Bald is Beautiful 2011

This Saturday our wonderful and talented Claudine Lavoie hosted our private little Bald is Beautiful shoot in her in-home studio.

This was Claudine's 3rd shoot for Hair Massacure, all donated to us (much like our amazing events photographers - Romy Yamsuan and Chantelle Turgeon)

Claudine's ability to re-capture the moments of why people shave is the very reason she is chosen for this project. Her warmth and hospitality puts our subjects at ease and gives each of them opportunity to connect with each other prior to their shoot.

I feel this is vital in putting them back into the moment.

There is a particular look that is present when most participants (Proud Victims) shave. Its indescribable, but I know intrinsically from shaving 4 times myself (having a motivating reason to do so - Kali).

Our event photographers (when in the shave area) often capture this .... when were not goofing around. (I LOVE those shots too).

In Claudine's peaceful home, with a black and white background and opportunity for each to reflect, the shots are very rich.

Bald is Beautiful was created in 2006 (during the shave) where a suggestion and an afterthought prompted me to scramble to make it happen.

The subjects that I choose each year are random.

It literally happens as I walk around in the shave area or spot a bald head walking by, sometimes chosen beforehand (as I get a feeling about a person), or a suggestion from one of our peeps.

There are hundreds that will get missed who are absolutely stunning, or that have a heartwarming story (that would be reflected in their pictures). I feel for all of these beautiful people who really should be photographed, but we don't get to them due to the chaos of the event.

The shoot is also very small (I prefer it cozy), so unfortunately this does not offer opportunity for all to be invited. This is why is random.

Claudine thinks about her next shoot all year, working up her creativity to apply to a couple of select subjects.

This year, Morgan (our first creative subject) - a student from Eveline Charles Academy was chosen to wear a pink chiffon wrap that flowed glamourously with a fan placed to the side.

How Ironic that Morgan was threatened to be terminated by her employer if she went through with the shave and did not wear a wig to work.

I'll be sending her employer her photos once I receive them, along with a message expressing my disappointment.

Another family drove 4.5 hours one way to attend the shoot. Met this lovely girl in Red Deer (pervious blog) and I was quite moved when she fell to tears in the chair. She (Sabrina) was donating and shaving. She and her family left an impression, so I invited them as both her dad and brother also shaved. Very nice family. Had no idea how far they had to travel, but glad they did. During our visits , Nicki and I both discovered that we each knew them through mutual acquaintances.

My Sensei (Steve Rooke - who heads up our security team at the event) posed with his son Jorden as a means to honour Kim (wife and mom to them, friend to me) just diagnosed with Leukaemia (recent blog). Kim is now without hair. Its most unfortunate that a day pass was not possible for her to be present in the shoot with her 2 men. Now THAT would be a gripping photo. (Still praying for you Kim... )

Flat Christie (who's not in real life) was able to attend this year as last year she was unable.

The woman of a thousand faces, she's so very photogenic. Im looking forward to seeing reflective, humorous, and strangled (with myself behind the ends of her pink scarf). Christie's sister Ginger posed last year with her back exposed and a beautiful drawing down the torso.

Both of these sisters - stunning inside and out.

Jaime Caza (our McDonald's sponsor and volunteer coordinator) brought her son Tyler who sacrificed his hockey hair to shave. Prior to the event, attending pinking at RMH, a few moments of boredom fell upon me. I happened to have my peanut (mini clippers) with me, and felt compelled to get rid of half of his hair, leaving him with a mohawk. It was there when I envisioned his black and white.

Last but not least, my son in law Steven popped in for the last shoot.

I warned him that Claudine had something special in mind for him. His response was "anything", but no feathers.

Im looking forward to see our topless dark angel.

I wasnt sure what Claudine was seeing for Steven until she put it all together... Im thinking this may be one of my all time favourites.

In the meantime I have to be equally creative to make it up to him (until he sees his photo).

Thank you Claudine Lavoie for sharing your talent with us, and to our subjects - another thank you for sharing a reflection of your soul.

www.claudinelavoie.ca

Trip to Banff

For the past few years, the girls and I have planned an immediate trip to Banff, day after HM for some R & R.

The concept sounds great at the time, but I think after a few rounds of failed attempts in my desperate search for that R & R, I would learn that its not the best idea.

6 weeks of no rest leading up to our hectic event and I decide to drive 6 long hours the following morning to an overpriced location of party animals and tourists.

Before discovering my spiritual connection (and addiction) to the ocean, I have always associated "spirit rejuvenation" with the rockies.

For years during and after Kalis treatment, I would take day trips by myself to Banff, climb a mountain and drive home - exhausted but balanced. On Kali's "good" days this was opportunity for me to collect my thoughts and feelings.

I made a few of those trips and it really helped.

It is still my belief that this will rebalance me if I drive out there and take in the magnificence of the mountains. I think its the element of how insignificant I feel in their presence that really does it for me.

This particular trip did not balance me (the last 2 previous did not balance me either).

Had to wear double toques to keep the snakes in my hair at bay.

Our traditional HM celebration at Chillies in Banff ended abruptly when my new IPhone was stollen right off of our table.

I was choked at how expensive THAT dinner was going to be, but paled in comparison to how violated I felt.

I could not call or text my Massacure peeps to say thank you.

I worried that media would call for updates or maybe a potential BIG sponsor would try to reach me as they had just seen the event.

All of my new pics and videos of Kali Bears on the walls at McDonalds, pinking photos, new contacts....my life was in my phone and it was gone.

In disbelief, we left. Braved a snowstorm and made our way to our hotel.

Every muscle in my body had ceased up from the event, the outdoor hot tubs were beckoning me.

The wild partying and drinking changed our plans to soak and relax our achy bodies.

Kali's legs were aching at the event (a side effect from treatment) - she needed this soak as much as I did. Hotel offered no assistance.

In the morning, Billboard (HM Van) was dead. Had my first meltdown while waiting for a boost.

Back brakes picked up rocks between Banff and Jasper resulting in a trip to the mechanic at 8 am the next morning. We hadn't slept anyways in our noisy musty hotel room.

On the way home I left my purse at Shell in Edson.

The kids rarely see me cry. 4 times that trip. I was embarrassed that I had broken down in front of them while we were "supposed" to be rejoicing instead.

So why am I sharing this?

This is my blog - about a family run event... the highs and lows.

On Feb 11 - Our high was our 9th annual Hair Massacure, and all of the good stuff that came to it.

Feb 12 - 15 - low.

I struggled with why I felt like I was being punished after doing Gods work.

Why were we chosen for the dark cloud of bad luck to find us while we were celebrating the successes of our efforts of something positive?

My dear friend (Mel) later shared that things get stirred up to teach us something and perhaps if we are still for long enough we can decipher the message that is coming to us.

My reply to her was: You and I have both ADHD. How are we to be still?

I went to Banff to be still and see what happened?

When I think about that, I realize that I could never go to the mountains to be still.

Nor do I go to the ocean to be still. We are climbing all over stuff, driving all over Gods green earth to investigate every possible corner that can be captured on film and in memory.

Theres no still.

Interestingly, another observation from a good friend (Darcy) who pointed out to me that there is no middle ground in our lives amounts the the highs and lows

As he shared his theory about our exposure to extreme Yin or Yang, it made me realize why I (we) suffer exhaustion.

Our exposures overall seem to involve meeting amazing people, hearing amazing stories, collectively accomplishing amazing feats, laughing till our guts hurt.... then theres the other side.

"Uneventful" almost seems foreign - post Kali years.

On the up side - what I will leave for last is the great things in Banff (that were clouded at the time) - like the deer we came across that wanted to eat the Kali Bear (from Kali), the mechanic that donated the services to fix the van (because she recognized us), my new fun preoccupation with searching for opportunity to implement a pink bear into interesting photos (even if it means crossing a gorge to do so), rolling in the snow in our bikinis, the delicious meal and great service at Chilis, and the 2 hour walk in the canyon (that I promised Mandy would only be a few minutes causing her to make yellow snow on a trail), big horn sheep, ice wine chocolates, and a tour of haunted Banff Springs hotel. Oh... and I had a nice break from my newly recognized addiction - my Iphone. Lesson learned.

The scenery of the rockies was outstanding and once again we came home with 400 photos.

Meagan left a beautiful bouquet of roses and chocolates, Gord left chocolates upon our return and the morons (dogs) ecstatic to see us.

The warmth of our peeps to welcome us home melted away the cloud in Banff.

Our life - Yin or Yang.

Hair Massacure 2011

Hi folks, thought after a week (post event), it was time to check in with yawl.

Before you read further, bear in mind - this is post event. My apologies if I have missed something, brain cells scrambling to recover, and my blog typically all over the place at best so.... here it is.

I see Brandi has survived after her first year and has enough brain capacity to count money, data entry, and blog.

I'll start with this... THANK YOU. I mean that with the most heartfelt sincerity.

It takes teamwork to put on an event of this nature, and an even bigger team to build it to a million.

The captains - phenomenal. They really understand this event and what its about.

Many of them there at 5:30 am for set up, and post 9 pm for tear down.

Nicki and Brandi scrambling to juggle 3 things at once, and our family wearing so many different hats, they could not keep up with the event.

2011 event was heightened in many areas.

Most media, most FUN, most chaos, most organization.

Consequently, this was also the year for most things going sideways. Not sure why,

but it felt like we were dealing with a full moon for a good 6 weeks.

New interest from Premiere Ed Stelmach, Edmonton Police dept, Spruce Grove Fire dept, Gord Bamford, Edmonton Eskimos and 7 Edmonton Oilers resulted in a media frenzy.

Our own event photographers (Romy Yamsuan and my cousin Chantelle Turgeon) had to fight their way through cameras lined up to capture all of the Oilers getting shaved.

Over 20 interviews, I started to sound like a tool with my rehearsed pitch, compelling the people to "come on down to the mall".

I was so fortunate to have Weazie with me all day as my trusty companion.

My meds and phone in her back pocket catering to my every whim and entertaining me the entire time. God love her, what would I do without the crazy uninhibited Weazie's, Mel's, and Christie's? Come to think of it, the majority of our team consists of crazies and I LOVE it!

FRED was a hot item again this year. Think he must have had over a thousand hands on him, Mandy bombarded with requests to pet him or have him pose for a photo.

There were moments, well most of the day where I felt like FRED.

There was no opportunity for thought.

I relied on instinct that day (which is dangerous for me) and surprisingly I did not embarrass myself too bad ....

....except for the moment with Bridget on Breakfast TV. Didn't see the mic pointed in my direction waiting for my response. Guess I was busy stuffing a long pink hair clip in the back of Weazies jeans (wanted her to have a tail). Good thing B knows me.

Umm.... and then there was the incident(s) with my hand making their way onto mens tummies.

Lost count of how many times THAT happened, but I did catch myself around the Premier while lost in conversation about our research lab. My inhibitions seem to be, well lets just say up to this point been fortunate its worked out.

Speaking of inhibitions....

Flat Christie sporting her "troll hair" always bring interest to the event - fit right in with some of the wacky hair that rolled in that day. Awesome!

Jaime did an outstanding job with her many hats that day, both as sponsor and volunteer coordinator. Kyrsti and Shauna organizing our youth volunteers.

Glen Peters and Steve Rooke saved us all with set up / tear down and security. HUGE job.

Thank you Glens Team, Rooke School of Karate and additional security!

Gord Mc'd the entire event after setting up, assisted with sound, then tore down.

Steven and Dennis (Nickis Dad) - set up, tear down and everything you can imagine in between.

Miss Tina and Aunty Donna - 17. 5 THOUSAND in sales for merchandise. Nice job ladies!

Marina and Mark Dell in charge of set up and pick up of food for our 300 + volunteers,

Dusty (D J Fish Productions) - 'Possibly the worlds Greatest DJ" rocked us in between acts,

and Lynn Fields came with massage therapists in tow to work on our tired backs in a secret room for captains.

Most complicated areas - Shaving area, registration (which overlaps to many other areas) and banking.

Mel and Meagan (and stylist captains) after set up, dedicated to the haircutting area looking for potential issues, hugging, flattering, high fiveing, damage controlling, shaving, hair donating, teaching, intervening, meet and greeting, posing .... busy day for those girls.

Registration area was the smoothest its even been thanks to the leadership of Melynda, and support of her captains Joelle and Anna. Flat Christie, Ginger, Pat, Olly and Diana manage the chaos with the aid of several outstanding team members.

Banking - thanks to our Roni (who brought ATB to us years ago) and Cathy from Make-A-Wish a refine system has been developed. 50 ATB volunteers helped us with our event this year!

I wont go into full detail about all of our 20 some areas, as this blog would take forever, BUT I will say that each area has been fine tuned down to an art and our captains were ON IT. Thinking back to years past - huge improvements every year.

Entertainment was awesome again.

Had small windows of opportunity to sit in bleachers for brief moments to admire the talent coming off the stage that Axe Music and Axe Music Productions kindly donated to us (along with sound). ALL entertainment donated their time as well, including the infamous Third Street Beat, Jonek, Bernard Quillala, Kent Wong, and Coaster 44 (Gords band).

Our school Dance Connection, and Visionary College wowed us with their students (including Miss Kyrsti) and my cousin Danita Lin who wowed us with her powerful voice. Speaking of being wowed, I discovered that day that my daughter could sing. Gave me goosebumps Kyrsti.

2 Cheque presentations: ATB Financial 15,000! Save On Foods 24,500!!

Darcy's Red Deer efforts collectively added up to 80,000!

McDonalds money - yet to be determined.

A number of cancer kids came out this year, including our little Miracle Taylor. Its great to see our kids out there to bear witness to the efforts made to supporting their conditions.

Many members of our charities came out, THAT was so nice to see their interest and support.

Now lets get to the REAL reason for this event. Fundraising.

Participants rolled in all day, HUGE money raised collectively and for some individually there were some that raised thousands. Incredible and commendable.

I know first hand what kind of commitment that takes to raise big bucks. My first shave was 3.5 grand. By the 4th shave, it was not possible for me to get the same kind of money as the first. It blows my mind to see return participants come back year after year, not to mention schools and Hockey teams.

My last point - Leo Nickerson - came in at second place at 42,000! THATS amazing after 5 years of continued support! GP Nickleson, repeat school - over 30,000! Wow!

First place school.... You'll have to tune into CISN for the announcement on Monday. :)

In the meantime, money still rolls in. We are not quite at the million yet. Think we'll hit it, we have to hit it! Make-A-Wish will accept money until end April to to towards 2011 event.

Its NOT TOO LATE for new sponsorships or donations. We'll happily take them!

Will keep you posted on our growing totals!

Currently at 935,000 with a few more schools yet to turn in money, and 2 more doing shaves in March / April.

WE DID IT!!!

Friday was an amazing day. Nicki and I (along with the amazing set up crew) got to the mall at just before 5 am. A frenzy of tables and chairs and boxes signage and papers and a few tense moments and all of the sudden it was time to open the gates.

Music and dancing, magic and shaving were the order of the day. We had a few celebrities, and a LOT of regular people. What amazed me was how humble people were - when asked how much money they raised, most people shrugged and offered their number. When asked why they were shaving or donating their hair, they proudly told us their stories.

My first (and only) cry of the day came about 6 pm. A lovely woman came in with pink bangs and long blonde hair. She had come to donate her hair for a wig. She looked a bit nervous, so I went over to talk to her. As she sat down in the chair, she started to cry ever so slightly. We talked about how the wig would come back to someone in this community, and that seemed to help. I was overwhelmed by her story of not having a haircut in over 2 years, and how her plan to donate it started a year ago. Now that's dedication! I was also in awe of her cheering section - at least 20 people stood on the outside of the rink and cheered as the first locks were cut, and again when her head was shaved. Truly remarkable.

There is an amazing team of volunteers at this event. Captains who put in countless hours before, during, and after the event to make sure it all works out. Groups who volunteer together, and individuals who come just because it's the right thing to do. I won't go on about all the great support we have from sponsors and the like, because everyone who knows about events knows that sponsors are vital and ours are no different. Ooops, did I just go on?

Anyway, I wanted to share a little bit of what my impressions were from this, my first Hair Massacure. I was exhausted (as was everyone else) by the time we got the last boxes unloaded, and I don't remember too much of Saturday, but by Monday it was business as usual - and lots to do.

Thanks to everyone wh0 raised money, donated money, shaved, donated hair, or came to provide support to someone else. Thanks to everyone who helped in any other way - and there are lots of you. You made it a great day.

Our FIRST official Pink Oiler

Well folks - IT FINALLY HAPPENED!

Our new partner - Ronald McDonald House brought this brave pink Oiler to our cause.

Thanks to Jessica, who spoke to Steve Mcintyre's wife this past weekend, I can say another item is scratched off my bucket list.

I've been wishing for a pink Oiler for years.

2 years ago, thanks to my good friend Hilary, we acquired our first Oilers - Ethan Moreau and Ales Hemsky.

The shave was hosted by Make-A-Wish and MC'd by Chris Sheetz (our CISN sponsor).

3 Wish kids (including Kali and Jaime's daughter Kailey) had the privilege of the initial shave, media and crowd so thick that it was difficult to see.

My lovely daughter and BF Mel cleaned up the boys with the trimmers, taking a much longer time than I recalled to shave a head.

Salivating women quietly circulating like buzzards, wishing for a lock of hair to put into their purse, and dreaming of opportunity to touch an Oiler.

Myself, guarding the hair (cause I had dibs on it), my faithful camera capturing the moment....

including the signature Mel comment .... "hey buddy, how do you like the 2 girls on one guy action?"

This was my favourite pic EVER.

Shock, hysterical laughter (from audience), confusion (from Oiler).

Unfortunately my pic blurred as I dropped to protect my bladder from letting go in the middle of Make-A-Wish. Gotta love our Mel.

Last year (thank you again Hilary), we had the pleasure of a very brief blink of a Pink Oiler.

This was hosted by Eveline Charles Acedemy. Again MC'd by Chris Sheetz. Patrick O'Sullivan.

I pinked our Oiler while we negotiated his involvement to be pink for literally 10 minutes before we shaved it off. Still, all good. The experience was cool, and we have the pics to prove it.

Mel unfortunately held her tongue that day - nothing crazy to report so we'll move onto today.... drum roll....

It all happened last minute. I received a call from Jessica (RMH) to meet our new Oiler - Steve McIntyre at Marvel College.

Megs was free so off we went (Kyrsti and Kali in tow).

Meagan works so hard on our event every year as Stylist Coordinator, what a nice perk for her (and for him, as my daughter is lovely and very good at what she does).

There was no time to notify media, so it was quiet and I actually preferred it that way.

Great opportunity to visit with our newest "Proud Victim", and educate him (and his beautiful wife) about our crazy event.

Jessica is new to Alberta, but you'd never know it.

Not only did she motivate an Oiler, but the rookies (to shave with Steve at the mall) and 2 members of the RUSH (who we will pink on Thursday at the House). Awesome.

Steve - better known as the "tough guy" is hoping to draw some national attention to his new do.

He is living up to his title, as he is gearing up for the ribbing he may receive from other players.

He doesnt care. He is bringing it on. We warned him that his jersey will stain.

He smiled (unconcerned)... then we melted cause he has a cute smile.

The man is very personable (and very tall) and truly engaged in our cause. So was his wife.

I watched the interaction between him and Meagan as she shared candid stories about pinking certain gentlemen in past - great way to break the ice.

Marvel students hovering around our area with intense curiosity.

An instructional demo on rinsing out dark hair colour (on someone else right next to us) may not have had the level on education that was planned. Our pink rinsing (right in front of them) hugely distracting, was also educational, so that was good.

We parted ways saying to each other "see you at the mall". Our FIRST Oiler at the mall.

WOW.

Red Deer Massacure / Save On Massacure

This past weekend 3 events took place.

Saturday was our Red Deer Massacure held at Bower Mall, hosted by our friend Darcy Ouellet.

Nicki, Brandi, Tina, Aunty Donna, Kali and I braved slippery roads to witness our first mall event (that we had not directly organized).

Darcy did a fine job duplicating our efforts in his first year of "Massacuring" people, and it's seems that he will do this again next year.... (including his sporty Mohawk).

He will still not reveal the amount collected (so far), as he wishes to present a huge cheque to our event on Friday. Gotta love his spirit.

Miss Tina and Aunty Donna took orders for merch, SHAW TV and The Craze (radio) offered lengthy interviews, including my shy girl, Miss Kali.

My highlight of that day was the little girl (15 years old) who sat in chair trembling under her cape.

The huddle of stylists around her, making desperate efforts to console beckoned me to come over and talk with her.

It brought me back to my first year shaving when I was terrified.

I then recalled the first year Kali shaved and how griping that felt watching those pink locks hit the ground, Gord and I choking back tears... ok Gord choked back, I bawled like a baby live on tv.

My arm made its way around the girl and as I reminded her about "choice", I noticed how striking her features were.

We talked about it being "ok" to back out, and how this event was not about pressure and inflicted obligation. She stayed firm with her decision, she was just afraid... understandably.

She was quite agreeable when I asked her if I could shave her beautiful head, with my personal promise that she would look beautiful like the bald little girl in the picture I was holding (Kali's Bald is Beautiful shot). Her realization of who I was lead me to invite Miss Kali over - to display her long hair. It grows back, and with or without it - your'e still beautiful.

I have to say, in the many years I have shaved heads, this particular one I will hold close.

THIS is the guts of this event folks.... the life altering sacrifice for others.

I was right, she was stunning without her long hair. It was an honour for me to meet her.

I wished she was not so far away from our traditional Bald is Beautiful shoot (featured on our website). This shoot (with the right photographer) really captures the "why" of our event.

http://www.claudinelavoie.ca

The ride home resulted in passing 22 cars in the ditch and 2 semis.

Onward to Save On Foods Elerslie for their manager shave.

Fighting event fatigue (and I speak for Brandi and Nicki), it was a bit of a struggle to pull it together, slap on a game face and hit another event. I was glad I did.

Kali and I arrived with enough time for lunch.

Not sure what happened but my coffee tasted a wee bit bummy.

Exchanged it for a tea that resembled the coffee and exchanged that for an odd tasting carbonated ice cream. Think there was an oops.

My panicked polite daughter practicing every measure of distraction she knows in hopes I will not approach the staff with "description" of my order.

Gave the kid and DQ staff a freebie and hightailed it over to Save On for their manager shave.

The energy in the store was crazy (fuel for this soul).

8 managers shaving (chests and legs included, almost an arm pit) and one very long hair donation.

Laughter penetrated the building as various types of hairs hit the floor - it was awesome.

My friend DM looks 10 younger with 12 inches off - this is common.

Tomorrow I will attend one more Save On shave that will entail dudes in pink dresses!

3 More day folks!!

Media Day

Wednesday was media day for myself and the girls.

Global, CISN and CTV. Was great to get it done at once as I find it extremely nerve wracking.

Being in front of a camera is not the issue for me, its adhering to a script of chosen questions (that I choose) in a period of 3 minutes. Throw 2 more kids into the equation, the challenge heightens.

Miss Kali - God love her, is as slow as a turtle. This girl struggled with our commercial for this very reason, she cannot speak fast. Ask her a question and I start biting my lip as I desperately want to intrude by speeding her along.

THIS particular day, she was amazing. Timely, precise and spoken from the heart.

Now Kyrsti- my little frenchi who converts english to french stumbles a bit, unless she has rehearsed in her head what the subject of the matter is.

We had exactly 3 minutes to talk with 6 questions.

Kyrsti's turn to talk resulted in a little love tap in the shin...

Now if youre a parent or a wife - tell me you've never done this.

Good thing my kids can read sign language, as I was able to get to the last question (#4 out of 6) and finish the interview.

The second challenge I have with media spots is whether my Preparation H will work under my eyes that day AND bad hair AND bloodshot eyes AND if I present well.

I usually dont sleep the night before as I am stressing about these points, particularly if I create a Tammyism right on camera.

I recall several years ago on Global (Kali was 3, sitting beside me, arm in sling with a collar bone break). Kyrsti was invited to stand behind me with a group of little cancer kids. I was sitting on a step during the interview with Mike Sobal, the viewer and tv prompter smack in front of us.

My wonderful Kyrsti sees herself in the viewer as I am attempting to share our story...

At age 5, she thinks this is kinda neat to have this nice "mirror" in front of her and begins to pose. It started with faces, leading to pulling my hair UP into a mohawk and a few sharp tugs on the ear. At one point I feel her elbow rest on the top of my head as her other hand is over both of my eyes.

Against better judgement my eye wanders to check out what's going down.... this is all live.

Think you know the rest...

Good part was that it turned really funny.

Thankfully these 3 media spots resulted in success.

Still looking for a replacement for Preparation H...

Gettin close...

Its been a trying past few days since the heavy day on Monday. Our hearts go out to our karate family who had been hit hard by cancer.

It never ceases to amaze me how small communities come together, for all occasions but particularly when adversity strikes. Our Karate family is as tight knit as our Massacure family - we take care of our own and this makes me very proud.

Monday's shock resulted in attempted recovery on Tuesday. Tuesday was yucky and difficult, spilling into yesterday (not so bad) and today which has been a whirlwind of glitches, deadlines and issues... how do I get this body to stop twitching?

I dragged my sorry something to karate and taught a couple of classes, worked up a good sweat and seriously felt better. Hernia didnt bubble, so were golden. Back to class I go!

Consequently here are a few positive moments (besides class) that I'd like to share with you.

In this past 2 weeks we have had 5 salons approach us and ask to be involved. Being we are a non-soliciting group, this was like hitting Gold. Meagan, Mel and I very pleased to say the least.

Speaking of gold... a new school contacted me late last night. After a scramble to bring them a presentation (today), I was able to unload the last 100 pledge packages that I had in my possession. The children demonstrated deafening screams as Fred and I entered the gym.. guess they liked it.

Nicki, in a panic to find poly for our hair area, acquired a new sponsorship - Totem!

They had asked why we haven't approached them before and were thrilled to be involved.

Look for pink hard hats (and orange trousers) at the event - they will be there!

Saw my pink dog hit the Edmonton Journal. Heres the link:

http://communities.canada.com/edmontonjournal/blogs/animalattraction/archive/2011/01/29/in-the-pink-fred-the-poodle-ready-for-annual-hair-massacure.aspx

Paul Kane High School (St.Albert) surprised us as they paired up with Leo Nickerson Elementary to pink the students in their cosmetology lab.

http://www.stalbertgazette.com/article/20110128/SAG0801/301299997/st-albert-starting-to-turn-pink

Our friend Paul Liimatainen offered a pleasant surprise with the news of his 5,000 donation he solicited on our behalf.

This is the same gentleman that rounded up the team K3 for the kids - at Keephills and raised 74,000 (with Paul's personal contribution of 25,000 in pledges). Paul is an inspired Pink grandpa who's been involved with us for 4 years.

Then there's Darcy...

I hear from Darcy Ouellet at least once everyday - he is the superhuman gentleman who is heading up Red Deer Massacure at Bower Shopping Center this Saturday.

Back in May, Darcy held a smaller event right in the front area at Costco. He raised over 35,000, and 8 months later this man is back at it again with unleashed enthusiasm.

Darcy has interesting news everyday for me. Something he had donated, someone he inspired, a new school, a new salon, a new radio station... reminds me of me a few years ago before workload took over the excess energy.

Tomorrow I will wash and load my billboard with toques, bears and event supplies in preparation of Red Deer.

We have one week left folks.

If I am correct about my procrastination theory (where most folks perform best under pressure), we should have one last influx of inspired participants (who've been pondering involvement), donors fulfilling promised pledges, and maybe - just maybe more unexpected sponsorships that will help us get over that million.