A vent of sorts

When I was newly diagnosed, I heard about a young survivor group---which is very unusual for Breast Cancer and I was in dire need, (see early posts). The girls were fantastic, smart, and advocacy minded. There was also a twice monthly meeting in a room at a local hospital that was guided by a nurse. The other meetings were monthly and consisted of going to a girl's house, drinking a glass of wine, having a little nibble, and discussing issues about BC. The gal who started it is feisty adn SMART and young. She was a real beacon for me, she had navigated the world of cancer uninsured and was on her way to being an advocate (politically correct term for Activist). Young Empowered Survivors-YES was growing and soon she realized it was time to pass the torch so she could get on with tackling the big issues.

Sadly, a year and a half later it has become a twisted form of the Junior League, with censorship and pink ribbons all over the place. Once again proving that: It's not the WHAT, it's the WHO.

Last week, I attended the Colorado Cancer Coalition's yearly conference. We were trying t get everyone on board about the Bill we got passed last year to put a check-off program on the Income tax form for :
The Colorado Breast and Women's Reproductive Cancers Fund. We passed around big cowboy boots to try and get people to donate "Kick-off for the Check-off". We earned $300, which will help with basics, such as making copies, etc...Talk about grassroots, there are about 4 of us trying to make it all fly.

I can't believe that I live in a society that spends the same amount on TWO WEEKS in Iraq fighting as it does for the entire YEAR for cancer reseach.
Shame on you, George Bush.

I realize this is disjointed, but if I have to read my own writing more than once, forget it.

Question Authority

Last week, I attended an award ceremony at the Governor's mansion. The awards were from the Colorado Lawmakers Association and were being given to 3 State Representatives for their work on Health Bills. I belong to a Breast cancer Task Force which joined up with the Ovarian cancer coalition to pass a Bill to put a Check-Off program on the Income Tax form to fund education, screenign and treatment for un and under-insured women in rural areas.

Anywhooooo, I ran into my district Representative and thanked her for her help as she sat on a committee we testified in front of. She was not receiving an award but made sure to tell me, "Well, I sponsored the Breast Cancer license plate." I think she expected me to gush or thank her for the stupidest piece of legislation ever put forth. I acted super naive and said " Oh, does that give funds to breast cancer programs in the state?" She quickly backtracked, " Well...no ....but the parameters were already set when the Bill was brought to me. And people can donate money when they buy the licence plate."
I asked excitedly, as if I didn't know the answer, " And have you tracked how much money has been donated through the plates?"

"No" and off she went, VERY quickly.

All I could think was GREAT, it helps no one, but makes the average joe feel like they are doing something to help end breast cancer. Pink ribbon stupidity, AAAARGH.

New Careers....

I am always fascinated by what people do for a living. OK, not the money market manager type but the ones who have found their passion or at least do something weird.
I have had several different incarnations on the job scene: English teacher in Japan, working for a clothing designer, silversmith/jeweler, Production Coordinator on BAD B movies in LA, I sold advertising for a newspaper and then for a National magazine, upholsterer, Internet marketing advisor........blah blah blah. I love learning new things and would absolutely go into a medical field except that I gag at the sight or smell of anything remotely gross.

Years ago, I had myself convinced that I would use a pseudonym and write Harlequin novels. No one would know, and it would supplement my income. They have very specific formulas for every genre of book that they publish.
www.eharlequin.com/articlepage.html?articleId=539&chapter=0

The only problem that I can see is that I can't even make myself blog with any regularity----how the Hell can I write a book?

Guilt induced Blogging

All right, Senor Don gato, I will rise to the challenge. It is supposedly National Blogging month or some such tripe and it is the month to actually post something. Don't expect much as I find it difficult to write unless I am in a tizzy about something. So to take up some space, here is a little pic. A friend of mine swears all girls should pouf up their hair on top for volume-not mall hair, but a little oomph-so this is for Margot.



I told you it was going to be boring.