A Big Thank You To A Special Elf

My friend and colleague, Guru Tech Elf, Geoff, devoted the entire day to getting the computers prepared for donation to the needy families. A few of the machines were ready to go "as is" but most were not. If you've ever had to reinstall Windows & all applications all over again then you'll get a tiny appreciation of what he had to do. And not just one machine! Computer after computer, almost always four at once, Geoff examined and evaluated and configured. Two sections of my apartment started evolving: Those computers that were ready to be donated and those that would have to be delved into further when there was more time. Though we've made many new friends the past few days, time was not one of them.
My friend is one of the smartest people I've ever met. He also has a heart of gold. I got the easy job today of being able to tell people they're going to be receiving a great computer for Christmas. He had the difficult, thankless one. But I was thankful, very thankful indeed!

What are these ribbons for? John Daly, the BCTV reporter who interviewed me, made an off the cuff comment about refurbished computers arriving under the trees of countless families, each wrapped in a red bow. I thought about this later and realized it was a brilliant final touch. So I recruited my mother to be Senior Gift Wrapping Elf tomorrow! An amazingly productive little team I've recruited so far. What I really want to do is pull together a larger team for 2006. In my heart & my mind, I know what the rewards are of this work are. Nothing financial, but something MUCH more valuable.