Back to the Red Carpet: Sex Trafficking and Streamys

The post I started yesterday -- which was about how easy it is to become overextended -- never got finished. All of my obligations have come due at once and I found myself overwhelmed in a sea of email, obligations and pet-related duties.

OK, that's not entirely true. It was a beautiful day, my husband was working downtown and he was free for lunch. I took a couple of hours off to play hooky.

It was worth it - but I'm paying the piper now.

I guess I could not get enough of the red carpet at the Academy Awards last month: On Sunday, I'll be reporting live from another red carpet --  at the esteemed Streamys.

What? You've never heard of the Streamy Awards, honoring achievement in web-based television? Neither had I -- and neither of us should feel too badly about that, as this is only their second year. But online television is rapidly becoming a force to be reckoned with. I was surprised when perusing the nominated programs at how professional they all look... not to mention how many of the actors I'd recognized. Last year's big winner was Neil Patrick Harris. This year's nominees include Tony Hale ("Arrested Development," "Chuck"), Zack Galifianakis ("The Hangover"), Ileana Douglas (who's been in like, EVERYTHING), and Justine Bateman and Lisa Kudrow (do I have to tell you where THEY'VE been?)

As this is the web, it should be a lot looser, funkier and more FUN than the Oscar experience, and I'm expecting to have a good time. And - thanks to my friends at Kodak (who, once again, are sponsoring), I'm going to be giving away a really cool prize in honor of the event. (TUNE IN TOMORROW FOR DETAILS... in the meantime, if you haven't already entered the drawing for the popcorn popper on my review site, PLEASE do so NOW! I'll be announcing a winner on Monday.)

If that was the only thing on my plate this week, it would be enough. After all, I have to get red carpet ready -- or at least, as ready as I can, considering it's been months since I've colored my hair and I don't think I can find the time for that before Sunday. I should at least try to get a manicure in, don't you think?

Right now, I'm wishing I had the bucks to pay Mary Gene, the makeup artist who made Sweatpants Mom and me look beautiful for the Academy Awards. I'm presuming that the folks at Kodak know that I'm a 53-year-old housewife from the Valley (and not some hipster), so they probably won't be surprised when I show up there looking like... well, me.

I'll be dressing up again for another red carpet on Thursday night, when I'll be tweeting live from a fabulous chocolate and champagne event that's raising funds and awareness for an organization that's working to eradicate a very serious problem: human sex trafficking. (You were probably wondering when I was getting around to that, right?)

FAIR Fund, a D.C. based international nonprofit preventing human trafficking and sexual violence in the lives of youth, especially girls, around the world. FAIR Fund builds the capacity of communities to better identify and assist youth who are at high risk or have been exploited via human trafficking and sexual violence. FAIR Fund has active programs in the United States, Bosnia, Serbia, Russia, and Uganda. There are over 200,000 children right here in the US being trafficked for sex every day!

That's a chilling statistic. I've read plenty of news accounts about women who were enslaved and forced to be part of the sex trade, and it horrifies me. But after I've shuddered at the news and thanked God it's not my daughter, I go on living my life -- because how can one individual help these young people?

One individual can't - but an organization can.

I don't give a lot to the community. It's not just because I'm selfish (although I am). It's just the fact that simply living my ordinary life often leaves me feeling overwhelmed (I am still trying to figure out how to get everything done with the added responsibility of being a dog owner. I'm serious). I'm reluctant to make commitments because I'm afraid I won't be able to deliver, because the kind of tasks that are usually asked of moms who volunteer are things I suck at. (You know what I mean: negotiating freebies for silent auctions, doing crafts, being nice to people...)

But the FAIR Fund tasked me with something I am sort of good at: They asked me to blog. And tweet. And help spread the word about what they are trying to do.

So here we are.

The timing isn't great -- but it rarely is. Hence, this slightly schizophrenic post. I'll have more to say about the FAIR Fund and the work they do -- once I've had my glam fun at the Streamys. In the meantime, if you live in Los Angeles and want to mingle with celebrities (and me!) while raising funds and awareness for a really good cause, affordable tickets are still available for the FAIR Fund's Chocolate and Champagne event - click here for details.

DISCLOSURE: I have not received any monetary compensation from any of the companies or organizations mentioned in this post. Kodak is sending me product to use at the Streamy Awards.

Comments

[Liz@ThisFullHouse]

Oooooh, sounds like fun - you get to go to all the cool events and yes, I realize that you live in LA, still -- looking forward to reading more!

[Jeannine]

As a new and big supporter of FAIR Fund and this event... thank you for your support and help.

Best
Jeannine