Return of the Nubian Princess

Here's to you Mrs. Robinson

I've been absent for a bit. I got back to work and just fell right into life again. In May, our inspired team set out to the inland areas of Northern California for the first NorCal Aids Challenge, (http://www.norcalaidschallenge.com). It was so fantastic, out of element, cheering on 20 cyclists who took four days out of their lives to stand up and rally around a cause. I have been an HIV/AIDS activist for almost ten years, (I attended AIDS Walk San Francisco in the summer of 1996), and I never been so moved by a small group of citizens biking through rain and mist, barely able to see in front of them.

My group rocks! We followed the cyclists in vans and cars for 380 miles of laughter, tears and pure excitement. We built rest stops at churches, recreation centers and parks. We sat on the curb playing music, dancing in the streets with pom poms and blasting music by Queen. It was perfect. All four days. Getting back to work was tough and I missed my new friends - friends that will always know what it means to wipe butt balm on their ass in broad daylight and not give a shit and what it's like to purchase feminine products in the smallest towns with one general store selling cowboy boots and tacos. Inland Northern California is a very beautiful area. The towns of Oroville, Colusa and Marysville were among my favorites. The townies loved us and we even got a write-up in one of the Yuba/Marysville paper applauding our efforts. It looks like we've raised over $70,000 in funding for our local agencies - CARES Clinic, Breaking Barriers and the Aids Housing Alliance/Open Arms Project. Working for the planning committee, acquiring donations for our evening program and being a volunteer crew for this event was the highlight of my year.

I'm also ready to add freelance writer to my list of goals attained. I won a bid to write a short article for Curve Magazine (www.curvemag.com) about the Sacramento Pride event. It will be our first parade in 22 years and quite a celebration. If accepted, my piece will run in the September/October 2005 issue. Sweet!

I'll be in San Francisco volunteering for the 16th Annual GLAAD Awards this weekend. Jennifer Beals is being honored and I'm so there! GLAAD is my dream organization to work for, right up there with the ACLU, Gay & Lesbian Task Force, Equality California or Miramax! Actually, if I could do anything, I'd choose leisure, writing from home and a fat Hilton inheritance to live off of...tell me again, why wasn't I born an heiress? Oh yeah, it's because no one loves me! : )

I'm still living on the dream of being adopted by Oprah. She'll see how cool I am, I'd wash my own clothes, do the dishes and give her back rubs after a hard day at Harpo, Inc. : )

My new position as a program specialist for an organization that assists women with disabilities is very rewarding and I'm so happy that the unemployment blues are gone for now. I do have to watch out for budget cuts and President Bush's wandering eye on our fiscal security but for now, I'm drinking mint tea and not worrying too much.

Last but not least - here's to Anne Bancroft, my hero. A woman of strength, beauty, grace and the ultimate style. She passed away June 6, 2005 of cancer. We will miss you, Mrs. Robinson.
Check out "How to Make an American Quilt" - it's another one of those tear-jerker flicks where Anne demonstrates her ability to truly embody a character. She was to acting what Howard Hughes was to aviation.

random-item: Burritos right out of the fridge are amazing...thank you Russell for opening up my world!

life & shit:

Why sit around worrying, stressing and carrying on like a big fat baby about dysfunction when you can create your own satisfactory life without approval from others?

I am filled with Christ's Love!

--Mary Faye (Mandy Moore)
Saved! (2004)

posted by @ 6:28 PM