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I researched the heir of a large paper-plate-and-cup empire today. Oh, job.

It was a long day. I had a doctor's appointment this morning (just a checkup, I'm all good, but they did take a lot of blood) and when I got to work around ten, suddenly there were three VERY VITAL PROJECTS that were due at 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm respectively. I have documented my ass off. Alongside the Cup Magnate I had a rush job due on the USA Network's marketing department, of all things, a schedule for a visiting consultant to compile, and an org chart to fact-check and beautify. People just kept saying, "Sam, can you rush this?" and like the fool I am, I kept saying "Yep!"

Add into that the fact that the Dell repairman showed up at work to repair my laptop (HEY LOOK MY DOWN KEY WORKS AGAIN) and it was a bit busy. So I am still massively behind on email and comments.

On the other hand, nobody's asked me to capture and/or feed a pterodactyl, so in all, still coming out in the plus column.

There is a teacher's strike going on in Chicago right now, and my mother is freaking the fuck out. She worried I wouldn't get to work this morning, and worried I couldn't get home. I don't think she remembers my school days very clearly. I feel I have little to fear from teachers. Besides, I spent three years in a union where the entire union leadership was at one point indicted for embezzlement.

It is time to sleep, possibly curled up with my shiny newly-repaired laptop in my arms.

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Good morning everyone, and welcome to Radio Free Monday!

Ways To Give:

ruric linked to a call for help for River, a service dog who is in need of surgery her owner, herself undergoing surgery this week, can't afford.

dreamwaffles linked to a fundraiser for Dan's Van, to help a family with three autistic children repair their van.

pearwaldorf linked to underdebate, who is raising money to buy a "slaughter horse" who would otherwise go to the slaughterhouse due to some changing economic circumstances within the racing community in Ontario. She's offering fic, art/graphics, and other items in exchange for donations.

scribbulus_ink linked to Torquere Press's annual Charity Sip Blitz, supporting NOH8. Profits from "Blitz" stories purchased at Torquere or Rainbow E-Books on September 12th will go to support the campaign. scribbulus_ink and arionrhod have an original m/m Steampunk romance, "Steam Heat", that will be offered.

dreamwaffles linked to a kickstarter for Sprout, a pencil with a seed in the end which you can plant when it gets too short to use.

Help For Free:

lizcommotion has a post up asking crafters to help make toys and decorations for Children's Rehab Hospital in Washington, DC. She has patterns and suggestions for knitting, crocheting, and sewing projects at the post.

justice_turtle linked to Save Siccar Point, a site protesting a development plan to run a concrete-covered wastewater trench next to historic Siccar Point in Scotland. The deadline for protests is September 23, 2012, and UK residents can register official objections with the Scottish Borders Council; non-UK residents can e-mail the Council.

dreamwaffles linked to a petition to rededicate Columbus Day as Exploration Day, partly in honour of the late Neil Armstrong.

jjhunter is offering a skill swap in the greater Boston area. She's looking for 1-2 hours of personal tutoring with someone experienced in the use of the ZOOM H2 microphone with Macs and is offering tutoring in return -- details at her personal journal.

norinoricat linked to a petition to get the Animation/Illustration program at San Jose State University recognized as its own department: "our school refuses to give us more then 5 classrooms and professors for over 500 students, and refuses to acknowledge our needs as a growing program."

etharei linked to eteRNA, a web game that helps scientists at Stanford and Carnegie Mellon model RNA folding.

Updates!

iamlivingmusic sent me an update on Wellington Rape Crisis NZ, which was fundraising a few weeks back -- they raised enough money to keep their doors open five days a week, and have renewed their three-year contract for funding through Wellington City Council. Any extra money they receive is going towards awareness, particularly aiming at 15-25 y/o females. Job well done, guys!

soc_puppet linked to an update on the game Dominique Pampelmousse, which has reached its funding goal!

Just For Fun:

tzikeh reminded me that IT'S DECORATIVE GOURD SEASON, MOTHERFUCKERS!

changeling linked to Ten Art Crimes To Give You Nightmares.

jjhunter wanted to let everyone know that the Dead Isle Podfic project has a Dreamwidth mirror, deadislepodfic. They are still looking for Indigenous Australian voices!

And this has been Radio Free Monday! Thank you for your time. You can always post items for my attention in comments here (or on any post) or email me at copperbadge at gmail dot com. If you're not sure how to proceed, here is a little more about what I do and how you can help (or ask for help!). Remember, brevity is the soul of RFM.