Happy Earth Day! It’s a shame that many people only think about caring for our planet once a year, but I guess that is better than nothing. I will be posting Day 126 later today about a man who has dedicated his life to saving our country and planet. His story tonight.
Many people ask how they can help me. This week I received a check from a friend of mine and four gift certificates from a follower named Tawanna. A few weeks ago a man from California sent me a donation via PayPal to sponsor ten days of giving. Although all of these efforts are greatly appreciated, I would encourage you to think about how you can help those on the Lend a Hand page or individuals and organizations in your local community. I promise to put the donations that I receive to good use, although, I can not accept money for my $10 daily commitment. I made the $3,650 commitment myself and I don’t feel that it is fair to accept donations for my own personal commitment. I am in the process of studying the possibility of creating a nonprofit that would help manage and distribute funds that I receive in a responsible manner. I hope you don’t take this the wrong way. Call me stubborn! Larry and Kelly from California told me yesterday that, “to be a great giver, you also have to be a good receiver.” What do you think?
Gravett playing the EWI4000s (Photo: Reed)
On Day 125 I was walking by Starbucks at Dupont Circle and saw a man playing a clarinet-like instrument inside the coffee shop. I had seen him playing there before, but didn’t have time to stop. I went inside and saw that the instrument is connected to a small electronic device that connects to earphones. He was deep in concentration. I nervously walked around pretending to be interested in anything but him. Finally I just bit the bullet and walked up to him and asked if I could talk to him for a minute.
AKAI EWI4000s
That minute turned into two hours. Gravett is a musician who is practicing on a EWI4000s. It’s an electronic saxophone. I used to play saxophone. My band instructor, Mr. Snyder, I am sure would agree that the saxophone was not my calling in life.
The real benefit of the EWI4000s is that it has an internal sound module that stores the sounds/tones that the instrument produces rather than relying on an external modulator. This allows Gravett to not have to carry around bulky equipment to hear the sound he is producing. Pretty cool.
I asked him how he makes a living and he said he played the saxophone and worked as a pedicab driver in DC. Pedicabs are bicycle powered cabs. Very timely that I should write about him and his pedicab on Earth Day. Gravett has returned to Washington DC last year after spending time living in Mexico City, the Czech Republic, and Jamaica. I told him that I had given $10 to another saxophone player on Day 100 (Bill). He nodded his head and said he knew him. “Bill is really talented” he said.
Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806)
I asked Gravett what he thought he would use the $10 for and he said he was going to save it for his next stint overseas. “I have been thinking about going back to Mexico City. I really like it there … or maybe Guatemala.” Although Gravett said he likes Washington quite a bit, he prefers to live outside of the United States. He feels that he doesn’t necessarily know or share in the history of the city and prefers to be somewhere that this is not expected of him. In his work operating the pedicab he gets asked questions about the city quite a bit. He impressed me though when he told me the story of Benjamin Banneker. Banneker worked closely with Andrew Ellicott on finalizing the city plans for the District of Columbia. I always thought it was the Frenchman Pierre Le’Enfant who was responsible for the entire plans, but George Washington supposedly dismissed Le’Enfant and left
Ellicott and Banneker to salvage the plans.
By the way, for those of you in Maryland, Ellicott and his two brothers established Ellicott Mills, later renamed Ellicott City.
Gravett is someone who lives in the present. He believes that communication is only real when it is live and spoken. Sounds are only real when they are produced live from their original source. We spoke philosophically about these and many items. Some things we agreed upon. Others we did not. But that is ok. In the spirit of the legendary newscaster Ron Burgundy, we agreed to disagree. I enjoyed chatting with him so much that soon we were being asked to leave as the coffee shop was closing.
We gathered our things and headed to the West entrance that boarders Connecticut Avenue. We said our goodbyes as he put a helmet on and got on his scooter (his legs are probably tired from all the pedaling!) As I started to leave he said something that I have found myself telling others. “Thanks for sharing.”
Because that is what we were really doing. We were both sharing; sharing our time, our ideas, our questions, etc. Had I not been doing this project, I don’t think I would have ever stopped to talk to Gravett. I probably would have lived the rest of my life never knowing about Benjamin Banneker.
Gravett did tell me something that you could help him with. He would like information on living in Guatemala. In particular, he is interested in extremely low-cost housing information as well as general safety issues. He hopes to move there this summer. If you have information or know where he can research this better, please leave a comment.
Year of Giving 
Reed,
I think you are on the right track when you say that you have made the $3,650 commitment yourself but that you’ll put those donations to good use in other ways.
I enjoyed this entry on Gravett because it highlights a great aspect of what you’re doing: how, as you make your way through this, you are discovering a lot of interconnectedness: between the recipients, as illustrated here by Gravett knowing Bill, but in other ways too. One thing that I believe is really missing from our cultural, political and social landscapes now is the idea that, in certain ways many of us have connections to each other that we might never think about. We’re all too busy being put into certain “boxes” where these types of connections are not encouraged. I wrote a bit about your project on my blog last night, in which I talk a little about this.
Also, I believe Benjamin Banneker is mentioned in a Stevie Wonder song, on his classic Songs in the Key of Life album. I’m also thinking I may have read once that Banneker was somehow associated with Benjamin Franklin.
Rich
Reed, you may want to consider finding a non-profit that can administer the funds rather than going through the hassle of setting up a NPO.
Thanks Tom, that is exactly what I am looking into right now. How much of hassle it is to set up, maintain, etc. -Reed
Hey! this website is awesome!
My family is actually from Guatemala and I’ve been there a few times. I don’t have expert tips for Gravett except it’s just like living in any other foreign, developing country: to be cautious. Learning Spanish is very useful although younger, educated generations in Guatemala know English quite well. Just remember that if you act like a foreigner they will treat you like one-such as charging higher prices in markets or what not.
I don’t know about housing but you should check out couch surfing to spend a night or two in certain places.
here’s the link
http://www.couchsurfing.org/mapsurf.html
and happy earth day!
Hi Reed–
I saw your story on AOL, and have now read your blog from the beginning. I love your idea and I know you will get far more out of this year-long journey than you can ever imagine. It will change the rest of your life.
I am a horse trainer from Southern California, and I believe in the “win – win” philosophy. I think your project exemplifies this. By giving so generously of your time and money, your recipient wins, either by getting something material, or by receiving a wake-up call for their own ideas of giving. You win by getting a reward for the risk you take of putting yourself out there. Good for you!
And I have to say that the old maxim of “It’s better to give than to receive” is just malarkey. Without someone to give TO, there is no giving. Be a generous donor when you can, but also remember to be a gracious recipient–that’s the gift you can give back to someone who has taken the time to help YOU.
Your mother would be SO SO proud.
Hey Reed,
Tried to comment before but didn’t show up – apologies if you are getting this twice!
Makes perfect sense that you’d pass along the gifts given to you rather than using them to fund your commitment. I recommend a fabulous book to you by Lewis Hyde called “The Gift.” He says that a gift must always move; as soon as some opportunist pockets it, it no longer is a gift.
He also write that YES you must give AND receive. What you are receiving, however, is a gift that again must move, must get passed on.
All jives nicely with your plans to accept these gifts from your followers in order to pass them along to those in need (btw agree strongly with Tom – starting up a NP is much much much much much work, and it’s probably best to find an efficient organization already doing what you like.)
I’ve written about this giving and receiving myself (though not nearly so eloquently as Hyde does): wp.me/pOEC6-cj.
Love the stories, love that your getting great press, love that I have many more months of stories to look forward to!
Brigid
Hey Brigid, the other one went into the Spam file for some reason…just saw it now. Sorry about that. -Reed
Hi Reed,
I also came across your story via AOL and commented on it on my own blog.
I agree with your approach of encouraging people to do as you are doing, rather than extending your funds. I believe that the real good in what you are doing was captured beautifully by Rich in his comment above – connecting with people, and letting them connect with you. And in that respect, it is good (but not better) to be a good reciever. A gracious and warm acceptance is the gift you give to the giver.
I’ve heard people joke that no one is going to say on their death bed, “I wish I had spent more time in the office”. They may not even say, “I wish I had given another 10 bucks”. But for many people the word you say, the time you spend with them warms their hearts and makes them feel valuable and worthwhile people. If I were to die feeling that, then my life will have been will lived.
I’ll enjoy following your blog and contributing where I can, be it words, goods or services.
Hi Reed,
I agree you have to give and receive. However, you do receive by giving :). The 10 days worth of giving you recieved from the man I feel should be kept and used for that reason. He wants to help and has recruited you to do this. You could simply add the 10 recipients to your already alotted 365. Make it a special project. You dont have to document it. Just give it away. Do it on special days like mothers day, fathers day, etc. But give as you have been asked. You dont want to be a stumbling block to someone who you originally inspired to give. Maybe he doesnt know how or have the social skills to do it himself. Either way, I think you should help him. If ppl specify you use the money for giving just extend your year of giving. you dont have to keep documenting unless you want (though it would be a great idea as you’ve touched so many lives). Otherwise, use it to pay bills, travel, enjoy life or whatever.
Just some advice.
Thanks Nicole. Great advice. I have been thinking about doing something special on my mother’s birthday, October 17th. -Reed
Maybe starting and running your own non profit will be your next job! good luck I hope it works out!
I know and trust whatever you decide to do with money that comes your way in connection with this project, that it will be honorable. For goodness sakes, you barely let me buy you lunch unless I have a good “excuse” for doing so… maybe you do need to work on receiving gracefully. You already give with more grace than most.
I like the idea of starting a non-profit. I’m sure it is a lot of work, but you are demonstrating that you are passionate about what you’re doing. How many people get to work in a career that they are passionate about? I don’t know many.
If you decide not to do that, perhaps all funds you receive could go towards the party you want to throw at the end of the year for all your recipients??
I laughed at the “shout out” to Mike Snyder! Not sure he’s heard of your project, but sure he agrees Saxophone was not in your future!
Hi Reed,
Too good that you are getting people wanting to help.
Anyway, I agree with you that the 365 commitment is yours alone and should be kept as is.
I just would like to comment on Nicole´s by disagreeing (Ron Burgundy) with her, otherwise it would be too easy for people to just add to your commitment instead of creating their own.
Somehow it looks unfair to make you extend your original quest without asking. Hope people do not get me wrong on that.
I am certain that any use you find for the money trusted to you will will be done with care and attention and that should suffice for the donor´s, since they (must) believe in you first place, to send it in.
Keep walking! 🙂
ps: good to know you are still a Brazilian Soccer fan. Will be nice to think we will be watching the game together. Hope we see some nice goals.
Hi Reed! I’ve been following your blog off and on since I discovered it a few months ago. I lived in the Dupont area for several year, probably right near where you live, and I just returned to the area after living abroad for two years, in Guatemala! I don’t know if you have contact info for Gravett and if he’s still thinking of going there, or has already gone, but I’d be happy to answer any questions he has. I don’t know a lot about low-cost housing, other than the fact that the cheaper neighborhoods in Guatemala City are less safe and more prone to gang violence. Generally, tourists are foreigners are not targets of violence, but muggings (often at gunpoint), even in wealthier neighborhoods, in broad daylight, are pretty common. Antigua would be a very expensive place to live, but the city of Quetzaltenango would probably be safer and cheaper than Guate city. Generally it’s pretty cheap to eat and travel around there, but buying any good imported from the States are expensive. Hope that’s somewhat helpful!