Though we stood in snowy 12 degree New York weather (unprepared with adequate clothing since we didn't anticipate snow), over 1000 people shivered with us, waiting to get inside the building to talk with Oprah's people screening for "The Big Give." The cold air couldn't dull the electric feeling as we all shared stories about why we were there.  It was an amazing connection to be standing with so many others who truly want to make a difference in our world!  Ironically, the people in front of us and in back of us all turned out to be gay!  So, there we sat with our magic number in the "waiting room" (a large auditorium space) for most of the day once we got inside, saying that we were sitting on "gay row!"

We were encouraged when we finally got our two minutes of time after waiting all day to meet with one of the producers.  We felt it went pretty good, since she asked us if we could be available to do an on-air test the next day.  Though we had planned to fly out later that day, we said "Sure" and decided to change our flight and stay another day.  We had not come 3000 miles from Blaine, WA to get close to this opportunity and turn it down.  The woman said that she would call that evening or the next morning.  We anxiously awaited a call that never came. 

Though we certainly wished that we had been selected, our year long Gay Into Straight America journey motto, as well as life motto, came to our rescue..."Give Without Expectation...Remain Unattached to a Specific Outcome."  We know that fear and disappointment are villains that rear their ugly heads when we become attached to a specific outcome, robbing us of joy that is rightfully ours.  From past experiences, we knew that something great was going to happen, unbeknown to us, if we drank from this well of joy, rather than embranced the despair of fear and disappointment. 

This situation simply made us think, “What unexpected joy is going to happen before we leave New York?”  It didn’t take long to begin the next steps of the journey.  Roby’s 18 years of hiding in the closet make her understanding of gay history a little sketchy.  She had heard of The Stonewall Riots, but really didn’t understand its impact (ok, she's also a little younger than me too!)  We decided it was the perfect opportunity for a hands-on history lesson. Being a kinesthetic learner, Roby wanted to “experience” Stonewall, rather than read about it.  So, we left where we were staying and walked to the Village, in search of the Stonewall Inn. 

As we approached the area, a woman practically grabbed us off the sidewalk.  She encouraged (or begged) us to participate in making up a Pringles jingle and being videotaped for potentially being in a commercial. You’re probably thinking, “What?” That’s exactly what we thought.  They were filming in a park like area directly across from The Stonewall Inn, but we were on a mission.  We politely declined the lady's opportunity.  Roby had her camera in hand as we approached, only to discover it was closed for rennovations.  Ahhhh...how could this be?  Ok, ok, "Remain unattached to a specific outcome," we kept telling ourselves.  This was difficult.  Roby was clearly disappointed and rightfully so.  We decided to head down to the Duplex, a piano bar on the corner. Nothing can soothe the soul like sipping on a nice glass of wine!  Unfortunately, no one was currently singing at the piano bar.  That took place in the evenings. As we sat and enjoyed the Duplex, we knew some unexpected joy was not only a possibility, but a probability.

We finished our wine and began the trek back toward Andrew's place in the east side of Greenwich Village, where we were graciously being given a place to stay for two nights after being in a hotel for two days.  Thanks Andrew!  More in line with our budget! 

Suddenly, the woman who originally spotted us on the sidewalk approached us again, pleading for us to come up with a Pringle Jingle.  I don't know what she was paid, but whatever it was, it wasn't enough.  This woman had determination! She could tell our resolve was weaking. Anyway, you know us.  Carpe Diem…another adventure added. Ok, we know you can't wait to hear our Pringle Jingle.