It's been a huge year for both me and my hubby DJ. 2008 has offered so many amazing things, The Bearapalooza tour, new friends, a new job for DJ, new music, the possibility of starting a new family (more on that later) and wonderful new love. I feel bad that I never journal about my life much, but it has been so busy, it's been tough to focus on sitting down to write it out, and heck it may still come out kind of vague. Well, here we go; life is getting ready to change in a big way. Since getting back from the road trip we wanted to find a way to parlay the concept of Bearapalooza and the tour into something we can live daily. So together with Freddy, Grady, Swin, Jesse and Roger, we conceived a new and wonderful idea.

Some may call this idea lofty, but we are in the early planning stages of a non-profit musical retreat for gay male musicians. I am sure you have heard of all the female singer songwriter retreats and festivals, so it's time to put a new twist on that concept. So think Bearapalooza meets gay campground, indie music camp and all self sustaining commune for gay male artist. Pretty huge huh? Well, it is big, but no matter what we will make it happen. I have decided there is no reason I need to wait until I am ready to retire to live life. I want to live life now, no matter the sacrifice. I don't need the trappings of city life and the "Keeping up with the Joneses" disease anymore. I want this more than anything; I need to get my life back. I am so tired of cubicle living with that sad … oh so sad hope for the weekend or next event. I want to live music daily and I think we could really make a difference for others in the community too. I also want to start a large scale sculpture project I have been creating and planning for the last 4 years, and this will be the perfect place to start it.

So, we have been buying books on self sustaining living and I have been putting back on my non-profit hat, that I have missed so much. Grady and I have been looking for property in the sticks of upstate NY and NC and I am doing research galore. Grady wants goats....I never thought I'd own a goat, so I am excited. I want to visit Easton Mountain (www.eastonmountain.org) early next year which is similar in some ways to what we want to create.

So we have decided to form an online virtual board until we secure our non-profit status. This board will exist for preliminary planning and will work to create networking opportunities. So we are looking for others to join this virtual board to make this retreat happen. It will take a few years of work, but with everyone's input and help. If you are reading this and would be interested just drop me a line… There are some more concepts on the idea below.

I would love to hear your ideas and thoughts...

Here are some concepts on the idea.

AN IDEA CONCEIVED ON MAY 17TH, 2008 

• Imagine a non-profit musical & spiritual communal home/retreat for gay male singer/songwriters, artists and musicians.
• Imagine a retreat where artists of all ages can come to connect, collaborate and learn from other men within their community.
• Imagine a retreat where workshops would be taught by peers on songwriting, music business, home-recording and much more.
• Imagine a retreat where one could go to receive lessons for voice and instrument.
• Imagine a retreat where artists come to get away from the pressures of life to explore their artistic nature and musical depth.
• Imagine a place where one could go to produce and record their own original music at very low cost or for in-kind donation or trade.  
• Imagine a retreat that was completely self sustaining and fully green, and where visitors take part in creating the surroundings of the retreat.
• Imagine a retreat that supported a community garden and no kill farm.
• Imagine a retreat where one could explore their own spirituality in a safe and loving environment.
• Imagine a place that celebrated the music and spirituality of all who visited.