Before I launch into my Tag answers...in college I decided to take kayaking. It was in an indoor weird pool and it ended up being me and about 20 huge ROTC guys. The ROTC thing was weird anyway because this was in Boulder, Colorado not exactly a bastion of pro-militarism, anywhoo. So in the class we leaned how to maneuver and roll by playing tag which consisted of touching the front of your kayak to another kayak. I would wipe out, and laugh hysterically and I was pretty much "IT" for the entire semester. I would be strolling across campus and out of nowhere would come the random shout....."it!!" Those ROTC guys found me out of 20,000 people and they were relentless. I am so glad I am not in the military.
Cenci tagged me so here goes:
The rules:Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.
What was I doing ten years ago?
I was quasi miserable over some guy, just got back from Peru, was working at the newspaper in Aspen and saving up for a big trip to India. Constantly trying to figure out if I should move.
What are five (non-work) things on my to-do list for today?
1 Clean up broken outdoor lamp that the bear broke
2 Walk/Feed Nell the Wonder Dog
3 Check on 2 friends who are going through chemo
4 Swim laps
5 Go to cocktail party to see old co-workers
Five snacks I enjoy:
1 Avocado- in almost any form but love guacamole
2 Cheese and crackers and olives and pickles
3 carrots and cucumbers
4 strawberries and blueberries
5 a perfect peach in August
Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Take care of the family and certain friends
Tackle some biggies: education, health care, displaced refugees.
Total world domination
Be a true citizen of the world
Shoes, shoes, shoes
Places I've lived: most recent first
Denver, CO
Sausalito, CA
London UK
Aspen CO
Los Angeles CA
Tokyo Japan
Sydney Australia
Jobs I've had:
Internet marketing manager
Advertising Sales
Upholsterer
Commercial Production Coordinator
Production Assistant on BAD B movies
Art Department Assistant-music videos
Art Gallery Manager
English teacher
Tag, now you're it!
I will need some time to figure this out......
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
lack luster blogging until......
It has been awhile but I keep waiting for something interesting to happen. I have been in the mountains for a month and am trying/ planning on moving back here. I have been looking for a good job, housing, etc...
This morning, a friend came over for a cup of tea and she went out to her car for something and there was a bear in her car. She had left the window down about 15 inches and it got in there and ate her banana, and rooted around for other treats. Nell the Wonder Dog was flipping out and I opened the house windows and did my best cowboy whistle and the bear crawled back out the window.
Nature, what can you do?
This morning, a friend came over for a cup of tea and she went out to her car for something and there was a bear in her car. She had left the window down about 15 inches and it got in there and ate her banana, and rooted around for other treats. Nell the Wonder Dog was flipping out and I opened the house windows and did my best cowboy whistle and the bear crawled back out the window.
Nature, what can you do?
Saturday, May 3, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Here I go again.....
I was very much on the fence about going to DC this year to lobby with the NBCC and was heavily towards not going. I just want to BE, not be sad about the women who have died this year because of the disease, I am sick of being sad about it. And I have pretty much let it all go BUT.......I have been given so much information about breast cancer and the legislation that will help make a difference and it has come from SUCH passionate people that I just don't want to let anyone down. So, I head there in Wed. for a short visit with my London roomie in Arlington, and then 5 solid days of brain cramming info and getting fired up to go to the Hill and let my state Representatives exactly what I expect from them, being that they do work for us. But I am also reserving the right to leave a plenary session if I start getting overwhelmed, and go swimming in the hotel pool.
Last year, my roommate, a fellow young Survivor from Colorado, and I were given the task of being Team leaders. Sounds nebulous, unless you don't want to appear an idiot. A team leader takes about 4 others with her to the given appointments with the State Senator or Congressman and leads the discussion. You must know all about the piece of legislation for which you are asking support, and be able to answer questions. This year we are pushing for a new framework for Healthcare for All. I stayed up until 2:00 am last year trying to get all the Bills down, and how we managed to get 220 million out of the DOD, etc...I wanted to be confident when I went in that I wasn't talking out of my ass. It was great, and I washappy about how well it went but I was EXHAUSTED afterwards. And this year will be no different.
We do not wear pink ribbons, we do not want pity, we want action in the form of legislation to further better and more effective research. We want equal access to quality healthcare for all. We want politicians who want the same things.
I can't tell you how many offices I have been in where the Politician will say "But I did the Race For the Cure." Bully for you, do you know where their money goes?
See? I'm getting fired up already. Pink sucks, as does cancer.
I will absolutely go to the Hirschhorn Museum, a personal fave, and do my annual bike ride around the memorials. And check out the Dogwood blossoms-so beautiful.
Wish me luck and a few Zen moments.
Last year, my roommate, a fellow young Survivor from Colorado, and I were given the task of being Team leaders. Sounds nebulous, unless you don't want to appear an idiot. A team leader takes about 4 others with her to the given appointments with the State Senator or Congressman and leads the discussion. You must know all about the piece of legislation for which you are asking support, and be able to answer questions. This year we are pushing for a new framework for Healthcare for All. I stayed up until 2:00 am last year trying to get all the Bills down, and how we managed to get 220 million out of the DOD, etc...I wanted to be confident when I went in that I wasn't talking out of my ass. It was great, and I washappy about how well it went but I was EXHAUSTED afterwards. And this year will be no different.
We do not wear pink ribbons, we do not want pity, we want action in the form of legislation to further better and more effective research. We want equal access to quality healthcare for all. We want politicians who want the same things.
I can't tell you how many offices I have been in where the Politician will say "But I did the Race For the Cure." Bully for you, do you know where their money goes?
See? I'm getting fired up already. Pink sucks, as does cancer.
I will absolutely go to the Hirschhorn Museum, a personal fave, and do my annual bike ride around the memorials. And check out the Dogwood blossoms-so beautiful.
Wish me luck and a few Zen moments.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Lately.....
I have been trying to restructure things in my life. I am making exercise a larger priority and backing off of things I do out of guilt.
The MINUTE I think or write something along these lines......the Gods conspire to let me now I am not in control. I want to know who I am without the cancer label. It is largely self-imposed and difficult to explain.
So, I am making the effort to just be me, not me that had cancer. I want to continue doing my advocacy work but I am going to get involved only to the extent that I don't get burned out, as I am now. I don't have the energy to fundraise for our lobbying trip, I don't want to sit and talk about health care disparities for 3 days, I am not excited about it as I have always been in the past.
A week ago, I was ready to walk away completely......no more cancer, nothing. And then, BOOM! Two young women who were in my young survivor group passed away. They were both around 37, both had 3 kids, awful awful awful. This only reinforced my decision to get away from it. Three days later, TWO friends of mine were diagnosed with breast cancer. I wish I were unaware of this disease.
I swim. I am in training for a triathlon, not sure which one, but it all starts with swimming. It is the BEST! Anything that is weighing on me, after a couple laps.....it fades. I honestly can't picture me actually DOING the triathlon, but I am continuing to train in hopes that it may seem like a possibility soon. The thought of open water swims in May makes me laugh out loud...no effin WAY. But come May, I will probably be out there, swim cap and goggles on, squished into a wetsuit hopefully, and diving on in to the skanky lake. Baby steps.
The MINUTE I think or write something along these lines......the Gods conspire to let me now I am not in control. I want to know who I am without the cancer label. It is largely self-imposed and difficult to explain.
So, I am making the effort to just be me, not me that had cancer. I want to continue doing my advocacy work but I am going to get involved only to the extent that I don't get burned out, as I am now. I don't have the energy to fundraise for our lobbying trip, I don't want to sit and talk about health care disparities for 3 days, I am not excited about it as I have always been in the past.
A week ago, I was ready to walk away completely......no more cancer, nothing. And then, BOOM! Two young women who were in my young survivor group passed away. They were both around 37, both had 3 kids, awful awful awful. This only reinforced my decision to get away from it. Three days later, TWO friends of mine were diagnosed with breast cancer. I wish I were unaware of this disease.
I swim. I am in training for a triathlon, not sure which one, but it all starts with swimming. It is the BEST! Anything that is weighing on me, after a couple laps.....it fades. I honestly can't picture me actually DOING the triathlon, but I am continuing to train in hopes that it may seem like a possibility soon. The thought of open water swims in May makes me laugh out loud...no effin WAY. But come May, I will probably be out there, swim cap and goggles on, squished into a wetsuit hopefully, and diving on in to the skanky lake. Baby steps.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Treat Exercise Like A Term Paper....Guilt and Cram
My New Year's challenge to myself was to sign up for a group called CWW or Colorado Wild Women. I am not a joiner, especially of an all women group, (In college, my friends and I saw frats and sororities as something for the deeply uncool and insecure ,well.....that and I couldn't exactly smoke bong hits all day in one of those places now could I) but guilt is a big motivator and if I have to answer to someone for my exercise habits, I am more likely to do the actual exercise.
I have a strange but not uncommon, lingering result of my cancer and that is lymphedema in my arm. Primarily my hand. I had all my lymph nodes removed in my right arm which means that if I get an infection, bug bit, scratch, burn, carry grocery bags, etc, I am apt to have a reaction. The lymph system is not there to drain anything. I am trying to nip it in the bud before I become the person I freaked out on in the medical journals,,,,hellooooo elephantitus? I went to the hospital for my lymphatic massage which is MUCH more pleasant than it sounds. The PT wrapped my arm and I go back twice a week for 3 weeks to see how it works. I am currently attempting to type using my left thumb for the space bar instead of the right one. Doctor's orders.
I am terrified that I am going to go to the first day of training and realize that I am completely out of shape and I am going to get my ass kicked.
So I went to the park, cranked up The Clash on my Ipod and hoofed it for an hour hard in the balmy 7 degrees. Listening to "London's Burning" makes me realize that my youth was most certainly not misspent, but it was completely fantastic and I wouldn't change a thing. I then signed up at the gym and start panic swimming tomorrow.
I have a strange but not uncommon, lingering result of my cancer and that is lymphedema in my arm. Primarily my hand. I had all my lymph nodes removed in my right arm which means that if I get an infection, bug bit, scratch, burn, carry grocery bags, etc, I am apt to have a reaction. The lymph system is not there to drain anything. I am trying to nip it in the bud before I become the person I freaked out on in the medical journals,,,,hellooooo elephantitus? I went to the hospital for my lymphatic massage which is MUCH more pleasant than it sounds. The PT wrapped my arm and I go back twice a week for 3 weeks to see how it works. I am currently attempting to type using my left thumb for the space bar instead of the right one. Doctor's orders.
I am terrified that I am going to go to the first day of training and realize that I am completely out of shape and I am going to get my ass kicked.
So I went to the park, cranked up The Clash on my Ipod and hoofed it for an hour hard in the balmy 7 degrees. Listening to "London's Burning" makes me realize that my youth was most certainly not misspent, but it was completely fantastic and I wouldn't change a thing. I then signed up at the gym and start panic swimming tomorrow.
Friday, January 11, 2008
I have square eyes....
I have become completely obsessed with watching movies online for free. This is my pattern often. I find something and go nuts over it until I burn out and Voila----no mo. When I learned to play Solitaire in 6th grade, I kind of went crazy and played NON-STOP. Before school, after school until soccer, rush home and play until dinner, then play until bed. After 6 days, one of my sisters said she was going to kill me if I shuffled one more time. I was using the felt back of a wooden chess board as my surface and it was really loud but I like the loud drumming sound. Under pain of death from my sisters and brother, and them telling my Mom that I needed to go to the Doctor because clearly something was wrong with me, and parental threats....I just stopped. But I have done the same thing with the NY Times crossword puzzle in high school. And then for Xmas one year, my brother, as sort of a joke, gave me a battery operated little Yatzee with a card saying "Hour and hours of comariffic fun". Yes, I had been through a Yatzee phase at some point but this was just me and the machine, baby.
That thing was my pain and my pleasure. I would dream of dice combos. It was so stupid but I could NOT stop. Well, that thing got me through an 18 hour train ride in Peru, a 22 hour bus/ferry/train combo in Java, and a bone crushing 9 hour car ride on a single track road on the Pakistan/India border. It is like meditation for idiots.
This online movie thing has got me semi-hooked. I can't get that hooked because I do actually have a life AND I would go blind watching the small screen. I watched "Before The Devil Knows You're Dead"...anything with Philip Seymour Hoffman is good with me. I started watching "No Country For Old Men" but Javier in the Dutch Boy hair cut really deserves the big screen. So I have watched a lot of movies and will be back when I refocus.
I have signed up with a group that trains you to do a mini-triathlon in 5 months anad it starts in a week so I that should nip it in the bud. Except that I found a site that has all the West Wing Episodes and I LOVE that show.
I am totally boring but I sort of don't care.
Here are the movie sites:
http://www.66stage.com/
http://ebookwarehouseonline.com/video/movies/
http://www.free-tv-video-online.info/
That thing was my pain and my pleasure. I would dream of dice combos. It was so stupid but I could NOT stop. Well, that thing got me through an 18 hour train ride in Peru, a 22 hour bus/ferry/train combo in Java, and a bone crushing 9 hour car ride on a single track road on the Pakistan/India border. It is like meditation for idiots.
This online movie thing has got me semi-hooked. I can't get that hooked because I do actually have a life AND I would go blind watching the small screen. I watched "Before The Devil Knows You're Dead"...anything with Philip Seymour Hoffman is good with me. I started watching "No Country For Old Men" but Javier in the Dutch Boy hair cut really deserves the big screen. So I have watched a lot of movies and will be back when I refocus.
I have signed up with a group that trains you to do a mini-triathlon in 5 months anad it starts in a week so I that should nip it in the bud. Except that I found a site that has all the West Wing Episodes and I LOVE that show.
I am totally boring but I sort of don't care.
Here are the movie sites:
http://www.66stage.com/
http://ebookwarehouseonline.com/video/movies/
http://www.free-tv-video-online.info/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)