Sunday, June 05, 2005
Good morning!
The weekend started off for me on Friday afternoon when I went to check in for the Walk at the Hyatt downtown. There is something about being in a room full of that many people, who all want to change something that is wrong with the world – in this case, breast cancer. There were dozens of people, men and women, with the names of loved ones on their t-shirts. There was a woman asking the people standing in line if they needed any more donations to meet their minimum requirement, holding up a blank check. Just being there was almost more than I could take. On my way out, I stopped to look at some pink ribbon jewelry that a woman makes to raise money year-round. I didn’t buy any of it, but the woman said to me, “Together, we can beat this.” I hugged her, agreed, and the tears started flowing. I sobbed in my car the whole way home.
I thought a lot about how selfish it was of me to want to shoot the film on Sunday, and about how selfish it was of me to want to be there for the second day of the Walk. I thought about everything I was going to miss out on the second day – the rest stops, the conversations, the amazing thrill of skipping across the finish line. I realized that the Walk is something bigger than me, and that is why I wanted to do it in the first place. We spend so much of our lives focusing on what is immediately in front of us; here is my chance to look at the world as a whole, and to make a little dent in it. I decided that I was going to skip the film and do both days of the walk.
Saturday morning, I woke up earlier than any human being should have to wake up on a Saturday morning. I packed my backpack, loaded up with water and snacks and spare clothes in case I needed them, and my mom and aunt picked me up to take me to Soldier Field – thank you, guys! I had some breakfast when I got there, did some serious stretching, and before I knew it, it was time for the opening ceremony. The woman on my right was walking for the fourth time, in the hopes that her daughters will never know the horrors of breast cancer. The woman on my left was celebrating one year cancer free. I hugged them both and we all set out to conquer the first day.
The path was in many ways longer this year, but in many ways, shorter, too. I found myself clipping along with the front of the pack at about four miles per hour. I hit the six-mile mark without even realizing it. My breaks at the rest stops and quick stops were quick and efficient – replenish the liquids as needed, visit the port-o-johns, stretch, keep moving. By lunchtime, I was a little sore, but feeling good and about an hour and a half ahead of my pace from last year.
The afternoon was long, though. I missed my friends from last year. Yes, I made new friends and had lots of people to talk to this year, but it wasn’t the same. I missed our calling out “lateral!” when we would pass other groups. I missed singing “Put your hands up in the air!” when we would raise our swollen hands to try to get the blood to flow back out of our fingers. But every time I found myself missing them, I would look at the names on my shirt and remember all of the love and support you guys gave me to take with me on the Walk, and I would smile and keep going.
Also, by the halfway point, I was starting to hurt pretty badly. My left hip was really tight and no matter what stretch or combination of stretches I did at each stop, it didn’t want to loosen up. Fortunately, my mom met me at the halfway point and massaged my hip for a bit, and then even walked about a mile and a half with me after that, so I felt much better, both physically and spiritually.
At rest stop E, I received a great honor. Every three minutes during the Walk, the staff and crew hand out pink ribbons to a walker selected at random that say, “Every Three Minutes” on them. These ribbons symbolize the people who are diagnosed with breast cancer as we are walking. They are given out at random because breast cancer strikes at random. They are even given out during the night because breast cancer does not sleep. At rest stop E, I was selected to wear one of these ribbons and I wore it with pride for the rest of the walk, remembering the people hearing for the first time, “You have cancer.”
Shortly after rest stop E, the winds picked up and it got downright cold outside. It was sort of a welcome change, considering the afternoon had gotten uncomfortably hot and muggy. Nonetheless, we were worried it might start to rain, so I pulled out my poncho and got it on with the help of one woman who I walked with for a bit. I was just in time as it turns out, because it very suddenly started hailing very hard. The hailstones weren’t very big, maybe pea-sized if that, but it did, in fact, hail on us. The hail turned into big, old, fat rain, as Forrest Gump calls it, and while our backpacks and heads stayed dry, our feet, shoes and socks were soaked. Fortunately, the rain didn’t continue for very long and at the next quick stop, I was able to change into dry socks. The cool air and the rain rejuvenated me somehow and for a little while, I forgot about how badly my left leg was hurting. But I was pretty sure I had a blister on my left foot from walking in squishy socks for three miles. At rest stop F, I subjected the medical staff to looking at/touching my pruney feet, was given some moleskin to cushion the forming blister (which was too small to actually lance at that point), and set off to finish the last mile and a half of the walk!
I remembered this stretch of the walk from last year – through residential neighborhoods, kids outside playing, telling us how much farther we had to go, my friend meeting us and walking us into the Wellness Village. I was very much relieved to find another woman walking into the Village at the same time and pace as me, or I would have missed my friends too much. She also helped keep me going even though my left leg was now threatening succession from my body, so I thank her for that. At approximately 5:15pm, we entered the Wellness Village, greeted by dozens of walkers and crew members, cheering us on. What a relief!
I checked out of the Village and a friend of mine picked me up and brought me home – thank you to him, too! It hurt to sit down in his car. It hurt to walk up the stairs to my apartment. It hurt to lie down and stretch once I got here. I remember being stiff and sore last year, but I don’t know what I did or didn’t do differently this year to hurt so badly. I made what I think was a very wise decision to not do the second day of the walk, nor the film. I fell asleep at about eight o’clock and woke up every time I went to turn over and my left leg said, “I don’t think so.” I did get some rest, and woke up with my cat by my side, looking out for my health.
I don’t think any serious damage was done to my leg. I’m sure I’ll be fine with rest and stretching. But I feel like I really put in a good effort this year. I walked through rain, hail, and scorching sun. I cried I don’t know how many tears. I hugged a half a dozen strangers, drank four liters of water, and three of Gatorade. I used probably twenty port-o-johns and walked 26.2 miles (limping badly for the last four miles) so that someday, people will no longer have to hear “You have breast cancer.” With your last minute donations, we raised $2,900 so that people who are diagnosed but don’t have insurance or a health care provider can get the help they need. We made a difference this weekend. We did something that is bigger than any one of us. There were over 2400 walkers this year who so far raised over $5.6 million, and the donations are still coming in.
I thank you for being with me on the walk. I thank you for your love and support and encouragement. I thank my mom for walking with me, and Amy for the phone calls/text messages of encouragement along the way. I will wear my beaten up leg as a badge of honor, a sign of all of the hard work you guys have put in over the past months.
We made a difference this weekend. Thank you. And I’ll see you all next year!!
Much love,
Kitty
The weekend started off for me on Friday afternoon when I went to check in for the Walk at the Hyatt downtown. There is something about being in a room full of that many people, who all want to change something that is wrong with the world – in this case, breast cancer. There were dozens of people, men and women, with the names of loved ones on their t-shirts. There was a woman asking the people standing in line if they needed any more donations to meet their minimum requirement, holding up a blank check. Just being there was almost more than I could take. On my way out, I stopped to look at some pink ribbon jewelry that a woman makes to raise money year-round. I didn’t buy any of it, but the woman said to me, “Together, we can beat this.” I hugged her, agreed, and the tears started flowing. I sobbed in my car the whole way home.
I thought a lot about how selfish it was of me to want to shoot the film on Sunday, and about how selfish it was of me to want to be there for the second day of the Walk. I thought about everything I was going to miss out on the second day – the rest stops, the conversations, the amazing thrill of skipping across the finish line. I realized that the Walk is something bigger than me, and that is why I wanted to do it in the first place. We spend so much of our lives focusing on what is immediately in front of us; here is my chance to look at the world as a whole, and to make a little dent in it. I decided that I was going to skip the film and do both days of the walk.
Saturday morning, I woke up earlier than any human being should have to wake up on a Saturday morning. I packed my backpack, loaded up with water and snacks and spare clothes in case I needed them, and my mom and aunt picked me up to take me to Soldier Field – thank you, guys! I had some breakfast when I got there, did some serious stretching, and before I knew it, it was time for the opening ceremony. The woman on my right was walking for the fourth time, in the hopes that her daughters will never know the horrors of breast cancer. The woman on my left was celebrating one year cancer free. I hugged them both and we all set out to conquer the first day.
The path was in many ways longer this year, but in many ways, shorter, too. I found myself clipping along with the front of the pack at about four miles per hour. I hit the six-mile mark without even realizing it. My breaks at the rest stops and quick stops were quick and efficient – replenish the liquids as needed, visit the port-o-johns, stretch, keep moving. By lunchtime, I was a little sore, but feeling good and about an hour and a half ahead of my pace from last year.
The afternoon was long, though. I missed my friends from last year. Yes, I made new friends and had lots of people to talk to this year, but it wasn’t the same. I missed our calling out “lateral!” when we would pass other groups. I missed singing “Put your hands up in the air!” when we would raise our swollen hands to try to get the blood to flow back out of our fingers. But every time I found myself missing them, I would look at the names on my shirt and remember all of the love and support you guys gave me to take with me on the Walk, and I would smile and keep going.
Also, by the halfway point, I was starting to hurt pretty badly. My left hip was really tight and no matter what stretch or combination of stretches I did at each stop, it didn’t want to loosen up. Fortunately, my mom met me at the halfway point and massaged my hip for a bit, and then even walked about a mile and a half with me after that, so I felt much better, both physically and spiritually.
At rest stop E, I received a great honor. Every three minutes during the Walk, the staff and crew hand out pink ribbons to a walker selected at random that say, “Every Three Minutes” on them. These ribbons symbolize the people who are diagnosed with breast cancer as we are walking. They are given out at random because breast cancer strikes at random. They are even given out during the night because breast cancer does not sleep. At rest stop E, I was selected to wear one of these ribbons and I wore it with pride for the rest of the walk, remembering the people hearing for the first time, “You have cancer.”
Shortly after rest stop E, the winds picked up and it got downright cold outside. It was sort of a welcome change, considering the afternoon had gotten uncomfortably hot and muggy. Nonetheless, we were worried it might start to rain, so I pulled out my poncho and got it on with the help of one woman who I walked with for a bit. I was just in time as it turns out, because it very suddenly started hailing very hard. The hailstones weren’t very big, maybe pea-sized if that, but it did, in fact, hail on us. The hail turned into big, old, fat rain, as Forrest Gump calls it, and while our backpacks and heads stayed dry, our feet, shoes and socks were soaked. Fortunately, the rain didn’t continue for very long and at the next quick stop, I was able to change into dry socks. The cool air and the rain rejuvenated me somehow and for a little while, I forgot about how badly my left leg was hurting. But I was pretty sure I had a blister on my left foot from walking in squishy socks for three miles. At rest stop F, I subjected the medical staff to looking at/touching my pruney feet, was given some moleskin to cushion the forming blister (which was too small to actually lance at that point), and set off to finish the last mile and a half of the walk!
I remembered this stretch of the walk from last year – through residential neighborhoods, kids outside playing, telling us how much farther we had to go, my friend meeting us and walking us into the Wellness Village. I was very much relieved to find another woman walking into the Village at the same time and pace as me, or I would have missed my friends too much. She also helped keep me going even though my left leg was now threatening succession from my body, so I thank her for that. At approximately 5:15pm, we entered the Wellness Village, greeted by dozens of walkers and crew members, cheering us on. What a relief!
I checked out of the Village and a friend of mine picked me up and brought me home – thank you to him, too! It hurt to sit down in his car. It hurt to walk up the stairs to my apartment. It hurt to lie down and stretch once I got here. I remember being stiff and sore last year, but I don’t know what I did or didn’t do differently this year to hurt so badly. I made what I think was a very wise decision to not do the second day of the walk, nor the film. I fell asleep at about eight o’clock and woke up every time I went to turn over and my left leg said, “I don’t think so.” I did get some rest, and woke up with my cat by my side, looking out for my health.
I don’t think any serious damage was done to my leg. I’m sure I’ll be fine with rest and stretching. But I feel like I really put in a good effort this year. I walked through rain, hail, and scorching sun. I cried I don’t know how many tears. I hugged a half a dozen strangers, drank four liters of water, and three of Gatorade. I used probably twenty port-o-johns and walked 26.2 miles (limping badly for the last four miles) so that someday, people will no longer have to hear “You have breast cancer.” With your last minute donations, we raised $2,900 so that people who are diagnosed but don’t have insurance or a health care provider can get the help they need. We made a difference this weekend. We did something that is bigger than any one of us. There were over 2400 walkers this year who so far raised over $5.6 million, and the donations are still coming in.
I thank you for being with me on the walk. I thank you for your love and support and encouragement. I thank my mom for walking with me, and Amy for the phone calls/text messages of encouragement along the way. I will wear my beaten up leg as a badge of honor, a sign of all of the hard work you guys have put in over the past months.
We made a difference this weekend. Thank you. And I’ll see you all next year!!
Much love,
Kitty
Friday, June 03, 2005
I know I haven't written in here nearly as much this year as I did last year and I apologize for that. The whole Walk has been a different experience for me this year, with the one notable exception being the astounding goodness of the people around me. I'm stunned at how many people gave donations or sent an e-mail with encouraging words or shared a story or want to come out and cheer on the walkers. Honestly stunned. I mean, I know I hang out with really quality people, but they are going above and beyond what I thought my own friends could do, you know? And I thank you guys for that.
But it's been a different journey for me this year because it is one I am going alone in many ways. My friend who walked with me last year is not walking this year, so there was no planning of a joint event. I did put together a CD and a benefit concert that involved other amazing people, but it's different somehow. And I've been much, much, much busier than I was last year, so I wasn't able to do as many fundraising events this time around. But I've still raised between $2500 and $2600! It's amazing. Even though people are scrimping for money in so many cases, they still found five or ten dollars to give to others who really need help. My eyes are welling up with tears thinking about it. If you have never done something like this in your life and you need a reminder that humans are inherently good, do something like this. Get involved with a charity that means something to you and get out there and make a difference. You'll find hundreds of people out there looking for a way to help out, too, who are grateful that you stepped up to do something.
I am nervous about the walk. It will be harder without my friend there. I know I will meet amazing people on the walk, but it will be harder without my friend there. And I am sick this year, as I set out to walk a marathon across Chicago. I think I'm in pretty good physical shape because of my recent move, but I'm worried about the Monkey SARS that has taken hold in my lungs and does not want to let go. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
What am I talking about? When I hit a rough spot along the way, I know all I will have to do is look at the names on my shirt to remind myself of who I am walking for, why I started this in the first place, and I will make it to the next rest stop. Thank you guys for giving me that strength. I will see you all in twenty-six miles! (Pray for rain on Sunday, so I will see you in thirty-nine miles.)
But it's been a different journey for me this year because it is one I am going alone in many ways. My friend who walked with me last year is not walking this year, so there was no planning of a joint event. I did put together a CD and a benefit concert that involved other amazing people, but it's different somehow. And I've been much, much, much busier than I was last year, so I wasn't able to do as many fundraising events this time around. But I've still raised between $2500 and $2600! It's amazing. Even though people are scrimping for money in so many cases, they still found five or ten dollars to give to others who really need help. My eyes are welling up with tears thinking about it. If you have never done something like this in your life and you need a reminder that humans are inherently good, do something like this. Get involved with a charity that means something to you and get out there and make a difference. You'll find hundreds of people out there looking for a way to help out, too, who are grateful that you stepped up to do something.
I am nervous about the walk. It will be harder without my friend there. I know I will meet amazing people on the walk, but it will be harder without my friend there. And I am sick this year, as I set out to walk a marathon across Chicago. I think I'm in pretty good physical shape because of my recent move, but I'm worried about the Monkey SARS that has taken hold in my lungs and does not want to let go. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
What am I talking about? When I hit a rough spot along the way, I know all I will have to do is look at the names on my shirt to remind myself of who I am walking for, why I started this in the first place, and I will make it to the next rest stop. Thank you guys for giving me that strength. I will see you all in twenty-six miles! (Pray for rain on Sunday, so I will see you in thirty-nine miles.)
Sunday, April 17, 2005
I did about a 6.5 mile training walk today in just about two hours, with a couple little stops and starts. I was half looking for apartments/half making a trip to Whole Foods/half out for a training walk on this uber beautiful Sunday morning. Three halves. If only I was lucky enough to have three halves.
Honestly, I've been a little concerned about the walk because I haven't been training as much as I should be, but this morning felt good. You just keep putting one foot in front of the other until you are where you intend to be. And to start off with six and a half miles and feel good about it...not too shabby, I'd say. I have to keep this up, though. I can't let this be my only training walk. The problem is finding the time to do it, you know? Between work and my shows and looking for an apartment...but enough complaining. I did good this morning. And my shoes from last year still feel really good. With the shoes and the wicking socks, there were absolutely no ill effects on my feet from the walk. Come June, I'll be all set to go.
Hooray!
Honestly, I've been a little concerned about the walk because I haven't been training as much as I should be, but this morning felt good. You just keep putting one foot in front of the other until you are where you intend to be. And to start off with six and a half miles and feel good about it...not too shabby, I'd say. I have to keep this up, though. I can't let this be my only training walk. The problem is finding the time to do it, you know? Between work and my shows and looking for an apartment...but enough complaining. I did good this morning. And my shoes from last year still feel really good. With the shoes and the wicking socks, there were absolutely no ill effects on my feet from the walk. Come June, I'll be all set to go.
Hooray!
Friday, April 15, 2005
I've reached the minimum amount required to walk! Hooray!
That means a great big honkin' thank you to all of you guys. Without your support and encouragement and love, I could not have done it. But the fun's not over yet!
I need to get training more. Some. I keep meaning to get out and do it, but life gets in the way. I was going to take the train to work today and walk home, but as it turns out, I have to go apartment shopping instead. I will get training soon. I am moderately worried about the walk and how hard it is going to be. I won't know any other walkers this year, I don't think. I don't think Tessa is doing the walk this year. I have the feeling it is going to be a weekend of retrospection and self-examination for me. Not that that's a bad thing. Either that, or I'm going to have to put on my friendly face and find another group I can walk with. Or bounce from group to group, meeting lots of different people. Regardless, I'm excited to be doing this again this year.
That means a great big honkin' thank you to all of you guys. Without your support and encouragement and love, I could not have done it. But the fun's not over yet!
I need to get training more. Some. I keep meaning to get out and do it, but life gets in the way. I was going to take the train to work today and walk home, but as it turns out, I have to go apartment shopping instead. I will get training soon. I am moderately worried about the walk and how hard it is going to be. I won't know any other walkers this year, I don't think. I don't think Tessa is doing the walk this year. I have the feeling it is going to be a weekend of retrospection and self-examination for me. Not that that's a bad thing. Either that, or I'm going to have to put on my friendly face and find another group I can walk with. Or bounce from group to group, meeting lots of different people. Regardless, I'm excited to be doing this again this year.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
I'm going to be on the radio!
The other night after playing the open mic at the Grafton, I met the lovely Jenna Murfin who has her own radio show. She asked if I would like to come on her show to talk about the Benefit Concert and to play a tune and I, of course, jumped at the chance. My first radio appearance! Made that much more exciting and important by the fact that I'm doing it in the name of the Avon Walk.
So next Wednesday, March 30, tune your radio to 88.7 FM, or if you can't get a signal there, you can listen to it streaming online at WLUW.org. Her show is from 2-4pm (Central Time), and I should be on there somewhere in the neighborhood of 2:30. I'm so excited! Now I just ahve to figure out what song to play...
The other night after playing the open mic at the Grafton, I met the lovely Jenna Murfin who has her own radio show. She asked if I would like to come on her show to talk about the Benefit Concert and to play a tune and I, of course, jumped at the chance. My first radio appearance! Made that much more exciting and important by the fact that I'm doing it in the name of the Avon Walk.
So next Wednesday, March 30, tune your radio to 88.7 FM, or if you can't get a signal there, you can listen to it streaming online at WLUW.org. Her show is from 2-4pm (Central Time), and I should be on there somewhere in the neighborhood of 2:30. I'm so excited! Now I just ahve to figure out what song to play...
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
I got another remix of "Ordinary" for the CD last night and sweet bippy, it's wonderful! I can't wait for you guys to hear all of these songs. I am amazed by how much time and effort and energy went into each remix. They mean so much to me. You guys mean so much to me. Thank you.
I'm waiting on one more song and then the whole thing should be done. I'll keep you posted!
I'm waiting on one more song and then the whole thing should be done. I'll keep you posted!
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Hey!
Sorry its been a while since I sent you all an update, but things have been kind of crazy. I have some fun, exciting things to share with you, though!
First of all, the Chicago White Sox have teamed up with the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and are offering us one sweet deal. We can sell tickets to the May 15th game against the Orioles (Sammy's new home) and half of the ticket price will go to the Avon Walk. Yes, it's the Sox, but in the name of breast cancer research, even I would go to U.S. Cellular Field. If you are interested, let me know ASAP so I can send in the order while there is still time. Tickets are for the May 15th game at U.S. Cellular Field. Please specify how many you would like and in what price range -- Lower Box are $30 (with $15 going to the Walk), Lower Reserved are $26 (with $13 going to the Walk), and Upper Box are $18 (with $9 going to the Walk). If you are interested, I will get you more information on who to make the checks out to and whatnot. But don't donate directly to the site if you want these tickets! Talk to me first.
Secondly, things are really coming together for the Benefit Concert on April 2. We've got the performers (Phil Circle - PhilCircle.com, Jeremy Babcock - ThirdWheelMusic.com, and me - myspace.com/KittyMortland), we've got the venue (Heartland Cafe), now all we need is to get the word out there! I have postcards and flyers available for anyone who wants to be a sort of "street team" for this event. Just let me know and I will get the materials to you. Or at the very least, mark your calendars for Saturday, April 2 at the Heartland Cafe (7000 N. Glenwood, Chicago) at 9pm. All of the proceeds from your $7 entrance fee will go to the Avon Walk.
Thirdly, the CD is coming together nicely. I can't wait for you guys to hear the remixes of my song "Ordinary!" I will let you all know when it is available for sale.
And finally, training! I can't wait for it to get a little warmer outside so I can start walking through my beloved city of Chicago. In the meantime, I'm exercising at home and keeping up with my cardio work in Floss! every weekend. My foot is feeling much better, so I'm all set to get out there and walk!
Wow. That's a lot of stuff for me to throw at you all at once. Sorry about that. But thank you guys so much for all of the support and enthusiasm you have already shown as I go on this journey. I couldn't do this without you, and for that, I thank you. We are making a difference in the fight against breast cancer. Right now.
Sorry its been a while since I sent you all an update, but things have been kind of crazy. I have some fun, exciting things to share with you, though!
First of all, the Chicago White Sox have teamed up with the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and are offering us one sweet deal. We can sell tickets to the May 15th game against the Orioles (Sammy's new home) and half of the ticket price will go to the Avon Walk. Yes, it's the Sox, but in the name of breast cancer research, even I would go to U.S. Cellular Field. If you are interested, let me know ASAP so I can send in the order while there is still time. Tickets are for the May 15th game at U.S. Cellular Field. Please specify how many you would like and in what price range -- Lower Box are $30 (with $15 going to the Walk), Lower Reserved are $26 (with $13 going to the Walk), and Upper Box are $18 (with $9 going to the Walk). If you are interested, I will get you more information on who to make the checks out to and whatnot. But don't donate directly to the site if you want these tickets! Talk to me first.
Secondly, things are really coming together for the Benefit Concert on April 2. We've got the performers (Phil Circle - PhilCircle.com, Jeremy Babcock - ThirdWheelMusic.com, and me - myspace.com/KittyMortland), we've got the venue (Heartland Cafe), now all we need is to get the word out there! I have postcards and flyers available for anyone who wants to be a sort of "street team" for this event. Just let me know and I will get the materials to you. Or at the very least, mark your calendars for Saturday, April 2 at the Heartland Cafe (7000 N. Glenwood, Chicago) at 9pm. All of the proceeds from your $7 entrance fee will go to the Avon Walk.
Thirdly, the CD is coming together nicely. I can't wait for you guys to hear the remixes of my song "Ordinary!" I will let you all know when it is available for sale.
And finally, training! I can't wait for it to get a little warmer outside so I can start walking through my beloved city of Chicago. In the meantime, I'm exercising at home and keeping up with my cardio work in Floss! every weekend. My foot is feeling much better, so I'm all set to get out there and walk!
Wow. That's a lot of stuff for me to throw at you all at once. Sorry about that. But thank you guys so much for all of the support and enthusiasm you have already shown as I go on this journey. I couldn't do this without you, and for that, I thank you. We are making a difference in the fight against breast cancer. Right now.
