Links
Where You Should Go For…
Ways to Get Involved
There are so many worthy causes in this world, so many organizations and people that need your support. You know what the trick is? Get in the game.
Started by the excellent Canadian diplomat, educator, philanthropist and all-around guy who gets things done, Stephen Lewis, this organization “helps to ease the pain of HIV/AIDS in Africa by funding grassroots projects that help individuals, families and communities ravaged by the pandemic. It provides care to women who are ill and struggling to survive, so that their lives can be free from pain, humiliation and indignity; assists orphans and other AIDS affected children in every possible way, from the payment of school fees to the provision of food; supports heroic grandmothers, who bury their own children and almost single-handedly care for their orphan grandchildren; and supports associations of people living with HIV/AIDS, courageous men and women who have openly declared their status” (taken from the Who We Are page of the website). It’s an awesome organization. Stephen Lewis is described by Melissa Fay Greene as “the single most eloquent, piercing, and honest voice in the world on this subject, and his foundation does not dilly-dally or fabricate. With low overhead, it goes straight to the frontlines, while he continues to assail the rich nations for their inaction.”
Thousands upon thousands of these beautiful creatures are euthanized each year. After a horrible few early years of racing occasionally and being crated for most of the day, racing greyhounds are deemed no longer useful or fast enough and are put down at around the age of 3 to 5 years old. This organization saves racing greyhounds and adopts them out to families who can help them life long, happy lives.
Dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and protection of abandoned, neglected or abused donkeys, mules and hinnies, the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada takes in these animals and gives them a lifelong home, love, and care.
Jacob Deng’s life story is heart-rending and inspiring. His mission is to raise enough money to build a school for his war-torn village in the Sudan. You can also buy a goat for someone in the village.
Make Poverty History.
The Canadian site of the Make Poverty History movement.
This is Canada’s UNICEF site, providing many great links to ways that you can help.
Stop the spread of Malaria, a preventable disease that’s killing 1.3 million people per year, and is the leading cause of death in African children under 5. It is killing 3,000 children PER DAY, and for 10 bucks, you can buy an anti-mosquito net and save a life.
Fun Stuff
Alan Cross’s Ongoing History shows are catalogued here. Alan Cross is my hero — he has my ideal job, and he does it SO well.
Artist Marcie Dietrich creates the most gorgeous stained glass suncatchers, windows, lampshades… Check out her site. Shop for beautiful things until your heart is content!
- Africa-cam
Actually, it’s called Africam, a live webcam at the Nkorho Pan in South Africa. If you’re patient, you’ll see zebras and cape buffalo and baboons, and if you’re really lucky, giraffes and elephants and lions. Be forewarned: it’s addictive to watch.
- Pete’s Pond
Another live webcam, this one run by National Geographic at a pond in Botswana. Wildlife abounds here, but the camera is not always as clear as Africam. Offline in November, which is rainy season.
- Get Fuzzy
- The John Cusack Test
- The Internet Movie Database
- Coronation Street Updates
Any strip in the series is pretty much like a day at our house.
Which John Cusack are you? I am Rob Gordon. Of course.
To help you stalk your favourite movie star. Only don’t throw bags of screwdrivers into their yard; they don’t like that.
Yes. It’s a soap opera. I follow a soap opera. It’s one of my few concessions to girly-girl-ishness. These are the British updates from ITV, so if you’re not into spoilers, don’t go reading them.
Weather With You
Here’s the weather right now in some of my favourite places. (Yes, the title is stolen from a Crowded House song. Just deal with it.)
