Thank you

I want to thank all of you who have answered 5 questions about your life to share to the world. It is appreciated in so many ways. You can influence someone just by living your life and talking about the things you are passionate about and the struggles you went through or are going through today.

As I travel the USA with my dog, Max, I won't be able to post each day as I was in the past. I'll do my best to try and post when people share their life.

You can follow us on our journey here:
Alison Travels

Thank you again!
Love,
Alison and Max

Michelle "My Children Inspire Me Each Day"

First Name: Michelle
Age:38
Sign:LIbra
I grew up in:Davis, CA
I currently live in:Davis, CA
Occupation:Principal of an Elementary School
You can find me:easily-I am six feet tall. Seriously, you will find me at work or with my kids.
You will never find me:in a bikini, eating raw fish, or playing the violin
Your website or Charity you are passionate about:Anything that works to beat cancer

1.) Who or what Inspires you? My children inspire me each day. My dad has inspired me tremendously lately as I watch his fight against cancer. I aspire to live my life like he does.

2.) What would you want to change about yourself? I have no patience and my hastiness causes me to miss some real quality moments.

3.) What life experience has strengthened you the most? This last year has made me tough as nails. My father is fighting cancer, my grandfather died, my cat of 14 years died, my dog of 10 years died, I started a new job, and I got a divorce. I have learned that it can always be worse not matter how bad it is!

4.) Who has been the most influential person in your life? My mother and father.

5.) How do you want to be remembered? I want poeple to think that their lives were slightly better because they shared it with me. Most importantly, I know that I will live on in my children and I hope that they can carry out good in the world and in the hearts of those they

Anne "I Am Inspired By People"

Name: Anne

Sign: Cancer

I grew up in Santa Barbara, CA

I currently live in Santa Barbara, CA, but not until after a 28 year absence, during which I went into the Army, flew helicopters in Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Central America. Got out, moved to the Bay Area and spent 15 years there. Then, back to Santa Barbara.

Occupation: self-employed as an artist, Internet entrepreneur, writer (I write non-fiction eBooks)

You can find me: hanging with my girl, on my computer, at the beach.

You will never find me: I never say never and know myself well enough to know that that is true.

What Charity are you passionate about? Saying that I am passionate about a charity seems like the 'right' thing to do, but I honestly believe asking for charity is buying into being a victim. I give when I can, usually to random people down on their luck when I have extra cash.

1) Who or What inspires you? I am inspired by people, who in spite of great odds, are determined not to be victims and rise above their circumstances to do great things. I am inspired by my partner, Kellie, who is extremely patient, compassionate, and kind.

2.) What would you want to change about yourself?
I try to work constantly on myself. Right now I am working on learning how to forgive and how to be patient.

3.) What life experience has strengthened you the most? I believe my personal relationships have strengthened me the most. By strengthen I mean that I have become more than who I was before, and stronger in my knowing who I am, what I want, and where I want to go.

4.) Who has been the most influential person in your life?I can't say that there has been any one person in my life that has been the most influential. There have been many people in different roles, at different times who have influenced my life in meaningful ways. Sometimes the most influential have been the ones from whom I have learned how not to be, or what not to do. I think much of what I have worked to overcome in my life comes from a past that includes lack of trust and lack of respect. Because of that, people who were less than kind or compassionate to me may be the most influential because those experiences have caused me to look deeply, heal myself, and to learn to forgive.

5.) How do you want to be remembered?I hope by the time I am ready to go that I will have made a difference on some lives. I hope to be remembered at least as an example of healthy living and spiritual connectedness, and as someone who tried their entire life to expand and awaken.

Corday "Rocking And Rollin On Stage"

Name: Jennifer Corday
Age: Wise, but young at heart
Sign: Cancer
I grew up in: Long Beach
I currently live in: Long Beach
Occupation: Musician
You can find me: rockin and rollin on stage with my guitar
You will never find me: bored
Your website or Charity you are passionate about: the fight against cancer (I lost my mom to the disease) and animal rights. Vegetarians rule!

1.) Do you love what you do? Yes! It is truly my calling and my passion to write and perform.

2.) What are you most proud of? The songs I have written, they are like my babies, now all grown up and out in the world.

3.) What life experience has strengthened you the most?
Losing my mother 3 years ago. Every relationship.

4.) Who has been the most influential person in your life? My parents.

5.) What is your most prized possession? my guitar? I have so many-- any guitar I guess I would say, as it's not the actual guitar that is the prize but the power it gives me to make music that I treasure pics of me and my mom

Deborah "Smiling And Finding The Good Everywhere"

Name: Deb
Age: well, I’m over 50 under 60 – when did it become ok to ask a woman her age, ok, I’m 57.
Sign: Go (er… Capricorn)
Occupation: Marketing
I grew up in: Massachusetts
I currently live in: Upstate NY
You can find me: helping someone, volunteering, smiling and finding the good everywhere
You will never find me: snarling or spending the day shopping
Your website or Charity you are passionate about: my website is http://www.hellinthehallway.net – dedicated to helping others find work

My charity is Partners In Community Development. We partner with low income housing community developers to provide services on-site including high quality, affordable child care and programs for teens, adults and seniors. Dedicated people work there. (and I love Heifer, it’s what I give and ask for instead of gifts)

1.) What are you passionate about?

Helping others. Everyday there are so many ways to help. I have been in business for many years so I volunteer with an organization known as SCORE (part of the Federal Govt’s Small Business Administration). I also work in marketing so I try, everyday to find a way to help a person, business, whatever meet their goals. Sometimes a smile or a sincere thank you is all a I need to do to help improve someone’s day.

2.) What are you most proud of? Overcoming a difficult childhood and raising two great kids almost entirely on my own. I learned more from them than I taught them. They are now in their 20’s and are fine people. Generous, funny, kind, smart with a low tolerance for nonsense (but a high tolerance for shenanigans!)

3.) Who has been the most influential person in your life? Why? My Aunt Dorothy. She died 10 years ago at the age of 99. One of the shrewdest and kindest people I have ever known. She never said a bad thing about anyone but she could see right through you. She would accept each person for exactly who they are/were. No external judgments but you always wanted to be your best in her presence.

4.) What is difficult for you? When I was younger, I was very outgoing and my batteries got recharged by being with people. This is all changing. The older I get, the more I feel like being quiet and by myself. It’s a big adjustment and I’m comfortable and uncomfortable.


5.) Who would you like to meet? You, you rock! Almost anyone, everyone is so cool. Musicians, poets, painters, film makers, gardeners, cooks. Anyone who works to keep the creative spark alive in themselves and their daily life. Ok, I’d like to have met Ghandi. Dali Lama, successful women entrepreneurs. I could go on and on. You get the picture.

Doreen "Reading and Doing Needlepoint"

Name: Doreen
Age: 53
Sign: Aries
Occupation: Retired EMT
I grew up in: North Bergen, NJ, Rochester, NY
I currently live in: Brighton, NY
You can find me: On Facebook, Reading and doing Needlepoint
You will never find me: Hanging in a bar
Your website or Charity you are passionate about: Crohn's Disease Foundation

1.) What are you passionate about?
Anything that has to do with my children

2.) What are you most proud of?
My children

3.) Who has been the most influential person in your life? Why?
My mother. She taught me all about love, respect and how to put a smile on my face and others!

4.) What is difficult for you?
Sometimes day to day life. I have had Crohn's Disease all my life. My husband Has CMT which is a severe neuropathy. In 5 short years he has gone from being a hard working man , to a wheelchair. There is always pain involved with both of us.

5.) Who would you like to meet?
President Obama...... I have alot of questions for him!

Debbie "Passionate About Astrology"

Name: Debbie
Age: 57
Sign: Aries
Occupation: Real Estate Broker
I grew up in: Skokie, IL
I currently live in: Albuquerque, NM
You can find me: at the home/office, at the gym, at the airport, at the movies, at the Apple Store,
at various restaurants, at Sandia Casino, or just hanging out.
You will never find me: at church, at a football game, skiing.
Your website or Charity you are passionate about: www.gaynewmexico.com and all animal charities.

What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about astrology, and dogs that are mistreated
or left behind. I am passionate about my own dog, Irie.

What are you most proud of?
I'm most proud of meeting most of my goals as I travel the journey
through life. I'm proud of my successes and my ability to help others reach their goals and contribute to their successes.

Who has been the most influential person in your life?
There have been many influences over the years, my father
was one - he believed in me. My mother too, she supported
my ideas and plans (even the crazy ones). I was influenced by
Katherine DeJersey the astrologer when I was younger.
I have been influenced by many people I've worked with over
the years too - some in positive ways some in not positive ways.

What is difficult for you?
Accepting things that are unacceptable. Cruelty to animals. Cruelty to
people. Katrina and it's never ending outcome. The "bailout" in this country
and all that is related to that.

Who would you like to meet?
Unfortunately, I'd like to meet some people who are dead.
Michael Jackson, Harvey Milk, Judy Garland, John Kennedy Jr.
For the living, I'd also like to meet Michelle Obama, Barbra Streisand,
Bill Clinton, Joy Behar, Barbara Walters, Al Gore, Colin Powell, Oprah
and Gayle.

Jennifer "Passionate About Star Trek"

Name: Jennifer
Age: 42
Sign: Libra
Occupation: Personal Concierge (aka Errand Goddess)
I grew up in: Central Florida
I currently live in: Northeast Georgia
You can find me: Watching, reading, creating something about Science Fiction or Fantasy.
You will never find me: Living above The Mason–Dixon Line
Your website or Charity you are passionate about: Star Trek... http://www.jc1701.com is my personal site. So naturally, my business website is http://www.warpspeederrands.com (the speed at which starships travel in space on Star Trek). The charity I support the most... American Business Women's Association Lake Lanier Charter Chapter as we raise $ to give to young women to assist in their education. http://www.abwallcc.org.

1.) What are you passionate about? Star Trek, Scrapbooking, Science Fiction, my Kitties, and my Husband.

2.) What are you most proud of? Owning a piece of original Star Trek memorabilia. A one of a kind blueprint of Star Trek's Next Generation Galaxy Class Starship. Circa 1990. Signed by Michael Okuda - It still shows the folds in the paper where he just stuck it in a file cabinet. Long story about how I received it, but the short and sweet, well... actually short and sweet would be Michael and Denise, but I am truly blessed to know them.

3.) Who has been the most influential person in your life? My Father - 1927 - 2008. He was a remarkable man. Respected, well educated (Master in Music @ UM), loved life, and his family. The just don't make men like him anymore. I've married a wonderful man who is much like my Father was, but is just shy of the perfection that was ... Daddy.

4.) What is difficult for you? Focusing on single projects. I multi task way too often, and too easily. I don't have AAD... oh, look a kitty!

5.) Who would you like to meet? Humm..., well I have met and conversed with 'The Great Bird of the Galaxy' (aka Gene Roddenberry), so the next would have to be DeForest Kelley. Yes, I would have like to have met 'Bones'. He reminded me of the ol'e country doctor who delivered me and was still practicing when I graduated from High School!

Harry "I Am Proud Of My Son"

Name:Harry
Age:34
Sign:Virgo - yes, I make a lot of lists.
Occupation:Creative Director, Sole Proprietor of Sylph, LLC.
I grew up in:Ohio and Texas
I currently live in:Lewis Center, Ohio
You can find me:Running, biking or swimming as time permits. More often than not I'm stuck in the office, relaxing with my girlfriend or relearning something I thought I already knew with my son.
You will never find me:Hard to say. I'm doing today, what I thought I'd never do a year ago.

Your website or Charity you are passionate about:
http://www.sylphmarketing.com - this is my business.

1.) What are you passionate about?
I'm passionate about design; promoting an idea, concept or product
the right way; and being a good father. Failure is not an option for
the person that people depend on. I'm dedicated to making good
decisions for everyone involved.

2.) What are you most proud of?
My 10-year-old son, Gabriel. I wasn't in love with having a child when
he was born. He continually astonished me with his outlook and
demeanor and eventually grew on me. He's my best friend now and he
knows it. He doesn't like to do everything I like to do, but I like to
do everything he likes to do. I love sharing all that I know with him.

3.) Who has been the most influential person in your life?
Again, I'll have to go with Gabe. He's taught me more about patience,
trust and living more than anyone or event. I'd be a bitter old man
already if it weren't for him.

4.) What is difficult for you?
Knowing when to quit. Too much TV as a child taught me to never give
up on anything. Living as an adult has taught me that I need to learn
when to move on.

5.) Who would you like to meet?
There isn't any particular person I'd like to meet. A chance encounter
with someone under-appreciated who has amazing insight would be great.
Someone who can teach me one of life's great lessons without me having
to live through the harshness of learning it on my own.

Carrie "Delivering Babies And Telling Stories About My Standard Poodle"

Name: Carrie
Age: 51
Sign: Sagittarius with Scorpio rising
I grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio
I currently live in Long Beach, California
Occupation: physician
You can find me on Labor and Delivery at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center delivering babies and telling stories about my standard poodle, Tallulah Poodlehead Goddess of Love.
You will never find me at Disneyland.
You will never ever find me in church.
I am on the board of the Long Beach Gay and Lesbian Center and am passionate about meeting the often overlooked needs of our community. Right now I am co-chairing a team of people who are organizing a low fee mental health program for the Center.

1) What (person, goal, dream) gets you out of bed each day? The poodle gets me out of bed each day. She has to maintain my attention on my most important priorities: feed the poodle, love the poodle, walk the poodle and play with the poodle.

2.)What life experience has strengthened you the most? Strengths can also be weaknesses. My medical training helped me become a decisive, powerful person but also shut down my access to my human vulnerability. I'm in therapy trying to maintain my humanity in the face of an incredibly demanding job and a tendency to take care of anyone and everyone instead of myself. I guess my unrelenting desire for insight has strengthened me more than anything else.

3.)What would you want to change about yourself? I would become computer literate. My mind is too concrete to enjoy the computer and enjoyment is what leads to the experimentation and errors that lead to learning.

4.)Describe the landscape of the place you grew up. How did that landscape affect you? I grew up in Northeast Ohio, an area of hardwood deciduous forest. I love the color green. I love the out of doors. My father is a serious birdwatcher who raised me to be observant and respectful of my natural environment. The land is flat in western Ohio because the Ice Age glaciers ground down the land; near my parent's home is the terminal moraine where the land was pushed forward by the advancing glacier's edge. The hills and valleys have beautiful contours, tall trees and wild turkeys strutting about. (I don't mean the teenagers.)

5.)What is your most prized possession? I don't set much store by concrete possessions. I value my education more than anything else. I have a very strong liberal arts background as well as a degree that allows me both to support myself and travel around the world.

Jill "It's The Little Things In Life"

My name is Jill Lorraine Potter and my birth day was Jan 27th 1969; which will make me 40 in the year 2009. I am an Aquarius…it is the sign of the water bearer but in actuality is an Air sign. I grew up in St. Petersurg, Florida. I currently live in Italy, New York; 8 miles NE of my hometown of Naples, NY. Full time I am an Artist. I design jewelry, photograph nature, create hand made beaded purses; seasonally I work full time at Joseph’s Wayside Market; one of the largest open air farmer’s markets in the upstate. It is an awesome place to work! When I am not at work you can most likely find me outdoors doing something. You will never find me screaming, cursing or otherwise demeaning a child! I have a web page with all my creations which isn’t getting much traffic, but I would rather people visit the American Cancer Society and donate to which ever cause has touched your life the most. Cancer in general has invaded my family for years and taken many in it’s wake.


Who inspires me?

I would have to say those who have the most against them but achieve the most anyhow. I don’t mean monetarily either. I mean in life in general. Those who spread positive energy no matter where they go or who they see. Just their presence is necessary to create this overwhelming sensation. IE…Mother Teresa, Ghandi and my Aunt Patricia Rose Potter Hackett. She would light up a room anywhere.

What am I most proud of?

I am most proud of the parents who spend the time with their children to help mold them into kind and gentle souls who know they can do anything they put their mind to doing. We live in a time where most parents have to have two jobs each in order to make ends meet but I take my hat off to those who do that and still make time for their children!

What has been the greatest loss in my life?

The greatest loss in my life would have to be the passing of my Aunt Patricia Rose Potter Hackett. Her guidance and love helped me through my teen years; when there was no one else for me to turn to. She was so understanding and a wonderfully gentle soul. She helped me see that I was worthy of love. I was 22 and in the Army; stationed at Ft. Monmouth, NJ. I had been up for 16 hrs and drove 11 more when I received the call from the Red Cross. She was a guiding angel here on earth!!!

Who would I like to meet?

I would like to meet those who have simple words that speak mountains; those who are kind and gentle souls and those who light up a room just by walking into it!

What is my hardest part of the day?

My hardest part of the day I would have to say trying to go to sleep. I lay there most nights trying to wind down from whatever it is I was doing. Physical wind down is easy to accomplish. Winding down your mind is another. I have been told throughout my life that I am a deep thinker. I suppose this is why it isn’t so easy for me to turn the thoughts off. You name it I think about it; no exaggeration. My mind works a bit slower than most only because I think of every scenario that can be thought of in any given conversation. This is why most of the time I just listen when in a crowd. I would make a good social worker but it would take forever to go through school even though I was trained in the Army to do such a job.

What is my best part of the day?

The best part of my day is the first thing that makes me smile; a thought, a smile from someone else. Whatever it may be that is the moment that brightens up the rest of my day. It is the little things in life that make it so worth while; most times those things are free: Laughter, Joy, Smiles, Kindness, Generosity, Understanding, Compassion, Empathy, Gentleness, Tenderness, Hugs and giving all these things to others.

This next question popped into my head after answering all these other questions.

What has brought you the most joy in life?

The thing that has brought me to most joy in life is meeting all of the people that I have and getting to know them and having them want to get to know me. It’s the people that have taken the time from their lives to include me in them. It’s the people that you can call ten years after not speaking and pick up where you left off; filling in the blanks along the way. It is also the people; well pretty much everyone. Anyone and everyone that has/have presented a positive influence on my life!

Dana "Create A Life That Brings Me Joy"

Name: Dana
Age: Thirty Somethin'
Sign: Aries
I grew up in: A single-parent-household run by a Jewish mother in which two out of three kids are gay. I grew up in a time when Swatches were in style, parachute pants ruled the school yard, and Flock of Seagulls had the best hair on radio.
I currently live in: beautiful New Mexico.
Occupation: Professional Comedienne
You can find me: at the gym, in the mountains, on the road, in a theatre, the cover of CURVE Magazine, at my niece and nephew's house, at the movies, in San Francisco, driving around in my truck, eating sushi at one of my favorite restaurants, playing on facebook, singing karaoke, living life.
You will never find me: performing at the Republican National Convention. HA!
Your website or Charity you are passionate about: www.danagoldberg.com

1) Who or what inspires you?
There are so many things that inspire me on a daily basis. My desire to succeed and create a life that brings me joy is one of my most powerful inspirations. I could go on and on, but these are also things and people that inspire me: my family, people who are living their passion, my niece and nephew, a very special UWSHJ, making a difference in someone's life, bringing laughter to a stranger, affecting someone's life for the better, being someone the younger LGBT community can look up to, achieving my dreams, and recreating them on a daily basis.

2) What would you change about yourself?
I would like to have bigger calves and more tone in my arms. :) I'm actually in the process of changes a few things about myself for the better. Let's keep our fingers crossed. If I actually had to say one thing, I would not procrastinate so much, but I'll finish answering this question later. ;)

3) What life experience has strengthened you the most?
I think there are several that have had a profound impact on who I am, and who i want to continue to become. I would say that through all of the experiences that have strengthened me, those that teach me and challenge me to honor myself and who I am are the ones that I am thankful for, even if they hurt like hell while they were happening. :)

4) Who has been the most influential person in your life?
There have been so many people that have touched my heart and my life over the last 33 years. I could make a list but would hate to leave anyone out (I'm practicing my acceptance speech for the academy awards). In a very strange way, I think the most influential person in my life has been, and will always be....me. I'm forever grateful to all those friends and family that have supported me on my journey.

5) How do you want to be remembered?
I want to be remembered as someone who was caring, honest, beautiful, giving, hilarious, an amazing Aunt, incredible daughter, wonderful sister, a best friend, outstanding partner (one day), powerful woman, amazing comedian, an inspiration, hilarious (did I mention hilarious? :)), and someone who made this world a better and more joyous place to live....and hilarious.

Photo Credits: Stage Photo-Robert Barbutti, Headshot-Cheryl Mazak

Sasha "Card Carrying Lesbian"

Name: Sasha
Age: 31 and getting better every year
Sign: Libra
I grew up in: Los Angeles, CA
I currently live in: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Lesbian Writer/Blogger
You can find me: in a fight gym kicking ass any night of the week, or at an art gallery opening
You will never find me: bowling
Your website or Charity you are passionate about: http://www.cardcarryinglesbian.com/

1. My dream job is to be a successful lesbian writer and novelist. I want to make women laugh and give them an escape from their daily grind every once in a while.

2. I am most proud of staying in graduate school and the fact that I'm almost done with my PhD!!!

3. My greatest loss in life has been missed opportunities that I passed on because I was afraid to fail. But I've learned from that, and now I live life to the fullest, every second of every day.

4. If I could meet anyone dead or alive, I would want to meet my favorite writer, Kahlil Gibran.

5. The hardest part of my day is when I wake up and realize that my girlfriend has been recalled into the Marine Corps and that she's really going back to Iraq. But the best part of my day is when I get to talk to her, if only for a minute.

Christina "Helping People Be Good Humans"

Name: Christina
Age: 31
Sign: Capricorn
Occupation: Life coach
I grew up in: Boston, MA
I currently live in: San Diego, CA
You can find me: eating at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that serves REALLY good food
You will never find me: being the center of attention
My website: http://yourlifeconnected.wordpress.com

1.) What are you passionate about? Helping people be good humans

2.) What are you most proud of? Being scared about something but doing it anyways

3.) Who has been the most influential person in your life? Why? My maternal grandfather. He was an amazing person who had a quiet presence that spoke volumes. He was the person who reminded me of what was really important in life.

4.) What is difficult for you? Giving up on people

5.) Who would you like to meet? My great, great grandparents on both my parents sides to know more about where I come from.