2010: Be Prepared
Another year, another theme. It’s amazing how quickly time flies. So we’re already almost one week into 2010, which means it’s high time I decide on my theme for the year, as well as my personal sponsor-slash-spirit guide. Over the past few years, my life has been led by Ann-Margret, Willona from Good Times and Patti Smith. Through their sass, their humor, their talent and their art, these were all women who never failed to inspire me and keep me on the right path, so 2010 has some big shoes to fill.
Typically, I debate over a few different options each year, weighing the pros and cons of each. This year was different. There was one and only one candidate. When I think about what has inspired and, yes, possessed me this past year (aside from photobooths), it has most definitely been my quest to relive my lost youth as a would-be Girl Scout, so it makes perfect sense that my personal sponsor for 2010 should be none other than Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girls Scouts of America.
[via Wikipedia]
I could tell you all about her original vision for the Girl Scouts, but heck, why don’t we just let her tell us herself?
What began as a simple curiosity when my friend Natasha first started talking about Girl Scout badges has now become a full-fledged mission. We have decided that 2010 will be The Year of the Badge, as we intend to retroactively earn the badges I have acquired through the wonder that is eBay. With my trusty 1954 edition of the Girl Scout Handbook at my side, I will work to gain the skills that would make Ms. Low proud.
In fact, I started working on my first badge over the holidays as I spent time with my nephews in Wisconsin. Once they got over the fact that they were doing “EWWW! GIRL SCOUT STUFF,” they completely threw themselves into the project and totally impressed me with their commitment.
I am particularly interested in earning the badges that no longer exist – the lost arts, as Natasha is fond of calling them – so I began with Bookbinding. As our first task toward earning this badge, my nephews and I cut, sanded and designed wooden book covers. In fact, we braved the -16 degree temperatures in Wisconsin to make our way to Menards to buy wood and sandpaper. I am now 1/10th of the way toward earning this first badge and I only ended up with two slivers and one minor burn in the process.
So what do I expect to achieve in this, The Year of the Badge? With Juliette Low as my guide, I know that 2010 will be filled with adventure and knowledge and courage and art and friendship. There will be fire building, knot tying, outdoor cooking, animal husbandry, toy carving and so much more, and I can’t wait to get started!
Filed under: General on January 6th, 2010
January 6th, 2010 at 1:23 am
but have you seen “The Golden Eaglet?”
January 6th, 2010 at 4:04 am
I’ve read through my Harlequin Romance collection so many times that they could use a good re-binding. Let us know how it goes…
January 6th, 2010 at 8:42 am
Animal husbandry? I’m not sure I want to know what that badge looks like.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Dear Jenny,
This sounds like a terrific project for the year. I’m ready to be of service!
Love,
Vivian
PS. Those boys are getting so big!
January 6th, 2010 at 10:08 am
you make me smile.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:08 am
p.s. that is meant as a huge compliment.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:36 am
This is awesome! I am really looking forward to seeing all your progress this year.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:42 am
Is that a Christmas Poo crashing your photo?
January 6th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
You are the funnest person ever!
That’s “funnest”, withOUT an ‘i’. Well, with an ‘i’ too.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Your title threw me a bit since that’s pure Boy scout, but The Year of the Badge makes up for it. I know knots! Well some, not just the tying but names too!
Your wood burned book covers look cool! If your splinters did not necessitate a trip to the emergency room, you’re doing well. That is not an experience I would repeat if it can be helped.
I’m having trouble settling on my theme since I feel like my best ones are all quotes from Dune; I’ve been thinking about rewatching it for weeks but haven’t yet. My past Dune themes were all quotes I already knew by heart so perhaps rewatching is moot, as is perhaps forcing myself to pick a Dune quote as theme. Hmm.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
emily: i have now! thanks for the tip – 1918, wow!
dave2: i’m not sure i’m skilled enough to rebind the fabio series, but i’ll do my best!
sir: i’m mostly worried about losing my security deposit if i try to earn that badge.
vivian: don’t worry, i plan on taking you up on that offer soon!
hello haha narf: thank you! and i took that as a compliment!
caitlin: thanks! i’m looking forward to making (and documenting) progress!
nat: i was wondering when someone would comment on that. yes, it is mr. hankey, the christmas poo. that’s what happens when you have 9-11 year old boys in the house…
don: well, shucks… thanks! someday i hope to be the phunnest person ever, because that’s what the kids call it these days.
claire: ah, i beg to differ – “be prepared” is both the girl scout and the boy scout motto. a scout is nothing if not prepared! as for dune, as long as you don’t choose, “my name is a killing word” as your theme, i think you’re in good shape!
January 7th, 2010 at 2:08 am
Animal Husbandry? So… the Girl Scouts evidently believe both that: a) animals need husbands; and b) that girls can (and should) become award-winning husbands. In this day and age where it matters to the government who gets married to whom, Rush Limbaugh or somebody is going to get the Girl Scouts voted off the island for such broad tolerance.
January 7th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
My motto for 2010 is “Be prepared, but somehow do that without stressing out.” Not as catchy.
January 8th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
I stand corrected. How weird that I knew the boys’ but not the girls’. Well, not so weird with all the boy scout events I ended up attending because of my bro.
Also, ruh roh, I kind of like “my name is a killing word.”