6.10.04-- Religion is what keeps the poor from killing the rich.

Religion is what keeps the poor from killing the rich.

I wish I could say I came up with that, but I actually read it on a bumper sticker a few days ago. I thought it was brilliant.

I like having a job. It's so nice to buy things, pay bills, feel regulated. But I am so tired. All the time. And even though I only work 20 hours a week, I feel exhausted. I pass out as soon as I get home. But I also teach part time. Man, there aren't enough hours in the day. And already I feel like I am losing so much perspective on life. Like I forget what I believe in as an artist, or whatever. And all these long term goals I have are fading away. Hopefully this is just the transition period and I will be able to do my 20 hours a week like a it's nothing and jump back into my life.

Like yesterday I got my performance tape from my REDCAT show in the mail and the first thing I thought was, "Oh, yeah, this was when I used to be a performance artist."

So tragic.

Anyway, so I am a year older and rather than freak out in my waning 20's, I decided to do something proactive about feeling disconnected from my youth. Many people my age are getting those last minute tattoos, dating people in high school, or picking up a speed addiction to try to cash in on what they see as the last of their raging years (No offense to my friends who are actually doing this). But me and my friend Yi are taking a more proactive stand to getting a little older.

Yi registered for the AIDS marathon in Hawaii. And I registered for the Aids Lifecycle ride in June 2005!

I did it the day after my birthday. It's got to be the craziest things I've ever elected to do (well... ok, one of the craziest things).

Check out the site. Basically in June 2005, I will bike from San Francisco to Los Angeles! It's a 585 mile journey that takes 6-days. I haven't told my mother about this yet. But she checks my blog everyday, and is finding about it right now as she reads this.

I will address your concerns right now, Mom.

-- No, it won't cost me anything to participate. I do have to raise a minimum of $2,500 to participate. The money raised will help people affected by HIV/AIDS. The cyclists during the ride are provided with meals, snacks and a tent.

-- Yes, this means I have to take time off of work, but it falls during a point in June where it is easy for me to take time off of work.

-- Yes, I have a plan to raise this money and don't expect you to send that whole amount to me.

-- If I don't raise it, I get some extra time to raise it after the race, I think.

-- No, I won't bike in the dark. Everyone bikes during daytime hours. And if I fall behind there are trucks that come by and take you to the camp site.

-- Yes, I do sleep inbetween biking days. And no, I don't sleep on the road. I will be biking with about 1200 other cyclists, so I won't be biking all by myself on the road. Everyone camps together at designated camping sites each night.

-- No, I don't have any friends of yet who are doing it, but will find some who will do it with me. If not, plan to make lots of friends.

-- Yes, it can be dangerous. Which is why I am going to practice being a safe bicyclist all year.

-- Yes, I will wear a helmet the whole time. You are required to. I also have to have health insurance to participate.

-- No, I don't plan to do this ride with the bike I currently own. I plan to buy a better road bike with tires that can handle the trip. And I will stretch before biking and get properly fitted with the bike I get.

-- No, I don't expect you to buy this new bike for me. I have all year to save up and buy it.

-- Yes, I can shower during the ride, at the camp sites there are showers.

-- No, I am not going to ride in front of cars. The route they have is designated specifically for bicyclists and there are people stationed along the way to keep an eye on the cyclists and make sure we are safe.

-- Yes, this means I have to fly or train up to San Francisco to start the trip.

-- No, I don't plan to bike off a cliff.

I am very excited about this endeavor. It's so Olympics like. BETTER than the Olympics.

I also downloaded the video they have of past rides. And it's so emotional. They make you feel like a hero every step of the way. And it's so beautiful because so many of the cyclists ride for people they know who have died of AIDS. It's also hilarious because they have all these drag queens on the road cheering you on. And people ride in costume. I think it will be one of the most amazing experiences ever. I am going to the closing ceremony for this year's ride on Saturday to check it out.

I also am convincing so many of my friends to get bikes. My friend Vince is going to pull his off his balcony and come ride. Also Bernard, Jenni. Diana, Jeff Lee, Melisa, Alma, Lisa, and a grip of my other friends are going to get their bikes soon and come ride with me! I am starting a revolution! It's so cool.

These are things I am used to hearing these days.

"Beautiful."

"Wow. Amazing."

"Hot."

"Damn, Girl."

"I like it."

Yes, true. All these statements are actually about my tricked out bike, and not me. But I feel like when I hear people say these things to me as I whiz by on my bike, that they are actually talking about me and not the bike.

The bike, I have decided makes for a perfect girlfriend or boyfriend. It's loyal. It suits an adventurous or casual soul. It will take you to the beach in the morning or night. It will take you to eat (doesn't pick up the check though). It let's you show it off to your friends or keep it in the garage for a few years if you don't want to see it. It's low maintenence. It's so perfect. Too bad I can't make love to it.

(Or can I?)

And you know what? Pat me on the back because I've been carfree for 13 days! That's right, I haven't driven my car once for 13 days!!! In Los Angeles! I didn't even drive when I had an audition in the Valley a couple of days ago. I sucked it up and took the bus. It took an hour each way but I read an entire screenplay in that time. And yesterday I biked from my work to an audition in Hollywood! I wheeled my bike right into the casting studio. I was so sweaty when I got there and the casting person wanted me to take my polaroid right away. But I had to ask for a few minutes to freshen up because I was insanely sweaty. I even biked and bussed to my late night acting class on Melrose two Sundays in a row.

Can you say, "HARDCORE?"

My whole world has seriously changed now that I have gone without a car in LA for so long. I see people and the world differently. I have a whole new sense about life and possibility. And I feel great. And happy. And I feel like I am possible of doing just a little bit to stop what has been an impossible to stop war and injustice and environmental destruction-- is that weird?

But, I have to drive soon. I have a show with the kids and a ton of props to transport. I am not looking forward to getting back into my car. Not at all. My car might as well be a kid. It's so expensive.

So my birthday was last weekend. We did this big fancy Malibu party. And I got dressed as "Malibu Kristina." Which I realized later, looked too similar to Fannie Wong. The beach was cool because the grunnion were out. They are this special breed of fish who during the summer months come out on certain high tide nights to mate on the beach. We stayed up all night and only got to see one pair of grunnion doing the nasty. But boy was it hot and worth it.

Pictures below!

	Here I am as Malibu Kristina. Holding a pineapple filled with fried rice.
	Here I am serving rice to everyone as Malibu Kristina.
	Me and Yi singing Happy birthday. I am playing the squeeze box.
	On the beach waiting for some fish porn. Fish on fish action.

See you later! There are new ER pics up!

Love,

Kristina