That's life!

Random Acts of Kindness Day

I've decided to see if I can start a new tradition for my Sundays: random-acts-of-kindness-day. Or at least prepare-some-random-acts-of-kindness-day.

Yesterday I set up two such little projects.

The first you already know about: bookcrossing.com. I registered seven different books that I want to read and release at some point, and I bought a nice cheap copy of The Secret Garden (and we all know how I love it) at Strand to release today. I'm going to leave it on the Pratt Campus benches in the middle of the lawn. I hope whoever finds it feels the love and enjoys the book.

The second project is inspired by something else I stumbled upon when I was in the subway (because amazing things always seem to happen in the subway). It was the tiniest sticker and I almost missed it even though it was right next to me. All it said was "because you exist" in rainbow bright letters, something like 11pt font. It was such a surprise, such an intimate moment, that I remember feeling like for a second I couldn't hear/think about anything else except that phrase. As if a sudden moment of peace was just handed to me.

So I've created my own little stickers. I hope I can give just one other person a moment like that with my tiny creations.

Pics!

She's all ready, look at her cute little postit - I bought some from the supply store because I think they are awesome, and I wanted to support the site. The only thing missing is her ziplock bag (gotta grab some at the store).

A note I wrote inside with a bookcrossing.com label glued in (free). I also wrote the ID number on the bottom of the book in marker.

A free pamphlet, just to let someone new know what's up.

Close up on my pile of stickers - I was really quick with the different colors so, no, they don't really make sense. I just wanted them to have a bit of sparkle.

:) (please, don't mind the couch...)

ps. If anyone anywhere wants a pdf of the 8.5 x 11 sheet to print out on their own sticker paper, just let me know.

pps. If anyone wants to do any of these little things and has any questions, just let me know.

Woop! Earth Hour! :)

Tonight is Earth Hour!

Earth Hour is a worldwide initiative set up by the WWF to help conserve energy by encouraging everyone to switch off their lights for an hour (8:30-9:30pm). Don't miss out. There are people all over the world who have already started.

It really saves so much energy, turning off everyone's lights for one hour... I wonder if it will ever become something we do more often. Like one earth hour a month... I love that we do it together.

I found some gorgeous pictures on Flickr just to remind us of what we love so much:

Revamping with Kitty love

Ok, so it's been quite a while... I can't even get into it right now how annoying these last few weeks have been. But I'm armed and ready for another batch of updating!

First things first, kitties.

And not JUST kitties. But movies of kitties. The first, I think, is hysterical. The second is just really important for our furry friends, and since I've been looking for good volunteering / community enriching opportunities lately, this seemed like a good place to start.

For easy linking: Stray Cat Alliance

And for us New Yorkers: New York City Feral Cat Initiative

Links to the outside world

A bunch of links I have loved recently:

If you've ever wondered what it's like to live in the household of an $85 Billionaire... would you still want for anything?? Yes.

This one is for Gramme... Venice is just too amazing.

Just because... I wouldn't really mind if Microsoft did actually get their act together. (although I'd love some acknowledgment that they have sucked recently.)

This is a bit sad... the Slumdog stars are back home and not feeling too great about it. ergh. my heart.

Awesomely funny sleeping dog. (found on dooce.com)

Everyone must play with this at least once. If you ever wondered why AmericanGreetings.com exists, this completely answers it for me. Just click the link. You'll never guess.

"Plagi-post" from my Mom. Ridiculously funny video. All too true.

The Girl Who Silenced the World.

The Magic Metro Card

The other day I wasn't feeling particularly happy. Not particularly connected to the whole wide world, if you know what I mean. In fact I felt kind of alone, grumpy and restless. And I didn't really want to do anything but hang out with someone. Which actually wasn't working out too well. 

Finally one friend did say she would totally love to meet up with me after work, go catch a movie or something. Ok. I figured I'd wait the four hours and then maybe head out to enjoy myself. At least I'd be out of the house, even if it was dark out. 

So, I'm racing out the door, trying desperately to enact "Magic," by telling myself I'm sure I'll start to lighten up when I see her. I'll get to the theater and start having a grand old time. I promise. Stop sulking. And of course, I'm literally running late. Of course, as I enter the subway the train is shrieking it's coming VERY SOON, and of course, I realize, I have no money left on my metro-card. 

AGH! I'm pressing every button on the metro-card machine, clashing metal wheel sounds are plummeting into the station full force, and it's about time I just gave up, when... this compassionately smiling older man in a bright orange jacket thrusts his card at me. 

"Here," He yells, "Take it!"

I'm all, "Oh, no, sir, I couldn't." But I totally wish I would.

"No, take it, I'm done with it! It's a 30-day, and it ends tonight! Go! Catch your train!"

It's all so urgent, but I try to take the card with as much humble thanks as I possibly can. I keep looking back to say "thank you" again as I swipe in, and I freaken book it into the last car of the train just before the doors close. 

Collapsed on this plastic seat, I'm beaming now. Taking a few frantic smiley breathes to settle down, I look down at this amazing gift of a metro-card, this is what I see:

omfg. If that's not "Magic" at work, I don't know what is. How amazingly connected to mankind do you think I felt after reading that?! I swear, all my grinning must have scared half the people in that subway car. And I really hoped that incredibly nice man could feel the force of my gratitude. 

I proceeded to have a lovely night with my amazing friend, and was even graced with a few more perfect surprises.

If we're ever chillin, and you'd like to see the card, just let me know. I plan to keep it in my wallet forever and ever.

Dedicated to: My mom, who really wanted me to tell this story. With pictures. :)

We all affect each other... just like that.

I tell ya... my social media professor finds the best stuff... really well explained!

The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

Obama's got this covered

The President's Weekly Address last week was really great. I subscribe to the podcast, so I just saw it. Lately I've been hearing a lot about conservatives gearing up to "fight back," or at least waiting for any mistake Obama makes to put him down. I'm grateful to hear Obama say this: 

"In other words, I know these steps won’t sit well with the special interests and lobbyists who are invested in the old way of doing business, and I know they’re gearing up for a fight as we speak. My message to them is this:

So am I. "

Really grateful. This guy knows what's up. If we keep up our spirits, and turn them into support, we just might make it to the future. 

I linked to the rest of his speech here.