Fire Truckin . . .

So we went to Scottsdale last night.  I behaved myself.  Wore shoes and everything.  Have I mentioned before how much I LOVE this truck?  

Even if the truck was not escorted by all the motorcycles it would still be a sight to behold.  The bikes are icing on the cake!  Barb, the editor of ThunderRoads Magazine, was invited to ride on the truck from the rally point to the Pink Light District.   I wish I had written down exactly what she said so I could quote her here instead of paraphrasing.  She was excited, naturally.  But she was also awestruck and humbled by the sheer enormity of what the truck represents.  There are over 20,000 signatures of Breast Cancer Survivors and dedications to Breast Cancer Survivors on the truck and trailer.  

I know we are all a bit pink-saturated this month and we become a little numb to the numbers and the stories; but what I would like to remind folks is that Breast Cancer Kills Women. Because of the work of so many people across the nation, each doing their own part and supporting the cause they believe is the most helpful, there are fewer and fewer women dying!  Lives are being saved.   

Dave Graybill, the heart of the Pink Ribbon Tour, spoke to the crowd a little bit about his cross country journey.   He said something that would cause my old Women's Studies and Sociology profs to turn green and squirm.  He was adressing the men in the crowd and said, "It is in our nature, it is instinct, to protect our women!"  My heart fluttered and warmed when he said that.  (of course it should be noted that I received a 'D' in Womens Studies!)  The firefighters and bikers in the audience all nodded when he said that.   Let's face it - firefighters are all about protecting and saving.  (Yes, I know there are women firefighters and that women are capable of taking care of ourselves and yada yada yada.  But I reckon if we are allowed to celebrate the special love, the nurturing and caring and empathy of our women friends then we should also be able to celebrate the dragon-slaying instincts of the men in our lives.)  

Oh, speaking of women firefighters~ there was a representitive of the Phoenix fire department (or maybe scottsdale?) who was helping with the auction.  She wanted to increase the bids so she threw in a ride on a fire truck and a dinner of "the best green chile you've ever tasted."  That was even more tempting than the date with the cute firefighter they started to auction until he told them he was attached.    

I'll be discussing some of the other auction items in a later post.  I want to tell you about every one I met last night but I don't know where to start.  

I finally met some of the women from AIBH.  This is such an incredible organization that I am amazed more people aren't familiar with them.   I will quote their website because when I try to paraphrase I end up using more words than the original.  

. . . offers a woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer a second opinion, completely free of charge. The volunteer team of physicians and medical professionals are breast health experts whose specialties include breast radiology, breast surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, reconstructive surgery, and breast pathology. This team evaluates the best medical and surgical options for the preservation of a woman's life, body and emotional well-being, as well as the continued quality of her life. In a caring, expedient and objective manner, the team will provide a comprehensive evaluation and recommendations for treatment. 

The Patient Advocate at the Arizona Institute for Breast Health organizes the breast cancer cases for weekly discussion and supports each patient through the process.

These are the folks that are responsible for the 'Pink Light District' which is even prettier in person.  I never thought I would say this about the shopping mecca that is this part of Scottsdale - but you really should make the trip!   

Part of what made this evening so incredible was the music!  The DJ played the most appropriate selection of music.  It was fun and lively and woman-positive.  Being out on a warm fall evening listening to Mustang Sally and Pink Cadillac and Teenage Wedding and other classics, being surrounded by people who know how to combine a good time and a good cause, was  just wonderful.  The DJ, Dan Frost, volunteered his time and equipment and talent because a friend of a friend of one of the organizers asked him to.  That 'friend of a friend' phenomenom is one of my favorite parts of this whole fundraising / awareness trip that Team H.O.P.E.  and Simply the Breast are taking.  

Apparently Dan Frost can sing as good as he talks!!  He is part of a band called The New Westerns.    A description of the band from their myspace page.  

The band plays guitar driven original music described as "hard western" or "country with loud guitars". The songs range from 70's California power rock to country western murder ballads. 

Yes, for those of you who weren't aware, there is a murder ballad subset of country music!  As much as I dislike myspace this band is definitely worth taking a listen to!  One of their songs is about a girl named Theda Lee.  I actually know of a Theda Lee (a friend of a friend) in Texas.  I wonder. . . . 

I also met two women, Shala and Jillian,  who were applying very cute and sparkly pink ribbon temprary tattoos.  They were not charging anything, just asking folks to make a donation to the Gaurdians of the Pink Ribbon.  These ladies work at a place called Salon Surreal at 16th street and Glendale in Phoenix.  Shala is an Aesthetician. (okay I admit it - I had to look that word up!)  She has a flawless face so I assume she knows her business.  Jillian is a nail tech.  That I didn't have to look up, they're the ones with those scary little devices called cuticle scissors.  I've seen them in action and they scare me!   All my freinds enjoy manicures and pedicures so I'll try not to judge. . . . 

One of the benefits to working events like this is that you get to promote your business. Apparently someone forgot to tell Shala and Jillian this.  They were all about the Pink Ribbon Tour and I had to specifically ask them where they work. 

Because I was still behaving myself I didn't make any bad Salvador Dali jokes when I heard the name, Salon Surreal.   Even though I'm not the type to engage in all the services of an upscale salon and spa, I have to admit I genuinely liked these ladies.  I'm a bit baffled by people who devote their careers to the beauty arts and yet are not in the least superficial or shallow.  I really shouldn't be surprised - I myself am neither shallow nor superficial and I would love a career applying rhinestones to all flat surfaces in the world! 

I'll probably be telling y'all more about this event later.  Team H.O.P.E. and Simply the Breast only have one more event we've scheduled to attend before the walk and we have no more of our own events this year.  Sigh.  But don't think we are going to fade into obscurity - that ain't our style.

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