94. Try something I never thought I would/could do.

So I danced. In Public. A choreographed dance. This last weekend was the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock, and with that the 40th anniversary of The Who playing, "Tommy" at Woodstock.

Ray of Light Theatre is doing "Tommy" this fall, and teamed up with wolfgangs vault to do a flashmob to "Pinball Wizard."

So I got an email about it, and at first thought I'd go on Sunday, watch and show my support. Then I was all "hrmm, how about I go Sunday, and learn the second part." Then I replied to the email saying I'd go Saturday and Sunday and do all of it...I still don't know what got into me.

So Saturday morning I showed up at a top secret parking garage, and me and about 30 others were taught the first part of the flashmob dance. It was refreshing to see other people with no dancing background there, as well as those who define dancing as their true love. It was a lot harder than I thought, but the wonderful choreographer Ellyn Marie Marsh was patient with us until we all knew what we needed to know. I left a little sore, but also thinking it was a lot of fun. I definitely gained a new respect for those who dance.

Sunday we showed up and rehearsed what we learned the day before. Then we added on to it, and added everyone who was going to be in it, to it. We practiced and practiced and practiced, and it was looking good. We all then headed to Union Square at the pre-determined time. There were 100 of us, blending in. Then out of nowhere music starts. Then one person is dancing, then three, then five, then fifteen, then 25, then 50, then all 100. Then when the song was over we all just went on our marry ways, as if nothing had happened.

Oh, the best part. It was all documented on tape, and will live on youtube forever. I could let you search for it, but here it is, in all it's glory. You can see me in a couple shots. Hint: I'm wearing a green shirt. ">

86. Watch a Parade

For those of you not in the Bay Area, this weekend was "Pride" weekend. Today was the pride parade. There is something about parades that brings me back to my childhood. (Although, there never was have been a Gay Pride Parade when I was growing up.)

I remember distinctly on parade day, getting up early and going with my grandpa and he would have his spot on Main Street at The Doughnut Shop (yes, that was the name!) He would back his truck in and we'd sit on the tailgate and watch the parade. I should mention that my grandfather frequented this particular doughnut shop daily for years. There a group of farmers, that at about lunch time would meet up there and discuss the latest news, gossip and trade fish stories. I would sometimes get to go with him, and all the men would tease me and ask me questions, basically made me the center of attention. Which what 5 year old doesn't love that.

So back to the parades, we would sit on the tailgate surrounded by these guys and they'd talk about what life was like in their younger days. I think this is where I got my appreciation for stories from another time. ie. listening to old people talk. There would be high school marching bands, and the local VFW, and of course the Shriner clowns. Looking back, every parade was really the same, only the decorations changed. This one act, of shutting down traffic, and marching down the street brought the whole town together. There would be generations gathered in the same place talking story.

So what does this have to do with Gay Pride...well there is nothing like a parade to bring a community out and together!

87. Participate in a Protest for a Good Cause.

I want to get married someday. I don't want the church, government, or even my parents telling me who I can and can't marry. Tonight, my friend Stephanie and I started at The Harvey Milk Plaza and marched with hundreds (maybe thousands) of people to the steps of the California Supreme Court, and then on to San Francisco City Hall. There were people of all walks of life, of every color, gay, and straight. (Well, at least two of us were straight ;))

The speeches were amazing and inspiring. The unity I felt with all of these people was awe creating for me.

I can't explain how not only fun was it, but moving it was to be a part of history, fighting for what I believe in and though I might have been another face in the crowd, I in my own way stood up for something I believe in.

The case goes to the California Supreme Court tomorrow, and history has a chance to be made once again.

The bart ride home was interesting for me. I had on my "I do support freedom of marriage" button on, and holding my sign. Someone asked me about the rally, and info about tomorrow and I was able to share my experience with a stranger. As I was leaving the woman sitting across from me called me a "fat dyke" and I just smiled at her, and told her to have a good night. My foot is bothering me, and I want to run on Saturday, so I took a cab the half mile home and was able to debate with the cab driver over the topic. As I was getting out, he thanked me for the discussion, and said "Even if we don't agree, thank you for explaining your side, and listening to mine." which I was astounded by his presence to the conversation we had.

Thank you Stephanie for letting me know about it, and sharing this night with me!

Getting things done!

So I've been quiet on here. Not because I've been slacking, but because I've been working...

Tonight is closing night for "I love you, you're perfect, now change." The show I've been working on for the last couple months. Also I've been offered another show that starts in a month. So that will be two of my five productions.

Also I've started getting serious about participating in a 5k. It'll actually probably be Bay to Breakers. I did 2.7 miles today, not all running, but moving...and that is a start. I probably didn't even run 1/5 a mile total, but I did run and it's the start, and can only get better from here. I'm even thinking I might want to run further than a 5k in time, but when I made this list 5k seemed like the undoable distance for me.

So there is a little progress update!

#39 Help a stranger

It has been a busy few weeks for me! I'm stage managing a show, that will be opening in two weeks. It's called "I love you, you're perfect, now change" and it being put on by my friends at Ray of Light Theatre (www.roltheatre.com) for more information!

I was on the T Train Tuesday morning, and especially tired...most likely because of rehearsals. I've pretty much stopped reading on my commutes and have started sleeping on the train, well at least closing my eyes and tuning out the world...or trying to.

There was a woman on the train that was looking for an elementary school. She went up and asked the driver where it was, and he didn't know. He made an announcement on the train asking if anyone knew where it was. No one did. The woman was going to be a substitute teacher for this school, and it was her first time working at this particular location. I then remembered a handy feature on my phone called live search. I found the school, pulled up a map and was able to tell her which bus to take and where to get off the train. We chatted for the rest of the trip, and it turns out she used to teach college level theatre. It's a small world.

I'm marking this item as complete. I didn't change the world, but I'd like to think that random acts of kindness can have a rippling effect.

#22 Take the Landmark Forum

I don't really know where to start with this one. I found out about Landmark Education through Aaron who was turned onto it from Michael. Aaron took the forum in November and invited me to his completion night. I was interested in it, and signed up.

Now fast forward to December. I'm scheduled to take the forum, but instead get emergency oral surgery. They have a rule about no drugs, drinking and whatnot, so I rescheduled.

Fast forward to Friday. I walked in the room about 8:45 and was a little skeptical. I'd read things about cult like behaviors, brainwashing, them leaving people in pieces, etc. I had told Aaron I'd stick it out till Sunday at the very least. Then it all began.

Over this last weekend I have had one of the most profound experiences of my Life. That is really all I can say about it. It's very hard to describe what it was like emotionally for me this weekend. Roller-coaster comes to mind. Some great some not so great, but regardless I walked out of there with a different prospective of life.

I'm glad I went through it, and have signed up for the advance course, as well as the Forum in Action Seminar.

I've seen a noticeable difference in my life. I have a brighter outlook and really feel that anything is possible if I create it.

At the end we had to declare the possibilities that we were going to create for ourselves. I'm creating the possibility of being someone who is happy, loved and fully expressed.

If anyone has questions about The Forum, I'd be happy to go into more detail with you personally!