Recruiting Volunteers: Stress Relief Through Absurdity and Humor

That last post might have been a bit premature. I'm working on a new photo-blogging series about anything that screws with big businesses in random ways.

First project:
1. collect Business Reply Mail envelopes from ANYwhere
2. Mail anything you want to get rid of back to the large corporation of your choice...assuming you can fit it into a standard envelope.
3. The entire point is to pin the cost of these mailings on these companies using the most ridiculous things you can dig out of your closet.
4. Write at least three standard English letters together and in sequence on something inside the envelope. For example, I might write "GF" on a piece of notebook paper that goes in the envelope.
5. READ PART #4 AT THE END OF THIS POST

Yes, it's been done before. Trillions of adolescents have probably used this as a subconscious tool for rebellion, all the while chuckling to themselves like weasels about how clever they were. While I am indeed chuckling like a weasel, I don't find it terribly clever anymore since I just gained a renewed interest in it via this quote from www.bash.org. Honestly, who gives a shit? I'm also going to call OUR rebellion "Driving Up the Cost of Sending Junk Mail: An Externality on YOU from the Minds of Idiots." I'm also naming the rebellion "I like random shit people do for no apparent reason, Or Would You Kindly Get a Sense of the Absurd."

My official title in the rebellion shall be "Grand Field Marshal Mail Ninja." I may be addressed as "Marshal," "Sir," or "Comrade." Or Guy Fawkes, whatever.

Anyone interested? Trust me, this can be an effective outlet for some of that school/work/family/life stress that's on most of us. Just forget who you are right now and do something ridiculous


Better yet, POST SOME OTHER "PROJECT" IDEAS. Just brain-dump some comments with absurd things you've always wanted to do in ANY context, legal or illegal. This includes stabbing me in the face over the Internet.









Disclaimer:
4. DO NOT MAIL/SHIP ANYTHING THAT COULD EVEN CONCEIVABLY BE DANGEROUS. This also means do not send any illegal materials, whether or not they are dangerous while in the package. Unlike the failed revolution in which Guy Fawkes participated, nothing from this fun little distraction should cause ANY type of destruction.

I'm not saying this just to cover my ass. I mean it, internet peoplez. The idea here is to have fun and mock the American financial system (economy in general?...whatever you want to mock...mock mock mock). No one gets physically injured or even put in harm's way for any reason. For some helpful info on what NOT to send, here are a couple of links:

USPS Info RE: Hazardous Materials
USPS Aviation Mail Guidelines

The Aviation Mail Guidelines also contain links to the most current USPS guidelines on most other safety areas. Also, if your mail goes out through a method other than USPS...make sure you AT LEAST follow the USPS Safety Guidelines and anything additional your carrier requires.

Victory: I Have Seen The Others

I got this nice little email this morning:

I looked at the citation you were appealing and we were able to void that ticket.

I didn't even have to show up to an appeal. I essentially got it kicked on summary judgment.

How's that for sticking it to the man! Jack Thompson, eat your heart out.

WTF, Mate?

Sometimes I keep the tv on in the background while I study (especially today watching last season's season finale of LOST). Normally, I don't pay much attention and don't get distracted. Then again, when you hear "When a girl in Southern Africa has a period, she has to miss school for a week." WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWait! Did I just hear that? A girl has a period and has to miss school for a whole week? I mean, I know my girlfriend is a firm believer in doing nothing but slave driving me around for a whole week and doesn't go to class, but in all seriousness a girl in Africa can't go to school for a whole week because she doesn't have pads?

Tampax certainly suggests so. Their newest marketing pitch is that if you buy their pads, they will send pads to girls in southern Africa so that they can go to school the week of their period. The modern menstrual tampon has only been around since the 1930s (previously a tampon was used to treat bullet wounds), but women have been having their period since, well, forever. According to wikipedia. Now, I may not be a rocket scientist, or a Gyno, but I am on law review (and I'm still looking to figure out where that counts for something, so I will try to make it lend me credence here), can't these starving, cramping southern African women just wrap a rag around their "bathing suit area" (That famous phrase had to come from somewhere-or some practice)? I mean, I have picture of me walking around in a non-disposable diaper (I think they were all the trend back in 84)- I turned out fine, after all, I made law review (Oooh, twice!) Did a little poopy diaper keep me from terrorizing the neighborhood? Heck no! If these southern African women are as dedicated to school as they claim on tv, should a little rag keep them from going to school? Wear your red skirt that week (Maybe one day I'll share the story about the kid in kindergarten who was not potty trained and had to wear brown pants everyday).

Anyway, check out the sight for yourself Protecting Futures - Tampax.

A bit of disclaimer: This is slightly,errr mostly, tongue in cheek. By no means do I flippantly disregard the importance of sanitation, health, and medical concerns in Africa . . . nor the utmost importance my girlfriend's many needs