Kimmy "Being Free to Breathe"

Name: Kim, Kimmy, Kimberley but mostly Kimmy
Age: 36 since Nov 7th
Sign: Scorpio
I grew up in: a bit of an orphan, mostly West Tennessee, just outside of Memphis
I currently live in: Vancouver, WA
Occupation: I am paid to be an Executive Assistant in a Management Firm, I am not paid to be a Mommy, a writer, a poet, a lyricst and a Plain Jane :-) (yet)
You can find me: hmmmm... listening to music, meditating, being genuinely happy
You will never find me: spending time being angry or in any way hating anyone or anything
Your website or Charity you are passionate about: legitimate foundations or organizations in place to promote safety for children who have been harmed/abused sexually or physically or emotionally

• 1.) How do you measure success? have i increased the quality of life in myself or others?? this is how i know if i have been successful

• 2.)What would you want to change about yourself? nothing about myself, i continue to perfect my Soul through this journey called life

• 3.) How do you want to be remembered? as being Compassionate, Loving, Honest, Respectful and Serving Souls around me

• 4.) What is your recurring dream? traveling up a hill and either falling backwards because the incline was impossible to trek or running down a hill being chased by something that frightens me

• 5.)What is the hardest part of your day? What is the best part of your day? my children and i have a little conversation called "favorite, not so favorite" and we tell what ours was for the day. in general, hardest part ~ leaving home (i wish my ONLY job was being Mommy), the best part ~ being free to breathe (physically, spiritually, emotionally...)

Robert "Success is measured by a sense of quiet perspective"

Name: Robert
Age: 56
Sign: Leo
I grew up in: a dysfunctional family; my mother could have led the womens' movement, so I survived well.
I now live: So. California as a location, but I live in the world of people and elements at heart.
Occupation: My professional occupation is an attorney and real estate broker, a somewhat illusory occupation, not real consistent with being part Cherokee.
You can find me: Playing golf, traveling in the silver Airstream, and/or surfing on warm days in warm water.

You will never find me: In a bar, I hate bars, but I love wine.

Your favorite website or charity: I do not have a favorite website or charity, but I invest in biotech stocks doing research to prevent cancer, particularly those companies involved in research not involving chemotherapy.

Success is not a measure of educational degrees, nor of money. It is measured by a sense of quiet perspective.

Change of oneself is a daily obligation, just simply learn something new each day.

Being remembered by people does not concern me, if we are caring to each other, the remembrance of things past will take care of itself.

I do not recall any recurring dreams, but I am dreamlike awake often.

Each day is neither difficult nor hard. I enjoy awakening each morning, and I treasure sleep.

Nicole "The Traveling Surfer"

Name:Nicole Pratt
Age:25
Sign:Leo
Occupation: Surfing Instructor
I grew up in:Lake Elsinore, Ca
I currently live in:San Diego, Ca, Mexico, and Menifee, Ca
You can find me: At the beach
You will never find me: In a war Zone
Your website or Charity you are passionate about:
www.indigosurfandspa.com
or
nicolepratt.blogspot.com

1.)Who or what inspires you??
The world inspires me. There is so much to see, experience, and learn. I want to see and experience as many cultures and countries as I can.

2.)What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of breaking away from the materialistic world and living simply again. Don't get me wrong it is nice to have nice things but I learned the more money I made the more junk i would buy and never use. When I traded the corporate world to be a beach bum I realized how much junk i had so I sold it all got rid of all my debt now I work to not have to work. What i mean by that is i will work a seasonal job and when the season is over I travel for a few months and traveling is way better than having things

3.)What has been your greatest loss in life?
My greatest loss in life was loosing my grandpa in 08. No matter what i did he always supported me. When i quit my stable job to travel the world, surf, and teach surfing. He was the only one that told me to do it live you life to the fullest and experience as much as you possibly can. He even went behind everyone back to help me out with some of the cost of traveling to keep my dreams alive.

4.)Who would you like to meet?
Anyone that is real. I love meeting new people from all walks of life just as long as they are real. You don't have to try to be someone your not just be yourself and I'll want to meet you.

5.)What is the hardest part of your day? What is the best part of your day?
The hardest part of my day is treading water for 4 hours getting beat by the sun and waves then getting home from work to write a paper and study (Yes I have to write a paper every week for school). The best part of my day is when a guest takes off on a wave rides it all the way in giving me the chance to take a look around to realize I have the best office in the world (beautiful beaches in tropical water).

Carol "I Made It To 50 And The Lightbulbs Still Go On"

Name: carol
Age: 50
Sign: taurus
I grew up in: la la land (los angeles)
I currently live in: long beach
Occupation: licensed drug dealer
You can find me: near water
You will never find me: somewhere where I feel trapped

1.) Who or what inspires you? There is always something inspiring about all the people I've kept in my life. It doesn't mean that they are always my closest friends, heroes, or even sources of inspiration. They're just people like me. But they've done something that betters themselves or helps others that is above what I've imagined doing. It's through others that we get ideas about what could be; what possibilities are out there; things that happen that we'd never do in a million years even if we had the choice.
I've met people with health issues that go on in spite of it all. I mean, yes, we all have to go on, but they manage to see something bright about the here and now and are determined to live. Also there are those who have come out bad situations and have made something fabulous of themselves. I guess what inspires me is that a lot of them do it because it's their inner nature. They couldn't imagine NOT being like this. I guess I think about them when I'm feeling beat or blue.

2.) What are you most proud of? That I made it to 50 and the light bulbs still go on every now and then. Usually they're the little xmas bulb ones but sometimes they're the Broadway neon sign wattage ones.

3.) What has been your greatest loss in life? I knock on wood (a forest if I have to) that I haven't had what I would consider a major loss. I'm anticipating the death of my parents but hopefully that won't be for a while. But I think you want an answer dontcha. I'd have to say the loss of the body strength & flexibility I used to have when I was in my 20's. My mind still thinks it's all there and I have the friends around me that I want to have. So I guess that's it. Please don't ask, 'well what about'. I'm happy in my ignorance.

4.) Who would you like to meet? Someone I click with (to quote Ellen). That's it, plain & simple.

5.) What is the hardest part of your day? Don't think I have one particular part that's hard. I like getting up and seeing the daylight and I love sleeping and I like all the hours in between. Maybe if there's something I'm waiting for...like Santa? lol
What is the best part of your day? on a day to day basis, knowing that I've helped people (at work) or when i'm not at work, doing something creative or physical or learning something new. I like to hop around from one project to another so there's always something in the works.

Tammy "I Am Inspired By Those Who DO Rather Than Talk"

Name: Tammy
Age: 42
Sign: Scorpio
Where did you grow up? Kokomo, IN
Where do you live now: Scottsdale, AZ
What do you do? Senior Client Manager
You can find me: In a gym, continuing to change my world.
You won't find me: In a fast food restaurant. Why are you eating all of those ridiculous calories? ;)

What charity you are passionate about? The Triangle Foundation- If you want to really make a difference in the gay community, as a straight or gay person, this is the place to do it. Forget HRC. Until they can stop filling their pockets with empty promises, join a foundation that will do something for our community.www.tri.org

1.)Who or what inspires you?
People who dedicate their lives helping others, personally or professionally. We live a life of luxury compared to most countries. We cry over the fact we can't drive a BMW or own a mansion along the ocean. We complain about gas, food, mortgage/rent, cable, and credit card bills. Yet, believe it or not, there are hundreds of millions of people on this planet who will never see anything near the life we live in this country. I'm inspired by those who throw away the "American Dream" to provide supplies to villages in Africa, those who DO rather than TALK, give medical aid, help prevent diseases, rebuild in areas devastated by natural disasters, and give everyday of their lives to those who are so much less fortunate. Finally, to those professionals who risk or even lose their lives to save or protect others; firefighters, police officers, military personnel, etc. We have so many everyday "heroes." We should all aspire to be more like them.

2.)What are you most proud of?
In 1988, I flunked out of college on purpose for love. In 2003, I embarked on an amazing journey to finish what I started 16 years earlier. For 2 solid years, I worked full time for the University and returned to college full time. I did it the hard way- sitting in classes with amazing 18 and 19 year old kids. I finished my requirements for graduation in December 2005. The proudest day of my life was walking into Continental Arena...the site of so many Springsteen concerts and across the Hudson River from my favorite city in the world (NYC) and graduating Magna Cum Laude with 3200 students.

3.)What has been your greatest loss in life?
9/11/01. My sister-in-law lost her dear brother, firefighter Michael F. Lynch, Engine 40/Ladder 35. I lived in the city and was 13 miles away that tragic day. I cannot describe the fear and saddness I felt as the events unfolded. I can never take back the reassuring words I left with my sister-in-law, "Michael's fine. He's stationed in the Bronx. They won't get that far out. Don't worry." Nobody knew Michael had been transferred to Midtown Manhattan 6 months prior and he was a first responder. My sister-in-law's loss was not my personal loss, but because I love her so dearly...the pain was unbearable to watch her family go through so much. They recovered Michael's body on March 21, 2002. His memorial was surreal. Imagine walking down the middle of the street behind Michael's body on the back of a firetruck, rounding the corner with thousands and I do mean THOUSANDS of firefighters saluting. 9/11 changed all of our worlds that day. Some 8 million of us, were just closer. She is an absolutely wonderful woman and so is her family. Every year is just as difficult as it was that day.

4.)Who would you like to meet?
Wow, how the years change your perspective. A long time ago, it would have been Jim Morrison to pick his poetic brain. I was just a kid, so please excuse me. Now, I would love to sit down and have a conversation with Bill Clinton. I would love to know what he was thinking when he had the affair with Monica, what it was like to make decisions about Bosnia and Somalia, why he took his eyes off of Osama Bin Laden and didn't kill him when he had the chance. I would love to know what its like to be the most powerful person in the world, what kept him up at night, and how he was so successful in creating a surplus with the help of Congress in our economy. He's one of the most interesting political figures we have ever had in our lifetime. He had a lot of bad with a lot of good.

5.)What is the hardest part of your day? What is the best part of your day? Hardest part of my day is waking up. I would rather sleep than eat and never seem to get enough of it because I'm a night owl. It takes me two hours to be alert enough at work and I get up two hours before work. LOL! The best part of my day is when I have a chance to spend it with friends, family (which is very rare since they live 2500 miles away) my new Aussie, Sydney, and my alone time in the gym or with my personal trainer, Erik. I LOVE my life. I truly do. There are good and bad with each and every day. But, I feel I'm the luckiest person in the world, most of the time.

Sharon "A 23 Year Cancer Survivor"

Name: Sharon
Age:43
Sign: Taurus
I grew up in: Moved quite often, as my Dad was in the Air Force, but mostly Oregon & California
I currently live in: Salem, Or
You can find me: Hanging with my friends
You will never find me: In a beauty Salon
Your website or Charity you are passionate about: American Cancer Society-
I am a 23yr survivor

1.)Who or what inspires you?
I can't think of any one person in my life that I know who inspires me.
I do have great respect for people, especially single mothers, who work,go to school to better themselves, while raising a family.

2.)What are you most proud of?
Finally becoming the person I am today. Open and honest about who I am.It was a journey but I am truly happy with myself and the life I have created here in Oregon. I didn't do it alone. I had the help of acquaintances, friends who were in my life for a short time( but obviously for a purpose) and my life long good friends.
Passing the CPHT License Test for Pharmacy Technicians. ON THE FIRST TRY!!
That test is a bitch!!!

3.)What has been your greatest loss in life?
My maternal grandmother

4.)Who would you like to meet?
Alive -Sandra Bullock & Carol Burnett
Dead - Jackie O and JFK JR.

5.)What is the hardest part of your day?
Hardest part is getting up in the mornings- (ugh not a morning person)
and at work it is dealing with customers who are unhappy. It is hard not to take it personally when they are itching at me, for reasons that are beyond my control.
What is the best part of your day?
Best part is when I make a customer happy. Any moments from the day that make me laugh.

Max "I get out of bed to learn something"

Name: Max
Age: 22
Sign: Blood
I grew up in: San Diego
I currently live in: Pachuca, Hidalgo (Mexico)
Occupation: 6th Grade Teacher
You can find me: Where White Nile Meets West Nile
You will never find me: Littering.







Your website or Charity you are passionate about: http://www.cheneysmith.com/terrierblog/index.html

1.)What (person, goal, dream) gets you out of bed each day? The Idea That I'm Going To Learn Something (And That It Might Make Life More Enjoyable).

2.What life experience has strengthened you the most? The last two weeks of teaching 6th graders....Oh My Christ!

3.)What would you want to change about yourself? My need for money.

4.)Describe the landscape of the place you grew up. How did that landscape affect you? Confused. Taught Me To Wear Brighter Colors.

5.)What is your most prized possession? This Badass Jacket I Just Got Three Weeks Ago (It Has Pockets On The INSIDE).

Liz "Rescuing Injured or Orphaned Animals"

Name: Liz
Age:born in the year of "Little House of Horrors" and "Psycho", hmmm
Sign: "no soliciting"
I grew up in: metro DC
I currently live in: NW Arkansas, again hmmmm
You can find me: climbing through the woods with my dogs
You will never find me: in smoke-filled bars dodging the overly inebriated
Your website or Charity you are passionate about: charity -www.farmsanctuary.org

1.)What is your dream job? designing online curriculum for an animal welfare or environmental organization

2.)What are you most proud of? rescuing injured or orphaned animals

3.)What has been your greatest loss in life? probably the death of my mother since I wasn't aware she was even in the hospital, much less on the brink of death

4.)Who would you like to meet? the missing link

5.)What is the hardest part of your day? differs depending on the events of the day; long, disorganized meetings annoy me.
What is the best part of your day? early morning before the cacophony of civilization has commenced

Katy "I Learned How Strong I Could Be"

Name: Katy
Age:40 whew!
Sign:Sagittarius
I grew up in: New Canaan, Connecticut
I currently live in:Sammamish, Washington
Occupation:Stay-at-home Mom
You can find me:playing barbies w/ my gals, or cleaning up whatever they were just playing with.
You will never find me: surfing, water skiing,ice camping,deep sea fishing or rock climbing --done it all once--& don't need to do it ever again thanks.
Your website or Charity you are passionate about:Women's Breast/Ovarian Cancer & American Veterans

1.) What (person, goal, dream) gets you out of bed each day? My husband and my two gorgeous children--whom I try to do my very best & be my best for each & every day to show them I love them very much.

2.) What life experience has strengthened you the most? Carrying & Giving Birth to 2 kiddos...but also the Outwardbound Camp for 2 weeks through Camp Jewel in upstate NY--wherein we trained to hike the White Mtns. most notably Mt. Washington & did it --just 2 girls & 9 boys & 3 counselors led the way. I learned just how strong I can be even when I am self-doubting & scared shitless.

3.) What would you want to change about yourself? If I could get rid of my Roseacea...that'd be lovely.

4.) How do you want to be remembered? Giving, Loving, Caring & made home cozy & good work ethic & taught my kids the best I could to make them the best I know.

5.) What is your most prized possession? My health.

Dawn "Proudly Stating Who I Am Everyday"

Name: Dawn
Age: 34
Sign: Scorpio
I grew up in: San Antonio, TX
I currently live in: West Hollywood, CA
Occupation: Assistant Director
You can find me: walking around the gayborhood looking for Vegan Cookies.
You will never find me: in a Sports Bar talking about my Fantasy Football Team.
Your website or Charity you are passionate about: www.aidswalk.net

1.) What (person, goal, dream) gets you out of bed each day?
The American Dream gets me out of bed everyday. I want to work hard and accomplish great things like owning my own home and starting a family. My mother did it, now its my turn.

2.) What life experience has strengthened you the most?
Coming Out of the closet has strengthened me the most. It taught me a lot about the power of Shame and Hate. I was taught from an early age in Catholic school that being Gay was a sin and shameful, so it took me a long time to Love my (Whole) self. After years of depression I finally decided to be true to my person, and no longer hide in shame. My spiritual and emotional self is stronger now thanks to Proudly stating who I am Everyday. It is not a choice, but just Who I Am!

3.) What would you want to change about yourself?
If I would change one thing about myself, it would be my quickness to Anger. I try to take a 5 minute Timeout when I feel the Frustration kicking in. I'm definitely doing better, but I still need to work on my temper.

4.) How do you want to be remembered?
I want to be remembered as a Loving Nurturing Old Soul.

5.) What is your most prized possession?
My Concert Ticket Collection. From New Kids On The Block to AC/DC...I've seen them All!!!

Jim "Still Alive And Kicking"

Name: Jim
Age: 45
Sign: Peace
I grew up in: spite of my best efforts not to.
I currently live in: Northampton Mass.
Occupation: Live Music Promoter
You can find me: if I'm who you're really looking for
You will never find me: in transgender beastiality chatrooms...on a weekday
Your website or Charity you are passionate about: http://www.airsicknessbags.com

1.) What (person, goal, dream) gets you out of bed each day? My Job

2.) What life experience has strengthened you the most? My near self-destruction

3.) What would you want to change about yourself? I would ask my brain to stop screaming and chattering at me

4.) How do you want to be remembered? As the guy who is still alive and kicking.

5.) What is your most prized possession? My Mac

Katherine "Making Movies"

Name: Katherine
Age: 32
Sign: Pisces
I grew up in: A small town in Louisiana
I currently live in: A Big town in Los Angeles
You can find me: making movies
You will never find me: playing bingo

Your website or Charity you are passionate about: www.theboysclubmovie.com

1.)Who or what inspires you? Nature

2.)What are you most proud of? Our evolution

3.)What has been your greatest loss in life? My insanity

4.)Who would you like to meet? Obama

5.)What is the hardest part of your day? leaving my horses
What is the best part of your day? taking a bubble bath at night

Rachel "Success Is Contentment"

Name:Rachel
Age: 32
Sign: Aries
I grew up in: Portland, Or
I currently live in: Eureka, Ca
Occupation: fitness instructor
You can find me: on myspace. www.myspace.com/therealbabymama, or jogging through my neighborhood.
You will never find me: at McDonalds.
Your website or Charity you are passionate about: SEVA www.seva.org

• 1.) How do you measure success?

Success is a state of mind. It is not an amount of money, a house, a car, a perfect marriage or the most brilliant accomplished children. It is contentment. It is being in the moment and noticing your own breath, the sun on your face, the sensation of living. Failure is forgetting to notice how lucky you are, every single day.

• 2.)What would you want to change about yourself?

As long as I can remember my family was the “late family.” I’d like to forever be known as the girl who reversed the code. The girl who’s family was always on time. I am not quite there though. The genetic code is strong.

• 3.) How do you want to be remembered?

I expect to be remembered by the brief generation or two that follows me. I accept that I will not be remembered always. I have great great great grandparents. Do I remember them? No. There are graveyards full of forgotten people. It is inevitable. It is okay. It is normal. I can be one of the invisible forgottens. There is no shame in it. I wonder if Einstein would have preferred it over his notoriety.

• 4.) What is your recurring dream?

There is one. It is a nightmare. Visions of rape and torture. Home invasion. A coworker of my mother died that way. I was nine. It left a mark on my insides.

• 5.)What is the hardest part of your day? What is the best part of your day?

Growing up I vowed to never be “the cook”. Just because I was born female automatically meant I had to learn this skill. I vowed to find a man who would do the cooking for me. I did. He is wonderful. He is also working two hours away from home. I have to be the cook. It is hard. I am getting better. The meals are less and less often “experiments” and more often successes.

Best part of the day: my jog.

Wendy "I Always Want To Smell My Childhood Backyard"

Name: Wendy
Age:44
Sign:capricorn
I grew up in:San Diego
I currently live in:San Diego (about 1 mile from the hospital I was born at. And I work about one mile from this hospital, at a college that was just completed the year I was born).
Occupation: English teacher, San Diego Mesa Community College.
You can find me: at dog beach
You will never find me: wearing that yucky dull red color clothes that they try to sell you over the holidays.
Your website or Charity you are passionate about: Project Wildlife!

1.)What (person, goal, dream) gets you out of bed each day? The element of surprise.

2.)What life experience has strengthened you the most? I bench press a thousand stupid mistakes and I can curl about fifty cruel injustices.

3.)What would you want to change about yourself? Not sure. I could say "my overdeveloped sense of responsibility" but then where would I be?

4.)Describe the landscape of the place you grew up. How did that landscape affect you? Canyon, climbing trees, night-blooming jasmine, narcissus bulbs that multiplied every year. I have to plant narcissus bulbs and I have to have night-blooming jasmine outside my window. I always want to smell my childhood backyard.

5.)What is your most prized possession? A bunch of very old family albums. In a disaster, as far as material things, I'd go for those.

Jonatha "Passionate About Doing The Right Thing"

Name: Jonatha Brooke
Age: 45
Sign: Aquarius, like Oprah, and Joe Sample! ;)
Occupation: singer/songwriter/producer
I grew up in: Boston, Massachusetts
I currently live in: New York City
You can find me: Usually on a plane, train, or automobile. Or if I'm
actually home? Knitting or watching CSI re-runs, or my new FAVORITE SHOW OF
ALL TIME: "Nurse Jackie."
You will never find me: In Times Square, unless it is an absolutely life or
death situation.

Your website or Charity you are passionate about: Greenpeace and ASPCA,
jonathabrooke.com

1.) What are you passionate about? I'm passionate about doing the right thing. And incredibly impatient with shirkers and do-wrongers and
hypocrites. I'm passionate about my family, my husband, (my husband's
cooking), my friends, and the lost art of listening. Good music and good
writing are the other essentials.

2.) What are you most proud of? My marriage makes me proud. I'm still in love after twelve years. Weak in the knees even. And there are three songs I've written that still make me well up when I hear them, or sing them.... "So Much Mine," "Because I Told You So" "My Sweet and Bitter Bowl." Ok, four, "Paris."

3.) Who has been the most influential person in your life?
I know it just sounds gushy, but my husband and my best friend Ronnie. My husband is absolutely steady, still waters. He is generous to a fault, honest even when it hurts, unrufflable in a crisis, and an incredible lover and partner. His integrity is a huge influence and daily inspiration.

My best friend Ronnie keeps me honest and in check, and she re-animates me
when I hit the creative "I suck" wall. She has stuck with me through thick
and thin and we share this empathic weakness/strength that bonds us even
though we are from totally different worlds.

4.) What is difficult for you?
The hardest thing for me is constantly having to re-callibrate my sense of
"success." I love my career, and have had an incredible path so far, filled
with respect, fabulous opportunities, and incredible musical associations.
It just never looks the way I expected when I first started out. And more
and more it is a real juggling act to piece all my worlds -- writing,
recording, producing, touring -- together into a cohesive, sustaining
living.

5.) Who would you like to meet?
You know, I would just like to see my dad again. He died at 68, way too
soon, unexpectedly, and I felt like I was just starting to crack a certain
barrier he kept up. I admire(d) him so much. In that sense it would be like
meeting him for the first time. In a second chance sort of way.

Photo Credit: Susannah Conway

Now Touring!

Autumn "Charitable Fundraiser"

Name: Autumn
Age: 33
Sign: Leo
I grew up in: Willits, CA
I currently live in: Long Beach, CA
Occupation: Marketing
You can find me: on the 405
You will never find me: At a sports bar
Your website or Charity you are passionate about: KIVA.org


1.)What is your dream job?

I have no idea. I love my job now, even with its frustrations. I like its mixture of glamour, creativity, intelligence, pressure and charitable fundraising. It's hard to find. It would improve with a promotion. :) In the future, once I'm past my peak earning years, I see myself running a space or restaurant that fuels community and socialization with some political/philosophical/musical/literary leanings. If I can interact with art and conversation every day, I feel satisfied.

2.)What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my loving nature. I fought against some pretty vile tendencies in my early twenties to break through and realize that every person bears their own burden and deserves to be treated like a human being with empathy and compassion.

3.)What has been your greatest loss in life?

My grandmother, Hripsime Nazarian, died when I was ten.
I have always felt extremely cheated out of time with her, especially since she was sick for many of the years preceding her death. She was an immigrant with countless stories and wisdom. Her experiences included growing up wealthy, then losing everything and learning to deal with the realities of poverty. She was restless. She was an entrepreneur and had a successful dress shop that she ran out of her basement in Boston. She did this despite the fact that my grandfather was wealthy and many of her social peers looked down their noses at a working wife. I am connected to her in ways that go deeper than DNA. I even put her in my cell phone - listed with my number. She is always the guide I turn to for assistance when reason and logic seem useless. Losing her too young was a tremendous loss.

4.)Who would you like to meet?

So many people. The Clintons and Obama of course. I would LOVE to meet someone like Karl Rove just to pick his brain to discover the motives... The mind reels. I would love to have dinner with Richard Branson, Richard Dawkins or Warren Buffet. Also Stephen Hawking. I would love to meet the scientists at CERN. Ok, I'll shut up now.

5.)What is the hardest part of your day? What is the best part of your day?

The hardest part of my day takes place on the 405 freeway, resigned and frustrated. The best part of my day is waking up with my girlfriend, our dog & cat and maybe pressing the snooze button.

Jianda "Creating Magic Online"

Name: Jianda
Age: 30something
Sign: Virgo
Occupation: Artist
I grew up in: A magical timeless dream space
I currently live in: Southern California
You can find me: Creating Magic Online
You will never find me: If you never look for me
Your website or Charity you are passionate about: Website? http://www.jianda.net. Charity? http://www.rainn.org.

1) Who or what inspires you?
All of life inspires me (so that includes an infinite amount of "who's," and "what's," "where, when, why, how's..."). I marvel at the ability that each individual has to create reality (even if it's only in mind)--even unconsciously so. We're all so miraculous that way. Even in the depths of depression it's still just the least that the person knows about good at the time--and it can still evolve and change. I love that we have the ability to be "conscious about our consciousness," and that it expresses itself in so many lovely ways. The idea that some of us are looking at the stars, even from the gutter (Paraphrasing Oscar Wilde, with help from the band The Pretenders). :)

That's the long answer. The shorter answer would be "artistic expression." I think both ideas are the same thing.

2) What has been your greatest achievement?
The body of work that I've created as an artist in various media: prose, music, radio shows/interviews, photography, theater--it helps me to heal and feel good and others have shared that same feedback as well. I'm most proud of it because it's the feeling I get when I'm moved by art with any kind of insight or spark, and it makes me feel like I'm giving back somehow.

3) If money weren't an issue what would you be doing for a living? Exactly what I'm doing right now: studying Holistic Health Practitioner coursework, creating works of art online, studying I.T., and making feelgood music.

4) Who would I like to meet?
Could you clarify "meet?" If the sense is like a "meeting," spanning over time: Oprah. If it's a "meet" like "meet and greet," it would be the Obama family.

5) What do you want to see before you die?
I'd love to see my berry-brown, bare feet squished into healthy, vitamin-rich soil that supports a flourishing garden in my own backyard (I know I need to create the space for the garden first).