Community archive

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Join the Pink Ribbon Brigade!

0 helpful
386 replies

by tig2

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

As you may know, I am walking the Breast Cancer 3 Day in the Twin Cities on August 18-20. The goals of this 60 mile walk are twofold- raise money to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (85%) and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Research (15%), and to raise awareness of a silent killer that can be defeated.

In this next year some 40,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. So will approximately 1200 men.

Please consider adopting a pink ribbon as your avatar for the next week. Copy mine- hosted on Photobucket. It is a public domain image so copyright will not apply. If you have hosting space, please consider making some available to host the image for others (Apoth- I can't find your durned link!!! I hate it when I lose important things!) The walk will end on the 20th. I will screen shot the top 100 and anyone else I can find using the ribbon image (Thanks Rob!) on Thursday afternoon before I leave for the walk.

I have trained since March to be a part of this event. My primary goal has been to bring awareness- the last person you spoke with on any given day may be a survivor. Especially if I was the last person you spoke with!

TR is more than a bunch of geeks being geeky. It is about people and the things that touch our lives. We are more than our jobs, former jobs and intellect. We are thinking and feeling human beings that want to BE the changes we wish to see in the world.

Please join me for the week. "Wear" a pink ribbon in support of those who have survived, and recognition of those who have lost the battle.

Early detection leads to prevention. Be aware!

And thank you...

Edited because I can't spell any more. Spell and sanity checker, please!

386 replies

by Member 25348569

To quote Yoda, (or maybe it was jmgarvin), "Do, or do not. There is no try.".

Of course you'll do it.

Neil :D

When you're sitting with your feet in a bucket of water at the end of day three, you'll be planning the next one. Now that you've learned everything there is to know about electrolyte replacement, you can't stop at a measly 60 miles...

As an incentive, check this charity walker out (watch the vid) and I hope the conditions will be a little better for you (not quite so muddy?).

by tig2

I already have the first fundraiser for the 2007 walk scheduled. I won't be able to set up my website before Fall but fundraising is a constant.

In preparation for the inevitable sore feet, I have my New Balance sandals stashed with my partner who will get them to me at the last cheering station before the Capitol. I plan to lose the sneakers and wear the sandals for the final mile.

You're absolutely right- after everything this year, 60 miles is not enough!

Edited because I still can't spell...

by gadgetgirl

that was going to be the idea I didn't have time for last week....

this week? Car broke down, had to be towed home, so now not at work till Weds.

owotapitynevermind.....

You'll do it Tig. I have every confidence in you. Please wrap yourself in cotton wool and bubble wrap till the first day - or just leave the breaking of legs/ankles to the expert - - - - - me!!

Rootin' for ya!

GG

by dmambo

For my sister and my cousin!!!

In my town we do an annual "Relay for Life" at the HS track for the American Cancer Society. In 2005, we were the 9th highest location in the country for per capita donations. No too shabby.

I guess I'm at the age where the diagnoses start to intrude on my life. In the past 3 years it's been a sister, a cousin, an uncle, several friends and our parish priest all diagnosed. They've all had a long road.

Good luck on your walk!

by tig2

I know how much your coffee cup means to you!

Seriously, I appreciate the support. It seems like you can't have a conversation with anyone that hasn't been touched in some way. I still believe that a cure is possible. We just have to find it.

To you and everyone else- I am carrying the names of survivors and those who have passed through the walk. If you have a name(s) that you would like to have carried, please peer me with the information. When you do, please note if the person is a survivor or has passed. If you would like to receive the ribbon for your person, please include a mailing address. After 60 miles in possible rain, I don't know how the ribbons will wear but that is part of their charm! I will post a pic from the walk- the sash I will be wearing is covered with those names.

by beth blakely

You're right... So many people have been touched by this disease. The sash and ribbons are a fantastic idea. They're a great way to remember and support. I salute you!

As for your poor feet, I like to freeze water bottles and roll my feet on top of them. It sounds too simple to work, but you wouldn't believe how much it can revive aching tootsies.

Don't forget to post a link of pictures!

by old guy

Thanks for letting us use this for this time and thanks for keeping us up to date on everything.

You are ready for the walk. You will make it. You will make us proud and you will have a great accomplishment. Any questions?!? :)

We're behind you you Tig2.

by tig2

I can't see Neil's link at all. But see yours just fine. What's up with that?

Love the reading test. But consider JD and Oz. How much easier would your reading life be if they had spell check?

Gee- how much easier would mine be???

Considering that I mis-spell at least one word per post and all...

by jdclyde

I support this so that more don't have to go throught this loss.

I support all cancer research, and always in my dads name.

God rest his soul. :x

edit to add:
Damnit, had to tell a co-worker I had something in my eye.
A note: I had named Thing One in honor and memory of my dad.

You can do it tig. Best wishes, but no luck. You worked too hard to rely on luck for this! :x

by m_a_r_k

Though I'd be much happier if the damn ribbon wasn't pink. Can't we use a symbol like a Rottweiler instead of a pink ribbon?

by tig2

Although some of the women I have met in the last eight months would heartily agree on the Rotti, the pink ribbon has been around for over a decade and is the accepted symbol.

I am truly touched that you chose to do this. I know the flag means a great deal to you and this is not a change you made lightly. I really appreciate it!

by m_a_r_k

I've set a an alert in my Outlook to remind me to change my avatar back at the end of this week. Hell, guys can get breast cancer, too. So what's with the pinkness?

P.S. I didn't realize that you're a breast cancer survivor. Congratulations and good luck with all of that.

by maecuff

I would have thought you were more secure in your masculinity. :)

Count me in Tig. And I will peer mail a name to you. That is a very sweet offer! Best of luck. Get new socks.

by tig2

Everything I wear through the event has to have been worn on at least one training walk- EVERYTHING. I have about 200 miles on one pair of shoes and about the same on the second pair- I will need both for the event. I have around 600 miles total on the 6 pair of socks and two spares that I will use, and the same on my underthings and clothes. Anything new could cause chafing or worse.

I had no idea that a walk could be so technical!

by m_a_r_k

Any dude who runs around wearing pink crap and proclaiming that he is secure in his masculinity is full of bunk. More likely he is secure in his feminity. If he is so secure in his alleged masculinity, why doesn't he prance around in a mini-skirt and wear lipstick? hah!

by tig2

Gee, and I thought I had it tough! The worst thing we encounter are hills (I hate hills) and mosquitos (State bird, here). I can't even imagine trying to cross through water!

Thanks for posting the link!

by maecuff

You have to take responsibility. If you're going to rag on Mark, don't make it MY fault. :)

by jdclyde

A bit rough Texan, walking around in a pink dress. You do know that ribbons are a gateway to full drag, right? ;\

by gadgetgirl

should you choose to accept it, is to by fair means or foul, get Jay, Smorty, Doug et al to change avatars too. Hey, it's only for a week.

Is there any way you can promote this somewhere for Tig? It's not like she's asking for money, just "avatar support". The more we can get people involved, the more chance we have of a totally pink ribboned hot 100 for her to print and take with her.

Mission accepted, Beth?

GG

by beth blakely

Not sure how much they'll let me get away with, but I'll put it everywhere I can! As for getting the fellas to join in, I'll give it a whirl. Feel free to harass them yourself, as well. ;-)

by hal 9000

Either he should be joining in the spirit of the entire thing. :p

I'm sure that you can persuade the [b]fellas[/b] to join in as it's all in a good cause and most likely something that they have had personal experience with with some of their family.

I know that several of the women on my wifes side of the family died of this disease and I don't know of anyone that hasn't had some experience with this either.

Col

by gadgetgirl

just had a look at the top 100, and it's looking good - 13 so far!

That's wonderful for the first half a day.....

Now, if we could only get the rest of 'em involved.....

By fair means or foul....hmm.

Think I'll start pm-ing anyone I know on the list on Thursday..... and hassling....

GG

by old guy

need to start today. Some of the folks may not get in here every day. That would be great if everyone would do it. :)

by jdclyde

with the people that have no business being listed in the top 100, let alone at the top of the top 100.

TR never did fix the matrix for this, and a few at the top with no more activity than to do external blog links are still considered top members.

Who knows, maybe TR will MANUALLY remove a few that have no business being there to help in the cause? Wouldn't that be grand?

The first and third place are perfect examples of why that list is completely worthless "as is". X-(

by dmambo

I think you should be demoted to number 35. That would put you on top of GG, so that should make you happy ]:)

by hal 9000

And if anyone needs to use a link they are welcome to this one.

http://tinyurl.com/pnmm7

http://tinyurl.com/oxtom

http://tinyurl.com/rd4nw

Now just a word of advice Tig when you reach the end you need to look around and say quite loudly [b]Is That All I thought that this was going to be HARD![/b] :x

Just make sure that there is no possibility of some lunatic Blonde female driver loosing control and running you down like the Aussie Womens Cycling Team in Germany last year when they where on a training ride. You don't just want to reach the end but do it in [b]Style.[/b] :0

Cheers and I'm not responsible for the [b]Wet T Shirt Competition[/b] that you've organised with your gang of miscreants. But enjoy none the less. :p

Col
[i]PS a Link to the photos will be greatly appreciated.[/i]

by tig2

Or is that mourning???

We just bought a 1G stick for my partner and I have a 512 and a 256 for mine. Our local station will have some coverage but I don't know how much. Either way, we have the DVD recorders set up to capture the news while we are gone.

We are taking Monday the 21st off to rest and recuperate. I am looking for an online picture gallery that will let me post more than one photo at a time. I think Photobucket will but am not sure. I am hoping to get a link posted sometime Monday. Just don't look for it in the morning- I plan to sleep until noon, local.

Incidentally- some fun facts. This year my team raised a total of $135,275.00 over about 50 people. That number will increase as we get closer to the event. I haven't added up the total fundraising yet as we have a month after the event to add to our individual totals. I personally raised $3020 altogether- and that number could still go up.

Thanks to every one of you participating in this. It has been great to see the word spread.

by hal 9000

Shots don't look like the Bachelors & Spinsters Balls that are held here in the country commonly know to those who attend as the [b]S&M Party.[/b] :0

At one that I attended as an [b]Interested Observer[/b] I was impressed at the way that drinks where served you had several different options provided that they where [b]Rum & Coke[/b] and they just got a bath tub taken out to the paddock where the event was held and filled it up with Rum & Coke and just filled the plastic cups from there. Mostly the people who loan the use of a paddock refuse to allow this event to be held there the next year as they are still cleaning up. :8}

But the [b]Morning After[/b] they hold what is called a [b]Recovery Party[/b] you might be interested in doing something similar. :D

Enjoy the walk and [b]Keep on Keeping On.[/b] ;\

Col

by jdclyde

"Your mother wears combat boots"?

I always loved the cartoon, "I didn't know you knew mum!"

:x

And yes, I am picturing you in JUST combat boots, and I LIKE it! ]:)

by hal 9000

Whatever takes your fancy and if this involves wearing a [b]Mini Skirt and Lippy[/b] you're welcome to do this. :D

During [b]Breast Cancer Awareness Week[/b] here all the pollies wear a [b]Pink Ribbon[/b] without a second thought so what's the big deal. They also wear a [b]Red Rose[/b] on ANZAC Day as well as many other things when it's time. Although I've yet to see one wear a [b]Red Nose[/b] for [b]SIDS[/b] as that would only prove that they really are clowns but they do the next best thing and wear a clip on their lapels or whatever for the woman involved and even the Commonwealth Cars have a [b]Big Red Nose[/b] on them for all but official occasions during that week. :p

Col ]:)

by Member 25348569

at least for JD, that he doesn't have the legs for a mini-skirt.

Obviously, I have no reason to know that there is any truth in that...

by m_a_r_k

You live close to Scotland, don't you? I hear those fellas up there have an annoying propensity to wear plaid-colored dresses. Can you confirm or deny or this rumor?

by Member 25348569

I suppose, to a Texan, the 379 miles between London (my gaff) and Glasgow (where most of the Jocks live) is no more than a trip to the supermarket but, to me, it's a bloody long way.

Indeed the Scottish gents do wear the kilt; but what is much more frightening is what they wear under the kilt. The answer, for 70% of them, is (despite the weather up there) NOTHING.

3790 miles is not distance enough. :(

by nicknielsen

The frustrated, anal-retentive english major in me already goes nuts as it is. Let's not make it so bad I can no longer ignore the voices... :p

by jdclyde

I drove more than that yesterday with the Things just so we could play in the sand! :D (sleeping bear sand dunes, that is! ;\ )

We stayed about an hour.

by jdclyde

I think I would like it better with her on top! ]:)

Being the little thing that she is, it would be safer for her! ;\

:x

by tig2

I will be watching the "Me Too" list with interest. Thank you for digging out the contact info for the Komen. Today has been a tad on the hectic side...

If you want to support the Breast Cancer 3 Day, go to www.the3day.org and select a city. Although Boston and Michigan have already walked, there are always folks trying to make minimum still- one of the requirements of participation in this is to raise a minimum of $2200 or self donate that amount.

This event is held in 18 cities coast to coast. The last walk is in San Diego in November. Then we all gear up to do it again.

More fun facts- over 3000 people in the Twin Cities signed up to do this. There is always some attrition- training is TOUGH- but the estimates today tell us that over 2600 will walk.

It is truly mind-blowing to see all of those people walking for a common goal. Even more when you consider people like my partner who will spend the weekend chasing us down with ice, Smart Water, cold towels, and anything else he can carry. At the end of it, I just have to be able to drag my body into the truck- he will keep going, making sure that I am fed and cared for. Multiply by 2600 and you see an immense dedication to a great cause.

Then add all the support you have all graciously given me over the past months and today alone. You all ROCK!

by danlm

I can't do this till I get home from work, but I have 3 or 4 web pages/servers that I can host the jpg from.
Let me know.

dan

by unclerob

we support this charity at work also,
it's a great cause to support as so many people are affected by it and it can be prevented if detected early enough.

What's so sad is that treatment for those in the advanced stages of this disease can be very trying for the people directly affected by it and their family & friends. It's 2006 and treating this disease still seems to be more of a lost art than a science, why some treatments work for some and not others can be very depressing. It would be incredible to find a definitive cure that works for everyone, hopefully one day in my lifetime I'll witness this miracle.

It's 2006 and it's horrific to realize we haven't made the kind of advances in medical science that you thought would have happened when you were a kid 20, 30, 40 years ago. Technology seems to be racing in some areas and standing still in others.

by lowlands

For some bizar reason, TR does not seem to hold on to any changes I make to my profile :(

But I support your cause anyway!!

by tig2

I know that there are others that have the same problem. Odd.

After the migration and upgrade are completed, they will hopefully have that fixed. Till then, I appreciate the thought!

by nicknielsen

If you have a permanent cookie set to log you in and haven't reset it since the site updates last month, try logging off, then logging back on. It worked for me when I was having problems in late July.

by m_a_r_k

about the 379 miles. That's nothing. A hop, skip and a jump. Not even halfway across Texas. I suppose 379 miles is about the distance from the top of the UK to the bottom of the UK, or to the top and bottom of Great Britain, or whatever the official name of your country is. Nobody has ever been explain that little riddle to me. Little riddle...I'm a poet. It's a actually a big riddle, but "little riddle" flows off the tongue better, so I used that instead.

And you're even righter about 3790 miles not being far enough from the Scottish chaps wearing nothing under their dresses. If it weren't for the crossdressers, Scotland might be a nice place to visit one of these days. (And people say San Francisco is bad for that sort of thing!) Thank goodness the Scots aren't as prejudiced as some people and don't force everyone to abide by their silly costume customs.

by tig2

I ahv ealready learned the secret art of resting my feet on iced water bottles. Unfortunately, I will not have iced bottles through the event.

The place I am staying DOES have an ice machine. I think that maybe I will just sleep there... with my feet and legs buried.

Or not. But I will ice my feet every night.

After learning how much my feet can swell in 20 miles, I have discovered that the simple things are the best.

Thanks for supporting the pink ribbon cause. The more aware, the better. I truly appreciate your support!

by Member 25348569

The British Isles is generally taken to consist of Great Britain, Ireland and many smaller surrounding islands. Note that the Southern Irish [b]hate[/b] the term but I don't really care what [b]they[/b] call it coz [b]I'm[/b] British.

Great Britain, also referred to as Britain, is the mainland - largest island - comprising England, Scotland and Wales. Ireland is the second largest island.

We were once The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Great Britain was formed from the merger of in the Kingdoms of Scotland and England. Wales is a principality and had not much independent existence for the last thousand years.

When the Irish gained independence, we became The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland which is what we are today although the current government's policy of devolution is splitting us into some sort of Euro-federal bollocks with separate parliaments that no-one really wanted.

Land's End to John o'Groats (bottom left to top right) is 870 miles.

by m_a_r_k

I'm dizzy now, NeilB. Thanks for the explanation. Do you realize that a lot of Americans confuse Great Britain and England? A lot of people think they are one and the same. Kinda like coke and soda. Or Vaseline and petroleum jelly. Or Texas and the U.S. ;)

by tig2

No way to get this wrong, Ernest. And it appears you have it right. Thanks for supporting this!

by geekchic

I have changed my avatar and am more than happy to do so....thanks for suggesting this! We will pull together to support you and many others in this never ending fight. Bless you!

by nicknielsen

...there will be some guy a lot less secure who will beat him up rather than admit he looks cute.
:0

Edit: Typo, this time.

by nicknielsen

I've driven across both Texas (Beaumont to El Paso) and Great Britain (Portsmouth to Edinburg).

It took less time to cover Texas (about 16 hours), mostly because the de facto speed limit on I-10 at that time (early 80s) was in fact 80. :D But there are still miles and miles of miles and miles, most of it flat. I did enjoy discovering the exits to nowhere--the ramps go down to a length of asphalt that runs under an overpass just long enough for the ramps to connect. Turn right off the ramp and you cross a cattle guard onto the dirt.

It took three days to get to Edinburg because my conveyance was a truck, M-35, 2.5-ton 6x6, also known as a big green deuce-and-a-half. We were practicing recovery from the Soviet invasion of Western Europe (this was in the late 70s). Complicating our task were the narrow English roads, the heavy loads we were towing, the regrettable tendency of Brits to drive on the wrong side of the road, and the inevitable hangovers from all that good English ale. B-)

by techexec2

I'm wearing the pink ribbon for the entire week just for you.

I don't want to be thought of as ONLY a "flaming bastard"!

Good luck on your walk!

by tig2

It is way too easy to misunderstand someone's intent when you are limited to text. Sometimes emoticons help and sometimes they don't. I know that you are relatively new here. We have had some who showed up out of the blue and were carrying a flame thrower at the time. It is easy to mis-identify.

You're good. I get it. Welcome to the brigade. I am glad that you joined.

Edited to mend a possessive

by techexec2

It was ME who called me a "flaming bastard".

Now, what am I going to do?

It's either:
1. You hold me down and I slap the sh*t out of MYSELF. Or...
2. I hold myself down and YOU slap this sh*t out me ME...

I'm f*cked!!! I'm totally f*cked!!! Ahhh!!!

P.S. What the H*LL is wrong with this BAR? Why can't I buy ANY of you a beer so we can work all of this out? :-)

by jellimonsta

I guess I will do the honors, even though I hate driving, I don't drink alcohol, so I don't have a good excuse! :D

by tig2

I'm the designated walker. I have fresh socks and electrolytes if you need 'em!

by nicknielsen

So we only need a virtual driver.

But I'm enjoying an actual Sam Adams! ;\

Y'all come on by, now, y'hear? First 10 through the door get one.

by tig2

And we can talk.

Incidentally- very dry, extra olive. I'm picky, I am!

by jellimonsta

I should have put a disclaimer to not have a mouthful while viewing. :)

I should have posted that link in mae's 'snakes on a plane' message.