Hair Massacure crazies

Let me introduce you to the team that has been working strategically on the event since October.

This isn't all of them, we have several planning committee members. These guys put a ton of hours into this project and I love them for it.

You all know Brandi- she is the project coordinator.

She works ethically and is focused, diligent and passionate about process. She also laughs at us a llllll the time and demonstrates an impressive level of patience.

Last week over coffee she nearly came out of her chair (like a Chris Angel levitation) as she described experienced successes in various meetings with our captains nailing down procedures. Her heightened excitement regarding registration details waisted as the signage at Starbucks captures Tammy attention. Mmmmmm... Candycane Mocha...

My brain does not gravitate into those areas of Brandi's passion - I absolutely need her.

Then we have Jaime. Our Project Manager.

Jaime is half Tammy, half Brandi. She LOVES process (one of her strengths), so these two make a great team whilst lost in discussions about budget items and sponsorship details. I'm lost too....

At the same time, Jaime can get sidetracked, and I like that.

Drop a word like "hockey", "Edward" (Twilight), "Coach" (as in the purse), "coupon" (as in extreme couponing), "family / friends" (as in anything to do with), "sick kid", or "McDonald's" (her roots) and she's promptly exited the current conversation to engage in a new one.

Jaime is highly productive and motivated, has ALREADY accomplished miracles and will likely burn out in the next 5 years.

Jaime does not smoke, nor do I - but like our friends here, we do love to pose in a good photo op.

Next we have Christie. I refer to her as Peters. Christie adds a lot of flavour to the event. She is our new volunteer Stylist coordinator (who has replaced the efforts of my lovely daughter Meagan and the infamous Mel). Christie is a take charge kinda gal, highly driven and passionate about all that she believes in. Her sense of humour makes up for the many ribbings endured. If Chris sees a vision - GET OUT OF HER WAY. Christie is Ukrainian, she believes food must play an integral role in all areas of life. The stylists love her already.

Next we have Pat. Pat is our school liaison (coordinator) and appointments diva. Pat has been with us since 2006 (same as Jaime), takes this event very seriously and knows a LOT about HM. Pat says she used to feel afraid and intimidated by me (back in the day when I taught karate) but those days are over. This makes me sad. :(

We like to identify her as the one with the heart on (thats annunciated .... sorta).

Tina is our merch captain. Tina is an expert in the retail industry and gets very excited about our merch (which she has purchased for the last few years on her line of credit). Tina is very driven to find the BEST prices for our participants, I so appreciate that. Tina is a funny girl with a huge heart, typically attached her her funny aunty Donna -with the huge heart. Tina is featured on our home page - the peace symbol. :)

Last we have Darcy. Darcy runs the Red Deer Massacure. I don't have a goofy picture of Darcy YET, but my obvious goal will be to get one in the near future. Fundraising is engrained in Darcy, always room in his hectic schedule to help out a friend our a cause - and always with a smile.

Nicki - my project coordinator for the last couple of years has stayed connected (yay!), however agreed to stay on year round with the River Queen as manager. We miss her, but she's still heavily involved as a planning committee member.

You all know what I do. A bit of everything, often a LOT of everything (certain folks say I could think about doing less of certain things...). I don't like to stay on one subject for too long, lists make me shudder, documents I find painful, counting Im not good at, distracting others Im very good at, I hold a LOT in my memory, I don't take notes, I struggle with delegating (although improving), I hate meetings that don't encourage my stories and I love inspiring people over a small table and a great cup of coffee. Painfully unconventional but somehow it works.

Its funny as I write this blog Im reflecting on what we all have in common.

We all are loopy. We all love to have fun. We all wish to make a difference because:

all of us have endured life altering trauma in our immediate family either by loosing a child / family member, or nursing a child through a disability and or life threatening illness.

Almost all of them have been with me for a minimum of 5 years and typically pink and or shave.

Now when I look at this even closer I realize that most of our planning committee members share this too.

Its true that like attracts like.

I wouldn't give these guys up for the world....

Coffee spills

Remember when Tide sticks came out? I recall thinking "oh, another gimmick".

Thanks to Kali's relentless urging to purchase one, I am forever grateful.

Ive since upgraded to a Tide BRUSH (it comes in industrial sizes) as Ive had a few mishaps over the years.

My first coffee mishap (rescued by the stick) happened on a hot summer day, in white pants at the traffic lights, mocha in hand, avoiding a sneaky left hand turn.

I used almost the entire stick, said thank you to Kali under my breath and set off for my meeting with a wet crotch.

Could have been worse - brown stain makes more of an interesting first impression.

Found a washroom with a hand dryer that you can manipulate - aimed it in the appropriate place and waved sheepishly as the washroom door opened. Had it not been the donor I was going to meet with, Im sure it would have been less intimidating.

A few years ago while meeting with a volunteer I learned that the family was lotto winners..... twice.

As Elaine would do (from Seinfeld) I over demonstrated my astonishment .... "GET OUT!" -

knocked my coffee clear across the table with such speed and force it nearly broke the sound barrier. Tide stick didn't cut it that time.

At a karate tournament, I approached another blackbelt during intermission with the intention of engaging in childish play (while he was trying to eat his lunch). I used one one my "moves" on him - to teach him a lesson for always ambushing me with his "moves".

The plan was only to intimidate by just grazing the skin. I was over zealous and he was drinking a coffee. I roundhouse kicked his coffee clear out of his hand. He competed in a brown Gi. Was really glad we weren't paired to fight.

I met with a vice principal in his office prior to my presentation at a junior high school. Just getting acquainted. He provided me with a coffee. As he spoke behind his desk, I fell into his charming soft spoken voice.

The conversation turned to me as he asked questions about the event.

I got comfortable, real comfortable as if to dazzle him with my really great story. I leaned heavily with intention on my left arm, on the arm of the chair, real cool like - Sue Sylvester face, coffee in left hand.

Should have checked first IF the chair had an arm. I went down, feet and coffee went up.

I don't recall fretting about where the coffee went. I think I might have lost a minute of my life as I must have blocked his reaction. All good. I don't need to remember that.

My most recent coffee episode was a Stollery meeting with our CEO. We shared a coffee at a small coffee shop at a small table. As Jaime was sharing her story, I fumbled around with my lid. Didn't seem to fit.

First 3 sips dribbled down and inside my shirt. 4th sip was the winner.

Time slowed to a halt as I watched frame by frame the cup go down and my java inch its way toward her covering the table.

My instinct was to throw my body onto the large brown pool (like putting out a fire), and be the rescuing sham wow. As I got up to proceed with my plan I felt the warmth. Waist to knees soaked, reached inside the purse. I wish I hadn't dumped 5 sugars in.

I have thought a lot about this and put together an emergency kit, only different than most.

Mine has 12 Tide sticks, towels, paper towels, baby wipes, pants, a shirt, socks, scarf and socks.

Now Im prepared.

Is this relevant to Hair Massacure? Yes and No.

If you - in the future choose to meet with me, bring protection.

Saying farewell to a committed Proud Victim

This weekend we said goodbye to our friend of 9 years - Marlies (better known as the "Telus Queen). Marlies is moving back to the Netherlands and we will miss her.

We met Marlies in 2003, under the clippers at our first Massacre held at Canada Post. Gord had approached her husband who shared this event with his wife who was battling her own illness (Lupus) and experiencing her own hairless. Coupled with her deep love for children, shaving seemed to be a perfect fit.

In the following years Marlies returned with a new title "the Telus Queen", complete with a crown and banner. Her boss accompanied her a couple of times (with a nice juicy cheque) taking the honour of assisting with the shave. Typically Kali would assist with the others as this was a special thing between those two.

Marlies developed a deep fondness for the event, particularly for Miss Kali.

In 2004, I invited Marlies to volunteer for our support group "Families Helping Families" - a monthly fun gathering for fellow cancer families ran by myself and girlfriend Carol.

Marlies loved being surrounded by these kids as she did not have any of her own to care for.

Every month Marlies would return to us at the City Arts Center (where we hosted FHF) and every year she'd find her yearly haircut under the clippers.

In 2007 Marlies hooked up with "Spanky" and joined our event as the first registered duo.

This became the catalyst for implementing teams and canines into our blossoming event.

Marlies concealed Spanky under a blanket in a baby carriage and discreatly wheeled him down past the HMV stage to the cutting area where my daughter Meagan met them both with the shears. A mixture of Marlies hair and grey tufts of fur (off the top of Spankys head) left evidence of what I would encourage for years to follow.

The following year we had registered teams, 3 pink standard poodles (including FRED), a pink bichon, a retriever and a bulldog.

Now rethinking the dog thing at WEM (as this has now caused a few glitches that I did not foresee), I am grateful for Marlies's innovative ideas.

Spanky prompted my invitation of Beamer and Paladin which prompted me to acquire a F.R.E.D. which prompted General (our pink horse), and so forth.

Perhaps this may eventually lead to a "Fur Massacure" .... who know?

Best of luck on your travels Marlies and thank you for your heart.

You will be hugely missed.

Hoofin' in in the malls

I was at WEM yesterday, had a date with Apple. Re-arranged my Saturday to account for some shopping time for the girls while I had my Iphone looked at.

Now I have to say, Apple has been very good to me in terms of quality of product and excellent customer service (free plug there Apple - hint hint)...

I braved the lengthy line-up only to discover that my phone was NOT with me... just as my name was called.

I can feel the beads of sweat collect under the hair line as I negotiate a plan of giving me 5 minutes to hoof it back to my vehicle to collect my device. Apple person seeming unimpressed grants me my 5 minutes and I barrel out of there like a quaterhorse galloping down the crowded halls of WEM, darting between shoppers like I was in an agility competition.

By the time I reach my vehicle (parked way to h - - down to tim buck two), Im so winded I could pass out but thats not an option for me so I proceed to hoof it back, only not so sturdy on my feet.

Im now back in the mall, gasping and weazing and staggering demonstrating a feeble attempt to effectively dart between the shoppers.

I'm so very close.... how could I have seen those little boys sharing a popcorn with all of that going on, focusing on my target. Popcorn in the air was the last thing I saw in my peripheral as I rounded the corner. I guess my purse might have slipped off my shoulder.... the good news is I made it.

Unable to communicate my issue with my technician, I fumble inside my purse to dig out my inhaler and in sign language proceed to indicate that my phone needs servicing. I will get a new phone on Wednesday.

Now Im thinking as I reflect back on this, its not the first time I have taken someone out whilst on the run in a store. I recall a jar of pickles shooting out of an elderly gentlemans hands like a torpedo in Safeway as I blew past him to the dairy section where I in fact caused a pregnant woman to drop a large yogurt as I skidded into base in to collect mine.

Years ago at WEM, I connected with an actor from North of Sixty (TV) rounding the corner near the HMV Stage, and again at WEM near the ICE Palace I knocked Wayne Gretsky's hockey bag clear off his shoulder. Being on the run, quite the inopportune time to apologize before asking for an autograph, I proceeded on.

At the Stollery, with Kali on 4th floor, I would run up and down the stairs as an ideal method of maintaining my karate figure. Eventually that stopped when I blew out the 2 doctors on my acceleration down the 2nd floor. Had they not had their lunch trays in hand I could have squeaked past them.

Then there was the time I face planted the mirrors in Kingsway, and the pole in the parking lot where I chipped my tooth....

So what is the point of this blog? And really what was my message about my last one - the cat?

Nothing profound. Just sharing a day or two in the professional lives behind HM.

Bring your Kid to Work Day

So, it is traditional at this time of year that thousands of grade nine kids go to work with their parents. We, the parents, have decided that it's actually the teachers getting revenge on us because our kids come to their work every day.

So, at the office today we had my daughter Natasha, Jaime's son Tyler, and (because she didn't want to be left out) Tammy's... well... we had FRED. Tammy does not currently have a kid in grade nine so FRED filled in. And was a huge hit as usual.

Between us, we had kids at four different meetings today. They were great - respectful (mostly because they didn't want to talk at all) and probably more than a bit bored, to be honest. I don't know about Tyler, but here are Natasha's thoughts after a day "behind the scenes of Hair Massacure":

• I would probably explode if I had an office job. There is not enough space... I need room to spread out and think
• FRED looks funny when Tammy puts his fur in a ponytail
• Meetings make my head hurt
• Who knew dogs (FRED) could actually burp?
• My mom needs a new computer so she can get her work done instead of waiting... and waiting... and waiting...
• I wish Take Your Kid to Work Day had happened on Massacure day - it's a lot more fun than being in the office

I did feel for the kids; after all it's not all that exciting to sit in meetings that don't concern you (though mini chocolate bars did help), or looking at documents all afternoon. The good thing is that they do have a unique perspective and it was great to see that they do have some critical thinking skills.

I am glad my kid came to work with me - her whole life she has come to events with me, but has never actually seen the "other side" of it - it's not all fun and games and there is a lot of planning involved with events. So, all in all, while she may not be destined for an office job, at least she can say she understands mine a bit more tonight.

I'd be interested to hear Tyler's thoughts on the day - they were headed to a meeting with a sponsor who also had his kid with him today. I wonder how they did?

And on that note, I'd like to thank the teachers for forcing our kids into what we condescendingly call "the real world", and I will thank Tammy, Cathy, Paul, Bryce, Carmelle, and all the other people who welcomed grade nine's into their workday today. It was a neat experience :)

Hello Everyone from your new Project Manager

Hello Fellow Massacure Lovers!!!!

My name is Jaime Caza and I have recently joined the Massacure team as the new Project Manager. I am very excited to meet all of you! Although I have been around the Massacure for several years now and consider many of you really good friends! I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a little about myself. I am married to my best friend Mike who I met when I was only 16, we have been together ever since. We are parents of three children, two dogs and one fish. My son Tyler is 14 , my daughter Kailey is 11, and our youngest daughter Sydney is 10. Our two dogs are Lisa, she is a 14 yr old retired greyhound, and Buddy our 4 yr old golden retriever, the fish.... has no name. I have been so blessed with a wonderfully supportive family and many very good friends. My favourite colour is purple and you will see me in this colour often (of course pink is a runner-up). I love McDonald's coffee (two milks thanks!) and I have not yet met a potato chip that I won't enjoy. I am not ashamed to admit that I am a "Twilight" fanatic and Taylor Swift's biggest fan.

Most importantly, I am so excited to join the Hair Massacure team and I can't wait to see you all at the event as we work towards the goal of this 10th Anniversary event being the biggest yet!

I would like to share my story of the first time I experienced the Hair Massacure. It was 2006 and I was working for McDonald's as the Community Relations Representative. We sponsored this event by providing some food for the volunteers and I wanted to go to the mall and check out the event. We had banners and many other obligations to meet regarding the event organizers and McDonald's. I was waiting for the kick off to begin and I was not sure what to expect. That is when I saw something so profoundly amazing happening, I knew INSTANTLY that this event would change me. This was the best I had ever seen . What I saw was hundreds of children supporting other children who were battling Cancer. This was such a beautiful way to help each and it took my breath away. Hundreds of pink haired children marched proudly towards the staging area ready to shave it all off. Boys and girls with long locks of hair , their teacher's and parents all pinked out and preparing to follow through on their commitment. I just couldn't believe they were shaving heads! It was fantastic! In unity they began, girls were braiding their hair to donate. The beautiful locks of blonde and brown hair would soon be wigs for children suffering with hair loss. What impacted me the most was all the pink heads and proud little faces. The school was bursting with energy and pride as they had raised an enormous amount of money to benefit charities. I knew on a personal level that I was joining in some how and I still thank God for that day.

How would I know then that this would eventually lead me down this path. I can assure you this impacted me to my core. Those adorable kids were not able remove their friends pain or help ease the sickness but, they WERE able to represent what cancer cannot achieve, no matter how strong it is … THE JOY OF BEING LOVED. That day during the Hair Massacure THE KIDS WON!

I am a Stollery frequent flyer Mom, I am Wish Mom and I have been first hand witness to what Ronald McDonald House does to help their families. My daughter has been a recipient for the charities and that gives me a first hand understanding of how important these charities are and a hunger to serve and build this event to its highest potential. Thank you to Tammy and Brandi who have really opened up their arms and embraced me. A special call out to Brandi who now has another ADHD brain to work with! HERE WE GO!