Out of Order Posts, When the days run together!

8:21 PM 10/8/2005
(I wrote this a few days ago, but am now posting it, so its out of order)
Spent the whole day today at St. Peter Home, the shelter where the wedding will be tomorrow. This morning at 11 am they had the rehearsal for the wedding, then I interviewed the bride for about half an hour. Its just amazing talking to these people, what they've seen, lived through, and that they are able to talk about it. I spent the afternoon talking to some of the survivors, just hanging out talking on the sidewalk. Different perspectives, depending on where they were, and what they believe happened and why. By the time the dinner bell rang, I think we had pretty much solved the worlds problems, much as any group of people can do in an afternoon. Makes you wonder, if we could happen to put groups of people together, from different backgrounds, with a common goal.

I've been assigned a room here at the shelter, pretty much like a simple dorm room would be, nicer than most of the barracks I lived in while in the Navy. Definately nicer than living in the van the last couple of weeks! I could have slept here last night, had I thought to ask... I ate dinner tonight with everyone else, or I should say with the 7 or 8 people who were here at dinner time. It seemed that most of the residents were out today, many of them were taking of last minute wedding details, or they're starting to stretch their wings, so to speak. They're starting to go out into the community more, finding their way around, which I think is good.

Its about 8:30 pm, I'm hanging out in my room, have the camera battery on the charger, and will get some email read that I've been putting off since leaving home. I have 3 piles of email, the junk that gets deleted, the personal email that I read and reply to as soon as possible, then there is the email lists I'm subscribed to. I read them when I get a chance, sometimes I get a week behind, then I scan through them looking for the nuggets I need to get through the day.

Or maybe I'll get some extra sleep for a change! I've been getting around 7 hours sleep a night most of the trip, sometimes less. I have to be careful not to get run down, would be a real drag to get sick on the road.

The wedding is tomorrow, ceremony is at 6 pm, so will have plenty of time tomorrow afternoon, might get some more interviews of the residents, etc.
That's it for now!

--------------

9:15 AM 10/10/2005

Some random thoughts for this morning...

Happiness is a choice. You choose to be happy, or you choose not to be happy. But beyond that, I have found some things on this trip that I may have taken for granted, and I think the survivors of the two hurricanes may just agree with me on some of these!

1. Turning on the tap, and getting hot or cold water.
2. Turning on the switch, and the light coming on.
3. Access to a shower, hot, cold, or Just Right.
4. Access to a washer and dryer, and therefore Clean Clothes!
5. A hug, a smile, a firm handshake, just because.
6. Respect, a look, a nod, being appreciated, again, Just Because.
7. Someone to talk to, someone who will listen.
8. Being safe, secure, warm, and dry.
9. Waking up, well rested, in A BED... and finding fresh milk and Cheerios!
10. Having a plan for the day, and the means to carry it out.

If you are able to read this, and you are able to take most of these for granted, you are better off than people in most countries, and would be considered extremely wealthy and fortunate. You now have a choice. What can you do, big or small, that could help someone out, today, now? Something as simple as a hand shake, a smile, so someone maybe who makes you a little uncomfortable. Yesterday I read something, refering to the Butterfly effect. Something as small as the beat of the wing of a butterfly still moves air, just a little bit. What if that small puff of air is what started a chain of events that lead to something huge? You may never know how much your actions effect someone else.

If you pass this on, maybe nothing will happen, right away. But I promise you this, the next time you turn on a light, or turn on the hot water for your shower, You will remember the butterfly. And that, my friend, is worth thinking about.

Thanks, and Stay Tooned!
Carlin