31 by 32: End of Summer Edition

My monthly 31 by 32 progress report is back, after a little break there in July. The minutia of my life is somewhat recorded at Brew to Bay, although not as frequent as in the past. 

Here's my seven months into 31 status report (up to August '11)


UPDATES

COMPLETE! See six different local bands live.  
I know there's more, but as of last writing I'd had four down. I now have seen AT least three – Wallpaper. at Great American Music Hall (likely my concert of the year), Kelley Stoltz open for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and the incredible The Stone Foxes at Outside Lands.

Read and review one non-fiction and one fiction book a month. 
Reviews STILL missing, but still regularly reading thanks SF Public Library. Fiction - in the past two months I read the excellent Object of Beauty and deliciously trashy and nostalgic Sweet Vally Confidential. Unfortunately haven't completed two non-fictions, but I am almost done with the awesome Fortune Cookie Chronicles. Bonus! I did read a short story collection – Portraits of a Few People I've Made Cry.

See and review at least one film per month.
Yeah, so much for reviews. Except for Bridesmaids, you got that one. I also caught one more film at the Red Vic before it closed (SO SAD)...Circo, about Mexican circus workers. I also saw a couple social justice documentary screenings – God Grew Tired of Us (with John Dau present) through Groundwork Opportunities and Grow! (about young farmers in Georgia) through 18 Reasons.

Try one new recipe a month. 
Still experimenting with various things from the farmers market. I have two near me now Upper Haight and Divisadero. I'm also doing my veg challenge (see below).

Try a new [to me] locally-owned restaurant each month. 
Again, this is my life here. Winners for the past couple of months include Millennium, Little Chihuahua, The Pork Store Cafe, Mission Chinese, and Radius Cafe.

Leave the county I live in at least once per month.
I actually left the STATE by popping up to Portland for the 4th (and flying out of Oakland, I may add). Then later in July I ran the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon, popped back up to Sonoma County again for canoeing on the Russian River, and then stepped foot in Marin biking across the GGB with Monica & Bart when they visited. In August, I helped out my friend Sarah with the Jewish Film Festival in Berkeley and checked out Oakland Art Murmur.

Write one album and one concert review a month.
Reviews continue to lag (taking this part out next year), but albums keep flowing into my ears. Especially now that I have Spotify! Been rocking Tune-Yards, YACHT, Wallpaper and Vetiver most of the summer. I mentioned the local bands I've seen, but also just wrapped up Outside Lands – three days of rock and roll. This past week was Clap Your Hands Say Yeah with Kelley Stoltz at The Independent and I caught Cults at Bottom of the Hill in July. In the June/July timeframe I saw the always incredible Ms. Sharon Jones at the gorgeous Stern Grove Music Festival.

Spend one-on-one time with a friend at least once a week. 
Definitely doing a good job of this. Having two roommates increases the odds as well that somebody will be around during the week. Additionally, I had a TON of visitors in June/July so lots of one-on-one tour guiding.

Contact an elected official, at some level, once a month about an issue that is important to me
This a petition-crazy town. I've signed stuff. I need to actually take more effort though. 

Go to an art show or gallery once a month. 
In early July I sort of went to BAN 6 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts...the Opening Party at least. I had better luck this month hitting up the Oakland Art Murmur, Lower Haight Art Walk, and Divisadero Art Walk. The latter was my fave (and also closest to my house!).

Applaud bipartisan efforts in my social media forums at least four times. I'm moving this up to 2/4. I had a healthy discussion with some Mormon Republicans supporting them in backing Ron Paul. Mostly cuz Michelle Bachmann scares the bejesus out of me.

Visit one or more family members apart from Christmas. My brother and I had lots of sibling bonding when I was home over the 4th. Yeah!

Attend games of at least four different sports. (2/4)  I've been rocking AT&T Park lately – Brewers game, Phillies & Pirates. And at all of them, the team I rooted for won (Brewers, Giants, Giants). I am hoping for a Brewers/Giants playoff series!

Go to at least four theatre performances. COMPLETE! This is at 4.5 actually. Caught The Edenites with Mary Ann and Kirstin back in June, but unfortunately got a sad news phone call during intermission of Tales of The City and didn't see the second act.

Go vegetarian for 31 days. (IN PROGRESS). I hate it. Am fantasizing about burgers. And now my most carnivorous friend is visiting on the 28th. Boo!

Go for 31 days without consuming any soda. (IN PROGRESS). Figured I may as well do a twofer with the whole no meat thing.

Dedicate one blog post a month to promoting a local business. Not dedicated, but been better at mentioning.

Dedicate one blog post a month to promoting a local non-profit. Same deal of half-mentioning. 

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. (Although I think with some more yoga I may be up to this)
Work my way through the entire "Take Off In Italian" CD set I bought in 2003.
Attempt another recipe out of "Mastering the Art of French Cooking"
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
27) Bike to / from work every single day for 31 days.
28) Go for one full week without consuming any alcohol.