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Just One More Day!

Listening to the wind strangling the trees last night, pulling the blankets close and wishing I was thousands of miles away by a warm sandy sea, I had a thought!

Just ONE more day. Mr/Ms Summer, just one more day of flip-flops, where the rays cross my brow, gently caressing and hugging me tight.

One more day of blue skies, white puffy clouds and Italian ice melting on my finger tips.

Just one more sand to foot. Lemonade quenching heat.

Warmth and bugs. Sun glasses. No boots. No gloves.

One last hot heavy kiss...but nope, it's gone like love, in a blink of an eye.

We The People~

My son is studying the constitution.

I recall vividly being in 8th grade.

SO excited about taking our trip to Springfield,IL.

Studying for the constitution was an honor and I recall being in awe of its words.

Fast forward 30 years, and well, I now have such a cynical take!

I remain a firm patriot. I love my country and all that it has done in way of progress.

There are some issues that maturity and education have brought forth as well, however.

Disturbing, airing laundry things, that I had no idea about as an 8th grader, and certainly nothing that my parents, especially my veteran father, had ever spoken on until I was 30.

My son does have idea about the truth though, as I have educated him on the positives and the negatives. He remains fresh, and approaches it with a calm and a matter-of-factness that I just do not have.

Last night he interviewed me about what I valued in the Constitution. I also was told to discuss 3 of the founding fathers I most admired and why. Lastly, I was to inform him on the most valuable portions of the Constitution, in my opinon.

I asked him if he wanted me to answer honestly. He sighed. "'MOM' don't make this some militant rant."

I really did not want to make it a militant rant, but do we sacrifice our true feelings for our kids simply to make it all rosy? He knows I get pissed that they are off for Columbus Day!

Then there is the question I have: after 42 years, why is my father just now sharing the horrors of racial divide in the U.S Army?

WHY? Why have minorities fought for freedom they have not enjoyed? I know, just for freedom's sake. The thought of freedom. The mere smell of it, makes men and women give their lives.

Well~I still ponder how one can take credit and celebrate the discovery of a land when A) you're discovering something already there B) killing and maiming the natural inhabitants and destroying/conquering their lifestyles...okay, I digress.

So, back to the assignment, I relented and did what I was instructed to do, BUT not without commentary on the sidelines.

Thomas Jefferson was one of the most influential, outstanding authors of the Constitution. His belief in retaining rights for the people to govern themselves was supreme thought at that time. His contributions in religious freedoms, his inventions and varied education make him one of my most favorites.

Notwithstanding that one must contemplate the children he fathered with his wife's half-sister, his slave, Sally Hemings.

I also chose Ben Franklin and James Madison.

I spoke of the incredible courage they used when standing up to Great Britain.

They were pioneers, scholars, inventors-great men...no doubt-we would be remiss denying the vision and the glory of their achievements...but this was at the cost of my ancestors: The Native American, and The African...and the history of those I know nothing about due to my being a product of people with no rights. Our history being that of words passed down, a paper trail that we were not allowed to read.

Why aren't the children being taught the truth, now that we know it? Isn't it safe to assume that if they knew the truth of what really happened, and were actually taught it, they might encourage tolerance and equality for their futures? Once these minds march into high school, they might challenge the status quo and seek alternatives to occupation and genocide?

They might want all to be really equal, be they women, lesbian, gay, transgender? They might desire all colors be judged by action not by their bank accounts?

I do not think that is too much to ask of today's youth, do you?

My son simply responded as I whined, was a ninny and became all worked up-"If it didn't happen that way, would we be where we are today? I like our country", he proudly replied.

I alarmingly looked at him, and then I simply smiled- I am so lucky to be learning with him, together in truth, pride,peace and for the joy of what is.

Steve Nash Wants You To Self Help Collective!

Steve M Nash is NOT the Steve Nash of National Basketball Association Player!

He is interesting, giving and funny, not that the other is not-I just don't KNOW him!


This Steve Nash is across the ocean from where I sit, yet another example of the greatness of the internet.

Our paths crossed because of THIS & THIS

I am grateful to Steve for sharing his time and himself to enlighten us ~

♣ ♣ ♣ ♣

Steve, currently your residence is Yorkshire? Tell us about life there. What intrigues you, what are your projects?

Well I am Yorkshire born and bred so I consider Yorkshire, and in particular West Yorkshire, my home. I may move away in the next few years to live somewhere that I feel to be more stimulating, professionally speaking, but I know I will return, eventually, to the hills and dales of Yorkshire. I absolutely love the landscape here (just do a search for 'Last of the Summer Wine' - a TV program that was based near where I live - and you'll see what I mean) - I feel blessed to be able to walk where I can see such fantastic views.

What intrigues me? People intrigue me - why they do what they do, why they don't do what they say they'll do, and why I do exactly the same. People intrigue me, life intrigues me, and I intrigue me.

And so my current project is a self-help website called The Self Help Collective, whose aim is to facilitate the sharing of knowledge or wisdom for the benefit of all. I literally wanted to create a self-help resource where people could help themselves - understand their weaknesses, and strengths, and improve themselves accordingly - and also help others, by sharing what they *do know* about living a successful life.

And... so far, so good. :-)

Tell us about your first web site. What were some of the things you learned that helped your site become successful.

My first website was a website called Diary of a Volunteer, and it was about the two year period I spent working as a volunteer Computer Trainer in Malawi, Africa. I worked under the auspices of an organisation called Voluntary Service Overseas, which is a British organisation that is similar to US Peace Corps.

As for what I learned to make my site become successful: well I learned basic HTML skills; I learned how to write; and I learned how to share personal experiences in a personal way. I'm not sure that website is a 'success', particularly, but I am very proud of this site and it will stay online for as long as I am alive! :-)

What are some of the subjects you write about? What types of things do you typically enjoy covering?

Ah, my favourite topics on the Self Help Collective website have easily been the subject of happiness, and the subject of fear. Oh, I was so smiley when I was writing about being happy, and I was introspective (and concerned) when I was writing about fear.

This quote by Gerald G. Jampolsky kind of sums up both states of being, I think: "Teach only love for that is what you are"

Tell about your goals for "Self Help Collective".

That's easy. I want to get 10,000 unique visitors per day visiting the site. I want them to help themselves via the great self-help content, I want them to help others by contributing their thoughts or views on subjects they feel qualified to do so. The idea being that we all know more than we think.

Financially speaking, I'd like to earn a good living from this website, meaning I'd like to be earning at least £10,000 per month from the site. (I earn less than £100 per month at time of writing!) There are various ways to earn money that don't require charging for content. And I'm going to explore those in the next year or so.

And maybe I could use the website as a platform for my writing - who knows.

What inspired the "Steve's First Haircut" Campaign?

Well, I hadn't cut my hair for 5 years. Literally. Nor had I brushed it. And I have curly-ish hair. So can you imagine what sort of hair I had, after 5 years? Yes, I had dreadlocks and very long dreadlocks at that. (I've never had dreadlocks in my life and I was completely surprised when they appeared.)

So anyway, after 5 years my hair was pretty long - too long! - and I decided to get my hair cut, and I also decided to get my hair cut for charity. So I called it my first hair cut in 5 years to try and drum up some spsonsorship interest.

I raised about £500 in the end, which is around $700US. And I've still to post my after-haircut video, but I will. I got a bit traumatised by my actual haircut, as it happens, as I actually had my hair cut with a pair of garden shears (again, for dramatic effect that I hoped would boost charity earnings) and I did not enjoy the experience, if I'm being honest. :-(

Can you tell us about Steve? Who is Steve? I read somewhere you "wince" when you hear "football" being called "soccer"; tell us about that.

Hmm, well I've shared a little about who Steve is in this interview and on my Self Help Collective and Diary of a Volunteer websites. And I don't want to bore people too much lol. Simply put, Steve is a man who believes in himself, believes in others, and who does not think that gender or age or race need necessarily define who anyone is.

Do you think Americans are a tad whacky calling our "football" football, when clearly it is a running throwing game?

The truth is, there are many games called football - Aussie-rules football, Rugby football, and American football. They're all derived from the same game (more or less) of playing with a ball. So I'm less precious about it than I used to be. But I don't think I'll ever be using the Soccer-word myself for what I call football!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Well, I can't answer this question in full, I just can't. But I do see myself being in a place that I could never imagine being in only a few years ago. An example of that 'place' would be being in my own band. I've never, ever sung or played an instrument but I intend to play in my own band at my own 50th birthday party in May, 2015. And I'd like similar transformations to have taken place in other areas of my life, too, by that time.

Can the things you have uncovered about yourself benefit others? How so?

Always. I firmly believe that each of us has a lesson for everyone else on this planet and vice versa. I believe that my struggle in one area of my life is your struggle in an area of your life. I believe by leading by example and showing others that if I can do it so can you...

What are your goals for your articles? Your writings are very quirky and real. Your personality totally comes out and your quick humor as well.

Thanks, that's very kind of you. I just want to encourage people to be themselves. Everyone *is* unique, after all. And the world is a better place when people act from their own integrity, their own values, and their own quirkinesses. The world does not need any more sheep, really!

Discuss Site Build and what your vision is for your Site Build IT! sites.

Gulp, I've said so much already! Well, to put it very briefly, I see Site Build It! as providing the technology and the supportive environment to enable ordinary people who have a passion and who want to share that passion (in their own voice) to either earn an extra income or a full-time income, from their own website.

Site Build It! does not guarantee success but I truly see SiteSell's SBI! as a fantastic self-improvement tool that enables you to take positive action in your life!

On a typical day, what can we find Steve M. Nash doing?

Well, typically I'm usually writing. Either I'm writing a page for the Self Help Collective website, or I'm writing an article to promote the website, or I'm writing an email, or I'm writing an interview about myself (ahem!)

Otherwise I read - mainly self-help and inspirational books, but I also read novels.

So, finally, here are some of those websites I've mentioned above

STEVE IN MALAWI

STEVE & SELF HELP COLLECTIVE

STEVE & SITE BUILD IT!!!

And here are a few photographs that show me as my hair turned from curls into dreadlocks...

Glory For A Day

The day began in Joe DiMaggio park with Starbucks. What better way to honor my first place Yankees! {I will never give up on my Sox who beat Boston last night}.

The sun was perfect as was the sky. It was a perfect day and I am thankful to have been alive to witness it.

Sand and surf.

Laughter and lake air.

The promises of a summer's passing, lingering for all to embrace.

A very good day indeed.

Seriously, Does This Look Like Your President??

Oh, LOOK! he's attempting to read to little children while we're being attacked by Al Queda!

Oh, wrong administration.

SERIOUSLY, folks.

We have a President and Vice-President who DO read and very well, I might add.

They are ATTORNEYS, not "C" students.

They are not some regime off on another planet looking to BIG-BROTHER your conservative household.

SO WHAT the PRESIDENT is actually concerned and wishes to reduce recidivism, truancy, violence and cultural ignorance by encouraging minds to continue THINKING - how is that a bad thing? Wishing our legacy one of growth, not little sponges of warped ideology and avoidance.

He,like Queen Rania of Jordan, are thinking BEYOND our little consumed bubble to the fact that there are other people on the planet that we must learn about and engage.

We can not do that sticking our flags in our pockets running around going me, me, me.

I embrace our Founding principles just like everyone else. But MY beliefs are not necessarily that of my neighbors, here and abroad, and I am secure enough in who I am and what I believe that I can encourage others to feel that way too.

The fear conservatives have unleashed is a testament to their character which goes against the very principles they preach. They hate and it is so sad.

They are so angry they can not see.

So hypocritical and consumed with vile that it sickens me.

THAT is what I DON'T want my child to see.

The lies. The screaming. The name-calling.

Though my child attends a VERY conservative school, it teaches and encourages and embraces students from all over the globe. Tolerance. Peace. Shalom. Paix. Salam. ACHUKMA....PEACE BREEDS TOLERANCE!

If we are all in fact moving in the right direction, one of progress or we'll be moving to futility?

It is time to play nice.

Having endured eight long disastrous years under an administration riddled with war and economic strife, please give dignity a chance.

If your President wants to wish your kids a good school year, be they home-schooled, Christian/Arabic/Judaic/Chinese/Native American/ schooled - embrace that.

This is a GOOD thing.

At the end of the day, the responsibility is yours ~ listening to a 10 minute chat via satellite, no matter what he says - hello - we are used to incoherent banter - is welcomed.

I am so tired of the battle every step of the way, when we sat back quietly and let the country fall to ruin. After all, it was their watch.

Stick your chest out Americans and make your global community proud.

The Whiny Ninnie era has ended, starting today.

RUN ANNA RUN!!!!

Today I would like you to welcome Anna Strazzante! Anna has been gracious enough to share her story - her battle with cancer - it is our hope that you will find strength to help. If you are dealing with your own battles, know that you can make it.

She is an inspiration and I thank her for her courage!!! All photos courtesy of Scott Strazzante ~ THANK YOU, Scott!!

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Please tell us a bit about you before your life was changed.

Before my cancer, my life was like any other working mother of four - crazy.

My husband Scott and I had just moved into a new home in Yorkville, Illinois with our blended family of six. My two daughters Sophie and Caroline and Scott’s children Betsy and Cameron who were working their way through life in a new town, finding new friends and living full-time with new siblings.

I was working 4 days a week as a home health physical therapist and then taking care of the children after that while my husband worked an evening shift as a photographer for the Chicago Tribune.

Daily life was quite exhausting but slowly things seemed to be improving.

How did you see yourself and what was your vision for your life before your diagnosis.

I had always considered myself a very healthy, physically fit person. I ate well and exercised regularly. I worked very hard at my career and even harder at creating a stable and healthy home life for my children.

There is no history of cancer in my family so I never imagined that I would become a victim.

How were you diagnosed.

During early 2008, I had a series of urinary tract infections that despite treatment with a wide variety of antibiotics wouldn’t go away. Despite the presence of blood in my urine, my urologist was still convinced that it was still just an infection.

Later in 2008, after a week of visible blood in my urine I was encouraged by a girlfriend to demand a cystoscopy. It was discovered that I had a tumor in my bladder.

After a biopsy, I was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, a very rare form of bladder cancer that makes up only 2% of bladder cancer cases. In addition, the rareness of a woman my age being stricken with this cancer only made my case that much more statistically improbable.

What was the impact.

I was devastated. At the time of my diagnosis, my husband Scott was in Beijing photographing the Summer Olympics. Luckily, my mother was visiting from Sweden at the time but not having my husband next to me lending his support made the news even harder to take.

At first, I was in shock and couldn’t bear to even read about the cancer. At my request, my mother started researching bladder cancer and its survivability.

After my husband returned from China, I started doing my own research. My urologist referred me to University of Chicago’s Dr. Gary Steinberg, an expert on bladder cancer. Steinberg’s advice was a radical cystectomy and the construction of a neo bladder made from my small intestine.

At the same time, a second opinion painted a rosier picture. This doctor said that I would only have to have a partial cystectomy.

After several difficult days of going back and forth, the knowledge that bladder cancer has one of the highest frequencies of recurrence led me to follow Dr. Steinberg’s advice.

My procedure was scheduled for September 10th.


Were there others in your life before you who had been challenged by disease? Did you know what to expect, and if so was that helpful in coping?

No one that I knew had ever had bladder cancer. Every day was a new experience and each day brought new challenges both physically and psychologically.

What were the reactions of those close to you?

My husband took on the role of cheerleader. He kept saying that everything would turn out all right. My children were very scared and didn’t want to talk too much about my cancer. Several of my friends stepped up big time and gave me a ton of support.

My mother was a rock. She stayed an extra month and took care of the daily responsibilities around the house.

In situations such as these, do you feel you must be strong for those who love you? What emotions were you feeling? Responsibilities?

My theory was that the most important thing that I could do for my family and friends was to concentrate all my effort on surviving. I was very scared and despite the healing of surgery’s physical scars, I still struggle daily with the incredible emotional scars that cancer has caused.

How did you choose what course to take with your diagnosis?

I chose what I thought gave me the best chance of long term survival. I wasn’t too concerned about the change in lifestyle that not having a bladder would have, I was just intent on living.

Were your treatments presented to you in a supporting manner?

Dr. Steinberg was very forthright in his explanation of what the surgery would entail and what my chances of living a long and healthy life would be. It helped that I was 100% on board with his plan and the reasoning behind it.

What were you treatments? Surgeries? Were you informed on what to expect?

My cancer was so rare and with so few studies on it that there are no follow up treatments after the radical cystectomy and the reconstruction of the bladder. I have had to learn how to empty my bladder every three to four hours by using my stomach muscles and to change some of my daily habits.

How did you come to run?

Around the time of my diagnosis, my children started participating in a local running club. I used to be an avid runner but some nagging injuries dampened my enthusiasm for the activity.

I had always had a thought in the back of my mind about running a marathon but I lacked the needed motivation.

Now I have the motivation.

Running with the goal of finishing the Chicago Marathon has helped me create a mental picture of myself completely healthy. When I am feeling down, I visualize myself completing the marathon and the great joy that will come with that accomplishment - and I feel better.

Tell us about the fundraiser?

After my surgery, I started being very active in the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN). I participate daily with BCAN’s online community of those who have had or are now confronting bladder cancer. I answer people’s questions, try to alleviate their fears and also lean on others for support as I continue my recovery.

When I decided to run the Chicago Marathon, I figured that it would be a great opportunity to increase awareness about bladder cancer and support BCAN.



What are your goals post-bladder cancer?

Of course, I want to remain cancer free and live a long productive life but I also want to help as many other people stricken with bladder cancer. I was very fortunate to have my cancer detected before it was too late so if I can at least make people realize that cancer can strike anyone at anytime, maybe they will get checked before it is too late.

You have specifically empowered a family member of mine, do you feel the love and appreciation the universe throws out as you give to others?

Definitely. So, many people have helped me and still are helping me through this ordeal that I feel that the least I can do is pay it forward. Helping others helps me feel a connection to the world. A feeling that we are one.


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Let us all wish Anna the best.

Feel moved? Donate through the secure network just to your left, or directly at the site here : GIVE FORWARD

The Chicago Marathon is a few weeks away! Get involved. Anna helped my family member get through her bout and I am forever grateful.

Please do what you can to support this endeavor!

I pledge...What's YOUR Pledge???

I pledge to continue bringing my own bags to stores.

I pledge to help every charitable cause I am able to help.

Finally, I pledge to dedicate my life to bringing NOLA back ~ What's YOUR pledge?