Today, I submitted my resignation for my seat on the Disaster Planning and Recovery committee of my firm to take effect on 9-30-05. IÂ’ve been on that committee since before 9-11 at the urging of my friend and mentor, Rick.

Being on this committee meant that prior to, or during a natural or man-made disaster, we would be willing to work long hours from any location. All of us on that team are highly mobile except for me. As a single mom, my 1st job is my son and all my other commitments come 2nd. The good thing is that my firm supports my priorities and has enabled me to work as hard as my colleagues in a very different way.

Over the years IÂ’ve put in many long hours at my home computer, ensuring that our firm, itÂ’s staff and resources were made available to employees (and their families) from affected disaster areas around the globe. When I first took this job I never expected that this role would be as demanding or as rewarding as it has been. As a volunteer for this committee it means that these duties are performed in addition to our regular jobs. 9-11 was my first disaster and it not only tested all the plans our firm had in place, it tested the emotional and mental strength of those on the committee. On that day, though we lost a friend and great leader in Rick, we were able to forge ahead through his leadership, dedication and endless (and I truly mean endless war-game and) practice scenarios, able to save many lives.

In the last 10 months that strength has been greatly tested in a number of disasters; from the Tsunami after last Christmas. to earthquakes in the spring, and now 2 major hurricanes back to back. What many people donÂ’t realize is that after any disaster it can take up to a year for lives to get back to normal. During that entire time we are there ensuring that our firms resources are available to employees and their families. That level of support and planning makes almost triple the work for us. Unfortunately, that is much more than I have to give right now, which is a double edged sword.
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Posted by: Michele at 10:43 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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I'm still not feeling well. I'm going to the doctor's later today where I will sit glued to the TV for news on Ophelia. Half of the staff from our affected 21 branch offices who were affected by Katrina were relocated to Texas, including my best friend. At this point I think our whole country can use a break. So in an effort to distract here's my contribution for the day. If you post your birthday on your site let me know and I'll link back to you. Happy Wednesday! Happy 1st day of Fall, my favorite season.

Your Birthdate: June X

Born on the Xth day of the month, you have a special gift for business, as you can conceive and plan on a grand scale without batting an eyelash. You have good executive and entepreneurial skills and you're a good judge of values and character. You should try to form your own business, because you have such a strong desire to be in control. You are generally reliable when it comes to handling money and can be trusted in this regard. Idealistic by nature, you are never too busy to spend some time on worthwhile causes, especially if managerial support are needed. There is much potential for material success associated with this number.

Had anyone said this about me 12 years ago I would have said they were lying. My reaction now is that's pretty much on the money. The difference is that since then I was able to serve 2 terms as President of Student Gov't at my old university, governing over a constituincy of 30,000 students with a fiscal budget of 3.5 million dollars. There are 2 things that stand out about that time: 1) how every one wanted me to throw money to solve every problem, something I refused to do and as a result was labeled the cheapest Pres in the school's history (hey, but I balanced our budget!); 2) How terribly sleep deprived I was, still am in fact. Tonight I plan on correcting that!

Posted by: Michele at 09:00 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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I was really happy today 'cause I got to catch up on my favorite blogs and simultaneously laugh my a$$ off.

The last time I fell behind I came across Something Positive and Nerdrotica over at Thunder and Roses. I had forgotten all about these links until now because it's hard for me to believe that this could possibly be true. If it were, I would not be able to continue having lunch with some of the IT guys and keep a straight face.

Well, today after starting my day with a bit of rocket fuel I came across a link to an article that talks about A Japanese android called Cyberminx. It's a really long article, some I've pasted the relevant parts below:

"Repliee Q1Expo or Cyberminx, is an animated, lifelike representation of a human female...that boasts silicon skin, 42 compressed air-controlled actuators and is controlled by a computer which enables the robonymphette to mimic the movements of a real human - right down to fluttering her eyelids and breathing."

"It's creator, Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro of Osaka University, admits it's a pretty poor substitute for the real thing, as he explained to the BBC: "[It] can interact ... [and] respond to people touching it. It's very satisfying, although we obviously have a long way to go yet.... [but in certain] situations, [people don't realize it's an android for] perhaps 10 minutes, he conceded."

The author of the article believes that "Repliee Q1Expo [or Cyberminx] was in fact a fully-functioning sex droid programmed to seek out and extract low-grade male sperm suitable for the propagation of submissive drones. As we have previously noted, this puts online gamers and Linux programmers at particular risk from attack, especially since few, if any, have ever seen a real woman in the flesh. Accordingly, the robostrumpet does not have to be a particularly convincing physical representation of the human female form."

Posted by: Michele at 01:23 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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1 If my plans to work for the Weekly World News fail for some reason, The Register is definitely Ideal Employer #2. I made that decision after a recent article about Saturn. The title of the article referred to Saturn's rings as "mighty weird". Ummm...okay. Still, the article leaves out some key points. Namely, do Cyberminxes dream of Electric Geeks?

Posted by: zonker at September 19, 2005 08:10 AM (/y7q3)

2 I think I've met her before.....

Posted by: _Jon at September 19, 2005 10:56 AM (R6yie)

3 Sometimes I think that there ought to be male-bots programmed to say "yes dear" and take out the trash for my satisfaction, but if these lonely types want a robo-girl to satisfy them, well then, who am I to judge! Hehehehehehehehe!

Posted by: Oddybobo at September 19, 2005 12:41 PM (6Gm0j)

4 LOL! Some how this line: does not have to be a particularly convincing physical representation makes me think they don't know geeks well enough... have you seen the boobs on most of the cyber babes?

Posted by: vw bug at September 19, 2005 04:35 PM (J3xJ9)

5 mmmm... robostrumpet... :-)

Posted by: Harvey at September 19, 2005 10:22 PM (ubhj8)

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Thank you for the kind and supportive emails I received over the weekend. It made a sad time go bye a little easier. Words canÂ’t encapsulate my loss and thereÂ’s very little anyone can say to lighten that burden so I chose to turn off comments and decided not to read emails as a result.

Still, your kind, empathetic words touched me and were a nice place to retreat to, and a great reminder for me to remain reflective about my present life and focused on living it.

Again, THANKS!

Posted by: Michele at 11:45 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Dear Paul:

Below you will find most of what you need to help you get back on your feet.

The normal place to start in any disaster is with the American Red Cross. Red Cross volunteers at Disaster Relief Centers normally come equiped with xeroxed sheets of local/state contact numbers and victims or their family members can call to apply for services, temporary relief (in the form of shelter, food and clothing) and long term recovery programs (for government aid from agencies such as FEMA).

One thing to keep in mind as you deal with each agency is that each one is set up differently and have different time frames in which they will provide support for a victim. For instance, the American Red Cross is an agency geared to provide immediate and short term disaster relief. Short term can be 24 to 48 hrs for a small disaster (such as a fire or local flood/rain or snow storm) to up to several months as we will see in this case. FEMA on the other hand, is geared to provide initial support to communities and government entities and later to individuals.

Things you'll need
1) notebook & pen/pencil
2) plastic bag ziploc type large enough for notebook/pen
3) patience - you have to register with each agency which means giving the same info over and over again. Please keep your registration numbers in the notebook, you'll need to refer to your case as you follow up with each agency.

Please note, I am not an expert and have not worked in Disaster Recovery or as a Relief worker in almost 10 years. I am doing this to have informaiton handy for those who need it, like you and my best friend, Susan. She will need it when she finally gets to her 1st temporary destination: Dallas.

Where to start:
HereÂ’s a list of Domestic Disaster Relief Organizations that are legitimate, have a longstanding history of disaster relief services, and that IÂ’m familiar with. There's a brief description of what they do and some initial contact info that I was able to hurriedly put together. More info/links will appear as soon as I get a chance to get back here.

For those needing immediate shelter in Louisiana, please call 1-800-469-4828.

Additional Shelter Information:
Special Needs Shelter Information
Triage Phone Numbers:
Alexandria: 800-841-5778 Shreveport: 800-841-5776
Baton Rouge: 800-349-1372 Monroe: 866-280-7287
Houma/Thibodaux: 800-228-9409 Slidell/Hammond: 866-280-7724
Lafayette: 800-901-3210 Lake Charles: 866-280-2711

Equine Shelter/Evacuation Site Information
Locations for Animal Evacuation:
Alexandria - Large & Small 318-442-4222 (all vet clinics will accept)
Lamar Dixon - Gonzales - Large Animals
Shreveport - LSU-S (pets only, no livestock)
West Monroe - Ike Hamilton Coliseum

Louisiana Hotel Information 1-800-99-GUMBO

Emergency Shelter Information Points:
Tourist Welcome Center, US 65 & 84, 1401 Carter St. (US 84), Vidalia, LA
Tourist Welcome Center, TA Truck Stop, Tallulah Exit (Hwy 65 & I 20)
Paragon Casino, 711 Paragon Place, Marksville LA
Sammy's Truck Stop, I-49, Exit 53, 3601 LA 115W, Bunkie, LA
Med Express Office, 7525 US 71, Alexandria, LA
P.E. Gym, LSU- Shreveport, One University Place, Shreveport, LA
Pickering High School, 180 Lebleu Rd., Leesville, LA
Mowad Civic Center, 5th & 10th St., 1 Block off US 165, Oakdale, LA

Connecting with Loved Ones - SATERN - The Salvation Army's Team Emergency Radio Network has been activated. Click link to send a health and welfare request regarding family and friends you otherwise are unable to locate. Also contact the Red Cross with your loved ones info. as they cross reference missing info reports with their victims relief support database. There is also this site which I'm not familiar with, but it's free and uses today's technology to reunite families.

American Red Cross - 1(866)-GET-INFO (438-4636) This is the starting point for all information, from immediate relief, and local/state recovery efforts, to information about loved ones and long term aid efforts. Their emergency assistance includes fixed/mobile feeding stations, shelter, cleaning supplies, comfort kits, first aid, blood and blood products, food, clothing, emergency transportation, rent, home repairs, household items, and medical supplies. Additional assistance for long-term recovery may be provided when other relief assistance and/or personal resources are not adequate to meet disaster-caused needs. The American Red Cross provides referrals to the government and other agencies providing disaster assistance. You can apply for relief at any local Red Cross Office (see link).

Catholic Charities USA Disaster Response - 1(800) 919-9338 - provides
assistance to communities in addressing the crisis and recovery needs of local
families. Catholic Charities agencies emphasize ongoing and long-term recovery services for individuals and families, including temporary housing assistance for low income families, counseling programs for children and the elderly, and special counseling for disaster relief workers.

Christian Disaster Response (CDR) - provides disaster assessments, fixed/mobile feeding facilities, and in-kind disaster relief supplies. CDR also coordinates and stockpiles the collection of donated goods through their regional centers.

Church of the Brethren Disaster Response provides cleanup and debris
removal from damaged or destroyed homes and personal property. Volunteers
are trained through the Cooperative Disaster Child Care Program to establish
child-care centers following major disasters.

The Episcopal Church Presiding BishopÂ’s Fund for World Relief responds to domestic disasters and sends immediate relief grants for such basics as food, water, medical assistance, and financial aid within the first 90 days following a disaster.

Friends Disaster Service (FDS) provides clean-up and rebuilding assistance to the elderly, disabled, low income, or uninsured survivors of disasters. The Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) provides for immediate disaster response, in both natural and technological disasters, long-term rebuilding efforts, and support for preparedness planning through synods, districts, and social ministry organizations.

Gift of Sight - assists victims in replacing their glasses lost from the hurricane.

Humane Society of the US - helps with reunification pets and owners after a disaster, referrals of care and provides communities assistance with rescue of pets.

Mennonite Disaster Services - assists disaster victims by providing volunteer personnel to clean up and remove debris from damaged and destroyed homes and personal property and to repair or rebuild homes. Special emphasis is placed on assisting those less able to help themselves, such as the elderly and handicapped.

National Emergency Response Team (NERT) meets the basic human needs of shelter, food, and clothing during times of crisis and disaster. NERT provides Emergency Mobile Trailer units (EMTUs), which are self-contained, modest living units for up to 8-10 people, to places where disaster occurs. When EMTUs are not in use, they serve as mobile teaching units used in Emergency Preparedness programs in communities.

National Organization for Victim Assistance provides social and mental health services for individuals and families who experience major trauma after disaster, including critical incident debriefings.

The Salvation Army - provides emergency assistance including mass and mobile feeding, temporary shelter, counseling, missing person services, medical assistance, and distribution of donated goods.
Victims Needing Assistance Please call 1-888-363-2769.

Second Harvest National Network of Food Banks - collects, transports, warehouses, and distributes donated food and grocery products for other agencies involved in both feeding operations and the distribution of relief supplies through its national network of food banks. (Food Bank Locator here)

The Society of St. Vincent De Paul provides social services to individuals and families, and collects and distributes donated goods. It operates retail stores, homeless shelters, and feeding facilities that are similar to those run by the Salvation Army. The storesÂ’ merchandise can be made available to disaster victims. Warehousing facilities are used for storing and sorting donated
merchandise during the emergency period.

The Southern Baptist Disaster Relief - provides more than 200 mobile feeding units staffed by volunteers who can prepare and distribute thousands of meals a day. Active in providing disaster childcare, the agency has several mobile childcare units. Southern Baptists also assist with clean-up activities, temporary repairs, reconstruction, counseling, and bilingual services.

UJA Federations of North America organizes direct assistance, such as
financial and social services, to Jewish and general communities in the U.S.
following disaster. It also provides rebuilding services to neighborhoods and
enters into long-term recovery partnerships with residents.

United Methodist Committee on Relief (800) 554-8583 - provides funding for local units in response and recovery projects based on the needs of each situation. This
agency also provides spiritual and emotional care to disaster victims and long-term care of children impacted by disaster.

Federal Emergency Management Agency - FEMACall to Apply for Assistance 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The speech or hearing impaired may call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. You may also register online at the link above.

• For use ONLY by people in designated federal disaster areas.
• Be prepared to give your Social Security number, describe your losses, provide financial information, and give directions to the damaged property.
• If you get a busy signal, try to call in the evening after 6:00 p.m. or on the weekends when call volumes tend to be lighter.
The information you provide is put into the computer. You are now in the system and the recovery process begins:
• An inspector will call back to schedule an appointment.
• Inspector will visit damaged property
• Packet will arrive in mail
• You MUST fill out and return application to be eligible for any further assistance.

For Small Business Owners:
Small Business Administration (Low Interest Loans)
US Chamber of Commerce (Low Interest Loans)

Finally, some Gas, Electric, Telephone and MORTGAGE service providers have announced temporary bill/debt forgiveness for those in the federally designated disaster areas. To be eligible for this, you MUST REGISTER WITH FEMA and provide your service providers with your FEMA Registration information.

Regarding Telephone Numbers/Service: This one is from personal experience during 9-11. Both cell and land phone carriers will hold your telephone number for a certain period of time (check your provider's website). They will allow also allow you to resume service under your old number once you return to your home. That is what happened to the residents of Lower Manhattan and most cell phone subscribers in NYC. You can also temporarily port your number another area. Again, check with your service provider.

Additional information was compiled by The Bastard of Bring It ON.

Thanks to my Blog Dad, Harvey of Bad Example for the reminder that sometimes people need all the info in one place.

Technorati tags: flood aid; Hurricane Katrina

Posted by: Michele at 04:59 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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