I've got a box of clothes and toiletry samples ready to go to the address I saw in Press, but with my schedule, I probably won't be able to get it to the post office until tomorrow. It always amazes me how doing stuff like this does wonders for my personal well-being. It's such a little thing in the grand scheme of things, but I feel so much better just being able to help in a concrete way. It's been driving me nuts that I can't really offer a place to stay, but I live in a one-bedroom, with cats, far, far away from the Gulf Coast, so probably offering a couch is not all that helpful.

Hi, Dana! I hoped you were very, very happy.

From dailykos.com:

Chertoff: All I'm tryin' to find out is what's the guy's name in charge of food and water.

Brown: Oh, no, wait a minute, don't switch 'em around. What is in charge of evacuation.

Chertoff: I'm not askin' you who's in charge of evacuation.

Brown: Who is on food and water.

Chertoff: I don't know!

Brown: He's in charge of media spin...now we're not talkin' 'bout him.

Chertoff: Now, how did I get on media spin?

Brown: You mentioned his name!

Chertoff: If I mentioned the media spin guy's name, who did I say is in charge of media spin?

Brown: No...Who's in charge of food and water.

Chertoff: Never mind food and water, I wanna know what's the guy's name in charge of media spin.

Brown: No, What's in charge of evacuation.

Chertoff: I'm not askin' you who's in charge of evacuation!

Brown: Who's in charge of food and water.

Chertoff: I don't know!

Brown: He's in charge of media spin.

Chertoff: Aaah! Would you please stay on media spin and don't go off it?

Brown: What was it you wanted?

Chertoff: Now who's in charge of media spin?

Brown: Now why do you insist on putting Who in charge of media spin?

Chertoff: Why? Who am I putting over there?

Brown: Yes. But we don't want him there.

Chertoff: What's the guy's name in charge of media spin?

Brown: What is in charge of evacuation.

Chertoff: I'm not askin' you who's in charge of evacuation.

Brown: Who's in charge of food and water.

Chertoff: I don't know.

Brown & Chertoff: MEDIA SPIN!!

Chertoff: You got someone in charge of fixing the levees?

Brown: Oh yes!

Chertoff: The guy's name?

Brown: Why.

Chertoff: I don't know, I just thought I'd ask you.

Brown: Well, I just thought I'd tell you...

That's incredible Kathy. Unfortunately, it's a bit too close to the truth.

For any Chicagoans who want to donate items without having to mail them, WGN Radio has a list of local people/groups who are assembling items for delivery south, as well as for refugees who have relocated to this area: [link]

Oh, thanks, Kathy! Do you know how long they are taking donations?

Welcome back, Dana! Show reality who's the boss, or something.

I can't believe Kenny is already 18 (as was posted in "Beep Me"). Happy birthday, Kenny! With hopes for a great day for amyparker, as well.

Teppy, fwiw, the Ursuline convent is on the far side of the Quarter near the river. There was no flooding down there and the Quarter was one of the safest places to be since the cops set up headquarters there.

Kenneth David McClure, will be celebrating his 18th birthday today.

Awwww! Happy Birthday Kenny! Well done, amyparker.

ChiKat, the dates of collection vary by person/group. Best thing is to look at the list (I'm thinking about sending the money I was going to spend on shipping to the Red Cross instead, and dropping the items off at the Downers Grove address either today or tomorrow).

Happy Birthday, Kenny!