The Katrina post

Since I never know what to do...

I've been trying to think up ways to help, for those of us who don't really know what to do.

Stuff that may have been linked to before: NYTimes on offers of help, people offering their phones or email for communication, stakebait tries to brainstorm for the future.

Thoughts and ideas from me:

• If you work at a good-sized company, ask if your company is doing anything. If you don't think so, I bet there's someone in HR you could email who manages the giving program of your company.


• I'm one of those people who gets scared at calling the White House and the like. If you aren't and have been doing so, more props to you! If you're more like me, maybe try for your state government or even your city council.


• If you can't donate now (which is currently me... I feel horrible, but I just dropped $450 on a plane ticket for a family emergency and that sort of takes care of this month and next month's budget), try saving up $5 a month. Or however much you can spare from your budget. I bet New Orleans will still need it even a year down the line for rebuilding and for help, and every bit helps. Or, on the off chance that New Orleans doesn't need it, there are always other charities that do.


• If you know someone whose company is matching funds and you trust them, maybe try to work something out?

Er, that's all I can think of right now. But if anyone has any other ideas, please, by all means stick them in the comments!

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Knitting Arts is having a sale this week. I happened to have a gift certificate that my auntie gave me for my birthday. Much ogling and groping of yarn ensued.

I have some really fine Crystal Palace mohair mix for a lacy crocheted sweater in light purple, white cotton Willow Tahki for this because while lace is a bitch to knit (much easier to crochet lace, which is why I love crochet), it's just so beautiful. Wah. I got this really crazy yarn in rose and white... not sure what I'll do with it, since I only got three balls, but I think it'd make a cute scarf. And I got a really gorgeous apricot ribbon yarn. The picture on the website totally doesn't do it justice. It's this beautiful soft, shimmery apricot that looks like it has a bit of a gold sheen to it as well. I adore it. I think I'll make it into this.

I know this is a stupid comment, but wow, yarn is expensive. All that was all of my gift certificate plus $5. But... so pretty!

Er, of course, I have failed to mention the loads and loads of yarn I already have at home that are yet to be knit up. Um. Haha. Yeah. I actually really want to get another CD shelf and fill it with yarn! It seems to have the right shelf depth, plus, it'd be really pretty. Much better than plastic bags everywhere!

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( The rat report )

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I also got to meet some old high school friends today, which was really cool! Haven't seen them for what feels like forever, because I suck like mad at keeping in touch. But yeah! It's amazing how much easier socializing is when one is non-depressive! Heh, what a concept ;).

But it was really interesting. I never would have thought I would have been where I am now graduating from college (working in a large corporation, being happy with work, not having a huge desire to go back to grad school, being in the tech industry). It's just so good being happy with where I am though! (I hope that didn't sound horrifically self-satisfied...)

( Even more about me! )

Linkage!

amphibiouswords has some cool poetry: Wingspan is her take on "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Seven Swans," and a lovely bit on freedom and desire; Incarnadine is on "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Beauty and the Beast" and, of course, red hoods, red roses, red blood. Actually, huh, reminds me a bit of the red queen in The Brothers Grimm. I really love the imagery in the poems.

She's also got a short story: The Road to Ever After. It's another fairy tale take, and I love the non-ever-after and the circular symmetry of the story.

Kepler's, an indie bookstore in Menlo Park, has unexpectedly gone out of business. But! There is a Save Kepler's movement going on (More info here). I wish I could make it to the rally on Tuesday =(. If anyone in the area feels like going though.... *sigh* I don't support my independent bookstores nearly as much as I should, but I do try to.

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I swear, I was good for the past few months, but I went into B&N today and left with three more books, once again proving that my natural state of being is that of never being able to turn down a book. In my defense, I found two of them in the bargain bins for $4 each.

Loot includes Isabel Glass' Daughter of Exile, which also proves that I apparently can't resist the combination of blurbs by McKillip, Pat Murphy, and a Kinuko Craft cover, Judith Merkle Riley's The Master of All Desires, also complete with Kinuko Craft cover, and Joan Aiken's The Youngest Miss Ward: A Jane Austen Entertainment. I've never read anything from the authors above, but the blurbs ended up hooking me in for the Glass and I swear, I've heard recs for both Riley and Aiken on LJ. If not, oh well!

Other notes of interest at the bookstore: book two of Jacqueline Carey's new trilogy is now out, as is the first book of Robin Hobb's new trilogy. Looks like that one isn't set in the same world as all her others =(. Ah well. I was fond of the Six Duchies. I'm not sure if I'll read it... maybe later. Juliet Marillier also has a new book out, also the first in a cycle (is that a trilogy? duology? continuing series?). I'm not sure if I'll read that either, given that I really disliked Foxmask. I lovingly fondled Sarah Monette's Melusine before regretfully walking on, and noted that four copies of Bear's Scardown was on the shelf. I also ogled a great deal at knitting and crocheting books. Wah. My newest obsession doesn't seem to be getting any less obsessing.