Positive Action

Given my rant below, I thought now would be a good time to highlight some potential positive actions. This is my 401st blog post, and I hope it will set a trend. Thanks to everyone for reading, by the way.

1) AIDS Walk

I decided not to do the AIDS walk because of some scheduling issues. But actually, it doesn't really matter per se how many walkers there are, as long as people generously sponsor the people who are walking. So if you have a friend walking, please support them--every little bit helps--and either way, please consider supporting my friend Scott. If you're in Southern California, consider participating in the October AIDS Walk there.

2) Other Health and Safety Causes

I've recently been promoting Scott's disaster preparation organization, CARD and encourage you to check them out and think about donating and utilizing their resources. I would also like to point out that the American Red Cross is in desperate need of blood. If you can, please consider donating blood today. On Monday the Red Cross said in a press release:
"There is currently a critical blood shortage, and without more blood on the shelves, the American Red Cross cannot ensure that hospitals will have the blood they need to treat all patients. In fact, there are several hospitals that are already affected by this scarcity
.. . .
The Red Cross is appealing to all individuals to donate blood and is particularly interested in Type O negative blood as this is the universal blood donor type, meaning that it can be transfused to anyone in cases of emergencies. Again, anyone at least 17 years of age, weighing 110 pounds or more and feeling in good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please call your American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or log on to www.givelife.org and make an appointment today. Keep your commitment. Patients are counting on your generosity."

A lot of people, like me, cannot give blood, sometimes for stupefying and frustrating reasons. But that only makes it all the more important for those of you who can give blood to please do so. And if you can't donate blood, please consider donating to the Red Cross. You never know when they might end up helping you.

3) Education

I firmly believe that a lot of social problems would be greatly alleviated, or at least solved faster, if we could all be a little more educated. More than that, I still feel that learning is one of life's great joys, so why not spread the happiness? To that end, I'd like to point out the great work being done by Dave Egger's 826 Valencia Project: helping students, age 8-18, with their writing skills, in the realm of creative writing, expository writing, or English as a second language. This San Francisco institution (and only independant pirate supply company) is soon going to have a New York incarnation, and if you're in the Tri-State area, I encourage you to attend the Fundraising Bookfair and Superhero Skills Contest July 23-25.