All good things must come to an end...

I'm ending this adventure. Due to some other personal matters that need my attention, I cannot commit  to completing the remaining dares by my deadline of 8/28 (birthday). I apologize if your dare was not done, and I will try to remain open to doing it at another point in my my life.

Thank you for your creative ideas and endless support. I hope at some point I can return the favor. If you've been reading this through the last 18 months, you are aware that there have been a lot of changes, challenges and contemplation on my part. In the end, the only thing I know is consistent in my life is that I never could have imagined where it has taken me thus far, and I'm not able to imagine where it'll take me from here, regardless of my intentions.

I have a 76% success rate, which puts me at about a C-. Luckily, I don't need this to get into a competitive Phd program, so I am satisfied to settle at a mid grade effort.

So the final tally...

Dares received: 29

Dares completed: 22

1. Create a blog
2. Wake up everyday and smile and stretch
3. Get highlights
4. Relax and sample new adventures (on the cheap)
5. Go to a drag show
6. Complete this puzzle
7. Fund-raiser walk
8. Paint a portrait of someone I love(d)
9. Read a fiction classic of at least 300 pages
10. Become a raw food believer for one week
11. Visit my parents in Bellingham
12. Join Match.com for one month
13. Volunteer with a cause you believe in but gets you out of your comfort zone
14. Say hello to strangers
15. Run a 10K
16. Visit the geographic center of the US
17. Take a mud bath trip with my sister
18. Streak nude (you'll see)
19. Read two books by Truman Capote - ok, so I only read one
20. Take a belly dancing class
21. Begin a spiritual journey
22. Ride to the last station on every line on the T

 

Dares busted: 3

1. Visit Wenmiao/The Ghost Market in Shanghai
2. Dance on the Bund with a local Shanghainese
3. Engage Lola in a dog sport or train her to be a therapy dog

Dares abandoned: 4

1. Get 100 people to say thank you
2. Zipline with Anne Essaran
3. Skydive
4. Enter a dancing competition/dance off

  

Ride to the last station on every line on the T (Kim Courtney)

Well, well, well, my dear friend MBTA, we meet again, but this time it is to fulfill a dare from my transportation planner cousin. I have lived in Boston over 6 years and have been on each T line, but I can't say I've been to the end of each. This is such a great dare from Kim, and it has reawakened my curiosity about my everyday surroundings.

For anyone not familiar with the T. The T is the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority) and has an extensive history, which I could not so justice in a summary.

Blue - Bowdoin - This is the closest T stop to my office and is open during business hours.

Blue - Wonderland - coming soon...

Green - Lechmere - I lived two blocks from this stop with Dennis. I love the EC and if I pause, I can still hear the screeching of the train rounding the corner in my head.

Green (B) - Boston College - After countless moments of my life wasted... the B line finally ends. Last stop, is mostly for BC students, which are tame after suffering through stop after stop of BU students.

Green (C) - Cleveland Circle - Steps from this stop is the reservoir with a great flat path for running/walking/pondering.

Green (D) - Riverside - The D line is a long long line, but a beautiful ride. The tracks disappears behind trees with quick peeks to beautiful, private yards in expensive Newton homes.

Green (E) - Health Street - There is not much going on here, except that it is the closest stop to my friend, Robin's house. So actually, I guess that means there is a lot going on here.

Orange - Forest Hills - My first winter in Boston, before I registered my car in MA, I drove to Forest Hills to park my car and commute into Chinatown. Now that I've been here a while, a trip to Forest Hills usually means the start to a long stroll tracing the old E Line tracks down Center Street or a visit to Arnold Arboretum.

Orange - Oak Grove - coming soon...

Red - Alewife - Well, this is essentially a parking lot for commuters, but if ou walk throught he office park, you can find Summer Shack with its super tasty lobster rolls.

Red - Braintree - coming soon...

Red - Ashmont - This stop has been completely remodeled int he past couple years. I noticed that last time I was there Ashmont Station now has a sign that says "Ashmont/Peabody Square". Hello, gentrifcation, your train has arrived.

Red - Mattapan Line - Mattapan - coming soon...

Silver - Dudley Station - Where do I start with Dudley Station? It is changing and has a bad rap. Take it from someone who has stood out there regularly, trouble finds trouble; I'm not trouble, and I've never had a problem. The great thing about Dudley is it is close to good eats - Silver Slipper and Haley House. If you are looking for an excuse to go there, these two places could be it.

Silver - Airport - Been here, done that, hope to get back to it real soon! Perhaps to come to Seattle for a visit, cousin.

April Dare Count

Seriously, where did April go?!

Dares received: 30 

Dares completed: 21

1. Create a blog
2. Wake up everyday and smile and stretch
3. Get highlights
4. Relax and sample new adventures (on the cheap)
5. Go to a drag show
6. Complete this puzzle
7. Fund-raiser walk
8. Paint a portrait of someone I love(d)
9. Read a fiction classic of at least 300 pages
10. Become a raw food believer for one week
11. Visit my parents in Bellingham
12. Join Match.com for one month 
13. Volunteer with a cause you believe in but gets you out of your comfort zone
14. Say hello to strangers
15.  Run a 10K
16.  Visit the geographic center of the US
17. Take a mud bath trip with my sister
18. Streak nude (you'll see)
19. Read two books by Truman Capote - ok, so I only read one
20. Take a belly dancing class
21. Begin a spiritual journey

Dares busted: 3

1. Visit Wenmiao/The Ghost Market in Shanghai 
2. Dance on the Bund with a local Shanghainese
3. Engage Lola in a dog sport or train her to be a therapy dog

Dare on Deck:

1. Get 100 people to say thank you
2. Ride to the last station on every line on the T

Begin a spritual journey (Julie Ellis)

I'm on it, Jules. Thank you for opening the space for me to reflect and giving the permission that I sometimes need to focus on matters not tangible. I'm not finished with this and don't intend to be, but as one of the dearest people to me, I will keep you posted along the way, and I look forward to hearing about your journey too.

Reflection: Are you a human being or a human doing? 

These words have haunted me for 13 years. I returned home from my first year at college and met with a woman I considered to be mentor and unconditional supporter. We sipped coffee and caught up about the events of the preceding 9 months. Topics included: starting college, surviving the freshman dormitory, losing my driver’s license for too many speeding tickets, starting a job as a chemical dependency counselor, making dozens of new friends, and volunteering in my new found community. I found myself busier and more active than ever. It was good time in my life. Then, she posed the question – are you a human BE-ing, or a human DO-ing? I froze. I had never considered that there is a distinction. My eyes teared up, and she probed deeper, questioning what in my life was solely for me and allowed me space for reflection and appreciation. Our conversation continued, but the question was never fully resolved for me. At 31, after 13 full years of living since then, my mind often wanders back to this question. Am I human being or a human doing?

More often, I silently, shamefully answer – DO-ing.  There is guilt that I keep busy and do not leave much open space. Although I would consider most of my tasks worthy activities. There is personal judgment that Be-ing would be the preferred way to live. Wouldn’t everyone want to be in the BE-ing category? So, I kept the question and my DO-ing to myself. Although as I age, I see my true nature more and although I cannot fully understand it, I can accept it for what it is. Without shame, I am a human being that is doing. In my doing, I express my being. In action, I confirm and shape my inner being.

I am not through wrestling with this question, but I can say today I am no longer haunted by it.

March Dare Count

March is a crap shoot - will it be the end of winter, beginning of spring or somewhere in between with damp rain? March 2011 did not disappoint; it was a little bit of all of the above. However, longer, brighter days with the promise warmth motivates me to look back at my dare list and push on. The countdown is still on!

Dares received: 29 

Dares completed: 20

1. Create a blog
2. Wake up everyday and smile and stretch
3. Get highlights
4. Relax and sample new adventures (on the cheap)
5. Go to a drag show
6. Complete this puzzle
7. Fund-raiser walk
8. Paint a portrait of someone I love(d)
9. Read a fiction classic of at least 300 pages
10. Become a raw food believer for one week
11. Visit my parents in Bellingham
12. Join Match.com for one month 
13. Volunteer with a cause you believe in but gets you out of your comfort zone
14. Say hello to strangers
15.  Run a 10K
16.  Visit the geographic center of the US
17. Take a mud bath trip with my sister
18. Streak nude (you'll see)
19. Read two books by Truman Capote - ok, so I only read one
20. Take a belly dancing class

Dares busted: 3

1. Visit Wenmiao/The Ghost Market in Shanghai 
2. Dance on the Bund with a local Shanghainese
3. Engage Lola in a dog sport or train her to be a therapy dog

Dare on Deck:

1. Get 100 people to say thank you
2. Ride to the last station on every line on the T
   

Some of the remaining dares need to wait until it is a little warmer before I can just knock'em out... but I'm feeling inspired to make some goals I can work on now that will pay off by the end of the summer. If you are curious, have tips or want to want to help make it happen, here are my spring/summer goals:

1) Finish the backyard landscaping - that's right the trash pit in the back yard will finally be leaving! Imagine raised beds with homegrown veggies, a dining area, bird feeders and relaxing place to end a summer day.

2) Run a 10 consistent minute mile - I'm still running and have a few 5Ks and 5milers scheduled for this summer, but I want to get to the finish line faster. For everyone who was with me after the Southie St Pat's 5K, let's hope this doesn't encourage more sneezing. 

3) Climb the rock wall at the gym - I am thrilled with the new community center across the street and the fitness center inside.  I could sing all its praises, but one thing that I am looking forward to trying is the rock wall. I've never done any climbing and I just want to try. However, I need to bulk up my arm strength before I can go there. I'm working on it!

Take a belly dancing class (Maryanne Courtney & Bev Scott)

Yes, yes, yes! I tried to start this in January and then put it off, scheduling, snow, excuse, excuse, excuse. When my friend, Anne, mentioned that her East Boston YMCA offered belly dancing, I jumped on it. She tried it once and was willing to go back. I was definitely in.

My experience...
I loved it! Everyone in the class was so upbeat and had different skill levels, so it felt very comfortable. I learned some new tricks, like how to shake my chest by only moving my shoulders and how to punch with my hip. I am still working on my "shimmy". I am definitely shaking it, but if what I am doing is actually a shimmy, I just don't know yet. I will keep working on it. It was an abdominal workout, but it is so much fun I just wanted to keep twisting and isolating. I am glad that this was a dare, and I got to share my first belly dancing experience with Anne.

I know Maryanne is planning on taking this up after her big spring work push is over. I highly recommend it and look forward to hearing how your firs class goes. Good luck; shimmy, shimmy, shimmy!

Thanks, y'all!

Engage Lola in a dog sport or train her to be a therapy dog (Karen Courtney)

So many options of what to do... and I failed...

Ball = mine

This was one of two dares from the same person, dearest sister, and I know that I just cannot commit that time in such an organized fashion.

Lola is a free spirit and I believe her heart's desire is to play fetch with me and chase other dogs in the dog park.  Although I will take this chance to show case my favorite Lola moments....

She has got "sit" down.

Halloween romping with Gus

Fetch!

 

 

 

 

 

Read two books by Truman Capote (Marge Benham-Hutchins)

Two... I read one book by Truman Capote, In Cold Blood.

This was my second reading dare. That post describes my feelings about reading, so I won't bore you with repeating the details. Keeping that in mind, please know that reading fiction is truly a challenge for me, and I have encountered many friends that believe that if I would just read an inspiring book/author, I would embrace fiction. I just cannot say that is the case with me.

However, I am happy to say that I have made my way through one more fiction book. Yes, I do consider Capote's true crime genre fiction. By making it through one more book, I now have one more topic to fall back on during cocktail hour and that is success for me!

Thanks, Marge, for challenging me to try again!

February Dare Count

I'm not feeling the typical tally this month for a couple of reasons:

1. I accomplished nothing on my list this month.
2. I feel more compelled to express myself.

To address reason number one, I am working on one dare, but cannot yet claim the dare as completed. I also dared myself to keep running. The 10K dare became a springboard and gave me  confidence to say yes to running a 5 mile race over Memorial Day weekend. I put my running shoes back on and have been dodging icy patches for the past couple weeks. Finally, some of the other dares are better suited for warmer weather (see: skydiving and zip lining).

Next, I am on to my compelling need to express. The past couple weeks have been darker than usual for me. While typically a month thought of for lovers, February, for me, brings an anniversary of sexual violence (if that's a surprise, remember this dare's blog post; I'm a trendsetter, Scott Brown). I can never predict how I will handle this each year. However, I found myself this year too tired from an overbooked schedule and too weary from snow shoveling to squelch my darker reflections. Dark reflections and a [somewhat] active dating life are not a good combination.

I have been confronted/comforted by lots of friendly advice:

• There is someone for everyone.
• You have to kiss a lot of frogs.
• There is a lid for every pot.

This advice is heartfelt, but given by those who know just as little about the way this works as the friend consoled. Truly, it is my fault for asking. None of us have a crystal ball. It is an unfair position for friends. I'm sorry to those that I've tortured with my whining this month (oh, and all those other months too).

Regardless, I am feeling brokenhearted and mourning the fullness used to be here. How could this sneak up on me over a year later when I was coasting along so well?! I guess that doesn't really matter, but what does is that I know what type of partnership I want. I am remaining hopeful, although presently deflated, that I will get what I want in life even if statistically that isn't logical. My dare to myself, in addition to running 5 miles in May, is to remain hopeful, even if my optimism wanes.

DARE: Be hopeful; logic be damned.

January Dare Count

Dares received: 28 

Dares completed: 18

1. Create a blog
2. Wake up everyday and smile and stretch
3. Get highlights
4. Relax and sample new adventures (on the cheap)
5. Go to a drag show
6. Complete this puzzle
7. Fund-raiser walk
8. Paint a portrait of someone I love(d)
9. Read a fiction classic of at least 300 pages
10. Become a raw food believer for one week
11. Visit my parents in Bellingham
12. Join Match.com for one month 
13. Volunteer with a cause you believe in but gets you out of your comfort zone
14. Say hello to strangers
15.  Run a 10K
16.  Visit the geographic center of the US
17. Take a mud bath trip with my sister
18. Streak nude (you'll see)
    

Dares busted: 2

1. Visit Wenmiao/The Ghost Market in Shanghai 
2. Dance on the Bund with a local Shanghainese

Dare on Deck:

1. Get 100 people to say thank you
2. Read two books by Truman Capote
3. Take a belly dancing class

2011 has begun and I am embracing it without hesitation. The biggest gifts I received so far this year are words or encouragement and praise come from unlikely messengers. Thank you (you who know who you are) that have shared with me that this dare process has been "empowering", "inspiring", "fun" and "bold". 

I reached out in complete fear to find something to hold onto. How it became such a positive experience, I am unclear. However, I do believe that when I am earnest with my intents, positive reactions result. I love that this was a positive experience for me and my friends. None of this could have happened without your participation and encouragement. 

A special thanks to Marge and Maryanne for getting those last two dares in under the wire. As of January 31st, 2011, I have accepted all the dares and will be completing the remaining dares by my birthday - August 28! 

Lola and I are full speed ahead into 2011!

Streak in public (Kate Floyd and Paul Proto)

Let me start with, we are no longer friends (kidding). On the serious side though, I cannot streak nude. I like my public sector job, and to keep it, I think I need to exercise good judgment and not streak. I am going to consider this dare complete by doing something that I thought still had the essence of running around like a fool.

Today, I am an L Street Brownie! Submerging myself in icy cold harbor water is an awesome way to jump start the new year. Yes, I know it was unseasonably warm today, but know that the water was not.

A super, special thanks to Logan and Brian for doing this for the SECOND year in a row... and when I lost my shoes in the harbor went back in for a SECOND dip to retrieve them for me! Brrr...

You rock, and I'm a wuss. Once in 2011 was enough for me, but I'll see you there in 2012!

December Dare Count

To date,
Dares received: 26  
Dares completed: 17

1. Create a blog
2. Wake up everyday and smile and stretch
3. Get highlights
4. Relax and sample new adventures (on the cheap)
5. Go to a drag show
6. Complete this puzzle
7. Fund-raiser walk
8. Paint a portrait of someone I love(d)
9. Read a fiction classic of at least 300 pages
10. Become a raw food believer for one week
11. Visit my parents in Bellingham
12. Join Match.com for one month 
13. Volunteer with a cause you believe in but gets you out of your comfort zone
14. Say hello to strangers
15.  Run a 10K
16.  Visit the geographic center of the US
17. Take a mud bath trip with my sister
    

Dares busted: 2

1. Visit Wenmiao/The Ghost Market in Shanghai 
2. Dance on the Bund with a local Shanghainese

Dare on Deck:

1. Get 100 people to say thank you
2. Streak nude (you'll see)
   

More Gosh Darned Reflections

53/54 weeks ago, my life underwent a major change. I admitted to myself the man with whom I wanted to partner my life was not the man with whom I was in a 4+ year relationship. I have been devastated before, but not in love and not at a time in my life when I was mature enough to know I had to use the experience as a catalyst, rather than a road block. 

Throughout the year, I have had an exciting list of dares to work my way though. All have been monumental in some degree for me, and all have helped me heal over the year. It’s been a year, people! 
But, it’s not over yet…

Amazing things have happened in my life and the lives of my friends and family in 2010. I am fortunate that I got to be present for all of it. While I still have a few dares left, I feel really good about where I am. I, in no way, thought I would be able to feel this positive a year ago. I can only thank y'all for that. Thank you for your tireless support, well-timed laughs and creative brainstorming. 
You rock! 

Happy New Year!

Take a mud bath with me (Karen Courtney)

Well, hello, yes! This sounds amazing, right?  I've never even done a spa day before, so I was excited to try this out. My sister knew the place she wanted to go - Indian Springs Resort and Spa in Calistoga, CA. She gave me a quick run through of all the steps to the mud bath process. Thank you, Karen, for not letting me walk in blind!

What is it like?

1. Strip down in the locker room and get into your plush, green robe
2. Sip cucumber infused water
3. Enter the mud bath room and lose our robe
4. Climb into a giant tub of hot, black mud with the assistance of Maria
5. Since you don't sink in the mud, lay on top of the mud naked, while Maria scoops up mud and covers you up
6. Lay in the mud for 12-15 minutes
7. Briefly wash off
8. Enter a hot water tub for 12-15 minutes
9. Sip cucumber infused water
10. Enter the sauna for desired length
11. Sip cucumber infused water
12. Get wrapped in a sheet
13. Lay in a private room with cucumbers and a cool washcloth over my eyes
14. Take a final shower... still public
15. Return to locker room the change
16. Sip more cucumber water

What did I think? 

Um... positives first...

• The staff was awesome
• It was a completely calming environment

All right, what am I holding back...

• I might be claustrophobic. I might have been fighting back some panic as my head was slipping off the pillow and the pressure of the mud on my chest seemed overwhelming (think La Brea Tarpit). 
• Also, it was hot, hot, hot. At one point, I was able to wiggle my foot out of the mud because I was so hot, but then Maria came by and plopped a big splat of mud back on top (sigh). 
• I would have preferred to have a private shower at some point. Yes, ladies, there was mud everywhere! I just don't shower the same when there is a room of people milling about around me.  

It seems many of my family that have taken a mud bath share my claustrophobic feeling, but I am lucky that they did not share this with me until after my mud bath; I got to have my own, uninfluenced experience. I'm really happy that I got to try it and share the experience with my sister.

Thanks Karen!

November Dare Count

To date,
Dares received: 26
Dares completed: 16

1. Create a blog
2. Wake up everyday and smile and stretch
3. Get highlights
4. Relax and sample new adventures (on the cheap)
5. Go to a drag show
6. Complete this puzzle
7. Fund-raiser walk
8. Paint a portrait of someone I love(d)
9. Read a fiction classic of at least 300 pages
10. Become a raw food believer for one week
11. Visit my parents in Bellingham
12. Join Match.com for one month 
13. Volunteer with a cause you believe in but gets you out of your comfort zone
14. Say hello to strangers
15.  Run a 10K
16.  Visit the geographic center of the US

Dares busted: 2

1. Visit Wenmiao/The Ghost Market in Shanghai 
2. Dance on the Bund with a local Shanghainese

Dare on Deck:

1. Take a mud bath trip with my sister (12/12)
2. Get 100 people to say thank you

BONUS DARE 
I didn't complete any new dares from others this month. I've honestly been too busy pursuing other endeavors with gusto! However, I am pretty proud of myself for preparing my first Thanksgiving day meal (with the culinary contributions of Robin Lee). 

Duck before, yeah, I made a duck

After!!! Yummy, crispy, yum

Robin warming up the sides

The full spread!

The bounty!

The leftover, yup, all that is leftovers now

 

October Dare Count

To date,
Dares received: 26
Dares completed: 15

1. Create a blog
2. Wake up everyday and smile and stretch
3. Get highlights
4. Relax and sample new adventures (on the cheap)
5. Go to a drag show
6. Complete this puzzle
7. Fund-raiser walk
8. Paint a portrait of someone I love(d)
9. Read a fiction classic of at least 300 pages
10. Become a raw food believer for one week
11. Visit my parents in Bellingham
12. Join Match.com for one month 
13. Volunteer with a cause you believe in but gets you out of your comfort zone
14. Say hello to strangers
15.  Run a 10K
16.  Visit the geographic center of the US

Dares busted: 2

1. Visit Wenmiao/The Ghost Market in Shanghai 
2. Dance on the Bund with a local Shanghainese

Next up... I don't know! Seriously, I realized that I haven't planned my next dare! Check out the list of what's left and give me some inspiration.

1. Zipline with Anne Essaran
2. Streak nude
3. Engage Lola in a dog sport
4. Take a mud bath trip with my sister
5. Skydive
6. Enter a dancing competition/dance off
7. Get 100 people to say thank you

Find & visit the geographic center of the contiguous US (Graham Campbell)

Moira and Shannon, the O'Connell sisters, and I went on a whirlwind heartland tour, but since the dare was to visit the center, I will start there just outside of Lebanon, Kansas.

Other than the center, chapel, picnic shelter and trailer with exhibits... there is nothing there. This is it. Really, this is it.

We arrived early before breakfast to check this place out. All by ourselves, we took a few photos before searching for breakfast.

If you think you want to do this, my suggestions are to make it an adventure and if possible, invite the O'Connell sisters (which guarantees an adventure, really).

What did our adventure look like?

We flew into Kansas City, Missouri on Friday morning and quickly headed out of town to Topeka, Kansas so I could check another state capital off my list for the other blog. After chips and salsa made with oregano at Auturo's and some brief confusion about all the toucans in town which looked strangely like jayhawks, we were back on the road. 

In Wamego, Kansas we visited the Wizard of Oz Museum where my father donated my grandfather's childhood copy of the book.Other than the museum, the Wamego diversion gave us a brush with death with a silo on a state highway and a chance to see some interesting signage.

Then, we were off to the world's largest ball of twine! Twine tips...

• If you collect it, they will come.
• Twine starts to smell as it gets old.
• Why not decorate it for the closest holiday?

After the best air hockey tournament Downs, Kansas ever experienced and staying in the scariest cottage EVER, we ventured to the center (see above).

The heartland doesn't end there!

On the way to Lincoln, NE to check yet another state capital off my blog list. We visited Pioneer Village in Minden, NE. I could slam this place, but I won't. It was built in another time by a less politically correct benefactor. He wanted to celebrate modern innovation. After reading all his signs and commentary, I wanted to celebrate how far we've come to open our minds. 

 In the heartland, Big Ten football is a big deal. We choose to travel on a Cornhuskers home game weekend, which meant the closest hotel room we could find to Lincoln was in Omaha. 

You say, "Oma" I say, "Ha"

 

OMA!

HA!

This is only a glimpse into the magic that is the heartland. I can't capture how beautifully flat and open everything was, how lovely the people we met were, and how the pace was so blessedly not east coast. I loved it (to visit). I never would have gone to many of these places without Graham's dare. I'm a lucky lady.

Run a 10K this summer (Ajay Bam and Amanda Truett)

Myself & Laura, my cheerleader!

Myself, Karen (sister) & Pam

Sharon & I

I did it !

1:18 total and averaged a 12:39 mile

The race is on - Tufts 10K for Women! I actively trained for 8+ weeks. I feel really amazed that I was able to commit to this and complete it

I got started on this dare early, but waffled.

"It's too cold."
"I have to eat raw and my energy is off."
"I've been so busy."
"I've been running... a little..."

In the end, I realized from talking to a friend that I wasn't getting serious about it until I really started getting serious about it. I looked at the calendar and realized I only had few weeks left and I need to act. I'm moving on this now.

Regardless, I put myself out there, one foot quickly in front of the other. I spent many happy Saturday mornings at the Middlesex Fells with my pup, Lola. I have been surprised at how much I look forward to my long runs in the Fells. It is a great time for my to challenge myself in nature and start the weekend with a sense of accomplishment. Please excuse my bruises; I tend to trip over a lot of roots and rocks.

A heartfelt thanks, Ajay and Amanda!

September Dare Count

To date,
Dares received: 26
Dares completed: 13

1. Create a blog
2. Wake up everyday and smile and stretch
3. Get highlights
4. Relax and sample new adventures (on the cheap)
5. Go to a drag show
6. Complete this puzzle
7. Fund-raiser walk
8. Paint a portrait of someone I love(d)
9. Read a fiction classic of at least 300 pages
10. Become a raw food believer for one week
11. Visit my parents in Bellingham
12. Join Match.com for one month 
13. Volunteer with a cause you believe in but gets you out of your comfort zone

Dares busted: 2

1. Visit Wenmiao/The Ghost Market in Shanghai 
2. Dance on the Bund with a local Shanghainese

Dares in progress: 1

1. Run a 10K (race on 10/11!)

Dares on deck...

• Visit the geographic center of the US

Talk to a complete stranger at least once week and say hello to a new person everyday (Michael & Katelyn Corts) a

This is life-changing. Incorporating this into my everyday is truly life-changing. I can't say I am perfect, but I consciously make a few efforts to be able to meet this goal without having to keep track everyday.

Uphams Corner commuter rail platform

On my morning walks with Lola, I say "Good morning" to everyone I pass which tends to be a lot of kids and parents waiting for the school bus. I also say, "Good morning" to everyone I stand with on the commuter rail platform on my way to work. No more shrinking away. I meet people's eyes on the street as I pass them, and I smile and/or say "Hello". 

I love it. I feel like I'm being a better neighbor and I feel like I am getting a good start to the day. I go to bed at night and feel connected to the place I live. All it took was a conscious look at my surroundings and acknowledgment of the people in them. Thank you!

Join Match.com for one month (Laura Brelsford)

First and very importantly, thank you, Laura. Participating in Match was a challenge for me and pushed me to examine my personal connections and my expectations of them.

I had been hesitant to think an online format would be good for me for a few reasons:

1) I like to meet people face to face. My humor doesn't translate into written format. Does my vivacious personality jump off the computer screen? I am not the person that has a type; I am more about a vibe. Can I vibe off an email?

2) I don't feel good about "judging" other profiles. It honestly makes me feel gross and judgmental. I don't know anything about these people.  I can't seem to get a sense of a person from an artificial email exchange or well (or poor in some cases) edited profile. Is the person they are presenting the person they are? Did I present the person I am?

3) I want my date to court me. I spend a lot of time being a liberated woman - opening my own doors, paying for my own drinks, striving for independence, etc. What the hell am I supposed to do with a wink?

I don't think online dating is bad or lacks results for people, just questioned whether it was for me. This sounds like a lot of negativity, but really it is just my concerns about online dating. Despite my stated reservations, I gave it my best efforts to be open minded and active; my best efforts included:

1. I logged on everyday so it showed I was active in the last 24 hours.
2. I freshened my profile once a week.
3. I winked back to people who winked at me.
4. I emailed people who emailed me.
5. I thoughtfully reviewed all of the 5 Daily Matches and profiles in Singled Out that Match found for me.

Aside from the logistics of the dare, Match and this process reminded me that the person I need to focus my smiles, creativity and humor is - me. Living my life is where I find the most happiness and when things are right, I will be able to share that. I am SO grateful I had this chance to reflect. 

All that said... I met a wonderful guy doing this, and although that didn't work out long term,

does that negate all my questions about Match and me? Who knows; who cares? Sometimes it is more important to be happy than right. That was kind of the point; wasn't it, Laura?

August Dare Count

To date,
Dares received: 23
Dares completed: 11

1. Create a blog
2. Wake up everyday and smile and stretch
3. Get highlights
4. Relax and sample new adventures (on the cheap)
5. Go to a drag show
6. Complete this puzzle
7. Fund-raiser walk
8. Paint a portrait of someone I love(d)
9. Read a fiction classic of at least 300 pages
10. Become a raw food believer for one week
11. Visit my parents in Bellingham

Dares busted: 2

1. Visit Wenmiao/The Ghost Market in Shanghai 
2. Dance on the Bund with a local Shanghainese

Dares in progress: 2

1. Run a 10K
2. Join Match

Dares on deck...

• Skydiving (OMFG)

While it wasn't a dare... 

I celebrated a birthday this month! 

I am happily 31 and celebrated with great friends, food and dancing. My birthday highlights:

• A hair appointment with people that know the wash and head massage is the best part!
• Chocolate avocado vegan cupcakes baked by Jessica
• Goat "head meat"... yeah I know... at African Cuisine
• Clandestino
• Tequila
• Dancing, dancing, dancing at the Enormous Room and Middlesex
• And more chocolate avocado vegan cupcakes

Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes! I am so lucky to have wonderful people in my life. Y'all have made this birthday and the entire year so special for me. 

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

July Dare Count

To date,
Dares received: 21
Dares completed: 11

1. Create a blog
2. Wake up everyday and smile and stretch
3. Get highlights
4. Relax and sample new adventures (on the cheap)
5. Go to a drag show
6. Complete this puzzle
7. Fund-raiser walk
8. Paint a portrait of someone I love(d)
9. Read a fiction classic of at least 300 pages
10. Become a raw food believer for one week
11. Visit my parents in Bellingham

Dares busted: 2

1. Visit Wenmiao/The Ghost Market in Shanghai 
2. Dance on the Bund with a local Shanghainese

Dares in progress: 1

1. Run a 10K

Dares on deck...

• Skydiving (OMFG)

REVELATION OF THE MONTH: It was very fitting that I had this revelation as I was working on two dares. I was running (Dare - Run a 10K) through the trails in Bellingham, Washington (Dare - Visit my parents). In one of my loops, I passed a group of four women. I said, "Good morning."

One woman said to me, "Good for you. I couldn't do that". 

My quick reply was, "Oh I can't either." and I trotted away. 

 

I realized how silly I must have sounded to her. However, I realized for me, when I think about it, I really can't do it. Often, I can do it when I just go ahead and do it. 

 

Sometimes I have to take my head out of this. I feel like accepting these challenges has given me the opportunity to not think about it and just go ahead and do it. The amazing thing is through this process I find that I can do anything, and I stop spending time questioning less whether I can or cannot.

Visit my parents (David & Marylynne Courtney)

Wow, what a trip! I flew out on the 22nd and spent spent 5 days with family. We packed a lot into the time, including:

• Kayaking with mom
• Walking around the Falls
• Visiting a buffalo farm
• Cooking out with buffalo steak
• Shopping the farmers market
• Searching for orca whale
• Boating to Friday Harbor
• Keeping up with my 10K training program 
• Checking another state capital off my list
• Eating dinner with my cousin and her family in Seattle
• Experiencing all the culinary delights of Bellingham
• Having 7 deer encounters!

Enjoy the photos:

Exploring the falls in Bellingham

Olympia shipping

Cook out

With Bellingham Bay behind me

Mom tying out her new kayak on Lake Whatcom

At the bison farm

On the whale watch

Sunset over Bellingham Bay

Flowers at the capital


Thanks SO much!