BlogMorris.com is not to be used for my direct personal gain.  I created it as a sales tool that wasn’t supposed to be noticed.  I have not accepted any money for it.  I am using it to try to spread some good.  Maybe make a small impact somehow.  I do not want to taint it with advertising or some form of direct personal gain.  I want to take a moment to update you on my personal story and what I have been doing over the last 24 hours.

First, a brief recap of my story:  I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in September 2009.  I had it surgically removed in October.  Yesterday morning I ingested a pill containing radioactive iodine to complete the treatment.  I have to be in isolation for 72 hours.

During the denial period of my cancer prognosis, I fell deeper into my addiction to World of Warcraft.   I could not control what was happening to me in the physical world, so I hid an alternate one.  One in which I had much greater control, and cancer did not exist.  One day, I was playing the game and working on a task that is so time consuming that only the most dedicated players did it.  I was talking to a person I had met in game and was part of the guild I was in.  We played together and had a common bond of friendship.  We were spread all across the country.  All different ages and phases of life.

I had asked that friend if she needed anything.  I was bored with what I was doing and wanted some company.  Her reply broke my heart.  She replied she needed a gun.  I knew it was not a joke.  I knew little about her.  Same age as me.  Took care of an infirm mother.  Was on disability for something.  Did not have very much money.

She had reached out to me.  I could let it pass.  It wasn’t my problem.  I had cancer and two small children.  My wife loves me so.  I needed to get better, not focus on a stranger.  I talked her.  She listened.  Her problems were far greater than mine.  I had no way to help her other than to be a friend.

I am teaching her HTML.  She proofreads my blogs.  She helps me post things when I’m away from the computer.  She enlightened me to the plight of many.  I had ignored it all before.  Now I saw the donation boxes.  I saw the homeless.  I looked at the day laborers on the corner and smile at them.  I look them in the eye.  They are people.  This blog is my way of trying to help them all.  It cost me $9.99 a year plus as many hours as I can dedicate to it.

The other day, she informed me that the electric company was going to turn off her power on December 22, 2009.

I have my own business.  I do not have any paying clients.  I am working on getting some.  I cannot afford to give anything other than my time.

If anyone of our readers would like to make a contribution to pay her electric bill, it would be appreciated more than you could ever imagine.

Thank you very much.

Scott Farbman on behalf of Susan Lewis.

I needed to borrow something from my friend on Saturday.  The little one was down for a nap, so I grabbed the seven year old and hit 287.   Highway driving is a great time to bond with my daughter.  We talk about whatever comes into her mind.  After a while she starts to grow antsy so I let her pick a DVD.  It usually is one of the High School Musicals or Camp Rock.  That day it was Camp Rock.

We arrived at his house and after he showed me how to use his Verizon MiFi device, conversation turned toward this blog.  He had a story to share that he felt would be a good fit.

That week his wife and his mom were at Sweet Basil’s Cafe in West Orange, NJ for lunch.  His mother hung her pocketbook on a hook that stuck to the table.  I guess if you spend all that money for a nice bag, why throw it on the floor or leave it on the back of your chair.  A woman at the next table commented on the hook.  I did not ask if she noted its design or its function.  Knowing his mom, it was probably very nice, so let us assume both.

His mom did not know the couple.  She thanked her for the compliment and informed her that she got it at Frick & Frack in Wayne, NJ and it was $25.

A moment later, we are not 100% sure why, his mom unhooked her purse and handed the woman the purse-hook and warmly said  “Early Merry Christmas”.   His family is known for its commitment to charity, but this random act of kindness was not typical.  They don’t usually shower strangers with gifts.

The woman broke out in tears.  She grabbed her husband’s hands across the little table.  She explained that she had just lost her mom last week.  Today was her first outing in public.  This wonderful act of kindness was just what she needed.  She was so grateful.

Hugs, tears, more hugs.  I was told it was quite a scene.  My friend’s wife told me that moment in time will be cherished forever.

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Happy Holidays to all you out there.

Tags: Random Acts of Kindness

Thank you Mr. Anonymous Tipster for letting us know about this great way to have fun and help dogs!
Hurry and call now for a last minute reservation.  You will thank us later!
Eleventh Hour Rescue can be found on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ehrdogs
Redwoods | Grill and Bar can be found at http://www.redwoodsgrillandbar.com

459 Main Street – Chester, NJ 07960

A G r i l l & B a r

On Tuesday, December 8th and Wednesday, December 9th
15% of your check (before tax) will be donated
to the dogs of Eleventh Hour Rescue!

Reservations are strongly preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Please bring this flyer with you, but if you forget, be sure to let your server know you are helping Redwoods help EHR! Phone (908) 879-7909 for reservations!

Download A Flyer Here!

The sign on the box reads:

Until December 14th. Please Donate a new unwrapped toy for a boy or a girl.

Thank you.

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The Market Street Mission is a very important part of our community.  Coffee is a very important part of my day. I can have my coffee and help the mission in one shot!  Thank you guys at Starbucks – Florham Park, NJ!

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There are many Morris County residents who are really interested in becoming a law enforcement officer.  The reference librarians at the Morris County Library posted a twitter update this afternoon.  We sent a staffer over there to the county library to ask the reference desk about the post, and grab a new cd for us to listen to.   There is a Toys for Tots collection bin in the library lobby.   It is overflowing with toys.  Please bring in an unwrapped toy next time you are headed this way.

The reference librarian sent us over to the State of NJ Civil Service Commission Website:

ENTRY LEVEL
LAW ENFORCEMENT

The current administration announced on December 1, 2007. The Entry Level Law Enforcement Exam was successfully administered on May 31, June 5, June 7, June 12, and June 14, 2008. The LEE pool issued on December 24, 2008, at which time the scores became official. The pool resulting from the December 2007 LEE announcement will expire in late December 2010.

The next administration is scheduled to announce on May 1, 2010 with an anticipated test date of October 2010.

We are not sure what exactly the first sentence means, but it looks like the next test will be in May. For more information about this exam, please visit the commission’s website.

If you have any job openings in the Morris County area, and would like us to blog about it, please email Scott Farbman.

One of our dedicated readers has sent us the following tip:
link to the United Way news article

The Morris County Chamber of Commerce
in partnership with
Brighton Cromwell and
United Way of Morris County I Front Line Fund
Announce:
"OPERATION APPRECIATION"

Items being sought:

• Prepaid phone cards
• Scarves and gloves
• Commerciatly sealed lip balm
• Toothpaste
• Roll-on deodorant
• Travel size foot powder and moist towetettes
• Single serve packets of hot cereal
• Single serve boxes of cold cereal
• Ready-to-eat tuna/chicken salad kits
• Commercially wrapped individual packets of trail mix
• Individually wrapped beef jerky
• Energy bars
• Candy
• Gum
• Commercially wrapped cookies

Tags: Brighton Cromwell, Live United, Morristown Chamber of Commerce, United Way

The biggest cost / problem this charity has is transporting the kids to and from their facilities. Ronald McDonald House has stepped up and provided some help. Anyone have some creative ideas as to make this problem easier? We solve problems here with technology. I don’t think a YouTube horse ride will cut it. Please think it over and suggest something. In the meantime, please continue to help these grass roots charities financially. Thanks.

Herb outbid me. I will let him win. My wife has a landmark birthday next month. I bid on a gold pendant butterfly broach. I hope we win it. 15 minutes!

The cake is being served. A nice cup of coffee is right beside me. The band has settled down to slow songs. My new best friend Jen and I just had a nice chat. She is an awesome individual. I have not been outbid on my silent auction item. 23 minutes left. The folks in the home office are fixing my typos and offering moral support. This is a great event. I had imagined that I would be able to meet more folks. The music is loud and not conducive to interviews. Let me go see if I was outbid. Be right back.

A silent auction is fun. There is a whole wall of cool stuff that you can bid on. I would love to bid $1000 for a week at the Jersey Shore. I would also love to bid on two shares of a real race horse for $400. Maybe my wife and nine of her friends would like a day of skincare at Neiman Marcus at the Mall at Short Hills. It is only at $1025 right now.

I made a bid on a season pass to Talk Cinema in NYC. Wish me luck!