persephone33

I've put Nolan on a plane to Haiti. *wibble*

It'll be fine. I have faith that everything will be fine. Finefinefine.

In other news, here's a photo from the promo shoot the Globe News took.


I'm the one in the red jacket. Gotta do something about smoothing that bun in my hair.

Have a great weekend!

I have a new laptop. He needs a name, like... now. It's like having a baby and not naming it. Suggestions? He's strong and masculine, but put together.

The show I'm in is so solid, and we've got 3 more weeks of rehearsal. I've never worked with a more professional group of people.  Truly a pleasure.  Not a diva in the bunch.  And that's saying something when you're talking about a bunch of actresses.

I'm exhausted, and my fingers are sore from all the pinpricks from sewing umpteen million bags for Nolan's Haiti trip.

I've outlined my dgficexchange  story. I feel the freedom to try something a bit different this time around.  I think It will either be loved or completely hated by all.

It's completely amazing how passive aggressive some people are.  I'm telling you:  MIND BLOWING.  And not in a 1970's, laid back, groovy way, either.  >:(

It's been awhile, folks. How's January treating you?  I've had a wicked cold.

Aw, you're so sweet. I'm much better now, thank you so much for asking.

I've been to church, played a mean game of rock band with the family, went to church, painted several watercolors and cooked dinner at home all nights but one in an effort to save some cash.

But this is what I've done today:



I'm making 25 bags for Nolan and his team to take to Haiti at the end of the month. What you see above is fabric cut for at least twice that many. Nolan's going to build a second floor on the orphanage, but the women going are going to do a women's ministry with some of the women in a neighboring village. As I'm not one of those people for whom foreign missions appeals, I decided to make a tote bag for all the women the team will minister to.

These bags are also the prize to this month's contest! And there's a picture of them under the cut.  ( If you win, this is what I'll send you. )

I've been out of town for nearly a week; (did anyone miss me?) we went to San Antonio on business/pleasure.  The in-laws went, too and brought the boys back early so that we could spend our anniversary sans children.  It was very nice and romantic, and I even got to see my college roommate, all of which was SO FUN and I'll post pics about another time, but I want to focus on the purpose of the trip for now.

First off, before I offend anyone, let me just say that I had a fabulous time.  Really fabulous.  We stayed at a resort hotel, with several pools and a spa and room service and every amenity that you could possibly desire.  I felt spoiled and pampered and very much like a princess.  Here's the rub, though.  Hubby's company gave a boatload of cash to play in an innaugural golf tournament to raise money for a worthy charity.  I'm all for that.  All for charities.  We personally give to a few.  This one supported raising money for programs to aid the homeless in San Antonio.  Yay.  Again, I don't begrudge giving money, or better yet, time, at all. 

What I do have issues with is this:  For the people that gave (over a certain amount of) money, this charity gave the golfers really expensive gifts.  They included: new golf shoes (really nice ones), an Italian leather calfskin belt (again really nice), a golf glove (leather, of course), a golf shirt, and a hat.  They also gave a welcome dinner that MIL and I got to go to as well, where they served first class food.  Fancy food.  Expensive food.  Antipasto, salad, bread, an entree that included fish of some kind and an enormous cut of beef filet, a dessert, and an OPEN BAR (The lame chicken and green beans you see at so many banquets were nowhere to be seen).  All that for what looked to be about 300 people.  This does not include the "favors' that were on the table...  a picture frame, little flashy stars, pins (for the people that gave over a certain dollar amount - so that they could be identified, I suppose), cigars, and a gorgeous floral centerpiece.  On all 40-50 tables.  

And at this dinner, they told everyone about what they were doing as a new startup charity.  They gave us statisics on homeless people, like the fact that 20% of homeless children don't attend school, 47 % of homeless are faimilies, the average age among homeless is 9 years old.  27% of homeless children have never seen a dentist.  There were statistics on abuse, alcoholism and substance abuse, and lack of immunizations.   And they told us that because of our generosity, they'd raised 1.3 million dollars for this charity, which was rewarded with hearty applause.  

My question is this:  How much more could they have given to the homeless if they hadn't spent so much on giving each of the men (150, maybe?) playing in the golf tournament new Addidas golf shoes?  Not to mention all of the other extra stuff.  I come from more humble roots, my family didn't give anything to charity; we were the charity.  Mom could make a chicken last all week.  So maybe I don't know the ins and outs of how these events work.  Maybe it 's the norm.  But I was overwhelmed with sympathy for homeless, and a little horrified at the conspicuous consumption of wealth all around me.  

How did I react?  Did I get up and make an impassioned speech about how all these white, middle aged, slightly punchy men were wasting money?  Did I get up and leave?  Did I express my displeasure at all?  No, I did not.  I drank two glasses of (really good) free white wine, ate parts of the dinner, and applauded politely at the appropriate places.  

And snarked on Livejournal.  

Am I part of the problem?  I don't know?  How do I make a difference?  I don't know that, either.  I'm confused and irritated and confilcted and a myriad of other emotions, and I just thought I'd share.  

Any thoughts?