What a news week! Did you catch it all? Between a hurricane, Halloween, and celebrities behaving badly, I bring you this week's resulting and thoroughly entertaining wackiness:
Hurricane Sandy. Also known as "Frankenstorm: (and yes, "Sandy Frankenstorm totally sounds like a porn star name) and "Superstorm Sandy," This drowning of New York and New Jersey shockingly snatched politics from the headlines and brought out the best in our politicians. Well, two of them. Chris Christie, Republican governor of New Jersey and Barack Obama put aside partisan politics to focus on storm relief. Too bad it took so much for our officials to stop fighting like Beavis and Butthead. But in lighter news:
Joe Simpson is gay! Papa to Jessica and Ashley (and former youth pastor) and Dallas native is divorcing their mother and his wife of of over thirty years, and according to Radar.com, it's because Joe has come out of the closet. People magazine will only demur Joe is "dating," while Radar.com identifies a 21 year old omale model as his new love interest. Move over, Dallas! There's a new soap opera in town. The Simpson family Thanksgiving dinner just got super interesting. However will you explain this situation to the grandchildren? I hope Bronx and Maxwell have a therapy fund.
Disney buys Star Wars. Yep. That sound you hear is millions of nerds wetting their pants and howling simultaneously. How will the Mouse Kingdom handle the legacy of the beloved franchise? I must admit I have mixed feelings about Leia now joining the ranks of the Disney princesses. I'm trying to picture Mark Hamill's face when he got the news. Rumor also has it that Disney already has a Star Wars episode seven in the works. Can you say Darth Maus? Maybe Disney will be the one to finally kill off Jar Jar.
Kelsey Grammer parties with his baby. Kelsey Grammer and his new young wife (his third? I lose count) made headlines this week when they took their two month old daughter Faith with them to a costume party at Hef's. That's right! The Grammer family partied down at the Playboy Mansion while their newborn slept in her car seat in the foyer, according to TMZ.com. Better yet? Katye Grammer (and I'm sorry, but Kayte deserves a smack on general principle for the spelling of her name alone) evidently went dressed as Kelsey's ex-wife Camille Grammer. Now THAT is cold.
Octomom's in rehab. First of all, I hate that name: Octomom. She's like a supervillian with that moniker. She doesn't fight crime, she fights dirty diapers. Nadya Suleman is her name, and she's claiming she got addicted to downers with all the stress of having eight children and her failed porn ventures. The twist? Evidently Michael Lohan, father to Lindsay, set an intervention with his new intervention company. I wish, oh I wish, how I was making this up. But in the end, I get it. With that many kids, the only way you're going to get a nap is to check into the hospital.
Chris Brown is still offensive. Chris, along with his entourage, made the stellar decision this Halloween to dress up as...wait for it...the Taliban, complete with checkered kerchiefs and long fake beards. Additionally, the boys posed holding an assortment of weapons for photos. Sigh. Is there a bad decision Chris Brown hasn't made? And we wonder why the terrorists hate us.
And finally, Gene Hackman smackdown! Hackman and his wife were leaving a restaurant when they were approached by a homeless gentleman who, when rebuffed, called Mrs. Hackman a very, very ugly word that starts with "C" that we could never print in such a fine, family-friendly publication. Gene's response? I believe in layman's terms, it's called a "bitch slap." When you've been smacked in the face by Gene Hackman, you know you've been doing it wrong.
And those were my favorite in the week in wacky. Oh, America. You never fail to entertain. Ta-ta for now, my news junkie lovelies. Be sure to tune in next week where only more wackiness can surely ensue.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Random Acts of Kindness
So I'm sitting on a bench in my home town's downtown on Halloween dressed in my full witch regalia, trying to keep the wind from blowing off my large pointy hat while simultaneously trying to prevent pulling a Britney in my too-short witch's dress (see previous blog about inability to buy non-sexy costumes for females).
I've been hired to interview the costumed kiddos on camera, and I'm waiting on the crew to show. I'm chronically early as usual. Behind me, there is an antique store. There's a woman working on the window display, so she is coming in and out of the store looking at it, and since I'm plopped down in front of it, she's also looking at me. She's come and gone a couple of times, checking out her window from the outside. We smile. And then she says to me: You know, you're much too pretty to be a witch.
Fast forward to yesterday. I'm shopping on the same downtown square area. One merchant compliments my shirt. The other stops to compliment my hair, saying she might copy my style for her own. And I'm grinning from ear to ear. Yes, I'm a bit vain. I can own it. But my point is this: my day was made.
Yep, I'm here today to talk about random acts of kindness and the impact they have. I didn't know those people who were so generous with their compliments. And yet they had a huge impact on my spirit because when they thought something good about me, they told me. Thanks, guys. It's hard out here for those who think and feel. And I had already bought something, so no cynicism allowed, dear reader. These were just kind women.
And I'm here to encourage the rest of us to indulge in random acts of kindness, too. If the impact for others is anything like how I felt after being complimented by strangers, we can do a whole lot of healing in this divided land. And of course, I have ideas.
So here's some ways for you to build your karma up and commit a random act of kindness:
Make eye contact and smile. Some of us have gone awhile since seeing a friendly face. Instead of ignoring the people around you, send a little prayer or good wish towards someone as you smile at them. I believe in the impact of the energy.
Speak. Now, I grew up in the South. Civilized people simply didn't NOT say something to someone you're sharing space with. It doesn't have to be a monologue. Try: Hi there. Or: How are you? Even: Good morning! can be a game changer considering what you've been through since your feet hit the floor this morning.
Compliment. If you see something about someone you like, say so. Whether the person is wearing killer shoes, has a great manicure, or a welcoming attitude, say something to them about it. It's amazing how much "I like your sweater" can actually mean. Related:
Praise work well done. Good service experiences can be few and far between. Thank your waitress as well as tipping her. Speak up about the experience of a positive attitude or going the extra mile. Be grateful for people who clean up after you or check you out at Target.
Express gratitude. Phone someone today who made or is making a positive difference in your life and express your thanks for their care and help. Write a letter to an important relative or mentor about what their presence has meant in your life. If possible, read it to them. You have no idea the great feelings this exercise can bring for you and others.
Acts of service. Let someone go ahead of you in line at the grocery store. If you're liquid enough, it's always fun to pay for the food for the guy behind you in line anonymously. It's easy and fun to do at drive in windows or Starbucks. I like to pick someone about three people behind me in line who's already ordered. Keep it a secret for extra fun and giggles.
Help someone out with their groceries or return their cart for them. Throw someone's newspaper closer to their front door while you're out walking. Find ways to give secret gifts. Leave a five under somebody's mouse at work who might be hurting financially. Buy flowers for no reason for someone. Remember, though: the best acts of service are free.
Yep, color me egotistical if you must. But when that woman got on the elevator in Atlanta with me a few years ago, looked at me dressed for a banquet and said to me, "Oh my! You're just so beautiful!"? I did. I swooned a little bit. Look past my self-esteem issues if you will, however, with me, to see the beauty of a stranger boosting up another person. I will never forget you even though I will never know your name. Your kindness will never be forgotten. Spread some around today! I'm here to tell you: it feels great on either end.
I've been hired to interview the costumed kiddos on camera, and I'm waiting on the crew to show. I'm chronically early as usual. Behind me, there is an antique store. There's a woman working on the window display, so she is coming in and out of the store looking at it, and since I'm plopped down in front of it, she's also looking at me. She's come and gone a couple of times, checking out her window from the outside. We smile. And then she says to me: You know, you're much too pretty to be a witch.
Fast forward to yesterday. I'm shopping on the same downtown square area. One merchant compliments my shirt. The other stops to compliment my hair, saying she might copy my style for her own. And I'm grinning from ear to ear. Yes, I'm a bit vain. I can own it. But my point is this: my day was made.
Yep, I'm here today to talk about random acts of kindness and the impact they have. I didn't know those people who were so generous with their compliments. And yet they had a huge impact on my spirit because when they thought something good about me, they told me. Thanks, guys. It's hard out here for those who think and feel. And I had already bought something, so no cynicism allowed, dear reader. These were just kind women.
And I'm here to encourage the rest of us to indulge in random acts of kindness, too. If the impact for others is anything like how I felt after being complimented by strangers, we can do a whole lot of healing in this divided land. And of course, I have ideas.
So here's some ways for you to build your karma up and commit a random act of kindness:
Make eye contact and smile. Some of us have gone awhile since seeing a friendly face. Instead of ignoring the people around you, send a little prayer or good wish towards someone as you smile at them. I believe in the impact of the energy.
Speak. Now, I grew up in the South. Civilized people simply didn't NOT say something to someone you're sharing space with. It doesn't have to be a monologue. Try: Hi there. Or: How are you? Even: Good morning! can be a game changer considering what you've been through since your feet hit the floor this morning.
Compliment. If you see something about someone you like, say so. Whether the person is wearing killer shoes, has a great manicure, or a welcoming attitude, say something to them about it. It's amazing how much "I like your sweater" can actually mean. Related:
Praise work well done. Good service experiences can be few and far between. Thank your waitress as well as tipping her. Speak up about the experience of a positive attitude or going the extra mile. Be grateful for people who clean up after you or check you out at Target.
Express gratitude. Phone someone today who made or is making a positive difference in your life and express your thanks for their care and help. Write a letter to an important relative or mentor about what their presence has meant in your life. If possible, read it to them. You have no idea the great feelings this exercise can bring for you and others.
Acts of service. Let someone go ahead of you in line at the grocery store. If you're liquid enough, it's always fun to pay for the food for the guy behind you in line anonymously. It's easy and fun to do at drive in windows or Starbucks. I like to pick someone about three people behind me in line who's already ordered. Keep it a secret for extra fun and giggles.
Help someone out with their groceries or return their cart for them. Throw someone's newspaper closer to their front door while you're out walking. Find ways to give secret gifts. Leave a five under somebody's mouse at work who might be hurting financially. Buy flowers for no reason for someone. Remember, though: the best acts of service are free.
Yep, color me egotistical if you must. But when that woman got on the elevator in Atlanta with me a few years ago, looked at me dressed for a banquet and said to me, "Oh my! You're just so beautiful!"? I did. I swooned a little bit. Look past my self-esteem issues if you will, however, with me, to see the beauty of a stranger boosting up another person. I will never forget you even though I will never know your name. Your kindness will never be forgotten. Spread some around today! I'm here to tell you: it feels great on either end.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)