An Invitation to Harpo Productions and Oprah Winfrey

9 times, I have cycled 7 days, 575 miles, from San Francisco to Los Angeles in a cycling charity event called AIDS LifeCycle. In route to Los Angeles, I (and 2,000 of my best friends) cycle thru Montecito - Santa Barbara, CA. ( Montecito is the home to Oprah Winfrey ).

Each Year, the locals of Montecito - Santa Barbara gather and create their own "Paradise Pit Stop" for the approx. 2,000 AIDS LifeCycle Cyclist & 400 Volunteer Crew members.. There you can find: chocolate bars, strawberries, homemade ice cream, corndogs, Twinkies, coco cola, massages, and then some.. ... ALL YOU CAN EAT ...GRATIS!

Years ago (as I ate my strawberries and homemade ice cream), I asked several Montecito residents: "Where is Oprah?"

Responses:
1. She is not here.
2. That's a funny question. . . . .
3. Can I be in the picture ?
4. Great Idea!
5. Who's Oprah?
6. Oprah can be found shopping in the local Montecito Vons.

As I left Montecito, I thought:
"Imagine ... How wonderful and empowering it would be .. . .. "

1. To have Harpo Productions produce a show about the fundraising organizations of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation:

• AIDS LifeCycle
• SSF AIDS WALK ,
• National AIDS Marathon

2. To have Oprah ride with and/or sponsor "a cycling team of diverse backgrounds in the fight against the AIDS Pandemic -Team "O".

3. To see 1,500 cyclists cycling down the Montecito / Santa Barbara Coast line wearing jerseys that say . . " Harpo Productions " . . . .

4. To have Oprah Winfrey speak about AIDS in America at the AIDS LifeCycle Closing Day Ceremonies in Los Angeles.

5. To invite Oprah Winfrey to participate in any way that she can . . ..

.

My Mother always said: "If you want something, ask for it!" So!

• 1. Copy and paste the text below
• 2. Double click on Oprah's picture (a new window should open)
• 3. Paste the copied test in the "question box" and send the producers at Harpo Productions an email.

An Invitation to Oprah Winfrey

---START COPY BELOW HERE ------

Hello Oprah Winfrey,
I applaud your personal achievements and your philanthropic efforts. Please consider assisting Iyengar yoga teacher, tony eason with his efforts to provide AIDS Awareness, AIDS Services, AIDS Education, and AIDS Treatments to those who need them . ... ..

• http://aidslifecycle.typepad.com/alc5tony/
• http://ynottony.com/newsletter.htm
• http://ynottony1.blogspot.com/2006/04/invitation-to-oprah-winfrey-harpo.html
  

Iyengar Yoga teacher, Tony Eason would like to invite the acknowledgement, support, and presence of Oprah Winfrey & Harpo Productions in AIDS LifeCycle - 2007.

Similar to Tracy Chapman 's involvement and Logo TV 's involvement, the acknowledgement and presence of Oprah Winfrey in AIDS LifeCycle will provide indescribable benefits for the success of the event, the services of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and AIDS Awareness Worldwide.

P.s. Thanks for "stepping up to the plate" and assisting the people of New Orleans & South Africa (you ROCK!)

----- END COPY ABOVE HERE -----

AIDS LifeCycle - Sneak Preview - Part IV

A Sneak Preview (continued)- Part IV
Several individuals within the AIDS LifeCycle Community were asked to reflect on and comment about the 575 mile, 7 day journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Here's what they had to say:

Name: Spill Kincaid

Education: San Francisco State University, S.F. CA.
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 160 lbs.
Age: 28
Birth Place/Origin: Origin: Lexington,Kentucky
Occupation: Author, "Goat in the Tower"
Present Location /Where do you live? San Francisco, CA 94131
Favorite Book: "Goat in the Tower"

What do you think is the world's greatest asset?

- A backyard with a row of okra, squash, mustard greens, kale, beets, and a watermelon patch in the shade. . . .

If you could make one wish for humanity what would it be?

- My wish is . . ...that every family would have "cromag" rims, a titanium Nordic Track, and enough gasoline to feed the children.

How has the AIDS/HIV Pandemic affected you?

- It effects me because, it effects my brother man ............ Once upon a time, I was in the loonybin. I was in line to receive my daily medication. And, I was with a fellow patient, my good friend Tim.

Tim was aware of his HIV Status. Tim had AIDS. He was in line to receive the results of his blood test. The test results showed his T-cell count had dropped significantly below normal. At that moment, I witnessed him crumble.

Because of our "suicidal intent," Tim and I were admitted to the loonybin. Tim failed to "off himself" because he really wanted to live. Tim had contracted AIDS years before, but when so few cells were left in his body to allow him to fight, when he faced death without a choice, then .. .I realized how important an answer is needed to cure HIV/Aids.

Name: Tia Barnard

Occupation: Network Engineer - AKA "Geek"
Height: 5' 6"
Weight: 200 lbs.
Age: 32
Present Location /Where do you live? San Francisco, CA 94117
Favorite Book: Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood

What AIDS Charity events have you participated in?

In 1999 & 2000, I was a cyclist in the "Twin Cities to Chicago" AIDS Ride.
In 2004, I was a crewmember / roadie in the "Hope Ride" (now called the ACT Ride).
In 2005, I participated as a cyclist in the "Ride for AIDS - Chicago."

As an American Women, why is it important for women to participate in the AIDS LifeCycle Event?

AIDS is a human disease. It effects all communities. It is important for our friends & family to be cared for and educated. I believe in our society women are given the caretaker role, and we need to be compassionate and responsible with that role. The AIDS LifeCycle event allows me to help speak out, educate and raise money for people with AIDS, who are often looked over or feared by society, where compassion is more appropriate.

Name: Christopher Matthew Altman

Education: Bowdoin College, Maine / College of Soma
Height: 5' 9"
Weight: ? lbs.
Age: 35
Birth Place/Origin: Origin: Boston, Mass.
Occupation: Arborist / Bartender
Present Location /Where do you live? San Francisco, CA 94118
Favorite Book: The Botany of Desire

As a 1st Yr. AIDS Lifecycle cyclist, what would you like to see more of in the cycling community?
- t would be nice to see more respect in the bicycle community for fellow cyclist. For example: When fellow cyclists pass me and they pass too close (without a warning) - it scares me - I feel like their gonna hit me. And, I'm afraid I'm gonna wanna beat them up. It creates "road rage." Passing without giving a warning is rude, it's dangerous, and someone may get hurt.

Who is your greatest hero?
- Harvey Milk.

And what is your greatest fear?
- That my family will somehow find out I have HIV.

TO BE CONTINUED - Check back to see what others of the AIDS LifeCycle Community have to say.

AIDS LIfeCycle Part I

AIDS LIfeCycle Part II

AIDS LIfeCycle Part III

Wising the best of all possible worlds,

tony = http://ynottony.com

P.s. Don't Forget about: An Invitation to Oprah Winfrey

AIDS LifeCycle - A Sneak Preview - Part III

A Sneak Preview (continued)- Part III.
Several individuals within the AIDS LifeCycle Community were asked to reflect on and comment about the 575 mile, 7 day journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Here's what they had to say:

Name: Sonya Prybutok
Education: BA, English & Rhetoric, UC Berkeley
Height: 5' 5"
Weight: 121lbs.
Age: 35
Birth Place/Origin: New York
Occupation: Marketing consultant
Present Location /Where do you live? San Francisco, CA 94131
Favorite Book: "Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World"

Starting with which AIDS Ride, how many times have you participated?

- California AIDS Ride #7 (I think?). And this will be my 5th ride.

As a 5th Yr. Veteran, if you had one thing to say to "first time participants," what would it be?

- It's impossible to fail! This will be one of those life changing experiences that you WILL remember for a life time! You are stronger thenyou think.

Also, which day of the seven day event do you find the most challenging - and why?

- Day 4. Here's why...The first day is pure adreneline, and we have a wonderful tail wind, so we sail into Santa Cruz, and we're filled with joy and excitement about what's to come. Day 2 we are still up and thrilled and it's a really flat and easy journey (though it's one of the longest days). In general, I always find that the 3rd day of riding in a row (on and off the ride) I am stronger then day 2 - my legs know what to do. It's day 4, when you wake tired and sore with new saddle sores in all the WRONG places, and you realize that you still have 3 more days of riding to go that SUCKS...BUT, when you make it over the day 4 hump and we start to wind our way back to the coast - your spirits are lifted again...

Name: John Reichel
Education: Westfalische - Wilhelms - Universitat Munster
Height: 180 cm.
Weight: 79.5 kg.
Age: 45
Birth Place/Origin: Cleveland, Ohio.
Occupation: Studienrat
Present Location /Where do you live? 22769 Hamburg, Germany
Favorite Book: "Eleven Minutes" by Paulo Coelho

From your California AIDS Ride #6 Experience, what was the most memorable moment?

Ich erinnere mich an meinen ersten Tag, alles war sehr aufregend und spannend. Habe ich auch nichts vergessen? Sind die Wasserflasehen gefullt? Wo kommt das Gepack hin? Mit wem werde ich das Zelt teilen? Wie wird es wohl sein, wenn 3, 000 Radler den California AIDS Ride beginnen? Eins war mir bei all der Aufregung auf jeder fall entgangen. Dies machte sich gleich beim ersten Pit-Stop "schmezlich" bemerkbar. Immerhin ca. 15 bis 20 Toiletten nahmen uns in Empfang. Dennoch bildeten sich von den Tueren Schlagen ca. 10 Personnen und ich begann hochzurechnen, wie lange es noch bis zum Ersehnten dauern wuerde. Den Moment , als vor mir das Tuerzeichen von rot auf gruen wechselte, werde ich nie vergessen.

P.S.
Du=ieses Problem sollte in den folgenden Tagens des California AIDS Rides nicht wieder auftreten, da die 3000 Radler danach nicht nicht mehr gleichzeitig die Tagestouren starteten und somit die Pit-Stops nie ueberlaufen waren.

And if you could say one thing to "first time" AIDS LifeCycle participants - what would you say?

1. Informiere dich ausfuehrlich und rechtzeitig
   + Offizielle Site of AIDS LifeCycle
   + Tony's Site
2. Statte dich mit einem sehr guten Rennrad aus, das macht vieles einfacher
3. Beginne rechtzeitig mit dem Training
   + get your body in a good shape
   + trainiere regelmaessig und progressiv (feste Termine sind hilfreich, z.B. jeden Dienstag und jeden Samstag)
   + der Besenwagen sollte immer nur die letzte Moeglichkeit sein, an das Tagesziel zu kommen
4. Mache dich vor dem ersten Training mit den Verhalten- und Sicherheitsregeln fuer das Radfahren vertraut!!!
5. Bilde Traininggruppen (du solltest mindestens einen Trainingspartner haben)
6. Geniesse jeden Tag beim Training und beim AIDS-Ride
7. Lasse deine Freunde, Familie und Sponsoren an deinen Erlebnissen teilhaben
   + Photo-CD, Web-Blog, Email, Brief, ....
8. Wenn du beim AIDS-Ride schnell fahren moechtest, musst du morgens moeglichst frueh aufstehen ("je schneller, desto frueher"), da du sonst den ganzen Tag die langsameren Fahrer ueberholen musst. Dass ist langweilig und mitunter auch gefaehrlich.
9. Alles gute fuer deine Tour, ich waere auch gerne wieder mit dabei.

Name: Nichael May - AKA "Miles"
Education: Currently Studying Community Outreach - S.F. City College
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 145lbs.
Age: 42
Birth Place/Origin: ?
Occupation: IHSS Consortium
Present Location /Where do you live? ?
Favorite Book: "My Journal and Sketch Book"

As a first time AIDS LifeCycle Cyclist, Rider #6154, how did you find out about AIDS LifeCycle?

- I know people who have ridden before.

What would you like to gain from your upcoming 575 mile, 7 day, journey to Los Angeles?

- This ride is a personal challenge for me. I have many friends affected by AIDS / HIV and others who have died. They are part of the reason I am riding, I love them so much. When some of them where sick, there was nothing could do to help them. This is a way of helping them and remembering them, and helping others. Also, it is a way for me to focus and workout my anger. AIDS has made me very angry.

What would your mother think about your upcoming endeavor?

- My mother would think that I was crazy to ride all the way from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

TO BE CONTINUED - Check back to see what others of the AIDS LifeCycle Community have to say.

AIDS LIfeCycle Part I

AIDS LIfeCycle Part II

Wising the best of all possible worlds,

tony = http://ynottony.com

P.s. Don't Forget about: An Invitation to Oprah Winfrey & Harpo Productions