Girl With a Purpose (GWAP)

The Windies Cricket Team Strike and Why Women are Needed on the WICB!

The Windies players hail their fans
Originally uploaded by caribbeancricket

"Oh no, not again!", might have been the retort of some West Indian cricket fans, when they heard the news of the West Indian Cricket team strike, for the upcoming series against Bangladesh.

But unfortunately, it's deja vu again!

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) are at an impasse over unpaid monies to the West Indian players who toured England in April-June 2009.

(The WICB is the governing body for West Indies cricket, while WIPA is the union representing West Indian players).

The WICB has said that it has offered to pay the players, five (5) times their regular salaries...

But WIPA is claiming that:

1) It's more than just salaries that's at issue, it's the proper insurance coverage for players when they're injured.

2) It has no contract with the WICB for this upcoming series against Bangladesh.

Well, whatever the reasons, it seems that tomorrow's match against Bangladesh might be in jeopardy, unless the WICB and WIPA can iron out their differences.

(Bangladesh is in the Caribbean for  its upcoming series against the West Indies. The tour schedule for Bangladesh vs West Indies can be found, here).

The interesting thing to note is that if the West Indian players forfeit the match, then the West Indies Cricket Board will have to compensate Bangladesh to the tune of US $2 million, as per International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket rules.

(The ICC is the governing Board for cricket, internationally).

Well, we hope that the WICB and WIPA can reach an amicable agreement, so that the WICB won't be fined that amount.

But one wonders why both parties can't seem to have a standard contract in place, that's suitable to both of them.

...Is it so hard for the WICB to be fair to WIPA and vice versa?

It's a real disgrace that for almost every other major tour, these two organizations seem to be at logger-heads over standard contracts.

But I blame the WICB...they have delayed implementing a Pay-by-Performance contract and their procrastination has been like a noose around their neck.

Players should never be paid five (5) times their standard salaries, unless their performance individually and as a team is excellent!

And the West Indies' results on their recent tour in England, was a downright disgrace!

[We lost the test series 0-2,the One Day Internationals 0-2 and just managed to make the semi-finals of the ICC twenty20 (20/20) tournament].

...with all sorts of excuses made about the weather impeding performance.

I think that it's now time for a new WICB to be established, with fresh ideas, guts and business savvy, who can negotiate in the best interest of West Indies cricket: the fans, the players, the sponsors and the West Indian governments, who by mandate, have to pump money into the management of West Indies Cricket.

Until then, we will forever be having this tug-of-war between the WICB and WIPA.

My humble suggestion - the WICB needs to include at least three (3) women, who are prudent, business and financially savvy, with guts, and who can get things done, on that Board!...

(Presently, there are no women on the WICB...just take a look at the names of all the Directors on the Board - all men!)

WICB...you need the balance of women on that Board, to help you to think straight!...

Your high testosterone levels (hence, huge egos), are interfering with effective decision-making!

Nuff said! (Jamaican, meaning, enough has been said :)).

(I would like to thank  caribbeancricket for the use of their Flickr inset picture above, of the Windies Cricket team hailing their fans).

Gillian

Sources Include

1) Article, "West Indies players threaten boycott", by Cricinfo staff -Cricinfo.com, July 8,2009

2) Power 106FM 5:00 p.m. news, July 7,2009

3) Nationwide Radio's Evening Programme - "Cover Story", July 7,2009

4) Television Jamaica News at 7:00 p.m., July 7,2009

Dump Him or Keep Him?

Aaaaah...the throes of love.

You've known this guy for six months.

He has great qualities, like being honest, sincere, dependable and committed...character traits that you'd want to have in the person you'd like to spend the rest of your life with, right?

But, he also has some irritating personality traits that you can't overlook.

Like his insistence on burping loudly and for endless seconds at the most inappropriate times...

Table manners that would make a pig seem princely...

And awful social skills.

Hmmh!?!...

You've spoken with him about these habits, how it really upsets you when you're around him and he displays himself in a manner that would make a pig blush.

How displaying himself in such a manner could be a possible turn-off for those who'd want to get to know him better and how it could prevent him from having a fulfilling social life.

But he tells you he can't change....that, that's just the way  he is and if you want to have a long-term relationship with him, then you will just have to accept him as he is...

Hmmh!

Well you have an important decision to make...

Should you dump him or keep him?

After all, you've known this guy for six months; have invested your time, emotions and energy in this relationship.

And he has great qualities...surely he's a keeper (you should keep him)....

But then you remember those awful character traits...the ones that just make you want to pull your hair out and scream.

And you're in a dilemma... Keep him or dump him?

So how do you resolve this?

Well, you have to make an assessment of his good versus bad traits and whether or not you can tolerate the bad.

Get a piece of paper or use a Word processor like Microsoft Word, where you can list his bad traits versus his good ones.

Draw a vertical line down the middle of the paper . If using Word, create a two-column table. Make a heading on the left, entitled "bad traits" and one entitled, "good traits" on the right hand side of the paper/document.

Write all his bad traits on the left hand side and his good ones on the right hand side.

Which side is longer (has more traits listed)?

This is the first indication of whether or not he's a potential keeper.

[If the good traits outweigh the bad, then he's a potential keeper. If it's the opposite, then he's a potential dumpee (to be dumped)].

Then you have to project this relationship into the next 3-5 years... and ask yourself..."what will my life be with this person, 3-5 years from now?....will this person change for the better or for the worst?"

Ask, "How will his character traits affect our children (negatively and/or positively), should we have any?"

Please bear in mind that character traits and habits have been ingrained and nurtured in all of us from childhood to adulthood, and are very difficult to break.

The man you see now, is the same man you'll see in your future.

His attitudes now, will be the same ones you'll face in the future.

Please note his unwillingness to even look into himself, and see that something is wrong with his behaviour or see how his behaviour is negatively affecting you.

This shows a lack of concern for your feelings and an inability to truly search his own soul.

So, should you keep him or dump him?

Well, that's up to you.

If the positives outweigh the negatives, then he's a keeper.

If not, he's a dumpee.

What do you think?

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How to Do a Breast Self-Exam

October is known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in most countries.

It is the time when both younger and older women and men, take time out to remember those dear to us who have suffered and are suffering from this disease and those who have overcome it.

It is also the time when we continue to educate ourselves and each other re how best to prevent this disease.

As such, we will discuss how to do a breast self-examination.

Definition: Breast cancers are potentially life threatening malignancies (abnormal cell formations) that can occur in each breast.

70% of breast cancers are discovered via breast self-examination.

A breast self-examination (self-exam) is simple to do and should be done once every month, preferably on the same date, so that you will easily remember when to do it. (For women, it should be done a few days after the ending of your period).

Additionally, you need to watch your breasts for any changes in their appearance throughout each month.

Ok, let's get to the self -exam:

This is done by standing in front of a mirror that allows you to see from your head to your waist.

With your hands by your side, examine each breast.

Do you notice any change in the size, shape or colour of each breast?

Do you notice any difference between the two? (In 98% of cases one will be lower than the other - so this is fine). E.g. do you notice any dimpling, puckering, soreness, redness of the breasts? Do you notice any inversion (sinking in) of the nipple? These could be signs of breast cancer.

Please click this link for illustrations of these symptoms.

Then lift your hands way above your head, clasp them together, lightly, and check for these signs in this new posture.

Then, while still looking at your mirror, lower your hands and gently squeeze the nipple of each breast and check for a clear or milky or white discharge, or blood. These could be signs of a problem,so you should see your doctor immediately.

(The exception here is that if you're nursing, then the white discharge would be milk and is ok).

Next, lie flat down on your bed. You will be checking for lumps or any knots in the breast.

Use lotion to smooth the friction of your hands moving over your breast during this section of the self-exam.

Then place a pillow under your left shoulder.

Examine the left breast, by placing your left arm behind your head. Then with the first four fingers of your right hand, start from your nipple and gentle massage around it in a circular fashion until you reach the outer portions of the breast.Alternate among gentle, medium and firm pressure.

Continue this motion until you reach the top of the collar bone. (Please ensure that you cover the breast region by your armpits as well,as the breast does extend to this region of the body).

Some people prefer using a vertical motion from the top of the breast (right next to the collar bone) to the bottom(where it sits on the chest) to check for lumps.

Please see this link to see what the vertical motion looks like, here: Breast Self Exam Pics.

The choice is up to you. Please do whatever you're comfortable with.

Now do the same for the right breast. (In this case, your right hand will be behind you head, the pillow under your right shoulder, while you use the left hand to examine the right breast).

A breast self-exam, if done regularly, will enable you to know how your breast should feel and thus alert you should any changes occur in the texture, look or feel of the breasts.

If this happens, please report immediately to your doctor, who will advise you of the next steps to take.

Below are some resources that have pictures of how to do breast self-exams. Please visit these sites to see their illustrations.

It was indeed a pleasure presenting this to you. Please let me know how you feel about doing a breast self-exam, by responding to the poll on the right.

Please also let me know if this post was of any benefit to you and why.

Source Documents:

1) Article, "The Five Steps of a Breast Self Exam", Breast Cancer.org

http://www.breastcancer.org/dia_detec_exam_5step.html

2)Article, "Breast Cancer", Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_cancer (Signs of Breast Cancer)

3) Article, "Breast Cancer Sympoms", Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_cancer#Symptoms

4) Article, "Breast Cancer Symptoms and Information on Breast Cancer", National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.

http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/early_detection/index.html

Little Known Facts About Breast Cancer

October is known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in most countries.

It is the time when both younger and older women and men, take time out to remember those dear to us who have suffered and are suffering from this disease and those who have overcome it.

It is also the time when we continue to educate ourselves and each other re how best to prevent this disease.

In this vein, here are some little known facts about breast cancer that you should know:

Definition: Breast cancers are potentially life threatening malignancies (abnormal cell formations) that can occur in each breast.

1. Every two (2) minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer.

2. 80-95% of all breast cancers are invasive; meaning, the cancer cells spread beyond the basement membrane which covers the underlying connective tissue in the breast. This tissue is rich in blood vessels and lymphatic channels capable of carrying the cancer cells far beyond the breast.

3. The occurrence of breast cancer in younger women (that is women under 30) is 1.5%.

4. 80% of breast cancers occur in women over 50.

5. The mortality rate for breast cancer is twice as much for African American women than Caucasian women.

6. Native Americans, Hispanics and Asians have lower rates of breast cancer than their African American and Caucasian counterparts.

7. Men do get breast cancer too! 1% of all men have breast cancer.

8. Approximately 5% -10% of women with breast cancer have a strong family history of the disease. In these cases, breast cancers often ocurr in women under 50.

9. Women who do not have children are at an increased risk for breast cancer.

10. The younger a woman is when she has her first child, the lower her risk of getting breast cancer.

11. A woman who started her period at an early age is at increased risk for breast cancer.

12. Late menopause, increases the risk of breast cancer.

13. Regular and vigorous exercise, a diet full of fresh fruits, vegetables and less fat, and with good portions of protein and iron, can lower the risk of breast cancer.

14.  When breast cancer is found early, the 5-year survival rate is 96%.

15. Mammography is a low-dose X-ray exam that can detect  breast cancer up to two (2) years before it can be felt.

16. A woman should have her first mammogram at age 40 and every year after that. (The U.S. National Cancer Institute recommends a woman's first screening at age 35).

17. A woman should get clinical breast exams (breast exams by a doctor) starting at age 20 and every three years after that, up until age 29, after which she should get the clinical exam done, every year.

18. She should also start doing her monthly breast self-exams at this age, as 70% of all breast cancers are found using this method.

With this information, you are well-armed to fight breast cancer. Please do your breast self-exams if you're over 20 and go get your regular mammograms done if you're over 39 years old.

This includes men too!

(Please see our article re how to do breast self-exams that will follow, later).

Source Documents:

1) Article, "Breast Cancer:", Reuters Health

http://www.reutershealth.com/wellconnected/doc06.html

2)  Article, "Definite Breast Cancer Risks", Cancer Research UK

http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=3293

3) Article, "Breast Cancer:", Cancer Information and Research International,

http://www.cancer-info.com/breast.htm

4) Article, "Breast Cancer Symptoms and Information on Breast Cancer", The National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.

http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/early_detection/index.html

5) Article, "Breast Cancer in Men", Menstuff.org

http://www.menstuff.org/issues/byissue/breastcancer.html#breastcancerinfo

6) Article, "Breast Cancer", Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_cancer#Symptoms