One of the most difficult things about volunteering for a task is that you can never really gauge how easy or how difficult it will be!
As a former journalist, I thought putting together a newsletter wouldn’t
be a problem: after all, I type quickly, am fairly organised and had planned
on being an active member of the winter working group so how hard could it be?
I set the deadline for contributions for
the winter solstice when the teaching course I was on allowed plenty of spare
time.
Solstice came and went and I had received very few contributions. So I extended
the deadline for Imbolc. In the meantime, my computer at home packed up and
I had to work between the computers at home and the computers at my university.
I’d painstakingly copy what I received
via e mail, save it onto to disk ~ only to infect both computer systems with
viruses.
I lost a lot of work.
There was only one solution: when my student loan arrived, I decided to invest
in a whole new home computer system.
I even congratulated myself on making such a major decision. I may live in a
crappy council flat but I‘d have a fantastic computer to take my mind off
my troubles and I’d never have to rely on someone else’s system.
Well, by the time my new computer arrived it was well past Imbolc and Sarah was tearing her hair out because I had an uninstalled computer at home and a whole lot of work to type, photos to scan, printers to contact. . .you get the picture. So over half term break, I sat my children down and said, [Mum’s going to be very busy over the next few days and I’m going to have to ask you very nicely not to disturb me while I work.] I might as well have asked them to fly to the moon! Of course, eventually, the newsletter you’re now reading made was finished and made it to the printer. Of course I now have a lot more grey hair.
But it was a task I was more than happy to do because I am so grateful to Rainbow Circle for good friends, wonderful memories and a break from the concrete jungle (London). I’m glad I was able to put back a little of what was given to me. I may not be able to put up marquees but this newsletter was something I could do (eventually). That is the beauty of Magic Hat. You take what you need and contribute what you can. We had a fairly laid back season last year. The most over used phrase was [lunched out.]
It really was a time of healing and renewal following a challenging 2001 season.
In addition to
the usual reports, I asked everyone to write about their first Rainbow Circle
camp and what Rainbow Circle means to them.
I received colourful and poignant replies that I’m sure you will enjoy.
(That’s me at my first Rainbow Circle camp ~ and Jessica having her lunch).
I couldn’t do this without support.
In particular, David Baker and Nick Kollerstrom for technical support, my children, Zachary, Jacob and Jessica for making everything that much more challenging (and therefore making me feel I was contributing more than I actually was). Sarah, for being such a slave driver and Su for lending a sympathetic ear.
Next time, let’s
do this thing as we go along:
let’s get reports submitted by the end of each camp while they’re
fresh in our minds (saves postage too).
So without further ado. . .
With Love,
Alex
See you in the summer!
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