Happy Valentine's Day!

Crusader for Love is back and ready for action! If you look through the past editions, you'll see that the Crusader has been regrouping for quite a time now. This year's Crusader harkens back to the 2004 original, when I stood ready to bare my logo and take my commitment to love out into the world.

In all our lives, we're faced with one fundamental choice: to act in fear, or to act in love. Knowing what it is to be hurt, we try to protect ourselves, choosing familiarity over the untested, habit instead of spontaneity, distance over intimacy. This is the choice I've been confronting all this past year. My fears are old, pervasive, and strong. Breaking them down has required the marshaling of all my love for myself and the world around me. I have made small commitments to becoming more politically and socially active, and much bigger commitments to art and living in the present moment. I'm learning to find freedom in uncertainty, and excitement in change (and I'm not just talking about the Obamas!).

And in other news of change... after several years in LA, Erik and I are moving back to the Bay Area. We are renting a wonderful house in San Pablo, fifteen minutes north of Berkeley, and will be there by the end of this month. So Northern Californians, and anyone else who wants to come visit, let's get together and play!

As Crusader for Love, I'm telling you this Valentine's Day -- the best thing you can do for yourself and everyone is to go out and LOVE! Give someone a helping hand, call someone you miss, share whatever you've got, grab your lover or your best friend (or your dog or cat!) and dance like a pair of fools. Reach out, even if it scares you. Reach out especially when it scares you. And know that I am thinking of you today with all the love I can muster!