debutaunt.com

I need a Hug

Anyone else here not surprised that Dr. Egypt didn't phone me?

Because I know I'm not. In the least.

*sigh*

Would have been a fun weekend though. I'm long overdue for one of those.

Second Entry - BPF 2005

From D1, the Official Queen of Everything.

And she is now also the Queen of the Cleanest. Desk. Evah!

From D1: the rock in the front is hemalite and meant to keep away negative energy

The world would be a better place if everyone owned a slinky. I'm so not kidding.

Unintentionally Funny. Kind of like Bush Himself.

From Snopes.

Origins: Captions accompanying television news broadcasts have to convey information about often complex topics in relatively few words, a situation which can sometimes produce inadvertently humorous ambiguity.

The screen shot displayed above, presumably captured from a Sky News (Ireland) broadcast, uses a text caption in conjunction with a video clip of President Bush to convey that the President had declared Hurricane Katrina to be "one of the worst disasters to hit the U.S." Without the video context however, the caption could be read as labeling President Bush "one of the worst disasters ever to hit the U.S.," especially given the lack of quotation marks to offset the phrase and indicate it was a paraphrase of his words rather than the news agency's descriptor.

Last updated: 8 September 2005

First Entries - BPF 2005

First off - Hizappy Bizzirthday to my girlie, Paige. You are awesome and one of the coolest chicks I know. I hope you have a great birthday and that this upcoming year is one of your best. You have such winning ways, and I'm proud to call you mah friend. Love, you chica!

Rachel, the hottest chick in Alaska, sent me some pics of really Bizarro stuff. I'm proud to unveil the opening of BizarroPictureFest 2005.

Because, you know, that like Operation Panty Drop*, everything Debu has to have some official title or other. Rachel's comments in italics. Mine are in bold.

.... drumroll please ....

Drawer of kink: Earrings, lighter, chocolate, 8mm video tape, feather pen and metamucil (for the day after?)
As no office is ever complete without metamucil and feathers.

WTF: I have no idea what this is, but it's in the middle of our conference room.
I think every office has that one item that no one will toss yet everyone is like, "WTF is it?"

lilpig: shrine to old guy, kinda creepy.
To me, the pig is creepier than the old guy. But in my office, there is only a shrine to my future love slave, Matteo McConaughey.

squirrel: Makes me laugh.
I covet thy squirrel, Rach.

love work: I do, I really do.
Is that kind of like the little train... "I think I can, I think I can..." I like the green tow truck in the lower left too.

stress relief and polyp man: yes, those are all my toys, on my desk and an occasional dice game does get played. No office is complete without polyp man. Have you been checked for polyps today?
Now I truly do covet Polyp Man. Rach said she'd mail me one of my very own. Like... In trouble? Fuck Superman, call Polyp Man instead, and your colon will be tidy clean.

what diet: I'm prepared for a disaster too. A disaster or a diet.
I don't know about all that. After all, oatmeal *is* nature's broom. Pollyp Man agrees.

Tough competition ... Thankya Rachel!

* B at Geeks for Hire says that we actually have received some knickers in the mail. Hopefully I will be able to swing by and get them soon. Cheers & Thanks!!

Polyp. With one L. :)

Ouch

Random Google.
Random email sent.
Random phone call to my office at 5pm.

Dr. Egypt. He lives. He lives in ... Delaware. I emailed him out of the blue and he phoned me back at work. He wants to see me. He wants to see me this weekend. He is on vacation for a few days and wants to buy a ticket and fly here. This weekend.

I feel like crying.

My heart will always ache for this man. I have never loved anyone as much as that before. I doubt I ever will. But my head knows that his affections are as random and fleeting as his phone calls.

I know he would never intentionally hurt me, but his genius absent-mindedness is legendary. He is a busy man. A heart surgeon with a great career that he works at like crazy. I haven't seen him in nearly three years. I really doubt he will end up here this weekend. It wouldn't be the first time his plans changed. So I will go about my debu_business as usual.

I know he loved me because I was never work for him. Because we adored each other and we just ... were.

And I miss him like no other.

I'm not going to think about this not one more second. I am going to make myself not care about the outcome like I have been making myself not really care about any man for years. I don't take any of them seriously. Besides, not one single one of them has earned that.

I swear if they x-rayed my heart right now, there it would be, frozen in a vault that would rival Fort Knox. Covered in cobwebs. Because I can't take this or anything else. I can't because it hurts to think about.

So I'm off to make fajitas. Too bad I don't have 'rita fixings because I would be getting shitty drunk rightaboutnow.

Queen/King of the Bizarro Contest

Ok. Now it's your turn. Audience participation time.

Email me pictures to debsterc(at)earthlink(dot)net from YOUR office of the weirdest things you can find & I'll post them.

Because I don't know if you all can beat my canned beets.

Work? Slack? Doh!!??

Random. Busy. Weird.

And I'm craving movie theater popcorn and a good movie makeout. Currently accepting applications for that.

Just specially for you, Paige my love.

On my bulletin board ~ Elvis' driver's license ~ Picked up in Austin years ago on Sixth Street in some weird leather sex shop:

Hooraycane. Yeah. Be prepared. Be prepared to park your ass with me on the highway with 2.5 million other chickenshit evacuee motherfuckers.

These weren't my Mardi Gras 2000 beads, nor did I even show boob to get them. But there they sit in my desk drawer. Kind of sad when you really think about that.

So. Just in case there is another hurricane, I am well prepared to hole up in my office. Because, you know, one can never have enough canned beets, grits, and packaged tuna in your desk. And ewww... why the hell is all this stuff in my desk drawer in the first place?

And, who needs cable tv when, in addition to my yummy non perishables, I have a coloring book and a velcro ball and paddle to play with.

Serenity now. Serenity now. The fountain was a White Elephant Gift at our company "holiday party" last year. It worked and ran water for like two days. Why? Because there is no serenity allowed in my office. Only boredom or chaos or a mixture of both.

Why is is that there is no one to go to lunch with today?

Why is it...

That even though we rushed out of H-town to beat Rita (er... kerfuck), and got spared any damage, it looks like Rita hit my apartment?

Spent 11 hours in my car Wednesday night on our way to Austin. Eleven. Worst. Evacuation. Plan. Ever.

I was only rear-ended twice. Yeah. Twice. One bump, one hopeful insurance claim and a nasty case of whiplash and sore back. It woke Zoe up and she cried. The 21 year old guy must have fallen asleep as we'd all been driving and it was 6am. He plowed into me at a red light. My car simply needs a new bumper, but his brand new car, paper tags and all, was pretty banged up. I felt bad for him, but he didn't have his insurance card - swears it was at home. I filed a claim immediately after with my company.

And yes, I'm in need of a massage in the worst possible way.

We got home last night and we were back in less than 3 hours - the normal travel time.

So even though we were in traffic hell, and I may have re-jacked up my back, we had an amazing time with my baby sis and my bro and his lovely wife. Zoe basically adopted their dog, Jackie. A sweet Jack Russell who loves to lick you. She's exactly one month older than Zoe. Zoe already says that she wants to go see Jackie every weekend.

I loved their home and they were so gracious. It was fun to spend so much time with them and my littlest sis. She's adorable and her boyfriend is hilarious.

I am exhausted, and kind of wish we hadn't gone because our power didn't even go out and there wasn't any damage. But spending time with my siblings was worth it.

But house, loves, and homes are safe. I feel pretty damned blessed.

Hope you all made it safely as well. Please check in when you can.

Why My Parents Are Awesome

Just revisiting with mom last night.

We stayed put during Hurricane Alicia in '83.

No running water for five days.

No electricity for the same.

SEVEN (yes seven) kids.

No major panicking.

Now you see why I don't want to fly this one out solo. I'm so used to being around the masses during catastrophes.

Now if I could just find me a great sex slave while I'm in Austin, I'd be set for the long haul.

Adios - Rita in my Rearview

Me and my little boo are headed to Austin to stay at my brother's place.

I doubt much will happen to Casa_debu, but I don't want to be there when the power is out for days, as it's pretty much a given that it will be.

I also hope that it doesn't cream Austin too and the power goes out there as well. That would just suck.

All my peeps, be well. Be safe. I love you!!

Rita? No good less it says Marga first

My name is Debutaunt and I'm a stormaphobic.

Yes, that's right. I hate storms of any kind. I dream of tornados. Often. I have nearly been hit by lightening before. I am big time afraid of the dark.

So now we "may" have this big ass hurricane heading our way. I have been through quite a few, but this is the first one that I will weather out alone. Well me and Zoester, but to me, that's mostly alone. I have to be the adult.

I've always had my parents to guide me or my ex-husband to hang with. Not that I think I will do something stupid, or that we will be affected much (I live pretty far inland), but I don't like thunder or lightening and I live right next to a big ass drainage ditch (one that *knock on wood* to date has not flooded in 3 years), but this is kind of spooky.

I'd go stay with my sisters at their casas, but one has a wall of floor to ceiling windows surrounded by big ol' trees, and the other has lots of big ol' trees.

Dad told me to come home if they did a full on evacuation, but I hate driving to San Antonio. I might head to Austin if I had to go somewhere.

I hate storms. Hate 'em.

I'm skeered!! I want someone to hold my hand. I'm a big ol titty baby like that.

Vote for My Sista

ok, my sis really is The Ultimate Texan's Fan. She knows more about football than most men. She's got season tickets. She yells at the ref's. She's made it to the finals of the UTF contest three years in a row. She's obsessed. And she's got outfits and accessories like a good Texan woman should.

Click Here & Vote for Texan Chick.

*Heart*
moochas grassy-ass!

I'm Debutaunt and I approved of this message.

There is No Santa Clause

Dearest Vagina,

I know you aren't neglected, so stop acting as if you are.

He's only a man. Not like an alien George Clooney clone with a 20 inch dick.

So stop it with the dramatics already.

Sincerely,
debu_mesohorny

"A man loses his sense of direction after four drinks; a woman loses hers after four kisses"

~Henry Louis Mencken

See. Goddamnit. It's the kisses.

Lust for A Shaman

Is it just me or does anyone else have a difficult time working when you are extremely turned on?

That would assume that one is doing some actual work. Which, of course, being the Olympic Slacker that I am, I am not. (Although I did enough work the last two weeks to have good work karma for the next 15 weeks.)

What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?
~Vincent van Gogh

So there's this guy. Of course, I know you all know (especially Meerkat) that there is always this guy. Anyway, so there's this guy. Who I am having a difficult time assigning a pseudonym. The names sounded cheesy, sleezy, or too deep.

But there's this guy. And all I can do is think about kissing him and how wonderful he smelled. And his hands and how his body felt like a man's body should feel - solid and strong. And think about his enourmous erection that he had while we were kissing. And how I'd absolutely like to be putting that enourmous erection to work. For me. After all, it was quite lovely.

So much heat. So much heat.

And so this guy, well he's different. And special. And it scares the shit out of me. As well it should.

Because it's new again. Because when it's new it's frightening and simultaneously wonderful. It's that exquisite newness that terrifies me. I want so much, but don't. I want a lover, but don't. I want to think about him, but don't. I want to just say fuck it and let go and love and be free with my feelings and my sexuality and be damned the consequences of it all.

But that generally isn't a good thing. Very few times in my life has that worked out. And those very few times that worked out were with some of the few great loves of my life. Dr. Egypt was one of those. The Boy for Sex was another. Although with TBFS I held back. I hid the passion and never really let my guard down because I knew eventually it would be over. That it was doomed from the start, but heartfelt and sweet while it lasted.

But this new one is different. He's smart and atypical. Logical, passionate and creative. Funny and sexy yet down to earth and not condescending like many uber smart men are. He's so interesting and intriguing. I just want to explore him. Learn from him. And, well, kiss him and let him possess me for a bit.

The comparisons are there, and it scares me. But that's ok.

So for now, I will let it take whatever random direction it is meant to take ~ even if it's not meant to take any direction. Passionate or not. Heartfelt or not. Doomed or not. I will simply ... enjoy him.

Life is far too short to think about the possibilities.

What A Good Weekend Can Do

Worked 38 hours of overtime last week with the Katrina Red Cross project.

Got a haircut. See. Kinda short, but looks healthier. Debu_dorkiness at her finest.

I kissed someone this weekend. He's amazing, sexy, and gorgeous, but I don't want to think about him that much. I think it would hurt to do so.

I am ready for a real day off. The OT money will help, but it wasn't worth the sadness and overwhelmingness of that project.

Yay for kissing though. Was sweet. Long time overdue I say.

We got OPD

Website is up, but currently a work in progress. Please spread the good word. Thanks to my homies D1, Paige, Candyfloss, Meerkat, Merry Widow, B @ Geeks, and SimplyG.

Operation Panty Drop

is in full effect!

*tips hat to Naughty By Nature*
You down with OPD (Yeah you know me) 3X
Who's down with OPD (Every last homie)
You down with OPD (Yeah you know me) 3X
Who's down with OPD (All the homies)

We Have Not Forgotten

Letterman's Remarks from his first show back (9/17/01) - full remarks in extended entry.

After spending days in the midst of Katrina evacuees, these remarks are not lost to me at this time.

They are still so very relevant.

"And it's very simple... there is only one requirement for any of us, and that is to be courageous, because courage, as you might know, defines all other human behavior. And I believe, because I've done a little of this myself, pretending to be courageous is just as good as the real thing."

Interacting with these people has been amazing. Beyond the obvious negative, which is easily ignorable, the majority of these people humble me beyond belief. The quiet dignity of the elderly sitting patiently while dealing with issue after issue. The smiles on the faces of children playing, even though they have no reason to be smiling. The passion and kindness of the Red Cross workers and volunteers.

The stories they have break my heart and yet somehow strengthen me.

Somehow when you think you are broken, you reach down and gather what little strength you think you have. And then you move forward.

Welcome to the Late Show. This is our first show on the air since New York and Washington were attacked, and I need to ask your patience and indulgence here because I want to say a few things, and believe me, sadly, I'm not going to be saying anything new, and in the past week others have said what I will be saying here tonight far more eloquently than I'm equipped to do.

But, if we are going to continue to do shows, I just need to hear myself talk for a couple of minutes, and so that's what I'm going to do here.

It's terribly sad here in New York City. We've lost five thousand fellow New Yorkers, and you can feel it. You can feel it. You can see it. It's terribly sad. Terribly, terribly sad. And watching all of this, I wasn't sure that I should be doing a television show, because for twenty years we've been in the city, making fun of everything, making fun of the city, making fun of my hair, making fun of Paul... well...

So, to come to this circumstance that is so desperately sad, I don't trust my judgment in matters like this, but I'll tell you the reason that I am doing a show and the reason I am back to work is because of Mayor Giuliani.

Very early on, after the attack, and how strange does it sound to invoke that phrase, "after the attack?", Mayor Giuliani encouraged us -- and here lately implored us -- to go back to our lives, go on living, continue trying to make New York City the place that it should be. And because of him, I'm here tonight.

And I just want to say one other thing about Mayor Giuliani: As this began, and if you were like me, and in many respects, God, I hope you're not. But in this one small measure, if you're like me, and you're watching and you're confused and depressed and irritated and angry and full of grief, and you don't know how to behave and you're not sure what to do and you don't really... because we've never been through this before... all you had to do at any moment was watch the Mayor. Watch how this guy behaved. Watch how this guy conducted himself. Watch what this guy did. Listen to what this guy said. Rudolph Giuliani is the personification of courage.

And it's very simple... there is only one requirement for any of us, and that is to be courageous, because courage, as you might know, defines all other human behavior. And I believe, because I've done a little of this myself, pretending to be courageous is just as good as the real thing. He's an amazing man, and far, far better than we could have hoped for. To run the city in the midst of this obscene chaos and attack, and also demonstrate human dignity... my God... who can do that? That's a pretty short list.

The twenty years we've been here in New York City, we've worked closely with police officers and the fire fighters and...

...and fortunately, most of us don't really have to think too much about what these men and women do on a daily basis, and the phrase New York's finest and New York's bravest, you know, did it mean anything to us personally, firsthand? Well, maybe, hopefully, but probably not. But boy, it means something now, doesn't it? They put themselves in harm's way to protect people like us, and the men and women, the fire fighters and the police department who are lost are going to be missed by this city for a very, very long time. And I, and my hope for myself and everybody else, not only in New York but everywhere, is that we never, ever take these people for granted... absolutely never take them for granted.

I just want to go through this, and again, forgive me if this is more for me than it is for people watching, I'm sorry, but uh, I just, I have to go through this, I'm...

The reason we were attacked, the reason these people are dead, these people are missing and dead, and they weren't doing anything wrong, they were living their lives, they were going to work, they were traveling, they were doing what they normally do. As I understand it (and my understanding of this is vague at best), another smaller group of people stole some airplanes and crashed them into buildings. And we're told that they were zealots, fueled by religious fervor... religious fervor. And if you live to be a thousand years old, will that make any sense to you? Will that make any Goddamned sense? Whew.

I'll tell you about a thing that happened last night. There's a town in Montana by the name of Choteau. It's about a hundred miles south of the Canadian border. And I know a little something about this town. It's 1,600 people. 1,600 people. And it's an ag-business community, which means farming and ranching. And Montana's been in the middle of a drought for... I don't know... three years? And if you've got no rain, you can't grow anything. And if you can't grow anything, you can't farm, and if you can't grow anything, you can't ranch, because the cattle don't have anything to eat, and that's the way life is in a small town. 1,600 people.

Last night at the high school auditorium in Choteau, Montana, they had a rally (home of the Bulldogs, by the way)... they had a rally for New York City. And not just a rally for New York City, but a rally to raise money... to raise money for New York City. And if that doesn't tell you everything you need to know about the... the spirit of the United States, then I can't help you. I'm sorry.

And I have one more thing to say, and then, thank God, Regis is here, so we have something to make fun of.

If you didn't believe it before (and it's easy to understand how you might have been skeptical on this point), if you didn't believe it before, you can absolutely believe it now...

New York City is the greatest city in the world.

We're going to try and feel our way through this, and we'll just see how it goes... take it a day at a time. We're lucky enough tonight to have two fantastic representatives of this town, Dan Rather and Regis Philbin, and we'll be right back.

Where in the World is The Debutaunt?

I have been working on a project with my firm at the Reliant Center with thousands of evacuees. It's been hard as hell. Challenging beyond belief and very draining.

I have been busting my ass.

And I have been doing a damn great job.

That's about all I'm going to say about that.

I may have to go back, but for now, I am just grateful for what I have in my life.

But the volunteers and workers from the Red Cross are unbelievable. No matter what people are saying/screaming, they remain calm and kind. Don't know about FEMA or any other agency, but the Red Cross kicks MAJOR ass!!!!

Our workers are amazing. My company is amazing. And a sweet woman named Diane is the most amazing of all.

She showed up as a volunteer to help me with a pretty menial task. I mentioned to her how some of us were able to get a chiropractic adjustment from some volunteer interns. She told me she was a liscensed massage therapist and that she actually wished she could have volunteered her services.

I jumped at the chance to get her to help us.

She had her own massage chair and set up shop in the break area. The workers were busting their butts all day, and running on E for days.

And then they found Diane. Or actually she found us.

The last volunteer I saw her massaging was crying. I knew exactly why. No reason, just drained. I felt exactly the same way and found myself in tears nearly every night when I came home. Exhausted. I'm going to be on overtime for the rest of this week as I worked about 50+ hours in 5 days.

She massaged employees and volunteers all day long. For free.

It's people like Diane and the many employees and volunteers that I worked with will make me remember how much care there was going on in Houston.

Yes, it was hard work and some were not happy with our services, but so many smiles and thank yous will always make up for it.

So many stories. I hope to have some time to tell you all about them. But for now, I work.

Peace to all.

Operation Panty Drop

I have had several friends from around the world ask how they can help. They may not have money to give in droves, but they can help nonetheless.

We are starting an Underwear Drive for those who have none.

Underwear for Humanity??
Raise Panties for Katrina??
Katrina Panty Drive??
Raise Your Panties??
Together we will clothe the butts of humanity??
(any other suggestions & slogans welcome)

People are sending in their old funky drawers to these people. I'm sorry, but that's NASTY!! I can't have my peoples wearing funky used panties.

So, you want to help, please send NEW panties ONLY (ALL SIZES - male, female, kids, big mommas too) to:

Geeks for Hire
Katrina Underwear Drive
5868A1 Westheimer, Box# 621
Houston, TX 77057

Thanks to B at Geeks for Hire for being my official first sponsor:

www.geeks-for-hire.net

Please link this on your sites too!!

I'm not trying to be my usual flippant self. This really is unfortunate and I can't imagine these people having but a few pairs of underwear.

Besides, underwear are easily mailed.

But if you send me used underwear, trust me, it will come back to bite you in the butt.

It Doesn't Matter What Color You Are

"if you're still sisters."

All the focus on the negative reports. So many horror stories. I can't take any more for one day, so I want to highlight a good one.

2:31 P.M. - HOUSTON (AP): In the dark tunnels underneath the Astrodome, volunteer barbers and stylists have set up a shop where Katrina's refugees can get a shave or have their hair done for free before they set out to rebuild their lives.

"What they are doing is priceless," said storm survivor Keith Anderson, a 41-year-old probation officer who waited in line for a shave and a haircut he hoped would help him find a new home and a job.

"It could be the make-or-break of getting that job. Obviously, your appearance matters. It helps with your self-esteem. You definitely, definitely want to put your best foot forward."

About 8,000 storm victims from New Orleans are sleeping on cots and standing in line for showers at the Astrodome complex.

After seeing the refugees' misery, stylist Terry Walter and his sister, Tiffany, offered their services and recruited a few more stylists and barbers, all of whom are donating their services and equipment.

Walter and his sister often stay until 4 a.m. each day, cutting, conditioning, coloring, shaving and curling refugees' hair.

"I was at home in tears, and I don't have too much stuff affect me like that, but when you see so many people broken up, you know sometimes a good haircut will put a smile on somebody's face," Terry Walter said. "It just makes me feel good."

Impromptu counseling is included. Tears rolled down Annette Massey's face as she recalled that Saturday was her missing daughter's 18th birthday. Terry Walter applied a treatment to her hair, called her "sweetie" and offered a reassuring smile.

"Some of us don't have any money to get our hair done and we need to get our hair back straightened out like it used to be because of the water that we was in," Massey said. "We needed to get the hair cut and get it back healthy-looking."

Elaine Davis, a 32-year-old mother of six, said: "If you look good, you feel good. It is going to give me some sense of taking charge and taking my life back."

AND

2:25 P.M. - WASHINGTON (AP): The anonymous donor turned up at a U.S. diplomatic office and presented an envelope with 1,000 euros (about $1,240) for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

It was a way of repaying a debt to the United States for being liberated by American soldiers from a concentration camp and treated more than 60 years ago, Sean McCormack, the State Department spokesman, said Wednesday in relating the incident.

The donor was 90 years old, but that is all McCormack would say by way of identification. "This is a person who is not seeking any publicity for this act -- which in the time we live makes it even more extraordinary," he said.

"This is a selfless act by somebody who is repaying what they felt was a deeply felt debt of gratitude to the United States," the spokesman said.

This is one of many stories from around the world of individuals being very generous with the American people at a time of need, McCormack said.

"It's extraordinary," he said.

I Cannot Imagine

Zoe's note to me - posted on my monitor at work.

My child is my world. I can't imagine being separated from her. This is the worst part of this whole catastrophe - loved ones being separated, especially children too young to even say their names.

6 year old evacuee, holding a 5 month old baby, leads pack of toddlers - seven kids separated from their parents.

Unbelievable. I can't believe this is happening in my country.

I am now even more afraid than ever before of a terrorist attack. We have proven to the rest of the world that we are crippled and inept when it comes to a disaster. Any terrorist would be an idiot not to use this time to attack us. I'm sure they are in their fucking hidey-holes laughing their asses off at us.

Adopt A Shelter

I drove in with this woman this morning.

I picked up two riders to go with me as I was a little bit late and couldn't find a space to park at my ParknRide.

So we were talking about the evacuees and the entire situation. This idiot woman says that some of these people are raping in the shelters (uh, that was in the unprotected Superdome and Convention center in NOLA) and that they are "throwing paper" around in the restrooms and don't even deserve our help.

It took everything that I had not to stop my car and ask her to get out.

THESE PEOPLE HAVE NOTHING!!! THEY ARE ALL NOT JUNKIES, LOOTERS, THUGS, VANDALS, CRIMINALS. THEY ARE ALL POOR AND NEED OUR HELP.

Be like Jesus for a change and help those who need it. Not just who you deem worthy of our help.

Some people make me sick.

Soooo... anyway....

My sister lives in a really rich part of town. In the middle of this city, across from one of the best high schools in Houston, lies a Katrina Evacuee shelter. Most people don't even know it's there. They are currently housing about 30 people and are feeding another 90 or so more from the hotels in the area.

My sister has basically adopted this shelter. She's gone over there, found out what they needed, and cleared out a few stores to buy them what they wanted. She's also gotten flyers and is going around to the local restaurants to get prepared meals delivered to the shelter (as they are allowed to take in outside food as long as they know in advance). She also made up flyers to post at the Kroger because you can now donate your change at Coinstar and all the proceeds will go to the Red Cross, without the usual deduction. She's also making her neighbors aware that those people are there.

This situation calls for people like my sister - smart, determined, compassionate and organized. Both of my sister's actually. My other sister's husband donated big time cash, volunteered at the Dome, and she took in friends from NOLA (who lost EVERYTHING). She babysat for me so that I could go volunteer and she's been helping out at her church and at the school.

I think that if people really want to help, and can't just give money, they could adopt a shelter. Find out exactly what that shelter needs and go out and buy it for them. Send care packages if you don't have one in your area.

Below is a current list of the shelters sponsored by the American Red Cross. There are an infinate number more. There might be one close to you or in your city.

List of a few Houston shelters

These shelters will house folks for a long time to come. They have immediate needs, but will also have long term needs as well.

Be a good neighbor. Be a good human. There are enough assholes, so the rest of us have to balance it out.

Pain

Zoe has a 26 year old half sister. She lives in Georgia now, but Zoe has spent time with her last year and some in New York this summer. Her sister's mother is Black. Their dad, my ex, is Italian. She's one of the most beautiful girls I've ever seen - a cross between Scary Spice and Tyra Banks - 5'11 and a size 2-4. I think I'm doomed too when my kiddo becomes a teen.

Zoe was at my office with me on Saturday. She spent the afternoon doing cartwheels in the hallway, drawing on my whiteboard, making me notes, and she did a little work with me folding engineering figures.

I was on my computer and Zoe was drawing. Completely out of the blue she said:

"It doesn't matter what color you are if you're still sisters."

It struck a chord with me. I have been talking quite a bit with Zoe about what has been going on as it is all around us here in Houston. She knows that we are obligated to help. That these people, and children especially, need us and our help. During our prayers tonight, she talked about how she hoped the kids of "New Atlanta" were doing ok.

I worked the Houston Red Cross help phone line Sunday. It was four hours of non-stop phone calls with the most agonizing stories.

I didn't know which calls were worse. I had many from people who had lived in their cars for days, had a few nights in a hotel and now were looking for a place to go. There were many that were afraid to go to a shelter. Some who had sick children that could not be exposed to that many people. And at least three single moms who were scared to death as they had NOTHING. Some actually called me from the Astrodome.

I talked to people who were sobbing, men and women. These were the hardest to deal with as most often they were looking for loved ones.

So many stories of people who had lost loved ones. They saw them get on buses in front of them, or got separated during a helicopter or boat rescue. Women looking for their kids, for their husbands or relatives. They all sounded so exhausted and scared.

I felt so helpless. All I could do was to give them phone numbers of other places to call or websites to look at.

No. We weren't giving out food or clothing or Walmart vouchers.
No. We couldn't find you an apartment or get you a job.
No. We didn't have gas vouchers.

No. We didn't know what was going to happen to you. Where your loved ones were. How you were going to make a living. If your house was still there. Where you were going to live. If your child was dead or alive.

I tried so hard to be kind and nice. I was apologetic. I thanked them. I calmed them (even telling one that she had to take a breath as she was crying so hard). I reached down and put myself in their position and tried so hard to be respectful and decent because I knew that they had been through hell or were in hell and if there was anything I could give them, it was just to be human and kind.

I hope that I helped at least one person.

I wish that I could make my living helping these people. It was the first time in a long time where I felt like my skills were really being utilized and appreciated. That's really sad.

If I didn't feel so guilty to ask my sister to watch Zoe, I'm sure I would at least volunteer 10-20 hours a week. I might try to find a way to do something. I have to.

We all really have to. I don't see how anyone who has watched the news could not.

Medic - Been there done that

I read this from a friend of mine who was acting as a medic in New Orleans.

So glad Jenna Bush wasn't stuck in the 9th Ward in New Orleans.

What y'all have been seeing on the news is VERY sugar coated. Imagine the worst possible situation you can think of. Then, multiply it by 1 million times. You might be imagining close to what it is like there. It broke my heart to see my fellow emergency service brethren broken, tired and crying. These people will NEVER be able to work in this business again after this.

Anyhow, I am done. I have images I will never forget etched in my brain forever.

Wishful Thinking

An email about how it is going at the Astrodome. God bless the volunteers. I will soon be one of them. This came from a friend of someone who was just in the Astrodome.

To my friends:

I wanted to pass on that I am just returning from the astrodome and share with you as to maybe inspire you to come forward in any way possible to assist with the relief of Katrina's' aftermath. Tired and frustrated, I force myself to come home and rest some for only another day tomorrow. My tiredness is nothing to compare to the deep despair and anxiety I have witnessed today of the very young to the elderly. Physical exhaustion, mental and physical sickness, drug addictions untreated, emotional distress, combined with a large mass of filthy uncleanest people can only begin to explain the cesspool I have witnessed.

Adults and even children having emotional breakdown before my eyes. Vomiting, diarrhea, fever, infection everywhere. Parents aborting their parenting rights from the stress of simple survival. My god, these people are suffering. Fear, within even myself, of the mass of corruption that lays beneath many of this large group of people. The ultimate amazing grace of mankind reaching out and lessening the pain of others-a gift we need more of. My colleagues, friends, and family; I experience their love of others--or their lacking of.

I challenge you to come forward and assist. Tomorrow, I believe, I will be a regular volunteer and step into another zone of pain and crises. Unless the need medically super cedes this idea. My son will go, a friend and sister. We will make a difference. If you are in the area, call me ( ****** cell), if you'd like to group up around 11am and enter together. If not, the red cross is in such need, please give whatever you might be able to spare.

I need to leave this to you for now as to clear my mind for some period of peace.

And to say that it's good to be a Houstonian, the hell? You want to be sitting in a shelter with nothing but the clothes on your back and a few handouts? (see comments on my last post) For shame. Hope it never happens to you.

I do have to say that George Bush FINALLY gave the speech he should have given days ago. Douchebag. I bet he's been hammered with criticism and finally realized what a dick he's been. There are STILL thousands of people trapped in the city. My friend's uncle is one of them. He's on the roof of the courthouse.

I'm with Kanye West (on the telethon last night - I was like jigga what? when he said it, that surely can't be in the script) He said George Bush doesn't care about Black people. Bahahahahaha

Dang, the link to what he said is overloaded... But basically Kanye said a big fuck you to old Shrubbie.

I also want to adopt Jabbor Gibson. Greta Van Susimnotlookinuphowtospellherlastname interviewed him on Fox last night. What an amazing kid. Never drove a bus before. Just stopped and picked up whoever he could. Bush needs to give this kid a fucking medal.

"Rather than die on the streets of New Orleans, a young guy named Jabbor Gibson grabbed on an abandoned bus and drove 7 hours straight to Houston, rescuing complete strangers, including women and children, according to the Houston Chronicle.

I'm sick of hearing people who were completely abandoned and left to fend for themselves described as looters for doing what any of us would do in the same situation. I'm not talking about stealing TVs. I'm talking about taking food, water, shoes, and about taking matters into their own hands when the government had left them for dead.

Again, from the news report:

Quote:
One 8-day-old infant spent the first days of his life surrounded by chaos. He's one of the many who are homeless and hungry.

Authorities eventually allowed the renegade passengers inside the dome. But the 18-year-old who ensured their safety could find himself in a world of trouble for stealing the school bus.

"I dont care if I get blamed for it ," Gibson said, "as long as I saved my people."

Should he have left the bus to be destroyed by flood waters? Left 100 of his fellow citizens to drown or starve?

I hope this idea of this guy being "in a world of trouble" is just some reporter's conjecture. If the news report is true, he's my hero."

Fuck You George Bush

I don't want to see your smirk.
There are people dying as you speak.
You make me so angry.

Here you were on August 30, 2005, while people were trapped in their attics, while people were drowning, when people were dying.

You look so concerned.

President Bush plays a guitar presented to him by Country Singer Mark Wills, right, backstage following his visit to Naval Base Coronado, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005. Bush visited the base to deliver remarks on V-J Commemoration Day.

I am sickened. Bush just said, "out of this rubble, will come a new Biloxi, Mississippi." Sorry, but that doesn't do a whole lot for me when people are still missing. They don't have enough food in shelters. People are DYING, dipshit.

"I'm satisified with the response, I'm not satisfied with the results."

Laura Bush is in Lafayette with some refugees. She's saying how civil it all is. Honey, why don't you get your lilly white ass to the Astrodome. It's gotten UGLY.

I'm sickened that this is happening in my country.

And yes, I am volunteering and not just bitching. I can do both equally well.

Nothing Left

Amanda Sumarall uses her foot to wipe away the word "believe" at her grandfather's house that was damaged by Hurricane Katrina, Wednesday Aug. 31, 2005 in Long Beach, Miss. Her grandmother, who passed away less than a month ago, painted the word on the back porch of their home.
Rob Carr / AP

Audience Participation

What country is this?

America or Beruit?

Nagin for President!

Kayne drops the damn bomb!