What is the best strategy for surviving the robot apocalypse?
A squirt gun Please describe your ideal pizza. A simple cheese pizza, however I am rather particular that there is more cheese than sauce. Favorite spice? salt and pepper What are you superstitious about? I have an orange mechanical pencil that I invariably use for all my school work. I worry if I use any other pencil I will not perform as well. Best Halloween costume? Power ranger Hidden talents? N/A Favorite book? When Breath Becomes Air Paul Kalanithi Tell the world a little bit about your 826 volunteering so far. I have greatly enjoyed working with students during writers club and individually with their homework. It is so rewarding to see students' confidence grow and watch their interests raise in subjects I am passionate about. Favorite 826 memory? My initial start to tutoring was delayed as a result of COVID-19. In a time of great stress and uncertainty, I was nervous to how I could help young students. In my first week tutoring, the writing challenge was to describe a hero. Hearing students' optimism that that their heroes, the doctors and nurses on the frontlines of the pandemic, would keep us safe and healthy assuaged many of my own fears for the future. This showed me the students can teach and help me as much as I can help them. Words of wisdom to fellow and future volunteers? Do not be afraid to make a mistake. To err is human. Making a mistake while helping a student allows them to know you do not expect perfection. It makes the students more comfortable taking risks and trying new things. What is the best strategy for surviving the robot apocalypse?
Cowardice and assimilation Please describe your ideal pizza. I LOVE a Hawaiian pizza! Last time I tried a pizza with bbq sauce on it instead of pizza sauce- and I think about it often. I love a well done- crunchy- crust, and a regular amount of cheese. Favorite spice? Pepper What are you superstitious about? Mal de Ojo (Evil Eye); bad luck comes in three; opening an umbrella inside; throwing pennies in a fountain for good luck. Best Halloween costume? I got the costume from one of the shows I have watched (Money Heist). Hidden talents? No. Favorite book? Lobster is the Best Medicine. Tell the world a little bit about your 826 volunteering so far. I have volunteered with the current YABP, and some of the writing workshops. So far, my favorite program has been afterschool tutoring; I have volunteered at the store while it is going on, and I enjoy hearing the conversations that are happening. Favorite 826 memory? My first OMNIbus release party (2019 edition). And I was happy to be able to share that experience with my best friend that was visiting me from out of town. Words of wisdom to fellow and future volunteers? Ask questions! What is the best strategy for surviving the robot apocalypse?
Conversational fluency in binary code. Please describe your ideal pizza. You can’t go wrong with a classic pepperoni pizza Favorite Spice? I put paprika on pretty much everything What are you superstitious about? I definitely think there are multiple dimensions. Sort of like how radio waves exist even though we can’t perceive them with our own senses Hidden talents? I think I can parallel park with my eyes closed, though I’d rather not try Favorite book? If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin Best Halloween costume? Last year I didn’t have time to find a costume so I wore normal clothes and said I was an undercover cop Tell the world a little bit about your 826 volunteering so far. Most of my volunteering has been through tutoring. Everyday is exciting because each student is a little different and you get to be creative in your approach. I also really enjoyed the Summer Writers Club. It was super rewarding to watch each new author’s growth over several weeks! Favorite 826 memory? Attending the book release party for the Summer Writers Club at the STAMPS art gallery Words of wisdom to fellow and future volunteers? Anything is possible with enough patience. (and for the record, she is indeed a first-name/last-name sort of person)
What is the best strategy for surviving the robot apocalypse? All of the above, plus lots of meditation? (For me and for the robots??) Please describe your ideal pizza. So easy: With Partner (Mike Dobmeier, my beloved hater-of-mushrooms-and-olives)? Thin crust pepperoni and banana peppers with lots of parmesan cheese. Without Partner? All of the above plus olives and mushrooms. Favorite spice? Ginger What are you superstitious about? This is not a superstition, but the people who know and love me will know that I need to use the restroom right before we leave any establishment/the house/the office, no exceptions! Best Halloween costume? I am terrible at Halloween costumes, but I love how easy it is to pull off a good old Rosie the Riveter or Harry Potter (a go-to or two). Hidden talents? I can wiggle my ears, which I forgot about until recently and just confirmed that I can STILL wiggle my ears. Favorite book? Cannot answer that, but George Saunders and Zadie Smith are two all-time favorite writers (and minds in general). Tell the world a little bit about your 826 volunteering so far. Over the years I've been so lucky to dabble in *almost* all of our programs here at 826 (still need to get to a Dr. Blotch performance/oops I mean Field Trip). A few favorites: I taught a workshop for students to write letters to their politician of choice (this was during the Obama Administration). I also got to teach a 6-word Memoir workshop in Ypsilanti (a partnership with the fabulous Ozone House) where the student memoirs were then painted onto the planters downtown - and they're still looking gorgeous! I also had the distinct pleasure of being an assistant on the Best American Nonrequired Reading project for several years. Drop-in tutoring on Liberty Street will be forever in my heart because that was my 826 intern assignment (in Winter 2009!). And one of my very favorite life experiences was serving on the 826michigan Board of Directors starting in 2011 until just a few months ago. Favorite 826 memory? So very many, but the composite experience of my time interning at 826 was such a pleasure. Words of wisdom to fellow and future volunteers? Yes, this place is as special as you think it is and it's because of the people who are part of it (students, staff, volunteers), so give yourself permission to go all in with your time or your creative workshop idea or your heart's desire. What is the best strategy for surviving the robot apocalypse?
Bake my way into an alliance- cookies are the key to the robot soul. Please describe your ideal pizza. We begin with a thin golden crust; dusted with butter and garlic. Not too thick to be doughy, nor too thin to hurt your mouth when you bite into it. A nice white sauce for the base, not too rich, but with flavor that makes your tastebuds sing. Then, a layer of cheeses, mixing and dancing together. Enter: the truffles. A medley of mushrooms tossed atop the pizza and cook it all until it is gooey and hot. Favorite Spice? Garlic; basic perhaps, but perfect certainly. What are you superstitious about? Saying the "M"-word in a theatre. It's the only superstition that actually worries me. Hidden talents? I can remember the lyrics to most any song if I've heard it more than 2 or 3 lines, without ever having to look them up. Favorite book? Currently, "The Secret Life of Bees." It's one of my all-time favorites and I haven't been able to read it in a while. What is the best strategy for surviving the robot apocalypse?
Distracting socks Please describe your ideal pizza. Thick, greasy crust (ala Buddy's). real cheese, skimpy on the tomato sauce, although I love tomatoes, especially Michigan in the summer. Favorite spice? Turmeric, right now What are you superstitious about? I am practical Best Halloween costume? Too long ago to remember Hidden talents? Creativity; I never thought I had it. Favorite book? The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers Tell the world a little bit about your 826 volunteering so far. I admire Mary Ellen Lowe because she appears to like her job and her kids. it's hard to do what she does every day with such smiles and enthusiasm. Brandan Pierce is a wonderful, competent leader who brought out the best in us and the kids. Favorite 826 memory? On the afternoon of our book party, a student handed me a book in which she had written a story. I felt so privileged to be her reader and so special that she felt confident to share her words. Words of wisdom to fellow and future volunteers? Just enjoy the beautiful glory of childhood and the unabashed words and ideas of children. Check out Sandy's Volunteer of the Month Write-up Here! What is the best strategy for surviving the robot apocalypse?
Destroy evil robots by confusing them with nonsensical jokes. Befriend peaceful robots by mastering robot repair. Please describe your ideal pizza. The pizza of my dreams is slowly cooling to an optimal eating temperature—hot but not too hot. It would never burn the roof of your mouth. It is a fresh square Detroit Sicilian-style pizza with a crispy crust, ample melted mozzarella and pecorino cheeses, a savory not bitter sauce, two or three shakes of red pepper flakes and quarter-sized spicy pepperoni with just a touch of grease. Alongside the pizza sits an inviting puddle of homemade ranch dressing awaiting its soon holy union with the tip of the pizza slice. The pizza is accompanied by exciting friendly conversation, goofy sci-fi movies and carbonated and/or adult beverage. Favorite spice? Garlic, garlic, garlic What are you superstitious about? Tails-up pennies are bad luck. I do not pick them up, but if I see a heads-up penny, I pick it up. This applies to my house as well. There are tails-up pennies in random corners or under dressers that will never be picked up. Best Halloween costume? Giant Floppy Disk Hidden talents? Smoothie-Maker Extraordinaire Favorite book? The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck Tell the world a little bit about your 826 volunteering so far. My favorite 826michigan programs so far have been the Choose Your Own Adventure Workshop Roadshows and the Young Author Book Project. I love the surprise and delight of a Workshop Roadshow and also love the dedication and relationship building of YABP. :D Favorite 826 memory? Bot Choir 2015! We magically robotified Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" within minutes, practiced maybe twice and then performed to a round of applause and cheers from the merry public. :) Words of wisdom to fellow and future volunteers? Be patient. Be open-minded and flexible. Celebrate successes. Guide through challenges. Have fun! Check out Natalie's Volunteer of the Month Write-up Here! What is the best strategy for surviving the robot apocalypse?
Hijack the TARDIS. Please describe your ideal pizza. Equally ideal is NY style with pepperoni, served on a plain white paper plate. Floppy and folded. You have to turn your head to the side to eat it properly. The bone cracks where you've folded it and a little river of red grease runs between your pinky and ring finger and down the back of your hand before you attack it with a flimsy wadded napkin that you've pulled from a dispenser at your table. Favorite spice? Old? Nah. Cinnamon What are you superstitious about? Best Halloween costume? My mom made me a wonderful Snow White costume when I was young. As an adult, maybe the alligator mask I made a couple of years ago. Hidden talents? I can turn my tongue into a three leaf clover Favorite book? At the moment: Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell Tell the world a little bit about your 826 volunteering so far. Favorite 826 memory? Words of wisdom to fellow and future volunteers? Students are bright. Writers are funny. Really young kids are already developing strong and distinct voices. People who come into the store are friends. When in doubt, farts, poop, and boogers are pretty good writing ice-breakers. Check out Carman's Volunteer of the Month Write-up Here! What is the best strategy for surviving the robot apocalypse?
A squirt gun Please describe your ideal pizza. Just so, so, so much cheese. Enough thick tomatoey sauce to really compliment the cheese. Buttery, crispy, bready crust. Some combination of sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, and black olive, but usually only two of the four, or ham and pineapple. Favorite spice? Salt - it makes everything a better version of itself What are you superstitious about? "Jinxing" things Best Halloween costume? The universe Hidden talents? Identifying songs within the first 3-4 notes and singers voices in songs I've never heard. ("What's this?" "This is Aretha Franklin covering Adele. Shazam it and see." Favorite book? To Kill a Mockingbird Tell the world a little bit about your 826 volunteering so far. So far I've only done in-school programs ranging from early elementary mad lib fairy tales to high school music criticism. I really like the ones where I'm working with the same group of kids over time because it's the closest thing to my previous life as a teacher. Favorite 826 memory? I had a writer say in week 5 of a 6 week workshop that she hadn't thought she could write a story but she kept trying and found out she could and she was really proud of the thing she created. It's like someone fed her a line from the 826 manifesto, except she was 1,000% sincere. Words of wisdom to fellow and future volunteers? Grown ups are much more able to support and guide kids when we remember their brains and experience are waaaaaaaaaaaaaay different from ours. This is like the hardest thing to do, but I think one of the most powerful things you can do while working with kids is to try to imagine how they're thinking about and perceiving things. Check out Andrea's Volunteer of the Month Write-up Here! What is the best strategy for surviving the robot apocalypse?
Conversational fluency in binary code Please describe your ideal pizza. Very thin crust, light spicy marinara sauce, fresh mozzarella, olives, basil Favorite spice? Pepper (so many uses!); Favorite secondary spice - Paprika What are you superstitious about? As boring as it is, I'm not superstitious about anything Best Halloween costume? John Wilkes Booth (to my partner's Abe Lincoln) Hidden talents? Solving puzzles Favorite book? Under the Banner of Heaven Tell the world a little bit about your 826 volunteering so far. I've been lucky to help out with a couple of great workshops and to run my own. I also really enjoy my weekly store shift, a terrific opportunity to tell the community that walks in off the street about 826Mi and its projects. Field Trips are amazing and I wish I had a job that allowed me to be there in the early morning hours. Favorite 826 memory? Ask Me Another game night! Words of wisdom to fellow and future volunteers? Always be kind to every volunteer, every student, every parent, and every person that you meet. Check out Matt's Volunteer of the Month Write-up Here! |