See Gina Blog

IMG_0410-1, originally uploaded by gina.banina.

So I evidently let Christmas and New Year’s Eve pass without a post for either. My muse has run away for warmer shores it seems.

I have spent the majority of my time obsessed with scrapbooking and cardmaking. Much has contributed to total exhaustion besides.

Patiently I await longer daylight hours, warmer temperatures, and energy & inspiration to dedicate to all of my creative ventures, equally.

Poverty – resulting from educational, healthcare, and nutritional deficits – leads to AIDS, domestic violence, hunger, diarrhea, pneumonia, tuberculosis, malaria, and measles internationally.

The US Census Bureau determined that “In 2007, 37.3 million people were in poverty, up from 36.5 million in 2006” in the United States.”  The National Center for Children in Poverty has determined that “Nearly 13 million children in the United States—18% of all children—live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level.”

About 25,000 people die every day of hunger or hunger-related causes, according to the United Nations. According to UNICEF, 26,500-30,000 children die each day due to poverty.  Whether the UN or UNICEF is accurate, the statistics are overwhelming.

With improvements in education, healthcare, nutrition, and legislation, we can begin to reduce poverty.  We can all make a difference with how and where we spend our money, who we vote for, and what we do with our time. For those who are interested, there are great organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Oxfam International, ONE, and CARE with which you can get involved.

Let’s make poverty history.

Blog Action Day 2008

I am selling this hip lil’ loveseat.  If you’re in the St. Louis area, contact me!

In other news… I am having trouble moderating comments right now, so keep commenting and when the host gets the commenting fixed I will approve them all!

Sometimes I come across blogs that are simply outstanding. These may or may not belong to friends of mine. I want to point out a couple of these blogs:

Blogography is a great blog. The author, Dave, is snarky, interesting, and creative. I became a fan initially because of the great illustrations, a shared appreciation of bulleted lists, and his sense of humor. I have stayed a reader because, well, Dave is awesome. I was lucky enough to meet him this summer.  I look forward to the next time I get to sit and talk with him. Check out his blog and find out for yourself just how fantastic his blog (and he) is.

The Beau Kind is another great blog. This is a blog that offers explicit honesty, some naughtiness, and great writing. “The Beau Kind” is one of my favorite people, because of his authentic spirit and absolute honesty, and I have been truly impressed with his writing. Check out his blog for yourself and get to know a bit of “The Beau Kind” for yourself, with the wee warning that some “adult” [written] content is present within.

I need to figure out how to get a header back onto the ol’ blog, but I am loving this new theme! What do YOU think? :)

This weekend was Dave Louis. Dave Louis was a meet-up surrounding a visit from Dave of Blogography blog fame. I was lucky enough to meet Dave the Thursday of his arrival. We went to dinner at Duff’s, well-known for its fab vegetarian offerings and excellent beer selection. I very much enjoyed getting to know Dave in a way that one cannot get to know someone through his or her blog. I find Dave to be a passionate, intelligent, spiritual, and hilarious individual. He’s cute too! (smile)

The “main event” of Dave Louis weekend took place Saturday at Blueberry Hill on Delmar. Dave brought badges, flair, and Blogography playing cards for us, which was extremely generous of him! I met other bloggers: Ajooja, who won the contest that brought Dave to St. Louis; the blogger for Queen of Mediocretia; Justin of the blog Just Justin; and Sarah of S-Pants. I also met two non-bloggers, one who shall not be named (“Mystery Girl” in the pics) and Carlos, a long-time commenter of Blogography evidently. Everyone was very nice. It was a diverse group, which made for enjoyable conversation and lots of laughs.

After Blueberry Hill we took a trip to Ted Drewes for a St. Louis-infamous treat of frozen custard. Dave seemed to enjoy his caramel sundae quite a lot. We had some excitement while there at Ted Drewes. A woman passed out and an ambulance showed up to help out. Classic cars came cruising through the parking lot. Many old people knew nothing of parking. We ended the evening at an early hour since Dave had to be on a flight at 6 a.m.

See more pictures here.

A response to an anonymous individual of my past here.

My “About the Author” page disappeared when I attempted to update WordPress versions. Yeah I am tech stupid and no I have had NO time to work on it further (perhaps Saturday…).¬† So until I get that dealt with I have a new About the Author bare bones page here.

(Frustrated beyond words at technology and its complicated ways).

I am on my way to Cozumel, Mexico, as you read this. I have some lovely guest bloggers writing in my place, though, so keep reading in coming days. I will return to blog for my wonderful readers around May 17th.