Because people are splendid ...

[blamebrampton]

I have a mild case of food poisoning, so this post is shorter than I meant it to be.

A very very big thank you to everyone who is forwarding details of the various Australian bushfire appeals. It is making such a difference both in terms of finds raised to help the victims and in reminding them that they are cared for. In the words of jamie2109 , that they are not alone.

Some people have approached the crisis with novel solutions. pushdragon -- sorely missed in these parts -- has popped back out of her retirement and offered 12 drabbles for the measly sum of $12 donations each to the first comers. Five minutes ago she was down to 10, so HURRY! She is one of the great writers of the fandom, and this may be the last chance you ever have to read new material in her gorgeous prose.

aoifene  is encouraging donors with handcrafted jewellery! Earrings for a $25 donation and a bracelet for $50. I own a pair of her earrings and they are beautiful. Check out her generosity and kindness here.

winterthunder  has created the australia_aid  comm, where some of fandom's very finest souls are donating time and talent. On top of this, she is auctioning a 5000-word fic and a landscape painting (because she is a multi-talented soul). You're a darling, winter!

marguerite_26  (a Known Friend to Australians) is offering a 5000-word HP fic to the highest bidder today. Check out the details here. Her stories are all so beautiful, this would be the ideal gift for anyone with taste or discernment.

femmequixotic , who is both full of talent and massively prolific, has offered SEVEN 5000-word fics to the first people on her flist who give A$50 and above donations to fire relief. Take a look at her post here. Thanks, femme! You're fabulous!

Her wonderful friend mad_maudlin , has offered to write fic for anyone donating A$25 and above until she reaches eleventyjillion responses, AND she writes multidfandom fics. You can find her details here.

Many of you have been donating and sending messages of support to jamie and meredyth. Thank you so very, very much.

I know that money is tight all round, if you only have time, perhaps you could help over at australia_aid , or even go to theage.com.au and leave a note just letting the Victorians know that you care.

The news is still all very grim, so I turn again to the koalas. Here's Sam from yesterday's post at the shelter. As it turns out, she was caught in backburning before the weekend, but her story is nonetheless a touching one. Apparently, Sam is now in love ...

And if you watch the videos attached to the Sam the koala and David Tree story, I hope that you have the full one where he cheerfully declares something along the lines of 'Wait till (s)he's hydrated again, (s)he'll fucking go me …"

Finally if anyone is friends with Miranda Devine, please give her a gentle nudge with the Clue Stick. Weasel. And if you have no idea who she is, keep it that way.

Oh! No, really finally, happy birthday pseudicide , I hope it was great! And Charles Darwin, you big spunk. And frankkincense , you darling young thing!

ETA: BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!

Checking out one's flist means finding more stuff. Thanks, abusing_sarcasm  for these two links.

snarkyscorp  is offering two 5000-word fics to the two highest bidders before Feb 15. She offers any pair, slash and weird/rare a specialty! Check out her thoughtful kindness here. (And she is a keen bidder on Maggie's fic above, so LOADS of virtual kisses to her!)

and softly_sweetly  ran a ficlet auction earlier that raised a goodly bunch of bucks, thanks!

I'm inclined to follow suit, but feel that 'delivered before November' might not be the fic incentive people are looking for … might just do a fresh Red Cross cash dump when I get paid tomorrow instead, I think it's the more realistic solution!

Comments

[bryoneybrynn.livejournal.com]

Add me to the list: http://bryoneybrynn.livejournal.com/83268.html

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Thanks, love! I'll do another post tonight with new offers (though I think you may be sold out by then ;-)

[rickey-a.livejournal.com]

Still thinking of you *hugs*

I donated this morning - I wish I could do more.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

You ARE doing more, you've helped to put a roof over a family's head, or gone towards a laptop that a child can use to get back into their school studies. And you've been supporting all the Victorians, which they do know about and appreciate.

[aldehyde.livejournal.com]

awesome post - i will be sure to mention it on my own journal. xlovexlolitax has also posted a very helpful list of resources for both aussies and non-aussies in case you'd like to add that to your post :)

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Thanks, aldehyde! I'll link in Xlove in tonight's post, as that's fabulous. You're a love!

[leochi.livejournal.com]

Oh, you poor soul! Hope the effects of the food poisoning have abated by now!

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Eh, a bit of vomiting and nausea, nothing gruesome. Thanks for asking!

[abusing-sarcasm.livejournal.com]

When one is broke and busy, one must pimp as much as possible! :D

*off to pimp this post*

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Cam, it's much appreciated!

[thisgirl-is.livejournal.com]

You are doing an excellent job of keeping people informed, both on what's going on and where they can help - it is very important. As is making sure the people who are doing what they can to help get a shout out.

Victoria RSPCA's website is struggling. I keep getting error messages, and no email receipt. I want to give them money, dammit!

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I've just been blown away by the support that people have offered to the Victorians, it's very encouraging!

I think that a lot of the sites have been overwhelmed during the business days here, so waiting for a week or trying in the middle of the Australian night might be the ticket. And it's fine to wait a little, there will still be need in the coming weeks and months!

[thisgirl-is.livejournal.com]

Ahahaha. In fact, my payment did go through. Repeatedly. Fuck it, it's on my credit card, I'll pay it off. They can have it.

Hope you are feeling better.

[feralcheryl.livejournal.com]

I continually tell you Brammers, Miranda Divine is your own reward. But even I caught a bit of the unmitigated shit on QandA
last night and I think essentially it's fair to use the C word and send her a letter bomb. Apart from feeling the desire to genuinely inflict physical pain I am disgusted with the SMH for printing such destructive, pointless shit.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

You'll be so proud of me, though, I did NOT read it! I saw the blurb on the site, hovered over it with my cursor, moved away.

During the course of the day several people emailed me in outrage, and I was able to calmly say 'Not read it, assume it says X, Y, Z', to which they replied 'Just X and Y, actually, she's off her blame game.'

I watched something trashy on the commercials rather than Q and A and, despite the nausea, felt light of soul.

Which has given me the clarity of mind for the action that is needed. I am going to offer myself to the SMH as their right-wing pundit. Because conservatives deserve better than a semi-literate self-obsessed twat who can't be arsed ringing the CFA to find out the reason they did less back burning than usual this last year was that there WERE NO FUCKING SAFE DAYS.

And yes, a letter to the actual editor rather than the letters' page has gone out, too. You do one, too, because he's paranoid at the death of print at the moment, who knows it could even work!

[uminohikari.livejournal.com]

Fandom really amazes me sometimes

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Me too!

[winterthunder.livejournal.com]

Thanks! And feel free to go bid on or buy something, if you're so inclined. I'll feel rather silly if everyone puts their stuff up on australia_aid and no one buys anything!

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I've dibs on a pushdragon drabble! And if things taper off, I will make some fresh donations, too ;-)

[snottygrrl.livejournal.com]

just want to check in and say i am reading and sending good energy up oz's way. haven't really got any spare cash or time as of late with the upcoming move, but am glad the world is lining up to aid.

hope you, personally, are feeling better (((hugs)))

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Energy and thoughts count, too! I'm fine. Took the day off as I was all headachy and am now feeling much better.

[meredyth-13.livejournal.com]

&hearts to you, darling.

*wilts*

[annafugazzi.livejournal.com]

Huh. I thought I left a comment saying thanks for posting this and could I please link to it... hallucinating, I guess ::sigh::

Anyway: thanks for posting this. Do you mind if I link to it?

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Don't worry, anna, I hallucinate frequently ;-)

Of course you can. New one has just gone up, too. XXX

[brinian.livejournal.com]

Feel better soon.

I entered four dogs (even one deceased :-) in a virtual dog show to help with animals in need after the fires. Will send $$ to Red Cross as well. Wish I were closer and could DO something.