Calendar Girl Blog: Cat

A cat has joined the Breast Team.

Currently, said cat is lap warming.

He moved in yesterday after living under my deck for the past few weeks. It was the roast chicken that I put out in the bowl that won the scrawny, skittish creature over. Prior to that, I'd used dog kibble. Which he ate. But not with gusto.

I don't speak cat. But cat sure does. His whole life story came pouring out in a torrent of twisting between my legs. His raw, bluntly hacked tail, left a trail of goo on my pant legs.

Now, a mere 24 hours later, cat is quiet. His tail is cleaned and bandaged. He slept like a little log, under my arm pit last night. And he just tried typing.

I've checked all the sign posts. No cinnamon cat with green eyes is wanted.

Calendar Girl thinks cats timing is pretty darn good. Halloween is no time for a cat to be out all alone. And Calendar Girl finds the lap warming to be a pretty fine feature.

Calendar Girl

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Calendar Girl Blog: Post CKWR

Tannis and I wound down from our excellent 90 minute, live radio interview in front of my fireplace with a cup of delicious African Bush Tea. Guitar in hand, she joyously reworked some melodies on her new songs, greatly inspired by her live performance earlier in the evening.

Doug Gibson, the CKWR 98.5FM host was a superb interviewer, steering the questions skillfully along. Having lived with a Breast of Canada calendar on his family room wall for most of a year, he had witnessed it's transformational and education power first hand with his own children. His enthusiasm was palatable to me and no doubt the listening audience.

My average radio show interview spans 2 - 5 minutes. Rarely has the interviewee even seen the calendar, let alone owned one.

Imagine, if you will, the difference in quality between the two styles of interview.

Calendar Girl would like to clone Doug Gibson.

Calendar Girl

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Calendar Girl Blog: Tune into CKWR 98.5FM

Tannis Slimmon and I are doing a live radio show with our pal Doug Gibson on Songs From the Woods tonight at 7pm central time. CKWR 98.5FM was Canada's first community licensed radio station and serves what is known as the Golden Triangle of Southern Ontario.

This will be our second (annual) appearance on the program.

Doug and I will banter about breast health and whacky calendar publishing adventures. Melodic Tannis will perform live. She wants to test run three new songs. And, because we can, we're going to slip in a tune performed and recorded by the Breast Friends Choir at the Breast of Canada Calendar Launch.

Calendar Girl loves doing live radio. This particular show is sweet. Nicely paced, fun and 90 minutes long. Please listen if you can.

Calendar Girl

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Calendar Girl Blog: My New Mailers

My new mailers...let me count the reasons you are worth your weight in gold.

1. You are just slightly bigger than a calendar.
2. You have creased folds for easy assembly.
3. One lick of tape seals you perfectly.
4. The women at the post office love your easy to stack personality.
5. You can hold 1 - 7 calendars.
6. You look natural in your plain brown cardboard way.
7. It will be two years before I have to think about ordering more mailers.
8. You are sturdy.
9. You are not 'over packaging'.
10. You are reusable.

Calendar Girl has a tendency to love inanimate objects. It's part of her charm.

Calendar Girl

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Calendar Girl Blog: Why Do Men Have Nipples?

Finally.

The burning question has been asked...and maybe even answered.

But I don't know that yet. I didn't buy the book. The book called 'Why Do Men Have Nipples?' I merely noticed the book displayed on the same shelf at the Bookshelf as the Breast of Canada calendar.

A placement coincidence perhaps?

Calendar Girl thinks not.

Calendar Girl

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Calendar Girl Blog: A Room With A View

Despite having brutishly heavy, large office furniture, yesterday I was struck with the deep desire to move every stick of it to a new location.

It's a form of seasonal disorder...my furniture moving tendency. As the weather changes, I migrate within the four walls of my house.

Historically, at this time of year, I would shift away from my large, ancient, single pane, drafty windows and cluster myself around the dusty furnace vents. "Better to hack than freeze" is a motto that will be chiseled on my gravestone.

But oh glory be to the power of money, my handy neighbour Ahren and my ability to splurge on new windows all round.

I had to do it. Buy the windows that is. During the lasts 4am rain storm I woke to the sound of water pouring into my spare room. Panicked, I stumbled out of bed to close the window only to find that the window was closed. The water was pouring in 'around' the window.

Rain is one thing. A Canadian winter joining you inside your house is yet another.

The new, double hung, wooden window in my south facing, second floor office, does not rattle, breath or drip. The view features my orange leaf maple tree and my charming streetscape of 90 year old houses. It took me 'til late into the night and grunt strength but I now sit, dappled in sunshine and natural light.

Calendar Girl hopes that when the leaves finally fall, the light does not blind. T'would be a pity to shade the windows view.

Calendar Girl

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Calendar Girl Blog: Breast Team Dogs

I am remiss.

Every year, in the credits of the calendar, under Breast Team, I have a listing concisely called Dogs. Who gets listed under that title are in fact K9's, not people who have been adversely labeled.

Why dogs get to be on the Breast Team could only be asked by someone who does not get a dogs contribution to women's health. There's nothing I will ever be able to do that will shed more light on that reality. And so I won't even bother listing the litany of reasons.

For the first two years of publication, I only included my dog Stew. As time marched on, I counted up the number of group walks, encouraging licks, wags and jump ups that my Labrador friends Tully and Lou consistently offered. So I added them to my list.

Following Stews' death from cancer, my foster dog, Maeve got billed. Currently, I'm between dogs so Tully and Lou are holding down the dog bone and being excellent Breast Team members.

Enough said and without further ado, I'm pleaded to introduce my very good friends Tully (12) and Lou (5), (she is sometimes known (by me) as Lucifer).



Tully the old man: Photo Credit Katie Saunders


Tully, Lou and Katie: Note; Tully and Lou are not interested in the camera when cookies are involved. Photo Credit: Sue Richards

Calendar Girl is certain that if more people connected with their 'inner dog', the world would be a healthier, albeit hairier place.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Pre-orders for 2007

On Friday, I received a full page, type writer written letter from a 78 year, cancer survivor wanting to pre-order the 2007 edition of Breast of Canada, but reluctant to prepay because, "since I turn 80 in 2007, will I still be alive to receive it?"

How frank is that?!

Calendar Girl seems to have bridged a generation gap with at least one person. And she will find a way to rest the concern.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Breast Friends Choir Rehearsal

Photo Credit: Randy Sutherland

This series of photos of the Breast Friends Choir were taken on the night before the Breast of Canada Calendar Launch in the beautiful Guelph Youth Music Centre. The photographer, Randy Sutherland, has been my neighbour from across the street since I bought my house in 1989. Both his partner Sarah and daughter (my next door neighbour) Anwen sang in the choir. Besides being a talented photographer, Randy is a gifted songwriter and guitarist.

So much talent packed into one person.


Photo Credit: Randy Sutherland

Our cellist, Merilee, piano man Craig and guitarist, Lewis added incredible texture and richness to the evenings program.


Photo Credit: Randy Sutherland

My personal musician, (as perpetually bragged about, year after year in the calendar credits) the lovely and talented Tannis Slimmon, provided the leadership and inspiration for the choir to belt it out.


Photo Credit: Randy Sutherland

Craig tickles the ivories. Lewis tickles Craig.


Photo Credit: Randy Sutherland

Chatting Breast Friends

Calendar Girl Blog: Become a Calendar Girl

With the coming of our first serious frost last night, I will take this opportunity to remind any of you budding calendar girls of the Breast of Canada Photo Contest for the 2007 edition.

There are two key criteria.

1. Print off and read the guidelines several times.
2. Own a 2006 calendar.

Our deadline is a firm January 15th, 2006. If, after doing both of the requirements above, you have questions, ask away. I'm all ears.

All models must be Canadians or soon-to-be-Canadians. This isn't me being anal or mean. It's part of the name....Breast of Canada.....part of the caché.....part of the marketing thrust....part of the way Canadians draw attention to themselves, nude calendar capital of the world that we are.

I'm happy to coach you through the process too. After a few rejected photo submissions, a couple of the contest photographers came up with real winners. But don't ask for constructive help if you don't like direction. Know thy self.

The theme for 2007 is Women and Work.

Calendar Girl has a few hints to share. Photos with multiple women, of various ages and skin tones will be greatly appreciated. Be lateral in your thinking about work. And last but likely most important, be brave, have fun.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Waiting

Yesterday, I was both driver and waiting room pal for a friend who had just had a lumpectomy.

We sat in a dingy waiting room for over an hour past our appointment time to get the results of her operation. Two women before us got bad news. Shocked and crying, both left to face their new lives as women living with breast cancer.

It was an excruciating time.

Our news was neither good nor bad. A second opinion was required but not available for six more weeks.

The surgeon had this to say about breast cancer risk. "One in eight is an appallingly high statistic for women to face."

Calendar Girl wonders why more focus is not put on preventing this ugly disease. Preventing... as in not getting it at all. Wouldn't that be better for everyone?

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Rogers Daytime

I did a live 7 minute spot on Rogers Daytime this morning. My slot came after an interview with a energized gent claiming to be The Guru of Garlic.

You would think that breast health calendars and garlic would have nothing in common. But alas your thinking would be narrow.

Hmmm you say, still not seeing the similarity.

The fact is, both garlic and breast calendars are all about preventing disease. And as the Garlic Guru claimed "prevention is good medicine".

Calendar Girl Guru has her own saying. "Prevention is the cure".

Eat a little garlic, live with a Breast of Canada calendar and you may find greater health coming your way.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Persons Day

Today is Persons Day.

On this day, in 1929, the British North American Act was modified, giving women independent legal identities.

Women in Canada became Persons.

Calendar Girl is grateful to the Famous Five who campaigned for 8, count em, 8 long years for this ruling to be made.

Calendar Girl,
A Real Person since 1958

Calendar Girl Blog: Nipples of Mass Distraction

For the 2004 calendar Launch, I produced a play, written by a half dozen young women from the University of Guelph. Four of them performed The Strong Breast Revolution topfree.

One of the scenes in the 25 minute piece discussed nipples and their relationship to pornography.

It was simple and effective.

The actresses stood in a row, arms at their side, facing the audience. In unison, they said, "Pornography." Then with two fingers placed over each of their nipples they exclaimed, "Not pornography". They proceeded to cover and uncover their nipples in rapid succession, repeating their lines each time.

The audience roared their approval.

Calendar Girl thinks that nipples have the power to bring nations to their knees.

Nipples of mass distraction.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Art or Pornography?

RED HAIRED WOMAN IN THE BATH
Painter: Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919)

Is this painting pornography? (FYI: The image does not seem to like Explorer. Netscape is fine though.)

Calendar Girl is curious simply because Breast of Canada has been called porn by more than a few.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: 2008 Cover

This is the cover Melanie Gillis shot for the first Breast of Canada calendar back in 2002. She dug the maple leaf out of a snow bank, covered it in Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion and nursed it back to some semblance of leafness.

Today, Melanie shot the 2008 cover. We've learned about leaves over the years. February...not so good for leaves. October...much better.

No lotion required.

Calendar Girl has not seen the results of the shoot. Our soon-to-be mom cover model was a bit of an experiment.

Did we get her belly in too?

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Breasts Down Under

Chris, from Melbourne Australia, just got his calendars today. They were sent by surface mail and left Guelph on June 26th.

You do the math.

Imagine this. Two little Breast of Canada calendars, in their little PFD's (personal flotation device) doing the breast stroke (what else) across the Pacific. This after hitchhiking from G-Town to...lets say San Francisco.

My, my, my. If these calendars could talk, their stories would surely raise the hairs on the back of your neck.

Calendar Girl is relieved her babies have arrived safely. And she's more aware of what 'surface mail' means.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Don't Say Anything At All

My dad always said, but didn't practice, "If you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all."

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. A difficult maneuver when one side is firmly placed against the wall.

I've got itchy scratchy ants in my pants, wanna run and hide with no idea from what or where energy going down. Makes me feel like I'm tied up in a ball.

Calendar Girl gets like this sometimes. Nothing to be done but breath and wait it out. And follow my dads advice.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: What Men Think

Mike Bullard is Canada's answer to Jay Leno, Johnny Carson and David Letterman combined. I tried unsuccessfully to get on his show aptly called Open Mike with Mike Bullard for a couple of year's in an effort to push the Breast of Canada calendar but his producer wouldn't bite.

Then my pal Jeff Bird invited me to be his guest when his band Cowboy Junkies did the show. Sitting in the audience, I learned something important. Talk shows are very different when you're in the room. Much more intense.

A strange sense of relief washed over me and I stopped pushing my breasts on Mike.

Then Mike disappeared. Gone. Just like that.

This morning, Mr. Bullard was the lead story in the Review Section of the Globe and Mail.

Today, Mike is back. Or at least not as gone.

And as I had come to expect from him during his talk show days, Mike had something very worthwhile for me to hear.....a simple nugget of wisdom that all women would gain from knowing.

When asked about his recent divorce he reported, "I enjoy being with a woman. But I really enjoy being with a woman and not having to hide anything."

Calendar Girl has noticed how women dislike hearing how men think. This does not stop men from thinking. It merely stops them from sharing their thoughts.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Last 1,000

I have requested that the last 1,000 calendars be shipped from the printers to my dining room tomorrow. This is much sooner than I anticipated given that I just had 500 delivered 2 weeks ago.

It's a good sign. Media has been good. Orders have been solid.

And if the current order rate holds steady, I'll be sold out just before Christmas.

Sold out just before Christmas has a lovely ring to it. At least for my ears.

Calendar Girl needs a sell out on more that one level. Not just for financial reasons but for the sheer sense of relief. It's been five years of hard work.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Men's Issue

Is breast cancer an issue that men should concern themselves with?

Let me ask you a second question as an answer?

If your mom, daughter, girlfriend, wife, lover, sister gets breast cancer, will you be untouched by the impact?

Calendar Girl would like to politely point out that we are all in 'this' together.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Save Kate Moss

For your long weekend amusement, please check out my neighbour, Garth Linds' weekly strip. You'll have to scroll back to October 6th for the Kate Moss toss.

Calendar Girl finds Gareth's sense of humour quite potent. Like tequila. Sharp and smooth.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Pssssst got any....

My house plants were cuddled together, peering in the back door window, no doubt hoping that I hadn't forgotten about them. Our balmy weather took a fast train out of town last night and the temperature went from bare foot to wool sock...just like that.

Oh friggin' Canada!

Now I have 10, slightly dazed, monster sized plants crammed into my living room.

New housemates. Likely with their own collection of guests within their branches.

Sues' zoo.

Downtown this morning, my firewood man, strolled by my car as I was loading up with groceries.

"You got any calendars in there"?

I popped the trunk. Handed him a 2006. He slipped me a $20.

Calendar Girl does breast deals in broad daylight.

Calendar Girl

My Menopause Blog is equally racy. Close at least.

Calendar Girl Blog: Pretty Please...Post Our Banner on your Blog

I hope, I really hope that you can drag this baby to where you want it. If you can't, here's the code.

The actual photo was taken in my backyard and is featured as August 2006 in the calendar. Photo credit: The talented Melanie Gillis.

Calendar Girl is much obliged to those brave folks that post our boobs on their blog.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: October 2005

I cannot imagine who would not be aware of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The pink ribbon campaign has been one of the most effective ever launched in the history of ribbon.

In 1991, Evelyn H. Lauder, founder & president of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Alexandra Penney, then-editor of Self Magazine connected the pink ribbon to Breast Cancer Awareness. Fourteen year's later, the pink ribbon symbol adorns all manner of products (good and bad) and people during the month of October.

But what about the rest of the year? Our breasts still need our attention the remaining 11 months.

But wait. Here's an idea.

Calendar Girl would modestly like to point out the value of pinning a Breast of Canada calendar to your wall. It's twelve months of friendly, factual, breast health support, packed into one tidy package.

Or, you can forego the ribbon wearing and pin a calendar to your chest.

A bit heavy. And odd looking. But sure to raise awareness and generate all manner of conversation.

Calendar Girl
Never stops thinking.

Calendar Girl Blog: The Breast Friends Choir Hit Single

Again, technology is causing me some angst. Please forgive the quality of this recording...a CD recorded off the board at Friday nights launch, then played on my dusty JVC portable CD player into my phone. Can't be stellar. But the intention is there.

The Tune: The Breast Friends Choir singing their rendition of Neil Sedaka's Calendar Girl.

Special thanks to the choir director Tannis Slimmon, music man, Lewis Melville on guitar and sound and Mr. Craig Norris, rock and roll king of Guelph on piano.

Calendar Girl is surrounded by talent.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Blur

For some strange reason, I thought yesterday was May 5th. At least 20 times, I wrote this date on orders and cheques as I sped through the day at breakneck speed.

At one point in the afternoon, orders were coming in less than 2 minutes apart. Like contractions, I would react to the chime sound of my computer, tensing, hoping that I could keep up, wondering how long the surge would last and totally digging every moment. Not that I've had contractions before...but the similarities to birthing are present.

I've worked my ass off pushing this calendar. The original idea burned so deeply in me that like a dog with a meaty bone, I have refused to give up. So yes, even though I ate carrot sticks all day, no dinner till 9pm and didn't unwind myself from the tape gun until almost 11pm, I'm feeling like Breast of Canada is finally taking off in a significant way.

It's way cool.

And this...this here blog that I chip away at. Two thousand, six hundred of you came by yesterday. Previous to this, I had a peak of 310 readers.

Thanks to your kind attention, Calendar Girl's posture has improved.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Order Flood From the West

For the last three hours, I've been pinned to my desk processing orders.

Do not take this as a complaint. I'm thrilled. And somewhat overwhelmed. But managing just the same.

You see, Telus posted the 2006 cover and this story on their home page this morning.

And BINGO...Breast of Canada turns into the flavour of the day.

I think they call this the tipping point.

Or perhaps the tipping nipple.

Calendar Girl must scoot. Customers are pinging.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Media Hit

Canada.com sent this story over the newswire this afternoon.
Breast health calendar gain supporters in its fifth year

Calendar Girl has her fingers, toes and eyes crossed.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Aimee of the Choir

Photo Credit: Ahren Hughs

The Choir members went all out with their attire. Aimee popped into the washroom stall in her signature muted green shorts and tank, and moments later, in a puff of tulle, she emerged a ballerina! With Aussie boots.

Calendar Girl loved the visual feast of colour, sparkle, feathers and flounce. Who needs decorations when you have beautiful The Breast Friends Choir.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Tannis Slimmon

Photo Credit: Ahren Hughs

Tannis Slimmon shares the stage with the Breast Friends Choir and my kitchen chair.

Calendar Girl has been sitting on this kitchen chair since 1970. Thirty five years. Longer than most marriages. We're not married though. We just live together.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Calendar Launch Door Men

Photo Credit: Aimee Charbonneau

The doormen made sure that everyone felt welcome and secure.

And, just in case some of those freshly launched breasts got out of hand, the doormen were ready to spring into action.

Calendar Girl likes men springing into action on her behalf.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: The Now Famous Breast Friends Choir

Photo Credit: Ahren Hughs

Calendar Girl will attempt to post a recording of the nights hit songs. Eventually. Not today. Maybe not tomorrow either. Soon though.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Post Launch Email

Dear Paul,

It was 2:30 am (Saturday morning) when the last 3 Breast Friends choir members, still singing gaily, left my home.

I've been wiped out ever since.

Last night, Tannis scooped me up and we went out to the lake for a sunset picnic. Tannis had a cd of the choirs performance which turned out to be a catalyst for me. I wept quietly through the entire recording. I'm still weeping on and off. My, my, my. How beautiful was that??

I'm leaking.

Cleansing.

One of the little girls in the audience...2 1/2 year old Aurora, my neighbour, said, "Thank you for the c-eyer Sue". (choir) Both her mom and grandmother were in it. Her dad was one of my door men. Her grandfather was going to be my photographer, but his back seized up on him and he was not able to attend.

I just turned the page of my 2005 calendar. One of these models died on New Year's eve, age 38, 3 days after giving birth to her first child. I've dedicated the 2006 calendar to her.

More tears.

I might post this email on my blog. I haven't written anything since Friday. I'm so overwhelmed by this work right now. And so frustrated by the attention given to the pink haze of products with no redeeming quality....no substance and no mention of prevention.

In fact, if you check the ingredient list on the 'pink' cosmetics being flogged this month, you'll notice they come with an unhealthy dose of parabens and other known carcinogens.

How ironic is that?

Or maybe that's not irony.

Maybe that's just plain sick.

So many heads stuck so deeply in the sand.

Thank you for your continued support Paul. May the breast be with you.

Calendar Girl