Nice one Epic! Getting a bag of mixed sweets from someplace like Costco would be a great draw...

When I did the AIDS Ride in '97, I turned my birthday party into a fundraiser. A deep pocketed friend of mine offered her house and invited her friends. I showed a brief clip of previous rides and told a story about the first person I knew (of many, sadly) who died of AIDS. I had his picture and vowed to carry it during the Ride.

I made my entire nut in that one night.

A friend of mine sold 'sponsorships' and made homespun patches for friends/companies who donated. The auction for which patch was going on which butt cheek was quite the barn burner, from what I understand.

Nice one Epic! Getting a bag of mixed sweets from someplace like Costco would be a great draw...

I did the mixed bags and tootsie roll midgees from Smart & Final. Who doesn't love tootsie rolls?

A friend of mine sold 'sponsorships' and made homespun patches for friends/companies who donated. The auction for which patch was going on which butt cheek was quite the barn burner, from what I understand.

I love this!

I wish I had been posting here at the time. You guys are so generous, I would have probably doubled my goal. (Not that I didn't do well, just you guys, with the rocking...). Ah, well. Perhaps just as well. I felt almost like I gypped people because I came down with stomach flu about 6 hours in, so went home well before the 24 hours was up (and what a horrifying ride from Irvine back to San Diego that was!) But next November, watch out, I'm going for it!

I just talked to my niece. She sang her ABCs (my fave letter? "bubbleu"), told me she loves me (and Granny), and asked if I'd seen "Ninkey" Mouse. It was a great conversation - I need to talk to her every afternoon as a pick-me-up at work.

I need to talk to her every afternoon as a pick-me-up at work.

Made me smile, and I wasn't even part of the conversation! Bubbleu, Aww!

See though? I'm sad you feel that way. There were loads of Riders my year who were benched with dehydration. We trained in 45 degree weather and rode in 120. People fell like flies. 30 percent ended up in hospital. And folks felt bad because they didn't 'finish'.

I looked at it like this...people gave me money do do this big thing that they might not have given directly, just because they didn't have a personal connection. The end result was the point...not the individual being a hero, eh?

Plus, I'm sorry you got sick and probably felt like you missed out too. Poor thing. But next time? I'll pitch in for you!

I looked at it like this...people gave me money do do this big thing that they might not have given directly, just because they didn't have a personal connection. The end result was the point...not the individual being a hero, eh?

I mostly logic-ed myself around to this point. Not like anybody was going to say, "Give me back the money that was going to cancer research, you puking slacker!" But still, felt slacker-y. But there was puking. (See then, I also got to feel like a jerk for potentially infecting every guy I danced with, who infected every girl he danced with...wait, taken that way, thank goodness I got sick as early as I did!)

Plus, I'm sorry you got sick and probably felt like you missed out too. Poor thing. But next time? I'll pitch in for you!

Yay! This year Beej joins Team Swing Cats' cause!

You're sweet.

Not like anybody was going to say, "Give me back the money that was going to cancer research, you puking slacker!"

One of my co-workers has asked if there's a money-back guarantee. Heh.

The LA Race for the Cure (Susan G. Komen Foundation) is February 25th. I can't decide if I want to walk it again or volunteer.

One of my co-workers has asked if there's a money-back guarantee. Heh.

Tell him, "Sure, AIDS gets cured before your money is used, I will cheerfully refund it!"

The LA Race for the Cure (Susan G. Komen Foundation) is February 25th. I can't decide if I want to walk it again or volunteer.

How long is it? (And how do your legs and back vote about how you should contribute yourself)?

It's 5k. My legs and back are cool with it.

Unfortunately, it won't be as pretty as the SF one.