real flashback to Alan Ruck at Dragon*Con

My apologies for leading you astray, dear reader, with the earlier post.

Usually, the final day of Dragon*Con doesn't have much going on, as a lot of the vendors and special guests have already gone their way.

After all, that day would be a Monday.

 

Coincidentally, for 2009, Labor Day Monday was the 7th of September, just as it is this year.

Here I am at the train station with 13-year-old Morgan.

This time, I'm wearing the t-shirt I received for donating blood with the Blood Alliance on Saturday. 

I could show photos of folks in costume, but I did that earlier, so you have the gist. 

I'm launching into the shots with the man in the post title!

Yes, that's Alan Ruck, waving as he entered the room for the "Star Trek" panel!

(smile!)

That was shortly after he'd danced with me at the top of the stairs. 

We five from Hiram were standing outside the room, waiting to enter, when my BFF says, "Isn't that 'Cameron' from 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' coming up the stairs?"

I turned, and she was right!!!

I stepped toward him, right hand outstretched, and said, "Aren't you Alan Ruck?"

Taking my hand, he replied, "I am! What is your name?"

"Faustina", I told him.

"What a beautiful name," he responded, "are you here for the panel?"

"I am, " I managed to say.

Mind, he hasn't broken stride, so we continue to hold hands as I turn in a dance twirl during our conversation.

By the time he told me that it was a pleasure to meet me and turned loose of my hand, we were outside the green room entrance.

I stood in a daze for a few moments until Sam took my arm to lead me into the room to take our seats.

What a fond memory that has been for these 17 years!!!

I remember bits and pieces from the panel discussion, but there's one thing I can recall with clarity.

In this photo, Alan is the fifth person from the let at the table.

The white-haired gent to his right - in the fourth seat - is Malcolm McDowell, in the chambray shirt.

Those two were obvious friends, as they cut up with each other while others talked of their roles in various "Star Trek" franchises.

I just loved watching them have such a good time!!!

 

And then the panel was done and they each took their leave. 

I seriously considered making a rush for the front, to steal one more hand-shaking dance with him...

but I was good with that already-stolen moment.

Just ask Sandra Lynn and Morgan and they'll confirm how star-struck I was!

(smile!) 

How could we possibly follow up that magic moment?

Believe it or not, we went to a class on towel origami! 

Morgan had just completed her 'Spuds MacKenzie' dog, with sunglasses.

Amazing!!!

Such a grand day we all had!

(smile!)

hello, gorgeous!

"Hey, hey, girlie! You flashing back to that sign in Las Vegas?"

Oh, wow, I'd kinda sorta forgotten about that one. Good memories!!! No, I'm referring to the words spoken to me this morning as I was hobbling through the heat to enter the Savannah VA Center. I'd made it through the outer door and had taken a pause in the middle to cool off. Then this lovely man opened the door wide and said, "Hello, gorgeous!" Surprised, I smiled wide and thanked him, of course. Then he added, "Have an amazing day!" "You, too!"

"My, oh my! That was a nice surprise!"

It really was! After I checked in for the lab appointment, I sat and let that random act of kindness sink in... and almost started to cry. That's a real rarity, to have a stranger offer such words. When I was younger, I'd have sailors say such things, but that's been fifty years ago, or close to it.

"What's that meme you just flashed up? Something from fb?"

Yes, it's something that the ex's Andy posted. '8 Things You'll Probably Never Know' has a lot of truth to it, and that stranger's goodness made me remember it. That guy's kindness wasn't the only wonderful thing that happened at the VA Center, though. Kim, the nurse that saw me today, kidded around as she wrapped my right hand after the blood draw. "Just because you look like a boxer now, don't be doing what LL Cool J said." I laughed and sang, "Mama said knock you out!" Hahahaha! We both got a kick out of that, her for referencing the song and me for picking up on it. (smile!)

"Hahaha! That reminds me of the purple panther moment you had!"

Oh, yes, that was fun! A bright moment during that first year of the pandemic. Taking the time to cut up with the young clerk at the grocery store. I wonder if #5 might pertain to that time and place for that young man?

"Beats me, dear. He'd be 24 or 25 now, wouldn't he?"

Probably. I feel sure he was in high school 6 years ago. Maybe #5 actually refers to me talking about him? His name was Sam.

"Well, see there? You did do a #5! Let's go ahead and list them, for folks who don't want to zoom in on that picture."

1. Someone out there once fell for you... and never told you.

2. A stranger noticed you and smiled, you just didn't see it.

3. Someone still remembers something kind you did years ago.

4. You've been the reason someone didn't give up.

5. Your name has come up in conversation you'll never hear.

6. Someone defended you when you weren't in the room.

7. There's someone who checks your messages and smiles.

8. Your life inspires people who never say a word.

"There! That will make it easier for all to read and enjoy!"

Thanks, that was a good idea. Oh, and hears another kindness from Kim! She needed to have a urine sample from me, too. When I said I'd try, "but I don't know how much will make it into that little cup," she asked if I'd like a hat. Say what? Apparently, there's this wide-brimmed bowl that goes below the seat, so it catches the urine without a woman having to get pee all over her hand trying to find the stream. Hooray!!! I'm going to mention her name every time I need a urine test in the future!!!

"I'd say this is shaping up to be a rather amazing day..."

Yes, I do believe it is! i thank You, God!

research that's paying me to participate!

Let me take a moment to thank facebook for offering me this opportunity.

Let me also thank my friends for having participated in other studies advertised on that social media, so I could trust it to not be a scam.

That said, I don't know anyone who has been part of these two studies, but I went ahead and chose to enroll in them.

How was I even eligible for them?

I have an upcoming colonoscopy and both need to compare their study results to those from the physical examination of my colon lining.

I chose the two studies because they are using different materials from the body to try to find cancer markers.

The first one I enrolled in is actually called the FIND CRC STUDY.

That's literally "find colorectal cancer study", being done by Natera. 

I was drawn to it back in May, when I originally had the colonoscopy scheduled.

Then I decided I didn't want the medical procedure to interfere with my bday68 plans, so I backed off.

Two weeks ago, I approached this study again and was accepted - yeah!

Today, they sent a phlebotomist to my house to withdraw 9 vials of blood.

That's all: Danielle was in and out in less than 20 minutes.

I'll receive $125 for letting her take that blood donation.

Plus, I'll get another $150 for the questionnaire and providing them with my colonoscopy results.

The study will continue for two more years, with them getting more blood each year and providing me a stipend for that service.

That's very beneficial income for a retiree!

The second study is from a company that has already obtained FDA approval for their CRC home kit.

Colosense is all about using the actual fecal matter to determine whether cancer is present.

After Marni called me and verified that I was a viable candidate, I was sent the kit and very detailed instructions on the collection of a suitable stool.

Not only will they examine that fecal matter, but they will also investigate the DNA material which I collected from it in a special tube.

So, if they've already been approved by the FDA, then why this study?

Like true scientists, they are interested in improving their data base.

Hence, the ad on fb for more volunteers in the name of science.

I sent my kit back to them yesterday.

After they receive the results from my medical procedure on Monday, for comparison to their study, I'll get $200.

Yes, please!

I must say, this has been the best part of getting a colonoscopy: feeling like I'm part of a team effort to keep others from dying like Mother Pat.

I'll be curious how the results from these two studies compare to each other and to the result of the colonoscopy.

SCIENCE!!! 

(smile)

women's history: take 3

In honor of International Women's Day, during this Women's History Month in the United States, Kiva was promoting loans to women, with a perk of $20 credit to loan to another.

Of course I jumped at that opportunity!

My first microloan of $25 went to Manuela Christina Olivia last night.

Moments ago, I followed that with a microloan of $25 to Ruth Nohemi.

Both are young women in their mid-20's in Guatemala.

Both do sewing and embroidery and have a loyal clientele.

Both are now hard at work preparing special works of Easter finery.

 

Both are making better lives for their families.

These loans would not be available to them without help from Kiva, and the support of its lending community, to a small finance company.

Both are enriching their communities.

By successfully gaining funding via Kiva, more people in their communities will be able to gain monies for their goals.

Their repayments will enable the small finance company to help others make the community a better place for all.

Both will have renewed self-confidence in their futures.

Both will be able to pass along that sense of self-worth to their children as well as to others in their lives.

By helping these two people, I have helped so many more.

I feel a sense of self-worth akin to that I had when I donated blood.

I am so grateful for that.

I could have spent that money on events this past weekend -

SCAD had "9 To 5: The Musical" at the Lucas Theatre -

BC and St. Vincent's had "School House Rock" at the Trustees -

Hindsight Film Festival had a variety of documentaries  at SCAC -

"The Sound Of Music" was at the Historic Savannah Theatre -

or I could have seen Savannah Rep's play again -

any of which would have run about the same cost as one of those loans.

I'm proud of myself for the choice to help young entrepreneurs, rather than to entertain myself.

I'll have plenty of other opportunities for play time.

(smile!) 

poetry in motion

leaves
scattered on the sidewalk
like fallen stars

This photo was taken outside the American Red Cross center today. Why was I there, well, it was that time again, folks.
As I was walking toward the entrance, the display of colors and the shape of the leaves struck me as poetic.
I don't think a 1-6-4 syllable scheme qualifies as haiku, but it could certainly be said to be a haiku-like poem.

twice in a single summer!

To tell you the truth, I was trying to hold off until the weekend.
You see, at Dragon*Con, LifeSouth will give me a really cool T-shirt for donating blood and participating in the Robert A. Heinlein "Pay It Forward" blood drive.
Outstanding reason to donate! Right?
Then again, the American Red Cross will give me a really cool T-shirt at the end of the year, as they have for several years now.
Why?
I'm a VIP LifeSaver, Silver Level, which means I have pledged to donate whole blood at least three times per year.
This was my second donation this year. I had a fairly late start, as I was a bit under the weather in January and February. Then, when I showed up in early March to donate, I was hijacked by the folks in the plasmapheresis department. I did donate that day, but it was plasma, so that did not count toward my annual obligation.
Time progressed. I kept dodging the calls asking me to come back and donate again. I always had a ready excuse for why I could not make it there.
To donate plasma.
Finally, I worked up the nerve. No more Ms. Nice Girl! I explained how I had felt that one time I had been hooked up to the plasmapheresis machine and how exhausted I had been afterward. I explained that I actually enjoy giving whole blood and would prefer to only donate whole blood in the future.
By this time, a couple of months had passed.
My birthday arrived.
I always liked to give blood around the time of my birthday. Not only does my special day coincide with Memorial Day weekend, but I like to give back for all I have received.
Eventually, almost a month later and after two ill-timed visits to the donation center, I succeeded in my quest to give whole blood.
Woohoo!
My first VIP LifeSaver donation was completed!
Now, today, I donated the second pint toward that contract.
Only one more pint to go and I have plenty of time to do so. Every 56 days, I can donate whole blood. If I really try, I can make two donations before year's end.
Maybe LifeSouth will give me a T-shirt anyway this weekend...
Hey! A girl can dream!!!

cool reward for donating blood!

Look what I received in today's mail!!!
I now have a cool lunchbag for school, thanks to the American Red Cross.
Thanks!
I had entered the drawing in early July, after I donated in June.
I had not expected to win, of course, as I do not seem to have that particular kind of luck.
Still, I entered the "100 Days of Summer. 100 Days of Hope." drawing.
You can't win if you don't play, n'est-ce pas?
And I won!!!

Here's the congratulatory email I received last month.

"American Red Cross Sweepstakes Winner - Lunch Bag Cooler
Summer Stories On:Jul 07/17/14 9:13 AM

Thanks for choosing your day to participate in the American Red Cross summer promotion, 100 days of Hope. You submitted an online entry through redcrossblood.org on July 2, 2014 to enter to win a Red Cross Lunch Cooler. We are happy to notify you that you were selected at random as a winner!

Attached you will find the Promotional Release Form required to claim your prize. Please review the form and complete the required information on the form. You can find a full version of the prize terms and conditions posted on our website (http://rcblood.org/winner). Please complete your form and return it to us by email at Summer.Stories@redcross.org by July 28, 2014. Failure to receive your form by that date will result in forfeiture of your prize. Your prize will be mailed to you within 2 weeks of receiving your completed form.

Every day this summer is a chance to give hope. And due to a recent decline in donations, your help is urgently needed. Summer is a time when blood donations drop, but you can help prevent a summer shortage. Please help us spread the word and encourage friends and family members to choose their day this summer to donate blood or platelets!

Jenny Lamping | Donor Marketing
American Red Cross
Blood Services
4050 Lindell Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314) 658-8558 (p)
Jenny.Lamping@redcross.org | redcrossblood.org "

I look forward to using it to keep cold things cold and hot things hot!

day 33

It's 100 Days of Summer, y'all!
That's what the American Red Cross is calling this blood drive.
100 Days of Summer.
100 Days of Hope.
I encourage you to click here and find a time that works for you. You will then be a hero to three people.
1 hour of time + 1 pint of blood donated = 3 lives saved
Today was the 33rd day of the campaign.
I sandwiched my donation between errands at the school, lunch (fried chicken!) and dinner (pot roast!!) at The Galley, and an evening topped off with an old-fashioned murder mystery.
Very nice!!!
I do hope you have as wonderful a day as I have had today!

hijacked!

Yesterday, I had an appointment to give whole blood.
Instead, I found myself lashed to this machine for the next 90 minutes or so. That wouldn't have been so bad, but the blasted thing was such a taskmaster!
BEEP! Squeeze the ball repeatedly!
BEEP! Stop squeezing the ball!
Over and over and over...
I was pretty exhausted afterward.
I don't think giving plasma is going to work for me.
That's a shame, because the American Red Cross really needs plasma donors and my plasma is very healthy.

Once upon a time, when I was younger and in the U.S. Navy, I participated in plasmapheresis on a regular basis. The method used two needles, one in each arm. Blood would be removed from the one arm, centrifuged to separate the plasma from the red blood cells, and then the red blood cells would be returned to my body via the other arm. As I recall, the whole process took about an hour.
What I recall most is the metal taste in my mouth from the anticoagulant.
The new technique uses this machine and a single needle. That's right: the blood goes in and is returned at the same site in the arm.
Small amounts of blood are drawn into the machine and the components are separated. Then some of those components are returned and the cycle repeats. Because only small quantities are involved, it takes a while to complete the donation. Typically, the time required is about two hours, or long enough to watch a movie.
The donation of whole blood typically requires only about ten minutes. That's all the time needed to drain a pint of blood from a human body, with gravity being lightly aided by mild fist pumping.

I'll give it some thought, but... I think whole blood donation is going to be best for me.