Throw Out A Lifeline Online

Help the Victims of the South Asian Tsunami
by Annelise Blum, MoveOn member

"As most of you undoubtedly know, many parts of the eastern coastal regions of South Asia were hit on Sunday, December 26th, with one of the largest tsunamis in recent history. The death toll of the tsunami, caused by an earthquake of 9.0 magnitude, has already risen to over 60,000 people. All regions affected are in desperate need of clean water, food, temporary shelter and medical help to the survivors. Some estimate that one third of the dead are children.

"World Health Organization expert David Nabarro told reporters "there is certainly a chance that we could have as many dying from communicable diseases as from the tsunami".

"Start this year off by contributing money to an effective aid organization to prevent this humanitarian catastrophe from getting even worse. If you are going to a New Year's Eve Party, make it meaningful by turning on a computer and encouraging everyone to donate."

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=631
https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp
http://www.unicef.org/
http://www.careusa.org/
Polgara on 12.31.04 @ 07:38 AM PST [link]

Christmas In New England

music: something sizzling in the kitchen
mood: chill

Christmas at home (the east coast one) is always a little weird. It's a dash of "feels like I never left" mixed with a pinch of "I don't remember that being there", then baked at 350 with the traditional holiday stress. I feel torn between two worlds, both with their many attractions and temptations, but only one with all my worldly possessions. Soon I'll be back on the west coast, missing the snow and the pool hall that I haven't even had time to visit, and the readily available parking, yet glad to be back with my cats and my friends and the glitz of my adopted city. And there's never enough time to hit it all - didn't get out to Amherst to visit the alma mater, didn't get to Fenway to lean against the brick (yeah, I've been to Fenway many times, but never so close to an actual World Series win), didn't get to Faneuil Hall to people watch while I drank chai from Peet's, didn't get to the pool hall that everyone tells me is no longer safe for the general public, didn't visit my godmother like I swore I would this time around, and didn't even get to a movie theater with my sister like we've always managed to find time for in the past. Still haven't passed the house we all grew up in since it was sold several years ago - I hear there's a car parked on the lawn, hence my hesitation.

On the other hand, I got to see cousins I don't usually get to see (except for Jeff - still haven't seen him yet), played Halo 2 and got slaughtered, stocked up on Red Sox tshirts, and generally spent my time hanging with my family. It wasn't a wasted vacation, but damn, I wish I could've fit more in.

Anyway, wishing wonderful holiday wishes to all my friends and family, a happy new year that is better than all the years previous, and safe travel vibes to all those travelling. And don't travel Delta - they stranded me overnight in Cincinnati two weeks ago and I'm not likely to forgive that anytime soon.

Also also, Jeremy Piven. (That's a personal note to myself, you don't need to understand it.)

Ciao. :-)
Polgara on 12.29.04 @ 04:11 PM PST [link]

Wow, I just keep slacking on the updates, don't I?

Today is December 13th, which would've been my 11th anniversary at WGA had I stayed. I hope everyone there is happy and healthy. I think of them often during the holidays—some of my favorite holiday parties were held there, and some of my best Secret Santa ideas were born and raised there. My personal favorite will always be Chabraland, the board game based on the life and times of the then-Controller. The game itself was boringly simple, but it wasn't designed to be competitive—it was a chance to poke fun at every single employee all at once, and be applauded for doing so. It's just as well that the Secret Santa tradition ended that year, I don't think I'll ever be able to top Chabraland.

It's been awhile since I've had the time or motivation to engage in that kind of creativity. I haven't written any poetic parodies in years, as evidenced by the thick coat of dust on my well-thumbed rhyming dictionary. Perhaps I shall add that to my New Year's List of Resolutions, right after "Learn something new," which itself is doing a repeat performance after the success of last year (witness my knitting obsession).

In other news, I'm heading home to beautiful Boston soon, and while I always look forward to my annual pilgrimage, I already miss my cats. They have no clue that soon I'll be leaving, and their only human contact will be their Auntie K dropping by to feed them. I hope Jack doesn't spend the whole time hiding under the bed like last year. Someday I'll be financially secure enough to be able to bring them with me, but this isn't that day.

That's it for today, it's time to get back to work. I've been working on the next big exhibition opening in February, and so far I'm really enjoying it. I'm learning a lot about Napoleon and the French Revolution, and it's making me want to learn more. Anyone know any good books about either of those topics that won't put me to sleep before the end of the first chapter?
Polgara on 12.13.04 @ 03:30 PM PST [link]