When I lived in London, countless fantastic and unique entertainment opportunities would make their way to my lap – a secret private gig from Eddie Izzard, two tickets to a black-tie premiere attended by Prince Charles that was so exclusive, guests had to be pre-vetted by MI5, that kind of thing. And time and time again, I’d call all my friends, and they’d all regretfully inform me that they were just too busy/tired/bored/not interested to go along.

I’ve just done the same forlorn exercise again in an attempt to rustle up interest in a Q&A with a TV genius here, and had absolutely zero interest. One of my friends was busy with his mother – who doesn’t exactly live that far away.

Are people always way too busy with the minutae of their lives to go and do something more interesting? Or is it my asking technique?

In Hurricane Katrina, you have one of the biggest disasters in American history. Rumours of 10,000 people dead.

So the natural inclination is to look on horrified, and donate money. Preferably without any self-regard or attempt for publicity.

Not unless you’re tribe.net. In their generosity, they’re promising to donate $1 (60p) if … and get this … you recommend someone else to join tribe.net. Gosh golly, how generous of them. We’ll donate – but only if you artificially inflate our numbers. Surprised they’re not down in New Orleans advertising their offer on billboard with floating bodies around them.

This attitude – we’ll only help if it helps us – is probably what led to the temporary downfall of New Orleans in the first place. And the election of Bush, which encouraged global warming, which led to bigger hurricanes…

Batten down your hatches next year, Swansea residents. worldmegan has won the American Eisteddfod, and will be in Swansea for August 2006. Woo!

While it’s exceedingly easy for me (an amateur, 6000+ miles away in front of an internet terminal) to point out some of the huge absurdities in what’s going on in New Orleans, I’m rather worried about the sudden emphasis to concentrate on law and order instead of rescue. In other words, instead of trying to rescue people and get them out of New Orleans, to patrol the streets and stop armed looters/desperate people from robbing stores.

Especially when, in the same day, someone was apparently asking journalists and policemen: “Can you help me? I need to save the lives of 60 women.” – and none of the police appeared to be listening.

Is this a case of screwed-up priorities or hard realities?