PITW stands for Putting Idealism to Work, and PITWs are phrases that people at City Year use to guide their service. There are 181 last time I checked, and for a while I was trying to memorize all of them. Why? Because they come in handy for so many situations. Take the one serving as the subject for this entry. When I started thinking about doing FAWM again last month, I wanted to make it even bigger than when I participated last year. Realizing that I could release an album to benefit City Year New Hampshire, I knew that getting other people involved would simultaneously make the album stronger and spread the word about the fundraising component. Having an album of one guy's songs is cool, but owning an album that unites young people from service and others who are passionate about creativity to collaborate on every song - that's worth having. We're roughly a week away from the beginning of FAWM. This time next week, I'll be preparing to mourn the loss of Liz Lemon and tempering that sadness with last minute pre-FAWM preparations. I've gotten in touch with most of the people that I have thought about contacting, but there are few more people to ask. And, of course, I'd love to have you - yes, YOU! - on board as well. Send me an e-mail at [email protected] or call me at (302) 385-6962 and we'll figure out how to work this out. Last night I talked to my buddy Jawad, who was my roommate during our senior corps year. Jawad would often sit in the living room and noodle around with his guitar. I'm hoping to steal a few precious minutes from his busy February to have him inject some creativity into my FAWM attempt. I just heard back from my buddy Joey. He's currently out in Utah leading some sort of intensive education program for youth in the wilderness. He's an old friend - we were actually in a band together in high school. Pennyfarthing may no longer be with us, but Joey still plays music. He is a fan of the ukulele and I'm looking forward to playing music with him again. There are some other new people on board but I want to get this entry up before it's the 25th. Please keep checking back for updates and let me know if you're interested in helping in whatever way you wish! -Paul

On Friday, City Year New Hampshire alumni received a newsletter informing them about this project and the big fundraiser and CD release party we're holding on April 27. If any alumni are reading this - or, actually, anybody - and want to help out, send me an e-mail at [email protected]. I really want to collaborate with as many people as possible, so let me know! Here's the status of people who have pledged to help out. It will change - some people may drop out once February arrives and others may jump on board - but these numbers are making me jump for joy! (I won't list names because I didn't clear that with them and even though their names will be on the album, I want to be respectful.) 3 CYNH alumni 5 personal friends (including the two who contributed to last year's album, Winter Sketchbook) In the coming week, I hope to: - talk to more people, including a friend who served at CY Washington D.C., about collaborating - buy another microphone cable - confirm that my buddy Tim will do artwork for the album (but if other people want to contribute, I'd love that!) - Begin loosely planning what February will look like: when I'll write, when I'll collaborate, when I'll start working on designing the album Keep checking it to see how I'm doing! -Paul

There's no "Before" picture but trust me this backstage team space was just hours before under siege with remnants from our year long service at the school. We relocated paint cans, raffle tickets, after school program projects, posters, recess equipment, and a heck of a lot more.