Imagine teaming up with some journalists

Last year, I was a simple observer of the Newport Beach Relay for

Life. I was in awe of the massive rally of support for a silent

killer.

This year, I’m hoping to be an active -- and vocal participant --

providing motivation for the Daily Pilot team that publisher Tom

Johnson is toying with creating for this year’s event.

He said I could be the captain. Oh yeah.

Relay for Life was designed to raise funds for the American Cancer

Society, which supports cancer research and awareness. For 24 hours,

designated teams of five to 25 people walked nonstop around the

stadium.

Dozens of survivors, family members and supporters gather in a

makeshift tent city at Newport Harbor High School, while individuals

take turns doing laps around the track. The teamwork is amazing and,

despite the heartbreaking topic, the air is filled with optimism.

Last year was the first time the event was held in Newport Beach

and the city posted record-breaking revenues.

This year is going to be even better if the paper ends up entering

its own team. Johnson said he was thinking of inviting our readers to

join along in the all-night festivities. Just imagine, 24 hours with

a tent full of journalists. Please contain your excitement.

You only know us from our bylines and occasional appearances at

meetings, lunches, speeches, etc., but we are a pretty fun bunch.

Many of you think we have pretty wild imaginations anyway, so imagine

how entertaining we could be if deprived of some serious sleep.

If I do get the chance to head up the team, I promise not to let

you folks down. As some of you know, I teach four boxing classes a

week, play soccer on Sundays and am willing to participate in any

outdoor sport, at least once.

I love being active and would walk 48 hours if given the chance.

I am also no stranger to all-night events as I spent four years at

USC and have already been through the first six months of parenting.

I’m also 24 years old, so I’ve got a few all-nighters left in me. But

I have to save at least one for my bachelorette party, whenever that

may be.

I also happen to suffer from insomnia (doctors said something

about having too many activities and not being able to wind down. I

don’t know where they got that from) so I might as well put that

sleepless energy to use.

Oh, we could really make this interesting. We could forge friendly

wagers of number of laps walked, run, hopped on one leg, walked

backward. We could really have a blast.

We could play red light Greenlight for a lap. Are you up for it,

Phil?

Or we could roll bowling balls around the track. How about it,

Cindy?

Costa Mesa Police Chief Dave Snowden and real estate mogul Henry

Segerstrom -- both former boxers -- and I could go toe-to-toe in a

makeshift ring. OK. Now I have taken it too far. I happen to like my

nose just the way it is.

But the possibilities are endless, the cause is worthy and the

opportunity is here.

I’ll start bugging Mr. Johnson about it today and, hopefully,

we’ll be teammates soon.

* LOLITA HARPER writes columns Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

and covers culture and the arts. She may be reached at (949) 574-4275

or by e-mail at [email protected].