Trent Does a Good Deed! (And Will Probably Be Punished for It)

Okay, we can get out of haiku mode now. Unless you want to continue.

So if you keep up with Trent's Twitter, you are probably aware that he intends to be slightly less omnipresent online, due to the well-documented fact that his fans are assholes. But what I love about Trent is that, even with the constant online harassment, he still has faith in our better natures.

Trent has taken up the cause of Eric De La Cruz, who is in critical need of a heart transplant and is getting jerked around by the travesty known as U.S. health care. You can read more about Eric here, here, and here.

What Trent has decided to do is really pretty awesome. TR sez:

"Here's what we're offering - three options:

If you have a ticket to a NIN/JA show: if you donate $1,000 to this cause, we'll invite you to come hang out with us before the NIN/JA show of your choice. You and a guest can watch soundcheck, eat dinner backstage with us, take pics / get autographs and watch the show from the side of the stage if you'd like.

If you donate $300, you and a friend can join us for soundcheck and a handshaking / hug session before doors open at the NIN/JA show of your choice.

If you do NOT have a ticket to a NIN/JA show: if you donate $1,200 to this cause, we'll invite you to come hang out with us before the NIN/JA show of your choice and provide 2 tickets (best available). You and a guest can watch soundcheck, eat dinner backstage with us, take pics / get autographs and watch the show from the side of the stage if you'd like.

100% of the money collected from this will go directly to Eric's fund."

Currently, this deal is for North American NINJA tour dates, but it sounds like Trent is considering opening this up for European shows as well? Stay tuned!

If you don't have a lot of cash to spare, I do encourage you to do pick the "I want to help" option and donate $10 to this cause, as Eric's need is life-threatening and urgent.

Iris, Mr. Iris, Ro, and I have decided to go in on the slightly cheaper option, so Trent will be plagued by our presence at an upcoming soundcheck! I'm sure that my personal encounter with him will go something like this:

Maise: Hi, Trent.
Trent: Hi.
Maise: Thank you for doing this.
Trent: Thank you.
Maise: Um, I wrote you some haikus while waiting in line.
Trent: (looking for a garbage can) Uh, okay.
Maise: (calling after Trent who is walking away) IT'S ME, TRENT! IT'S MAISE! MAISE!
Trent: Um, security?

So let's build up a LOT of excitement for this special Places Parallel encounter, as I'm sure the actual meeting will be the most anti-climactic thing ever.

Oh, and if you too are hanging out backstage or at a soundcheck, we want to hear all about it!