A Girl Could Do A Lot Worse

Many, many moons ago, I was getting ready to take off for Asia-one way ticket to Bangkok bought and paid for. It was a fun Summer hanging with old friends post college and every one's lives were heading into their eventual directions. We drank lots of beer, listened to music, maybe smoked something, and cracked each other up. The morning after one mass camp out, I awoke with a poem in my sock, which was one of the sweetest things I have ever received. Nothing happened that would have prompted such a gesture and I never really saw him much again but I have always remembered it.
The poet recently passed on and the world is minus a true original. And a sweet person.
Rest in Peace.

http://www.denverpost.com/obituaries/ci_10750959

Gerund

YO! Sarah Palin! Look it up......learn it.........use it.

You have lowered the bar so dramatically that I can barely recognise the language that you are speaking. I am completely insulted by your inclusion in the Presidential race. But since the Old man chose you, the least you could do is learn to speak our language.

ALIVE

In 1974, a book was published called "Alive" about the Uruguayan rugby team that survived a plane crash in the Andes mountains. They were there for over 2 months before 2 of them finally walked out of the mountains. I read the book over 15 times and became fascinated, (ie: obsessed, refer to my post of Jan 11). I was 11 years old and admit that I was initially drawn to the fact that they were reduced to cannibalism in order to survive. But after the first read, I realized that that truly was incidental to the story. While it allowed them to survive, they were all Catholics and were tormented by the decision they were forced to make. I became intrigued by the qualities in the survivors which led them to be either quite passive in their survival or to take action.

There is a film fest in my town this week and I went down to the Opera house to check out the line up and buy some tickets and saw that one film was "Stranded: I've come from a plane that crashed in the mountains". Yes, 34 years after the plane crash, the Survivors all took part in this documentary. I slammed down my 10 bucks and started counting the days. Today was the day. It was very well done and the film maker took care to have the survivors speak only as they experienced it all and not bring in hindsight. It was incredibly moving and the 2 that ended up walking for 8 days across the Andes are still remarkable characters. One man, Canessa, has a poetic way of speaking that will move you to tears. They went back to the glacier where the plane was, and brought their children to explain what it was like. It kicked my ass.

The good news is that it can be viewed on You Tube in about 11 parts: For part 1, click and then it will continue loading up the next parts....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ7eo5MaubI

I am not sure why I am so moved by their story but I certainly am. Being a survivor is not an easy thing. These men live with the knowledge of what they had to do in order to live and it is not as if once you survive, the rest of life is rosy-you are a changed person. And while you may have survived, others were not so lucky.

My heart goes out to Elena, one of my fellow breast cancer Survivors who was diagnosed with a recurrence of bone metastases 2 days ago.

Whew

Since the last post, I have moved back to my former town. My place is teeny but that is okay. I have too much stuff. I went through my storage space and took 2 TRUCKLOADS to the ARC, which is a local thrift store. I volunteered at some DNC functions and tooled around feeling the love in Denver before I moved.
I am loving the last Farmer's Markets and the organic peaches. I just froze a half a box. I can now ride my bike around instead of driving which I LOOOOOVE. There was a local bike and I ran into my oncologist who moved from Denver to a town about an hour and a half away. I informed him of my move and being uninsurable. He introduced me to a woman who runs his cancer center and she said "No problem, we can see you." And gave me her card. I cannot express what a relief that is to me.

And next week, I drive to Denver to attend a function at the Governor's mansion. We are trying to expand the eligibility for Medicaid for women with breast cancer. I am going to introduce the state representative who sponsored our last Bill. More on her later, my personal jury is still out on that one.

Life is swinging along.

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.