Free Water!

We're having record heat this weekend. I picked up a case of water and left it at the entrance of a super busy bike path. It's a common stopping point for cyclists, runners, and walkers. I posted a sign that said "Free water. Random act of kindness. Enjoy!"

I still marvel at the fact that these random acts of kindness take so little time and that they make me so incredibly happy. Increasing the goodness in the world, one little act of kindness at a time. 

Starbucks on a Starry Night

Today we headed out of LA up to Red Rock Campground for the Perseid meteor shower. In Palmdale, we stopped for Starbucks and I added a gift card to my order. This time, my friends helped me pick which car would be the recipient of the random act of kindness. We ended up choosing a minivan parked in front of a dollar store.  I hope it brightened their day!

Here is the view from our campground...

Ice cream!

I left extra money at the ice cream shop to treat the next two strangers to free ice cream. Sharing my favorite food in the world...what could be more fun?

Bus stop surprise

Left another National Geographic magazine with bus fare at a bus stop on 7th street tonight. I was on the phone with my mom at the time...it was nice to share the adventure with my mom. I'm excited about having more time on the weekend to plan new ideas!

Get on the Jamba bus!

Tonight I left a Jamba Juice card at a bus stop in a not so great part of town. In fact, I counted 7 liquor stores within just 4 blocks of this bus stop. Maybe they'll wish it was a liquor card instead... here's hoping this brightened someone's day.

Bus Fare Freebie

I left a National Geographic magazine with bus fare and a kindness card at the bus stop.

I dropped it off while on my 3 mile run... it seemed comical to run past the bus stop and drop the magazine without stopping. Gift and go? Give and run? Either way...it was fun!

Jamba Sneak Attack

I'm happy to admit that sneaking around in the dark to leave surprise gift cards for strangers is super fun... perhaps I should have been a spy.

Tonight I left a Jamba Juice card and a Kindness card under the windshield wiper of a not-so-new-and-not-so-gorgeous-car. Hope they enjoyed finding the surprise in the morning!

Coffee, tea, on me!

I gave the barista at Portfolio's extra cash and asked her to pick someone special in line to treat to coffee this morning.

A nice perk about this project is that I find myself noticing people more and smiling at strangers more often. I'm a nice person in general, but this project is giving me a new awareness of the wonderful people around me. I want to reach out more often, not only to strangers, but to friends too!

Blossoms for a senior

I brought a bouquet of yellow flowers to a nursing home this afternoon and asked the receptionist to give them to a resident who never gets visitors or gifts. She was happy to do so, and I also left a kindness card too.

I selected the nursing home by researching the worst care facilities in the area. It's so sad to see the ratings! This place had only 1 star out of 5 from the Department of Health. Terrible! I figured a resident at a facility like this might need flowers more than anyone.

I was reminded today of my weekly visits to see my great-grandmother when I was young. I remember seeing other residents who never received a visitor...while some may not have welcomed visitors, I'm sure most would have treasured a visit or an unexpected gift.

This entire process took less than 15 minutes (to buy the flowers and deliver them). I'm left with one question...

... why don't I do this more often????

Present in the Park

Tonight I left a Jamba Juice gift card and a kindness cars on a bench in my favorite park. I wonder what the person will think when they find it, or who will they tell, and will they be more kind in the days ahead?

Honoring hybrids

Tonight I left a Jamba Juice gift card with a Kindness Card under the windshield wiper of a parked hybrid Prius. I thanked them for driving a green vehicle. Fun! Fun!

Altruism in August

My goal this month: do something nice for a stranger every day for the month of August. I'm really excited about this project. I have a few ideas in mind and I'm hoping some spontaneous opportunities will come up too.

Today, as I left the USC hospital parking lot, I paid the parking fee for the car in back of me. I asked the cashier to tell the next car that I just wanted to do something nice for someone today.

I felt good as I drove away - and I hope I did brighten that person's day.

I printed up some small cards today:

Back side:

Enjoy this gift given to you by someone who is just looking
to brighten a stranger's day!

“Life is short.
Live your dream and
share your passion.”

Give freely and give often.

(poster from the
Holstee Manifesto)

Front Side features the poster from Holstee:

http://shop.holstee.com/products/holstee-manifesto-poster

New in June

This month was wildly undocumented and exhilarating. It started off modest with a few stops into new stores, driving new routes, and taking a closer look at places I'd never noticed before. The month included a trip home to Chicago so there was something new every day there.

The month's highlight was a trip to Telluride. My first time and full of "new things" every single day, every moment really. It was too much to document, but it led to an inspiring epiphany - one that will play out over the next few years and one that has given my life a renewed purpose and inspiring significance. More to come on that...

May there be Music

My plan was to play piano every day. I miss playing and thought this would open up piano for me again. For some reason, I lost interest after just a few days. I decided to let this month go...

In hindsight, I wish I would have redefined the month, or at least played 5 minutes a day. Then again, maybe there is courage in owning up to what isn't working and letting go...

Maybe next year...

Artful April Recap

While I'm sad to see Artful April come to a close, I'm coming to realize that most of my monthly ambitions continue well beyond the 30 or 31 days. In some ways, the month serves as an intense study that creates a foundation that will hopefully serve me for the foreseeable future, and perhaps even a lifetime. And, in some cases, the month-long focus establishes a habit  I've also really enjoyed asking friends and new acquaintances about their favorite artists - I've learned from my friends and also learned more about them too.

April Recap:

Museums Visited (all new to me except for LACMA)

• Norton Simon
• Laguna Museum of Art
• Oceanside Museum of Art
• Japanese American National Museum
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art
• Frederick Weisman Foundation 

Art Created

• Took photographs of Penny every day for a month
• Made the project social by posting on Facebook
• Project will live on! I have guest photographers lined up for the next several months
• Finally, after years of wanting to, took a pottery wheel class

Online Explorations

• Klimt
• Neoplasticism
• Degas
• Sarah Perry
• Bal du moulin de la Galette
• Victor Hugo Zayas

Takeaway thoughts

• I loved, loved, loved taking photos of Penny. I may take her with me in the future. 
• I am even more intrigued with photography. I would love to continue: to explore, to learn, to create.
• Considering a series of photographs like those of the 60's - something you could see taken backstage with the Beatles, black and white portraits, rock and roll style.... I have images in mind. 
• I have an instant reaction to most art. I either love it immediately or I don't. 

Penny explores LACMA

April Showers

This month I had planned to focus on water conservation by taking shorter showers. But it turns out I already take short showers and I wasn't really willing to give up any more time. So, I had to research new ways to conserve water.

Best new strategy: I started flushing the toilet using a bucket of water from the shower. This is so simple! During my shower, I simply place a bucket in the shower to catch the run-off. Then, the next time I'm flushing the toilet, I pour the bucket of water into the toilet bowl. Done!

I started the month following the instructions of some websites which tell you to flush the toilet, then pour the bucket of water into the back storage basin. Totally unnessary and too many extra steps! Instead, you can pour the bucket (a standard bucket is exactly the right size) directly into the bowl, you don't have to flush the toilet since the gravity of the water initiates the flushing action on its own. Simple!

It's not exactly glamorous, but really easy and quickly became a habit.

Don't forget that being a vegetarian is one the best ways to save water - consumption of meat is an extraordinary waste of water!

Additional resources:

• http://eartheasy.com/live_water_saving.htm
• http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/freshwater/water-conservation-tips/

2013 Update: I kept up with this for almost a year, then I put the bucket away when guests came over. After the guests left, I forgot to put the bucket back out. What a ridiculously innane way to stop doing something that is easy and so good for the environemnet. And who cares if there is a bucket in the shower - maybe it can start a conversation to help spread the word. So, before writing this update, I placed the bucket back in the shower and I'm ready to start 2013 right!

Penny's theater debut

Penny in glass

Penny says "It's soooooo good"

Penny, meet Coco

Penny at the Oceanside Museum of Art

Palomar Observatory with Penny

Penny's 5k

Penny's Party Favors

Penny Profile

Penny at the Japanese Museum Tea House and the Natural History Museum

Walking free

Penny's weekend

Party at Penny's

Penny's perch