The

Undeniable

Ruth

®

…and the Ruth shall set you free!

  • It’s Official – I Have a Big Brain

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    Ruth Carter

    A few weeks ago I got a message from Jonathan McNamara of the Phoenix New Times informing me that I had been nominated and was a finalist for the 2011 Big Brain Awards.  The Big Brain Awards are annual awards give out by the New Times to exceptional and innovative people in the arts in the Phoenix community.  I never thought that I would be nominated, let alone a finalist.  The committee started with nearly 400 nominees and whittled the list down to 18 finalists, 3 in each of 6 categories.  I’m a finalist in the Performing Arts category.

    I was selected as a finalist because of my work with Improv AZ and because of Sponsor A Law Kid.  I am very excited and humbled to be nominated.  I have been blown away by the phenomenal people I’ve met in the Phoenix area in the last two years that to be singled out for my work is quite an honor.

    I will find out if I’m a Big Brain winner or just honored to be nominated this Saturday at Artopia.

    None of this could have happened without the love, support, and guidance from some special people in my life:

    There are two special people I need to single out and thank for their support and guidance.

    1. Jeff Moriarty – If it wasn’t for Jeff organizing the first No Pants Ride, none of this would have ever happened.  There wouldn’t be Improv AZ, and I wouldn’t have met most of the amazing people in my life today.  Jeff was also the person who encouraged me to become a blogger and helped make Undeniable Ruth possible.
    2. Evo Terra – Evo is one of the most outspoken and brilliant people that I know.  A few months ago I asked him how he he developed a thick skin against criticism.  He responded, “Figure out who’s opinions matter to you. Then genuinely do not give a shit what anyone else thinks.”  That is easier said than done, but those have become my guiding words when I’m against people who disagree with what I write or what I do.

    Thank you to everyone who has helped me get this far.  I’m up against some phenomenal people this Saturday: Tom Leveen and Joseph Perez.  While it would be nice to win, I will be pleased regardless of the outcome.

     

     

  • Sponsor A Law Kid Update – March 22, 2011

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    Ruth Carter

    I’m 81 days into my Sponsor A Law Kid (SALK) campaign and have 127 days to go.  So far, I’ve sold 46 days to 33 people and businesses, and it’s paid for about 1/3 of this semester’s tuition.  It’s been quite a journey and I’m grateful to have been part of these people’s lives.

    When I embarked on this campaign in November, my friend basically said to put up a blog post and a Facebook page and see what happens.  I sold quite a few days right off the bat, but then things fizzled out a bit.  Over winter break, I decided to send some emails to people who might be interested in sponsoring a day.  I made a list of every product I use or businesses I patronize on a regular basis.  Unfortunately, I use mostly national brands that don’t sponsor individuals.  Then I started flipping through local publications that I read when I have the time, and I sent emails to everyone who had an ad that included an email address or website.  I would easily spend 8 hours sending emails to get 1 or 2 responses that would say “Yes.”

    One day over break I was lounging around my parents’ house when my phone rang.  It was a representative for Bashas’, a family-owned grocery store chain in the Phoenix area where I regularly shop.  They received my message about SALK and she was calling to offer me a $1,000 scholarship in lieu of sponsoring a day.  I was speechless and so touched by their generosity.

    When I returned to Phoenix, I decided to see if any of the local news stations would be interested in using SALK as news story since school would be back in session soon.  I sent an email to every news station and pitched SALK as a potential story.  I was shocked when I got a call 20 minutes later from Channel 15 asking if they could come over to do an interview to air that night.  One of the viewers that night was a woman who used to be a receptionist at the agency where I worked before law school.  I hadn’t seen her in years.  She loved the idea of SALK so much that she sponsored a day to raise awareness for soldiers with PTSD.  Somehow the Phoenix New Times heard about my campaign and featured SALK on their 365 Ideas blog.

    I had sponsorship for most of the days in January.  On the first day that didn’t have a sponsor, one of my classmates offered to sponsor it at a much reduced rate to promote a cause for him.  I admired his gumption, so I accepted the deal.

    One thing I’ve learned from SALK is that it takes more time and energy than you’d expect to write on someone’s behalf.   My sponsors trust me to write about causes that are close to their hearts, and I take these obligations seriously.  It takes considerable thought to determine the best way to accurately express their sentiments.  I am honored by the opportunity to share their stories, whether I’m writing about a rare illness, paying tribute to a loved one, or promoting someone’s passion.

    Nowadays I’m too busy to solicit sponsorship, but I’m glad when the emails pop into my inbox from people asking to sponsor a day.  Moreover, I’m always happy when I see that others are finding my sponsors because of my blog.  My only regret related to SALK is that I didn’t think of it sooner and have more time to invite people to be part of the SALK family.

  • SALK Day 78: Arizona Animal Races

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    Ruth Carter

    Today’s sponsors are Micah and Danielle Larripa, two of the most wonderful people I’ve met during law school.  Micah is my classmate and a proud member of the U.S. Marine Corps who is perpetually “living the dream.”  Danielle is his beautiful wife.  They asked me to write about the “awesomeness of obscure animal racing events in Arizona.”  I did some digging and here are the top 8 animal races in Arizona.

    1. Just anther day at the Ostrich Races
      Image by Zach Inglis via Flickr

      Ostrich Races:  The ostrich races are part of the annual Ostrich Festival in Chandler.   There are races where ostriches pull chariots and races where participants ride the giant birds.  It’s a hilarious crazy event where you’re likely to see the birds spinning in circles and races where every jockey falls off their bird.

    2. Pug Olympics:  I had to throw in a pug event for the Larripa’s pug, Scout.  This annual event takes place every January in Mesa.  From what I can tell, they let the dogs run wild on agility equipment.
    3. Dog Sled Race:  This race is part of the annual Winter Games at the Hon-Dah Resort Casino in Pinetop.  The Winter Games also raise money for the local humane society with a purebred dog show a “mountain mutt” dog show, and a dog weight pull competition.
    4. Pig Races at Schnepf Farms:  The pig races are part of the pumpkin and chili festival every October.  Hillbilly Bob calls the races as the little pig race around the dirt track.  This is a great family event where attendees all get pig noses for being there.
    5. Desert Dachshund Race:  This event looks adorable – dachshunds zipping down a race area in little colorful race bibs.  This race occurs every October and benefits the Sahuaro Dachshund Rescue.
    6. Goat Dressing : This isn’t a race, but it’s an animal event that was too hilarious not to put on the list.  The Arizona Gay Rodeo Association hosts the Road Runner Regional Rodeo for the International Gay Rodeo Association every February.  Along with the standard rodeo events (bull riding, barrel racing, roping, etc.), they have Goat Dressing – an event where teams of two compete to see who can put a pair of panties on a goat the fastest.
    7. Mascot Race:  Ok, so this is not exactly an animal race, but I’m sure that there are people dressed up as animals.  Mascots from local restaurants race one mile as part of the annual Gilbert Days every November.
    8. Warrior Dash:  The Warrior Dash is an event for humans with animalistic spirit.  This hellish 3.4 mile race is peppered with twelve obstacles including a cargo net, a river, barbed wire, and fire.  Participants receive a Viking helmet and a beer upon crossing the finish line.  The Warrior Dash has races in 30 cities in and out of the U.S.  It’s coming to Arizona for the first time this spring.  And in case you were wondering, yes, I’m doing it.

    Sponsor A Law Kid is my endeavor to pay for my last semester of law school. Today’s sponsors are Micah and Danielle Larripa.  For more information about Sponsor A Law Kid or to see what days are still available for sponsorship, visit my Sponsor A Law Kid page.

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