1 Million Steps for RAINN: Whoa, we're halfway there!

DONATE AND LEARN MORE HERE: http://karma411.com/1MSteps

I'm halfway to my goal of 1 million steps! OMG!

If you haven't had a chance to donate yet, I'm only asking for $10, one time. Less than a cost of a movie ticket.

Also, there will be a fire-spinning fundraiser July 30 in Ellicott City, Md. Mark your calendars if you're in the area - more details to come soon.

So that's a no, then?

I was delighted to get this in today's mail.

And by delighted, I mean infuriated.

In short, the letter says that Window Media went so thoroughly bankrupt in November 2009 that there's nothing left to pay the Worker Bees who were stiffed their last month of wages. Neither I nor anyone else to whom the old Washington Blade publisher owes money is getting a dime.

But that's gay media for you.

Insert your own joke here.

1 Million Steps for RAINN: 6/16/11 Update - 400,000 steps complete

Between May 9 and August 31, 2011, I’m walking 1 million steps for RAINN.

In this update, I just passed 400,000 steps - 2/5 of the way to my goal!

So far I’ve raised about $350, but my goal is to raise $1,000 by the time the campaign is through.

I couldn’t have come this far, though, without some seriously awesome people, so in this video, I give shout-outs to everyone who’s contributed time and money to the cause so far.

Donate and learn more here: http://karma411.com/1MSteps

1 Million Steps for RAINN: 6/5/11 Update - 300,000 steps complete

In this update, I just passed 300,000 steps - 3/10 of the way to my goal!

This Friday, June 10, we're having a fundraiser at Piratz Tavern in Silver Spring, Maryland. If you're in the Washington, D.C. area, come join us for some great live music by Pirates for Sail as well as fabulous belly dancing by Rosie. All the performers' tips will go toward the cause. Also, if you buy a CD from Pirates for Sail, $4 of every purchase will be donated as well.

Can't make it to Piratz Tavern but still want to support the cause? Visit this website (now with a shiny new URL!): http://karma411.com/1MSteps

Summer reading list suggestions

Looking for a fun read this summer? Here are some fun books I've enjoyed over the past few years. Thanks to the friends who loaned me several of these (Paul and Melissa) and gifted them to me (Christian).

Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey
The story of a young vigilante. Thrilling and funny.

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
Pretty much custom-built for the English major's sense of humor, this the first in a hilarious series about a "literary detective" in an alternate-reality, circa-1985 Britain.

Fool by Christopher Moore
This bawdy, joyful retelling of "King Lear" from the fool's perspective really made me laugh.

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Kind of fantasy-lite, this follows the story of a legendary hero from his perspective.

Abarat by Clive Barker
A young outcast in Minnesota is transported to a nonsensical world where each island is stuck at a different hour of the day.

Earthly Delights by Kerry Greenwood
A sexy mystery novel featuring a snarky baker.