An Article by Paula Williams
I am an only child. Therefore, unnecessary sharing just isn't in my nature. After moving out of my mother's house, I started to realise I couldn't get my own way by growling or holding my breath. A new tactic was needed but, as I was unfamiliar with the concept of negotiation, it took time. Though at first I overcompensated, like a poorly endowed man with a fast car, I like to think I'm not too bad a person now.
To showcase my new found altruism (ironically making me sound egotistical) I have taken the task of organising a charity event in support of the men's health charity Movember.
Since 2004 an annual phenomenon has been apparent, starting in Australia and sprouting up in other countries too. In November a higher than usual number of men have moustaches. Some may think is a mere folly of fashion. Others see it as a preparation for the cold months ahead. Others don't notice and just get on with their lives. I am here to provide answers, and pointless rambling rubbish in which to encase said answers. These gallant gents are raising money and awareness on behalf of Movember, a charity concerned with the health of the male population. Last year £48.5 million was raised for a number of charities including The Prostate Cancer Charity, The Institute of Cancer Research and Global Action Plan. The more moustaches, the more conversations are sparked and the awareness grows, a little like the proverbial tash on the lip of society. I have no idea where that came from. My apologies.
I am, despite popular secondary school rumours, female and unable to grow a moustache. I therefore must find other ways of rallying the Movember troops. I have not vowed to lie in a bathtub full of beans, or bungee jump from a helicopter, as I am something commonly known as a pansy, but I have a few little plans to compensate for my distinct lack of courage.
Firstly, I'm giving up smoking – the only risk that I take shall soon be no more. My mother was overjoyed at this news, after the initial “Are you pregnant?” bit was out of the way. I once bet her £1 million that I would never smoke, but that was before I realised that all of my friends did it, it was cool and made me more attractive to the opposite sex. (I'm joking, don't sue me). The reactions of others were varied, to say the least. Some of my friends have merrily jumped on the bandwagon, vowing to quit with me. My workmates greeted the news with what I can only sum up as gut-wrenching apprehension of the horrific mood that will ensue. My bloke is quitting with me, on a purely self-preservation basis.
“You think you can quit, get annoyed, then watch me smoke? I wouldn't last the month.” Thanks for the support, darling.
The second leg of my Movember crusade – back to sounding egotistical again – involves organising an event to be held in my place of work. Luckily, I work in a bar. Even more luckily, my boss is open to “sweet-talk”. At 6pm on the 27th November 2011, will be held Movember at Henry's Café Bar, Cardiff. The evening will include a raffle, an auction, and a few daft games with ridiculous prizes – a fête for adults with a bar.
I have set up a charity page, or Mospace, on the Movember website. My MoSpace address ishttp://mosista.co/Paula Feel free to join my team, donate, post on the wall, or just say hello, as I like to feel popular. If you need any more information, just leave me a note on my Movember wall and I'll get back to you.
