Hello all,

I’ve been thinking about looking into a charity/cause for the Haitian earthquake victims for 3 weeks now. I was traveling when the earthquake happened and didn’t have time to catch up on it.

Then the cause found me.

Listening to NPR last night I was moved by the following story:

NPRs The Story

DL Radio link (mp3) (~45mins): Right Click here, Download As, to listen to the MP3

There is a lot more to the story but here are the cliff notes:

Roody Joseph was born in Haiti but has been living in the US for years with his wife and 6 children. He went to Haiti 2 years ago, got stuck there via paperwork/gov’t and was about to finally come back into the US when the earthquake hit. He stayed.

He stayed to help the children of Haiti.

Now, I’m not much one for religion, but I have nothing against anyone’s beliefs in this world. Roody is a volunteer for the mission: Promised Provision Miniseries

I have done all my homework, checked with government agencies, and the organization is legit.

I made a $100 donation via PayPal: Click Here to Donate

If you gave to the Haitian earthquake cause already, all good. If you wish to give more, even $10 can help. If you do not want to give but want to help, pass this link on.

I have emailed the PPM a few times. They have been very kind in response. I have uploaded a few pictures of the PPM Assisted Children here:

And I’m at near tears atm, thanks for reading.

Thanks,
Joe

Starting with the Australian Open live in Melbourne, going home for a few days to see it on TV, and now in London, I have watched the Aussie Open on 3 continents in the last week. Pretty amazing, I am humbled, and I want thank my Grandparents, parents and family for helping me get here.

St Pauls Cathedral

On the Steps of St Pauls

View Larger Map

Having a great time, working, playing, getting around Melbourne.

Got to play golf twice already. Two local course, nothing that special except we had visitors:

Flying Foxes - click picture for Wikipedia

Flying Foxess in Trees

Close up of Flying Foxes

Melbourne is a beautiful city - Click the picture to see the location of this photo.

We went to the Australian Open yesterday. We saw three matches:

Kim Clijsters, BEL (15) vs Tamarine Tanasugarn, THA

Nadal, ESP vs Lacko, SVK

and finally James Blake, USA vs Del Potro, ARG which was one of the greatest live sporting events I have ever been to in my life. The match was 5 sets, 4h 20 mins, and two of the sets went to tie-break.

Tomorrow we are playing more golf and I hope it goes on as planned as I should have more photos from a real camera. These photo were taken with my Blackberry.

After a few hard years of work, some really great things are starting to happen. This year DeucesCracked will be presenting the Aussie Millions Poker Academy.

Cannot wait! We leave in less than two weeks!

Tim Minchin – White Wine In The Sun

Brought me to tears. (yes, it was the infant daughter part, obv.)

Happy Holidays, everyone.

I remember waking up very early, break of dawn, beating my mom and dad to the living room. No fire had been started yet, so there was no heat (we had wood stove to heat the room). You could see your breath. And I remember stopping and thinking, WOW, Santa did come, I was a good boy, and running to wake mom and dad up to tell them. I remember being the most excited I have ever been. Thank you, mom and dad.

I remember the Christmas when my Dad got frustrated and left. I remember my mom saying I was too young to understand. I remember thinking that she was wrong as I thought I understood. I remember when he came back later that evening and how relieved I was. It was the most scared and ashamed I have ever been. I remember giving him a hug and feeling safe again. Now I understand and I forgive you, dad.

I remember every Christmas when it was time to go over Great Auntie Ann’s. She was a kindred spirt, she spent a lifetime fighting for what is right. She lived in a neighborhood near a chemical corporation and her son and husband suffered and died from cancer. After many years, she won, and the company moved out of the residential neighborhood. She was one of there reasons I focused in Environmental Engineering in college. But during Christmas all of that was forgotten. Going to Great Auntie Ann’s was an anticipated visit. I remember walking up the walk way to the old victorian house, snow up to my waist, and being very excited. There was always great food and music, and Auntie Ann, my mom, and Aunt Marlene would sing along with the record that was playing. And it always warmed me up. I remember playing Chutes and Ladders that Aunt Ann got us for Christmas in the booth that was in the kitchen. I remember going back there years later, when I was a teenager, and thinking, how the fuck did I ever fit in that booth? I remember there was sooooo many Christmas cookies, and I love Christmas cookies. I remember Auntie Ann’s as being the warmest place on earth. I thank my family for that.

I remember the Christmas that I got home early from school and was alone. I had known I’d be alone, so I had been plotting and planning all day. I remember scouring the house to find what Santa might bring me. I remember having to hurry, all the while listening for a car in the driveway. I remember running down stairs only to find one of the neighbors pulled into their driveway. I remember finding all the gifts up in the attic and feeling very ashamed. I remember their were a few gifts I didn’t discover and being very surprised the next day. I’m sorry, mom and dad.

I remember the Christmas when I got a Ty-fighter and my brother got a X-wing fighter and we both got the Death Star and it was the coolest Christmas ever. We played with them for hours and hours. I remember it being the most fun on Christmas I every had, thanks mom and dad.

I remember every Christmas when my mom used to cook a huge seafood meal for Christmas Eve. I was the best meal of the year. Twelve dishes were served in the traditional Lithuanian manner: Shrimp cocktail, lobster bisque, oyster casserole, lobster newburg, baked stuff shrimp, etc. It was incredible. Oh and pickled herring. I hate pickled herring still to this day, sorry grandpa and dad.

I remember every Christmas listening to my mom’s favorite Johnny Mathis Christmas album. And my mom just loving Sleigh Ride and singing along to it. This is my favorite Christmas song, thank you, mom.

I remember my Grandfather’s last Christmas. His bride of 59 yrs 11 months had left him that spring, many months before the holidays. I remember him losing a lot of weight, around the time of his 90th birthday. And I remember his entire family coming to my parents house where he stayed his final days to join him for that Christmas. I remember the smile and pride in his face of 90 years hard fought and well lived. It was the most peaceful I have ever felt. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa.

I remember the Christmas when Gracelyn was born, she was 2 weeks old and how amazed I was that she arrived. She was so small, so precious, so new. I remember her as being the greatest gift of all. Thank you Michelle.

I remember this Christmas when my brother came over and gave Gracelyn her Christmas present. And we spent the time and put it together, and Gracelyn was thrilled. And it was a very pleasant surprise. As Gracelyn said, Thanks Uncle Dave!

Merry Christmas everyone, I hope your christmas is memorable and safe.

WE TWO CATS by Tommy Angelo