21 Day Tsunami Relief Challenge

Day twenty

2005-01-21T01:39:00.000Z

Day nineteen

2005-01-20T01:38:00.000Z

Day eighteen

2005-01-18T23:22:00.000Z

Day seventeen

2005-01-18T01:07:00.000Z

Day sixteen

2005-01-16T23:57:00.000Z

Day fifteen

2005-01-16T01:58:00.000Z

Day fourteen

2005-01-15T02:35:00.000Z

Day thirteen

2005-01-14T01:47:00.000Z

Day twelve

2005-01-12T23:43:00.000Z

Day eleven

2005-01-12T01:21:00.000Z

The 21 Day Tsunami Relief Challenge: 'Every time during the next 21 days when you go to buy something you DON'T REALLY NEED like a magazine, a snack bar or CD etc, stop yourself from buying it and put that money into your own Tsunami Relief pot and donate it to the cause at the end of the challenge.'

DAY ELEVEN NEWS

Bonnie at Total Life Success, who has already contributed CAN$77.00, asked me a question today about the donation of loose change she has around the house. This was my response:

'I could try and convince you but it's really up to you and your conscience. I still have coins knocking round the house and if I was on the ball I would've collected them up and thrown them in the pot. To date I haven't because I'm saving a fair amount when I haven't many pennies for myself. There's a limit I can stretch to.

There's life after the challenge so if you keep that change as a contribution towards your future prosperity who could argue?'

The effects of this disaster will be felt for many years to come but there is an initial need money now. There are so many causes and would be impossible for me to contribute them all. Certainly for now, this something we can all do so please do as you can.

Please visit the 21 day Tsunami relief challenge thread on the TLS site for further updates.

There was a bit of activity on the old ebay auction for my abridged diary (1985-2005) the value of which has now surged to £2.00! Thanks to ami2004 for the latest bid, it's very much appreciated. There's been an increase in visitors too (83) which is always nice to see.

DAY ELEVEN RESULTS

Energy drink - £0.79
Lunch - £0.11
Evening snacks - £0.89
Loose change - £0.38

TOTAL - £2.15

RUNNING TOTAL - £37.34

No time for a breakfast this morning so I had something approaching a proper meal at lunchtime.

If you've made a saving today or have contributed by any other means, post a comment on the relevant day of the blog.

Till next time...

Jeremy

Day ten

2005-01-11T01:00:00.000Z

Day nine

2005-01-10T01:06:00.000Z

Day eight

2005-01-09T01:23:00.000Z

The 21 Day Tsunami Relief Challenge: 'Every time during the next 21 days when you go to buy something you DON'T REALLY NEED like a magazine, a snack bar or CD etc, stop yourself from buying it and put that money into your own Tsunami Relief pot and donate it to the cause at the end of the challenge.'

DAY EIGHT NEWS

I'd like to again thank Trekkertom and Bonnie for their latest savings for the cause. For more detail on the amazing contributions that they, and others have made at TLS, please visit the 21 day Tsunami relief challenge thread on the TLS site.

I had a message about the auction item on ebay. It was a suggestion to make my CD diary a box set or even a DVD!

My reply went something like this:

'A box set or DVD of my diary? Can't see there being much call for that I'm afraid but what a fantastic idea. Hmmm, DVD special edition with widescreen - I'd need that with my weight as it is at the moment!

This will be a single CD of RANDOM but CHRONOLOGICAL diary entries. I don't keep a diary religiously but I do note down my thoughts on certain events on my life every so often.

This whole CD diary thing was to try something different to see what reaction it provoked in people. It's been quiet so far but money is being raised nevertheless so can't be all bad.'

DAY EIGHT RESULTS

Loose change - £1.38

TOTAL - £1.38

RUNNING TOTAL - £30.00

I spent no money at all today again but then I didn't go anywhere either. The contribution was found 'lying around' when having a sort out.

If you've made a saving today or have contributed by any other means, post a comment on the relevant day of the blog.

Till next time...

Jeremy

Day seven

2005-01-07T23:39:00.000Z

The 21 Day Tsunami Relief Challenge: 'Every time during the next 21 days when you go to buy something you DON'T REALLY NEED like a magazine, a snack bar or CD etc, stop yourself from buying it and put that money into your own Tsunami Relief pot and donate it to the cause at the end of the challenge.'

DAY SEVEN NEWS

The news from scene states that probably over 400 British people died in the Tsunami which considering how far away they were from their homeland puts the scale of the disaster into some context. Approximately 50 have been positively identified so lets hope that the missing can be found alive or at the very least, identified. That goes for everyone affected.

The ebay auction for my abridged diary (1985-2005) appears to have stalled at £1.40 but the view counter continues to rise - it currently stands at 54. Even if we raise no more from this, we will have contributed a further £3.90 so it's still a worthwhile exercise.

More fundraising details in from the various forumites I know who are participating in the challenge. Trekkertom@TLS donated the £3.50 he usually spent on flowers which brings his contribution to £10.65. Brian, also at TLS, has started a fund which he will donate to one of the official charities. He also had this to say about that tragic day...

'What a horrific event. Everyone, hug your loved ones extra tight tonight.... because there are a lot of people, that won't be able to hug theirs again...'

We will do well to remember these poignant words.

Here are my figures for day seven:

DAY SEVEN RESULTS

Energy drink - £0.79
Lunch - £2.50
Evening snacks - £0.89
Loose change (Jo) - £0.36

TOTAL - £4.54

RUNNING TOTAL - £28.62

I spent no money at all today. Lunch was provided by work so at least I had a good meal for a change.

If you've made a saving today or have contributed by any other means, post a comment on the relevant day of the blog.

Speak to you later guys,

Jeremy

Day six

2005-01-06T21:14:00.000Z

Sample entry from the CD diary - 22/03/2002

2005-01-06T02:00:00.000Z

To give you a taster of the type of material in my diary, here's section lifted from the entry for Friday 22nd March 2002.

'Never has one mans nipples provoked such a reaction. Last Sunday I ran the inaugral AMP Peterborough International Half Marathon in conditions best suited to fish and water-based mammals. The connection? Joggers nipple.

The nipple discussion, which involved 23 people at a dinner table, which quickly spread to take the attention of the 23 people sitting opposite was about the runner's evil known as jogger's nipple.

On the day of the run I was well prepared in terms of my pre-race meal, kit and a smattering of lubricants to protect against the inevitable chaffing of flabby thighs and other dangly objects. I'd also put sticking plasters on my torso to cover the 2 pointless (in male terms) pointy things on my chest.

However, as it was so wet they came off on route and as I crossed the finish line in a poor 2:11:49, I was suddenly aware of a burning sensation under my T-Shirt. I knew I was hot stuff but this was ridiculous.

I thought my agony was going to be kept a closely guarded secret until someone noticed during this meal that I had plasters on my nipples. Yep, they could be clearly seen through my shirt and I was left open to a barrage of ridicule the like of which has never been seen before.

A heated debate ensued about how I'd 'injured' myself there. Crocodile clips and peverse sexual practices was one theory put forward and I didn't deny it but in fact stoked the rumour by intimating that what I did with a stationery requisition form and office supplies in my own time was none of their business.

I was centre of attention and I loved it.'

There you have it - a brief look through the window of the world of Jeremy Orbell...

Bidding war!

2005-01-05T23:41:00.000Z

It appears a bidding war has started for the abridged CD edition of my diary (1985-2005) on ebay.

The latest bid stands at £1.40 - where will it all end?

Day five

2005-01-05T19:09:00.000Z

The 21 Day Tsunami Relief Challenge: 'Every time during the next 21 days when you go to buy something you DON'T REALLY NEED like a magazine, a snack bar or CD etc, stop yourself from buying it and put that money into your own Tsunami Relief pot and donate it to the cause at the end of the challenge.'

DAY FIVE NEWS

At 12:00pm today the World fell silent for 3 minutes as a mark of respect to those lost in the Tsunami disaster. Well, not everyone stopped what they were doing but that may have been because they weren't aware of the time. In the shopping centre where I was, the message was broacast over the loudspeaker and the silence was impeccably observed. Thank you everyone.

The ebay auction (see entry below) has not got off to a flying start but has had 26 views to date...AND ONE BID! The fee of £0.01 won't go far but I can eek some cash out of the postage. Thanks David from the ZTT board for getting things started.

I was reading thru a few old diary entries last night and amongst the humdrum, some of it is actually quite funny, other bits monumentally emotional (the birth of our children) and there are some sad passages concerning bereavement. As I said, it's life. If you want a chunk of mine, bid in the auction.

Who knows, if there's a demand I may even make a few available for those who wants a copy.

...you can stop laughing now!

Now, I'd like to publicly thank Trekkertom and mardee from the Total Life Success forums for their savings of £7.35 and US$20.00 respectively as well as Bonnie who pledged CAN$24.95 and The Bri- for a further US$15.00. From these figures, and mine, alone we can safely say that over £60 has been added to cause. At the present rate, from those submitting results, we're looking at £250 by the end of the challenge. Hurrah!

Here are today's results

DAY FIVE - Wednesday 5th January 2005

Energy drink - £0.79
Lunch - £2.50
Price match - DVD from the Pound Shop - £1.00
Evening snacks - £0.89

TOTAL - £5.18

RUNNING TOTAL - £20.57

I didn't spend anything at all today on lunch making do with some toast from the work kitchen. One item I bought for myself was a £1 football DVD, an amount I've matched and added to the fund.

If you've made a saving today or have contributed by any other means, post a comment on the relevant day of the blog.

Best wishes,

Jeremy

ebay listing for an abridged CD edition of my diary (1985-2005)

2005-01-04T23:05:00.000Z

I've just added an auction onto ebay of a CD of me reading random entries from my diaries 1985-2005 for the Tsunami cause. Take a look at the link and bid if you want to. ;-)

ebay auction

Starting price is £0.01 so you've no excuse!

Day Four

2005-01-04T18:47:00.000Z

The 21 Day Tsunami Relief Challenge: 'Every time during the next 21 days when you go to buy something you DON'T REALLY NEED like a magazine, a snack bar or CD etc, stop yourself from buying it and put that money into your own Tsunami Relief pot and donate it to the cause at the end of the challenge.'

DAY FOUR NEWS

I've had a great deal of support from a great number of people. I'd particularly like to mention the good people at Total Life Success, Runners World UK, the Anthony Robbins forum and the Alternate ZTT boards. I'll post links to those communities later in the challenge.

At least 2 people have told me that they are going to put this challenge to the workforce of their respective companies, each numbering 50+ employees. Ahhh, the possibilities...

I've also sent emails to the local newspaper and a regional radio station based in the city. No news as yet - I'll keep you posted.

So, onto today's results

DAY FOUR - Tuesday 4th January 2005

First day back at work. The savings made today were as follows:

Energy drink - £0.79
Lunch - £2.10
Evening snacks - £0.89

TOTAL - £3.78

Before I get into work I often buy myself an energy drink which costs 79p. This figure will be added to the fund on every working day.

As rule, but not every time, I tend to spend about £2.50 at lunch. Today, I bought a bag of crisps - which technically I could've skipped - and had some stale bread from the works kitchen toasted. Not much of a meal but there you are.

Recently, on leaving work, I've been buying snacks from the newsagent because I invariably have to wait ages for the bus. This usually consists of a chocolate bar and/or Eccles cake. Again, the cumulative figure of 89p will be added to the fund on every work day.

NOTE: My bus ticket is paid for by my company so this costs me nothing.

RUNNING TOTAL - £15.39

If you've made a saving today or have contributed by any other means, post a comment on the relevant day of the blog.

See you tomorrow.

Jeremy

Tsunami Relief - a challenge to you...

2005-01-04T06:47:00.000Z

We've all seen the devastation caused by the tsunami in Asia and it is just beyond comprehension the scale of the disaster.

This begs the question: 'What can we do to help?'

Well, what I'M doing and what everyone should also do is this:

Every time during the next 21 days when you go to buy something you DON'T REALLY NEED like a magazine, a snack bar or even a CD etc, stop yourself from buying it and put that money into your own Tsunami Relief pot and donate it to the cause at the end of the challenge or before if you prefer.

I figured that I DON'T HAVE TO HAVE these items - they'll still be on sale next month. I'll let my hair grow a bit, I'll wash the car myself, I'll bike to work rather than catch the bus etc.

If you have to have that non-essential item, match the value of it by putting the cash into the pot.

Personally, if I can't manage this for just 3 weeks when those on the edge of the Indian Ocean have nothing, I am a poor excuse for a human being.

The number of people who have died so far matches the population of the city where I live - we HAVE to do something.

As an aside, the benefits will be multi-fold. Obviously, the money raised for charity is primary but it will also help us to keep a check on what we're spending every day and teach more disciplined saving habits, reduce our food intake which will help us diet and will benefit us spiritually knowing that we've done something to help those in need.

It's all very well donating a pound once but think of what could be saved over 21 days. So far in 3 days - without really trying - I've collected £11.61. It may not sound like much but by the end of the challenge I'll have saved around £75. I could never afford to do that normally.

Other people I've spoken to - many in the USA and Canada have pledged support. Their commitments to date total a further £25.00 MINIMUM. I've not had figures from some of those offering help so it's probably more.

Please let your friends and colleagues know about the challenge to encourage them to take part. Let's see if we can make a difference.