song i'm obsessed with right now

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I am obsessed with this new song by Superchick. Listen to it; it's really good. Betcha can't tell they're actually a Christian band. But really, their music seems to be so interdenominational, because it's more just a positive message. 

the unpopularity of oncology

I got an article sent to me in the mail from my grandparents, and the title was: Wanted: Cancer doctors - stat. By the year 2020, it's estimated that we will be at least 4,000 oncologists short of what we need. I knew this already, and it was one of the reasons why I seriously considered a post-bac right before I came down here for the MPH. I mean, seriously. This is when I wonder what I'm doing. 

live for sugar

Was that a black tafetta skirt suit that Sarah Palin was wearing? I really liked it. I thought the VP debate went really well, and was pretty congenial. I'm not sure if Palin knew her mic was on, though, when they came out and shook hands and asked if she could call him "Joe". 

Given that I feel like my blog's been pretty serious lately, I feel the need to be superficial for a night. I'm really, really liking my new perfume - Gucci by Gucci. It's musky and woodsy and spicy, and it's definitely replaced Gucci Rush - although definitely not my Marc Jacobs. And today, I found Petit Bateau shirts at this random store here in Chapel Hill! So great. I've also been using the (Malin + Goetz) products I had bought in nyc back in July. The face wash is awesome. I may have to order more soon. 

I'm also really liking the candy corn I bought that - get this - is pink and purple. It's even differently flavored! 

Jenny McCarthy, MD?

So.....I think this entry is venturing into controversial territory, but I'm writing it anyway. Has anyone seen the Jenny McCarthy interview where she says that vaccines are hurting our children and causing autism? Oh yeah, and she says her son is "recovered" from autism. News flash, Jenny: Find my a reputable psychologist who says someone is "recovered" from autism, and I'll show you Santa Claus. She talks about biomedical science and parents taking their children's health into their own hands, and this strikes me as incredibly dangerous and irresponsible. She is not a doctor, her background is not in biology or chemistry or science - the CDC, AAP, NIH, have all stood by the fact that vaccines do not cause autism. In fact, it is much more likely that the vaccine schedule that children are on coincides with developmental trajectories that relate to autism spectrum disorders. Jenny McCarthy's rage in this interview is well-controlled (to a point), but you can plainly see it and hear it. I don't know. When asked about putting kids in jeopardy by not vaccinating, she mentions that any parent with a child living with autism would rather have their child have the flu - well, what about polio? hmmm, Jenny? We have come this far because of medical science. It may seem like autism is on the rise, but more likely, it's merely the diagnoses that are more accurate. It's even been said that Albert Einstein most likely had a form of Asperger's. 

It's like the crazysexycancer thing - when you have an emotionally and possibly physically vulnerable population who desperately want an explanation or a cure, you have to be very careful of claims and easy fixes. Sometimes people want something so badly that they'll convince themselves it exists. 

next year in Jerusalem

An Israeli soldier at the Western Wall.

Tomorrow night starts Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish New Year. Although not one of my favorite holidays, I like it for its significance and all that it brings to my mind. I love dipping apples into honey (to symbolize a "sweet" New Year), and it's customary to say "Next year in Jerusalem!", meaning, hopefully, you'll be in Israel next year. I remember my first Rosh Hashanah after my Israel trip, never before had those words meant so much to me. I desperately wanted to go back - and still do. It's beautiful there, and in a multitude of ways, is home. 

I was just browsing iTunes for "Jewish songs" and was surprised at how many songs brought a smile to my face because of memories I have from day school - doing Israeli dancing in a circle, leading Passover seder practices, favorite Shabbat songs - songs I took for granted when I was in day school because I sang them weekly, if not every day during morning services. And after not hearing them for so long, they sounded so welcoming and familiar. 

weekend update

I just read that Paul Newman died yesterday from cancer. Depending on what article you read, the type of cancer is either unnamed, or described as lung cancer. Many people know Newman as the actor, but he also had an organic food line, Newman's Own, which gave all its profits to charity. It has been estimated that Newman's Own has given $200 million to charity, including a camp for terminally ill children. Dealing with cancer is hard for any family, and even if you know death is imminent, it's still a sort of stunned shock when it actually happens. 

I have to admit, I fell prey to the pinkwashing of October today (and it's not even October yet). I was at OfficeMax and I caved and got pink file folders (I needed folders anyway), which helped support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. And if I'm being honest here, I will also admit that I bought a breast cancer shirt by Under Armour at Dick's Sporting Goods. *sigh*. But I draw the line at buying ANYTHING that supports Komen.  

finally, autumn.

Today it felt like fall in North Carolina. Supposedly, the high was only 61 degrees, which sent many people here running for their winter clothes. Seriously, on the bus this morning, I overheard someone saying she wanted to put on leggings and wool socks. Seriously? Not that cold, people. I can't believe September is almost over, though. 

Speaking of NC, I was in the food store today and decided to buy some Diet Cheerwine. Now, Cheerwine is neither cheerful nor wine. Discuss. It's a Carolina thing, apparently, and it's soda. It sort of tastes like cough syrup but not as sickeningly sweet, and more cherry-ish. I can see how it can become addicting. Does this make me a "real" Carolinian now? 

I got my new issue of New York magazine in the mail today, and there's an article on what you'd get if you traded in your NY life - what the same amount of money could get you somewhere else. But really, why would you want to leave NY if you could really live there? I miss it a lot recently. Of course, I am craving Pinkberry. And H&H bagels. *sigh*. 

For my Patient Advocacy class, we have to interview a patient or a caregiver, give a presentation on the interview, and write a paper. What do you do when your knowledge of the disease threatens to crowd out hope? What do you do when your worst fears are confirmed? How do you find those tiny seeds of faith and hope, and plant them so they grow and cover all the fear and doubt? Like I've said before, we go into oncology, maybe intrinsically, because of hope - you can't NOT have hope and go into oncology - but how do we hold onto that? Is there even any other option?

Listening: Eisley, Saving Jane, The Veronicas

enough pink

With October right around the corner, I'm getting sick of pink already. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and I'm sure we all see "pinkwashing" going on. Pink M&Ms, pink tweezers, pink Britta filters, etc, with some proceeds being donated to some breast cancer charity. But really, how much is really given? And are these products contributing to breast cancer risk themselves? 

Breast Cancer Action is an organization that bills itself as the "bad girls of breast cancer". They have a wonderful, wonderful campaign entitled "think before you pink".

pink ribbons, inc

I have a bone to pick with Christina Applegate. She's made some comments that I find really, really misleading, and are certainly not true. She told "Good Morning America" that "I'm clear. Absolutely 100 percent clear and clean....It did not spread - they got everything out, so I'm definitely not going to die from breast cancer." News flash, Christina - unfortunately, you might. I think this was sort of irresponsible of her to say.....I don't know, maybe it's my own Issues with this, but I really, really hated her comments. 

With October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month), no doubt we will get lots of news interviews like this, lots of magazine covers, and have pink shoved down our throats for 31 days. Can't wait.

Oh, and FYI, September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month.  

palintology

So, somehow, I guess this blog lately has been a little political.....and this entry will be, as well. To be honest, I'm not sure who I will vote for this year. My pro-choice views are extremely strong, which leans me toward Obama, but his campaign annoys the hell out of me, and I find him smug and naive. Fiscally, I am more Republican, I guess - and on the death penalty view, I am Republican, as well. I was reading cnn.com and stumbled upon an article written by Glenn Beck about Sarah Palin, basically just refuting various claims that have been made against her. Initially, I too thought she was anti-contraception - but here is what she has said: "I'm pro-contraception, and I think kids who may not hear about it at home should hear about it in other avenues. So I am not anti-contraception. But yeah, abstinence is another alternative that should be discussed wtih kids. I don't have a problem with that." As I get older, I find myself being more agreeable to this - I think kids today are growing up incredibly fast, and sex is seen as something that's not a big deal, which is sad. Girls - young girls - are dressing sexy, wearing makeup at 11, and are bombarded with sexual images 24/7, and so I think this is a refreshing break. And she tripled funding for special needs children in Alaska from $26,900 to $73, 840. 

Anyway, just things to think about. I'm not too fond of either camp right now.