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!