Just call me Vivian

Really. I am SO changing my name to Vivian, at least for work. *sigh*

***

Slightly selfish to say, but my hair is being a bitch today. I knew humidity would be a factor, so I went with the uber-straight option (instead of uber-curly). The straightening lotion and flat iron treatment aren't working, though. I've got one corkscrew curl on the right side of my head. *sigh*

***

Watched at Napoleon Dynamite last night. Didn't get it. 2/3 of the way through I gave up. Oh well. The effort was made.

***

So, Prison Break. There are things I really like about it. There are things I don't like about it. As a prison drama, it leaves some to be desired in comparison to Oz (which kicks prison drama ass ten ways to Sunday). In terms of actors who don't make me care that they aren't Oz, well, they have plenty of that. *g* ( Overall, it'll keep me watching for a while. )

***

Oh, and they're taunting me at work. Client has a contract with a person for their parent company. They want this person for this specific clothing line, for print ads.

I have already informed them that if we get Ward Burton, I am SO there for the shoot. And to translate if need be. And that if Ward doesn't work out, 1) Elliott Sadler hunts and actually does have a ride and 2) Jeff BURTON is Ward's brother, not Jeff Gordon, and I'd adore Burton too.

Ugh.

One of my coworkers is a bit cranky. We let her be cranky, because the woman does things that the rest of us wish we were good enough people to do.

Her ex-husband is an alcoholic. He got really, really depressed about a year ago, and the alcoholism took a turn for the worse. His sister was in a car crash several years back and doesn't have the mental capacity to take care of him (she does well to take care of herself). Coworker's son lives the other side of the state and is 23. (She actually made him start taking part in trying to get his dad help a few months ago.)

So coworker took on the responsibility of trying to get him help, for her son. The things she has been through. There have been massive crying jags, mood swings, days needed off work to take care of him...and this is all knowing that he doesn't appreciate the help she was trying to give him. He's been in and out of facilities for months.

His sister called a short while ago. She'd been trying to call him, no answer. So she got the police and went to his house. Found him dead. My poor coworker is upset, but for her son and the sister, because she knew it was coming.

Hurricane Katrina

I don't know about anyone else, but for me, where I grow leery is donating large sums of money to organizations for specific purposes (tsunami relief, hurricane relief) when I feel like, with it being so close to home (half a day's drive) I should send tangible goods, things to make a difference. Flats of water being the first thing I want to send.

Unfortunately, in the early stages, it's more about saving lives, rescuing people, assessing the damage and seeing where the need is. Nothing has been organized yet other than the need for money and blood. Sadly, I can't donate blood.

I am planning to send goods when collections start. But I found something else in my search that I'm sure there are similar ideas for: a Flood Bucket. The United Methodist Church (which is a denomination of church similar to what I grew up in) has their preparations going, and one thing they're asking for is Flood Buckets. They have specifications for what goes in one, based on past need and experience. And it's something that you know is going for a specific reason and meets a specific, necessary need. It's not food. It's not clothes. But it meets a need that will be present in a few days and can be done now, while we're all waiting.

Flood Bucket prep guidelines

Also, the relief center that this goes to is in Louisiana (the shipping address can be found here). So the distribution center for the flood buckets is in the heart of the disaster area.

If you have a church denomination you're a member of, that's one place to look. National news sites are also listing groups taking donations (which is how I thought to look to see if any of those groups were also taking supplies). Check things out, post if you find something that works.

(no subject)

*growls*

Dear people coming to our offices:

There is a REASON we tell you to not go through our first floor. If I offer you an alternate way out? Take it. Because if you get hurt because you knowingly walked through construction, I'll testify on the other side's behalf because you're STUPID.

I'm already irritated by my coworkers that insist on walking through construction. But it's their butts, and if they get mad for getting beaned by a hammer, their fault. With people doing deliveries or coming for meetings that we've told not to come in? It's a bit trickier. But when I offer you another way out, it's your own damn fault.

(Oh, and don't give me the look that I'm stupid for being worried. Hello! I don't trust your ass not to sue for your own stupidity.)