All About Me Again

So I haven't blogged much about stuff going on in my own life lately, and I've decided to spit it out in a series of small posts...

The Completion of Ivy

My personalized plates finally came in a few weeks ago... and I promptly discovered that I've lost the bumper sticker that's been waiting for years to be used on a "new" car. So I proceeded to custom make one at Cafepress.com. That arrived last week, so my car is now fully personalized. :)

The Movie Dilemma

So Mom and I ended up going to the movies after all (I blogged a li'l while back about wanting to go), but we didn't see Brother's Grimm. Quite by accident, we came across a bunch of reviews, and more than one reviewer had not been happy about the gratuitous violence towards a few of the animals in the film.

As much as I truly appreciate any opportunity to watch Heath Ledger, I'm an even bigger softy about animals (as if you couldn't tell), so we decided we'd hedge our bets and watch Skeleton Key instead. Pretty good flick... with a twist at the end that we ALMOST guessed, but not quite. We condsider a movie to be a really good suspenser when we can't figure it out. *grin*

Reconnecting with Halloween Nut

So I finally managed to get through to talk to Halloween Nut last night. I'd briefly caught her online last week, but it was text-messaging to her mobile. Since she's temporarily out of a land-line phone, I promised I'd call her cell phone that night. I tried... and tried a few times more in the following days, but my calling card caused problems again. Nobody ever recognizes my number when I call, so they don't answer. And, unfortunately, I never got to a voice mail, either.

So I tried leaving her a message yesterday from MY cell phone... and finally got through. She called me back, and we got to talk for a while. Much to my delight, she's considering saving up some money and taking a trip in December (presumably during Christmas Break cuz she's takin her munchkins)... and after I wistfully commented that I really wish she could be here to see my place, she suggested she may possibly decide to take her trip here! Of my good, close friends, she is one of the few who has never had a chance to come to see me here in Missouri, yet.

I did my best to lure her with promises of home cookin every day and a trip to St. Louis. A lot can happen between now and then, but I really hope she can make it. Especially since I can't make the trip out to San Diego to see HER and Radish and Company this year. I'd be tickled even pinker if Radish could come too, but I'm not entirely sure how their relationship is holding up lately.

Home Sweet Home

So my duplex is finally all dolled up... and I love it! Aside from getting that friggin sofa moved... which I'll definately need to do if I'm gonna have a futon in the guest room for Halloween Nut and Company. I'm really happy with how all of the rooms turned out... especially the library.

And the game/craft/exercise/guest room is now nice and comfy... I've definately put it to good use, trying to finish "Tak and the Power of Juju". I've ALMOST got the game beat... I could always just finish it withOUT collecting ALL of the yorbels, but I'm kinda stubborn that way. When I finally decide to put my efforts into something, it's all the way or why even bother, ya know?

Completely Bare

So the only thing I'm not happy with at home is the fact that they (whoever "they" are) decided to take out the last little bit of trees that had been left after the drastic razing I commented on a few months back. See, most of the area they cleared is about a couple of feet dropped down from the level of my house. The trees originally left were still on my level... which is why I thought they'd been spared. The loss of the dense woods behind my home had been a shock, but I'd at least had a small bit of cover back there. Now it's completely gone... disappeared one day within the last few weeks, and now my sliding glass door in the dining room looks out to a glaringly bare space. It kinda feels like a loss of privacy.

But the good thing is that Ms. Pukesalot should be completely entertained while they're building back there.

Meeting the Neighbors

So another small positive about the destruction of my back yard is a mutual topic to bitch about amonst the neighbors. Now, don't get me wrong... I'm a far cry from best buds with any of em, but we have gotten to talk in small spurts about this and that. We've even learned each other's names... though I've long forgotten them by now. I'm fairly sure they don't remember mine, either. During one of our first talks, I almost thought I was about to be invited to a birthday party, but the convo got sidetracked, and the subject kind of died away. I'm not horribly disappointed, but I know that they're willing to be friendly... we share a wave and smile whenever we see each other.

I've never been the type to make friends quickly, anyway... in the past, I've typically waved and smiled for months (sometimes years) before every really gettin to know folks. So if I actually stick around this place long enough, I may very well make some new friends. The folks I share the duplex with are a young family, and I don't have so much in common with them... but the set of folks in the duplex to the other side of me are both couples around my age. Though, so far, I've mostly talked to the men... the women tend to give me that "stay away from my man" stare. Though, that seems to have eased a little bit since I talked to them, too. The only glitch is that they smoke... so if I do get to know them, I get to renew the old avoid-the-smoke-while-trying-to-not-look-like-a-holier-than-thou-asshole shuffle.

Watching & Waiting

So now I'm holding my breath, along with the rest of the country... and most certainly Gulf Coast residents, as Rita follows closely on Katrina's heels.

It just seems so strange to watch and read and wait for a disaster... all in real time. Katrina I was really only aware of after the fact. But we've been watching Rita all week... and I just hope Katrina's lessons are effective for their first true test. I have lots to think and say and blog, but I just haven't felt like getting it down this week. Mebbe after she's already hit and we know how many fears are realized and how many are averted... perhaps I'll be able to exhale.

And mebbe not... 2 more months of a particularly harsh hurricane season are yet to come, after all.

The Good Things

So I know I've been focused on a lotta bad things having to do with the humanitarian crisis going on along the U.S. Gulf Coast. But I've had a collection of thoughts about the good things... little things here and there that come to me but I forget to blog about.

Firstly, I kinda heard through the grapevine that FEMA contacted the University (you know... the one I work for) about using our Hearnes Center (it's a large sports facility we don't use as much ever since we built the Basketball Arena) as a shelter for some of the evacuees. To the best of my knowledge, the University has agreed, so they just have to go through the red tape. I think this is awesome... It would be a great opportunity to contribute something more personal to the relief effort, or to be more personally involved. Of course, I know they're not doing this expressely for ME, it makes me feel better for being able to better help, anyway.

Secondly, I have to say I've been pretty impressed with CNN. It is obvious that for many of the reporters this "story" is a bit more personal than most... they feel dedicated to the experience. And they're not just detached reporters... they're doing their turns to help as they can. Not only with the establishment of the "Safe List", where family members can connect... and taping bit after bit of evacuees wanting to assure loved ones they're okay, or family looking for evacuees... but actually taking action on the field, as it were, to lend a helping hand. I'm very impressed. I haven't followed many other news agencies... but I have heard less than praising opinions of some of the others. And I've also read that CNN has been one of the few networks to focus on the animal crisis... which automatically gives them an extra thumbs up in my book.

Thirdly, I'm equally impressed, and touched, by the outpouring of sympathy and help coming from the rest of the world. The US has historically been so generous to help when disasters strike elsewhere, and it's gratifying to see them return the favor. Even Sri Lanka... victims of the deadly tsunami in December... still recovering, but managing to donate a hefty sum for our efforts. Even political enemies of this country are offering help... though, I doubt without strings or ulterior motives. But for the most part, I honestly believe it's all heart behind the huge amount of aid being offered. Proof that the human experience is a stronger bond than politics or even economics.

That's about it for now... aside, of course, from the outpouring of aid, money, supplies, services and open doors being offered within our own country. Even though this crisis has divided our government, it has certainly united the people.

The Animal Crisis

Deja Vu (Help arrives... too little too late)

So I've been gratified to learn that The Humane Society and other animal rescue organizations have finally been allowed into disaster areas this week. I read story after story about hundreds of pets and zoo, farm and exotic animals being saved... but thousands more waiting for help. They estimate that at least 60% of the population in New Orleans were pet owners, and that at least 50,000 animals are trapped in overheated houses running out of food and water. Thousands of people have called HSUS Emergency hotlines, directing rescuers to homes where their pets are trapped. And there are a LOT rescuers... just not enough. They're spread too thin, between all the crisis areas along the coast.

Just as I can start breathing a sigh of relief for the people of New Orleans... my worry for the other victims of the storm is renewed ten-fold.

They need more people... and though the plethora of federal, state and local personnel in the areas want to help... even direct the rescuers to animals they know are in need, their orders are to help people only. Even though most of the city has been evacuated of people who actually WANT to leave. There are too many animals... family members... that will die cuz there's not enough help to get to them in time. Now, whereas I understand the emphasis on human life first... I can't help but think that a happy medium could still be reached in this. At least the authorities are realizing that they can only help their cause (wanting to evacuate EVERYBODY) by allowing those who refuse to leave without their pets, to do so.

Hopeful Stories

And still... there are small inklings of good news:

Evacuees who smuggled their pets out to shelters and transportation that wouldn't allow animals (one lady who hid her love bird in her considerably sized bra).

The New Orleans Zoo who prepared for the storm ahead of time, and a handful of handlers still sticking it out to take care of the animals for as long as they can. Most of the animals have survived so far. I just hope the people aren't kicked out with the rest of the mandatory evacuation, only to leave the zoo's residents to starve. At least until perhaps the zoo animals can be evacuated as well.

The anesthesiologist who stayed at one of the hospitals to watch over his colleagues pets while everybody else was evacuated. The ones who hadn't been euthenized by their owners, afraid of worse fates for them should they be abandoned. I know that the hospital was one of the first goals of the HSUS rescuers when they got into the city. The other priority being the SuperDome... where they found dozens of animals that evacuees had been forced to leave behind.

An abandoned animal shelter in Mississippi, flooded after a sewage pipe burst with the storm's surge, held over 100 animals... the ones kept in top cages managing to swim to keep their heads above water for days. The ones in bottom cages not having the luxury to swim for their lives.

To Help... But How?

Tons of stories... I've been checking with the Humane Society website pretty regularly to read updates. I've actually attached a solicitation banner to my blog for the first time *pointing right* I'm normally not into that, but I feel strongly enough about this. I'm still pondering the prospect of volunteering myself to the effort... I'm just not sure whether I would be a help or a hindrance. But I also know that there's a lot of work still to be done AFTER the animals are out of immediate peril. Just like their human counterparts, they're gonna need care, supplies, and homes. Perhaps I'll be able to find a way to help that way.

Too Much to Capture

So I had a lot I wanted to blog about... about my feelings and reactions to the news over the last few days. But it's a lot to formulate into coherent thoughts, and I'm just not up to it at the moment.

A Modicum of Relief

Suffice to say that I do feel a certain sense of relief with the most recent of developments. And I think that's been part of my fascination this past week: a compelling need to worry about all of them... those at the SuperDome and Rec Center, packed together in appalling conditions with little or no food and water to share between them... those trapped in hospitals, the most susceptible to deteriorating and unsanitary conditions... those still trapped in attics and roofs out in the City, with dwindling supplies... and, of course, the four-legged family members torn out of people's hands because they can't take them onto the buses to Houston. And let's not forget those devastated towns all along the coast just as much in need of food, clean water, fuel and a place to sleep.

But now that help has, indeed, actually begun to arrive... with strong leadership to create order out of chaos, I don't feel quite so tight with worry. The hospitals in New Orleans have now all been evacuated, and the crowds of folks that have been packed like sardines at least have food, water, a few porta-potties, and are beginning to be evacuated in much larger numbers. It's still far from an ideal scenario... folks are still essentially living in the streets until their turn comes to go... thousands of folks are wandering aimlessly on the highway with nowhere to go... families separated everywhere, and too many have no idea where their loves ones are, or if they're still alive.

There's still much to ache for them... but at least I'm not worrying as MUCH about their immediate survival. Most of them, anyway. Wave after wave of helicopters are evacuating thousands of folks, but there are still way too many out stranded in their homes that will soon run out of supplies. And I don't think that the Humane Society has yet been allowed in to start rescuing pets.

So Long to Come

Of course, the huge issue of the day (aside from the actual humanitarian aid) is how LONG that humanitarian aid took to get there. 5 days... 5 days is an AWFUL long time to live like that. I can't blame them for being frustrated and angry. However, trying to assume that race and class was a factor in that lack... that's something I can't accept as true. Now don't get me wrong... I love to see good ol' Dubya and his administration squirm, but I can MUCH more easily lay the blame of ineptitude at his door than indifference to the plight of American Citizens. I NEVER thought the man was a monster... misguided, annoying and sometimes not too bright, but never heartless.

Now, I can certainly see a lot of factors that led UP to the whole crisis existing in the first place, that could most certainly be considered indifference. To the warnings and concerns about the condition of the levees and their inability to handle a Category 4 or higher storm... the selective blindness of the middle or upper classes to the plight of the the poor... the division of races that exists even today. All of that, yes... but my impression of the deplorable response to the crisis is one of EVERYbody being caught with their pants around their ankles, a massive lack of communication, and a rediculous beurocracy of procedures. Not indifference. And the authority that was already THERE was completely and utterly overwhelmed without backup, organization and direction.

Unfortunately, it's a sad thing when you can never be sure whether those raising an outcry are genuinely concerned, or making political hay. The latter of which I think is WAAAY outta order.

More... Later

Amway, guess I was able to get some of it out after all. I also hope to blog soon on some of Katrina's more far-reaching effects. Stuff that I and the entire country are feeling... aside from compassion and an overwhelming desire to help those in immediate need. But that's a whole nother post, and I'm blogged out for today.

One Year

So today is the one year anniversary of this blog. Woopee. It's purpose has shifted since it's creation. I remember I wanted to chronicle a year in my life.... then got burnt out right around Christmas. Now I'm chronicling... whenever I feel like blogging. :)

My life has certainly experienced a LOT of changes since I started the blog... My position at work is now permanent, and I've become the clerical wise-one since the Retiree finally retired... after only working here for 2 years. I've moved to a new home, bought a new car, started an IRA and secured a consolidation loan for my debts. I've made a trip to San Diego, and to Santa Maria to continue tat work left unfinished 10 years ago. I've voted in the presidential election (and lost, but hey... can't complain if ya don't vote). I've witnessed through my little computer screen a continued, costly, seemingly hopeless war, 4 hurricanes here at home, a horrible tsunami in Asia, and bombings in London. I'm sure there's a lot more, but that's just off the top of my head.

A lot can happen in a year. I wonder what I'll have to say next September 1st.

Information Overload

Human Nature & Extremes

So I've been soaking up all of the information made readily available via internet, radio, newspaper and tv about the huge mess down South. Half the time, as I read stories of loss, violence, fear & helplessness, I find myself feeling it all, myself, and I start leaking again. Half the time I feel like an Accident Looky-Loo Extraordinaire. I keep thinking I should just stop absorbing the information overload... but can't help wanting to know more... wanting to hear good news from somewhere, yet still morbidly fascinated by the massive proportions of the tragedy.

Somehow, extreme statistics seem to fascinate peeps: "potentially the most costly national natural disaster ever"... "one of the most deadly natural disasters the country's faced in a century"... "thousands probably dead"... "millions without electricity"... "hundreds of thousands displaced"..."months to recover"... "record highs in energy costs". The worse the extreme, the more fascinated the country (and the world). Good news is: the more attention paid to the situation, the more people are aware of the big-time needs, and the more inclined they are to help. Funny thing, human nature.

Unfortunately, human nature also lends itself to a very dark side... as evidenced by those in New Orleans who are desperate, scared and don't have the luxury of news reports to know that help, and more help, is on the way. Peeps can be capable of some pretty scary things when stripped of civilization. Like those who are shooting at rescue workers, demanding that their families be helped NOW. Then, of course, there are those who are already criminally minded. I couldn't believe when I read about the horrid conditions amongst the refugees in the SuperDome... and how women and a child had been raped in there. *shaking head*

The OTHER Victims

Of course, animals are my soft spot, so I'm reading stories about how the Humane Society is mobilized with people and resources... but they just can't get into the disaster areas. They're working with the rest of the aid organizations and government agencies in New Orleans to do what they can, but they're all limited. I read about families who decided, for the first time during a hurricane because the shelters they normally used were full and the hotel they managed to book didn't take animals, just this once decided to leave their pets locked upstairs in their homes with food and water. Hoping that help can get to them in time, and equally hoping it's not already too late. Bedraggled, refugees with children and pathetic, drenched pets under their arms trying to make their way through the nasty water. A woman in Mississippi who managed to find a tree after her house was smashed, and survived the hurricane in the upper branches... with her li'l dog right there with her.

Not to mention the wildlife perserves... the dolphins who they evacuated to specially treated hotel pools during the storm, and are now being evacuated to Florida. The 3 sea lions who suddenly found themselves in the middle of Gulfport, injured and suffering so that a police officer had to make the decision to shoot in the head the last that hadn't died on it's own.

Too Much Tragedy

And, of course, this is on top of the stories of people who have lost their homes, their families ripped out of their hands in the floods, living in disgusting conditions... people left where they die. I've heard some opinions that this is what they get for not evacuating. But I know that many didn't have that option. Especially children, the elderly, the sick... the critical patients in hospitals that have no clean water, generators running out so that ventilators have to be operated manually, overworked caregives who've had no sleep.

It really is an overload. I've heard the reporters who say it's completely different to watch these scenarios play themselves out overseas in foreign countries... and then to see it in your own country. Sad as that is, it really is true. It's so much closer to home. Even countries at the height of progress and economic stature can be so drastically humbled. By nature... by ourselves.