Weed Feed
Mar
29
Unwritten
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I was watching the Ellen DeGeneres Show the other day, and the musical guest was Natasha Bedingfield. She’s from England, and super cute with an amazing voice. Anyway, she sang this song called “Unwritten” and I found myself being torn between dancing on the couch or busting out into a “happy cry.” Definitely one of those “What the hell is my problem” kind of moments.
Seriously, I was moved. Perhaps it’s because I’m in the last 24 hours of writing my final manuscript for the book, and my neurons are toast. I’ve been sitting in Panera Bread for almost 8 hours now, and I’ve vowed to finish the second to last chapter before leaving. At 10pm I might get removed by Panera security. That could be funny to watch.
Anyway, here are the great lyrics to Natasha’s song…perhaps it applies to something you need to do in this life…
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
Mar
28
CNN debut
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Last week I was flown down to Daytona Beach to do a segment with CNN about how women can stay safe while on spring break. A camera crew followed around a few girls from Wisconsin, and basically captured on video what really goes down during spring break. I met with the girls to help them understand the importance of keeping safety in mind, even while you’re on vacation. We ended up being great buddies, and I hope they are doing well in Wisconsin! (see pic of us above, along with the producer, Abbie.) The segment aired last night during Paula Zahn Now. This was a big deal for me, well, because it’s freakin’ CNN! Mar
24
Jersey Girls
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Today I had the pleasure to hang with some of my Jersey Girls in South Orange at Seton Hall University. It was a specific good time since these were mostly Alpha Phis. (The only A-phi chapter in NJ) Thanks to all for coming out! (See above, as wel all perform our favorite ass kickin’ technique.)
Mar
17
After much stalking of my alma mater university, Eastern Illinois, I have been granted an alumni e-mail account. This means I can now join my homegirls in the beloved cyber-land of Facebook. Check it out: http://facebook.com/p.php?id=31113172&l=36f1b7ee2c
Mar
16
Book Tour 2006
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Get on the bus! In September I will be going on a nationwide tour to promote my new book titled, “Girls Fight Back! The College Girl’s Guide to Protecting Herself.” Colleges who book a date anytime during the month of September get lots of cool, free stuff…in addition to a great GFB program. CLICK HERE for more details.
Mar
11
Shannon Mac Fundraiser
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Last night was the 5th Annual Girls Fight Back for Shannon Mac fundraiser. As usual, it was a huge success. In years past, the line to get in was around the building, so this year we decided not to send out a press release advertising it. Frankly, it didn’t seem to matter much. Sluggers was still packed with great people celebrating the legacy of an amazing girl.
The money raised from this event will go towards free self-defense programs for Chicago area high schools. If you are a teacher in the area and would like a free program, go to the GFB website and contact us for more information.
A big thanks to everyone who attended and those who donated money. As always, thank you to the McNamara family for supporting all we do here at Girls Fight Back in memory of Shannon. Her resilient spirit lives on… (pic above of myself and some friends of GFB: Neal, Steph and Jay)
Mar
10
Full Circle Moment
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This morning I believe I had what Oprah might classify as a “Full Circle Moment.” This is something that happens when you complete a life cycle, and you find yourself where you always hoped you would be. Today I went back to my high school alma mater, Schaumburg High. My task was to speak to a rowdy gym class of teen girls, and man, I am always up for that challenge! It was really weird to be back, since I hadn’t stepped foot in this school since the day I graduated. Lots had changed. New carpet, lockers, and decor. The only thing that hadn’t seemed to change was the gym uniforms. (I guess we can always count on those constants in life!)
I clearly remember a day my junior year in high school, when I was forced to go to an assembly in the gym. An African-American gentleman was our motivational speaker that day, and he totally rocked the house. He talked about making a difference and using your personal power to help others. It really hit a note with me that day, and sitting in the bleachers I thought to myself, “I would love to speak to students someday, and teach them to live meaningful and powerful lives.”
Fast forward a little more than ten years later. Same gym, same girl, except this time I’m the one with the microphone. I had come full circle, and it felt pretty awesome.
A big thanks to my former gym teacher, Linda Luciani, for organizing the event.
Mar
9
Yesterday I had the pleasure to speak at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO. The town actually reminded me quite a bit of Charleston Illinois, where I went to college. Conveniently located in the middle of nowhere, the students were truly awesome. I had a big crowd of several hundred gals and taught a whole lotta whoop-ass. Usually there’s always one person in the crowd who has watched a healthy dose of WWF, and they always call out some pretty intense moves when I ask them, “Where should I strike S.B.G. (scary bad guy) next?” I always know I have a rowdy crowd on my hands if I hear any of the following responses:
1. Elbow to the back of the head
2. A sucker punch to the kidneys
3. Any variety of head-butt moves
This crowd yelled out all three…who says midwestern girls aren’t ferocious?
(Photo above of myself and S.B.G., Troy)
Mar
8
Cinci
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Last night I spoke at University of Cincinati, no wait, Cinncinnatti, no wait…Cincinnati. Is it just me, or is the word Cincinnati a really hard word to spell? Does anyone have any tricks on how I can remember this? There must be a fun little song or something…
Anyway, it was a great program. A slightly smaller crowd than normal, we were able to get into some down and dirty fight girl action. It was awesome. Holla to all the girls who friended me on MySpace after the program!
Mar
6
Sunshine Fights Back!
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(Court TV) — Perhaps Michael Deeter can find some comfort knowing that he is not the first person to be taken down by a large bird. Deeter, 44, met his match, a large blue-and-gold macaw named “Sunshine,” during a home burglary on Jan. 14. According to Captain Keith Bowers of the Williamsport Police Department in Pennsylvania, when Deeter broke into the apartment, he tried to pet the exotic bird. The bird instead clamped down on his outstretched hand.
Deeter reportedly ran around the apartment in an attempt to dislodge the bird, which refused to let go of his hand. A neighbor later told police that she heard slamming noises and the bird’s loud squawks coming from the apartment around 3:00 p.m. The alleged burglar was nowhere to be found when Williamsport police were called to the apartment at 6:30 p.m. by another neighbor, who noticed broken glass near the door. Officers found drops of blood in the kitchen area and in the vicinity of the bird’s cage. Captain Bowers said Sunshine, missing all but one tail feather, was perched outside of the cage with blood on its beak and still appeared very distressed.
The officer returned to the Lycoming County Jail, where Deeter confessed to the break-in and the theft of a camcorder and $100 in loose change. He also admitted that the bird inflicted the injury on his hand. Deeter was charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft and criminal mischief. He is being held on $25,000 bail.
Mar
1
Last night I had the great honor of speaking to a rowdy-good crowd of 200 girls at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. The event was organized by a fantastic senior named Lora, and man did she knock my socks off. They hosted a reception for me prior to the 7 pm program, and I was so impressed by all the women’s groups who came together to make the GFB program possible. It was a really great representation from the women’s center, anti-violence groups, self-defense instructors, the counseling center, campus police and sorority women.
It was funny, because when I first arrived the girls were mystified I didn’t have an “entourage.” I told them I’m not quite rock star status yet, but I’m playing lots of guitar lately so it might be attainable soon. (ha ha) Possibly the best part for me was the fact that they made the cool banner you see above! They even let me keep it…I’m psyched to hang it in Girls Fight Back headquarters.
Oh yeah, the director of the counseling center named Dorothy suggested I change the name of the Booty Strike to the Booty Bang. Anyone have an opinion about that?
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