Otto’s KIVA Christmas

Message from Rick Marshall:

I just made a loan to someone in Afghanistan using a the site that was set up by Otto’s sister, Lita. The group is called ‘Team OPS’ – the website is kiva.org

Why did I choose Afghanistan?

Because I want to provide hope and economic opportunity in a region where I believe lack of opportunity and hope for the future has led to an upsurge in Muslim fundamentalism. An upsurge in the subjugation not only of women – but all those with different beliefs or backgrounds.

But you could choose just about any poor nation on the planet.

Go to the team URL: http://www.kiva.org/team/team_ops

It states: “We loan because: Change in the world can only happen one step at a time. We all can make that difference.

About us: Otto Schutt touched so many people in his lifetime. It is now up to all of us to give back in his name. Give Thanks!” - Lita Tabish, Ott’s sister.

Team Since: Nov 24, 2008

Under the ‘Community’ Tab, you can also search for ‘Team OPS’ at :www.kiva.org

You can go to Kiva’s website and lend to someone across the globe who needs a loan for their business - like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks.  Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent - and you get updates letting you know how the entrepreneur is going.

The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back - and Kiva’s loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly. I have been receiving ALL of my payments on time over the last 6 months and just ‘re-loaned’ some of my original principal.

It’s finally easy to actually do something about poverty - using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they’re using it for.  And most of all, I know that I’m helping them build a sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.

Join me in honoring Ott’s legacy and continue changing the world - one loan at a time.

After all, it is Christmas - and if not now – when?

If not you; who?

It is time to Give Thanks!

Rick Marshall , Member of ‘Team OPS’

Please pass onto the countless number of ‘friends of Ott’ that I have missed.

SnowCamp Give Thanks!

This quick note has been a long time coming and as long as it took for me to do it, I didn’t want another day to pass without a Thank You for making SnowCamp the most successful one we ever had. Because of you we are donating $2,500 to Girls 2000.

The biggest thanks goes to Ms. Kerry Lange, who wouldn’t let me cancel when I felt overwhelmed. She said people would step up and you all did. Kerry continues to remind me of Otto with her vision and commitment. Much love, respect and gratitude to you “CSC”.

Dae, Donger, Mace and all of the DJs. Thanks for your contributions to sound. You took care of everything without a hitch and made the music the last thing anyone had to worry about, Otto trained you guys well, lol. Two of the cops were very cool and said, “At least you’re playing good music”. Chris you are solid!

Indra, Kyle and Karl…Booze! Busted the hell out of our alcohol budget in a way that everyone appreciated. Otto would drink to that!

Sam and Shab. Otto wasn’t much on food prep at SnowCamp but I remember a conversation we had last year about how you two always remain functional and reliable both in manning the dance floor and feeding the masses. Thank you is two for all that you do year after year.

Katherine, Robert, Gayle and Cathy. Thank you for sacrificing time on the slopes to prep for the party. Decor is the red headed step child of SnowCamp but it sets the tone and makes the party each and every year. Thank you for making it happen this year.

Not sure who handled clean up but I’m sure Eric, Cathy, Gayle and Carmel had a hand in it. Thank everyone for keeping it clean. We put down a $1,000 security deposit that we forfeit when the cops come. We just got this money back because we were able to argue how good we wuz because you all pitched in. Good little campers aren’t we?

Thank you all for the individual contributions that made for another successful year. I’m sure I’ve missed some important names but I know we as a community feel the love and appreciation for what you did. Our gathering in Tahoe will allow the kids of Hunters Point to take a break from the trials of gang life and abuse by providing a day trip on a ranch in Marin. Might not sound like much to us, but 100% of these kids have lost someone to gang violence. Every minute they spend away from the daily trials gives these kids hope for something more. Give Thanks!

Thanks again for the good times and good work. Otto lives through you.

Giving Thanks Christmas

Holiday Greetings

In a tribute to Otto, I want to recruit you to my lending team, Team OPS, on Kiva, a non-profit website that allows you to lend as little as $25 to a specific low-income entrepreneur in the developing world. You choose who to lend to - whether a baker in Afghanistan, a goat herder in Uganda, a farmer in Peru, a restaurateur in Cambodia, or a tailor in Iraq - and as they repay the loan, you get your money back.

If you join my lending team, we can work together to alleviate poverty. Once you’re a part of the team, you can choose to have a future loan on Kiva “count” towards our team’s impact. The loan is still yours, and repayments still come to you - but you can also choose to have the loan show up in our team’s collective portfolio, so our team’s overall impact will grow!

Check out the Team OPS lending team, and learn more about lending teams on Kiva in general, by clicking here: http://www.kiva.org/community/viewTeam?team_id=2893&_isc=7e4029fe-1e83-102c-a1af-72907bb92db6.

Thanks,
Lita Tabish

Peru Rocks Videos

Here are all of the videos all in one place. Enjoy.

Day 10 - Oct 15, The Music

A beautiful man by the name of Nick Harper wrote a song on the way home from the hospital where his mother had just passed.  Imaginary Friend. He sang it last year on Mt. Everest to celebrate her life and to send her off, prayer flag blowing in the breeze there right now.  He was kind enough to honor Otto by playing this song again for us.  Words cannot express what that moment did for every one in the room.  Give Thanks! Give Thanks! Give Thanks!

Magical night. Or as Otto would say, “We Rocked It!”

P.S. Cy, are you sure “Saved By Zero” shouldn’t have been saved by Otto?  Hope you don’t mind me using a letter O in place of the Zero. Since hero’s never die I am gonna sing it like that for now on. Much Love.

Freeing Otto

A day at Machu Picchu

We had a beautiful moment celebrating Otto in various ways.  Each of us saying what we needed to say and using music to go deep into the feeling. Cy, I love you man! Shannon, you mean so much to so many.  Thank you for all you’ve done.

Team Otto, please take a moment to reflect upon how you said goodbye to Otto.  In fact take two moments. Think back to how you met Otto and the time you laughed the most. He touched everyone in a very different way.  Give Thanks!

Our day on Machu Piccu with Otto is posted here. Click to read the posting.

Day 8 - Oct 13

It hit me this morning when I thought about the date October 13 that, one year ago today Otto was diagnosed with cancer. When he called me that night I had no idea where this would take us. He and I had been joking ealier in the week that perhaps it was a parasitic twin named Steve that we could remove and put in a jar. I would so much rather be selling peepshow tickets to see it at BrassTax Halloween than carrying my dear friend. What a difference a year makes.

Today I was able to look down on Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate because of YOUR efforts, love and support.  That was never far from my mind but today I took several hours to really celebrate it. This is your moment! You are here with me.

While the group was taking pictures and dealing with the authorities, There was time to sit by myself and meditate on all of the people who knew or loved Otto. Trip with his I <3 Otto shirt.  Thanks boyz! Gayle, Jen and the Sarver’s organizing the domestic needs. Mark and Ted who took Otto to places he couldn’t have gone alone. The Strenks for everything they did. Marcus, Otto and I having shared the same loss of a loving mother. Give Thanks Elke! Hlo, dela, and Kerry for the Orange bandana we carried across the GG bridge and now here. DaBomb, Shawn, Stacy, the Angels and Amy who created things to lift his spirits. Ray for making it all count. The beautiful Peter Hudson who’s art will always be part of Otto’s smile. All of the MBO (Married by Otto) couples who took Otto’s love home and used it to bind you togehter. The Chico crew who are a part of some of Otto’s favorite years. Indra for holding him close as he was leaving us. My beautiful little Korean brother, Otto loves you so much!  The citizens of Black Rock, all the freaky people make the beauty in the world. The Cowboys, OPS, The Deep End, Garage Mahal and the Brass Tax for your good times. Julie, Angeline, Megan, Michelle and my beloved Sara who have given me so much strength. I gave up many times and you pulled me back through. My new family Schutt. Otto was so lucky to have you.

It was also an opportunity to better appreciate the individuals both living and passed who have inspired my fellow trekkers to make this journey. Judy, Janet, Meme, Ryan, Agnes, JC, Kortney with a K, Robert, Matt, Andrea, Ellen, Gaga, Sharon Held and dozens of others were the never far from the hearts and minds of those who, like me, took each painful step in the name of someone dear. Thank You everyone for giving me another name to add to my heart as we summited. It was beautiful to spend a few moments honoring those souls who motivated us to keep going. Give Thanks!

There is so much hope for the future because of people like all of you.  I spent all of today very focussed on that and grateful for you.  We will celebrate Otto tomorrow. Give Thanks!

Click here for pictures and other stories.

Day 7 - Oct 12

Featuring Laine, Brien, Cherron, Aden, Meghan, Shannon, Jim, Mike, Molly, Sam, Jon, Alex

The guides lie!!!  When they say “flat” or “easy” you know it is gonna be a tough one. But we are getting used to it and taking it one step at a time. Give Thanks! I keep thinking back to the first night on the mountain with our guides and they listened to all of our stories and Domingo said with tears in his eyes.

I bring people up to this place every day and they are looking for the energy we have here in this place.  This is the first time I am bringing people here who are bringing the energy. Thank you for what you are doing for my country.

We have had a few run-ins with local authorities but are still hopeful things will be better at Machu Picchu. It was funny hat night last night. I took a playa shower and some sleeping pills and I still haven’t slept but it is the only altitude symptom I am suffering from. Give Thanks.  Others are not faring as well but still pushing on.  I can feel the vibration of thousand of years of trekers taking the same steps. Such a blessing to be here.

We had our first full on concert with something like a bar tonight.  I can’t believe how much fun we had with the locals and a few other trekkers. I went around and asked for the names of those who inspired the individuals to be here.  At first I wrote the names on my arm but when I ran out of room, I had to tuck the list in my pocket. I have grown to know pretty much all of the personalities on this trip and I am so thankful for the spirits that brought us together.  Wish it had been better circumstances.

Tomorrow Machu Picchu.

Click here for photos and other stories.

Day 6 - Oct 11

Featuring: A Big F’n Tarantula, Annie, Michelle, Oli, Tom, Abbe, Katy, Shannon, Brien, George, Mike, Jules, Mercedes, Kathy, Mayor Jim, Tone, Chip

First night on the mountain and no sleep for the weary. We lost Tracey this morning which makes me very sad.  She had stage 4 colon cancer just like Otto and has been kicking it’s ass for the last 5 years.  It was a difficult decision but she headed back down the hill. Look forward to seeing her again in a few days at Machu Picchu.

Today was nothing like yesterday!  We climbed straight up for 3 hours thinking we were reaching the peak only to find we were only half way up and still had a few hours to make it to the lunch stop.  Moment of truth, I had a bit of a reality check looking up at the peak and said, “I’m not so sure Otto and I we’re all that good of friends.” lol

We stopped and had a bit of an impromptu concert.  Brien McVernon, from Australia, is one of my new favorite people EVER.  He is making the trip in his rocker clothes and a smile has never left his face.  I am using some of his spirit to push onward and upward.

Last night Dex played Hey World by Michael Franti for the team. Spearhead sang it in Monterrey the night of Otto’s big SF fundraiser and we could hear the pain in Michael’s voice as he dedicated it to the big guy.  Not a dry eye in the group.

Hey world what-cha say? Should I stick around for another day?

Hey world what-cha say? Should I stick around for another day or two?

Don’t give up on me, I won’t give up on you.

Please believe in me like I believe in you.

I started singing it in my head to help get me up the hill.  Shannon said she had used a Spearhead song to help her up Everest last year.  Give Thanks for Michael!

The last 1/4 mile was REALLY difficult, but the Peru Rocks team gathered and sang request as we neared the summit.  Some people requested the theme from Rocky or Eye of the tiger.  I requested “I’m a little tea pot” and I laughed all the way up as they even acted it out.  I love each and every one of these people. Give Thanks!!!

This is tougher than I thought it would be.  The pack and the aching muscles are one thing but I feel a little dazed and in awe of all of these people who have triumphed over so much. Cancer survivors making this journey to help others with cancer who they’ve never met. I miss Otto a lot and sometimes I break away from the group to have a Playa walk with Otto. Sometimes we sit and Give Thanks.  I write a big Otto in the dirt and as I’m hiking I can hear the trekers scream OTTO!!! So much love. Give Thanks!

Click here for more stories from today.

Day 5 - Oct 10

Featuring: Erin

Got up at the butt crack of dawn and made our way to the trailhead.  I was WAY too excited to sleep and am sure that is gonna cost me later.  The adventure begins!!!  Our first challange was to cross a bridge made of scrap wood on a bus full of people.  Our bus driver was a bit of a daredevil and didn’t bother to unload.  I’m thinking it woulda been safer to jump the gulley Dukes of Hazard style.  But we made it and that is what counts!  Give Thanks!

Had our first brush with Peruvian authorities when they gave several people a hard time about their passports not matching up on the list of approved trekkers.  Mike got a hard time for having Michael on his passport and Molly has both her married and maiden name.  I on the other hand had no problem even though I was listed as Lee and my passport reads Ishmun.  Otto musta been looking out for me.  Give Thanks!  Our only casualties were two guitars that the authorities took and will deliver back to us in Machu Picchu.  No worries, we’s got spares!

Not so sure Michelle is gonna make it.  She ate some local fruit and I cannot remember seeing anyone as sick as she is right now.  Seriously looks like death warmed over.  At lunch I saw a wasp kill a tarantula and drag it off into it’s lair.  Very cool, but I am checking my shoes twice for spiders in the morning!

If today is anything like what’s to come, this should be an easy hike.  I was a bit worried when we ran out of porters and I am carrying my 55 lbs pack myself.  But a few of us are doing it and I was even running at some points on the trail.  Semper Fi!!!  I mean, Give Thanks!!!

Almost forgot, Armando and Ryan made a deal with the guides to sacrifice Kelly’s virtue in exchange for sunshine.  It was gorgeous today.  Way to take one for the team Kelly!

Check out photos and the update here.