you know, I just read Joe's post about the storm, and it really made me think. I haven't really posted about the reality of it, just the fantasy, because I'm not sure how to accept the reality of it. We don't have television here in our island life, but that hasn't hindered the story in the least. We're pretty familiar with hurricanes now, we feel like old pros, evacuation of one, and just sticking it out for Katrina. People on the island here are much like folks in New Orleans, "bring on the storm, we've seen it before". I read Time Magazine today, which I would recommend to read about what happened to those old levies, the attitude of a party city, and how most just couldn't afford to leave. It was scary the similarities in the attitudes of our two laid back communities. Maybe it all just hits a little to close to home. Hurricane parties, hell yes, they are the times not to miss, but maybe I'll think twice before shooting my mouth off about how I'm not leaving for some old storm. I'm heartbroken for people I don't know, for those I can't reach, and seriously thought about taking my paycheck, buying a plane ticket, and getting as close to those who needed as I could. I would like to think that I'm strong enough to jump right in, give what I could, and somehow feel that I done something when it seems like I'm so helpless against something so big. In truth, I know I would end up being an emotional wreck, probably not helping at all. So I bought cases of water today, dropped them off at a designated help location, and tried to feel good about that.