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Thursday, September 29, 2005
Rendezvous at the Bridge
Emily had fun.
More pics.
9/29/2005 09:30:00 AM by Todd Bacon
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Monday, September 26, 2005
Check it
Indiana State Museum is the last stop for the LOTR exhibition of movie props, etc.
December 28th, limited to 100 people, tour the exhibition and view the Return of the King on the IMAX theatre and spend the night in the museum. Think Jenny and I (and maybe Jacob) will be doing this.
Very interesting exhibit progress blog.
9/26/2005 04:00:00 PM by Todd Bacon
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Thursday, September 08, 2005
The Hobbit
Interesting letter from New Line Cinema CEO regarding potential for "The Hobbit" to happen.
9/08/2005 10:57:00 AM by Todd Bacon
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Friday, September 02, 2005
Disaster Preparedness
Disaster Preparedness
"Some people will do anything for a potato," declared James Graham in the
movie, Empire of the Sun. James, a young boy, survived World War II in a
Japanese POW camp in China. He saw how awful some people can be.
"You be strong, you survive... You stay alive, no matter what occurs! I will
find you. No matter how long it takes, no matter how far, I will find you,"
Hawkeye told Cora Monroe in Last of the Mohicans. Hawkeye had to leave
Cora, knowing hostile Indians were about to capture her. He knew after he
left, he would do whatever necessary to find and save her.
This week, we've seen the heroism and depravity inherent to any overwhelming
tragedy. Our first responses are to pray and to help the victims - with
contributions to legitimate, established organizations like the Red Cross
and Salvation Army. These organizations already have the infrastructure to
help quickly.
For years, disaster experts have told us that if a huge catastrophe happens,
it will take several days for help to arrive. They told us we needed to be
ready to take care of ourselves until help can arrive. This week shows they
were right.
We can be the greatest superpower in the world and still can't fix
everyone's problems within thirty minutes, or even within twenty-four hours.
We are all at risk for potential catastrophe - earthquake, hurricane, flood,
or blizzard. September 11 taught us we are likewise at risk for terror
attack that could begin with a plane flying into a building or a bioterror
attack.
September is National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the American Red
Cross and U. S. Department of Homeland Security.
"During September, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the American
Red Cross and the National Preparedness Month Coalition Members asks all
Americans to take some simple steps to prepare for emergencies including
getting an emergency supply kit, making a family emergency plan, being
informed about different threats and getting involved in preparing their
communities." - http://www.ready.gov/npm/
We need to evaluate and prepare our own disaster plans. Our disaster plans
should have three different parts:
1. Prepare yourself - body, mind, and soul
2. Prepare an evacuation plan and kit - be ready to leave your home if
necessary
3. Prepare your home in case you are stranded in a disaster.
If you are responsible for children, parents, or friends, include them in
your plans. It is better to plan for the disaster that never happens than
it is to be unprepared.
Prepare Yourself - Body, Mind, and Soul
Soul - Be ready to meet your Maker. A near-death experience changes your
perspective for a lifetime. Do your loved ones know what they mean to you?
If you died today, are there unresolved issues and unspoken words? Reach
out and let people know they matter.
Body - We are not all Olympic athletes. If we exercise and work out, to the
best of our abilities, we will better be able to handle whatever is needed.
It could be walking 20 miles while carrying a child or swimming a couple of
miles to safety. This isn't just about feeling good or looking good, but
about being able and ready to care for our children and protect them.
Mind -
Read and educate yourself on disaster plans. Disaster professionals have
already given us blueprints for how to prepare for disasters. We can read
them and take their advice. The following websites might help:
http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/ - FEMA's most comprehensive guide to
prepare yourself for an emergency. This was last updated in August, 2004.
http://www.flylady.com/pages/FlyingLessons_ControlJournal15.asp - hints for
organizing emergency phone numbers and simple household tasks we should all
know how to do.
http://www.ready.gov/family_plan.html - how to make a family disaster plan
http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/assemble_disaster_supplies_kit.shtm - how to
prepare a disaster kit
http://www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/preparedness/A4497.pdf - how to prepare
for a disaster for people with disabilities and special needs
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_501_,00.html - disaster
safety. This has a good list of different types of hazards and how to be
prepared. Read it and find the risks most pertinent to your area.
http://www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/preparedness/A4499.pdf - how to help
children cope with a disaster
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_605_,00.html - how to
prepare financially. This has GREAT suggestions for every family.
http://www.fema.gov/hazards/winterstorms/wntsft.shtm - winter preparedness
tips
http://www.fema.gov/hazards/extremeheat/heat.shtm - how to handle extreme
heat
FEMA disaster information for kids - http://www.fema.gov/kids/ - how to help
your kids learn to prepare for a disaster. This also has a fun quiz for
kids, after they go through the site, so they can become Disaster Action
Kids, complete with a certificate you can print off the Internet.
If You Must Leave
If an evacuation order comes, heed it. Leave as soon as you possibly can.
Prepare an evacuation kit - some supplies you can quickly grab and go. Is
your kit in a backpack or backpack with wheels in case you get stuck
carrying it? Are important papers in waterproof plastic bags in case you
get wet? Do you have contacts or glasses? What about medications?
Think wheels as much as possible. Backpacks with wheels, wagons, file
crates, etc., are easier to push or pull than carry.
http://www.redcross.org/static/file_cont4470_lang0_1577.pdf - an evacuation
kit checklist.
If You Must Stay
You need food and water supplies for your family, for at least three days.
If you live in a colder area, you may need an alternative heat source for an
even longer time.
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/shelterinplace.html -
how to prepare a home, school, or business if you must shelter in place.
Preparation Leads to Peace of Mind!
In the Old Testament, David predicted Egypt's famine and helped them prepare
for seven years.
Today, we have highways, planes, computers, satellites, phones, and more.
No matter how bad New Orleans seems now, imagine how much worse it might
have been without modern technology. Most of the world wouldn't know a
disaster had happened.
Our preparedness is not just something we do for ourselves. It's what we do
for our family and those who depend upon us the most.
September is National Preparedness Month. Make the time to prepare yourself
and your family. Your life - and the lives of those you love the most -
might depend upon it.
Mary Biever
www.marybiever.com
workshops@biever.com
www.lifebanquet.blogspot.com
9/02/2005 08:23:00 AM by Todd Bacon
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