“Thanks for noticing,” Park Williams said when I commented on his outfit. Well, it’s hard not to notice a strapping weightlifter when he’s wearing a pink tutu, pink hair curlers, and pink slippers—and sporting a new moustache. No, he’s not campaigning for gay rights or doing field research on an arcane aspect of behavioral geography. As Park, a grad student working on his PhD in Climatology, puts it, ”In an attempt to spice up my life and do my part to save the world at the same time, until November 1, 2005 I will be accepting and acting upon dares and double-dog-dares for monetary donations that will go directly to the Hurricane Katrina Red Cross relief effort.”
Inspired by a close friend, Park embarked on his ”Daring Is Caring” endeavors on September 7 by singing Regulator (Nate Dog and Warren G.) during the Goleta Old Town Tavern’s Wednesday Night Karaoke. Taking that dare only netted him $10, but, 12 dares later, his total was over $700 and climbing—not surprising, insofar as the dares have included everything from wearing Speedos to tutus. Check out Park’s web site at for his humorous write up of all capers to date—with pictures—as well as info on how to donate to a good cause (and, yes, even Park has rules!).
Article by Bill Norrington
