunch and talked to some people, then I went to the movies (I was seeing The Untouchables at the Arclight; 100% worth the $14 to see it on the big screen) and then I got on the train to come home.

I swung my bag around to rest it on my lap, and the girl sitting across from me, who was probably around ten? got these BIG HUGE EYES and elbowed her (probably) brother next to her, who was about six, and he said, IS THAT A UKULELE?

And I said, “Sure, want to see?” and took it out and added, “It’s new so I can’t play much yet.” Undeterred, this kid, and also his sister, and also their two probably siblings started clamoring for a song and their probably mother, definitely the person who had been putting up with them all day, looked REALLY TIRED so I said, sure, okay, I can play ONE SONG.

Which is true. There is one song I can play competently in front of other humans, more or less, and it is “Rolling Home” by John Tams, because it only has three chords. So I played Rolling Home, just the first two verses, and then after the second chorus I busted out my SECRET WEAPON: I know how to play the chorus to Never Gonna Give You Up. For reasons which should be obvious. 

Rickrolling is such a universal meme at this point that as soon as I started in on the chorus the kids started CACKLING which is good because I don’t really know how to end it and this way they didn’t notice. 

After the rickroll I went to put my ukulele away, because I really can’t play anything else without the tabs at least in front of me, and as I opened my bag the truly tolerant old dude next to me stuffed a dollar into it. And I said, oh no, I’m not busking, the kids just wanted a song, and he was all, but you played some nice music, take a dollar, LEARN YOU SOME CHICAGO BLUES OK. 

So I earned a dollar illegally busking and also now I have to learn me some Chicago Blues on the ukulele. My patron commands it. 

My life. *hapless handwave* 

from Tumblr http://ift.tt/2jnh9C5
via IFTTT

(no subject)

Good morning everyone, and welcome to Radio Free Monday!

Ways to Give:

nivcharayahel is the only supporter for herself and her sister, who is recovering from a serious, years-long illness and trying to re-enter the workforce. Nivcharayahel is currently working but won't get her first check until mid-February, so they need help with February rent and a few weeks of groceries and supplies. You can read more and help out here.

Anon linked to a fundraiser for Penn, a father of two girls who is currently living with his partners in a healthy poly relationship. His ex-wife believes his home is unfit for split custody because of his poly relationship, and the legal fees to battle her suit for custody are mounting. You can read more and help out here.

possibleweasley has had some medical bills take her by surprise, and she's traveling home after living for nine years in Japan. Her cat's travel costs are much more than expected, and she needs some help to cover them; she's had him for seven years and he was abandoned when she took him in, so she doesn't want to leave him behind again. You can read more and support Okoge's trip home here.

dreamwaffles's job ended and she's trying to make ends meet until she can land another one. She has a donation page up here but is also selling beaded jewelery through Etsy; you can check out Saxifrage Designs and make a purchase here.

rilee16 is still struggling to cover medical expenses after two head injuries last year, and hasn't been cleared to return to work, thus can't earn money to cover basic living costs, let alone the bills they've received, including a recent rent increase. They literally have no money left until their next worker's comp check comes, which means no gas money for their car, so they can't get anywhere to do odd jobs for bill money. You can read more and help out here.


Buy Stuff, Help Out:

frith linked to a sale of My Little Pony fanart calendars produced by the Brony Thankyou Fund Charity; proceeds will go to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. Frith is also interested to see if any other fannish fundraiser entities produce calendars -- you can PM Frith on Dreamwidth to get in touch if you do!


Help For Free:

Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary, possibly the best thing on any social media platform ever, is in the running for the Shorty Awards and needs your vote! You can vote daily now through February 16th. Go here to vote; there's also a rebloggable tumblr post here. Do it for Sharky.


Activism and Resources:

tealin has a list posted of low-cost US healthcare resources, largely independent of government funding, for those who may lose their health insurance in the near future. The Dreamwidth version is here or there is a rebloggable Tumblr version here..

time-traveling-dragon also has a great post up about low-cost medication, including a lot of information about how to apply for it and how to bypass the hurdles involved in getting subsidy or low-cost medication if you lose your health coverage. The rebloggable Tumblr version is here.

And this has been Radio Free Monday! Thank you for your time. You can post items for my attention at the Radio Free Monday submissions form. If you're not sure how to proceed, here is a little more about what I do and how you can help (or ask for help!). If you're new to fundraising, you may want to check out my guide to fundraising here.