I apologize for not following through the last few days on the promise to deliver high5s each and every day. There is really no excuse for my action--or should I say inaction? My beloved little digicam is missing and I really hope this is just a break rather than the end of our sensational relationship.
For today I bring you High Five. This two foot by two foot acrylic piece created by dougboehm is just the sort of boost that I needed. If Doug can spend hours fabricating my dream in action, I can certainly take my cell phone out of my pocket to snap some live primates actually living the dream.

What do you think the 'R' and 'L' stand for? I'm betting on Ricky and Lucy.

to check out dougboehm's other stuff visit http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5443152

High-Five of the (yester)Day

Meet Father Jerry O'Connel and Ms. Joyce Stone. From the warm comfort of my sister Jeanette's tiny car, he did not appear to be in the best spirits and I wasn't sure how he would react to the High5 project. Part of this was due to the fact that when first spotted, Jerry had his head tilted downward. I quickly noted that what I initially thought was despair was probably more of an attempt to keep his holy face warm. I had found my prey and my friend Joyce (pictured left) was more than happy to trot across the street with me so that our target would have a ready hand to make contact with.
It turned out that my worries were ill-founded and Jerry was more than happy not only to have his photo taken but also to exchange some friendly holiday greetings and even extended an invitation to worship at his church. I was not raised in a particularly religious environment at all but the gesture was kind and given that Father Jerry so graciously supported my project, I might pop by the ol' house of worship to support his.

In other news I have spotted two unprompted high5s in the last couple of days. The first sighting occurred at a local Barnes&Noble when a man high5ed several kids who were perusing the Manga shelves. Kids who read deserve high5's indeed.
The other was spotted last night in Brookline, Massachusetts when Daniel Blake Adam and Stavroula Kikoman Cybill Venetis high5ed for a reason that is escaping me at this juncture in time. It was great regardless of what prompted it and I mildly hooted and hollered to show my support of their hand-on-hand display of friendship.

It is my sister's birthday today and we have a few things planned as a family--namely cutting a Christmas tree and going out for dinner later--so keep your digits at the ready, you'd be surprised at where I might pop up to document your handiwork.

keep on keeping on,
Charlette

Pictures from the showcase

La semana pasado

Thanks to this guy on the right...I think his name is Mike. What an enthusiast!



Phyllis? Is that you?



One of the project author's, Justin (right)

This kid on the right was loving it....despite appearances.


Praying at the alter of High-Five.


That's my (Charlette's) mom and sister. Momma is fierce.

These ladies hadn't seen each other in a long while and I was glad to have captured their reunion.

High-Five for free bagels if nothing else.

I gotchu Elvi$.

My favorite high-five thus far.

International High-Fivers from France!

These two dropped everything--literally, they put their stuff on the ground--to get this air-shot.



Peter from Fall River! Peter's the best.


Solo High-Fives are just as effective. Never forget to congratulate yourself!!!!!!!!!




Project's other author, Charlette (left) with our inspirational professor, Sarah Kuhn.


This guy, Andrew, did his project on his own because his punk of a partner dropped the class. Well done.





There you go! High Fives from Lowell, New York, and beyond. Stay tuned for a new high-five every day.

Keep on keeping on,
Charlette

New England Weather: If you don't like it--just wait a minute.

Hello High-Fivers,

It is my unfortunate task to deliver the news that due to inclement weather we are going to have to postpone the extravaganza. I fear that even the most dedicated of our supporters will hesitate to turn out and high-five under cloudy skies. Stay tuned for an update on the changed date.

And to Elvis Sanchez and anyone else watching the blog and waiting to see their picture,
FEAR NOT! the photos are coming tonight when I (finally) get some free time.

Keep on keeping on,
Charlette

6 days to go

Don't forget that next Wednesday is our High Five Extravaganza!
It'll be held at noon on the UMass Lowell South Campus quad (where the gazebo is).
Come for t-shirts, high-fives, and oh-so-much more.

9 out of 12 people will not high-five when asked

In the time between school and work yesterday, I took to the streets looking for strangers who were willing to do two things:
1. High-five someone.
2. Have a picture taken of the hand-slapping encounter.

Camera ready, I went into Enterprise Bank in Downtown Lowell to make a small withdrawal and exchanged a few words with the two women behind me...
"Hi. Can I ask you ladies a favor?"
One said yes, the other just gave me a look as if to say, "I'm listening."
"I am a student at UMass Lowell and I am on a quest to increase community awareness and involvement. A component of this is encouraging people to extend a friendly hand to those around them. So I'm wondering if you would high-five each other and allow me to take a picture?"
"No," one woman said without reservation. "Today is not a good day for me."
The other woman remained silent, as she knew that her decision had been made by this negative Nell one spot ahead of her in line.

I was discouraged but thanked both women with as much sincerity as I could muster--I figured it would come off as hypocritical for someone campaigning for community to turn sour upon not getting her way. I left the bank ready to find a willing party.
I immediately stumbled upon a family of four as I bounded out of the bank. At first I thought that these people shouldn't be eligible as it was obvious that they all knew each other. More consideration coupled with the sting of rejection from the previous encounter told me to stretch the rules and just get the picture.
"Hi. How are you all doing today?"
No response. Utter confusion.

"I'm a student from UMass Lowell and I am trying to increase community awareness by capturing photos of people high-fiving. Would you participate?"
Long stare. No response.
Scalded again by the iron of being denied, I left the scene.

A block away, I spotted a pair of scraggly men wielding empty grocery carts. Perfect. I was certain that these guys would be game.
I approached. I said hello and they both greeted me warmly. I gave my schpeel.
One of the guys literally ran away. I wish that this was a tall-tale but it seriously happened.
His friend explained that the guy really was not into having his picture taken. I thanked him and actually received a high-five from my new flannel-clad friend--the perfect silver lining to an otherwise miserable encounter.

Four has always been my number. All of my sports jerseys have been adorned with the number. There are four other members of my immediate family. It is just a magic number. That being said, I strode confidently toward the fourth and last pair I would be able to take in before heading to work. I gave the two women my 15 second plea, doing everything I could to hide any trace of desperation in my voice. And miracle of miracles, those ladies had a hand collision.

To these women and the man who high-fived even as his friend fled the scene I say thank you. Thank you for keeping the high-five, and my hope for a stronger community, alive.

Keep well,
Charlette