-----Original Message-----
From: Deidre
Sent: Friday, May 07, 2004 1:52 PM
To: ally@live105.com
Subject: ...........

Dear Ally,
I love live 105, how much it has changed and everything about it. I listen to yor show every day, at work, at home and in my car. I'm very happy that you have been trying to quit smoking or at least
attempting to. I, myself has recently also. In my opinion though, the only problem that I have about you talking about how you've done it, is that you have an incentive of getting plastic surgery. Sooooo many young girls, already VERY insecure about their bodies listen to your station, and this sort of advertising
at such a young age makes a major impact on girls minds of a younger generation......I mean, I started listening to the station when I was about 12, and I don't think that being that age is an apropriate time to have these advertisments imbedded into 12 year olds minds when their bodies are naturally changing. If these advertisments are going to be aired, please do it during Howard Stern or something......not all the time. Thes girls don't need it now, not to mention, the actual doctor getting aired talking about how he knows better ways of not having any pain, how to get ahold of him, blah blah blah. I know the girls can't get surgery at that young of age, but it gets in their memory that their bodies are not up to certain acceptable "standards" and how easy it is to change
it. Not to mention, not all surgeries are successful, and accidents do happen. Please consider this. I am going to school to be a psychologist for girls with eating disorders, and these simple advertisments go a lot deeper than most think. Thank you for your time.
Sincerly, Deidre
**************************************************
Dear Deidre,

Thanks for taking the time to write. I know you feel that it's important or you wouldn't waste your time. I'm wondering if you took a moment to read the live105.com FCC page. I've been doing what I can to be responsible about this subject. I respect the fact that young girls listen to the program, and they have a lot better chance at getting a smoke from a "friend" than the money together for surgery. On the flip side, there has been, almost exclusively, nothing but sleazy representation of a procedure that is increasingly common and safer than it's ever been before - and it's changed women's lives for the positive in many cases. I've heard from a lot of people who have said "I did it, it was the best thing I ever did - go for it". I have not had a single e-mail or phone call stating the same about taking up smoking. I know that you feel like you are doing the nobel thing, snapping out at the evil in society that motivates young people to do terrible things to themselves, and I applaud your efforts.  I also cringe at the "I am going to school to be a psychologist" statement putting students on the immature side of thinking that they know all sides of the story because they completed a few classes. It sounds arrogant, and I don't think that's the message that you, or anyone else learning a trade, really wants to represent.   If you want to get to the root of the issue, and trust me- I DO know how deeply rooted this lack of acceptance goes - hang out in the middle schools where the cruelest, most damaging things are being said to the faces of these kids by their peers. When I feel most insecure about myself, it goes back to 8th grade and the comments of the then "popular" boy directly to me. Not an image of Pamela Anderson- but she IS beautiful!   Can we be honest here? I'm not telling little girls to go to their nearest plastic surgeon to get "fixed". I am old enough to vote (which is also a responsibility), hold down a job, maintain a relationship with my husband for 10 years (which requires a lot of humility and accountability), raise 3 (so far) very well-adjusted and confident girls AND put myself confidently in the public eye on a daily basis. You? Don't judge, it's not nice. That's what happen to me in grade school (the boy judging the still bra-less little girl) and that's probably why I'm getting surgery today. Not, but I'm sure a therapist would love to dig into that one!  I'm doing it cause I'm still young enough to feel good on a beach, and I'm old enough to feel responsible about it. I recommend that everyone think about their decisions- always (say, before sex, drug use, not paying your car payment...Ha). BUT, thanks for writing again.  I think it's important to talk about issues, as opposed to taking a closed-minded, self-righteous stand.  Good luck in school.

Sincerely

Ally

***************************************************

----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2004 4:45 PM
To: ally@live105.com
Subject: FCC Init.

YOUR E-MAILS:

BREAST AUGMENTATION :

I listen to you on the radio and heard about your boob job decision.  I too am flat chested with 3 children (two of which are teenage girls!)...I nursed all my kids.  I recently made the decision to get boobs.  It only took me a little over 15 years to make the decision, but I too had to think about how I would explain it to my girls, what kind of example would I be setting, things like that...  I had a talk with my girls about what I wanted to do and why.  I think they understand and support me on my decision.  I went to your doctor's web site and have decided to give him a call and set up an appointment and get the ball rolling.  I am so excited!!  I will have to wait until September for the operation, though.  (My last Summer looking like a 12 year old!)  I can't wait to hear how your operation goes and how you like your new breasts!!  Please continue to let us know how everything goes!!  Thanks for being so open and honest about yourself!  Great job on quitting smoking...I smoked for 12 years...quitting wasn't easy, but I feel so much better now!

Tami

 

My wife had the job done, says it's one of the best things she has done. She wears clothing she always wanted to...
Nick

I just had breast augmentation in September. It was the best decision. I don't regret it at all! On day 3 I was walking around bra shopping, by day 7 I was at the Duran Duran concert in SF. Just no bouncing! (although it was very sad to not bounce to Girls On Film...)
Wendi

I had breast augmentation surgery exactly 25 days ago. I've wanted a very tangible c-cup since 5th grade...and now I've got it. Gold Bonus: My boyfriend is super stoked! Platinum Bonus: Victoria's Secret!!!
I noticed Dr. Ronan's website when doing some post-op research, and I think you'll be in very good hads. I'm excited for you!!!
Odessa

I heard you talking on the radio about smoking and the boob-job (yes, that is my technical term!). I think it comes down to whatever makes you happy. If getting the surgery is something you want to do, then go for it. I think all of the people calling in and giving you guilt for deciding one way or the other are full of crap.
Rob D

Oh my gosh! Just yesterday, I came to the final conclusion that I want to get boobs after thinking about it for about a year and going back and forth with the pro's and con's. I am a 28 year old (flat chested) teacher. I have a boyfriend and just want to feel a little more feminine, if not a lot more sexy!
K

I, as a male, have not had a boob job. My friend has, however, had one. She said it hurt like a bitch, but after, her confidence was way uppppp! Her boobs look killer (though I've only seen them in clothing, get yer mind out of the gutter)!! So good luck and I think boobs are awsome too..
Ron

GO FOR IT! I heard just the other day about a study of women who'd had breast augmentation. Five years after the operation, they were asked to rate how happy they were that they did it. 80% gave the highest rating, extremely happy. So, if you take that fact and add a pinch of optimism, what you have to look forward to is being a healthy, happy, chest-enhanced non-smoker. Makes you feel good just thinking about it, huh?
Paul

Right now in the media, it seems plastic surgery is being performed as such an easy task, when it's very intense and should be seen as more serious by all of us. I would like to see more people realize that pretty much everyone hates what they were born with, but we have to love ourselves in order to feel good about ourselves physically. That's great when someone is in a position, such as yourself (mature, married with children) to want to do it for your body-image and not self-image.
Megan (20)

QUITTING SMOKING:

I've been blown away by all of the support for my quitting smoking plan, and by all the people who are also ready to quit.  Let's do it!  Here's some of the e-mails I've received recently:

for information on how to really quit smoking, call 1-800-ACS-2345, or go to cancer.org. Take Control.


*Aside from how nasty smoking is in general, I know that if I could quit altogether, it would help my quality of life. Both my parents are ex-smokers. They quit after my dad's first triple bypass heart surgery..
Rene

*I quit smoking after 33 years of crap, and anyone who tells you it's EASY to quit is full of S*%T!!! It definately wasn't easy. Hang in there slugger, you'll make it. Just have faith in the strength you haave in yourself and you'll overcome!!
VB

*My grandmother smoked over 40 years. She now has emphysema, is dependent on oxygen and finds it hard to get out of bed..Well done with quitting and hopefully people will not need to see a loved one chained to an oxygen tank to encourage them to stay away from cigarettes.
Mercedes

*Three hour drives suck when you can't take a drag or two. I love cruisin in the dark at 80 mph and seeing the sparks splash across the road in the rearview. Good luck with the quitttin, I know I'll need it.
Phil

*I read somewhere that it takes an average of seven attempts to actually quit. I think you just have to really want to quit. Do it for yourself.
Eric

*I quit April 7th, and have found a temper I never knew I had before! I live with smokers, which probably contributes to the aggravation. Anyways...good luck!
Carley

*I listen to Howard every day, and to your show just as often. I smoked for 2-3 years and I quit on Jan. 11, 2004. It was the best decision I ever made, I feel a 100 times better, not to mention I don't have that disgusting smell on my clothes.
MB

*This is my first attempt to quit smoking. I've been listening to your on-air tips and hope to apply them if needed. A support system is definately a great thing! I'm going to do this!!
Lisa

* I'm 20 years old and have been smoking for 5 years. My boyfriend hates my smoking and I really want to quit. By the way, u kick ass for stopping smoking because it sucks!!!
Jenna

* It's awsome that you're on the road to a healthier, happier life style. I have smoked since 1998 and it sucks! I can't seem to quit alone, but hearing about it from you and reading your journals help me out. Keep it up Vic

* I smoked off and on for a long time. I was walking in Oakland Chinatown after dinner, I smelled the air. I knew I had to e-mail you and tell you what you're doing is the best thing you can do for Ally. It isn't easy, and I applaud you.
Darryl

*I've been smoking for 10 years and yesterday was my last cigarette.  So lets both try, along with whoever wants to join us, quit smoking.  I will be very honest with you and I expect the same.

Kent

*Hey Ally, it's been a week and a half for me, it sucks...I had a couple of drinks and pretty much had to be restrained.

Brandon

*The feeling of quitting is great, its an achievement that means a lot to YOU, and the best satisfaction is knowing that you overcame yourself.  So, show yourself your strength, because we all got it inside of us.

Kevin

*Why quit? Instead of the identity crisis most guys go through, I've decided to head off the inevitable health crisis if I continue to smoke.  I've come to the conclusion that carrying your own oxygen around isn't much fun and won't ever match anything you're wearing.

JP

*I was interested in joining your effort to quit smoking.  I've heard quitting nicotine is harder than heroin, but I want to give it a shot.  Unfortunately, I love my Camel Lights.  I'm getting cranky just thinking about this whole thing.

Phil

*My last smoke was on 3/6 this year.  I started smoking in 96 in high school, but upped it to a pack a day after boot camp in 98.  I've tried a couple times to quit but my smoker friends are no help.  I'm also trying to eat healthy, work out and lose weight at the same time.  It keeps my mind off smoking.

Matt

*I've been trying to quit smoking but have not been successful.  I'm willing to do just about anything.  I leave for boot camp in a few months and don't want to die because I smoke.

Ben

*I smoked about 12 years and quit about 5 months ago.  I went from a pack a day to cold turkey.  I crave it every day, but can't help but think why I quit.  Medical problems, high blood pressure, I thought it was a heart attack.

Marris (28 years old)

*Count me in.  It's going to be hard, especially when 75% of my friends smoke.  I already chewed up 5 of my pens and started to drink A LOT more coffee.

Phil

*My name is Crystal...I'm 20 years old and live in San Jose.  I have been wanting to quit [smoking] lately...because my habit is starting to cost me $300.00 a week!  I'd like to stop and any incentive is starting to look good to my accountant, if i had one.  Please say you'll help me, I just want to be sober and happy again.

Crystal

*I heard you on the radio the other day talking about quitting.  I'm right there with you.  I had my last cigarette days ago.  It's hard as hell, but after 12 years, I'm just sick of smoking.  I took one of those classes and the nurse told me that the average craving only lasts 3 minutes.  That little nugget has really helped me.

Jasmine

*There are two key things to fo to quit, keep your hands & mouth busy.  The way I did it was by eating carrot sticks, chewing gum & crotchet.  Needless to say, I made a lot of pillows during that time.  Good luck on your endeavor.

Walter

*Ally, you are doing the best thing for all by choosing not to smoke.  I lost both parents to cancer caused by cigarette smoke, they were way too young and I will never see them again because of your addiction.

Jonny

*I have been smoking for 8 years, I finally decided to quit this morning.  I decided to quit because I recently moved back to the bay area after being gone for 5 years and I realized that it's pretty much illegal to smoke here...LOL.  I think it's time that we ALL realize that cigarettes are just another way for the United States Government to control population while making a huge profit.

Tony

*The best advice my mom ever game me when I quit smoking [was when] she said "as long as you don't take that first drag you will never smoke again".  I did everything I could not to smoke; including crashing AA meetings for the second hand smoke for the first couple of weeks.  Quitting smoking was the HARDEST thing I have ever done in my whole life, and it has been the most rewarding and benefical thing I have EVER done for myself.

Skot

*I quit smoking for basically the same reasons you did.  I couldn't stand smoking around my friends and loved ones who hated it, but it was such a habit that if i didn't, I was always in a bad mood.  Not to mention the money saved...it's crazy, I did the math, and if i buy a pack every two days, that is almost a thousand bucks a year!  Anyway, keep it up!

Brandon

If you need some encouragement, go to thetruth.com.  Smoking sucks!!!! 

lil' timmy

More coming soon, but thanks to the "QUITTERS"

Stick with me!  Don't Smoke.

Love,

Ally