Caffeinated Clint
This time last week the biggest problem on my end was wondering whether the money was going to come through for our latest film production…
…. this week, five of my friends (not to mention thousands of fellow Aussies) are buried under ash.
We’ve just experienced an event I seriously fucking hope, pray to god, we never have to endure again. Not that there’s much less to destroy.
But first things first…
I’d like to take this opportunity – though I will bring it up again when I have more time, not to mention find it easier to talk about – to thank everyone for their support this week. I truly can’t believe how many phone calls, emails… facebook messages (!) I’ve received from you all asking if we’ve out of harm’s way. So thanks.
I knew these bushfires were severe as soon as I started receiving calls from folks in L.A – like my good friend Eric Stoltz, who has checked in daily – who told me that the major news channels in the states, also England, and everywhere else around the world for that matter, were running the bushfires on their news bulletins.
The fire’s GPS had our suburb programmed in a fortnight ago. It was a close one. You know what? I think I would’ve rathered that bastard ball of flames took my home, car and rose garden than my friends.
Yes, unfortunately, many of our pals – and good friends of that – have been lost in the fire. I can’t describe how saddened…depressed…shocked I am by the events of the week. I realize that everybody’s hurting right now, and because of that I’m not going to dwell on my own personal losses, but you just won’t believe how messed up I am right now – I haven’t slept, not even eating that much; I’m just not the ‘Caffeinated Clint’ you all know me best as. It’s only been six days, and I miss my friends dearly. And I’ll never forgive myself for ‘postponing’ my catch-up lunch with one of them.
I just hope they’re in a better place – and no longer in pain. I can’t even write any more about them… at this time anyway.
It’s just a really terrible time… and talking about movies, television, and transformers toys just seems wrong… it’s amazing how insignificant certain things appear in such circumstances.
But the main reason I wanted to write this bit is to ask you all – and that includes everyone out of Australia – to please donate something to those that have lost their homes in these awful fires. They really do need your help. Nothing can be done for my friends, they’re gone, but there’s still plenty of people that survived the fires and DO need your help – so please, even if it’s just a dollar, please give.
Here’s the link to donate :
http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/services_emergencyservices_victorian-bushfires-appeal-2009.htm
Things are not over – not by a bloody long shot. Two huge fires threaten to merge, temperatures are set to rise again, and the casualty count, currently at 181, is expected to increase… so please keep safe everyone.
Will keep you all updated.
