Thyroid Problems

Since the end of March, when I had my UTI (urinary tract infection) and went to the hospital because it was so bad, They ran all kinds of tests on me. They seen something in my thyroid. (The thyroid is located in your neck.) They couldn’t tell much about it because I was there for a UTI and not for my thyroid. I’m just 25 years old and I’m young to have health problems already. My regular doctor, had an ultrasound done on my neck and he took blood. He told me I had one thyroid nodule in the left side of my neck and I have a thyroid goiter/mass and a thyroid nodule in the right side of my neck. He also told me all of my thyroid horomones seem to be fine, except my T4 level, which is low, also, my sodium level was low as well. (most likely due to my thyroid) He referred me to someone who specializes in neck conditions. (and head, ears, and throat) The specialist wanted me to take a 24 hour thyroid test. I was told by the specialist that one of my nodules came up as a “suspicious/cold nodule”, which I knew might not be a good thing. The specialist decided to get a biopsy of it. It turned out to be benign, so I was glad of that. Now, My diagnosis is a thyroid goiter and 2 thyroid nodules. The specialist said it’s usually from a lack of iodine in the diet or it’s inherited. I told him my mother has thyroid problems and that her thyroid is low. She takes a pill for it. My regular doctor just put me on a thyroid pill, called Levothyroxine. It helps replace my T4 level that I have a lack of. I noticed that I have been feeling a few thyroid symptoms, such as: tiredness (and I’ve been sleepy too), constipation, feeling cold most of the time, and I’ve been having heavy menstrual cycles. These are also the symptoms of hypothyroidism and a goiter is also a symptom of hypothyroidism. I haven’t been told I have hypothyroidism, but I have the symptoms and my T4 level is low. I have also been experiencing these symptoms: pains in my neck, stiff neck, and fullness in my neck. However, My neck doesn’t bother me to talk or to swallow, but the doctors say that it can if the goiter keeps growing. They also said that they might have to remove it, if it does keep growing. They want me to have an ultrasound on my neck every 6 months to see if it has grown or not. When I feel of my neck, I can feel a lump in the right side of my neck.

If you want to learn more about thyroid issues, visit the websites listed below.
Wikipedia: Thyroid
American Thyroid Association
The Thyroid Foundation of America
Thyroid Goiter
Thyroid Nodules
Hypothyroidism

my love letter to riot grrrl ♥

hi all!  i’m a new contributor to the blog and here is my first contribution.

my name is andrea.
i’m 27 years old and i was born a feminist.

i say i was born a feminist because i really don’t remember there being a time in my life when i wasn’t aware that there was societal constraints on concept of femininity.  i eschewed barbie dolls in favour of my father’s record player.  this changed when the jem doll was introduced.  she was bigger than barbie and she had her own rock band…  she is still a hero of mine.
in my pre-teen years i read teen magazine and found out that my thighs should never touch, that i should play dumb in order to attract boys, and that only those girls liked sexual contact.  then i discovered sassy and my entire life changed.  christina kelly became my hero.  i began my worship of chloë sevigny because unlike kate moss, chloë made her own clothes.  the kurt & courtney cover story made me long for my own feminist boyfriend.

i was 13 when i first became aware of riot grrrrl.  i can’t think of any other way to describe the feeling it gave me, other than to say it felt like home.  i lived in the middle of nowhere so i wasn’t involved in a chapter and i wouldn’t get my hands on any of the zines for years…  but i still got it.

as i got older i began to read feminist literature and i felt alienated from the second wave thinking.  i think what bothered me most was the all or nothing sort of thinking – all women are your sisters and all men are evil.  it seemed completely ludicrous to me.  
i barely had any female friends growing up because i began puberty when i was ten years old and it completely alienated me.  i was the punching bag of who we would now call “the mean girls”.  so i hung out with guys.  through these friendships with guys brought the inequality between the sexes to light for me.  i saw my male friends be championed for their sportsmanship, their academic prowess,  their “toughness”.  where as my writing and my academic achievements were patted on the head and then ignored.  in fact my academic achievements were often downplayed by my teachers who occasionally accused me of “grade grubbing” because i tried my hardest and expected reward for it.

riot grrrl won my heart because of what it said to me.
it said fuck those who hold you down regardless of their gender.
it said some girls are bitches and you don’t have to love them, but try to understand where their bitchiness stems from.
it said that if you have ideas you should scream them out until people hear you.
it said that if you believed in something, you should fight to the death for it.
it said that if you are a smart girl you could take over the world.
when kathleen screamed in the song liar “eat meat, hate blacks, beat your fuckin’ wife – it’s all connected” it woke me up.  i began to understand that oppression of one is oppression of all.
riot grrrl also gave me a feeling of personal power.  it assured me that i had the power to challenge oppression.  this knowledge changed my life.

i now study sociology and i plan on using my knowledge to level the playing field for everyone everywhere.  i carry the spirit of the early riot grrrls in my heart.  i now strive to be the next naomi klien (who is very riot grrrl even if she doesn’t want to claim the label).

i’m proud to call myself a riot grrrl.
i’m proud to be a feminist.

Turkey: Homophobic Violence Points to Rights Crisis

This was taken from Human Rights Watch and you can read more on this story here.

Turkey: Homophobic Violence Points to Rights Crisis

EU Should Insist on Reforms to Counter Persisting Inequality and Abuses

(Istanbul, May 22, 2008) – Turkey should urgently change law and policy to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people from extensive harassment and brutality on the streets, in homes, and in state-run institutions, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today. Human Rights Watch also called on the European Union to make Turkey’s membership aspirations contingent on ending endemic abuses and guaranteeing equal rights and protection for LGBT people.

The 123-page report, “‘We Need a Law for Liberation’: Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights in a Changing Turkey,” documents a long and continuing history of violence and abuse based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Human Rights Watch conducted more than 70 interviews over a three-year period, documenting how gay men and transgender people face beatings, robberies, police harassment, and the threat of murder. The interviews also exposed the physical and psychological violence lesbian and bisexual women and girls confront within their families. Human Rights Watch found that, in most cases, the response by the authorities is inadequate if not nonexistent.

“Democracy means defending all people’s basic rights against the dictatorship of custom and the tyranny of hate,” said Scott Long, director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights Program at Human Rights Watch. “Where lives are at stake, Turkey needs to take concrete action and pass comprehensive legislation to protect them.”

In recent years, Turkish authorities have repeatedly harassed human rights defenders and civil society groups working on issues of gender and sexuality. Most recently, on April 7, 2008, police raided the offices of Lambda Istanbul, a nongovernmental organization that has advocated for LGBT people’s rights for over 10 years. The police justified the incursion by claiming the organization “encourages” and “facilitates” prostitution. The Istanbul Governor’s Office has also filed a lawsuit trying to close down Lambda, arguing its name and objectives are “against the law and morality.” Lambda will once again have to defend its right to exist before the Beyoðlu 3rd Civil Court of First Instance on May 29, 2008.

44 Writings I Need For This Blog

I am in need of some articles and writings for this blog. I will add to this list as I see fit. The ones listed below are ideas for articles and writings and are some writings/articles I need for the blog. By writing the article (or articles), You will be emailed an invite to join this blog and will be able to post up your writing on the blog. Be sure to let others know that you wrote the article (or articles).

ARTICLES AND WRITINGS NEEDED:

1-History of riot grrrl: how, why, where, when, and who started it. (about the music and the movement)
2-History of feminism: how, why, where, when, and who started it.
3-The 3 waves of feminism.
4-The many different types of feminism such as: anarcha-feminism, individual feminism, radical feminism, and all the others.
5-Write about your favorite feminism/riot grrrl website or write a review of your favorite feminism/riot grrrl website. (can be blogs, websites, forums, etc.)
6-Write your own definition of what feminism means to you.
7-What does riot grrrl mean to you? (Write as much or as little as you want.) Describe riot grrrl in your own words.
8-Write about being a riot grrrl in another country. What’s the riot grrrl scene like where you live? Is there a chapter where you live? Any riot grrrl bands where you live? How did you get into riot grrrl? How long have you been into riot grrrl?
9-Write about how you got into riot grrrl. What, how, when, who, and where made you get into riot grrrl?
10-Write about being a riot boy: how, when, who, what, and where did you get into riot grrrl?
11-Write your own riot boy manifesto. (I already have a version on my website.)
12-Write about being a male feminist: how, when, who, what, and where did you get into riot grrrl?
13-Write some feminism questions that you would like answered or start a feminism FAQ (frequently asked questions) of your own and the answers to them.
14-Write some riot grrrl/boy questions that you would like answered or start a riot grrrl FAQ (frequently asked questions) of your own and the answers to them.
15-Write about women’s issues important to you.
16-Write about feminism and what it means to you.
17-Write how you got into feminism and why.
18-Make a list of reasons on why your a feminist. Try to think of 50 or more reasons, if you can. 10-20 reasons will do too.
19-Make a list of reasons on why your a riot grrrl. Try to think of 50 or more reasons, if you can. 10-20 reasons will do too.
20-Write some DIY tips or share yours. Share your own DIY stuff.
21-Write something about being an activist/ or about activism.
22-Write something about zines or your life as a zinester.
23-Write about your ladyfest or a ladyfest you attended.
24-Write about a riot grrrl chapter or your own riot grrrl chapter.
25-Write about being pro-choice, why your pro-choice, or what it means to you.
26-Write something about how riot grrrl and queercore music are connected.
27-Write something about how riot grrrl and grunge music are connected.
28-Write something about how riot grrrl and punk music are connected.
29-Write something about feminism in other countries. What’s feminism like in your country or other countries?
30-Write something about human rights in your country or another country.
31-Write something about equal rights.
32-Write about why is feminism important today.
33-Write your own definition of what a riot boy is to you. Give your own definition of riot boy.
34-Write your own Zine DIY guide.
35-Write how to start a riot grrrl chapter DIY guide.
36-Write your own list of ways to be an activist.
37-Write a review of a zine or your favorite zine.
38-Write about your experience with the Riot Grrrl Online website.
39-Write about the Riot Grrrl Online website or do a review of the website. If you write about the website, write how you found the website, how you got active in the website and why. I’m sure there are more things you can write about the website, as long as your a reader or fan of the website, your input is appreciated.
40-A review of your riot grrrl or feminist website.
41-Write a news story. Write about an issue or topic important to you or an issue/topic you think would be important to others that is happening in the news.
42-Write your own women’s issue story. If you are a survivor (of anything from rape to cancer, etc.), I’d like to hear your story and what you went through.
43-Write how to start a ladyfest.
44-Write how to start your own record label and/or band.

If your interested in writing one of these articles, Feel free to read the “contribute” page and reply to the “contribute” page or email me. If you comment on the “contribute” page or email me, Please specify which article (or articles) you want to write about by letting me know which number or numbers (# or #’s) your interested in writing. If you have your own ideas for writings or whatever, feel free to email me some of yours.

*This is also posted on the “Ideas” page.

The Story Behind The Riot Grrrl Online Website And How I Got Into Riot Grrrl

A Quick Riot Grrrl Online Website Update: I know I do not use this blog for updates on the Riot Grrrl Online website, but the website is finally working after months of not working properly and being offline. I didn’t think it would ever be back to normal. The Riot Grrrl Online website is back up and running…FINALLY! After a few months of being offline/not working properly, The website is finally running properly. Check it out, register, or login to the website, It’s back to normal now.

The article below was written by Greta (Grrrlriot) also known as me.

The Story Behind The Riot Grrrl Online Website And How I Got Into Riot Grrrl

I became interested in riot grrrl and feminism in 1997. It all started when I found out through the internet about feminism and riot grrrl. I also heard a little bit on MTV back then about the movement. (I used to watch MTV, but not anymore.) I also heard about it by doing some research on the band “Hole”. I had already started listening to hole and nirvana, since 1994, through MTV. I done some research on Nirvana as well. I started hearing about Bikini Kill and Kathleen Hanna. I also started hearing about Tobi Vail and her past relationship to Kurt Cobain. I began listening to bikini kill and I liked their sound. The first bikini kill song I heard was “Rebel Girl”. I started going to a bunch of riot grrrl/feminist sites. I wanted to find more riot grrrl bands to listen to. That’s when I found out about Bratmobile and other Kill Rock Stars records musical artists. Most of those riot grrrl/feminist websites are not around anymore, but some of them can be found with Archive.org.

In 2000, I realized a shortage of riot grrrl sites and most of the sites I enjoyed were gone. I guess a lot of people figured when the riot grrrl bands broke up that riot grrrl was gone. I guess some people thought that the riot grrrl movement died. I read and researched more about riot grrrl through Yahoo! Yahoo had a lot of “grrrl” websites in their directory and I researched riot grrrl through Yahoo as well. I don’t believe in labels, but I really believed in the riot grrrl movement. After the riot grrrl websites had died, I realized that I still believed in the philosophy of riot grrrl and feminism. In 2001, I decided I should make a riot grrrl website. I wanted to make a riot grrrl resource and information site, with a little bit about feminism. I wanted a website where I could add lots of pages and have an active website. I didn’t care if anyone liked my website or not, but it was something I wanted to do for myself and for fun. In a way, I wanted to connect other riot grrrls (and riot boys, feminists, and male feminists) to each other by making the website and that’s when I decided to start ‘Riot Grrrl Online’. I hoped that there were still people out there that felt the same way I did about riot grrrl.

The website was made in 2001 at angelfire. My online friend Shawnee (aka Deshawn) from Pennsylvania, USA made the purple layout and helped me out with the website. (I still keep in touch with him.) He knew how to make layouts, but I did not know how to make them. When the website was on angelfire, I had other pages, but I deleted a few of those pages. I had a “female icons” page, a “I made the website as a start to revive riot grrrl. The website can still be viewed on angelfire because I never deleted it from angelfire. The website is located here.

In 2004, I got hosted on girlsvomitcandy.com, by Jilly that lives in the United Kingdom. (UK) The girlsvomitcandy.com site died. (which I knew it was going to) Jilly told me she was getting rid of the domain, but that she’d email me when my site left from there. (which she never did) The website is on archive.org now and can be found here. The website started on angelfire, then moved to girlsvomitcandy.com, and is currently on hot-topic.org.

In 2005, I got hosted on hot-topic.org. I met Nam that lives in the United Kingdom. He seemed to know a lot about websites and computers. He started using siteman CMS for my website. He runs hot-topic.org. I met him through his now defunct Le Tigre forum on hot-topic.org. He noticed that I was in a dilemma from girlsvomitcandy.com and decided to host me. He also wanted to do something for me since I was active on his Le Tigre forum and helped spread the word about his Le Tigre forum. That’s how I wound up here on hot-topic.org, not to be mistaken for the clothing company, Hot Topic. hot-topic.org was named after the Le Tigre song “Hot Topic”. Nam helps me out with my website if it acts up, goes offline, has errors, or if I have an idea for the website. He answers my questions and gives me ideas. Nam is always there for me and for that I really appreciate him. I have him to thank for my website and for hosting me. He’s a great host. Nam is a great person and he is very much appreciated. I admire his kindness and helpfulness. Here is how the site looked when it first moved to hot-topic.org in December 2005. Here is how the site looked in July 2006. Here is how the site looked in October 2006 with the siteman version. As you can see, The main siteman website has been hacked. The siteman version of my website was hacked twice in 2007 and was an annoyance. That’s why I decided not to use siteman anymore. In December 2007, I started using Drupal instead of siteman. Drupal has lots more features than siteman. The Riot Grrrl Online Forum is now part of the website and part of the interactive features on the NEW Riot Grrrl Online website. It is part of the Drupal CMS (content management system).

I found out that alot of people were viewing my Riot Grrrl Online website and that they liked it. I realized that I had fans and people that linked to the website. I got lots of members on the siteman version and now I am still getting more members with Drupal. In 2005, I wanted to do more riot grrrl reviving. I wanted to meet more riot grrrls and people that felt the same way I did. So, I decided to make the Riot Grrrl Online Message Board in November 2005 on proboards as part of the ‘Riot Grrrl Online’ site. In 2007, I decided I wanted more features on the proboards message board. So, I made a new Riot Grrrl Online forum on freeforums.org. In April 2008, The freeforums Riot Grrrl Online forum was hacked, but it is working fine now. The freeforums forum isn’t as active as it was because the website is now using Drupal.

In Februrary 2008, I decided to create a Riot Grrrl Online social network on ning. The website was down at the time, so I decided to create a social network for people that still wanted to participate in the Riot Grrrl Online website and forums. In March 2008, I decided to create a Riot Grrrl Online blog on wordpress. The website was still down and I decided to create a blog specifically about feminism and riot grrrl. The blog doesn’t have updates about the website posted on it, but it does have articles, news, and other stuff on the blog.