(no subject)

[wook77]

I rather fail spectacularly as a friend. That being said -

There is a cool auction/donation thingy happening over at aoifene's LJ to help support Australians in need for the bush-fire recovery. For every $25 bucks you donate to one of the organizations listed, you get earrings. For fifty, you get an amazingly beautiful bracelet.

I'm, obviously, going to strongly urge everyone to donate to any and all animal care organizations out there. I can't force myself to pimp the Red Cross due to their anti-gay men position (coupled with their misappropriation/misspending of funds after Sept 11) but there are plenty of great organizations on the list. Go check it out and if you have the cash to spare, donate and get something in return!

I've not read my flist in about a week other than some journal entries linked to me via email. I've been wrapped up in my own circle of memememememememememe. Mum's still in hospital. Work sucks. Dogs are misbehaving (why yes, I would like to come home and not have to clean up dog pee, thanks muchly). Am starting to fray emotionally. I'm looking at the flist and just, sorry, but it's overwhelming right now.

I've deadlines for shit (and by deadlines, I mean, I'm well past the original deadlines. I've scrapped a 9k work as it just started to suck.

So, um, what's new with all of you?

Comments

[libgirl.livejournal.com]

Thinking of you ~hugs~

I'm with you on the dog pee, sadly, that's my daily state of affairs here. :/

Nothing worth noting in my world. Still looking for somewhere to live. :/

[wook77.livejournal.com]

*hugs back*

What a stressful thing to be going through :(. I'm so sorry you've not found a place yet. *hugs more*

[red_squared]

Red Cross due to their anti-gay men position

For serious?! Links, plz?

And: *squishes*

Because it sounds like you need it :/

[wook77.livejournal.com]

this is a quick link (http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2008/08/gay-blood-ban-hearing-red-cross-ignores.html) about their refusal to even consider homosexual blood donors because that's much higher risk than any sort of heterosexual sexual intercourse.

Not just that but they're also borderline racist. My favorite quote from the above link -



Dr Wylie agreed that Aborigines have much higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases than other Australians but disagreed that this should lead to their deferral from blood donation because "they are a racial group not an activity", and "they don't donate".

I can't bring myself to donate to the group at all. I remember when I was a kid and there were massive floods that the Red Cross came in and helped out. A big to-do was made of it and how generous the Red Cross was to help out. Then they sent the bills to those that they helped. My aunt/uncle were charged over a thousand dollars for the blankets and food they received from the Red Cross. Obviously - that's the American one not the Australian one but that's left a bad taste in my mouth, as well.

I definitely need the squishes right now. <3

[secretsolitaire.livejournal.com]

Oh crap, I did not know that about the Red Cross. D-: *eyes previous donations to them*

Sorry things are so rough for you right now. *hugs*

[red_squared]

Eeek! I know they asked the question (I have often been tempted to tick "yes" to the "have you had male-to-male intercourse in the last year" when I'm donating blood), but I hadn't realised this meant that they excluded you altogether.

Good grief.

And yes, I can see that, about being sent a bill for emergency relief!

*squishes some more, just because*

[incapricious.livejournal.com]

I've had times like that, when I try to look at LJ and go no, I can't do this now. *hugs you and applies duct tape so you don't fray*

♥

[wook77.livejournal.com]

*clings*

The emotional fraying certainly isn't helped due to the hormones, either. I'm not a cryer but god, I keep tearing up over nothing. I sort of need a break from everything and everyone. :/

[incapricious.livejournal.com]

*pets*

I'm sorry. That isn't a fun state to be in. You do need a break. :(

[elanorofcastile.livejournal.com]

*lovesloveslovesloveslovesloves*

[kath-ballantyne.livejournal.com]

I'm a bit dubious about the Red Cross too. I mean if you're going to discriminate against gay men because anal sex is a riskier practice (which it is) then you need to not take blood from women or straight men who partake in sexual intercourse.

The won't let me give blood because I used to live in England. Apparently
I'm a mad cow or something *g*

The National Australia Bank has a collection that you can do direct deposit to which is what I used.
I know the red cross is the one that's being pimped on TV and Radio and then the Salvation Army one but I'd rather not have any churches views deciding who needs the money.

I'm going to be donating some commissions at the end of this week and I think I'll donate half the money to the NAB and half to the wildlife rescue.
I've just been volunteering at the RSPCA here and trying to find out if they're doing anything as they're national but it seems like stuff has been talked about but not sorted yet.

Sorry, got rambly

[oconel]

What's with the Red Cross and the anti-gay position? I haven't heard about that.
Edit: nevermind, I saw the link up there. I'm a bit curious now, when people donate they have to fill a form about themselves and also, the blood is analysed before it's used in a transfusion, so I'm baffled about all that.

I hope your mum is getting better and soon will be able to go back home.

*hugs tight*

[nefernat.livejournal.com]

*big big hugs*

Wow -- did not know about the Red Cross!! *rather stunned*

Am sorry to hear your mum is still in hospital - is everything all right? I'll send warm thoughts and hopes of her being able to come home soon.

Much ♥