Gmail Charity HyperDrive!

You want a Gmail account and you want to contribute money to a worthy cause, you say? Your lucky day, my friend.

As a precursor, let me say that I can only identify two solid reasons why a human being should run—you know, move your legs real fast, like a hunter-gatherer or whatever—in the 21st century: 1) An evildoer is chasing you, and the cost-benefit analysis tips toward flight, or 2) It somehow raises money for less fortunate folks. Though suspicious for her penchant for running under conditions outside of these two acceptable scenarios, Catherine of Zunta fame is running for the forces of light in October. She's entered herself in the Marine Corps Marathon, a whopping 26.2-mile run that likely violates several tenets of the Geneva Conventions, and proceeds from her physical destruction go to the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her mother was treated for cancer at the Lombardi Center, so no one can tell you as well as she can about what good work they do.

However, to enter this visible marathon, Catherine needs to raise $2,000—no small feat.

For my part, I'm trying to harnass the incredible market potential of G.p to send a little scrilla her way. I have 3 totally hott Gmail account invitations that I'm going to auction off here as an incentive for you to donate. If you don't know, Gmail's great, look around, lots of folks talking about it, and you're not going to get one publicly for a while.

I figure the best way to hold a blauction is through comments. (Feel free to email me if you prefer, whatever.) Minimum bid for each is set at $10, and, just to keep it interesting, I'll match the total amount of the sales. So if maybe helping people out isn't your thing but realizing my financial ruin sounds intriguing, have at. Auction ends Monday at 5pm EST; highest three bids win. I'll announce the winners, who can contribute $$ through a variety of means listed at Catherine's site. Then I'll send your invite and you'll be well on your way to the upper eschelons of nerd delight, and better off in Heaven's estimation to boot.

So dig deep, drink a couple fewer fancy mo-jitos this weekend, skip out on that ecodisaster flick you've been thinking about seeing, and help Catherine pay to run a bajillion miles. Of course if you don't want a Gmail account, donate for that warm feeling you'll get, you Good Samaritan you. And if you're a blogger, and I know you are, do Catherine or me the kind favor of a humble link on your estimable site. Cheers!

UPDATE: No takers? Well do consider a donation to Catherine's cause if you're a regular reader there (or here). We're like fam. In the meantime, I have all these gmail accounts. . .