Emptybottle.org

Just to warn anybody else: The animated infographic turns to the stuff of nightmares. Don't go there if you don't have to. stavros, please: Most of us can't be there in person. Have you any links or real-mail addresses where we could send money that would help the folks who were hurt in Bali?

Thanks Chris for all the work on this site which has helped to keep me (and so many others I'm sure) up to date on Rick's situation. Ever since I got THE email from you last night I've been thinking about Rick constantly. There's a whole lot of people here feeling for Rick - friends, workmates, my Mom and Keith. We're all thinking of him big time and sending him our best wishes. I want to say something lighthearted - something that I know would make Rick chuckle as he does but it doesn't seem quite appropriate at this moment. Really looking forward to breathing that sigh of relief. I am planning to fly to Melbourne on Monday if I can get a ticket sorted out tomorrow. Will keep you updated. Thanks again Skip

I went back to the hospital late this afternoon to try and catch up with Rick's Father. Unfortunately I missed him. The nurse said she had given him my details and I guess he will call me tomorrow. He would have been pretty tired and overwhelmed from the flight/hospital etc. Rick was back in surgery this afternoon for what I was told was a minor procedure. I will visit again tomorrow morning.

Nothing to say except to send my best wishes to you, Chris. And for what it's worth, hopes for your friend's recovery.

This article about Rick appeared in today's Province newspaper. Parents at bedside of son injured in Bali explosion Thursday, October 17, 2002 BALI -- On Friday Rick Gleason wrote e-mails from here to his former Lower Mainland co-workers. "Life is wonderful," he said of the bars, beach and laid-back lifestyle in a holiday escape from his hectic job as a financial adviser. On Saturday he was caught in the bomb blast that rocked the resort town, killing nearly 200 people. Today, the amicable Gleason, 38, is listed in critical condition in a Melbourne, Australia, hospital. Ralph Gutterman, Gleason's supervisor at Ethical Funds Inc. where he worked for about 11/2 years until last month, had nothing but praise for Gleason. "I enjoyed having him around the office," said Gutterman, adding that Gleason had left the firm to look for more opportunities in Toronto, but first was seeking a holiday. "He was going to take a little bit of time and do some travelling. He was an adventurer type. "He was a good kid." Gleason's sister Roanna said from Calgary that his mother and father were both expected to be at his bedside by last night. Meanwhile, the large family of six children is "holding it together, burning up the lines on e-mail." Roanna, 22, said she looked up to her older brother, who holds four degress and speaks five languages. He spent some of his youth in the Yukon, where Roanna stills lives. "He's an awesome idol. It's been awesome looking up to him as we were growing up." Gleason is not married and was travelling by himself in Bali. Meanwhile, the country has seen a flood of holidayers cancelling their trips and fleeing home. But not all Canadians were in a hurry to return home. Mary and David Green of Mission felt the explosion at their hotel some five kilometres from the site of the attack. They considered heading straight back to Canada but decided they'd be safe as long as they stayed away from crowded areas. "There's no way we'll be going to busy restaurants or bars," said David, a teacher. "We realized that this can happen anywhere in the world now," added Mary, a supervisor with the Ministry of Human Resources. "It can happen if you go to Athens. It can happen if you go to Egypt. That's the new reality." Most other Canadians they've met during their stay have also refused to let the terrorists spoil their vacation plans. However, the Greens met a couple from Burnaby who had walked past the Sari Club just an hour before the bomb went off. They were intending to book a flight home as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the CIA issued a warning about a potential terror threat to Bali but no action was taken, a U.S. intelligence source told the British newspaper The Guardian last night. "It mentioned five or six potential targets, including -- specifically -- Bali," the source. © Copyright 2002 The Province

i'd like to rephrase my thoughts from yesterday. it's amazing how small the world really is. thanks to the internet, we've been able to put a real, human face on the tragedy that occured in bali. i wouldn't hesitate to say this would be near impossible a few years ago. i am so grateful to all the people who've decided to become active members of this community by sharing their thoughts and hopes and fears. this is truly amazing, and reinforces (to me anyway) the fact that we all really are living in one community: the world community. what happens on the other side of the earth surely effects all of us, and incidents like this really drive that point home.

Rick's Father just faxed me a press release. The important parts of which follow; Rick was the first patient to arrive at The Alfred and is understood to be considered as one of the five most critical of all the patients airlifted to Australia. He has received burns to 45% of his body and also serious injuries to his lungs, head and various other organs. He has had several operations already including skin grafts, and is expected to have more. It is anticipated that he will be in hospital at The Alfred for 2 to 3 months, before returning to Canada for treatment. The rest is fairly generic. Rick's father left me a message saying he would call me later today.

On Monday I will be on my way to Melbourne to be closer to Rick for a few days. Skip (Auckland,NZ)

I love you Rick and I'm praying for you. Love the youngest (as Rick would say) of the Gleason Spawn, Mel

Dear Rick, My heart is out to you these days. The whole family is praying for you. We grew up together as kids in Whitehorse and had many great times together. The extended family sendslove and support to you and know that your a fighter. We will see you soon, so take care cousin. Love Heather

Rick has been a friend since we first met at UBC. My thoughts are with Rick, his family and all his great pals out there. Thanks Chris for all the updates.