Burnt.

I have not been directly affected by the apocalyptic bushfires. I'm here in the safety of my home in the big city, dealing with all the usual life goes on crap. But like most of us in this situation I feel as if my guts are being rotted by the ongoing horror of it all. It gets worse every day. First it was the rising death toll, then we began to see the faces of those who perished and hear the stories of those who survived.

We gave money, but it doesn't feel like enough. I plan to hold off on grocery shopping till Friday because Coles Supermarkets will donate all profits from that day to the Bushfire Appeal. And we rang our doctor to see if Fixit and I, despite our various disorders, were eligible to give blood. We're not, of course, and really I knew we wouldn't be, but it just seemed to be the best thing I could give after money. That's how this disaster makes you feel; like you want to give your own insides to help.

Other wannabe blood-givers can register here.