May 17 – Update heading into the long weekend

First of all, it’s Memorial Cup opening weekend, and I’ve got tickets for the whole tournament. Go Giants!

June 15 can’t come fast enough. People are now just walking up to me and taking my photo.

It’s like it didn’t take only 18 months to get to this point; it could very well be this length again by Christmas 2008. Oh sure, I’ll be living in a van down by the river, after my currently-still-understanding wife throws me out, but at least I'll be free to tour with Whitesnake.

At the end of two full weeks of fundraising, I have to say I’m blessed with generous friends, co-workers, Brothers and acquaintances. All told, with 29 days to go, the grand total raised now sits at…$3886.67.

I must give due credit to the brothers of Phi Gamma Delta. Although the balance between QG and pride is a fine one, without the generous support of lifelong friends such as these the enhanced goal would not have been within such easy reach. Granted, many of the brothers who have donated so far have witnessed some of the worst hair any person dared call a style; but their singular desire to help the cause makes the sacrifice of my hair seem rather redundant. In that, as in all things, I am proud to be a FIJI.

What’s become clear to me is that I have tapped into something bigger than simply being one clown looking to fancy up a balding. I have been flooded with emotional responses to my request for support. People are pledging in honour of friends, co-workers and loved ones. Have you ever read the obits in the paper, and wondered to yourself about whether people take seriously the requests to “in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to…”? I am quickly learning that they are, and they do.

It’s to the point where, beyond all expectations, I might have to raise the goal again. Perhaps I underestimated the appeal of the cause or the altruistic nature of the people I was contacting, but as $2000 became $5000, the speed and charity of responses has started me wondering whether I should take the next step to $7500 or $10000. I don’t want to get ahead of myself; but, as the same time, I don’t want to run out of gas with so much time to go. Some people will neglect to give if they believe the goal has been reached and doesn’t need to be exceeded.

With the batch of emails sent on Tuesday night / Wednesday morning, I have completed the first wave of email solicitations. Sometime after the long weekend, the first series of reminder emails will be sent, updating people on the success of the drive so far, and repeating the message that there is still time to share the love. Based on how much is raised by the weekend, I will determine whether the bar has to be raised again.

For those of you who gave given so far, again – a hearty thank you.

For those of you using my drive to honour someone close to you, well – you honour me.

For those of you coasting, what’s up? Bald not good enough for you?

For those of you who can’t decide, choose one of the following: Do I look more like a member of

- left: Ratt
- right: Warrant









At least I discovered a career beyond the 1980s.