31 by 32 - May Check In

My monthly 31 by 32 progress report. The minutia of my life is somewhat recorded at Brew to Bay.

Here's my four months into 31 status report:

UPDATES

• See six different local bands live. 3/6 down. Local band Dominant Legs opened for Broken Social Scene at The Warfield Theatre when MAB and I caught them last month. I also discovered the AWESOMENESS that is Planet Booty opening for Movits! at Bottom of the Hill  
• Read and review one non-fiction and one fiction book a month. I think I’m giving up on the non-fiction efforts (but not really, some month I’ll read like six I swear!), but I’m working my way through the Flannery O’Connor collection Everything That Rises Must Converge short story collection for this month’s book club for one.

• See and review at least one film per month. I think 14 screenings at the San Francisco International Film Festival covered me for the year? 

• Try one new recipe a month. Nothing too exciting, but during my recent bout of mystery illness, I did figure out make a tasty sweet potato and sage mash, accompanied by wilted swiss chard with lemon & garlic, which lasted me a couple of days. 

• Try a new [to me] locally-owned restaurant each month. Again, this is my life here. Winners for April include Isobune, Rosamunde Sausage, and Wexler’s (running out of time for links, you can use the Google). 
• Dedicate one blog post a month to promoting a local business.
    I think I've done a good job giving shout outs at Brew to Bay, but could probably get more in-depth.
• Dedicate one blog post a month to promoting a local non-profit. Lots of love for the film society this past month. Need to find a new project for May!
• Leave the county I live in at least once per month.
  Two trips for me to Alameda County. Once to Oakland to Marley's and then to the incredibleness that's the Alameda Flea Market!
• Write one album and one concert review a month.
  Total review fails for albums acquired. I mentioned Broken Social Scene and Movits!, but I need to get on the critical writing.
• Bike to / from work every single day for 31 days. I totally have done this since I moved into my place in April. There's really no other way to GET to work. I'm really excited about having accomplished this goal. 
• Go for one full week without consuming any alcohol. Phew! This is DONE. Would've preferred to have done without the mystery illness/drug cocktail, but I managed.
• Spend one-on-one time with a friend at least once a week. Even as an invalid I was good at this :)

NO PROGRESS

• Visit one of my five remaining states - Alaska, Arkansas, Mississipi, North Dakota, or Oklahoma.
• Get something published.
• Do 31 non-girl pushups in a row.
• Work my way through the entire "Take Off In Italian" CD set I bought in 2003.
• Visit one or more family members apart from Christmas.
• Attempt another recipe out of "Mastering the Art of French Cooking"
• Contact an elected official, at some level, once a month about an issue that is important to me (I can’t actively recall doing anything in April - BAD MEGHAN).
• Go to an art show or gallery once a month. I’m spoiled by there being art EVERYWHERE, so I need to make a better effort!
• Applaud bipartisan efforts in my social media forums at least four times. (still at 1/4)
• Attend games of at least four different sports. (still at 1/4)
• Go to at least four theatre performances. (still at 3/4)
• Go vegetarian for 31 days.
• Go for 31 days without consuming any soda. 
• Go for one full week without consuming any processed foods. 
• Have one week where I only consume foods made with locally-sourced ingredients. 

PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED:
1) Make at least one MAJOR change in my life.
5) Change someone's life for the better (other than my own).
7) Digitize my CD collection.
9) Take advantage of a crazy spontaneous opportunity

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT 
I am hardcore fundraising for my Team Challenge training. I’m financially on the hook to raise $2700 to fight Crohn’s and Colitis and I’ve had friends believe in me $800 of the way. I have a goal of finding 150 people to support me with $13.10 by July 17. Any ideas of how to do that?