In service to others - BrainJams in New Orleans, May 4, 2006

BrainJams_Nola_4
Originally uploaded by chrisheuer.

Inspired by  Chris Heurer and Kristie Wells, I will be attending their extraordinary "un-conference", BrainJams New Orleans on May 4.

What's BrainJams and why will one be happening in Nola?  Chris says it best:

"BrainJams is about people sharing what they know with one another - people helping people, treating one another with respect and working to understand each another's unique ability to contribute towards a common goal.

If you are interested in working towards revitalizing New Orleans, won't you join us for a conversation between the business community in New Orleans and people who understand emerging Web 2.0 technologies such as blogs, wikis, social bookmarking, tags, open source software such as Drupal, and other Web services?"

Yes, I want to be part of that conversation.  And, last year, I was part of the beginnings of that conversation, in creating the Hurricane Katrina Direct Relief and Family to Family relief blogs.

However, after working three months straight on the relief blogs, I had to let the sites go dormant.  My family, particularly my kiddo, needed more of my time and energy, which was in dire short supply because of the blogs.   The blogs are still up; critical contact information remains on the sites and good folks continue to correspond with me, asking where they can volunteer their labor on the Gulf Coast during their Spring Break, where their company can continue to send supplies, what they can do to help. 

People still want to help.  Lots of people.  And I need to be of service to them.  Hence, I want to revive the relief blogs but in a manner and process that would be more efficient, sane, and basically enable me to take a daily shower and make sure my kid does her homework because I love her, but man oh man, can she slack.

So, going to BrainJams in New Orleans will kick my ass and get it moving.  Just going to New Orleans and seeing what's going on for myself will kick my ass but good.

I hope to meet these goals for this trip:

*  Attend BrainJams with an open, listening heart.  With that same open heart, share my relief blog experience with BrainJam participants.  Assist in establishing similar blog relief networks, perhaps to incorporate the Hurricane Katrina Direct Relief blogs in with a consortium of relief blogs.

* Rent a car, and go to places the locals recommend, places that may not be covered by the press, places that are still fucked up, and, yes, I'm using the 'f' word with the full bloom of its profound meaning.  While in the Still Fucked Up places, take pictures, make copious notes, and open up the audio tools on my MacBook and record interviews with folks

* With the aid of mass quantities of beignets, pralines and coffee with chicory, blog everything I experience, create podcasts from the interviews, upload pics from my camera phone and digital camera.

I believe I can follow through on all of that, though a tour of a Katrina ravaged area will likely take my breath away and infuriate me.  My anger, however, can be transformed into action, and that is the primary reason why I worked long and feverishly on the Hurricane Katrina blogs. 

Now, Dear Readers, can you help me help others?  Can you help BrainJams?  If you can, please, here's my Pay Pal button:

I'll do whatever you wish with your donations.  I'll pass your offerings over to Chris and Kristie  towards the costs to produce this BrainJam.   If you want me to donate money over to a church, a relief group, a shelter, or an earnest individual I meet in my path requiring our assistance, I 'll do that.   Your donations will be handled with integrity, honor, and utter, utter gratitude.

Dear Readers, Dear Friends, many thanks.  Namaste.

Comments

[Mary]

Awesome, Grace. I tip my hat to you. I love your goals, too. Realistic yet imaginative and interesting. Wow. Have a great time; I hope there is hope in what you see.

[GraceD]

Mary, you're the awesome one for your kind donation. Thank you, my friend.

Is there any way you can come with me and help out with interviews and eating pralines:?

[nakedjen]

i wish i could come and help with interviews and pralines and beignets and all good things.

can we drive? and take the puppies? if we drive and take the puppies, i could come. hell, i even have the styling new all terrain vehicle to take us to the not doing so well areas. and friends! i have friends to sleep with.

why do you always do these fun things when i've got things i also have to be doing?

perhaps when you return i can transcribe things for you? something. just tell me.

[nakedjen]

oh wait. i know. i can at the VERY LEAST send you off with some tea to give to the folks you meet along the way. folks who might need some. not everyone. those you feel could actually benefit.

when are you actually leaving?

[e]

if you haven't already got a good, cheap place to stay picked out, check out my fave, st. charles guest house, a perfect funky place with free wifi. Dennis Hilton, the proprietor, is welcoming those who come down to help out NOLA.
http://www.stcharlesguesthouse.com/
the link hasn't been updated since last fall, but they're there, i've communicated with him since and he just joined my frappr page today, go figure.

i was just thinking today about trying to drive over there again soon, although I can't do that weekend as it's my aunt's 100th on the Sunday (!) as you know, i went there in november, before Dennis-an'-them came back, intending to do much the same, but was unable to do anything i had planned. it is pretty overwhelming...

how long will you be there?

[Kristie Wells]

YOU, Grace are the center of all that is good in this world. You are an inspiration and I am humbled to call you friend.

Your amazing spirit, and your unwavering support for the BrainJams event fills me with so much joy, and I know together we can really make a difference in NOLA (and beyond).

I absolutely want to be included on the road trip through the region. We need to document what is going on there. Photos, blogs, podcasts - it all needs to happen and the world needs to see there is still so much that needs to be done. I truly believe one person can change the world - imagine the things we can do with as little as 5 or 10 people.

Fuck. You have just brought me to tears again. How do you do it? I think you are right, I am such a sap.

xoxoxo

[impossiblejane]

Grace, this sounds wonderful. I have been pinching pennies so badly right now otherwise I'd donate tons of money to hand over to animal shelters. I'd like to see how they're holding up.

My neighbors were recently there doing relief work and their stories were sad, heartbreaking, and inspiring all at the same time.

I go with you in spirit and love. You continue to be an inspiration all the way over here in Rhode Island. xoxox, Jane

[Lorrian]

Grace: You are an inspiration...over and over again. Use my donation as you think best. I'm crying at work, darn you. ;-)

[byakko]

GraceD, you have such a generous spirit! Enjoy, grow, and enrich yourself down in Nawlins. And, if you ever need help again from the blogging plebeian that is me, don't hesitate to ask. Go, girl!

[Dorothy]

I can't wait to read about your experience!

[Vee]

When you come to New Orleans you need only jump on I-10 and drive towards Mississippi. The damage is beyond belief. I'm glad you are coming to see how you can help. We need all the help we can get.

[Heidi]

You seriously rock, Grace.

[Marilyn]

I wish I could help out, but times are lean, I'm afraid. But I will wish you godspeed and shower you with blessings for all of the amazing good you have done and CONTINUE TO DO. Will very much look forward to reading your N'awlins dispatches. It's one of my favorite places on earth and I'm heartbroken over what she's been through...

[jenrigg]

Grace, I am humbled beyond belief. You are a wonderful person and I will watch your blog to see how the trip unfolds, and what horrors are still there. It's like everyone's forgotten already... God bless x

[Pamalamadingdong]

You are my hero.
Seriously.

[Mimi]

St charles guest house.. is the uglies hotel I have ever been... people who own that thing are real asses..