Two things happened today that made me very happy! Two Fairfax film makers, twin brothers. Noah and Logan Miller contacted me to let me know they would be willing to go into San Quentin and talk to the San Quentin Film School. Seven men participated in the program where they learned the techniques of film making and each made a film. The film school was featured on the Discovery Channel and the mens' films were shown. Noah and Logan are exceptional young men for many reasons. They not only got a movie made, they also wrote a book, which I highly recommend called "You''re either in or in the way. They grew up in Fairfax under not the most ideal circumstances. Their dad was an alcoholic and their mother worked very hard to support them working as a waitress and a gardener.. They are gifted athletes who had dreams of playing the majors. They are identical twins. You can read much more about them if you go to their website www.inorintheway.com. Because of their grit and persistence with no financial backing they were able to get the film made but got Ed Harris to play the part of their father in their movie. The name of their movie is "Touching Home" and it was a tribute to their father. After living homeless, having countless arrests for alcohol related misdemeanors, he died in the Marin County Jail. The two young men promised they would make a movie about him. This promise started on an amazing journey, which they describe in their book I have known them for many years. They love our mutual home town of Fairfax as much as I do. I called them to see if they would be willing to go into San Quentin and talk to the men. Their are several men in there who are technically skilled filmmakers but Noah and Logan will be able to give some great advice and help. When I approached going there they could not have been more willing. Their movie was premiered at the Rafael theater in San Rafael to a sold out audience of friends, family and supporters. It was also shown at 3 Com Park in San Francisco. I always tell them I am their biggest fan! Their expertise and experience will be of such value to the men of the Q. The other good news is that the editor of Marin Magazine in a response to the letter I wrote him about the win win situation of selling San Quentin called and wants to do an article about San Quentin for Marin Magazine. I am looking forward to talking to him, and getting out some positive information about the men who I have worked with at San Quentin. Tonight I would like to write from my future book, (if I ever write it) "Stories from the Q: Stories of Hope, Courage and Inspiration>" I have never met anyone who goes into San Quentin who doesn't feel the same as I do that they gain much more from the experience than they could ever give.Someone I would like to write about tonight was a member of the Positive Attitude for Life Prisoners which I was a co- -facilitator. one night This group was based on the principles and attitudes of the Center for Attitudinal Healing founded by Gerald Jamplosky. We started each group by reading those principles and attitudes, went around the circle for a quick check in and then it was open time. The group provided a safe place for men to share their feelings and concerns. When a man spoke during open time, no one was allowed to either interrupt him or offer advice. It was a wonderful place to learn about being a good listener. One night a man broke down and talked about his loneliness and despair. I cried right along with him. I was so moved by what he had shared, I spoke to my best friend, Patti, who, because of her compassionate heart, thought would make a wonderful visitor for him. Patti and I ran a music store together for ten years and I have never felt closer to anyone than her. The next day I spoke to her about the possibility of visiting my friend and after they exchanged letters and she was cleared to visit, she visited him up until the time she was so weak, I had to practically carry her from the visiting room to the car. That was in November 2006, she died of ovarian cancer in January of 2007. Her light and love changed his life. Although he was and still is devastated by her death, she opened his broken heart and helped him heal. He speaks about her to as many groups at San Quentin as he can and lets me know how grateful he is for sending him "an angel". Before Patti came into his life he was reclusive and angry. He came to San Francisco from Mississippi and was so country that his nickname was "sho enuf". He got into a bar room fight. The man hit his head on the floor and died. The first trial ended in a hung jury, but the second one found him guilty. He has been "down" for 27 years. His willingness to come to the positive attitude group and to express is deepest heart is beautiful. I am grateful to know him. I would like to share a letter I received from. It meant a lot to me:

My True Friend Suzi,

If I could have any friend in the world that I wanted, I would pick you. Now let me tell you why! It is because you are something special and very caring. You chose to be friend when there was no one else. And then you gave me Patti. Thoughts of her have no ending. I can't think about her without thinking of you. You are what Patti and I had in common. I hope you have been receiving my letters. Instead of always writing you about doom and gloom, I have been having these wonderful thoughts lately and I just wanted to share them with you. I hope you like the card I had made for you, because this is exactly how I feel about you. ( The card says "What a friend I Have in You." I've been experiencing a lot of joy lately about you and Patti. When people ask me about the heart you gave me, I show them a picture of you and Patti. I hope you don't mind. You two are such beautiful people it just fill me with pride and joy to say "these two women are my friends." Even though Patti is no longer here with us in body, just knowing her and having her visit me gives me "braggin rights". Whenever Patti and I got together we always talked about you. How buff you are and your tattoos. I saw that you had Patti's name tattooed on your arm. She and I loved you so much. Before I run out of space I just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you constantly and I am so proud that you are my friend.

Forever and Always,

I will let you know if I am brave enough to see "The Cove" about the Japanese treatment of dolphins, secretly filmed. I love dolphins and don't like to see the suffering of any living creature human or animal. Just seeing "Taxi to the Dark Side" brought me to my knees. It was the documentary that showed the excesses of torture at Abu Grab Prison. It was painful and brought home the awareness of what war does to people on all sides of it. I am often asked how I can see documentaries,like this which are so harsh and brutal. After giving it some thought I came to the awareness that for me it is a reminder of the importance of standing up against injustice of any kind. I hope I will never become complacent about it. I pray that in my own small way way I will do what I can. My prayers for peace, justice, courage and love go out to all you.