Stretching the grey matter...

Last week I was lucky enough to attend the National Breast Cancer Coalition's Project LEAD. It is a very intensive learning experience, to say the least. It started on a Tuesday and ended Sunday at Noon. We had one evening off-the rest we worked until 9ish and it was INCREDIBLE. Normally this would wear me down but I was completely invigorated and proud of having learned so much.
Why is Project LEAD® important for Breast Cancer Activists?
Breast cancer advocates should play an integral role in all breast cancer decision making because they bring a unique and critical perspective to the research, scientific and policy review processes. Therefore, to be successful and effective in these areas, advocates have a responsibility to be prepared with the basic knowledge and background to critically appraise research proposals and policy initiatives. Others in the advocacy community look to Project LEAD® graduates to disseminate timely and accurate information, critically scientific research and evaluate research proposals.

We learned
Basic science, such as the biology of cancer, basic genetics, the roles of DNA, RNA and proteins and development of cancer at the molecular level;
Basic epidemiology such as biostatistics, descriptive studies, analytic studies, clinical trials, causality, meta-analysis and screening; and
Leadership and advocacy development skills and how to participate in the scientific community as a breast cancer advocate.

Today we had a meeting in Denver to collaborate with 3 other organizations to expand the Breast and Cervical Treatment Program. I am adamant that women under 40 who are displaying symptoms be included.

We shall see.

On a lighter note, I am definitely moving back to Aspen and am happy about it. I was on the fence as my Father has dementia and I hate to leave the burden on my remaining Denver family but I was encouraged to go. Plus there was a blurb in the Aspen Times Weekly saying I was moving back for the FOURTH time. I would be embarrassed NOT to. I am looking forward to my 877th move of my life. Yeehaw.

Compassion

This week in my town, there is a celebration of Tibetan Culture and the Dalai Lama is here. My friend, Hilary, was putting together a gathering/party/fundraiser as her job for this incredible new undertaking called Project Compassion.
www.compassionstanford.org
Check it out. I was lucky enough to go to the gig and get to hear their pitch.
Tenzin Tethong, He is a former Representative of H.H. the Dalai Lama in New York and Washington, D.C., and former Chairman of the Kashag, the Tibetan Cabinet. Someone was to pick him up at the airport, but there was confusion and he was on a different flight so he sat around the mini airport for awhile. He finally got hungry and went to get a pizza. He was sitting next to a woman and gave her a slice. They began chatting, and realized that they had several things in common and she had lived in India and had volunteered with Tibetan refugees. She is a true character in this town and somewhat of a loose cannon. She ends up giving Tenzin a ride in her Porsche to her house where my friend Hilary gets a call from Tenzin. Any other high profile dignitary/politician/celebrity would have lost their marbles and abused underlings but he laughed about it.
Geshe Thupten Jinpa Ph.D.
Thupten Jinpa has been a principal English translator to the Dalai Lama since 1985. He was there.
William C. Mobley, M.D., Ph.D. | Co-Director of Project Compassion| Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences| Former Director of the Neuroscience Institute| Stanford University. Yeah, he was there.
All the people involved in the Project were in attendance . The presentation was very inspiring and there was a great feeling in the room. I am a born cynic and I drank the Kool-aid.
We all went out to dinner after, 14 of us and had a great time. It was great to hear these guys telling Cheney jokes and discussing American politics.

To practice compassion and meditate with intent regarding compassion. To teach children compassion. They think it could change the world. And this is from the neuroscientists. You heard it here first, kids.

I gave Tenzin a ride back to his house where he was being hosted and wished him well and hoped that he would return sometime. He said He was very excited that he came here and was kidnapped.

Alvin has moved in

AS I was eating my oatmeal this morning, I caught a quick blur in the corner of my eye. Shit. A mouse and it looked quite big and hairy in the tail region. I do not dig the vermin world at all. So I mildly freaked out, went upstairs to my room and got on the computer for some work. Not 20 minutes later, I see the little thing racing in. I t is a chipmunk and when it is inside is just like a mouse or rat to me. Ewwwww. I said eek-a-mouse and ran downstairs to get Nell the Wonder Dog. Nell reluctantly came upstairs and did NOTHING. Apparently Labs don't deal with chipmunks. But I am truly more wigged about a chipmunk in the house than a bear right outside. I now have both doors wide open giving him a big hint to LEAVE and am hoping the bear does not misconstrue the open door as an invitation to come in and have a little revenge on Goldilocks.

Tag, I'm it.

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......

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?

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.

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.