Cancer, Caring and Hope

Well everyone. I should be sleeping but am unable to. So, when I moan and groan about my long days and how tired I am ... this is partially why. I typically don’t go out on nights before I work 14 hour days. However, this was for a good cause and I actually wasn’t working. I attended Cancers Expensive: A Benefit. It was a fundraiser for Broadway star, Carly Jibson’s, mother.  Carly’s mother has cancer but no insurance.

The night was full of amazing music, stories and hope. I’ve written about hope and loneliness before. Tonight was a reminder that we truly are not alone and that there is always hope. That a group of people who may not know each other can do some good. That there are people who care. Strangers that will lend a helping hand ... and people to walk beside you when things get rough. 

I work in news. There’s a lot of bad news out there. It’s depressing. It’s usually sad. This benefit was a reminder (to me) that while there is sad news, that frown can be turned upside-down when people take a moment to think of someone other than themselves. Think of that homeless man you walk by who said “hi” to you, but for some reason you just ignored. Think to slow down in the revolving door instead of pushing it faster because some older man is shuffling through too slowly. To think of the people who really have bigger fish to fry than agonizing over what to wear for that day or that their toilet is clogged. To just think of the power that one selfless act can have another person ... even just for a moment.

I went up to Carly afterwards. I don’t know her personally. What I can tell you is that she’s a pretty awesome, strong and talented lady. I just introduced myself ... let her know she and her family were in my thoughts and prayers. I didn’t get much out before I started to get all teary and had to turn away. LOL. I’m a pretty emotional girl. 

Speaking of meeting people ... I met Nick Adams too! He was one of the amazingly talented performers who sang at the benefit. Yes, I was a big dork. My horoscope did say to keep my mouth shut as my words would come out wrong. Well ... whatever. We all know I can be dorky. That is just who I am. One of my former sorority sisters saw the pic I posted on FB and responded with, “And you NEVER are dorky (CB). :)” 

CB was a KU basketball player that I was a bit coo-coo for cocoa puffs for back in my day. No, I never met him. People were always like, “Out of all the KU basketball players, you gush over a walk-on who never plays!” Whatever! My sorority sisters supported me in my love for him anyway!  One even knocked on his door and asked him to sign a KU basketball for me for my Birthday. I literally died. I think I freaked out and ran around the room and jumped around like I won the lottery. I have no clue where that ball is today. The memory of getting it though is with me forever.

So will the memory of this night. As I finally disconnect and go to bed... I wish everyone a happy, healthy night. And I hope for you a Monday of good things.

The Tortoise and the Hare

It’s a nice Saturday here in Brooklyn but I wouldn’t know it because I went to PT then returned to the comforts of my cozy bed. Let’s just say I’m being reminded today that I am no longer a 20-something gal who can stay out until 4:30 a.m. 

This is why. I went out after work last night to a club in Manhattan called Turtle Bay. Those of you who know me are probably like, “OMG She went out after work!” My hours aren’t exactly bankers hours and I am a homebody. I mean I like going out ... but I typically don’t go to clubs or do anything after work because it’s late. I also like my sleep. So, needless to say, my co-workers .... who have been trying to get me to go out with them for months ... jumped for joy when I said I’d come out of my shell and play with them. You like that? Shell. Turtle. Okay, I digress.

First off. I’ve never been anywhere where you have to wait in a line to get into. This was the first sign that A) I’m old and B) this was going to be fun. I was “creeped” on waiting in line by some Jersey Shore looking guy! Seriously. I think he walked off the MTV show and into the line. I was warned of the “creeping” so I was prepared for it. Let’s just say the guy really was creepy. Once inside Turtle Bay, we had a fab time. Sticky floors, good music, drinks, dancing, people on the bar ... all good things. There were moments where I had flashbacks to my college years going to The Granada in Lawrence, Kansas. We all need nights like that every so often. Nights to remember that it’s okay to just have fun and not worry about work and stuff. AND (yes, mom I’m starting a sentence with “and”) it was really nice to be able to do a little dancing. My leg is hurting today, but it held up as we all Shook Our Groove Thing. Okay, digressing to Priscilla Queen of the Desert again. I didn’t get creeped on too much once we were inside. I was asked my age. I definitely don’t look like a 30-something-year-old. People’s jaws usually drop when I tell them how old I am. So it was nice to hear, “You look amazing.” It was nice to get out and do something that’s out of the box for me. 

However, today, I’m back in my shell and moving slow like a turtle. So thanks Turtle Bay and my friends for reminding me to be Hare. Gosh, that was a good book. “The Tortoise and the Hare."

Time to go get a manicure/pedicure. And there I am ... digressing again. Happy Saturday everyone.

"Everyone is someone's friend, even when they think they are all alone."

It’s amazing that in a city of more than 8 million people that you can feel lonely .... but I think a city highlights one’s loneliness. I base that belief on my experiences living in all different parts of the country. I live alone, and typically don’t feel alone. I have a small group of friends and family that are always a Skype session, text, or phone call away. So, I don’t know if what I’ve been feeling is loneliness or isolation. I know I’m on orders to be off the feet and “resting,” but it’s just kinda ... well lonely ... especially in a fairly new city. I’m an only child so I don’t mind doing things alone or being alone, but it’s times like this ... where in a city of more than 8 million people ... there are moments you just feel alone. Whether it’s the cute couple sitting at the table next to you or if you’re sitting at the park watching a family picnic. We have all those moments. They’re normal to have. 

I never really felt lonely growing up. As an only child I had to be creative. When I felt alone I’d tape record a radio show with my Cabbage Patch Kids. OMG the tapes! Where are they? You would laugh your booty off if you heard them. Let’s just say my “shows” were hilarious, and a bit weird. I had voices for my Cabbage Patch Kids! I was also a “spy.” I had a neighbor with, like, 8 kids. I used to take out binoculars and “spy” on them. Yeah, it sounds creepy but it was harmless. Let’s just say I was big into Harriet The Spy books. I did read a lot. I also did a lot of dancing in the basement of our duplex to keep occupied. 

As I’ve gotten older I’ve found it more difficult to deal with my moments of loneliness ... especially when it’s hard to do something on your own about it. The things I typically would do to kick my butt out of the “stop feeling mopey, lonely ” moments I am unable to do right now. I’m stuck indoors, for the most part, trying my hardest to do what I’m asked by doctors and physical therapists, before a much anticipated and much needed mini vacation that luckily will require me to do a lot of nothing. I’ve been doing a lot of “RICE:” Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. I’d rather be at work, dance, pilates or just outside living life. I miss the subway. It’s not normal for me to be in a car ABOVE ground. It reminds me that I’m temporarily sidelined. I miss living life in general. 

Those who know me know I always try to find the positive in things. So here it is. On the upside ... being sidelined has allowed me to be grateful and more appreciative of the every day activities that I may sometimes complain about. I now understand how Facebook and Twitter can make someone jealous of other people’s lives. I mean I love seeing how you all are doing, but it also reminds me of what I’m unable to temporarily do. However, it also reminds me that life is waiting for me to get back on the roller coaster of work, dating, subway riding, dance, pilates classes, Broadway-show-going, symphony listening “normal” life. That this is just a temporary blip. I'm going to leave y'all with a favorite movie song of mine. It reminds me the sun will come out ...  that you're never fully dressed without a smile ... and that I have to buy tickets to the musical. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFKFE_fsbb4

http://anniethemusical.com/?gclid=CI7O3N7a1LECFYfe4AodVCkAsQ