Duck!

I am throwing stars again this Friday. Just some stuff I would love for you to check out, pass along, what have you. 

The producer and image consultant for SugaSheen, Niya, is featured in a cool clip put together by the Indiana staff of the ADA. Check it out!

My good friend Sarah who blogs over at Sugabetic.com is looking for some assistance. She is putting together a list of diabetes blogs and needs your help in making sure it is complete. Please head on over and add your blog to the list. If you don't have a blog, now would be a good time to start one! 

I know it has been a few weeks since the walk has happened but I don't think I ever pointed you to the Flickr pool of pictures to check out. More and more pictures keep showing up so please check back for more documentation of an awesome event.

Blog World Expo is happening right now in Las Vegas and I have decided since Vegas is pretty much a suburb of Las Angeles that I should stop by. So I am going to head down up there after work today. I wonder who I will run into?

Direct TV was installed at my house last night and for the first time in weeks I was able to enjoy an evening watching some TV. Sorry Charter Cable, after all of the phone calls and 3 replaced boxes you'd think you would have figured out the issue. Oh well, I found a solution.

 That's it for this week. I hope you all have a great weekend. I am sure to be around on Twitter so maybe I will chat at you there.

Chatting It Up

Each Wednesday night at 9:00PM EST something magical happens online.

DSMA

What is DSMA you ask? Why don’t we use the answer from their website first then I will Ninjafy it.

"Organized discussions (via twitter) on living with diabetes, advocacy, health, meter, support and more. If you would like to participate, look around or just hang out log on to twitter every Wednesday at 9PM, EST. Follow @Diabetessocmed, #dsma or log on to http://tweetchat.com/room/dsma."

So here is what I would say. If you have diabetes and a computer than you should hop on and check it out. Questions are Tweeted by the moderator and then you answer. You get to see what other people with or affected by diabetes have to say and a discussion begins.

The cool part is the back and forth from different people. Since so many people are logged in you get a really cool plethora of opinions which I love.

Last nights hour was spent a lot on Online and Offline resources, blogs, social media sites, and our doctors. This was a subject I felt right at home commenting about.

As a blogger I see the benefit of every diabetes blog out there. Not only as a reader of the blog but for the actually writer. Being able to express yourself in your own way is important and having feedback from people is great support. And something I obviously enjoy doing.

DSMA, which stands for Diabetes Social Media Advocacy, has a tagline that says, "Simple questions, thought provoking responses–strengthening the Diabetes community one tweet at a time."

I love that.

Last night I found new people on Twitter to follow that I did not know. I learned more about the friends I do have and also learned that I am not the only diabetic with lancets from 1990!

I really do encourage you to join the conversation. It’s a little fast paced but when you hop in you get the hang of it. And it’s well worth it.

Have you ever been on a DSMA chat? If so, what did you think?

Time On My Mind

Last night when I got home from Rejoice Band practice at church, I sat down at my desk to chow down some Taco Bell and check Facebook for updates and such.
 

I spotted a video tribute to one of my friends. At first I thought it was some sort of a joke but then as I clicked on his page I saw an outpouring of love notes and messages of grief written on his wall.
 

“What? No no, this is not real. What??” I was speaking aloud with no one home but my heart felt like it was going to burst. Our friend Mark was introduced to us through two very good friends of ours from Church. This was only 3 years ago and yet he had made his mark on my life.
 

I shed a lot of tears last night thinking about him, his partner Jeff, our friends, and the fun we have had together. Such a short time in my life and what an impact he made.
 

He was only 49 years old.
 

Death has a funny way of making the wheels turn in my head. I immediately remember all of the times I have

grieved for loved ones and all those feelings came back like a flood. I remember funeral stickers on cars, church services, and get togethers afterward for those healing memories we all share with one another.
 

I also start to think about my own life and wonder how much time I have left.

 

Lately, even before last night, this has been on my mind. All I have is time and am I living it to the fullest? Am I wasting it? Am I doing all I can with the time I have left here on earth? What am I doing with my time?

What am I hear for? To play guitar? To write about my life and share it with the world? To connect with my diabetic family and support each one I meet? To make silly videos? To tweet? To laugh? Cry? Hurt?
 

I do believe there is a reason. Call me crazy but I really do feel as if there is some sort of plan for each and every one of us. What that plan is I hope will be revealed over time and hopefully before time is up.
 

Tomorrow I have to go to the lab to get blood drawn. I need to make an appointment to see my endo since I skipped the last one. I have so many things I have to do. We as diabetics have lots of “HAVE TO’s” everyday besided the usual “have to’s.” What about the want to’s?
 

I don’t want to end my life wishing I had done all I should have and could have with my time. I want to spend the time I have here using the talents and gifts that God gave me to the fullest.
 

Mark had a way of making everyone around him feel like his friend. Like family. Even if you just met him you knew you were accepted as is and that he cared about you.
 

That is how I want to be. I think it is the only way to be. At least it is the only way I know how to be. I figure if I spend my time here, loving for, caring about, and supporting my diabetes family than I will have done what I was put here to do.

Mark used to use this quote in his emails. "You have not lived a perfect day... unless you have done something for someone who will never be able to repay you."
 

Thank you Mark for showing me another example of how people should love one another. I will miss you dearly but don’t worry, I will see you later.

You Tube Tuesday #192

The clip I chose this week is something I really hope you all check out. It's the premier episode of TCOYD's Extreme Diabetes Makeover. I had seen a mention of this on Twitter a while back but never got around to actually checking it out.

Until this last weekend. 

I watched all the episodes available so far and I cannot wait for the next one. The Makeover consists of 7 people with diabetes, 2 with type 1 and the rest with type 2, and a dream team of diabetes professionals to help them get their diabetes in better control.

I have only been to one TCOYD event and I cannot wait for the next one I plan on attending the end of this month. I love what Dr. Edelman and his team do to help diabetics and this series is no exception. 

I hope you check it out. I hope you share it with your family and I hope you check out the rest of the episodes too.

Enjoy. 

The "Ninjabetic Weekend" Post

Trying to figure out how to convey the awesomeness that was last weekend was something I realize I cannot do. I can tell you about my feelings and what happened. Hopefully that will give it the credit it deserves.

 
Back in April when I decided to do this, the first thing I did was tell Scott. Scott is more than a friend to me. He is family and I knew he would give me some advice as to try and pull this whole “Ninjabetic Weekend” off or not.

 
He thought it was a cool idea and confirmed his attendance. That was all the motivation I needed.
 

I blogged about it, tweeted about it, and invited EVERY ONE of my Facebook friends.
 

The goal was to not only celebrate my 20 years survival with Type 1 diabetes, but also to honor those other PWD’s who fight the good fight as well as the JDRF walk.
 

Scott, Sara, Lee Ann, Melissa, Dayle, Chris, Suzanne, and my Mom all flew out to be here for the party and walk. Many others were trying to get out here but just couldn’t. I was so shocked and felt so much love that I thought I was going to explode.
 

Suddenly I started seeing names pop up on the Team Ninjabetic site and more and more people were signing up to walk. Family, Friends, co workers, people I knew online, and people I didn’t even know! People from church and even some friends of friends! How about a friend from High School who I just recently reconnected with on Facebook! It was incredible.
 

The day of the walk was CRAZY! First it was raining which was not a bad thing since it was terribly hot and sticky. We showed up to the walk just after 8 and started handing out shirts to all of the team that was there. More and more people kept coming until we had about 60 walkers in their awesome Team Ninjabetic shirts which were generously donated by Pelagic.

 
 

I was spinning around in circles seeing black shirts and people everywhere. I gave hugs to everyone and each hug produced more and more tears. I was emotional and still am about it all.
 

We walked, talked, laughed, danced, ate, drank lots of beverages, and just enjoyed the day. The walk was fantastic and I can’t wait until next year to do it again.

 
 

One highlight of the walk for me was meeting a type 1 named Drew. His mom connected with me and was hoping to find time to meet at the walk. She was going to be walking with a team called Sugar Slayers, who by the way had the coolest shirts and therefore won the T-shirt contest, so made sure we met afterwards to talk.
 

She introduced me to Drew and I had saved a Team Ninjabetic shirt for him. He seemed to like it and I told him that being diabetic means being almost super human. We have to check our blood, take shots, put in infusion sets, count carbs, listen to our bodies, and do a bunch of stuff people without diabetes don’t have to! I told him that we are like ninja’s because we are awesome for being so much more in tune with our bodies. “That is what being Ninjabetic is,” I told him and gave him his shirt. I hope he really took it to heart because do. It does take some “super powers” to make yourself bleed several times a day.
 

After the walk we headed over to the hall for the party. Several of the walkers were not able to go which concerned me because I got enough food for 100 people and I didn’t want a house full of leftovers.
 

Nothing was leftover.
 

When I got to the park and got out of the car I spotted my cousin Alison and her husband. Alison has always had a special place in my heart because we were close in age growing up which meant at all family function she was apart of the “kid crew” that I was which meant playing together. Her mom, my aunt and God mother was there too which was very touching to me. In fact, you should check out Alison’s blog if you can. Her and her husband are adopting a child and are blogging all about it.
 

Also before I got inside I was greeted by Chrystal aka Sexy Diabetic. She gave me a big hug and presented a cool gift. She told her followers on Twitter and friends on Tu Diabetes that she was coming to the party and if anyone wanted to send a card, that she would deliver it. She took all of the letters she got and put them on this board with a very cool Ninja in the middle. It was awesome and I love it! Thanks to all of you that sent stuff in and thanks to Chrystal for putting it together.

When I got inside I was shocked to see how full the room was. The band Ugly Nelson was set up and jamming out entertaining everyone. My sister, her husband, and his family was helping put the food out. Jenny aka Wyldceltic on Twitter brought some Nutella and Nilla wafers for everyone. Sandwiches, chips, and fruit were all there for everyone to eat. And eat they did! We had like 2 pieces of ham left at the end which made me so happy. I should mention that Honest Tea sent 10 cases of drinks as a donation for the party. Thank you so much for that!

 

I had prepared a speech for the event. I would really like for you to check it out. This version was filmed by Suzanne from 1 Happy Diabetic. Thanks for uploading it. Melissa did too but this one seems to not pick up as much of the echo in the room. Thanks Melissa!

Here is the song and I was so happy to have my son singing up there with me. He rocks.

 

After the song I continued the speech talking about Support and how that the very room we were all in shows the power of support and my diabetes life shows the need for it. That support is available in many places.
Then I put up this slide.

 

I have been blessed with friends and family who love, support, and care for me. Without all of you I am not sure I would be in the place I am now. Checking my blood, caring about my health, and counting my carbs.

I ended my speech the only way that seemed approriate.

With a picture of bacon.

My hope in doing this was that those that were there would take something important away. And that is that support is out there. It doesn’t have to be a disease like diabetes or cancer, it could be situations in life like divorce, adoption, buying a house, losing one, or anything in between. Support for you is available in your families, communities, and even online.
 

I also wanted people to see that we are that support to. When we look to get support we can also offer it. It’s a two way street.

No one should EVER feel like they are alone.

 

After the presentation I gave away some awesome door prizes to PWD’s only. Thank you to Roche, Minimed, Extend Snacks, Donna (a type 2 who made some beautiful tissue covers), and Jenny who offered to paint a shirt for the winner. We had enough for all the diabetics to take home a prize. It was very cool.

 

After some much needed rest a few of us met up at Sara’s mom’s house to hang out and record a live episode of Just Talking. If you have not heard it, PLEASE check it out. It was seriously just a bunch of diabetics talking and it was a blast. Sara took some clips with her camera of the podcast. Check these out.

Just Filming Just Talking from saraknic on Vimeo.

Where You Can Find Us at 3 am from saraknic on Vimeo.

The Bacon Cupcake Experience from saraknic on Vimeo.

After church on Sunday where all of my church family wore their Team Ninjabetic shirts and a very emotional mention in the sermon (thanks Pastor Skip) a few of the remaining traveling D-friends met up for lunch and bowling. After that we came back to my house to hang out and talk. It was a great time. I said goodbye to them and Scott and I stayed up until late in the night replaying all that had happened and all the future holds for the diabetes online community.
 

When I woke up Monday morning I fell apart. This was the last day I got to spend with my brother and I knew I was going to have to say goodbye. As I was in the shower I was seeing all the faces I had seen, the people I had met, and the love I had felt. I was so bittersweet. I hated for it to end.

 

Scott and I decided we should hit up the movie “Buried” to support our friend Chris who wrote it. He happens to be married to one of our diabetic sisters, Kerri. It was fantastic and we even got a call from Kerri to chat about what we thought. When does that ever happen right? LOL
 

We had some lunch before I took Scott to the airport and the whole time was just reflecting and remembering. It was all so heavy on my heart.
 

This picture before he left shows so much.

 As much as I missed all of my friends and family, this was hard because it was the official end of the weekend and of course because it was Scott!  
  

As I drove home I started crying again. My emotions are still running high when I think about all the sacrafices people made to be there. All of the time away from home and money spent. I think about how Jaimie and Bonnie (Sara’s mom) were willing to have some out of towners stay with them. I think about all of the people I had never met that came to walk. My mom being there and 2 of my 3 sisters there too. I think about my wife and kids.

 
 

I can’t stop thinking about it!
 

The truth is, I don’t want to.