Calendar Girl Blog: Opening Reception of World Breast Cancer Conference
The 8th Floor of the Delta Halifax was buzzing with the energy that seems distinct to the beginning of a breast cancer conference. Old acquaintances reunite, new faces find kindred spirits and everyone is fueled by a sense of hope.
Katherine from Prince Edward Island, is one of my touchstones at these events. She grabbed my ass as I was bellied up to the food table and we both squealed with delight. An eight year survivor, Katherine claims to be like milk and well past her expiry date. I tell her she has entered the world of 'sweet butter', not 'sour milk'. I look at her, deeply. I want to see that she is telling me the truth about her health.
Marie from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Jocelyn from Ireland and Kate from Saskatchewan are my new faces. One at a time, we formed the Wall Flower wall, which by virtue of our acknowledgement, will bond us for the next few days. Two of the flowers are young women living with breast cancer.
Speeches ice the evening. I see a woman nod off. Others clap politely. The room is packed, perhaps 500 people, clearly from all over the world. And the waiter likes us. Guy (our guy but also his real name) brings all food items to the Wall of Flowers first. When I take my leave from the speech room and make my way to the live salsa band room, (which is the perfect cherry for the evening), I'm fully of snacks.
The dance floor is packed. One man and a full compliment of women, some with salsa lessons under their belt, appear to be a hot swarm of bodies. This is an excellent start to a challenging conference.
Calendar Girl is told that her publishing tenaciousness is admirable.
Calendar Girl thinks, "That's one way of putting it."
Calendar Girl
P.S. A million French sailors arrived in Halifax today. White uniforms were thick in all directions. Several of these young men seem to be sharing my floor at the Y. I'm going to bed. They just left to go out. Why oh why didn't I pack ear plugs.
Katherine from Prince Edward Island, is one of my touchstones at these events. She grabbed my ass as I was bellied up to the food table and we both squealed with delight. An eight year survivor, Katherine claims to be like milk and well past her expiry date. I tell her she has entered the world of 'sweet butter', not 'sour milk'. I look at her, deeply. I want to see that she is telling me the truth about her health.
Marie from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Jocelyn from Ireland and Kate from Saskatchewan are my new faces. One at a time, we formed the Wall Flower wall, which by virtue of our acknowledgement, will bond us for the next few days. Two of the flowers are young women living with breast cancer.
Speeches ice the evening. I see a woman nod off. Others clap politely. The room is packed, perhaps 500 people, clearly from all over the world. And the waiter likes us. Guy (our guy but also his real name) brings all food items to the Wall of Flowers first. When I take my leave from the speech room and make my way to the live salsa band room, (which is the perfect cherry for the evening), I'm fully of snacks.
The dance floor is packed. One man and a full compliment of women, some with salsa lessons under their belt, appear to be a hot swarm of bodies. This is an excellent start to a challenging conference.
Calendar Girl is told that her publishing tenaciousness is admirable.
Calendar Girl thinks, "That's one way of putting it."
Calendar Girl
P.S. A million French sailors arrived in Halifax today. White uniforms were thick in all directions. Several of these young men seem to be sharing my floor at the Y. I'm going to bed. They just left to go out. Why oh why didn't I pack ear plugs.
posted by Sue Richards at 8:25 PM
2 Comments:
Thanks so much for your descriptive accounts. It's almost as good as being there. You bring the anticipation and experience to life.
Hi Chris,
I said 'a million french sailors'. I was wrong. There's only three thousand.
Sue
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