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Alright, day 1 of Pink Octo! In case you were wondering, that was short for Pink October. Note: I’m coming off a high playing Borderlands with Edrei, Mogi and RRJ, so if the tone of this entry is high, you know why.

The main reason why I started this initiative was rather selfish. You see, a few years ago, there was this rather WTF meme going around Facebook encouraging women to post the colour of their bra in their FB status without making a reference to their bras. Their aim?

Increase breast cancer awareness.

My reaction then?

Bwuh… what? Alright, if it gets people talking about breast cancer, treatment, debunking myths and all that jazz, I would be completely alright with it. However, judging from the comments then, there wasn’t much of it. In 2010, whoever decided to bring that meme back to life thought it would be a good idea to continue the sexual innuendo in the name of breast cancer.

Without contributing anything of substance.

Yup, it’s like a Catwoman reboot. You show her body and her nakedness but you take away her humanity. GOOD JOB DC! Ahem, sorry, wrong rant, which I will keep for another day.

Anyway.

We were talking about another Facebook meme. I’m glad to say that very few, if any of my friends actually participated in this year’s meme, even though there were people spreading it. You can find the full text of the meme at the bottom of this entry. This time, it was about pregnancy. Now, like I said, I’m all for raising awareness but this?

This contributes nothing at all.

Breast cancer is serious business. While you may laugh, keep in mind that it is a very real disease. Some people believe that cancer is a purely physical disease. Others believe it can be cured by homeopathic means. Still others, like this XKCD comic, will take its weapons from science while getting his courage wherever he can.

And you know what? That’s ok. That’s all true. Whatever works for you, whatever keeps you going, keeps you going.

There are many who have beaten cancer. There are many more who haven’t. Why do I support Makna? Because I believe they’re supporting cancer patients in a way we often forget once a person has been diagnosed with cancer.

We forget that they are still fallible human beings who have lives to lead. They may have families who depend on them. They may have children who may not know what’s going on. They need our help.

Makna’s Volunteer Program is comprehensive and is dedicated to helping families live a normal life. Volunteers are trained to take care of cancer patients, spend some time with them or even helping out during cancer education awareness programs.

So if you have some time to spare, please come on over to Makna and donate! You may also want to check out the National Cancer Society of Malaysia. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

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Original entry as appearing at Ink to Screen.

http://indiegogo.com/sanfranplan

So with all the other stuff happening around me (especially family crisis and floods) I haven’t been able to put as much of an effort on the San Fran Plan as I could. There is a website being set up with more info on my project and affiliate links, but I’m waiting on the designer to get back to me (she says she’s nearly done). But other then that, there is a lot of work to be done to make this happen in time.

I’ve had a LOT of positive feedback on the project, especially from people in San Francisco – but not as much money coming in. Some promises, but nothing materialised yet. My first goal is to get $650 for my deposit to CELLspace, which I still owe – this confirms my attendance. Then it’s $2000 for the airfare. The rest of the fees I can earn over time, but those are the biggest priorities.

Things I need help with:

Funding sources – due to bridging visa issues, I am not eligible for Australian grants or scholarships. I haven’t found any American grants that I qualify for (also due to residency). I did apply for $1000 from the Awesome Foundation but haven’t heard anything. If you hear of any other possible sources for money please let me know.

Media promo, especially blogs – I would like to send out a press release to various queer, politics, porn, local, arts media in Australia and the US but I do need help writing something up. I also would like my project posted on related blogs – for example, Becky Hunter’s interview of me. I do have at least one relatively famous person who’s promised to do a blog post, but again promises and results are two different things. So if you have any favourite columnists or bloggers that you think will like the San Fran Plan, please recommend it to them!

Sponsorship resources – it would help a ton if portions of the trip, especially the flight, could be sponsored. I’ve tried to contact Virgin but no dice, haven’t heard from AirAsia/Tony Fernandes, and may hit up Qantas soon. If you know of any companies that are willing to sponsor me or vouch for me or help me out, please pass my details on. What could be handy, for example, is them paying for my residency fees as a donation to CELLspace (maybe it can be tax-free??)

Jobs, freelance work, being hired – I’m open to any sort of suggestion, including things like modelling or webcamming, so long as it’s legit and pays OK. Here’s my LinkedIn profile for resumes. I can work in Brisbane, online, or elsewhere if travel expenses are covered.

Patrons, sugar mummies, mystery benefactors – you get the idea.

Donations! – of course! Every dollar helps!

Please pass this on – reblogs, retweets, emails, however you like. Every little bit helps for sure. Thank you so much!

Original entry as appearing at Ink to Screen.

The best hallmarks a scam is that they’ll ask you to pay, but when you chase them for enquiries, they take forever to get back to you.

So it is with Fitness First the Curve, Malaysia, which is really starting to sound like a well-planned scam I did not see coming. You see, even though the story has been published in the Malay Mail and I’ve dropped a note to the Fitness First management over at their website, it seems that Fitness First the Curve is DETERMINED to drag their feet over the matter. I emailed them about two weeks ago.

On Saturday, 4th November 2010, I received a response from one Amanda Cook, apparently the manager of Fitness First Curve, promising to look into the case. She asked for some information which I provided. This was her email (attaching screenshot to take note of the date):

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Original entry as appearing at Reach Into Your Soul.

Not too long ago, a few friends posted about seeing posts by people, who complained about not earning enough. Now, these priviledged people were not complaining about the fact that they were not earning enough, but the fact that they were not earning enough to support all of life’s little luxuries. Yes, they were not complaining about not earning enough to go out for luxury meals and pay for their luxury cars. Thus, they were poor.

Yes, you read that right. They were POOR because they couldn’t afford life’s luxuries. They are poor because they can’t go out with their friends to expensive restaurants. They are poor because they are paying for a car they can no longer afford.

Excuse me while I laugh.

You see, I’m in the same boat. Since I left my old job, I admit, I’ve had to cut back on expenses greatly. I don’t really have enough money to spend on caramel frap, not enough to drive almost everywhere, and definitely not enough to even think of buying stuff online (especially clothes).

But I am not poor. I still have a roof over my head. I cook at home when I have the time/inclination. I have enough money to keep my car running (aka petrol). I have enough money to pay my phone and Internet bills. The most important thing is that I have not have to ask my parents for money.

And really for me, that’s the most important thing. If you do not have enough money to eat, to pay for life’s neccisities, then you are poor. But if you are complaining that you don’t have money to go eat at Italiannies when you have at least enough money to buy chicken rice…

I don’t know what else to say.

Original entry as appearing at Reach Into Your Soul.