I would like nothing more than to put together a long diary full of beautiful words that make people swoon with mojo and recommends, but I don't have the beautiful words for all of this. So, I'll just get down to it.
Some of you have already seen the video I put together as a rant/prayer/indictment/cry of anguish here.
I have since created a full-size DVD, complete with intro menu (Nagin and Broussard audio over music plays with the intro). The DVD also credits the music at the end.
I won't sell this DVD (can't anyway, as I don't own the rights to any of it), but I will burn one for you if you send me a blank DVD-R and $1.40 for first-class postage (I'll cover the envelope). E-mail me (pants --at-
- goodshow --dot-
- net) and I'll e-mail you back with my address. It would help me keep track of things if you put "New Orleans" in the subject line.
The DVD may come in handy at fundraisers, protests, etc... anywhere you want to fuel a righteous rage. Keep in mind that it's pretty harsh and some of the images are pretty difficult (you can preview it here).
Second, you may have noticed that I've added another bracelet to the fundraising. All money raised from all bracelets (Caseys included) through the end of the month will go to hurricane relief, but the money raised from this new bracelet will continue to fund the NOLA recovery effort indefinitely.
"La Belle Ville Orleans" Click for larger view.
These are the colors of Mardi Gras with a sterling silver charm that almost looks like a fleur-de-lis.
Important Note: Because my employer has a matching funds program, all of your donations will be doubled. What does that mean? Approximately $5 of every bracelet pays for materials and shipping. The other $10 gets donated. Here's the math: $15 = 1 bracelet + $20 donation to the Red Cross. It doesn't really get any better than that.
I'm really frikkin exhausted, but I'll keep cranking this stuff out until my fingers fall right off, because I need to. I gotta do something, and this is my version of prayer and meditation. I am honored and humbled that it has also been a way to bring joy and goodness to others.
For those of you who have ordered Caseys in the last couple of weeks, I'm crankin' and crankin' and putting together a massive shipment. It looks like I have to work through lunch (which is my post office time) tomorrow, so it may be delayed by a day, but they're coming!
Finally, I would encourage you all to go to the Good Show site and listen to the MP3 of yesterday evening's show as soon as they put it up (it will probably be posted in the next day or so). They put together a very moving segment about an hour into the program, pairing the Broussard interview with Randy Newman's "Louisiana 1927" (Newman's ode to the 1927 flood). Well worth a listen (actually the whole show is always worth listening to, so bookmark it anyway).
I'm tired and determined. How about you?
Remember New Orleans.
We will not forget.