Jane Seymour or Money?

Neither!

You might think it was Jane Seymour because she's so involved with certain aspects of the water crisis. But she wasn't it. You might think it's money because all the water charities are always asking for donations. But that wasn't it either. So what was the main topic at the International Water Forum at the United Nations in September, the main issue that every single one of the speakers mentioned? AWARENESS! That's right. So many people in the world have no idea that there IS a problem with water. And most of the people outside the water sector who know that a Global Water Crisis exists, only believe it to exist in 3rd World Countries.

What do you think of when someone says Global Water Crisis? Chances are that you picture a scrawny child sitting by a mud pool with sadness screaming out of their face. Or maybe you picture a woman walking while balancing a jug on her head with little children in tow. Am I right? Well did you know that there are loads of water issues and troubles right here in North America? Did you know that Georgia and Tennessee are having a "water war"? A dispute over the line between the two states and where the real border is-- which affects the Tennessee River water rights. What about Chicago. What? They have Lake Michigan right there! Really. Well,  read this. Even Canada has it's share of issues despite plenty of fresh water. What about the American Southwest and California? But you probably already know about that.

Jane Seymour certainly does. Yes she's still beautiful and she spoke to me in passing, as I took a photo of her when she was leaving. She's good friends with Jim Thebaut (who organized the event) and was the narrator on his "Running Dry" documentary about the American Southwest. She talked about education and what we as individuals can do, because it's up to all of us to take measures and do our part to help. Sometimes that can mean a small behavior change like turning off your taps, or it can mean a life commitment to something you believe in and are passionate about. Here's a snippet:

During the forum, I kept turning to my new friends Hame and Kadia (who are originally from Africa but who now live in DC) and smiling. I had told them about R4W and my ideas surrounding the project and as speaker after speaker talked about the problem of how to get people outside the water sector to be aware of the GWC, they just returned my gaze while nodding their heads. Get Hollywood involved and people will pay attention. It's such a simple idea and everything I'm suggesting has been done before! In these incredible times we are in, with marches on Wall Street, social responsibility coming to the forefront in corporations and Hollywood making remakes anyway, why not? The difference is that this remake will be new and will help many people in many ways. It's all about AWARENESS! Water and respect. C'Mon. Let's Do It!

International Water Forum at the United Nations

I was planning to be touring around the Maritime Provinces, but when I found out about the International Water Forum at the United Nations, there wasn't even a second of hesitation about changing my plans.

Jim Thebaut is an internationally acclaimed filmmaker who has done and is continuing with the "Running Dry" series of documentaries. He is the organizer of this amazing event and we spoke this past Saturday. His work concerning the Global Water Crisis has definitely made an impact but even he says: "I’m not sure that public awareness has really penetrated deep into the psyche of the mainstream citizenry." This is where engaging known actors and musicians will change this.

I ask you. Have you heard about the "Running Dry" series or the movie "Tapped" which deals with the bottled water problem which is certainly a big problem too. Well, have you? Chances are you haven't. But I bet you have an idea what Sandra Bullock or Brad and Angelina or Taylor Swift or Justin Beiber are doing (and they are doing good by the way). Whether it's bad news or good news, it's news because people are so obsessed with what the stars are doing. Even if you don't really care, you can't get away from it. Imagine the impact if you cared about what they were doing? So let's get that group of people to work together and help elevate awareness about the Global Water Crisis!

Jim was a wonderful conversationalist and we are of the same thoughts and sentiments when it comes to the Global Water Crisis. I couldn't be more excited about the possibilities. It's going to be such an incredible gathering of people who really care about the water situation in the world today and people who want to take innovative and drastic actions to fix this problem that is one day going to change the way you think, use and feel about the most precious resource that we have. C'mon. Let's Do It!

Not My Idea

It's winter again here in southern Alberta. Well maybe not winter, but close! Even though summer made an appearance yesterday (and I was thinking that maybe summer really was here, and would know if we actually had 2 days in a row that were summerish) it seems to be gone again. Personally I don't mind because I have to be inside on the computer anyway and I really don't like to be hot. As I said in the last post, there really is a reason why I moved back to Canada.

There actually are a few reasons and I am going to share another one. Part of my love for the restaurant industry is because it allowed me to be the gypsy person I truly am. I moved an inordinate number of times for someone not in the military or one being transferred for jobs all over the place. I simply like to experience lots of different cultures, meet interesting people, and I was just generally a restless and high energy person. But while living in New Zealand, I decided that it was time to go home. It was time for me to settle down and establish roots.

Ok, for the rest of this post, if you don't believe in God, you may as well stop here or you'll think I'm full of baloney, which I'm not.

So I came here with the intention of looking for the place where I would live the rest of my days and even meet a man to do that with. I was ready to settle down and make cookies. I have never been married and agree with a snipet I read years ago that said you don't meet the person whom you are supposed to be with until you get where you are supposed to be. Wise words eh? E-Harmony here I come! Well...

Not so much. Just as I know I was called to make the movie in the first place--despite not ever wanting to make a movie--now it all made sense when this current idea popped into my head. Mind you I fought this one for much longer than the movie because it's really crazy! But, like the movie, I'm committed to it and will see it to the end. I just have to remember at all times where my Help comes from.

The world situation concerning water is just incredible and something needs to be done about it. We are all part of the whole and we need to help others.

But it goes beyond that thought. We need to also help ourselves! The water crisis is not only in other places. It's here too. I have supplied loads of information on the site and wanted to add this link to a great site where you can find ways to save water in your own home--therefore saving you some money too!

So why did I title this "not my idea"? Well because this is NOT what I had in mind for my life, and that is precisely why I know it comes from God. I have been listening to a lot of "self discovery" type information and am finding that many people are doing something they never thought they would be doing, but know it's what they are meant to be doing. People finding their true purpose. How do they know? Because they're happy! Genuinely and absolutely happy and it doesn't necessarily have to do with money. It has more to do with helping others. It's about time that greed gets the boot!

I have always found that most restaurant people are happy and like their life. It's a great job and lifestyle for either the long haul or temporarily, and there are millions in the business who would probably agree with me. Think about the place you go to hang out with your friends. Do you like the staff there? Do they work hard to get you everything you need and have a fun time doing it? Probably or you wouldn't go there. The hospitality industry is a great one and by combining it, through this movie, with the need for water, this will help so many. We just need to find the right people who will help make this a reality. We can do it! That's all for now. Gotta brush the snow off the bbq grill! (Not really, but maybe in the morning...)

North American Ideas

There are still many lakes in the fields where usually the crops are starting to lift their stems to the sky and it's a constant reminder of the fact that while we're not wanting the water, others in the world are so desperately needing it. Unfortunately there's nothing that can be done about that situation, but hopefully it makes us think about water nonetheless. Come fall, we'll be needing the water and will probably be put on water conservation levels.

While researching around about water issues, I came across an article about a clever young boy named Mason Perez in Reno, Nevada. He had a thought and it became an experiment then a project and now a wonderful way to save water. It's a great article and I hope people see it and start thinking about other ways to save our precious water.

I have very often thought of ways to stop wasting so much water in public places. Like those automatic flushing toilets that are everywhere now. What a waste of water! I have experienced them flushing when I walked into the stall, flushing as I'm getting ready to make a deposit of some sort and then again as I am making the deposit acting like a bidet, only to be flushing again as I'm getting myself back together and then leaving the stall! Seriously, 5 times it flushed while I was in the area! Ok, now that was the most I had, but it's usually 3 times and always flushing more than necessary. Yeah I know why they are there-- to avoid germs in touching the handle, but c'mon, that's just ridiculous. There should be an adjustment!

What about those tub faucets that blast out water like a fire hose and can't be turned down. Think how much water is wasted when you're adjusting the temperature for your shower. Sure some people turn on the shower head right away and that helps if there is a water saving head, but not everyone does it that way. I've thought about that for years, ever since I was in a hotel that had those installed. I think they should all be replaced, which I know won't happen, but hopefully those hotels have a grey water recycling system installed. There are so many ways to save water and here's just one of the many sites that will give you ideas for your home water usage.

That's all for now. Enjoy the summer if you are having it. We here in southern Alberta seem to be stuck in the cold. I don't mind at all. It beats the 90's that are elsewhere! I moved back to Canada for a reason! ;-)

They call it High River

There's a reason why places are named as they are. The first people to live in the town where I live had a really good reason. At least that's what I am suspecting after this past weekend!

Friday we were declared a state of emergency as the river went roaring through town taking many huge trees with it as it crashed into the bridges and escaped it's banks. I watched as heavy equipment removed the massive trees that were stuck in front of the bridge--glad that I didn't live along the banks of the river. People were evacuated and roads were closed, and the snow in the mountains hasn't even begun to melt yet!

As I watched this flooding, I couldn't help but think how there is a severe drought going on in parts of Ethiopia, the Somali region to be specific, and it's too bad they couldn't have our water. I guess I'm always thinking about water in one way or another and trying to figure out ways to spread the word about Remake 4 Water.

Now that the website is up and running although I'm sure it will be changing now and then, it's time I really get down to it and start blasting out my mission. When I think that "Meet the Parents" started exactly as my movie did and look what happened, and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" started as a play, was discovered and redone, I know that somewhere is the person who sees this and realizes the market niche and fact that just as everyone has a family, everyone goes out to eat!

"Did I Say Thousand Island?" isn't setting to be out to make the rich Hollywood people richer, it's going to help people get water and let others know that water is a precious resource and we better be careful or we'll be in trouble! Besides, I just had some new friends watch my movie and they loved it! They had just been out to dinner and experienced the separate check scene exactly. They were laughing! Hollywood seems to be missing out on a whole group of people. The baby boomers who still enjoy a story without all the computer generated graphics and fast action. Oh wait, maybe not. They did just remake "Arthur"....

National Waitstaff Day!!

What a beautiful day! I'm not talking about the weather, I'm talking about the fact that today is the day to celebrate all those people you know who help you while you're out on the town. Your favorite waiter or waitress! These people are not only the ones who bring you food, drink, and all the necessary things you ask for as you dine out-- while you relax, they're the ones who help you have a great time!

Think about it. You go out to eat with your friends or family and you go to your usual place with your favorite waitress or waiter. How does that make you feel when you're greeted with enthusiasm when you sit down and you know that they're going to do whatever it takes to bring you everything you need, and do it with a smile. You know the person, and maybe even know about their family. You have a relationship with them.

Today I want to celebrate my life as a waitress. I was one for over 25 years and I sincerely loved my life. I use past tense as I really can't (shouldn't) waitress anymore because of a horse accident, but that's not what I'm thinking about today. I'm remembering all the fun I used to have when I went to work. I worked at one restaurant in Colorado for almost 14 years, and I'm still in contact with co-workers spread out from Oregon to Florida to the Chec Republic and places inbetween. The friends I made are ones I will have probably for the rest of my life. See, servers as we are called these days--although I really don't like that term (too close to servant and that gives people the wrong idea...)--are a certain breed of people. Unless you've spent time in the business you don't know what I'm talking about. If you have then you know.

Oh man we had fun, but we also made good money! I remember one night in particular for some reason. I had made really great money-- maybe because I had waited on a lot of friends that night. I remember walking through a room to turn the lights out thinking "I can't believe they paid me for doing this!" It was like I had been at a party and happened to be the one making sure everyone had everything they needed. No big deal! Matter of fact my old boss and owner Bobby used to say that was how he felt every night. People were just coming to his party and it was our job to make sure everyone had a great time. He was 100% right!

I want to keep this post a light one today as it's a great day! But I do miss the fun I had and all the people I met every night. I've been feeling like a hermit in a way by working on this project, but if, when it's completed I will have helped people outside the biz respect those of us in it, and those of us in it to be proud of our chosen career, and to those people who work-in-an-office-40-hours-a-week-with-only-2-weeks-vacation-a-year-until-they-work-up-to-more-after-years-in-the-same-job-and-spend-those-2-weeks-doing-what-we-can-do-any-day-we-want ask us when we are going to get a real job, we say "I have a real job. The difference is, it's a real fun job!" So treat your waitress and waiter with respect today. It's their day! Cheers!

New Website

Welcome to my new blog! This is going to be the place where you can learn the latest news about Remake 4 Water. Since we are just getting started with all the new things like websites and press releases, this will be a short message. Tomorrow is a big day as it's National Waitstaff Day in America.

Just wanted to post a greeting tonight and will have more thoughts in the morning.