World Water Day and water.org

It's getting close to that wonderful day: March 22, World Water Day! Celebrate the fact that you have water and don't have to walk 6km to get it. You can just turn on a tap and voila, water! By the way, that's about the average that you'd have to go to get water if you lived in a water deprived area.

I'm celebrating WWD in a new way this year by starting a fund raising page with water.org. They make it really easy to donate and I like what they are doing. Last week I listened  to the presentation about water credit and how great that's going. It's amazing yet sensible what an effect pride of ownership has on the people, wells, and solutions to water and sanitation.


My mission is to raise awareness and funds so I figured that I might as well raise funds in the name of Remake 4 Water. Having discovered that my movie is being downloaded thousands and I mean thousands of times a day for free, I just have to believe that someday, the right person will see the potential in using it to help others. People will want to see the remake out of curiosity at the very least!

These are screen shots of one of the many sites where the movie is available for free. The second one is a close up. Notice the 5th listing that says "added by request". This movie is spread out far more than anyone knows! Check this site out here.

If you'd like to donate to water.org in the name of R4W, my donate page is here, and thank you for any amount you can donate to help. They'll send you a receipt to your email, so you can deduct it from your taxes. We can all do a little bit to help, and hopefully someday you'll be able to do what you already do and not have to reach into your pocket for more. So...C'mon. Let's Do It!

Brand New Website

During last year's Superbowl commercials I thought it was time to leave my website host, but just didn't ever do it. Then this year's commercials prompted me to jump ship. I had been with Go Daddy for almost 6 years, but it was time to say bye. I'm not a prude but I don't appreciate their style.

2 weeks after I returned home from my big trip out east and the great International Water Forum at the UN, I was hit with severe vertigo and am still recovering, so am very behind in what I want to be doing. World Water Day is in one month and there's so much to do. Having hoped to be farther down the path in my mission, I have to be content in knowing that everything happens for a reason, and it's not my timing that matters.

The new website is lots more fun and even reminds me of George Jetson. That was a great cartoon, and when I'm on Skype, I think of Spacely Sprockets. Imagine that we are that advanced and more. Torrent sites and downloading movies to phones. What will they think of next? I'm just glad because the movie is so far spread around the world and the messages are getting out there! Now it's time to work on the water troubles and help more people.

Chuck Fishman says: Water First!   I say: Let's Do It!

They ALL Said It...

Yes sir! They all said AWARENESS. I already went over that in the last blog, but I think you need to hear it from them. It's so crucial to solving the problems, and oh yes, there are solutions. But how can the average Joe Screwdriver or Jane Cupcake try to help when they don't have a clue? By the way you can switch the last names if you want, but please keep it related to restaurants. The point is that the general public really is clueless when it comes to water. Watch this video and see for yourself, and this time it's not me telling you, so please pay attention.

The world really is changing and you just can't help but notice. Like this idea I found the other day: Go Halfsies-helping fight obesity, food waste and world hunger. Check it out! It's ideas like this one and Remake 4 Water that are going to make a difference in the world. And it's such an easy idea: go to a movie and help people get water, and learn about the water crisis in a fun way. What crisis?! We don't have a water crisis in America. Oh yeah, I forgot.

With intentions of spreading the last press release and new videos all over back in November, suddenly and I mean suddenly, a strange creature named Vertigo creeped into my cranium and wreaked havoc. Anyone who has had severe Vertigo can relate. I wish this mission was further along, but as I truly know, everything happens for a reason. Being able to only listen to talk radio, and finding a local radio station with daily Bible studies (don't worry any friends of mine who might read this, I'm not thumping, just living), I am gaining the Strength that I know I'll need for this "impossible" mission. But why is this so difficult?

Well, it really was a great event and thanks again to Jim Thebaut with the Running Dry series for organizing it. To be in a room full of people with the same mission is really encouraging, and even though it can be looked at by others as preaching to the choir, it was a fantastic chance to network and share ideas. Now it's out and into the public with the messages, and who better to influence people than Hollywood, hmmm? C'mon. Let's Do It!

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! ;-)