...before I die

Number 33 Meet Your Childhood Idol

2011-10-22T12:04:00.000-04:00

September 10, 2011

When I was a little Edith, I wanted to be a cartoonist. I drew all the time. I would rush through my schoolwork because then I could draw until it was time for the next subject and then rush through that one so I could draw again. I liked to draw with a black felt tip marker and drawing Peanuts characters was my favorite. I can still whip out a Charlie Brown with my eyes closed!

Then along came Peter Max. Um...wow.

I was in first grade when the Pop Art thing really took off and Peter Max work was the coolest thing I'd ever seen. What child wouldn't be attracted to all these vibrant images? And the color! The black felt tip marker was put aside, I learned to spell P-S-Y-C-H-E-D-E-L-I-C and I drew groovy cosmic drawings all over the place trying to imitate Peter Max. I even drew all over my body like Goldie Hawn on Laugh -In until my parents made me stop and I wrote in groovy bubble writing on my school assignments until my teacher made me stop.

America was like me- just couldn't get enough of this guy. You saw Peter Max artwork everywhere when I was a kid.

He kinda fell of the grid in the 1970's. When he reemerged, it seemed he had also put aside his black marker and had gone in a vibrant new direction with acrylic painting on canvas rather than drawings:

It was different but you could still see him in the artwork. It was still Peter Max.

So...I found out about an opportunity to meet Peter Max in Atlanta. Really? In Person? The same Peter Max from my childhood bedroom wall? I got on this so fast, I left one of those cartoon clouds with a zinging noise in my wake!

I hooked up with the beautiful Mary from the Wentworth Gallery and she gave me all the details and on the designated day, I donned black and white clothing and drove the four hours to the gallery.

It was a quiet affair with wine and crackers and only about twenty or so people but there they were - the paintings. There were pieces from his cosmic period, from his newer period, small ones, huge ones, almost all in the five-digit price range. Well, at least I got to see them up close.

Then along came Peter Max. Um...wow! It was like meeting an icon like Mickey Mouse or Woody Guthrie. He was right there and just as charming as he could be. He's 74 now but he is still very much the Maxiest!

I can't believe I did this but...I bought a painting! It was one of his smaller pieces from his hearts series and I'm going to be eating ramen noodles and hot dogs for about a year to pay for it but I just got caught up in the excitement and wanted a piece of it. The best part of it was that when he dedicated it to me, I was telling him how much I liked his cosmic heads but how they werer way out of my school teacher budget ($23,000) so HE DREW ME ONE (with a black marker)! It's on the paper on the back of the painting I bought.

Number 75 - Get a Tattoo

2011-07-27T21:39:00.002-04:00

August 18, 2011

I know it's really trendy now but, when I was growing up, tattoos were just for sailors (or really trashy girls). All of my siblings have tattoos and both my children, as well. It's seems that now everybody has a little sumptin'. I went with my son to a tattoo parlor once when he was having one done and there was an grandmother bringing her teenage granddaughter for her first tattoo. She turned to me in the waiting area and said, "I never thought I'd see the day." I understood completely.

Daughter's butt

Son's arm

The whole tattoo thing is just so...permanent. What If, down the road, I wasn't into whatever I had put on my body? I put the question to my son about his Nightmare Before Christmas tattoos. He asked my what tattoo I would have gotten at his age. Easy. Kermit the Frog. And today? I was still thinking Kermit the Frog. Or maybe a claddagh, or maybe one of those breast cancer ribbons. I was still trying to decide when I read about something some cancer patients were doing -permanent make-up! This is where you have your make-up tattooed onto your face. Although I was never a big make-up person (except for that creepy Human League period in the 80's), I was having to use make-up now to cover up the fact that my eyebrows and eyelashes had come back in random patches after the chemotherapy and radiation (I also still have no leg hair or hair under my arms but I don't mind that so much.) Wanna see my history in make-up? Here are passport and ID photos that show my journey

As a teen- too cool for make-up

In college- a little much

Now - the minimalist

I went to Sandy at The Locks and Lashes Salon and explained what I needed and found out out that she had helped many others in my situation. Our plan was to tattoo the eyebrows and a little eyeliner to give the impression of eyelashes and after that healed, she would hook me up with some semi-permanent lashes made from the hair of minks (harvested by brushing them, not killing them). So, I was joining the ranks of the tattooed!!

Here are the before and after pictures from the day of the the tattooing. My eyes are still swollen in the after pictures but I was extremely pleased with the results!

Took this pic right before the procedure.

Swollen but happy!

I'll post again after the lashes are attached so the finished (and unswollen) product can be seen. the tattooing hurt like a son-of-a-bitch but it went quickly and I like the way it turned out. I'm not giving up on a possible Kermit tattoo in the future but it won't be the near future; I need time to forget the pain!

UPDATE - August 9, 2011. All healed and semi-permanent lashes applied:

Number 58 Compete in a 5K

2011-06-28T08:51:00.002-04:00

Number 58-Compete in a 5K

I am not a runner. I do not care for the activity at all. When I was a kid, my dad was put in charge of this military running program called Run for Your Life at Fort Benning and we all had to go out and set the example as a family - hated it!
I ran ALOT in the army because they threatened my life if I didn't but I can't imagine running just for the fun of it. Still, the list has brought me to this place so I will be a good sport about it.
When I was sick, someone else usually walked my class to and from the lunchroom, their other classes and recess be cause I could barely walk across the room. At this point, a five 5K run seemed impossible.
At the end of the year, the running club at our school holds a 5K run/2K walk. That year, I decided I would come out and walk the 1 mile part. It almost killed me! The next spring, I was feeling much better and decided to try to run the 2K in preparation for dreaded 5K. I didn't time myself or anything, I just wanted to see if my body could hold up. Here are some pictures from that race:

I did it!

Here I am warming up with my friend, Jen.
She is a marathon runner!

Stretching

Okay, I can see the humor in
getting lost in a race now
but at the time, I was pretty upset.

Next step:Register for a 5K. I went for the Run for the Roses sponsored by the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority at Georgia Southern University. Results: DISASTER!! I'm ashamed to admit this but, during the race, I managed to get LOST and ended up running 6K instead of 5K (left, below). Still, made a good time (for a 6K) and finished the race without dying.

Bad news followed. During one of the follow-up medical exams, I was told that the chemotherapy had left me with some major bone loss and that this kind of slammity-slammity-slammity activity was ill-advised. So, I transferred to the elliptical while we worked on this medical issue. After about nine months, I was told that I had reversed the bone loss and as of this date, I am beginning the Couch to 5K program to get ready for a 5K around the September time frame.

Stay tuned for details!

September 17, 2011-Details.

After I wrote that last post, the weather here in southeast Georgia stayed in triple digits for weeks so I pushed back my training schedule so I wouldn't...um...die. Despite this, a friend, Rob, managed to talk me into running in the 3rd Infantry Division's Top of the Rock 5K Fun Run. My goal on this day was just to finish the race and get some baseline data for improvement so I could work toward finishing a 5K in 30 minutes or less. I had exactly 30 minutes of running music in my Droid for this purpose.

So, here's the deal: I ran most of it walked some and finished in 30:14. I was feeling pretty good about myself for the first run I'd done in a year.Walking tall! Still, many suspected that the run was not really 5K. Too many people had unbelieveably good running times for 5K. I didn't want to hear this!!! After the race, we clocked it in the car. Only 3.25K. First, I run too long, now I've run too short. Can't catch a break, can I?

Number 29 - Break The Law

2011-06-19T17:50:00.002-04:00

Number 29 Break the Law

I am blessed enough to have had more than 101 people respond to be adventure companions for me on my 101 adventures. Because I of this, I've had to spread a few of the adventures out. In this case, instead of simply breaking the law, I will break one law for every letter of the alphabet. That lets me bring in at least 25 more people, ya dig?

Breaking the law will not be easy for me because I am SUCH a goody-goody. I am Debbie-Do-Right, the poster child for always doing the right thing. I was that kid in school who always had her homework, never smoked in the bathroom, always told the truth never cheated at cards. I am sure that, after each one of these illegal events, you'll be able to find me on my knees in a confessional or trying to make amends for my dastardly deed.

Naturally, I will not engage in any felonies or do anything that will cause harm to anyone. YOUR part in all this is to NOT rat me out to the coppers. I'll start looking for opportunities to do my illegal acts and report back as I hit each of the letters.

June 27, 2011 Letter D - D is for Deface. I defaced this dollar bill which was in circulation to look like a vulcan. This is in violation of US code Title 18, part 1, Chapter 17.

Number 41 Be Friends with You Ex

2011-06-19T17:05:00.002-04:00

June 10, 2006 - Present
Easy! For this one I chose Roger, my most recent ex. This is a love story that spans three decades and three continents!
We met in Europe right after I graduated college in 1984 and became friends because we were both from Boston and had the same birthday. We then found ourselves stationed together again in the continental United States. This is where we began our romantic relationship and maintained this relationship long-distance when he accepted a transfer to Asia.

We eventually figured out that we simply couldn't work out the logistics of this relationship not only because we couldn't get our selves on the same side of the planet at the same time but his promotion while overseas made it impossible for us to work in the same place because of fraternization regulations. Being sensible people, we decided to end the relationship on friendly terms and look for other possibilities. Roger is a great guy and I still count him among my best friends. He always had time to talk , a ready smile and a hanky (yeah, a hanky) - that's the kinda guy he is. He was recently lucky enough to find a soulmate in Asia and they married. I can't be jealous; she sounds like a great person and he sounds happy. I would want nothing less for him. Roger will always have a special place in my heart. It was a good four years.

Number 98 Go on a Demonstration

2011-05-18T15:22:00.213-04:00

May 22, 2011

Sometimes doing this list forces me to do new things and sometimes it just facilitates it. Number 93 is to go on a demonstration. In this case, I'm not going just to check off a list item. I was moved to go and it just happened to be a list item.

Our fair town of Savannah will be visited this weekend by a hate group. In particular, the infamous Westboro Baptist Church will be on our shores on Sunday to spread their message of intolerance and I have decided to participate in the counter protest. If you are unfamiliar with this group, here are some photos from previous protests:

I felt the need to do my civic duty and go throw rocks at them but them I remembered that I live in America and we have the freedom of speech and all that good American stuff.

I REALLY liked this idea

but, again, America...even these douchebags have the right to be heard (sigh). So, the counter protest was pretty much my only option.

Now... for my sign (because it's not enough to just stand there.) Here are some ideas I found from some of the other counter protests against the WBC:

This was a popular one

Funny!

Profound...

Ha!!

and...

I am certainly not bold enough to go with this last one and I promised

my mom I would behave myself according to the way

I was brought up so I'll have to think of something milder.

Hmmmmm....still thinking

May 22, 2011- They're heeeeeere!

We were reminded again and again that ours would be a peaceful
counter- protest and they asked us not to say anything nasty
so I decided to only be a bad hostess during their trip to the Hostess City.
I would offer them no refreshing beverage nor a comfy chair.
So there!

We received an email this morning warning us to wear any
medic alert bracelets or dog tags we had in case we
passed out from the heat; it was supposed to be close
to 100 degrees today! Didn't care;
off to the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist!

With me on this adventure was my friend, Gaby, who told me
she had always wanted to go to a demonstration. She said
she couldn't go in the past because of risk to her husband's military career.
( For those who don't know, before 1983, a soldier's
evaluation report included a place for his wife to be rated).
Her husband retired and then passed away so she figured
it was safe to go now and I was able to take this five-foot stick
of dynamite with me. Here we are in Lafayette
Square before the demonstration with our signs:

Her sign says" Love is Greater than Hate"

in symbols and mine says "God Hates

No One" in Latin.

I was rather sad that all this nastiness was
occurring right here in this particular spot.

I had my very first teaching assignment at Notre Dame

Academy here on this square. Our first art project

of the year was always to draw this fountain

in the square (above). You can see it behind Gaby
and me in our photo. We used to wave

to the trolleys and have picnics in the square
and we learned about the Hamilton-Turner
House and the Andrew Low House and
the Flannery O'Connor birth house,
all on this square, as well and,
of course, we attended mass at the cathedral.
I had lots of good memories here

and I didn't like strangers coming in and saying

this was a bad place. Still...America...
first amendment...if I wanted my rights,
I had to honor theirs.

We got there about half an hour early and

chatted with other protesters and the Savannah

Police, people from the cathedral and

some of the news reporters. Here, we are in

the news report from our local NBC affiliate:

The counter-protesters lined up and waited for the hate group.

The group arrived surround by police. I heard on the news that there were over 200 police assigned to this protest. I couldn't believe the audacity of these guys!! The leader got out of their vehicle with an American flag, held up one end of it, dropped the rest on the ground and STOOD on it

Many in the crowd asked the police to stop her but they said nothing could be done. She continued to abuse and desecrate the flag in ways I won't honor with blog space. The organizers of our group pulled someone with a flag up to the front and everyone cheered.

The hate group continued to try to bait the crowd but it remained peaceful and dignified on our end.

The monsignor, my old boss, stood on the stairs of the cathedral during the whole protest. A weird photo effect happened in this photo. Look at the people beside and in front of him. They have "halos."

They left exactly at the scheduled time (again escorted by the police) to a chorus of "Na na na na, na na na na, hey, hey, GOODBYE!"

Here we are after the protest trying to cool off in the extreme heat at The Mellow Mushroom

Number 49 See Both Solar and Lunar Eclipses

2010-12-21T15:07:00.001-05:00

December 21, 2010 Part 1 - Lunar Eclipse

Curled up on the sofa with
the camera ready to go!

This was a pretty cool lunar eclipse to watch. It occurred on the Winter Solstice. That hasn't happened since 1632. Plus, there was a nice clear night for moonwatching. Since it was starting at 1:33 a.m., I took a nice long nap so I could stay up and watch the whole thing. Didn't quite make it - I eventually had to rely on my alarm to keep waking me up. It was freezing outside so I snuggled up on a sofa near the door and ran out every half hour to snap a photo.

So, here are the highlights:

At the beginning

A bigger bite gone

...'bout halfway there and turning "bloody"

Very faint image of the Blood Moon.

The starts to be visible again on the other side.

...and here is me- "eclipsed"
come morning.

Number 97 Spend the Night in a Haunted House

2010-10-25T11:55:00.400-04:00

Halloween Weekend, 2010

Anyone who knows me can tell you that I am a big ol' chicken!! That's right; yellow to the core, no spine, scaredy-cat extraordinaire. Many a night has the light been burning in my bedroom overnight while I cowered under the covers after watching a scary movie and we won't even discuss why I needed a change of clothes while visiting Fright Night at Universal Studios! Still, I do love a good scare so I put this item on my list to feed the beast within and what better night to undertake this mission than Halloween!

So here's the plan: I'm headed to New Orleans this weekend to stay in the mansion at Creole Gardens (left). It's a bed and breakfast that is reportedly haunted. I know, I know, I live in one of the most haunted cities in America and there are probably dozens of haunted places here in Savannah but I want to have some fun too. I believe New Orleans is known for promoting gaiety, isn't it? A little research...

A website on haunted houses had this to say about the Creole Gardens:

Ghosts don't like change, and when this building was restored as an inn, 400-pound doors slammed for no apparent reason, and bathroom tiles that had been neatly stacked were found scattered about the floor. One guest reported a clear image of a former slave standing in the corner of the room with arms folded, apparently awaiting orders. Another guest reported a man visiting at night, speaking softly. Housekeepers report dark, flitting blurs, and a feeling of someone watching them.

I also wrote to the owner of Creole Gardens and she gave me some of the history:

Our inn was built as a private house in the 1840's and was the residence of Rev. Benjamin Palmer during the Civil War and thereafter...you can google him and find him on Wikipedia. He was very instrumental in having Louisiana secede from the Union and spent many hours in our drawing rooms planning political decisions with local and national leaders,including Jefferson Davis.

On this trip, I am again accompanied by my friend, Rob, who is a scientist, and does not believe in ghosts. He will be in charge of p'shawing anything I suspect might be supernatural. I gotta tell you, I'm feeling a little nervous about this one, folks. Too many viewings of Legend of Hell House and House on Haunted Hill, I suppose. Packing extra underwear.

November 2, 2010

We left home about 10:15 in the morning and arrived in New Orleans about a quarter to nine. I really, really didn't want to arrive in the dark but it couldn't be helped. The Creole Gardens was really a charming place. The mansion is painted a cheery bright yellow. There is a pretty courtyard with banana trees, surrounded by rooms that had been slave quarters, which are painted purple, pink and turquoise.

Our room also was very nice. We stayed in Mansion Room number three. We entered through french doors from a private porch into a foyer with a wet bar and refrigerator and then into a stunning room with eighteen foot ceilings, a chaise lounge and a white metal canopy bed. Rob and I are just friends* but there was NO WAY IN HELL I was sleeping alone while we were in a haunted house so there was only one bed in the room. The bathroom had an old-timey clawfoot bathtub and a pedestal sink. Just beautiful!

It was still early and we were hungry so we decided to go out and poke around a little and get a bite to eat. I was getting dressed in front of the mirror of the open armoire door when...creeeeeeeeek...the door of the armoire closed by itself!!! Rob was standing over by the bed and the windows were closed so there was no wind and the air conditioner was off. Rob suggested that the unstable floor was the cause and that him having walked by a few seconds before it happened caused the incident. Indeed, the floor did wiggle the armoire door a little when you walked by it but no matter how many times I tried to replicate the the event, the heavy door only wiggled a little.My explanation: Ghost. His explanation: odd floor. What do you think? Here's a video

I just know this: Had my most skeptical pal not been with me at this point, I would have put everything back in my bag, gotten in the car and made the ten hour drive back home.

This is not a dark, scary ghost,
It is only Rob's jacket that he'd
hung from the bedpost.
It looked different in the dark

We continued to argue about "the event" while we hit the Saint Charles Tavern for Po' Boys and atmosphere and then I got ready for bed. Rob went to get something from the car and I suddenly realized I was alone in the room. Eeek! I got my mom on the phone and made her talk to me until he came back. She had quite a giggle at this but, since she went to college in New Orleans, she understood and obliged me.

Part of my bedtime preparations

I did NOT want to go to bed but it was late and I was tired. While Rob was in the bathroom, I took a picture from each corner of the room and them examined the photos carefully for ghostly orbs. All clear. So I hopped into bed. I didn't want to close my eyes but I didn't want to SEE anything either. I kept my eye on the armoire but eventually fell asleep.

I woke up to a BEAUTIFUL Fall day, feeling pretty good about finishing another item on my list and we headed out to enjoy the Big Easy on Halloween weekend. Here are a few pictures of our fun:

On our Halloween night, we were putting on our costumes (Round 2) and heading out to enjoy our last night on the town when I was "haunted" by something I had eaten earlier in the day. It came back from the dead to visit me and I was not feeling so pretty good. I was goin' nowhere! I tried to encourage Rob to go out without me but he stayed in with his sick friend so she wouldn't have to be alone with a ghost. What a pal! I told him that, if I don't have a gentleman friend at the time, he was welcome to be my companion when I stay in the best suite of a 5-star hotel for Number 30 on my list.

Although we had no major disturbances during our long weekend at the Creole Gardens, others did and were passing around pictures of ghosts they had taken during the night in the breakfast room the morning we left. This was a fun challenge but I never want to do it again!

* Saying JUST friends is not to diminish the friend relationship, it was for identification purposes only.

Number 63 Make the Front page of the Newspaper

2010-08-21T14:41:00.010-04:00

February 6, 2010
I have to say that this was the easiest item on my list because it fell right into my lap! A colleague and I organized a fundraiser for the earthquake victims in Haiti and the newspapers and TV stations came to cover the closing ceremony. Here's the story and pictures:

Teachers slimed, 'snaked' for Haiti relief

On-post schools raise $4,000 for charity

Third Infantry Division Rear Detachment Commander, Col. Stuart McRae slimes Diamond Principal Lynda Kidd on Friday as part of the school’s fundraiser to help disaster victims in Haiti. 3rd ID mascot Rocky was on hand to assist.
Photo by Denise Etheridge

By Denise Etheridge
Staff writer

Third-grade teacher Edith Allison allows herself to be “wrapped” with a non-poisonous snake during a
school assembly.

Updated: Feb. 8, 2010 11:49 a.m.
Diamond Elementary School students learned Friday that every penny has precious value when many pennies for a good cause are added together.
The Fort Stewart school’s 700 students raised $4,064, which was donated to the American Red Cross for earthquake relief in Haiti. The goal set was $2,000.
“We are just astounded!” said Edith Allison, a Diamond Elementary third-grade teacher. “We doubled our goal. The children brought in pennies and nickels each day. We encouraged them to do chores at home to earn money to donate.”
Children also donated their allowances, she said.
Allison and fellow third-grade teacher Candace Riley went to school administrators with the idea to get the children involved in raising funds for Haiti the day after the earthquake. The teachers coordinated the school’s fundraising campaign.
Allison said each class set a fundraising goal of $50-$100. Most classes raised more than $50, and some raised more than $200.
Teachers promised their students they would do “something outrageous” if the classes surpassed their fundraising goals, Allison said.
Since her students collected more than their $50 goal, Allison allowed herself to be “wrapped” with a live snake. It was a non-poisonous pet boa.
One teacher, an avid Yankee’s fan, was “made over” into a Red Sox fan. Another teacher who is a die-hard Georgia Bulldogs fan allowed her students to paint a Florida Gator on her face.
Other teachers allowed themselves to be hit with water balloons, sprayed with silly string or get taped to the wall. Some classes received awards, such as ice cream or chocolate pizza parties. And other students won a week free of spelling quizzes.
When the final tally was announced Friday, the entire school gathered in the gym for an assembly.
Diamond Elementary School Principal Lynda Kidd allowed herself to be “slimed” with green goo in front of the entire school.
“They’ve been waiting all week to slime me,” Kidd, dressed in worn sweats, said with a smile.
Kidd’s guest “slimers” were the Marne mascot, Rocky, and Col. Stuart McRae, 3rd ID rear detachment commander.
“What you all have done will help those kids in Haiti who have lost everything in the earthquake,” McRae told students. “You can be proud of your accomplishment when you go to bed tonight.”
McRae presented a commander’s coin bitten by Rocky to Kidd after sliming the principal. The colonel said Kidd deserved the coin because she “was a good sport,” and for general excellence.
Kidd said the fundraising campaign incorporated the school’s character building program, Gator Traits.
“I am so proud of these children,” Kidd said. “Our main purpose (for the campaign) was to help people in the world that need it.”

Number 16 Get into the World Book of Records

2010-08-06T21:41:00.040-04:00

Date: September 4, 2010

I had a childhood friend, Pia Andersson, who got into the Guinness Book of World Records . She and a pal set the record for the longest time swinging on a swing set in one sitting. She was raising money for cancer research in the name of a classmate of ours who had died from cancer. I was pretty impressed with this feat and the motivation behind the act is especially poignant now.

Here are Pia and Matt on the swings they used to break the record.

I never thought I could beat any kind of record but I've done MANY things I never thought I'd do as of late so, why not?. I may just have the chance in a few weeks.

Okay, remember last year when I did Number 20 where I went to the science fiction convention in costume? Well, I had so much fun that I'm going back this year!! This not only provides me with a good time but it also allows me to work on Number 16 on my list. It seems that there will be two attempts at world record this year at Dragon Con in Atlanta. The first is to attempt to assemble the most superheroes in one place at one time and the second is to do the same for Star Trek characters. I'm busy at my sewing machine right now getting ready for this. Here are the numbers to beat

Current Superhero record is 1246

Current Star Trek record is 508

Stay tuned for updates on this!

September 4th, 2009: Oh, yeeeeeahhhh! Did it! Did it!! Did it!!!

I had two chances on this day to make a record. at 1:30, I went to the Westin Hotel in Atlanta for the official count. Here I am (left) lining up for a photo op with the rest of the (thirty or so) Wonder Women.
There was pretty much every superhero you could imagine there. Here are a few that I saw:

We even had a special guest to pump us up during the count. Lou Ferrigno, who played the Incredible Hulk, spoke to the group and took questions from the audience. He looked really incredible! He invited all the children super heroes up on the stage with him.

Sadly, we did not make the required number to beat the world record but it was still great fun!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That night at 8:30, there was another chance. So, with my friend, Rob, it was off to the the ballroom of The Sheraton in Atlanta in our best Star Trek garb.
Um...wow! I had never seen so many Trekkers!! We had to stand in line before the count and we saw costumes from all the versions of the Television show and the movies and even Christopher Pike (google it). Look at this crowd! After the time limit allowed, the doors were locked and we had to remain in place for ten minutes. It seemed like the longest ten minutes in my life that didn't involve a dentist drill. As you can imagine by the picture, we received some good news at the end of that ten minutes. We had 571 Trekkers ion the room and had set a new world record!!! Whoo Hooooooooo!!!!! Look for this in the next edition of the world record book.

Number 14 Sing in Public

2010-08-06T21:03:00.013-04:00

May 20, 2010

This one wasn't so tough. I sing in public all the time with my choir so I don't have stage fright or anything BUT since I have been with them since, like, 1987 and I made the rule requiring all the things on my list being completed after the date of the initial letter, I had to make a special effort to get this done.

The answer presented itself in the form of the Teacher Talent Show at the school where I teach. I chose Ingrid Michaelson's "The Way I Am" for my song, tuned up the ol' guitar and had at it:
If you are chilly
Here take my sweater
Your head is aching
I'll make it better 'cuz
IIIIIIIIIIII
Looooooove
The way you call me baby
And yoooooooooooou take me
The way I am.
I didn't really have an adventure companion for this one but here is a (rather blurry) picture of me with all the other teachers who participated in the Talent Show. It was a pretty good time!

Number 74 Learn to Fly a Plane

2010-04-01T11:12:00.029-04:00

March 31, 2010

Okay, first of all, I'm terrified of heights. I'm also prone to motion sickness. Plus, I'm told, due to health reasons, I can never get a pilot's license. Was I gonna let that stop me? No way!! Meet Mr. Leo Joshua (right), who has been flying since he was thirteen years old. He was my mentor/adventure companion for this adventure; he was Mr. 74!

I'd flown a simulator before but this was the real deal- up-in-the-sky-far-to-fall-certain-death! I don't mind admitting I was a little nervous but there was also part of me that just couldn't wait!! Since I was probably only going to do this once, I brought along my pal, Rob to document this event and provide proof that I did it because I could hardly believe it myself. I also thought he might dig the ride. Here we are in front of the plane that I was to fly(left).

Mr. Joshua showed me the different parts of the plane and explained a little something about lift and drag and thrust. Then he went over the safety checklist and we inspected all the different parts of the plane for loose bits and rotting and leaking and such. Here he is (right) clearing out the cockpit while I wring my hands in anticipation of death. We got ready to do the cockpit check but first we had to stuff Rob in the back of the plane with his knees up by his ears to fit. Okay, I'm exaggerating but it was a tight fit.

Next, I got to shout out a tiny window "Prop clear!" which means "Back off, I'm starting up the propeller" in pilot talk. Then this toggle was switched this way and that one that way and I learned how to use the throttle and to read the instruments (there aren't as many as you would think!) The we donned our cool-looking headsets- hard NOT to look cool wearing these - and I got to taxi the plane out onto the runway. You drive it with your feet-"Look, Ma, no hands!" Right foot turns it right, left foot turns left. Easy, huh? NOT!!! I was all over the place!

Mr. Joshua got us off the ground and then said the most terrifying words I've ever heard "You've got the plane." Arghhhhhhh!!!!! I gripped that yoke so tight that I think I embedded my fingerprints in it permanently(right). Mr. Joshua sat next to me and gave iinstruction, encouragement and directions.(left).

I brought the plane up to 3,500 feet and then leveled it out. I turned left and right and did a 360 degree turn. I kept my little cartoon wings on the instrument panel as level as I could and looked around for other aircraft and followed the bearings I was given. I was going more than 100 miles per hour!! We flew over our post and I could see my school. We flew over town and I could see my neighborhood. I had no idea so many of my neighbors had pools! Then we headed out to the coast and came back through a beautiful sunset (below)

As we got closer to the airfield, I used a GPS to fly. It works just like the ones in a car.Naturally, Mr. Joshua did the landing;at the airfield I only had to learn to fly the plane, not land it. He did a fabulous job. I had a new appreciation for pilots after this experience!Here I am after the flight a little nauseous but safe and sound on the ground. I couldn't stop smiling for the rest of the night

Number 24 See a Space Shuttle Launch

2009-11-18T09:33:00.020-05:00

November 16, 2009

This was my second attempt at seeing a Space Shuttle launch. I drove five hours to see it three years ago and the launch was scrubbed. I was too sick to travel to see any of the other launches after that so I was certainly disappointed BUT my sister (right) lives in Titusville at the cape so this gave me another opportunity to come for a visit and a launch now that I am in a state of resored health. Of course she made me earn my keep while I was there by helping her put in soffit vents. I don't know what soffit vents are but I got to wear pretty pink gloves and use big scissors.

Then on to the launch!!!!!

We watched the lauch from across the bay on Merrit Island which seemed like it was far away but when the shuttle took off, we could feel it and hear it and smell it.

10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1... LIFTOFFF!!!!

up, up and away!!!!

...and that fast, it was gone. It was really spectacular but I was disappointed at how quicly it was over; it literally only last seconds. My sister, who is a veteran of these launches tells me that a night launch is even more impressive and that I should come back for one of those too. I will certainly try but there are only five launches left in the Space Shuttle program. I wonder what my sister will have me building on that trip.

She was trying to get a photo of me with the shuttle but accidently took this sideways video.

Number 37 Start a Fire without Matches

2009-10-15T19:21:00.054-04:00

November 7, 2009

I thought this would be more fun if I actually had a reason to make a fire rather than just creating random flames SO, this fire will occur as part of a camping trip to cook our weenies and smores. This worked out well because my adventure companion, Vivien was recently married and she and her husband, Todd, had received a tent as a wedding present and couldn't wait to try it out.

I've never made a fire from scratch before so I had to do some research. This led to the discovery of nine different ways to make fire:
1) Friction-based methods- These would be your rubbing sticks together, hand drill methods.

2) Flint-based methods - As the name implies, this involves striking flint

3) Lens-based methods - This is the magnifying glass way to make a fire but I learned that it can also include the use of an ice cube, a coke can and chocolate bar and even a condom!

4) Chemical methods - this involves the combination of chemicals and a cool electrical chemical way of making fire with a battery and steel wool.

BINGO!! This is the one I wanted!

So....

Off we went to George L. Smith State Park for our camping trip on the most beautiful day of the year!! Look at that sky!! We had a campsite right on the water; it was gorgeous!!!!

There was still plenty of daylight left when we arrived so we decided to hit the lake before we even set up camp. the water was so still, it looked like a mirror.

Todd sat in the front and steered while Vivien and I paddled. We actually managed to get ourselves wedged between two of those trees in the boat just after this was taken. I'm glad there were three of us. (Right) Todd came dressed appropriate to the occasion

It started to get dark so we set up camp, hunted for wood and got down to the business of the day.

I went with the battery and steel wool method. It was highly effective! I barely had to touch the battery to the steel wool before it started sparking.

Rubba-Rubba-Rubba...

Spark Spark Spark... ...pick up the burning bit...

toss it in the fire ring...

Puffida-Puffida-PUFF! and whaddya we got kids?

FIRE!!!

Of course then we had to use the fire for cooking hot dogs and making 'smores and singing campfire songs

This is a view of our campsite in the morning - still beautiful!

The Happy Campers

Number 28 Learn Ballroom dancing

2009-06-10T20:42:00.032-04:00

Date: Ongoing

When you have cancer, there is nothing you want more than having your "normal" life back. Sadly, that never happens. The counselors explain to you that after cancer, you have to find a "new normal." It's more than rebuilding your old life; it's building a life. One of the things I like best about my New Normal is that, in this life, I get to dance!

I wasn't sure I was physically strong enough to take this on yet but I had been given the okay to take on a little more and then spotted an advertisement on Craig's List for a ballroom dance partner. Opportunity was knocking!

Okay, other List-pals, meet Rob.

His dance partner was moving to another town and he needed a new one so I answered the ad. Rob is not an ax murderer. I was concerned about this because it was just after the Craig's List murders so I asked him and he assured me that he was not an ax murderer and I'm sure he was just kidding when he said he preferred knives, right, Rob?...Rob? Unlike the rest of you on the list, Rob didn't volunteer because he didn't even know about the list. It didn't seem fair to be using someone for #28 when they didn't even know there was a #28 so I told him and he was nice enough to agree.

So, I have learned two dances so far, the rumba and the cha-cha. I am miserably bad at both but Rob has been very patient and I'm sure I will improve with time. I understand we are learning the waltz this week. That's my favorite dance and plays heavily into my fantasy about being an international woman of mystery (What??It could happen!) I was also inspired last time by a very intriguing dance that was demonstrated for us - the Argentine Tango! Um...wow. I needed a cold shower just from watching this dance. Good Catholic children are taught, when dancing with a partner to leave enough room for the Holy Spirit between them. I think learning this dance will require some serious squishing of the Holy Spirit! Seriously this is a hot dance! When you add a backless dress with a slit in it and all the very interesting undergarments that must go with it...I cant wait!!
Okay, okay, you have to walk before you can run...for now, the waltz. In order complete this item on my list, I want to learn these dances from International Style Ballroom Dancing (remember...International Woman of Mystery...not Domestic Woman of Mystery):

Slow Waltz
Tango
Viennese Waltz
Slow Foxtrot
Quickstep
Cha-Cha
Samba
Rhumba
Paso Doble
Jive

Stayed tuned...more to come

UPDATE June 17, 2009

I LOVE the waltz!!!! I want to waltz everywhere I go! I love the waltz so much that I bought it new shoes. Okay, I am also finding myself a little too short and having to dance on tiptoes so I hit a BOGO sale a Fioni's and got these for practice (and some really cute sandals too!) . I will try them out at the tango lesson this week.

Here we are practicing the waltz last week.

UPDATE: In July, in addition to the ballroom classes, Rob and I started taking weekly Argentine Tango lessons. We are becoming quite proficient at this and are about to attend our first milonga. Here we are at a recent tango practice

December 5, 2009 The Milonga!!! We made our first trip out of the safety of the pink walls of the dance studio to go to a milonga at Carlito's in Savannah. Wasn't quite sure what to wear so I looked at pictures of other milonga's on the internet and threw this dress together.

Here's a before and after of the dress I put together for milonga. I'm not really into the big flower thing but I saw that most of the dresses with the big slits had one so I went with it.

Here's the dress in action:

Can't wait for the next one!!

UPDATE: Rob and I continued to take lesson for almost two years and then figured we knew enough to get by. We had another project in the works together and decided to devote the dance time to that. Watch for details on this blog...

Number 20 Attend a Science Fiction Convention (in costume)

2009-06-08T19:22:00.057-04:00

Date: September 5-7th, 2009

My adventure companion for this one bailed on me. We were going as Star Trek Enterprise women from the original series with the big hair and short skirts. I hardly ever get to wear big hair - I want my big hair! I've got two months to find a replacement! The convention is three days long so I have more than one costume that I want to wear. Friday will be my Enterprise costume. Saturday, I want to be Kaylee from Firefly. Someone once told me that I reminded him of Kaylee so I rented what I thought was Season 1 of the show - turns out it was the only season of the show! Bummer, I was really getting into it. I saw no physical resemblance between Kaylee and me so I guess he was referring to how we are both kind of annoyingly cheerful. Here's the costume on Kaylee (I've got most of it done already, just need to "distress" the coveralls some more)

Here's the BIG one: I want to enter and WIN the Miss Klingon Empire Beauty pageant!!! I'm working on this one... check back.

Update: I now have my Klingon name thanks to the Klingon Name Generator. I am:

Arizhel of Martok

Update, June 10, 2009: Checked out the rules of the contest and the wardrobe of Klingon women. I guess I cannot dismember a human for the talent portion of the pageant as I had planned due to safety considerations. Also, I noticed that all the fashion choices of Klingon women seem to have two things in common: cleavage and weapons. Okay, one down. Better look into Klingon weapons. I also found out who Martok was (just in case anyone asks).

Update, July 31, 2009: I'm IN!! I'm one of the ten contestants in the pageant. I saw the others had military ranks so I gave myself one too. I chose "Commander" since that was my rank at Space Camp. I also gave myself a last name too - Nosilla which is just Allison backwards. Now I have to think of a talent for the competition.

Update, August 1, 2009- Bribed Rick into going to the convention with me but he really doesn't want to go. I'm asking my dance partner if he'd like to go instead. He had loaned me an ethnography he'd written on Klingon culture so I know he might at least be interested in this stuff. Hey, he can probably translate from Geek to English for me. What a plus!

Update, August 10, 2009 - Message from Rob this morning: "Dragon Con is on !" Whoo Hoo! Finally, an adventure companion for this one. It's been like pulling teeth! I know technically, he is double-dipping in The List since he is also # 28 adventure companion but let's think of this as a reward for being such a good sport about being dragged into all of this, shall we?

Update, August 20, 2009: Dance partner Rob had an idea for my talent competition at the Miss Klingon Empire Beauty pageant. I was telling him about my new belly dancing class and he suggested that this would make a great talent and suggested that the Star Trek "fight music" would make it even more arcane. Perfect!!! My belly dance instructor, Jasmine, not only loves the idea but will actually be in attendance at Dragon Con with another group so she can come watch.

Update, September 5, 2009 - It's the day we leave for Dragon Con and despite my early order and many follow-up inquiries, my Klingon headpiece has not arrived from the Halloween Depot. Rick and I are off to the Acme Costume Company here in Savannah for help. INCREDIBLE place!!! The make-up artist there knows exactly what to do and gives me what I need with clear instructions how to use it. They have my business for life!

After the worst game of Count the Cows ever, we arrived in Atlanta about 8 and checked into one of the overflow hotels. It had a shuttle bus to the convention so we didn't have to worry about parking (which was outrageously expensive anyway). I put on my Uhura dress (right) which I discovered to be "granny length" by Dragon Con standards. I'm posing by one of the walls in our hotel lobby which we decided was decorated in "early bathroom." Right next to this pillar were some lovely turquoise chairs.

We spent a good part of the evening in the registration line because of some computer foul-up - Seriously??All those nerds in one place and no one could fix a computer??? Then we went to a showing of Joss Whedon's film/sing-along blog, "Dr. Horrible". I had never heard of this film but it seemed to have an enormous and dedicated following. A very upbeat experience, indeed!!

Saturday was costume Number 2- Kaylee from "Firefly." The night before, I had seen several Kaylee's and was determined on this day to have my photo taken with every one I ran into but could not find one other Kaylee the whole day!(but I saw dozens of Dr. Horrible's) So Rob went to his geeky stuff and I went to my cool stuff and we caught up with one another for dinner. I had gone back to the hotel to practice my dance and change for the Dawn Look-alike contest. I thought I was a pretty modest Dawn but felt quite awkward when I joined an elevator full of teenage boys from a church group from Kentucky who were definitely NOT there for Dragon Con. Who am I supposed to be? I'm Dawn, mistress of Satan, of course. I overheard one say to the other "That's abhorable." Me? Mary Poppins? Abhorable? What teenage boy even uses that word?? I hiked my fishnet stockings and two left sandals (don't ask) right outta that elevator!

The contest was a blast! The costumes were incredible- seriously, some of the girls must have invested hundreds on their costumes. They were stunning! Plus, the contest was hosted by Anthony Daniels who played C3PO in the "Star Wars" films. He was outrageously funny! Who knew? The picture to the right is me with a sword and a severed head of some Amy Whinehouse-looking person who cut me off in the line to the ladies room. After the contest, they gave us all invitations to an after-party for all the contestants hosted by the illustrator of the Dawn comic books, Joseph Michael Lisner. They said I could take a guest and Rob didn't seem to mind being around all the pretty girls so he went with me. It was in a suite at the very tippy-top of one of the hotels (can't remember which) which was incredible. They had a video of the contest going and alcohol was flowing...Rob insisted that I enter again next year JUST so he could go to this party again. That's us on the left on our way to the party. I got rid of that red wig right away. Rob is Lex Luthor and made this really cool glowing Kryptonite that he kept in that box. I got a little "fuzzy" on a lemony-lime concoction and then we headed back to our hotel. On the way, we ran into an old pal of mine from childhood and he let me take a picture with him. He was a little "fuzzy" as well and I'm not referring to that blue fur. I have my sword out because I was using it to push people out of the way who got into our path. Did I mention the lemony-lime concoction?

Sunday- For some reason, we both had headaches when we woke up. Anyway, this was Klingon day! Rob did a super job making me ridges on my forehead with this wax goo and spirit gum. (Yes, ladies, that's right- Rob gives great forehead) Lots of people asked to take my picture. so I guess I wasn't the only one who thought it looked good. This was shopping day for me, I headed to the vendors for trinkets and baubles and T-shirts. Wow! You could get just about anything there. Wish I had brought more money with me! Then on to the pageant!

Okay, I didn't win but like, the Dawn contest, this was SO much fun!! We had celebrity judges but I only really knew two of them, Dwight Schulz from "The A Team" and Alan Ruck from "Ferris Beuller's Day Off." Here are some photos

I'm threatening the audience because they are booing me.

Waiting with the "girls" to go on stage. My belly dance instructor was texting me good luck messages while I waited. Thanks, Jasmine!

(left)Doing my talent portion of the program- a belly dance with daggers.
(right) Some folks we met.

I'm not quite sure what this blue box was (I think I heard someone call it a turd-ass...or was it Tardis?) but I think it had something to do with Rob's religious practice. He came to worship it several times while we were at Dragon Con and seemed to have a kind of nerdgasm whenever near it. He even has pictures of it on his tie. The fact that he invited me to be in a photo with him and this object and even let me get inside made me feel quite special. This doesn't mean that we are married now, does it, Rob?

Number 88 - Enter a soapbox Derby-type Event

2009-06-05T15:52:00.047-04:00

Date: August 29, 2009

Ooooo, Oooo, Oooo!!! I just found out that the Red Bull Soapbox race is going to be in Atlanta this year!!! Sending in the application today!! Check it out

http://www.redbullsoapboxusa.com/races.aspx

Now for the important stuff:

1.Pink paint...Check!

2. Fuscia Ermine...Check!
3. Cerise sequins...Check!
4.Tiara...Check!
5. Lime-colored rhinestones...Sheesh, no. Don't wanna be gaudy!
6. Mechanic/Companion...Dr. M (acceptance pending)
7. Find out how to make a car... Okay, better do this first

Update June 6, 2009 - Sister Jean has requested a spot on the Pit Crew and suggested that the vehicle should be constructed to resemble a breast cancer ribbon. How very apt! Will finish and submit the design sketch today. They only choose 40-50 teams so cross your fingers for us!!

Finished the plan and will submit it in the morning. Rick took one look at my blueprints and pronounced them unsound. We will see about THAT, sir! Well, Here's the outside of the car, anyway:

Update: June 9, 2009- Dr M. has agreed to be my adventure companion on this adventure even though I didn't give any details on what will be involved. What a good sport!! I guess if I had to describe what the role was in one word, I'd say "ballast."

UPDATE June 24th, 2009 -We're in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just got this communication:

Congratulations! Out of approximately 160 applications, your Team was selected for one of the coveted racing spots to complete in Red Bull Soapbox Race Atlanta! Come August 29th, you will be speeding down 10th Street near Piedmont Park in hopes of attaining Red Bull Soapbox Race glory. I will be in touch soon to confirm details and discuss your submission.
Teams… start your building!

It was intolerably hot in the garage so I took over the den for awhile to build the car.

We named our car the Betty D. After of friend Betty who was just beginning chemotherapy for breast cancer the day we left for the race.

Update August 25th - Dr. M will not be able to attend due to an orthopedic issue that requires immediate treatment. Fortunately, cancer pal, Nancy will fill in with her daughter Christina! The car will be finished tonight and ready to go! We are pretty excited about the race and our trip to Atlanta!!!

Update August 27th - Sister Jean arrived from Florida with the truck. Nancy assembled our cheerleaders, Meg and Paloma, and the finishing touches were put on the car.
Adding fluffy feathers and a ponytail to our parasol the night before we left. My den is a MESS!

August 28th- Jean and Rick loaded the car into the truck with a tarp in case it rained. We picked up Nancy at her school and we were off! Christina and the cheerleaders were in another car; they were going to stay the whole weekend in Atlanta. Nancy and I talked and giggled the whole way while Jean drove. She did a spectacular job! It was pouring rain the whole way!!. The car didn't get wet at all but some of the parts made of old pizza boxes, like the fins did warp a bit for the moisture, but for the most part, the car arrived intact. We went to a team meeting and met teams from all over the country. We ate dinner with the Mad Hatters from Canton, Ohio and Keeping it Wheel from Jacksonville, FL. Nice buncha guys. They told us only 50% of the vehicles make it to the finish line - yikes!! Then Jean and I hit the hay and Nancy and pals hit the town.

August 29th- Race Day!!! This thing was HUGE. We had no idea what a big deal it was. It was like a gigantic carnival and silliness was the word of the day. We touched up the car, had a safety inspection and then posed for pictures and did interviews for about three hours. It was like being a movie star. What was really cool is that we got hugs for lots of other breast cancer survivors. That right there made it all worthwhile.

We walked around and looked at the other cars too. There were some really creative work put into these cars and costumes!

So, how'd we do? This article from our local paper, The Coastal Courier, written by Patty Leon, explains it all:

Team Boobie-Do Crosses Finish Line on Foot

Fort Stewart school teachers Dr. Edith Allison and Nancy Cintron made the voyage to Atlanta on Saturday to race in the 2009 Red Bull Soapbox Race, but crossed the finish line on foot after a slight problem forced them to improvise.

"Sadly, we didn't get to fly with our Red Bull wings," Allison said. "We jumped into the car like we were Batman and Robin and heard a crack. We tried to go on but lost a wheel."

Allison said Cintron just grabbed her by the arm and said "Let's
go."

"We ran for the finish line hand in hand, "Allison said. One of the judges, Michael Knight from 'Project Runway' gave us a score of 7 (out of 10) just for style, I suppose. They wrapped up the wheel we lost in a ribbon and gave it to us as a 'booby prize.'"

Allison and Cintron are both breast cancer survivors.

After she was diagnosed in 2006, Allison decided she would beat the disease and challenge herself to live life to the fullest. Inspired by the book "101 Things to Do Before You Die", she made her own list.Driving in a soapbox race was the seventh item she has completed on her list.
Allison's sister, Jean Marie, helped her design the car by incorporating the breast cancer awareness symbol, a pink ribbon.

Allison embarks on her next adventure this weekend at the 2009 Dragon-Con event in Atlanta. She will dress up like a female Klingon and compete in a beauty pageant. Allison isn't sure what she'll complete after the pageant.

"The way it works is that I draw out the next adventure from a jar and the name of someone who has agreed to be an adventure companion with me from another jar and then the fun begins," she said. "We don't get to pick. Fate throws us together. I have been taking ballroom dance and Argentine tango lessons. That's kind of ongoing."

Follow Allison as she tackles her list of 101 items at:

http://edidod.blogspot.com/2009/03/welcome.html

Nancy and I race for the finish line in our crash helmets

Related article:

Coastal Courier: http://www.coastalcourier.com/news/article/16141

Number 23 Reach my Goal Weight

2009-06-04T18:46:00.040-04:00

Date: August 24, 2009

I got the O.K to engage in weight-bearing exercise now so it's time to get rid if some of that pudgy, doughy stuff that accumulated during my sedimentary time. Here is my proclamation:

I, Edith, will lose 25 pounds of jiggle between June 1, 2009 and August 24, 2009 (dammit!)

That's 12 weeks. Here's how I am guaranteeing my success:

1. I had an unwilling, unnamed helper (under duress) take 12 very unbecoming photographs of me in a very unflattering and unforgiving swimsuit - one picture for each week of this project.

2. If I make my weight goal for that week, he will destroy one of the twelve offensive photos.

I put this

in front of

the TV

(for now).

Thought that

might help

3. If I do NOT make my weight goal for the week, he will post one of the photos on his Facebook page, tagging me in the photo, causing it to be sent to all my Facebook pals, thereby causing me great shame.

I blew the dust off
this thing in the
corner of the Man
Cave. I had to change
all the settings back to
"Wimp"

4. I have enlisted the help of several of my Facebook Pals to react strongly upon seeing these photos and to state, in no uncertain terms, how disgusted and grossed out they are by the pictures, further deepening my shame. Although they are my friends, they have promised to be brutal even begging "Please, dear God in Heaven, lose the weight! I DON'T want to see those pictures!"
If all goes well, none of us will ever have to view the pictures. I haven't even looked at them.

5. At the end of the twelve weeks, hopefully, all the pictures will have been destroyed and I can get back into those favorite jeans.

I've decided, that if I make it, to reward myself at the end of the twelve weeks with this lovely frock that I have been eyeing

UPDATE June 11, 2009 - CLUNK! CLUNK! That's the sound of my hand weights dropping. I ran into cancer-pal, Nancy. She has developed lymphodema and tells me she has to wear a compression sleeve for the rest of her life and warns me not to do any lifting . I looked around the Internet and found several medical sites state that doing any resistance training on an arm after lymph node removal is contraindicated. Hey!!! How come nobody told me this????

Lymphodema

I guess I'll have to find another way to get rid of this jiggly stuff on the back of my arms.

************************************************************************

Here is the chart that will be used to keep track of my success (Check back weekly)

Date/ Weight Loss

1. June 8 - 4.5 Pounds!! Our eyes are safe (for this week). One picture deleted!!

2. June 15 - 2 Pounds. Just barely made it this week. One more of the Sentient Bean's chocolate croissants and you'd be screaming in horror now. Two pictures deleted!

3. June 22 - Another close one!!! One more horrid picture gone AND I forgot I was wearing button-down shorts and accidentally pulled them off without unbuttoning them. Now THAT'S progress!

4. June 29 - Almost halfway there. 10.5 pounds lost so far and no one has had any eye damage

5. July 6 - Halfway there!!!!!

6. July 13 - Okay, this is going to be tricky. I lost alot of weight this week but it was a result of the stomach flu so I don't think I should count it toward this goal. What I'll do is average it out after I stabilize. I won't destroy a picture until after that happens.

7. July 20 - All stable and averaged out and I am still on track. Two more pictures gone and four inches gone from my body!

8. July 27 - Still on track!! Another photo obliterated. Can't tell you how good that feels!!

9. August 3- I don't wanna talk about it ;-(

10. August 10 - Okay, back on track!! Your eyes are safe!!!

11. August 17 -Going back to the gym is really making a difference! I'm still on track and a little bit ahead!

12. August 24- Can we do it? YES WE CAN!! Made it with two pounds to spare!! Stayed tuned for pictures in my new dress

Number 100 Beat a Life Threatening Disease

2009-06-04T17:54:00.004-04:00

January 3, 2008

Here I am in my second least favorite place in the world* - the hospital - battling cancer. I had a super team of doctors and wonderful nurses and technicians who brought me back from a really bad place. Just four months after this photo was taken, I was walking the Survivor's Lap in the Relay for Life (I'm the one in the white hat that my friend Tonia made for me)

*Once in the army, I was naughty and they made me clean out a (very) used trash barrel. It was really big so I actually had to crawl inside to do it and found out, in a very personal way, the meaning of the expression "bottom of the barrel." While this was not as life threatening as cancer, I WANTED to die so I will have to call the inside of this trash barrel my least favorite place in the world.

Number 101 Continue your Gene Pool

2009-06-04T15:48:00.005-04:00

I already had two children when I started the list (Becky and Rick, below) and the chemotherapy fried my ovaries so this was a tricky task. Fortunately, my daughter and her husband, Josh were expecting a baby when I became ill. Toby Logan Gullage (T Lo G, if you're friend) was born during my very first cancer treatment giving me a reason to live. He and I have a whole lifetime to live together now full of horsie rides, and playing fly-fly and watching "Bunge Bob."I can't wait!

Number 8 Realize Your Childhood Dream

2009-06-02T22:23:00.025-04:00

July 20-July 25, 2008

Like the rest of America, when I was a kid, I was in love with the Mercury astronauts. I was sure I would become an astronaut and couldn't wait for my turn in space!! The Teacher in Space Program brought it even closer for me. Well...I'm pretty sure I couldn't pass a flight physical now so I had to make an adapted version of the dream - I went to Teacher Space Camp and I had a blast!!!

(Left)I was selected to be the Mission Commander. Here I am at the controls of the Endeavor simulator. Really, this is not as easy as it looks, I was a sweaty mess by the end of the mission.

(Right) This is me with the rest of the Endeavor crew. I found out it takes every person doing the best job they can do the get the mission completed. We had a great crew and their commander didn't crash the shuttle! Whew!

I also learned cool stuff to take back to my class. Here, I've made a model of a satellite out of candy. We also learned to make REALLY cool bottle rockets, got to meet some astronauts, built some solar shields and I even ran into a former student of mine!

We took the same training that the astronauts take. Here I am escaping from a submerged helicopter and swimming to meet up with my team (right). We also took anti-gravity training (cool!) and were tortured by this cetrifuge (didn't care for this... BLURP!)

(Below) This was kinda cool.

This is me riding a zipline

This is an actual space capsule that went to the moon

Number 54 Make a HUGE Purchase

2009-06-02T21:26:00.006-04:00

August 13, 2007

I grew up an army kid and was raised in military quarters for a good deal of my life so home ownership was a big deal for me. I also figured that, if I had a mortgage, it would be really impolite to die without paying it so this was a bit of a life insurance policy for me. ("Study first propriety: for she is indeed the polestar" - Calverley). So this house was my HUGE purchase.

Okay, it needed a little work but I fell in love with this house as soon as I stepped into it. The owner lived in Washington D.C. and had been using it as a rental property. He wanted to get rid of it quickly, as his ad indicates:

REDUCED! Large home with fixer-upper potential on the 18th hole of the C******* R*** Golf Course in a great neighborhood in H*********. Priced well below market value! Quick access to shopping and F*** S******. Sold as-is. * Heated Two-Car Garage * Picket-Fenced Yard w/Jungle Gym * Large Screen Porch * Wood Burning Fireplace * Side by Side Refrigerator, Range/Oven, Fan Hood, Dishwasher, Disposal

Owner Facts:
·Single family
·4 beds
·2.0 bath
·2084 sqft heated space
·Lot 22,651 sqft
·Built in 1976
At-a-Glance Features:
·Attic
·Ceiling Fan
·Fenced Yard
·Fireplace
·Lawn
·Patio

It also had a really odd floorplan:

Still, some paint, a new A/C system, some plumbing repair, upgraded electrical....it was still a bargain! To quote Linus from A Charlie Brown Christmas, "Maybe it just needs a little love". Wise words indeed. I'm having fun fixing it up little by little and...it's mine!!

Number 35 Play a Part on Your Favorite TV Show

2009-06-02T19:52:00.013-04:00

May 9, 2009
I went to college with one of the producers of "My Name is Earl." He was a real honey and arranged for me to have a small walk-on roll on one of the episodes. Here I am on the set with my brother. They treated us like royalty! It was what my brother described as "mother-fricken awesome"- really that's how he put it. It was really incredible!!

I was on the episode "Inside Probe, Part 1". I played "Woman" ( I AM WOMAN - RAWR!!). In this episode, we are watching on surveillance video where Randy had been trying to steal videos from a video return bin and has his head and arms stuck in it. I walk up to return a video and, finding the opening blocked, shove the video down his pants. One of my son's friends caught it off the TV airing

They let us play on the sets too. I sat on Earl and Randy's bed in the motel and messed around in Joy and Darnell's trailer (They have a waterbed!) and went to the Crab Shack and even posed on Catalina's stripper pole in Club Chubby. We got to take pictures with the cast (the ones who were there filming that day) and they gave us an autographed picture of the cast and an autographed script. A really super day!!!! (Thanks for this, Michael)

Number 55 Finish that dissertation and graduate

2009-06-02T15:21:00.012-04:00

April 30, 2009

When I became ill, I was in the middle of my doctoral dissertation. I had to put it on hold and my university was kind enough to let me keep just 1 semester hour during this time so I wouldn't have to drop out. It was rough getting back into the swing of it especially since it had several hundred illustrations and my hands were hurting big time from the chemotherapy so it was hard to draw.

My dissertation was entitled Military Children and Holistic Education: A Narrative Reflection on Classroom Practice. Sadly, you will not be able to read it for a bit. At the request of the Department of Defense (who signs my paychecks), it has been sequestered for five years for concerns about national security but it will be online for all to see after that. I had a successful defense on April 30,2009 and became DOCTOR Allison as can be seen on my classroom door below:

Many thanks to the world's most patient dissertation committee, Dr. Richard Flynn, Dr. Wendy Chambers, Dr. Delores Liston (chair) and Dr. Dan Rea. This was a pretty cool day because it was also the date that my big Hollywood adventure appeared on TV (See #35)

Number 86 - Bury Some Treasure

2009-06-02T13:47:00.022-04:00

May 3, 2009

With a map and a compass and a corked bottle in hand, we took a boat to a rather deserted island near where we live (won't say which - the treasure hasn't been found yet!) VERY early in the morning. Accompanying me on the trip were Lona L. and two very special girls (both of whom used to be in my class), Sarah and Tayler, who donated their hair to make wigs for cancer patients.

We also brought our bathing suits and lunch 'cuz we wanted to have some groovy, splashy fun too! It took us about 45 minutes to get there and we were already sunburned by the time we arrived.

In our treasure chest were beautiful shiny baubles and trinkets like an old-fashioned key and a silk butterfly and a glass seahorse and a string of crystal beads - standard items of treasure.

We had to hike over quite a few sand dunes to get the the beach we wanted (pant, pant, pant...). I thought I was gonna die!! Lona (below) looks a little pooped too.

But we FINALLY made it! We took a refreshing swim and the girls gathered pretty sea shells and sharks teeth to add to the treasure chest.
Something new I learned: Lona explained to me while we were swimming that, if you pee in the ocean, you are supposed to scratch your head as a courtesy signal to other swimmers. Hmmm...never knew that. Just been letting it fly all these years without announcing it.
So, then we got out the compass and the map and counted the steps and the girls buried the treasure chest in a super secret location.

Then, Tayler stuffed the map in the bottle (This was NOT easy)
and Sarah threw it from a bridge we chose on the way home. A great day!

GOOD LUCK TREASURE HUNTERS!!!

Welcome!

2009-03-23T20:48:00.026-04:00

Welcome to my 101 Things to do Before I Die blog! It was created for the 101 friends that were suckered into helping me as "adventure companions" on my journey so that they can follow along while they wait for their turn, enjoy pictures and stories from their own adventure and thank God in Heaven they didn't get stuck with anything that ended up with some time in the slammer.
Here's the letter that started it all back in 2006:

From: Allison, Edith
Sent: Sunday, September 10, 2006 2:11 PM
Dear Friend/Family member,
As you might or might not know, I’ve been diagnosed with cancer. Everyone has been so wonderful in offering support so I wanted to say thanks; you have no idea how much this helps. Now it’s time to stop crying on focus ahead on living. Without exception, every person has made the offer “Let me know if there is anything I can do” and I’m writing to say that there IS something you can do! I need your help during my recovery (I do intend to fully recover) and here’s how to do it:
I read this book “101 Things to Do Before You Die” and wanted to attempt the list a little later in life. With my mortality staring me in the face, I’ve decided to move this up and begin a little sooner. This book consists of 101 little adventures/challenges to undertake before the end of one’s life. Rather than just checking off a list, I’ll make a scrapbook page for each task. This project combines my obsessive need for list-making, my compulsive scrapbooking and my love for the show “My Name is Earl”. Perfect! It will also give me a reason to haul my tired behind out of bed so I will recover faster.
Your part is to be my “adventure companion.” This job will vary depending on the task but you may be asked to be my lookout while I do Number 10 ( make my mark in graffiti) or to be there to bail me out when I do Number 23 (Get arrested) or you may be asked to snap a picture of me dangling from a bungee cord (Number 26).
If you are willing to be adventurous with me and don’t mind being in the company of a bald-headed woman, e-mail me at EPTAR@aol.com and tell me that you are game for this. I’ll put your name in a jar and when I’m ready for my next adventure, I’ll draw out a name and let you know that it’s your turn and what adventure we are to undertake (If you refuse…I’ll HAUNT you! – Just Kidding!!! : -) )
I’ve altered the “official” list a little to fit my situation. Some of the activities such as having sex in public or joining the mile-high club might stretch our friendship a little so I’ve replaced “Learning the Kama Sutra” with learning a martial art and “Running out of a restaurant without paying” with inventing a game. See? See?
I sent this note to 101 people. You are on this list because you have been part of my life (so far). I might have backed my car into you, or worked with you selling Girl Scout cookies or been mistaken as part of a bi-racial lesbian couple at a Christmas party in 1999. Einstein is a pretty smart guy and he said “God doesn’t cast dice” so, you’ve been linked to me somehow for a reason. Think of this as an opportunity to be part of an historic event.
The list I made for myself is below. I’m off having (another) biopsy today but when I get back, I’ll camp out by my computer to see how many adventure companions I’ll have on my journey to recovery.
Remember: Never take life too seriously – no one gets out alive

CLICK ON THE BLOG ARCHIVES (ABOVE, RIGHT HAND COLUMN) TO SEE PHOTOS OF THE COMPLETED ADVENTURES

101 Things to do Before I Die
1. Write a book
2. Swim with dolphins
3. Win an award
4. Catch a fish (I’ve never been fishing)
5. Make a discovery
6. Kidnap a friend and throw them a party
7. Knit a sweater
8. Realize your childhood dream DONE July 20-25, 2007
9. Learn that instrument
10. Leave your mark in graffiti
11. Storm chase a tornado
12. Get a piece of art into an exhibition
13. Meet someone with your own name
14. Sing in public DONE May 20, 1010
15. Meet a Beatle changed to : Solve a crime
16. Get into the World Book of Records DONE! September 4, 2010
17. Own a pointless collection
18. Earn a belt in a martial art
19. Master poker and enter a tournament
20. Attend a science fiction convention (in costume) DONE September 5-7, 2009
21. Be part of a scientific experiment
22. Go up in a hot air balloon
23. Get arrested changed to: Reach my goal weight DONE August 24, 2009
24. See a Space Shuttle launch DONE November 16, 2009
25. Take an award winning photograph
26. Bungee Jump changed to: Go whale watching
27. See an erupting volcano
28. Learn ballroom dancing DONE! May 22, 2009 - January 31st 2011
29. Break the law.
30. Stay in the best suite of a 5-star hotel
31. Experience weightlessness
32. See the Aurora Borealis
33. Meet your childhood idol DONE Septemebr 10, 2011
34. Design your own cocktail
35. Plat a part in your favorite TV show DONE March 9, 2009
36. Visit every continent
37. Start a fire without matches DONE November 7, 2009
38. See a (list of) wild animals in the wild
39. Bet on a dog race
40. Fly first class
41. Be friends with your ex Ongoing June 10, 2006 - Present
42. Go to a shooting range
43. Throw a dart in a map and go there
44. Attend a film premiere
45. Invent a game
46. Scuba dive
47. Milk a cow
48. Attend the Olympics
49. See both solar and lunar eclipses Lunar- December 21, 2010
50. Go on a cruise
51. Learn another language
52. Read the 100 best books (list)
53. Complete a coast-to-toast trip across the US
54. Make a HUGE purchase August 13, 2007
55. Finish my dissertation and graduate DONE April 30, 2009
56. Crash a party
57. See the best 100 films (list)
58. Compete in a 5K
59. Help someone find a job
60. Take part in a police line-up
61. Get away with a hoax/practical joke
62. Learn to fix my own car
63. Make the front page of the newspaper DONE February 6, 2010
64. Drive a car at top speed
65. Go spelunking
66. Be part of a flash mob
67. Visit (list of historic places)
68. Save someone’s life
69. Learn to order a drink in several languages
70. Invent a word that makes into the dictionary
71. Kiss a stranger
72. Climb a mountain
73. Stand on the International Date Line
74. Learn to fly a plane - DONE March 31, 2010
75. Get a tattoo DONE July 18, 2011
76. Invent something
77. Learn to read the constellations
78. Drink a vintage wine
79. Answer a personal ad
80. Spend Christmas at the beach
81. Tape 5 books for the blind
82. Build a house
83. Skinny dip at midnight
84. Sell a piece of junk on E-bay for profit
85. Visit the world’s tallest building(s)
86. Bury some treasure DONE May 3, 2009
87. Conquer your fear
88. Enter a soap box derby-type event DONE August 29, 2009
89. Cook a week’s worth of gourmet meals
90. Grow a plant garden
91. Create a cult website
92. Own an original piece of art
93. Visit all the place on the Monopoly board
94. Get something named after you
95. Get revenge
96. Be an extra in a film
97. Live out of a van for a week changed to: spend the night in a haunted house. DONE Halloween Weekend 2010
98. Go on a demonstration DONE May 22, 2011
99. Make a confession
100. Beat a life-threatening disease DONE (I hope) January 3, 2008
101. Continue your gene pool DONE September 23, 2006

As can be seen, I've completed several items already. After I wrote the letter, I became too ill to really work on this list but now am ready to grab life by the horns and get going!! My rule for working on my list is that anything completed has to be past the date of the original letter. For example, even though I lived in Alaska and saw the Northern lights plenty, I have to do it again (which isn't such a bad thing, huh?) since it was all before 2006.
So far, I'm having a blast!!