Precious and Fragile Things

I always knew I liked Mick Foley. Yes, that is the Mick Foley, a professional wrestler (formerly for the WWE, now wrestling with TNA). Some of you Avatar the Last Airbender fans might better know him as The Boulder from Book 2 and 3.

I don't need to explain all the reasons why I don't exactly consider the realm of professional wrestling, particularly the WWE, to be what I'd call woman positive. There are exceptions, no doubt about it, but my brief affair as a fan of professional wrestling* left me with a sour taste in my mouth, so while I've always like Mick Foley...okay, I didn't think much of him when I first heard of him, but then I saw him interviewed on Late Night with Conan O'Brien back in the day (back when he was promoting his first book), and I have to say he really impressed me then. You'd think a man who has taken as many hits to the head as he has, and who one might say has questionable judgement in regards to the stunts he pulled in the ring, wouldn't be so well-spoken and eloquent, but that'll learn me for judging a book by its cover.

Anyway, I really wasn't expecting to read this when I saw the names Mick Foley and RAINN in the same blog post.

I've really tried to put my money where my mouth is here, donating 100% of my advance royalties to "Countdown to Lockdown" to combating sexual violence - 50% to RAINN, 50% to ChildFund International to set up microloans and scholarships for victims of rape and their children in Sierra Leone.

In January of 2010, I began studying to become a volunteer for RAINN's online hotline, and have been helping survivors on a one on one anonymous basis on a weekly basis for the past six months. [...] A grant from Pepsi would help RAINN expand their hotline to the Spanish speaking population in the US, a group that right now is underserved and badly in need of help in this struggle. I know that a relatively small ammount of money could go so far in helping so many people.

I like that he didn't quote statistics at me or try to tell someone else's story -- a victim's story is always hir own. He didn't go on about rape prevention or anything like that, and he didn't harp on the ugliness that is sexual violence. He simply said, "Look, here's this thing I do and something I'd really like you to help me help them." I like that he brought up the need for Spanish-speaking hotlines and volunteers as well.

And now I'm linking to his entry and passing the word along to the three of you who read this so that maybe you can spread the linkage a little further.


* = Look, my ex was a fan and let's just say I know way more about Hulk Hogan than I really want to. Don't judge me.

An update on bifemmefatale's missing daughter:

Mo was spotted by a couple different people in Murphysboro IL tonight headed for the gathering near Harrisburg!! Please keep looking near there! She is with 2 guys, Tim and Josh. Tim has a tear tattoo and a white supremacist gang tat on his arm. They are probably hitching. Mo is using the alias Valia O'Donnell. Mo's hair is not blue now, it is natural red-blonde, and she is not wearing her nose piercing.

CALL POLICE. Then call me 630-508-0112!

Via lupabitch: A family needs donations after a house fire destroyed all their possessions, but more importantly one of their children passed away in the fire. Click here for details.

The economy has been pretty shitty for a good many people. My friend davensjournal has been especially hit hard by this. He lost his home after losing his job and is trying to get back on his feet with his wife and teenaged daughter. If any of you have the ability, can you take a moment to visit his page and donate a buck or two? He needs to raise some funds in order to turn his electricity on at the new apartment as well as pay for other fees associated with moving expenses.

If nothing else, pass the word along because I know so many of you are strapped for cash too.

Thanks.