About 3 weeks ago, for some crazy reason, I signed up to volunteer as an interpreter at the NYC Marathon. I thought that it would be a fun experience and I might get to see the top marathoners cross the finish line. However, as soon as I filled up the online volunteer application form and clicked the “submit” button, I started to have second thoughts. The second thoughts did not go away and finally on the eve of the marathon, I’ve decided to skip the event. My main reasons are
1. I can’t afford this experiential volunteerism trip. It’ll cost me about $50 (i.e., busfare, subway fare, food and drinks, misc). I’ll be sending my car for an oil and transmission fluid change next Wednesday and that will cost at least $100-150. The $50 is better spent on this neccessity.
2. It takes up too much of my time. I have to be there from 9-5pm. In order to get to NYC Central Park by 9am, I have to take the 6:15am bus and that would mean waking up at around 5am. The bus ride takes 2hrs 20mins one way. Altogether, it takes 16 hours and that’s just too much time.
3. I feel it’s going to be a somewhat anti-climactic trip. A lot of effort and not much return. If only I’m 30mins away from NYC and the busfare is $2, then I would definitely go.

But I do feel bad for not honoring my commitment. I hope I didn’t leave several Cantonese- or Bahasa Malaysia-speaking (speak no English) marathoners stranded in Central Park. I’ll think twice or three times, the next time I get crazy experiential volunteerism ideas.

==========

After watching the NYC Marathon inspiration video, I’m totally inspired to run the first 30 minutes of the NYC Marathon. The rest of the Marathon? That’s a different story altogether. I’m considering submitting my name for the NYC Marathon 2008 lottery*…another crazy idea that I’ll regret later?

* You don’t just sign up and get in. There’s too many people applying for a limited number of spots, so there’s a lottery to draw out the “winning” applicants.