Please give what you can to fight MD this weekend.

I fully realize that some of you -- hell, too damn many people I know, including my own partner singing_phoenix -- strongly disapprove. I don't care. I'm quite thoroughly sick and tired of having to apologize for wanting to help people in need...and for asking others to do likewise.

Tonight the Jerry Lewis Telethon begins its annual 21.5-hour televised drive to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Whether or not you approve of the way the show depicts people with MD, ALS, sickle cell anemia, or any of the other 37 neuromuscular diseases for which MDA provides patient care and services, research and treatments; whether or not you dislike the entertainment presented; whether or not you approve of Mr. Lewis' sometimes regrettable personal remarks and behavior outside of the show; the fact remains that the cause itself is worth supporting. Please consider tuning in if it's convenient for you at some point in the next day or so... and making a pledge. I've been a supporter of MDA and the Telethon since childhood, and I'm not stopping until these diseases are gone forever. Yes, cancer and AIDS and MS and all the others must be fought, and the Katrina/Rita recovery effort still needs help, but this fight matters too.

I'm pledging $20 and hereby challenge all other science fiction and fantasy fans to match or better it. I know not all of "Jerry's Kids" see themselves as being so (and I admit they do have some valid concerns)...but please don't deny the ones who want and need MDA's help just because you hate the messenger. Don't give 'til it hurts...give 'til it helps. Thank you.

Live from Dragon*Con, Day 3

Had some good times last night. Heather Alexander did her usual show, which is to say an hour of hilarious patter and story-telling about the geneses of her songs (an awful lot seem to be inspired by her various household livestock, including chickens, a parrot, a dog and a cat) mixed in with virtuosa fiddle- and guitar-slinging and singing that makes me all "ohmyfreakingghodwhydoIevenbotherI'llneverinamillenniumbethatgood" inside. I like to think of her as the Melissa Etheridge of filk (mainly for her style, not her personal proclivities, of which I have no clue). Then right after, The Great lukeski emceed (E=mc2'ed?) and performed in "Dementia Live 2006," a show that featured filkertom, wormquartet, Sudden Death and the Brobdingnagian Bards and cameo appearances by the Boogie Knights among others.

This afternoon, Emerald Rose shook all the load-bearing members in the main programming level of the Hyatt with their loud and energetic brand of Celtic-rock for half an hour or so. out in the exhibit-hall performance stage area. On tap tonight: the Masquerade and 2nd shows by Tom and the Knights, and the latter have promised their sidesplitting parody of ER's Goddess-worship hit "Freya, Shakti" will end the set. Here's a hint: the chorus of the Knights' version is "Happy, Grumpy, Sneezy and Sleepy / Dopey, Doc and Bashful too..." Also more open filk. Bob Asprin has been showing up and doing his usual job of impressing the newbies and revolting the ladies, and other talented people as well as the Knights and a few GAFIAns have been present. Bravissima to D*C filk honcho Teri Wachowiak for working mighty hard to give us such a killer filk track.