Randomness from my morning

Stayed in Brooklyn with Lizzie last night - this is part of my morning today...

Walking the walk...

Well, more like swimming the swim.

On the afternoon of May 15th 2010, I will be participating in a very special fundraising event called Swim 4 Humanity benefiting SurfAid International - hosted in seven cities on the west and east coasts from March to May 2010.

I will swim for thirty minutes with tons of other people. Monies raised will go towards SurfAid's humanitarian programs. The mission of SurfAid International, a non-profit humanitarian organization, is to improve the health, well-being and self-reliance of people living in isolated regions connected to us through surfing.

I've agreed to raise a minimum of $1,800 in donations. My personal goal is to raise more, but I need your help. Would you please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation of whatever amount you choose to help me meet my goal? Just follow the link below to visit my personal fundraising webpage, where you can donate online.

Worldwide, 10 million children die each year from preventable diseases. I'm participating in Swim 4 Life to raise money and awareness for SurfAid International's life-saving programs.

Thank you, in advance for your support of me and my efforts to reduce death and suffering from preventable disease in isolated regions of the world.

My Swim 4 Humanity donation page.

Please give what you can - even one dollar will make a difference.
And to those of you who have already donated, THANK YOU doesn't begin to cover my gratitude.

You've GOT to be KIDDING - right?!

First I read this - American Airlines Grounds Haiti Rescue Team's Medical Supplies.

Then I clicked a link in that story and read this - Haiti rescue team gets medical supplies on American flight, but without airline aid.

The gist - Some aid workers were trying to get a giant bag of medical supplies on an American Airlines flight and more than willing to pay the extra/over-sized baggage fee - but - BUT!! American Airlines WOULD NOT LET THEM!

This is what American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith had to say,

"Our temporary policy is certainly not designed to harm those seeking to take supplies in. But the reality is that Santo Domingo and the Dominican Republic is the only operating airport and area we serve that is relatively close-by to Haiti. Accordingly, our flights in and out of Santo Domingo are extremely full with passengers. As a passenger airline, with very full flights and the normal allowed complement of passenger’s checked bags, there is essentially no room on the aircraft for additional bags and supplies beyond the bags that every passenger is allowed.

Putting such supplies onboard and in the cargo hold could prevent other passengers from taking the luggage and bags they are entitled to. Supplies are best shipped through relief agencies with cargo planes or through one of the normal shipping services. This relief organization is not the only one which we have been unable to accommodate under the policy I described above."

Apparently Mr. Tim Smith wasn't in line when they were doling out the irony.
American Airlines should be ashamed of themselves. It's not like six aid workers showed up with golf clubs as their extra baggage - IT WAS MUCH NEEDED MEDICAL SUPPLIES.

I sincerely hope American Airlines reviews their policy and will allow future exceptions if similar cases present themselves during their embargo period. Otherwise - I think the next time I book a flight I'll do my damnedest NOT to fly with their airline.

Haiti

Different ways you can help:

From Progressives for Haiti:

"Simply a cooperative effort among progressive citizens' groups to put provide immediate assistance to the people of Haiti, in response to the devastating earthquake there. Any group is welcome to participate by simply directing their members to this page, or else circulating this donation link: http://www.progressivesforhaiti.org/donate . No one involved is keeping any of the money raised, we're only passing you through to donate directly to organizations we've identified and vetted as doing real, immediate work on the ground in Haiti."

Progressives for Haiti has a 'DONATE NOW' button that links directly to Doctors Without Borders right on their homepage.


*ALSO*

From mGive -

Early on the morning of January 13th a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti and details are still coming in. mGive is working with the Red Cross and we ask you to help now with an immediate donation made from your mobile phone. Simply text the word HAITI to 90999 to give $10. When prompted, reply with YES to confirm your one-time gift. The $10 donation will appear on your next mobile bill and 100% of the donation will go to Red Cross to help those hit by this natural disaster. Receipts can be printed at mGive.org/receipt.

I recommend reading the comments attached to the link for this story. Some people with certain mobile providers had some difficulties. However, that shouldn't stop you from donating what you can to assist these people in need.

I'm back

Well, actually... I've been back since January 6th but I hadn't gone near the computer too much since I was technically still on vacation.

We spent two weeks on Kauai and the last days of this week prior getting readjusted to being home - This cold weather BLOWS!!!! and our sleep is still somewhat skewed to five hours behind.

I'm in the process of getting my trip photos out of my camera and will post images & highlights soon.

Other than that - welcome to a new year - two thousand and chill...

Ahoy!