Wednesday March 18th was difficult for me to concentrate on much of anything because I truly did feel as if my family had left me. It's absolutely unbelievable how close I feel to almost anyone involved with Invisible Children, but it's true nonetheless. We are fully and completely family by a bond none of us understands.
The remainder of the week was fairly uneventful, except for taking (and passing) my film class midterm on Thursday and learning an exam question during my Friday morning biology class since only 40 or so were present. Our reward for coming to class.
That weekend, the three possible trips I had planned never came to fruition. San Diego was too expensive. Cape Girardo/SEMO was "impossible" since that was a far drive for a roadtrip [see Rescue Riding post later] and Alyssa was in Florida anyway. Texas simply never happened. Instead, my family took a weekend trip to Arkansas and arrived back home on Monday night.
I had begun working on The Rescue by this point and was looking for some dedicated volunteers. I was put in contact with Lindy Bateman--a Mizzou student who was taking a semester at home and taking classes at St. Charles Community College, or something of the sort. Turns out she is friends with Melanie Barnes, a Nerinx graduate who was also on my field hockey team. Lindy and her friend Sarah Schulte were planning a House Party screening at a coffee shop in old town St. Charles, right on Main Street. Since no one was coming to my house for the house party screening, I gladly drove out to one of the cutest streets in St. Charles.
March 25th dawned bright and early for me. I had stayed up to see the release of The Rescue podcast (which I would be seeing later at the House Party anyway). It didn't come out on time, in true IC fashion. I love this organization, but time is not exactly their priority always. Regardless, around 3am I fell asleep and awoke at 7:00 to watch the now-uploaded podcast. The revamped Rescue site looked fantastic! The Rescue video was stirring to say the least and I was fired up, and ready for The Rescue event now!
But I had problems with the video. I still didn't know what it meant to "abduct ourselves." I still had no idea what participating in The Rescue would mean. I didn't know how structured an event this was going to be. I had no clue whether or not I would have help, since I certainly did not think I could do this on my own. Looking back on the event now, I could have run it on my own, but it would not have been a fraction of the success story it was. Most importantly, the video did not tell me anything I didn't already know. I felt slightly deceived by it.
For weeks it had been advertised as the video to answer all of our Rescue questions. As someone planning the event, I was wholly unsatisfied. That didn't sink in until later, though, so I went about my day as usual.
The House Party event was at 7 that night. Laura Thal showed up to my house around 6:15 so we could drive out to St. Charles together. She came early, so we found a place to park off Main Street (more difficult than it sounds) and then went to get her some dinner. She'd just gotten off work or back from Hebrew School--can't remember which.
With McDonalds in hand, Laura and I returned to Picasso's Coffee House and went inside to a bunch of strangers. We set up camp at a small table along the wall, clearly not in view of the screen and projector. Stupid. I ordered some of the most delicious coffee ever and the barrista even made a little heart out of the foam on top! Totally worth the outrageous price I paid just for that.
Well after 7 Sarah Schulte, quite possibly one of the cutest girls you'll ever meet, stood up in front of the group and called them all over to the upper area of the coffee house so we could all watch the House Party podcast. She explained a bit about Invisible Children and maybe even about The Rescue, but at that point, no one knew much of anything about the event. Not even me. I was getting my coffee at this point, so I didn't get to sit with the crowd, but I had already seen it and wasn't that disappointed, really.
Everyone was captivated. I think that's the best part of being a screener, rather than the one watching the screened film. Watching people's reactions is so rewarding.
After the film had ended, I went over and introduced myself to Sarah and to Lindy Bateman. I'd been in contact with both of them for a few days if not a few weeks, but had never met either. I also got to meet Sarah's sister, who had recently been registered as a First Responder and was so excited about it! Very cute, I'll admit. She volunteered to be part of the first aid committee at The Rescue. Check!
I owe so much to those two girls. While I was in Columbia trying to organize the volunteers and hte item acquisition, they were in St. Louis actually pulling it all together for me. I wish I could thank them more than I already have, but I don't know how, really. Hang out time soon?
We talked about St. Louis police and how I had yet to find an "in" downtown in the SLPD. They promised to keep their eyes and ears open for any mention of friends or family members that worked in the downtown police force. They never found any, but I guarantee it wouldn't have helped any. Turns out I'm related to a police Lieutenant, and that did very little for me. Stupid corruption. More on that to come.
Laura and I drove back to my house, discussing my disappointment with the film and her general interest in the cause and the moviemaking and The Rescue. I was happy with the turnout at the House Party--I'd only expected maybe 10 people there! And this was the beginning of the biggest chapter of the semester...
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