PROJECT365.ORG

Well, well, well. Mr. Fancy Pants has created a website. Take a picture of yourself in a bathrobe and all of sudden anything's possible, right?! Start the wave at Safeco field in Seattle, dressed as an umpire, and all of a sudden the world is your oyster? I got news for you pal life is hard. You can't just have anything you want. You gotta earn it. Trust me I know. You should see my life!

Just one of the more amazing exchanges with yours truly. And I don't even disagree with any of it. All I wanted was a dollar and a cup of tea.(fortunately I have tea at home) The website is now owned and being configured as we speak.(well actually as I write, I'm not REALLY speaking...well actually I am but once again it's to myself)

Me and my bathrobe

So now you know what that looks like. In case you're wondering that's Jane Fonda kissing Robert Redford in the background. (You weren't really wondering were you.) As I sit here at my desk, undoubtedly moving towards carpel tunnel syndrome, I think to myself I really need to reach more people. Without a doubt this project captures peoples interest. Just yesterday a guy named Rice gave me $6 even though I only asked for one.(like I said I accept counteroffers) But if I'm really gonna succeed I really need to have more people become aware.

I'm thinking website. I'm thinking more media. I'm thinking. I'm seeing when I don't do anything nothing happens. I'm also getting how easy it is to stop myself. The only thing that makes it difficult is me. The only thing that prevents me from getting what I want is me.(well that and a certain barbed wire fence, but that's another story) So.............LOOK OUT! It's time to start playing real big in case there isn't a tomorrow. Thanks to all of you so far. Thanks to all of you yet to come. Thanks for your support.

CanadianAthelesNow.ca

So I'm sitting at home in my bathrobe(I mean it only 10a.m.?!). I look on my 'To Do' list and remember I have to call a certain charity to follow up on a certain missing tax receipt. Admittedly, I go into the conversation slightly annoyed. I come out of it with a tax a receipt and a dollar. Not only do I leave the conversation having unexpectably shared the project, but inspired by what's possible.

Jane Roos, a former heptathelete, founded what has now become CandianAthletesNow.ca from her hospital bed at age twenty-seven. She was in a car accident in which a girlfriend of hers died. She herself sustained injuries ending any hope she had at competing at the Olympic level. She got that life is short and can change in an instant. She had an idea. Since inception,(some twelve years ago....sorry Jane I guess people are gonna know your age now) this "idea" has now raised over 8 million dollars to support numerous Candian athletes(both abled an not) in need.(that must have been some i.v.) She's just been named to the Globe and Mail's 2009 Power List Top 30. She's coming to Vancouver. She's giving me a dollar.

Having just spent twenty monutes on the phone with her, it's easy to get why she's succesful. She's dedicated. She's committed. She's lit up. All of a sudden I find myself fired up. It's like I've had three cups of coffee and I don't even drink the stuff. We discussed the fact that people want to make a difference. We talked about contributing to someone's dream. Although I don't think we said it, I think she would agree anything is possible. Thanks Jane. That was truly a "podium" conversation.

A funny thing happened...again

So it's cinqo de mayo. Not that that has anything to do with anything but it was that night's excuse for drinking red wine. A "special" friend of mine comes over and we proceed to have a "good" time. Somewhere in the middle of our "time", my "project" pops up. She thinks it's a totally great idea and wants to give me a dollar. I tell her unless her dollar is going somewhere, why don't we wait and get it "later". I share with her my thought of the fact that I get to "be in her presence" AND get a dollar out of it?! We both start laughing hysterically. This thing is just keeps getting better and better.

Ah life....

So I go into the interview this afternoon worried about saying the right thing. I'm sitting in the waiting room chewing what nails I have left. All of a sudden I spot the receptionist. Rather cute, I decide to ask her if she would give me a dollar. She looks at me with trepidation, or was it fear? Either way by the end of the conversation she's given me a dollar. Fortunately, another woman has happened upon our conversation and she too ends up giving me a dollar. Then a third woman "pops in" because she had a won a prize from the station. She doesn't even know what we're talking about but figures whatever it is, is a good cause and ends up giving me a dollar. It doesn't end there.

I go in and do the interview. I'm still nervous and in fact now sweating. This is evident in the fact that Lake Eerie has now appeared on my otherwise crisp white t-shirt. We get going. It's going well. The hosts are saying what they're saying and I'm wishing for nothing more than a bottle of scotch. All of a sudden Patrick(one of the hosts) says I'm gonna give you whatever folded bills are in my wallet. He proceeds to open his wallet and sure enough hands me forty bucks?! Art, the producer, and Kate, co host, also chip in. Unbelievable.

1410 AM

Today at 4:15p.m. I'll be on the radio(1410 AM) talking about this very project. I phoned them up asked to be on the show and they went for it. I find myself nervous and excited.(kind of the same feeling I get when I go to Las Vegas) I don't really know what's gonna happen, let alone what I'm gonna say.(that's the nervous part) I don't really know what's gonna happen, let alone what I'm gonna say(that's the exciting part). Off to physio....and probably a drink.

Earth Hour

"Earth Hour is a compelling and dynamic chance to illustrate the power of us all doing something small, but doing it together, and changing the world.”
(ecostore founder and ambassador of Earth Hour Malcolm Rand)
I came across this by accident. I didn't even know Earth Hour was happening this weekend, never mind what it really entailed. I was basically scanning my hotmail account and something about this e-mail had it stick out between offers for Viagra. I'm glad I opened it. Google Earth Hour or simply cut and paste www.earthhour.org/ I find it very inspiring to be able to do something so simple and easy and know that it's making a difference. I am also inspired by the fact that people around the world at an exact time will be in solidarity for their earth.

I am also inspired to think that someone(s) came up with Earth Hour. That once upon a time it was merely an idea. And here we are some two years later and people are being given an opportiunity to vote on global warming vs. the Earth. That this idea will now be influencing official governemnt policy against global warming, replacing the Kyoto Protocol. Just amazing the difference a person with a stand on something can make.

I am not gonna lie to you. As exciting as this project is, it also has moments of terror and doubt. When I see something like Earth Hour happening and when I really get the difference we as human beings can make I am moved and inspired. As my friend Donny always says,
"Onward!"

A picture is worth...

I'm not too sure what this one says. It claims to be in French but I dunno that knowing that helps.(I'm still not convinced these aren't hieroglyphics) What I do know is it came with a promise of a dollar all the way from France.

The picture above this one represents a true artist rendering. Excellent use of the loonie (Canadian one dollar coin) It even came with a lipstick kiss affixed to said paper.(things are really looking up!)

THE LATEST ONE PAGER

BRENDANPROJECT365

If I asked you for a dollar would you give it to me? If I told you your dollar was worth $365 000 would you believe me? (or would you suggest I contact Bernie Madoff) If I told you your dollar would make an impact beyond what you believe to be possible, would that inspire you to drop four quarters, ten dimes, or twenty nickels? Good.

My name is Brendan Beiser and I am out to prove anything is possible. I’m out to raise $365 000 in one year simply by asking for it. (365, because that’s how many days there are in a year) Strangers, friends, families, aliens, I seek your support in seeing what happens.

The due date is February 14, 2010. By that time, if not before, I will have figured out who will benefit from the $365 000. The benefactor(s) will be based on suggestions generated by you.

Why am I doing this? Simple. It inspires me. It’s gives me an opportunity to experience people. It creates possibilities that excite me. It’s a gigantic experiment that challenges me. For some people it’s climbing Everest. Others it’s asking a girl out. For me, it’s this. This is a gigantic game. This is fun. This is challenging. This is hard. This is frightening. This is living.

So what’s it worth to you to make a difference? What’s it worth to create a possibility? What’s it worth to take a chance? A dollar? Let’s prove the difference one can make.

Ways to contribute:

• Brendan Beiser
c/o200-1505 2nd Avenue West
Vancouver, BC V6H 3Y4
Canada
• Checks should be payable to B. Beiser.
• Paypal : https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_home-merchant&nav=2 (boosieb@hotmail.com is the account)
• Interac:http://www.interac.ca/consumers/productsandservices_ol_emt.php
• E-Mail: mailto:project365@shaw.ca We’ll figure out a way to get your dollar.
• Suggestions, counteroffers, all welcome.
• Contributions not limited to Canadian currency nor are they limited to one dollar.

Blog: http://brendanproject365.blogspot.com/

BRENDANPROJECT365

Sources

Well here it is. A check for one dollar. The other day someone used Interac to send ten. Somebody else gave me twenty pop cans( a counter offer) which translated into a dollar. Somebody else said "no". One person said "no", then changed their mind and gave me twenty bucks. A bank teller gave me .50.(presumably not out of my account) Another guy gave me a dollar in the men's locker room. I have dollars waiting for me in Coquitlam, Granville Island, Calgary, Los Angeles, Australia and England. All of this AND my mother took me out to lunch? Wow.

Approx. $300 raised so far

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to date. This just in...an additional .60

Ideas for the $ so far

365 House(contribute to some sort of housing project in the downtown east side of Vancouver)
Stephen Lewis Foundation(www.stephenlewisfoundation.org)
Wendy's plane ticket to make a difference in a third world country
The Food Bank(www.foodbank.bc.ca)
Public Sculpture
St. Patrick's Choir(underprivileged children's choir)
Animal Shelter specifically designed to support the adoption of neglected kittens
Skeena Watershed Coalition
Cherish Our Children(www.cherishourchildren.org)
Action for Animals
Big Heart Rescue
Cross your Paws Rescue
Heart on Noses
FOTA
VOKRA
Success by Six
www.kiva.org
BC Children's Hospital

They call me Bruce

Well now here's a guy who innocently just asked , "what else are you up to?"(that'll teach ya to make conversation) Bruce handed me a dollar in the form of four quarters. Interesting to note that he and I had just come from auditioning for the same part. While I am grateful for your dollar I'd be lying if I told you I meant it when I said, "good luck" as you went into audition. What I really mean is I hope you get it.......if I don't.

"Spencer"

This is Spencer. If you're lucky enough to check in to a certain hotel you might have the privilege of running into this man. He responded to the request via e-mail and told me if I showed up at "his" hotel he'd not only give me free parking, he'd give me more than a dollar.(I have to admit I was both curious and slightly concerned as to what "more than a dollar" might mean) Well one dollar turned out to be five. Not only that, I learned that "Spencer" is well connected beyond knowing where the luggage cart is. He shared some stories with me that would have had Mother Goose blushing. The things he has seen never mind heard?! Thanks again "Spence"!

Author puts out an offer

Hi Brendan,

You say you'll take counteroffers. Here's what I propose:

I'll give you a Canadian buck for every person you convince to email me to ask for a signed copy of my children's book. In essence, I'm giving you 100% of my royalties, because I make exactly one dollar per book sale according to my contract.

Folks can find out all they need to know about my book by visiting my blog at www.veryfinefrog.com

Here's what you have to do. Just have someone email me at frog@jtimothyhunt.com to tell me how many copies they want, and who they would like me to dedicate them to. (I'll know the orders came from you -- and only you -- because I created that email address specifically for this offer.) The books cost US$17.95 per copy (or CAD$19.95 per copy) plus $3/copy postage. I'll send them a PayPal invoice by email so they can pay by credit card in US, Canadian or Euro currency.

So if you send one person my way, I'll give you your dollar. If you manage to send 365,000 people my way, I will give you $365,000. A million people, a million dollars. The amount is up to you. I'm dead serious and willing to put it in writing.

Deal?

This is(or was) one of Ahmed's dollars

AHMED

Ahmed is the name of the fellow who walked me through the e-mail set-up for project365@shaw.ca. At the end of the conversation he asked me if I had any other questions.
"Well" I said, " If I was to ask you for a dollar, would you give it to me?" I sensed the silence, and heard it too, and went to explain what it was I was up to. He said, "Sure." I said, "Really?!" "Yup." So we figured out that we would meet at the Starbucks in the Shaw Tower on his break the following day. I told him I'd be the guy in a blue baseball hat. Sure enough at 12:30p.m. there he was. Not only that, he handed me two American dollars.(those guys at Shaw must do alright)

What's this all about?

Anything is possible.

To that effect, I was having a conversation with my brother the other day. We were talking about a number of things, one of which was my plan to raise $365,000 by February 14, 2010. He wished me luck. Interestingly he also believes anything is possible, just not that. So we bet on it. Now I had a problem. How was I going to raise $365,000?

I started to think about all the different ways to achieve my goal. I’m an actor, so I could get big roles in films. I could book a television series. Work on voice-over campaigns. Win the lottery. All of these are entirely plausible and all are still in play. I then thought, what if I ask 365,000 people for a dollar? That would do it too!

I started last Saturday.(Feb 14, 2009) I was having breakfast with a friend and asked him if he would join me in an experiment. He said he would. I asked him for fifty cents. (At that point I thought a dollar was pushing it.) He asked why, so I told him. In about eighteen seconds I had fifty cents! I thought, "Wow! That was pretty quick. I wonder how fast I can make this happen?"

The waitress came over and she gave me fifty cents. The older lady waiting for our table did the same. As she handed me the cash, she asked me what I was planning to do with the money. Do with it? I hadn't even considered that. She suggested I do the “right” thing with it, and I assured her I would. I added that I looked forward to having such a problem.

Since that moment I’ve been given anywhere from fifty cents to a hundred dollars?! I’m also full of suggestions from people about where the money should go. One person suggested something to do with housing on the downtown eastside of Vancouver. Maybe call it "365 House.” Another idea was to create a public sculpture of the numbers “$365,000”. Beside the sculpture would be a placard describing how it came to be. It could be called "The Bet" or “Anything is Possible". Another person had an idea for a cause in Rwanda. Today someone suggested something to do with animals. Who knows?

How can we be sure you won’t take the money and renovate your kitchen?(and believe me, my kitchen could use it) How do we know you won’t take the wife and kids on a trip to Tulsa?(well I don’t have a wife and I’m pretty sure the kids aren’t mine) The answer is you can’t be sure. All I can tell you is it won’t be something like that. You still have to choose whether or not you want to believe me and contribute anyway. The bottom line is I just want to see what happens.

So thank you for considering my project. If you have any suggestions,(for instance where the money should go) ideas, or thoughts please let me know. So, would YOU give me a dollar?

If we can do this, imagine what else is possible.

Brendan

P.S. The dollar is not restricted to Canadian currency, and counteroffers are welcome.
P.P.S. Please respond to project365@shaw.ca if you wish to contribute, especially if it includes giving a dollar. (We’ll figure out a way to get it) You can also send your dollar to:
Brendan Beiser
c/o200-1505 2nd Avenue West
Vancouver, BC V6H 3Y4
Canada
If you wish to send a check, feel free. You just have to be willing to make it payable to B. Beiser. Please please feel free to forward. (After all, I have to get to 365 000 people)