Some folks set up a trailer and were taking collections to be distributed to fire victims down south. Considering that California is known as the saute state for a reason (what doesn't shake gets fried), i figured it was my obligation to stop by target, get a bunch of stuff folks fleeing from their homes in the middle of the night wouldn't think to grab, and send it south. This is because it's just a matter of time before it's our turn for some earth surfin'.
We show up, and sure enough, there's a news crew there filming drop offs. Camera guy asks, "So, why are you dropping off stuff?" Which, is kind of a stupid question and was only matched by the stupid answer i gave him.
Minutes after i gave my answer and walked off, the eloquent part of my brain got off it's coffee break and started screaming. "No, tell me you didn't say 'Because i know they'd do the same for us.', say things like 'It's a chance to make someone's day a little better.' or 'It's what neighbors do.', or crack a joke about how 'It's a gift to the Land In Flames from the Land of Flames'."
But no, i know full well that the news will probably run my stupid, company logoed mug on the local news tonight saying the sort of inane crap you hear spouted from every stupid company logoed mug you see on those sorts of reports and who doesn't have the time afforded to spend on coming up with something clever and witty. You know, like the 30 minutes i just spent putting this post together full of clever and witty statements of a faux-earnest nature, when yeah, i did it mostly because i'd hope that when it's our turn, folks do the same for us.
Ah well, maybe the sports report will go long tonight.
I think people are leery about cash because we've seen how the goverment handles it… whereas Halliburton can't conceivably chop off 1/4 of a teddy bear for themselves (though they may have found a way).
Different organizations, but still - cash is fluid in ways other things aren't.
I thought it was called a "crypt" and that's where he slept through the day.
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Interviews I've heard with the Red Cross and other organizations stress that they need cash when these things happen, particularly out of the US. Cash is king, doesn't need refrigeration, one size fits all, and it goes with everything. One guy even went to the extent of politely mocking the cargo containers of toys and blankets that arrive several months after a disaster.
So, remember that, SoCal: When the big one hits, send cash.