As found on http://jamestravels.com/, below is a press release from the World Food Program announcing that they will be slashing food rations in half for close to 1.5 million people in northern Uganda. This would leave millions of people, most of whom are women and children, starving. Most of the promised financial aid from leading world nations has not come through. Only $6 million per month would be needed to keep the WFP aid running at its current state.

So, call your senators, write your congressman, write an editorial in your local newspaper... do whatever it takes and whatever you can to bring this issue to the attention of our countries' leaders. Whenever humanitarian aid advocates appeal to the wealthy nations of the world, its citizens too often stiffen their backs and wallets in self-righteous indignation, claiming that it's (1) not our business, (2) the way of the world, (3) a divine entity's way of purging society of its poverty-stricken residents, as if they are a plague, or (4) somehow hypocritical to have an outcry now, AFTER the travesty has occurred, instead of BEFORE it happened.
The absurdity of these rationales confounds me, as does the apparent preference for playground antics of pointing the finger instead of taking action when it is needed, WHENEVER it is needed.

So please, take a moment to add another letter to those being written regarding a timetable for our loved ones to come home from war. Aid and compassion are the true medicines of war.

WFP forced to cut food for nearly 1.5 million war displaced in Uganda

KAMPALA – Constrained by a critical lack of funds, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said today it would be forced from the beginning of April to cut by half food rations for nearly 1.5 million displaced people and refugees in Uganda.

Though more than 230,000 displaced people returned home in northern Uganda in 2006 with WFP assistance, 1.28 million still remain trapped in squalid camps in the northern districts of Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum and Pader, unable to provide sufficient food for their families.

WFP also gives food to 182,000 refugees in Uganda and they too face reductions in rations. In addition, WFP is providing drought relief assistance to 500,000 people in Karamoja region that is planned to last until June 2007 at a cost of over US$10 million.

Ninety percent of displaced people, mostly women and children, depend on WFP for their survival.

"Until we have sufficient funds to buy food locally, we will be forced from 1 April to reduce by half the amount of maize and beans that we give to each displaced and refugee family in Uganda," said WFP Uganda Country Director Tesema Negash. "If we don't cut them by 50 percent in the next few weeks, the relief operation would grind to a halt in May," he added.

Since 2005, WFP has reduced rations to as low as 40 percent of the minimum daily requirement per person in parts of Amuru and Gulu districts. In March, WFP removed nutritious corn soya blend for children's porridge from the general relief package for families.

If the shortage of funds continues, WFP will also be forced in May to make further cuts in maize and beans rations for 600,000 school children assisted by an emergency food for education programme, as well as some 240,000 people affected by HIV/AIDS.

WFP has so far received only US$37 million of the US$127 million it asked donors and the government to provide for relief and recovery support in 2007 for the 1.2 million displaced, 182,000 refugees and 500,000 hit by drought in Karamoja. In 2007, some 170,000 metric tons of food worth US$90 million is needed to support these programmes.

"Thirty-seven million dollars may seem like a lot of money," Negash said, "but it costs WFP about US$11 million a month to sustain the relief and recovery operation in Uganda."

"Even though the security situation in northern Uganda has improved and the peace process with the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) is moving ahead, the humanitarian needs of the people remain considerable," he added.

"It is vital that we do not abandon the displaced at this critical stage in the peace process," he said. "Even after they have returned home, we expect them to require humanitarian support until they are able to harvest sufficient amounts of food for their families."

If the security situation remains stable and the government reaches a peace agreement with the LRA, WFP foresees a massive return of people to their homes in Acholiland.

To help displaced people voluntarily returning home, WFP provides a three-month return package to support them until they can plant sufficient food. "We cannot provide that assistance without some buffer stock," Negash said.

Donors to WFP's relief and recovery operation in Uganda in 2007 include: the United States (US$23 million), Britain's Department for International Development (US$13.7 million), Turkey (US$200,000) and Norway (US$83,100).

"You Say Goodbye, and I Say Hello"
The O.C.

I may not have been a fan of The O.C. during its run, but it certainly grew on me - the characters, some of their storylines, and the fanaticism that drove several people I know to watch it almost religiously. It became an indelible part of pop culture in every sense it could, by not only reflecting a certain intellectual teenage angst and need for soapy drama while also eventually shaping the culture that birthed it itself.

I like tonight's ending. Coming full circle was the theme, with the lives and milestones for the characters we've come to know, shake our heads at, hold hands with, and love moving forward in so many wonderful, beautiful, and natural yet still surprising and unexpected ways. Seth and Summer go their separate ways to find themselves, only to return to one another for a magical wedding that everyone felt was coming, but wasn't sure about because this is prime time television and writers and networks almost never give any real closure or make any real sense with a lot of things. Julie Cooper chooses to "marry" and commit to herself by pursuing the college degree she'd never achieved while letting herself and her family love her and each other. The Cohens move back to Berkeley, to the home that has apparently "been theirs" (emotionally speaking) all along, and to a "normal" life and a growing family. And last, but not least, Ryan leaves Newport, goes to college, and makes something of himself (maybe with Taylor, maybe without) - only to grow up and eventually pay it forward when he sees himself in the face of a troubled youth on the sidewalk. The O.C. was a journey built and seen through Ryan's eyes and it is supremely fitting and satisfying for the journey to refocus itself with him and what new, yet familiar paths he will choose to take.

Very rarely does a series ending episode strive to leave viewers with closure, understanding, belief and acceptance. By giving us a sneak peek at a sort of dual epilogue and introduction into our characters' lives, the writers, network, and actors showed us that they truly understand what the entire show is all about - love, laughter, living, and the people who we choose to share it all with. Hats off to that. We've seen their journey; now it's our turn.

The Opening of Doors

It's a new day and yet another turning point in this, my life: I have the options of re-embarking on an academic, artistic and creative quest via short-term night sessions at NYU's SCPS (school of continuing and professional studies). WIth my current steady income and a constant internal gnawing that is characteristic of many full-time employed, post-graduate early twenty-somethings, I can afford to entertain this option and it is definitely a tantalizing one.

Without getting my expectations up prematurely, I can say that I am looking forward to the possibility of regular mental, intellectual and perhaps even social stimulation. I don't want to jump in blindly, but the relative safety, stability and comfort of working from morning to night and then coming home to food, television and family also presents a clear catalyst for stagnation, restlessness and itchy-butt/couch potato symptoms. The goal has always been to prepare for, apply to and begin graduate studies in journalism and/or an additional related field or concentration. Landing a steady job and paycheck was the first step; re-immersing myself in the vigors of generally creative and academic learning will be the next. (After that, the writing flame will hopefully be rekindled and then the GRE tackled head-on.)

At the very least, this thirst of mine has begun to be quenched. I've acknowledged the presence of options and their feasibility for me and my current financial and scheduling circumstances. The opening of this door will lead to the opening of others, and will open my eyes to seeing those that would otherwise have been overlooked.

On Compassion and Children

So a local NYC business is suing homeless individuals in the area for $1 million, claiming that their presence on and around the heating vent in front of their store is a disturbance, and that they "stir up trouble." The business-owner is also requesting a sort of restraining order stating that the homeless must not come within 100 feet of the premises.

Meanwhile, a local resident and business-owner said on CBS News that the homeless individuals are usually gone by the early morning anyway. Now, my immediate response was "he can't possibly expect to actually win that amount of money from homeless individuals," followed swiftly by these exact words: "What the fu--?" And later, a thought of how unrealistic and cold-hearted it is to even think that a restraining order such as this is enforceable or warranted.
What has changed (assuming that there is a change and it didn't just start this way to begin with) in people's hearts that they have such intolerance, inability to accept, and lack of compassion towards others? And on a more focused scale, if you are concerned that the presence of the homeless is an issue for business, give them money to go get lunch indoors, or just get the "restraining order" alone.

* * *
From Adam Gopnik, author of "Through the Children's Gate" and "Paris to the Moon," writer for The New Yorker, and guest on "Charlie Rose":

As a parent, you always find yourself saying "just trust me," to your kids. And they keep going on, adding up, until they say it back to you.
"We can't really make the world safe for our kids."
"As a parent, you're aware that every single thing is contingent, fragile, and improvised."
Over time, we as adults and parents, instead of looking back upon our ancestors for answers, we look towards our children for meaning.

* * *
Between commuting, tv-watching, cleaning the house, reading, sleeping, eating, Kiwanis, and seeing friends as much as possible, I've filled up bunches of my time, but still not all of it. Writing has been missing, popping up sporadically.
I wonder if I just feel dumpy, and thus look dumpy, because of winter's companion of lack of exercise, or if it's the writing sabbatical that took away the vigor in me.

I guess I am somewhat lonely.
There are trains and aeroplanes, instant messaging/emails and cell phones, but scattered people still make for scattered activity and life.

Food and culture makes its own culture.

Family, energy and music.

Movies seen over Summer 2006

Movies seen over Summer 2006 (this years + decades ago):

- "An Inconvenient Truth" - 5/5 stars (amazing commentary and discussion: startling, inspiring, succinct)

- "The Lakehouse" - 3.5/5 stars (good summer flick, but not if you like your movies to make sense)

- "The Devil Wears Prada" - 4.5/5 stars (the only female-empowering movie out amidst action and G-rated inundation, it still carries its own weight and has amazing story, execution and acting. true to the book and with its own flair. the whole brunette journalist image is beginning to grow a bit tiresome, though. I may identify with it, but it's wearisome, especially as they're all waifish, pale, and romantically linked to a superhero of some sort (Rory Gilmore, Lois Lane, Andrea Sachs).)

- "M.A.S.H." - 2/5 stars (boring and horrendous. comedic perhaps for the 1970's, but utterly despicable and rather insulting to the modern intelligentsia, as well as women, in general. The whole "boys will be boys" mentality is rife throughout this movie and despite its setting in South Korea during the Korean War, the excuses and lack of responsibility and accountability is a somber reminder of just how irreverent military structure and training is/can/has been in the United States. Especially with consideration to the problems, scandals and controversies emanating from our current wartime activities, the behavior and representations (bc I think the filmmakers were attempting to shy away from gross characterizations) of women, nurses and notions of male masculinity are appalling.)

- "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" - 4/5 stars
Full of stomach-turning and entertaining action, humor, cringe-worthy moments, I loved almost every minute of this action movie... enough to forgive the abrupt and blatant lead-in to the trilogy ending sequel. Johnny Depp does not disappoint and neither does Orlando Bloom, but Keira Knightley's portrayal of Elizabeth Swann was rather painful and uninspired, although the problem may lie in the character development instead of the actress. Honestly, the idea of Elizabeth and Jack as a couple, however temporary, convenient or thrilling for story power, repulsed me. Whether this is due to the fact that the first film set up Elizabeth and Will as soul-destined lovers or because Depp's portrayal of Jack has been said to imply a certain undertone of homosexuality ("gay pirate" in tv critic circles) I am not sure, but either way, it doesn't make sense. I don't care if she needed a way to sacrifice Jack for the greater good without his knowledge - it just doesn't work. But other than that, the film had amazing scenes and is lots of fun, especially as a friend-flick. There's plenty of opportunity for hysterical laughter and jaw-dropping stunnedness. Personally, I found the presence of a Chinese-speaking conch-shell guy stitch-pop worthy.

- "Superman Returns" - 4.5/5 stars
Contrary to the response of critics and intelligensia, I both enjoyed and liked this movie a lot. Putting aside the inevitable questions of common sense, logistics and unless Newton's 3rd law is accepted, the pesky laws of physics (Superman gets rid of Lex Luthor's attempt to destroy the Americas in space - only to FALL down to Earth in a potentially gravity-defying act even die-hard fans would find hard to ignore), the basics behind the legend of Superman are there and back, stronger and more vivid than ever before (as far as I know). If I've seen any of the previous movies featuring the Man of Steel, I don't remember it, but this film made up for that. I felt hopeful and inspired upon walking out of the theatre... that's a good thing. Kevin Spacey reaffirms his place in the acting canon while Brandon Routh enters Hollywood in a wonderfully blinding burst of light. Kate Bosworth looks way too young to be a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter with a 5-year-old son, a long-term old flame and an approximately 7-year journalism career with the foremost newspaper in the country, but she delivers a beautiful, graceful and strong performance as Lois Lane. James Marsden is always wonderful to see on screen as he is incredibly attractive with a huge talent for acting, but my goodness, his characters have the worst luck with making women fall in love with him - getting the short end of the stick when the woman's heart goes to the superhero (here, it's Superman; it's Wolverine in X-Men).

- "Bullitt" - 1/5 stars
Granted, I didn't stay for the entire movie and I played cards throughout the portion I was there for, but from what I did watch, this precursor to the modern-day action/detective flick was wildly empty and confusing to follow. Actor Steve McQueen did not make this movie worth watching.

- "The Bandwagon" - 2/5 stars
Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse in a wacky, light-hearted 50's dance comedy tinged with commentary on the dangers of making too much of art. Great actors, great dancers, horrendous story and presentation. The first third left me befuddled, the second third wincing in pain, and the final third a bit relieved, but even the barely tidy ending could salvage the night for me. Nothing against Cyd Charisse, but I liked the Fred & Ginger films better - they had story that stayed in one place.

"High Noon" (quite good. lived up to expectations as a classic western)

"A Shot In the Dark" (never again... never, never, never again)

"The Manchurian Candidate" (the original, from the 1960's. good, startling, confusing, and more than horrifying what with all the deaths. It's never pleasant when a "good" character is killing more "good" characters.)

"Charade" (quite good. lots of twists and quite funny, as well.)

"Wedding Crashers" (great fun)

"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" (for the second time. having previous knowledge of the plot, I was better able to notice details and possible future implications of body language and dialogue.)

"Deadly Game" (middle-late 1990's adventure/mystery/crime drama. terribly formulaic and horribly irritating to any sane and stable mind. you want to knock off every character and writer involved in the making of the movie, and possibly yourself, during the first half... the second half manages to salvage some of the writer's integrity, but that's not saying much.)

The Spirit of Giving

Every day is a day to be filled with giving.

In that spirit, I bring to you an advocacy note for a particular non-profit organization: the Foundation for Grieving Children.

This is a wonderful organization that funds counseling centers, educational events and other avenues and organizations of support for children grieving over the loss of a relative or other loved one. So please check out the site, read the stories, think about how you dealt with instances of grief in your life, and perhaps make a donation or opt to volunteer as fundraiser, researcher or simple awareness raiser.

“I would like to make an exchange.”

The cashier stopped filing her nails for a moment to
look at the young boy standing across from her.

“This is Customer Service.  Exchanges and Returns are
back there.”  She jerked her thumb in the general
direction of her left side and quickly returned to
her nails.

The boy glanced towards the dimly lit, seemingly empty
corridor, and sighed.  He stood unmoving and quiet,
staring straight at her with an unwavering gaze, the
only sign of nervousness his shifting arms.  A girl
stood next to him.  No more than 14 years old, she was
clad in a red flowered sundress with her eyes downcast.

“There is no one there, ma’am.  This is a matter of
Service, anyway,” he said, looking at the girl beside
him.

Putting down the file, the cashier smiled at him and
asked him what was wrong with his initial purchase.

“Too young,” he replied.

“An older one will cost more.”

“I know.”

“I’ll be right back,” she told him.

The woman got up from her seat.  She unlocked the
cubicle door and took the girl by the wrist, pulling
her away from the boy and into a back room.  The girl
turned her head to look at the boy, her eyes raised,
silent and empty.  But he didn’t notice her.

It was just another day.

A Single Tear

A single tear in my heart.

… tired from stretching, 

Shades of pulsating red, 

Nearly collapsed

But still whole; 

The heart is not something to be used and discarded - 

At will.

The words written upon it 

Cut into membrane and flesh: 

Beware the instrument used to create, 

Shape, 

Manipulate. 

Beware! 

The mark left, 

A single tear in my heart, 

Felt for a long time to come; 

Cry through the opening, 

Mix with the blood… 

A single tear to remember the pain - 

Before it heals. 

-- (copyright) By Heather Jean Chin


Free-form thought, written in response to a writing prompt and edited for presentation amongst fellow artists and writers, I consider this poem a reflection of the pain, loneliness and perseverance of all of our human hearts and human souls. The tear is both a painful affliction and healing salt-water, representative of the dual nature of so much in our lives (love-hate, life-death, end-beginning...) and how they beget one another.
Change. Continuation. Growth.

A Public Service Announcement of Artistic Nature

ClassicYouthTheatre,Inc.

A Non-Profit Corporation

P.O. Box 960 • Carlsbad CA 92018 • Tel: 760.730.9447 • Cell: 760.310.0177

http://www.classicyouththeatre.com/

August 3, 2006

Dear Friends:

Some of you know our story; others have yet to be introduced. If I might just have a few minutes of your time, I would like to tell you just a few things about the theatre and our needs to date.

I founded the children's theatre in the summer of 2004, but could only manage one production. I incorporated Classic Youth Theatre as a non-profit 501(c)(3) in 2005 and produced 4 shows last year; two shows thus far this year with two more productions scheduled before year's end.

The mission of the theatre is to build a tuition free creative environment where the children can come together and explore human character through drama. Intellectually speaking, we have excelled. Two years ago it was simply my theory that the children would connect with such great works of dramatic art as "Cyrano de Bergerac" and "Midsummer Night's Dream", now we know it is a reality.

Originally, we didn't know what types of children would be attracted to the theatre, we didn't know if it would help the children feel more connected to their community and we didn't know if a tuition free theatre was needed. We now know all of these things.

Recently, our local Jr. High School fired its drama director and mothballed its drama department for lack of financial resources. Every child that has been involved in one of our productions has come away with the knowledge that they could accomplish more than they believed they could and most of them enthusiastically remain involved.

70% of the children participating in our productions could never afford the kind of dramatic experience they have gained through participation in Classic Youth Theatre, Inc..

After a long and trying 18 month wait, we have just received our 501(c)(3) certification establishing Classic Youth Theatre, Inc. as a non-profit charitable organization. It is now possible for us to raise money through grants and public funding, but these potential resources won't be realized overnight.

The theatre is in critical need of funding, privately donated money, to get us through the end of the year. Our goal is $120,000 by January 2007.

If you are a patron of the arts, if you support children or education, would you take a moment to browse our web site? Please familiarize yourself with our past accomplishments, the local youth who have benefited from this outstanding grass-roots endeavor, and consider making a donation to help the theater survive.

It would be of great benefit to the hopes and aspirations of these dedicated young people if you would pass their story and this humble request along to others (please cut and paste this e-mail and send it to freinds and loved ones in your address book). With that in mind here's a link to our fundraising page. http://users.adelphia.net/~classicyouththeatre/donations.htm

Thank you so much for helping us get the word out.

With sincere gratitude,

Loralie McGill
Executive Director/Founder

The Hidden Good

I see the good that can be done - that I can play a role in - and I want to make it happen.
I see what one person really can do and I am inspired to dream and reach for more.
I see the gratitude on their faces and the pride, excitement and pure delight in the power that comes with these films (), stories and projects ().
I read about these people, feel only an inkling of their despair, and know in my heart and in my mind that I can make a difference in their lives - make their lives not just "better," but full of possibilities and thus full of hope. I want these children to have an education (). I want them to be able to dream of something outside of their immediate life and to actually feel that there is a possibility of that dream coming true. I want them to have the resources to make these dreams come true.
I read and hear about my peers going out into the world and actively working to change it - to help ALL people; not just the ones who look and talk like us - and I envy them... this is about the only thing I can truly say I am envious of: the opportunity, willingness and support to go out there and make things happen.
Maybe I'll start in education administration or legal and non-profit advocacy and communication, but at some point and preferably at many points, I want to do the field work. For myself and for the people I'd be working with and learning from as well as teaching, I want to experience that which I would be supporting and advocating. On a base level, I need the experience in order to truly understand.

I want to make a real difference... I never was and still am not one for getting my hands dirty in a literal fashion, but I think I"m beginning to realize that the only reason I haven't been a fan is because there hasn't been any reason to stick my hands into it in the first place. Who cares about playing in the beach when it serves no purpose other than to get suntanned or sunburned and to get unnecessarily filthy from dirtified sand and sea water? The view and conducting environmental studies aside, it'd be the glorified equivalent of taking a dip into a heated cesspool of sweat.
And camping... damn insects crawling all over you. That's about my only issue with that.
But if I were teaching kids survival skills or studying the wildlife in the rainforest, that's a different story. There's a purpose there. A real meaning. So whether it's through domestic education programs in high-need, underserved areas in another state or through travelling to a village, town or city in another country in order to teach, work or study, I feel this urge that borders on a need to see what exists outside of the confines of my comfortable lifestyle and neighborhood, heading somwhere where I am truly needed and where I can have the most impact.

As often and as practically as possible, I need to balance my family life with my personal goals and get out there to make it happen.

No news? Make news.

I'm tired of sitting back and thinking the words will come to me. I'm also tired of thinking and trying so hard to make the words conform to absurd, self-made rigid molds that I shut myself down. Getting up off my ass to DO SOMETHING and MAKE A DIFFERENCE, as Aaron and so many people have said since a long time ago, is not hard. So what the heck am I doing letting deadlines pass by and shutting myself down because my brain says these words are not good enough and the story has to be told a certain way and damn it, my willingness to indulge analysis gets in the way of getting anything done. Screw that.

I don't know if I'm meant to be a journalist or a writer and there is no way that I am going to wax poetic about how it is my passion anymore because talking and writing like that means that it isn't really something I feel. I have to say it because I'm hoping that if I say it enough, I'll believe it and that'll make it true. So no more. Just write it and do it.

Teaching. Yes, I love kids and I think they're adorable and I want to play with them and teach them new things about life and toys and games and people, but I need practice first. Just like in writing. Practice, practice, practice. Proficiency and skill are not going to come any other way. So classes, lessons, do it and get out there and find the best teachers and mentors to help me and there it'll be. No wishful thinking and writing or talking it into reality anymore. Just do it and enjoy it and learn from it and expand on it and share it. Spread it - like really good butter and jam.

Do it, do it, do it - always do it... first, before anything else. Be cautious, but don't be afraid to do it just because there are so many scenarios that can happen. I need this to happen. I need to stop worrying and holding myself back and acting like I can put off for tomorrow what can be done today. Pfut.

So here are my writing archives. And lesson plan archives. All the publishable and enactable products of my work - of getting up and out into the world beyond four walls and doing. Flying is in the feeling, not the measuring of wing span and speed. Weather permitting, yes, but salmon swim upstream every year, so this New Yorker can handle herself in the air. Dip and soar. Feel it. Do it.