Today on this date in 1789, the people of Paris symbolically kick started the French Revolution by storming the gates of the Bastille.  From wikipedia:

The Storming of the Bastille in Paris occurred on 14 July 1789. While the medieval fortress and prison in Paris known as the Bastille contained only seven prisoners, its fall was the flashpoint of the French Revolution, and it subsequently became an icon of the French Republic. In France, Le quatorze juillet (14 July) is a public holiday, formally known as the Fête de la Fédération (Federation Holiday). It is usually called Bastille Day in English.

My parents were and are hippies.  My father was kicked out of his house after coming home from a rock concert when he was 16.  His parents didn't like the fact that he had long hair and smoked pot.  My mother left her parents house at 16 after years of conflict and abuse within her family.  One of the defining moments of her life came when she graduated high school and her dad refused to attend because my mom was wearing a peace dove on her robe.

Yesterday's roll call made me realize just how many of us have roots in the Bay Area.  I thought it would be fun to do a roll call just for us.  Please add a comment below with your age, gender, what part of the bay you live in and of course, anything else you'd like to add.

I'll go first:
30, female, East Bay (Oakland).  I have a cat, would love to someday have a dog, and am an aspiring home owner.  I walk or take BART most places and don't drive at all.

Apologies if this is a duplicate for any recent diary. I did a search and could not find anything within the last six months.

Late last month I received a receipt in the mail for my monthly donations to the Rockridge Institute. I was a bit puzzled about why they had sent it to me at that time, but I was distracted and put aside it to work on something else.  I wish I had immediately gone to the website.  Last night an article that I was reading reminded me of their work so I went to log on and discovered this:

While the Rockridge Institute closed in April 2008, the Institute's staff remain committed to fulfilling the progressive vision it advocated and are available for consultations, trainings, and speaking engagements.