31 by 32: WRAP UP!

I'm 32! Time to review my 31st year. Let's see how I did!


1) Make at least one MAJOR change in my life.

31 was the year of major changes. I uprooted my life in Milwaukee and set forth to my dream city of San Francisco. To do this I started a new job, changed living situations, changed EVERYTHING. 

2) Visit one of my five remaining states - Alaska, Arkansas, Mississipi, North Dakota, or Oklahoma.
 
FAIL.

3) Get something published.

On a technicality, you could count my professional blog posts as "published." So I pass. But I'll amend this one for a future goal.

4) Do 31 non-girl pushups in a row.

FAIL. I really got off track with strength training this year. Something I need to carry forward.

5) Change someone's life for the better (other than my own).

Apparently I inspired a lot of people this year. Glad to give back to all those who inspired me! I'll stick with my original check off of this goal, which was encouraging Mary Ann to complete her first half marathon in March.

6) Work my way through the entire "Take Off In Italian" CD set I bought in 2003.

FAIL. But to be fair, I didn't get it back until July.

7) Digitize my CD collection.

Necessity.

8) Visit one or more family members apart from Christmas.

Went home in July AND for Thanksgiving this year.

9) Take advantage of a crazy spontaneous opportunity.

This has pretty much been my whole year as well. My favorite was probably booking an Alcatraz tour with a Canadian while at Toronado. Showing a Portuguese tourist I met on the N-Judah around town is a close second. This paid forward when I traveled to Europe and was taken under the wing of locals. Here's the official complete though.

 10) Attempt another recipe out of "Mastering the Art of French Cooking"

BARELY made it, but I'm pleased to report that on Sunday I made Julia's Quiche w/ Leeks to take to The Stranger Dinner (which I still need to post on). It was a hit. I made an amended version, with spinach and onion for dinner tonight.

11) See six different local bands live.

COMPLETE. WAY more than this, but the ones that got me there by early August were Colossal Yes, Dominant Legs, Planet Booty, The Dwarves, Wallpaper., and Kelly Stoltz.

12) Read and review one non-fiction & one fiction book a month.
Failed at reviewing and getting 12 non-fictions (will amend this next year). But here's my reading list for 31 (* indicates I highly recommend):

FICTION

• A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
• An Object of Beauty* by Steve Martin
• Clara & Mr. Tiffany  by  Susan Vreeland
• Everything That Rises Must Converge by Flannery O'Connor (Short Stories)
• Hunger Games, Mockingjay and Catching Fire***  by  Suzanne Collins
• Modern Home by  Eric Puelcher
• Portraits of a Few of the People I've Made Cry by Christine Sneed (Short Stories)
• Skippy Dies by Paul Murray
• Sweet Valley Confidential by Francine Pascal 
• The False Friend by Myla Goldberg 
• The Fates will Find their Way* by  Hannah Pittard 
• The Marriage Plot* by Jeffrey Eugenides 
• The Tiger's Wife* by Téa Obreht 
• Tinkers*  by  Paul Harding 
• Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

NON-FICTION (to be fair, I think I'm missing some):

• East of New York, West of Kabul* by Tamim Ansary
• Farm City* by Novella Carpenter
• Fortune Cookie Chronicles*  by Jennifer 8. Lee
• Zeitoun*  by Dave Eggers (One of the best books I've EVER read)

13) Contact an elected official, at some level, once a month about an issue that is important to me.

Passed by signing petitions mostly. Need to specify this for 32, if I do it again.

14) See and review at least one film per month.
Again with the review failure. Here's what I mentioned I saw during 31:

• Rabbit Hole, The Social Network, Carlos
• San Francisco International Film Festival
• Midnight In Paris and Kuroneko
• Bridesmaids, Circo, God Grew Tired of Us, Grow! 
• Labyrinth, Edgar Wright Triple Feature, Hitchcock Double Feature
• Beyond This Place, Drive, Malls R Us, Milwaukee Film Festival, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

And for Nov 11-Dec 11, I saw The Muppets. In my last month I saw Shame & Weekend (new 35mm print)

15) Try one new recipe a month.
Even though I ate out way too much (and it's showing, yikes), I loved experimenting with so many new ingredients.

16) Try a new locally-owned restaurant each month.
Again,  my new life! Here's my mentions:

• RN74, Gracias Madre, Maxie's Southern Comfort
• Isobune, Rosamunde, Wexler's
• Easy Creole, Little Baobab, Dynamo Donut
• Millennium, Little Chihuahua, The Pork Store Cafe, Mission Chinese & Radius Cafe
• 25 Lusk
• The Beast and the Hare

For 11/11-12/11, would probably be Nihon and for 12/11-1/11 Sous Buerre

17) Go to an art show or gallery once a month.

Did a fairly good job of this. Helps that SF is constantly having art happen.

18) Dedicate one blog post a month to promoting a local business.

Not dedicated, but oft mentioned.

19) Dedicate one blog post a month to promoting a local non-profit.

Not dedicated, but oft mentioned.

20) Leave the county I live in at least once per month.

Success! And amazing where you can go with better regional transit connections.

21) Write one album and one concert review a month.

Fail at reviewing, but loads of new music for me during 31.

22) Applaud bipartisan efforts in my social media forums at least four times.

Took a break from politics after the disastrous start to the year.

23) Attend games of at least four different sports. 

On a technicality, I should be able to count half marathons, those aren't games, but... I did solidly get Roller Derby, Men's College Hoops & MLB.

 24) Go to at least four theatre performances. 

39 Steps, Genesis, Killing My Lobster: Technology, The Edenites

 25) Go vegetarian for 31 days. 

Success, horrid success.

 26) Go for 31 days without consuming any soda. 

Also in August.

 27) Bike to / from work every single day for 31 days. 

Success!

 28) Go for one full week without consuming any alcohol. 

Success, thanks to antibiotics

 29) Go for one full week without consuming any processed foods. 

FAIL. Did not put in the effort, though I've significantly reduced.

 30) Have one week where I only consume foods made with locally-sourced ingredients.

FAIL. Did not put in the effort, though I've significantly increased.

 31) Spend one-on-one time with a friend at least once a week.


Overwhelming success!

In conclusion, even though I did not meet ALL of my goals, I'm pretty proud of what I accomplished in a year that completely turned me upside down. I look forward to posting new goals on Brew to Bay. I'll likely be hanging up my Accidental Wisconsinite hat for a good while, so follow me over there.

31 by 32: Autumn Achievements

My monthly 31 by 32 progress report  returns after traveling abroad during the scheduled update last month. The minutia of my life is somewhat recorded at Brew to Bay, although not as frequent as in the past. 

Here's my TEN months into 31 status report. I'm making peace with what I've tried my best to do and reupping commitments for next year already.

UPDATES

Read and review one non-fiction and one fiction book a month. 

Reviews STILL missing, but still regularly reading. Fiction - I am pretty sure I'm missing some, but I definitely read the first book of The Hunger Games (and loved it) and the new Jeffrey Eugenides book, The Marriage Plot. Apart from skimming through Rick Steve's Guide to Paris, my non-fiction has been lacking.

See and review at least one film per month. The Castro Theatre continues to wow me, and in October I headed to a screening of the fantastic documentary, Beyond This Place with a live score by Sufjan Stevens. Before my trip I saw the fantastic Drive with dreamy meme-master Ryan Gosling. I also went to a screening of the terrifying doc Malls R Us. And I saw movies while traveling. I ended up in Milwaukee during the Milwaukee Film Festival (catching Miss Tacuarembo and Give Up Tomorrow) and actually while abroad I took the opportunity to see the excellent and not-yet-US-released Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and ended up also seeing the godawful Three Musketeers in 3D.

Try one new recipe a month. 

To be honest, September IS a blur, though I'm always tinkering. I made up a FABULOUS squash soup out of my head and from scratch on Halloween night though.

Try a new [to me] locally-owned restaurant each month. 

I'm sure I did in September, but now it's lost to time. Boo. Not counting my travels, before my November cutoff though, I did get to dine at the excellent The Beast & The Hare. Rabbit and bacon stew over polenta? Yum.

Leave the county I live in at least once per month.

Milwaukee in September and then Paris in London in October? I think I blew this one out of the water.

Write one album and one concert review a month.

Reviews continue to lag (taking this part out next year), but I've continued to obsess over new music with Spotify. In September/October I rocked it up at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, seeing M. Ward, Bright Eyes, A.A. Bondy, Low Anthem, Devotchka, Fitz & The Tantrums, Over the Rhine & The Jayhawks in a weekend. In October I attended the aforementioned Sufjan livescore, but also the BEST concert of the year (and possibly one of my life), seeing Active Child at Old St. Pancras Church in London, lit primarily by candleliht. Ah-MAZE-ing.

Spend one-on-one time with a friend at least once a week. 

I consider myself a very lucky person that I've continue to match or exceed. I have to also give a special shoutout to Becky for visiting in October. Epic doesn't even begin to describe.

Contact an elected official, at some level, once a month about an issue that is important to me

Petitions, petitions, BUT I'm also now a California voter. Woohoo!

Go to an art show or gallery once a month.
In September I went to the Artists Underfoot show at Workspace. In Paris I went to the wonderful Museé d'Orsay. In London I was mistaken for an art dealer and ushered into a special talk while simply trying to go to the Museum of Everything. Returning stateside, Becky and I checked out a show at Public Works while she was here.
 
Applaud bipartisan efforts in my social media forums at least four times. Still at 2/4 because good lord, this has been impossible.

Attend games of at least four different sports. I'm at 3/4. This is actually retroactive, because I had forgotten to count going to the Brew City Bruisers Roller Derby before I moved. So there! I *almost* got to go to the Stanford/Oregon football game, but alas. Still waiting for a fourth sport to roll my way.

Dedicate one blog post a month to promoting a local business. Again, still mentioning, but not dedicating.

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.
8) Visit one or more family members apart from Christmas.
9) Take advantage of a crazy spontaneous opportunity
11) See six different local bands live.  
24) Go to at least four theatre performances.
25) Go vegetarian for 31 days.
26) Go for 31 days without consuming any soda. 
27) Bike to / from work every single day for 31 days.
28) Go for one full week without consuming any alcohol.

31 by 32: September Status

My monthly 31 by 32 progress report  returns. The minutia of my life is somewhat recorded at Brew to Bay, although not as frequent as in the past. 

Here's my eight  months into 31 status report.

UPDATES

Read and review one non-fiction and one fiction book a month. 

Reviews STILL missing, but still regularly reading thanks SF Public Library. Fiction - I don't believe I completed a fiction book in August...bad Meghan. It was a month of Non-fiction: finished Fortune Cookie Chronicles; West of Kabul, East of New York: An Afghan American Story; and the heart-wrenching Zeitoun. I recommend EVERYONE read that latter one like now. I also want to back track and mention a book I read earlier this summer, which is vying for book of the year for me. I somehow forgot it on my last summary. Hannah Pittard's The Fates Will Find Their Way. Virgin Suicides meets Lovely Bones.

See and review at least one film per month.

I'm glad I didn't say "new film" or "new to me film" because I went to some kickass screenings in August at the Castro Theatre, including the 25th anniversary of Labyrinth, a TRIPLE FEATURE of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Hot Fuzz, and Shaun of the Dead and  Edgar Wright in person, and a double-feature of Notorious and Suspicion

Try one new recipe a month. 

Got pretty creative with vegetables during my vegetarian challenge. Made a couple eggplant dishes that were quite delicious.

Try a new [to me] locally-owned restaurant each month. 

Been falling into a pattern of going to the same spots, but thanks to Jason's visit landed at 25 Lusk.

Leave the county I live in at least once per month.

Mary Ann and I got together with the East Bay ladies to enjoy some delicious dinner at Souley Vegan in Oakland. We also hit up The Trappist beforehand for some brews.

Write one album and one concert review a month.

Reviews continue to lag (taking this part out next year), but I'm starting to totally make my albums of the year list. St. Vincent is leading. I guess technically Outside Lands was on this side of the coin for timeline, which is good, since I failed at going to another show in August.

Spend one-on-one time with a friend at least once a week. 

Still on track with this. Especially with Mary Ann in the neighborhood, Ingrid working nearby me, and visitors continuing to show.

Contact an elected official, at some level, once a month about an issue that is important to me

Same as last month. 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. 
I went to an art opening at D-Structure that I wasn't too excited about. But I did also go to the Steins Collect exhibit at SFMOMA.


Applaud bipartisan efforts in my social media forums at least four times. No progress. Still at 2/4.

Attend games of at least four different sports. No progress. Still (2/4)

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.
8) Visit one or more family members apart from Christmas.
9) Take advantage of a crazy spontaneous opportunity
11) See six different local bands live.  
24) Go to at least four theatre performances.
25) Go vegetarian for 31 days.
26) Go for 31 days without consuming any soda. 
27) Bike to / from work every single day for 31 days.
28) Go for one full week without consuming any alcohol.

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.

Funky Cold Mobdina: Segregation vs. Integration

Cross-posted from Brew to Bay:

Warning: I realize this blog is going to piss some people off. Please know I can write volumes about how awesome Milwaukee is. But if you don't address problems they'll never go away.

This morning I was greatly saddened to see this article posted on Facebook describing an alleged mob scene at the Wisconsin State Fair last night.

More upsetting to me than the news of alleged violence (which I do not condone), is the unbelievably racist tone of the article. Compare it to the one in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (oddly enough owned by the same media company) and the difference is stark.
Let's compare the ledes:

"Witnesses tell Newsradio 620 WTMJ and TODAY'S TMJ4 of a mob of young people attacking innocent fair-goers at the end of the opening night of State Fair, with some callers claiming a racially-charged scene."

versus

"Police from three jurisdictions - West Allis, Milwaukee and Wisconsin State Fair police - spent Friday morning piecing together a series of incidents late Thursday night at the Wisconsin State Fair in which large groups of youths rampaged through the Midway and outside the grounds after closing."

It doesn't take a journalism degree to label one as sensational and the other as a bit more balanced. However, both use the articles succeed in one thing — underscoring Milwaukee's issues being, what a friend on Twitter referred to as, "trapped in a 1960s timewarp, but not in a good way."

Yes, the fighting kids were absolutely in the wrong. But it doesn't help the situation at all to add fuel to the fire and make it sound like all black people are out to get all white people. That guy named "Norb" — I'm about as scared as him as he is of an MC Hammer and Tone Loc concert.


I refuse to look at the comments on either article, as I'm sure they'll cause my heart to break into a thousand pieces.

Of course the entire time I lived in Wisconsin I heard and read report after report of the segregation problems. I don't have a solution. I will tell you though, I didn't realize how bad they were until I moved back to somewhere integrated. I can also tell you that efforts are needed by both whites and people of color. But Jesus, white people, you really need to make an effort.

I used to work at 17th and Fond du Lac and white people would freak out that I'd walk a quarter mile to 21st and North to catch the bus. Guess what? I never got shot, mugged, harassed more than I would downtown, anything. The most I ever got was people looking at me like "What the hell is this white girl doing here?" I'd be confused too if a white person never came into my neighborhood except when there was traffic on the freeway. I also feel like many people don't realize there are middle class areas tucked in the "ghetto" in Wisconsin. All they see are black vs. white. There are amazing things in a lot of Milwaukee's vast land area. Go discover them.

I can tell you some of the stark differences I see in San Francisco:

• Here, skin color does not equal socioeconomic status.
• Here, chatting someone up at a bar/dating does not revolve around skin color. 
• Here, there don't appear to be a bunch of "diversity" efforts. Diversity just is.
• If there's a mob beating or other act of violence, it's not a problem for "that neighborhood." It's everybody's problem. EVERYBODY wants to find a solution.

Yes, there are "bad neighborhoods." Yes, there is Oakland. But the dark cloud of racism isn't constantly hanging above our heads.


Before I sign off, I'll end with the best quote I saw from @svdodge this morning:

Lets also realize that the "dozens or hundreds" of "black youths" were outnumbered by "non-acting spectator citizens." Deep societal problem.

girl on film: yeah, so bridesmaids....

Posting here seems more appropriate somehow...

Thank goodness Ritu (former Milwaukeean) and Mary Ann (one of my childhood besties) were with me to watch way too many parallels to my life on screen. I really need to talk to my still-Milwaukee girls about that movie. I know lots of thirtysomething women are saying this right now.

Awesome Things

• Totally spotted my old apartment in the opening pan of the city.
• Helen was a perfect representation of a FIB. "Oh you live in Milwaukee? How sad."
• For some odd reason, the pool wedding/lead couple reunion at the end reminded me of Don't Tell Mom the Babysitters Dead.
• I think I have been in houses like the mom's with the 70s/80s celebrity caricatures. I'm surprised they didn't reference her selling them at the Shops of Grand Avenue.
• Yes, every woman who was a teen in the 90s has had this sing-along.

Inaccuracies That Really Bugged Me

• You could not go into a liquor store after 9 p.m.
• An Asian couple in the jewelry store? What?
• You can't get from Bay View to 38th St. in 5 minutes.
• That was NOT a MCTS bus in the background.
• It would be nice if you could get food poisoning from an out-of-the-way Brazilian restaurant. Alas, such a thing does not exist (not a lot of Brazilians in Milwaukee) and if it did, the waiters most certainly wouldn't speak Spanish.
• Where was the snow? If the weather was like that for the length of time that passed in the film (in both Milwaukee and Chicago), I'd reconsider my decision!
• Yeah, that bridal boutique doesn't exist in downtown Milwaukee.
• Neither does that hookup's house.
• Roommates in Milwaukee? What?
• Flights from Milwaukee to Vegas aren't 3 rows across, nor do they have first class.

Things I Would Change to Be a Bit More Aligned With My Actual Life

• I only WISH *that* character looked like Jon Hamm.
• Instead of ending up with a cute state trooper, the heroine would've just moved to San Francisco.

31 by 32 - June Check In

My monthly 31 by 32 progress report. The minutia of my life is somewhat recorded at Brew to Bay, although not recently.

Here's my five months into 31 status report (up to June 11), although before I begin...

I am less than a month away Team Challenge training. I’m 50% to my $2700 goal, but whatever I don't hit by July 6 will be charged to my credit card. Can you help me in supporting this wonderful cause? Please consider donating $39.30 in honor of my third half marathon. Please donate here!



UPDATES

See six different local bands live. 
4/6 down. Ended up totally randomly seeing hardcore punk band The Dwarves at Bottom of the Hill over Memorial Day Weekend. A Milwaukee friend told me that they have origins in 1980s Kenosha, so I suppose that could count as double-local!

Read and review one non-fiction and one fiction book a month. 
Reviews still missing, but thanks to joining the SF Public Library, I'm a regular reader again. Fiction - read the terribly disappointing Clara & Mr. Tiffany. Non-fiction - tackled the uproarious and awesome Farm City.


See and review at least one film per month.
Reviews still missing, but caught both Midnight In Paris at the Kabuki and Kuroneko at the incredible Red Vic Movie House up the street from my new apartment.

Try one new recipe a month. 
I tackled the tough but rewarding crop of Fava Beans (no, not Hannibal Lector style) I picked up at the Farmer's Market. Sauteed with some olive oil, cilantro, and green onion -- yum. Also made a "forage" meal one night with morels and fiddleheads over pasta.

Try a new [to me] locally-owned restaurant each month. 
Again, this is my life here. Winners for May include Easy Creole, Little Baobob, and Dynamo Donut.

Leave the county I live in at least once per month.
Not only did I return to Alameda County for a tour of St. George's Spirts, but I also biked 30 miles to / from Mill Valley in Marin County.

Write one album and one concert review a month.
Total review fails for albums acquired and concerts attended. In addition to The Dwarves, saw Mutaytor with my new roomies in the May 12-June 11 period. Digging the new Lady Gaga for album of that month, and on a more indie level, the Cults debut LP.

Spend one-on-one time with a friend at least once a week. 
Despite rotating through the same handful of friends, I am doing a good job of being a better friend this year and I'm glad of it.

Contact an elected official, at some level, once a month about an issue that is important to me
Signed a couple petitions on Bike to Work Day this year!

Go to an art show or gallery once a month.
Joined Ingrid & Co. for their friend's thesis show at California College of the Arts.


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.
Visit one or more family members apart from Christmas.
Attempt another recipe out of "Mastering the Art of French Cooking"
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. (Have vegan roommates - perhaps it will happen?)
Go for 31 days without consuming any soda. (was doing well until I discovered a food truck with Limca)
Go for one full week without consuming any processed foods.
Have one week where I only consume foods made with locally-sourced ingredients.
Dedicate one blog post a month to promoting a local business. (Bad blogger lately!)
Dedicate one blog post a month to promoting a local non-profit. (Bad blogger!)

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.