Awareness

There are a lot of functions centered around “awareness” of this or that thing in SL lately. Personally, I’ve attended a number of these “awareness” events and am shocked at how little they do to actually make people aware other than putting it in their title (and, to be honest, I wonder if – in some cases –  it is a ploy to boost business by saying it is “for” something.) There is so much more to say than “be aware” and give it lip service. Let’s go beyond the virtual and get real about this.

This month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s not about being aware that breast cancer exists—we know that. It’s about being aware about your risk, about treatments, about the need to fund research to help treat and eradicate it. (Meanwhile I will show some virtual breasts—I can’t skip the picture/review portion of this blog and perhaps it will catch people’s attention.. heh heh).

Skins, left to right, clockwise: L.Fauna {Lola . Tan 1} [Whisper] by Launa Fauna for L. Fauna; no.07 :: Demetris – Natural :: Beard 02 – Bald by Aeon Jiminy for no.07, [LeLutka]-LOLA_stan-makeup2(L Brows) by Minnu Palen for LeLutka; -Belleza- Elle Dark SK 4 by Tricky Boucher for Belleza

Here are some quick facts. (Please note I have linked all my sources—please check them. It’s important to think critically about what you read. I am not just shoving some “statistic” in a notecard without proper attribution to a credible source.)

• Breast cancer happens substantially more in women than men. But.. it does occur in men.*
• It is estimated that 207,090 women will be diagnosed with and 39,840 women will die of cancer of the breast in 2010* Death rates have been decreasing since 1991, however. These decreases are thought to be the result of treatment advances, earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness.*
• Based on rates from 2005-2007, 12.15% of women born today will be diagnosed with cancer of the breast at some time during their lifetime.*
• In 2010, there are more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S.*

&Bean – hounds of love LIGHT Rav  1  brow by Keiko Morigi for &Bean; []::Tuli::[] Audrey (tone 3/br) :: 07 by Tuli Asturias for Tuli; 04   Dark-Tan Skin -Tyson-/goatee+base+chesthair  *REDGRAVE* by Emilia Redgrave for Redgrave; :GP: Sundust [Dark] June-Pure 3 by Gala Phoenix for Curio

Wanna get even more real? I recently had my first mammogram. I did it on the instigation of my friend, Raven Pennyfeather, who knew that I was overdue for my first exam and whose father was recently (successfully) treated for breast cancer himself.

Since some of my readers may not have had this valuable exam, let me explain to you my experience. My breasts were each placed on a platform and pressed down by a clear PETG plastic paddle—gently and briefly. (I know so much about the paddle because in my former life I helped manufacture them.) The discomfort was temporary. Ripping off the little band-aids that were put on my nipples hurt the most. The woman who did the exam was fabulous—she has seen boobs all over on every age and size of woman and man. I felt no shame at all.

[ PXL] Daniel NAT Face00 Dark H by Hart Larsson for PXL; :: DUTCH TOUCH ::kEIra:: Olive – Dawn CL1 EBblack by Iki Ikarus for DUTCH TOUCH; *Sawode* Ada Umber Skin Makeup 1 by sanalyildiz Yalin for *Sawode*; Adam n Eve Skin – Marina t3 Delight by sachi Vixen for Adam n Eve

I had put off getting it the exam done because I feared the discomfort and the embarrassment. And deep inside, I feared finding out something negative—my grandmother had breast cancer. It was very quick and easy and my test results were normal.

Many of you out in the metaverse are doing what I did—putting off this very important and easy exam. Why? I told you it’s not bad. (Really! It’s not!) The person doing it was very experienced and very helpful. And while my insurance paid for it, there are many places that offer this exam for free in the US. Not having insurance or the means to pay for one is NOT an excuse! Click here for more information about free mammograms in the US.

Pulse Skin Dance With Me-M1 by Lorac Farella for Pulse; -tb- {Light} DU Echo’s Meadow – Dark Thick Brows by Julliette Westerburg for tres blah; [dekade.] SKINS -Brooke 2- Sunkissed/Hair/L Brows/TDR by Kira Ahn for dekade; LaVie Mark Chin Beard Hair Base Normal by KaoZ Kobe for LaVie

I know the mammogram is not the sole means of detecting breast cancer. I do frequent self exams and also visit my doctor for an annual exam (while I get my annual pelvic exam and um, yeah.. I won’t be blogging THAT). I am also aware of my risk for developing breast cancer. Being female and past a certain age (*ahem*), it’s already increased. Do YOU know everything you need to know?

There is so much more to say that I can’t cover in this blog, but at least I put out something of substance and value. Want to know more? Click through on these links:

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.

National Cancer Institute Breast Cancer Page

Mayo Clinic

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

I’m a Little Teapot

I’m a little teapot,
Short and stout,
Here is my handle,
Here is my spout,
When I get all steamed up,
Hear me shout,
Tip me over and pour me out!

I cried while I sang “I’m a Little Teapot” when I graduated from preschool. I looked out into the big audience of smiling parents and could see strangers everywhere–everyone except my parents (who were there but standing the back where it was too dark for me to see). There’s a whole metaphor there, a poem, (and probably two years of therapy) but I won’t get into it. And perhaps it’s an apt story about being a newbie in SL. (You enter, knowing no one, and stare out at a whole bunch of very strange strangers. It’s the ultimate in performance anxiety.)

What brought the song to mind was this cute little dress with its blue and white chintz pattern made by Quinlan Quimby. I loved the shape of the dress with the shirred sides and sheer underskirt. The textures Quinlan uses are soft and shiny and very perfect for this outfit. Had she extended it to ballgown length, it would make perfect sense in a historic RP sim. However, she has opted for a more contemporary silhouette with the short skirt.

I wear it with a new skin from Lorac Farella, part of her Tomorrow line. I really like this set with its more subtle and burnished make-ups and painterly details. Lorac includes a wee beauty mark near the lips, a lovely touch. The porcelain skin is a perfect piece for this silly little teapot trope I have going.

Finally new and funky boots from LeeZu Baxter, done under her own label. One thing LeeZu does so fantastically well is create artistic textures with subtle shadowing and wild colors. The boots, the torn stockings from Canimal Zephyr, the cameo from Jackal Ennui (with the BEST ironic store name on the grid, imho) all add up to a cute little outfit, fit for this teapot (who has been known to get steamed up).

I’m a very special teapot,
Yes, it’s true,
Here’s an example of what I can do,
I can turn my handle into a spout,
Tip me over and pour me out!

Hair: fri. – Marie – Anxious Blond by Parvarti Monday for fri.day

Skin: Pulse Skin-Tomorrow/M1 by Lorac Farella for Pulse *

Dress: TOSL *Teacup* Dress v1.1 Blue&White by Quinlan Quimby for TOSL

Stockings: Canimal – Ripped stockings – white by Canimal Zephyr for Canimal

Choker: Cameo choker – pure / silver by Jackal Ennui for Lassitude & Ennui

Boots: [LeeZu!] Dncorde Danse Booties /sky by LeeZu Baxter for LeeZu! *

Day Off

I’m having one of those days when I just want to run away and take the day off. I don’t want to do my hair, dress up, sort my notecards, talk to anyone—I just want to be left alone to torture prims or something.

I want to wear something comfy, so I put on this really cute tank top from Babyhoney Bailey. The former model is now a fashion maker herself, and wow, she really does some great work. I LOVE this tank—the subtle shadows, the print with the vintage ladies, the flirty skirt.

I paired it up with jeans from Miseria Daines. They are really well done with rips and wrinkles and that sort of relaxed grungy feel that is so important on a day like today.

My hair’s a mess, thanks to Kavar Cleanslate. This style is my wavy hair, loosely tied, needing a wash probably. But still looking cute!

Finally, slip on clogs from sakka Flow. Easy, comfy, ideal when I am flopping around the sim, trying to force a prim to my will and ignoring the blue screens in the corner.

Well after realizing how cute I look, the day is looking up:

Hair: Exile Monica/coffee by Kavar Cleanslate for Exile *

Skin: Pulse Skin-Life/Tone 4 Warm m1by Lorac Farella for Pulse *

Top: Djinn & Tonic – Vintage Tank (Femme Faces) by Babyhoney Bailey for Djinn & Tonic

Jeans: [Miseria] Bitter Jeans – Dust by Miseria Daines for [Miseria]

Clogs: Sakka’s Studio ** Clog Shoes/ Caramel buckskin by sakka Flow for Sakka’s Studio