Note to Self: ALWAYS go to DC for Advocacy and Lobby Day!!

I have finally decompressed from my trip to Washington DC and I am beyond glad that I went and must always remind myself that this is the big show and why I am involved.

I fllew in on Wednesday the 23rd in order to visit my friend and her husband in Arlington. I usually grab a bike and boogie around for a couple days seeing memorials and museums but I just didn't have the juice for it this year. But I am very happy to say I got to go to IKEA and Trader Joes-both of which I miss from my California days and we have neither in Colorado. I also hit Shoefly, very cute shoes and inexpensive to boot. I loves me some shoes. I needed to get my shallow consumer buzz in before I hit the earnest business of breast cancer advocacy.

My freinds had a little boy in October so it was great to meet the little Jack and impress upon him the fun of making motorboat sounds. He is dreamy.

Our hotel was the Renaissance on 9th St so it was central and easy. Last year we were in Crystal City and it was a drag, like staying in a mall or business park.
The 3 day advocacy training was interesting and I paced myself so I didn't hit burnout level and if I got overwhelmed, I went swimming in the pool. I only went once as it was pretty murky and that can't mean anything good. We had one plenary that had a representative from Clinton, Obama, and McCain each to discuss their plans for health care. The woman from the Obama camp was incredible-she is a Dr. and works for Ted Kennedy. She raised the bar and realized that she was speaking to 725 women and men who KNOW breast cancer and the science involved. I wish she was running for office. She got a standing ovation for her presentation. She gets the big picture view. Clinton's rep was her domestic policy advisor, shich doesn't bode well for the charisma factor alone. She was clearly smart but I have some reservations. McCain's rep would really not talk in realistic terms because she said that McCain was revealing his Health Care plan the next Day on National TV. BFD, I say. As if we are going to leak it to someone. She said he would be giving rebates in the form of $2500 a year for each person to spend on their choice of healthcare. WOW, a whopping 2500. That would almost cover the gas and parking for one year of a person living with Cancer's appointments. She kept saying it would put the control back in the hands of the people. I don't get it and she looked like Linda Tripp. The main gist was that no matter who wins the election, it is going to be a long slow process. I will write about the Lobby Day later......it is too nice outside.