To D.C. and Gone

Miami, Florida

Sorry that I have not been on here in so long. I drove to D.C. last week with Sarah (a wonderful road trip mate btw), had a stop in Atlanta to see Em, Bob, Parker, and Thomas, then moved into my apartment on Monday, and started my new job with Deloitte on Tuesday. It's nice to be living in D.C., but it was also very tough to leave Louisiana because of the current situation. I hope to be back down in the next few weeks to help out some more.

Sunday I left for Miami to take part in the "Deloitte Difference" training program. I wish that I could write about some fun times at the beach or in the clubs, but the reality is that I have not left our hotel conference center since Monday. Ugh. But we just finished the program and tomorrow I'm off to Orlando for another 8 days of training. At least I'll get a little fun time while I'm there -- Disney World on Saturday.

I'm back in D.C. late next week. Looking forward to finally moving in.

photos

Here are some photos from the trips Trent has been taking south to donate items. Information to donate to the cause is in yesterday's post.

Click here.

Immediate help needed

My best buddy Trent Rives has been towing supplies to the smaller cities that have been affected by Hurricane Katrina. Yesterday he went to Bogulusa and today it is Franklinton. These small towns have nothing, and aren't getting the relief efforts yet from the majors (Red Cross, etc.). Up to this point Trent has been buying supplies out of his own pocket.

I have had so many emails from people wanting to help out. If you'd like to help IMMEDIATELY then send donations to Trent via PayPal at trentrives@netzero.com. He will use the money to purchase much needed supplies like water, food, etc. and will personally deliver the items to those in need. If there is money left over then he willl donate it to Red Cross. This could really help out hundreds of hundreds.

In other news, special thanks to my friend Mehul Patel. We needed a Web site to connect New Orleans businesses with their employees. This is important because cell phones aren't working well, and people need to get paid, find out the company plans, etc. Mehul had the site up and running in one afternoon! Thanks so much. http://www.findyourneworleansemployer.com/

I'm about to drive to DC.

Power!

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Last night around 8 p.m. we got power! It was a welcome relief and eased some of the emotional tension in our house. Sarah also arrived safely to Baton Rouge to help me move -- guess she brought the good luck for power.

Updates: Uncle Kenny is running medical supplies from Houston to New Orleans area. Mom and Aunt Cissy got Gram into a nursing home in Baton Rouge. And Dad has been helping manage a media room packed with folks from all over the country.

Thanks again for all the emails.

Helping out

If you'd like to make a donation to help in the relief efforts, then I highly recommend the Baton Rouge Area Foundation.

Craigslist

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

I have been working with Craig at craigslist and just got Baton Rouge added. Now we just need to get the word out so people will post housing etc for hurricane victims. If you're reading this then pass on the link!

Thanks.

http://batonrouge.craigslist.org/

Still no power

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

The population has increased by 500,000 here in Baton Rouge, and it is very evident in the traffic, empty shelves at the grocery, and the "no room" signs at all of the hotels. I still can't believe all of this. Again, thanks to everyone for the kind thoughts and prayers.

We reached an all-time high last night at the Redman house: 87 degrees. Luckily, we got an inverter from Trent Rives that we hooked up to my car. We were able to run a few box fans in the house, which kept a little breeze going and I think made Gram more comfortable. Mind you, it was still hot. It could be worse and I am happy that all of my family is safe at this point.