2010 - A Great Year!

Before I set my goals for the New Year, here’s a look back at the Top 10 moments/events that shaped my life in 2010.

10. “A goal a month” was my goal for the year. January – I vowed to not wear the same outfit twice and discovered I have way too many clothes, not to mention 40 pairs of underwear. February was credit card free and really didn’t bother me; April was alcohol free – I think I succeeded, and May marked another run of my one-man show Becoming Butch.

9. P90X – my latest workout adventure - 12 weeks, 6 days a week – it was absolutely brutal. I lost about 10 pounds, but only lasted about 8 weeks. (Maybe I’ll revisit in 2011 – God help me.)

8. Oprah & I celebrated my birthday together at the Kodak Theatre. Well, she was on stage with the 2010 Academy Award winners, while I was sandwiched between a bunch of desperate housewives in the mezzanine section, but at least we were in the same room.

7. “Whatchoo talkin’ bout Willis?” – Poor Gary Coleman – my childhood hero passed away. It was a sad day.

6. “Baby, I’m a firework” – with lyrics like, “Do you know that there’s still a chance for you, cause there’s a spark in you” and “Maybe your reason why all the doors are closed, so you can open one that leads to the perfect road” Katy Perry’s Firework officially became my theme song.

5. It Gets Better – with the tragic loss of so many young lives this year, the It Gets Better campaign rasied awareness about the struggles gay youth continue to face and urged many of us to come forward offering advice and hope.

4. Pushing the envelope – my latest personal essay, published by ENR – Engineering News-Record - was a short story about my relationship with my father and our differences. Who knew the word “gay” would stir up so much attention and cause quite the controversy in this rather conservative magazine?

3. Becoming Butch 2010 – my one-man show had another successful run at the Celebration Theatre (thanks to all who attended) in May of 2010, and even earned me the title of Outstanding Solo Performance by StageSceneLA.

2. Setting Sail – After that successful run, I was asked to perform Becoming Butch aboard the Celebrity Equinox cruise ship for Atlantis Events. 17 days at sea, 13 cities, 6 performances, and countless memories. It was the opportunity of a lifetime!

1. Family & Friends – None of my goals would ever be achieved if it weren’t for the love and support of my family and friends. One of the year’s biggest highlights was performing my show while my mother, sisters and nieces were in the audience watching and supporting me. I’ve been blessed with a supportive and loving family and an amazing group of friends, who are now part of my extended family. Thank you all for your continued love and support – I couldn’t do it without you.