Thankfully, I grabbed some of my knitting on the way out the door, as the highway patrol wasn't managing traffic in an overly equitable fashion. It took us 45 minutes to travel the last 2 miles, and even though I was the driver, I put seven rows on my shawl - probably the only thing that kept me from going bonkers as we counted two dozen cars coming toward us, then would have our own turn to move forward 3-4 car lengths before oncoming traffic continued with another 20 vehicles. This made us satisfactorily late, meaning we missed all the preliminary speeches, got to park on the far side of the highway, and once we found our way to the room and went through security (Don't you just love watching a man paw through your purse?), provided us with a spot to stand in the open area between the two large and very warm people masses gathered at the event. It was, for me at least, a rather odd sensation to be there seeing someone I'd only seen on TV in an atmosphere I'd only ever seen on TV - a really strange feeling of unreality to it all. I doubt I'd ever make a habit of going to such activities, but I'm quite glad for having had the experience.

Afterward, I was looking forward to a trip to UDF, promised by DH before we'd ever left the house, but even though we'd hung around for 45 minutes post speech, hoping to perhaps gain an autograph, there was still quite the traffic jam remaining. Since there was a Dairy Queen in the front yard of the hotel that had hosted the rally, we decided second best would work. Of course, we weren't the only people with this idea, so the moment a table opened, I grabbed it, leaving hubby in the ordering line. I was terribly tired from the long walk and nearly two hours of standing. A few minutes later, a couple of men asked if I was actually going to be using the table, and since there were just the two of them, they were quickly invited to join us. I was surprised to hear them speaking something other than English on their way to pick up their own dinners, but the room was too noisy for me to hear what language it was. A few minutes later, as the four of us settled to our eats, I quickly discerned German - not a language one hears around here. And once introductions were made, we had a second surprise, because while one man was German, it turned out that the other was Israeli Jew - even more out of place in Clinton County! Of course, that begged questions as to why they were in our forlorn corner of the world, and the surprising answer was that they were there for the same reason we were - to see Sarah Palin! Long story short, they were sent to the States by a German broadcasting company, in order to film a half hour documentary about the American Presidential campaign/election. Since Obama was in Dayton this morning, and Palin in Wilmington this evening, they were winding up a busy day of filming. Needless to say, we had a lovely time sharing thoughts and opinions about the election campaign, the economy, and other assorted topics, as well as travel stories from our visits to Germany, and tips for Americans who might like to travel to Israel at some point. It was a delightfully serendipitous time, and I was terribly sorry it had to end. I've thought all night about how things worked together just perfectly for us to have such an unexpected pleasure, and what a special happening we'd have missed if we'd not been willing to share our table.

I do so love serendipity!

...un bel lucano volentieri, ma stasera anchenò!

Cu cine: Perfect pentru o intalnire cu persoana iubita (vara va stau la dispoztie balansoare inconjurate de trandafiri, iar daca e mai frig si e toamna sau zapada bate in geam, va puteti cuibari inauntru la caldurica, pe canapelele moi sau intr-un separeu, pe pernute). Singur? Nici o problema. Aveti la dispozitie carti, reviste si internet wireless. Va mai lipseste doar o cana de ceai ;)

Cand: In fiecare zi, pana seara tarziu. Cel mai bine sunati inainte si faceti programare. (http://www.serendipity-tea.ro)

Puncte slabe: Inauntru e putin prea intuneric (te cam ia somnul) iar serviciul nu e excelent ... trebuie sa astepti destul de mult pana sa iti aduca comanda.

Stavo frugando in Google News per trovare qualche riferimento a una cosa, quando mi e' caduto l'occhio su un trafiletto che comincia con Boato nel napoletano, paura vulcano. La notizia in se' e' semplice: un aereo sconosciuto e senza piano di volo e' stato beccato stamattina a svolazzare nei cieli italiani, due F-16 dell'aeronautica militare sono stati mandati a intercettarlo e hanno infranto il muro del suono sopra Napoli, provocando il boato che ha spaventato molti.  Poi hanno raggiunto l'intruso che nel frattempo era stato identificato - un Ilyushin civile bielorusso - e l'hanno scortato fuori dello spazio aereo nazionale. Fine.

Poi pero' leggo i dettagli.

Gli enti civili del traffico aereo hanno dunque subito allertato la catena militare e, alle 7.18, è stato dato l'ordine di 'scramble', cioè di decollo immediato su allarme.

Dal 37esimo Stormo dell'Aeronautica di Trapani - dopo sei minuti, alle 7.24 - si sono alzati in volo due caccia F-16.

(...) Il velivolo è stato raggiunto sulla direttrice Foggia-Napoli alle 7.45.

Insomma, l'Aeronautica e' stata velocissima ed efficiente.
E allora mi torna in mente quel famoso 11 settembre e la confusione totale dell'aviazione USA, che con tutta probabilita' fu la causa diretta - per omissione di intervento -  di una buona parte del disastro. Leggere gli incredibili dettagli per credere.
Con i numeri della performance di oggi debbo pensare che l'aviazione italiana avrebbe dato  punti a quella del paese piu' potente del mondo. Sicuramente avrebbero fatto meglio.

Ma a questo punto ci si mette Puk, che col suo ultimo post mi fa sapere che...

«"I militari italiani sono addestrati sotto il livello di guardia". A lanciare questo allarme sul grave stato in cui si trova la professionalità dei militari dell'Esercito, della Marina, dell'Aeronautica e dell'Arma dei carabinieri non sono le rappresentanze sindacali delle Forze Armate, i Cocer. Ma lo stesso governo Berlusconi (...)

[Il ministro della Difesa La Russa dice che] l'addestramento è "sotto il livello di guardia", ma sopra quello di efficienza.»

In Italia e' destino che le cose finiscano sempre per assumere un colorito da operetta. Poteva scegliere un giorno piu' sbagliato, per una simile sparata?

I certainly do see people browsing here at the Library, but maybe not in the numbers they once did.  And if browsing is on the decline, I think that's unfortunate. 

I am a great believer in serendipity.  When I go to a new destination, one of my favorite things to do is to wander.  For example, that's how I encountered Barcelona's truly fabulous central market.  Yes, I could have read about it in a guidebook and planned to visit at a certain date and time, but the surprise was marvelous.  I like to leave time and space for discovery, for encountering something I hadn't anticipated. 

I know everyone is overscheduled and stressed out.  But I think a really great form of relaxation would be to simply wander in the stacks of a good library.  Spread out before you is the wisdom of the ages, should you feel in need of it...but also wonderful escape reading, how-to manuals of every description, volumes of great art, biographies of the noble and the notorious...and the travel guides that will help you be a better wanderer. 

These are tough times.  It might also be a good time to go to the Library and see if you can find your own personal instruction book to help you deal with whatever challenges you are facing. 

Happy Reading! 

The Book Goddess

I've had the recent heureux hasard of discovering the work of Jenny Meilihov in one of those random www.etsy.com clicks that pepper (and spice up) my marathon work hours in front of the computer.  Jenny is an artist living in Israel, and goes by the seller name "behappynow" in Etsy.  Jenny's works are whimsical, and very imaginative.  In her works is a WORLD, fresh, magical and boundless.  No rules, no constraints.  Which is as Art should be.  I love the big things in her work as much as the details, surprises, and subtleties that come out when I take a second look.  As you can tell, she is one of my very top favorites.

One of Jenny's works, an original collage, now hangs in the downtown Chicago law office of my good friend, Dalia, a young "rising star" who is fast becoming a force to reckon with in the copyrights and trademarks law practice.  It features a girl flying over the world with small wings for sleeves.  And on her back appear the Hebrew word for "fly".  I'd always known Dalia would love this piece and that she, being Jewish, would appreciate it in a way deeper than I ever will.  I'm glad I gave that to her, a constant reminder to her to keep soaring.

Please visit Jenny's etsy store if you're interested to see more of her works.  http://www.etsy.com/profile.php?user_id=5718636

And thanks, Jenny, for the wonderful work you do. 

Here's more detail:

It has been said that Art is a tryst, for in the joy of it Maker and Beholder meet.  - Kojiro Tomita

"Waiting in Vain" - Bossa n' Marley

From the very first time I rest my eyes on you, girl,
My heart says follow trough.
But I know, now, that I'm way down on your line,
But the waitin feel is fine:
So don't treat me like a puppet on a string,
cause I know I have to do my thing.
Don't talk to me as if you think I'm dumb;
I wanna know when you're gonna come - soon.

I don't wanna wait in vain for your love;
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love;
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love,
cause if summer is here,
I'm still waiting there;
Winter is here,
And I、m still waiting there.

It's been three years since I'm knockin' on your door,
And I still can knock some more:
Ooh girl, ooh girl, is it feasible?
I wanna know now, for I to knock some more.
In life I know theres lots of grief,
But your love is my relief:
Tears in my eyes burn - tears in my eyes burn
While I、m waiting - Yes I'm waiting for my turn,

I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love

El video es del film Serendipity... ¿Alguien llegó a verla? En fin, esta versión mucho más light de la original de Bob Marley, me encanta la voz de Ituana..! :) Gracias a Alex G. por hacer la magia...

@greghughes, I already replied to you via Twitter, but there were a couple of things that resonated through your comment. The first is the idea of doing “the next right thing.” That was a good reminder for me. The problem is that what appears right to me, may not always seem right to my employer, my stakeholders, my constituents, or my friends and family. My filters are weak - which is why I need a solid moral compass to keep me out of trouble, on my own, I’m not smart enough to figure this stuff out.

[vodpod id=ExternalVideo.709783&w=425&h=350&fv=autoplay%3Dfalse]

The other thing that resonated was that being right doesn’t mean being correct. My Dad drilled that into my head when he was teaching me to drive. His words, “you can have the right away, but you don’t want to be dead right.” This is the real issue I’m struggling with. If I were totally freelancing, I could handle building my own brand and establishing a unique identity. But, since I am an employee of an organization with some longstanding traditions and expectations, I have to be careful that I’m not too out of the box for them.

To most people, growth and change need to take place, but only if it’s NIMBY!

@blogan, I really appreciate your comments. Since I kind of know you, and I know you understand the traditions and constraints in which I operate, I feel like you’re really grasping the gist of my angst. (not that others aren’t - heh!)

I agree that we don’t have to tweet and blog every mundane act of our lives. This is the primary complain of those who don’t get FaceBook and Twitter, et al. However, as one who has internalized most of my emotions most of my life, it is nice to have an outlet to vent frustrations now and then.

My wife, who is very verbal, demonstrative, and expressive lets no emotion/feeling go unexpressed (more or less). Sighs, outbursts, etc are a regular occurrence with her. In fact she speaks words and sometimes I never know whether shes talking to me, the kids, the dog, or herself. I, on the otherhand, am challenged in this arena. I don’t vent, I just explode.

So, for me, Twitter is an experiment in venting - which is giving me courage to learn how to vent, verbally, and appropriately. Believe me, there is still much self-censorship taking place.

It’s the whole inauthentic thing that I’m trying to address. From my research, and from personal experience, it is the lack of authenticity that is keeping people away from church in droves. In addition, the lack of transparency is keeping churches in the nursing home business. We bring people in and care for them, but we aren’t providing a good pathway for recovery - like a hospital would.

So, as you said, I hope to lead the way by being the example. Some aren’t going to like this though. It may come across as pious, it may come across as TMI - either way, I have to be myself.

My desire for authenticity is not an ego thing. And I’m not so sure that people do care, that much, about the mundane in my life. However, like you suggested, the more I share, the more people feel trusting enough to share with me.

All my life I’ve been accused of being arrogant and aloof. That actually wasn’t what was going on in my soul. Instead, I had this great fear that I would be discovered to be a fool. I took to heart the phrase that says: “better to remain silent and be thought a fool, rather than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

As I’ve matured, gained confidence, and recovered some of my sanity and serenity, I’ve realized that I’m not a fool and that the more transparent I am, the more I’m trusted. So, for me, it is about paving the way to better relationships.

You mentioned the fighting-with-your-wife-putting-on-a-smile scenario. I do believe there are times when we need to buck up and not vomit our stuff all over other people. They don’t want to hear it, and you don’t want them to know.

However, who of us hasn’t sat in a meeting/class and leaned over to someone sitting next to us to ask “what in the world is this guy is talking about?” When I tweet that a meeting is mundane, or boring, I’d be willing to say it out loud to a trusted friend, or IM it to my brother across the room (which we used to do all the time).

Is this right? No. Should I stop? Yep. Does it set a good example? Absolutely not. Am I human? Sigh, yes I am.

To answer your question regarding would I be willing to share in person what I share online, the answer is yes - without a doubt. but sometimes we have to wait for the right opportunity. Whether I do it online, with my wife, or a close confident - some of talking it out is practicing how I want to say it when the opportunity comes.

One only gets one opportunity to have the crucial conversation. I want to make sure I don’t wound, maim, or repel the other party.

Is there some self-discovery there? Yes. I’ve been doing that through journaling for years and it helps me better communicate who I am when I write it out. But there is something about a journal post stored on my HDD, or locked into G-Docs that seems so, so void. Putting it out there for feedback is truly a learning experience for me.

I can take the heat, but I’m not sure ALL my readers can handle the transparent and naked me. If the heat were merely social, I’d be fine. However, there have been not-so-veiled threats towards my employment status, my success, and other areas that could greatly affect my family.

With my family at risk, I suddenly get more careful.

@charlene, (If that’s your real name? ;) ) Thanks for the feedback, both here and on Brent’s blog (http://blogan.net/blog/2008/10/03/self-censorship-online/). Maybe the answer, for me, is a more carefully concealed “super-seekrit” blog. I thought my Leadership Musings blog was hidden, but somehow, I had links to it in my main blogroll and in other locations. Stoooopid, I know, I blew it.

I was writing as if I were writing to myself, and in the meantime, some of the people mentioned had already subscribed to the feed. Sheesh.

I agree with you about balance. In fact, I see that balance point every time I swing past it. But to me, that’s the learning curve. If those who lurk my posts could allow me the tolerance of friendship, and a margin of error, they might learn stuff that is beyond what I can reveal in the meat space. But, I know that is hard.

As you said, the Millennials seem to have an easier time with this. I too am on the fringe of the BabyBoomer/GenX division. I related more to GenX before I had kids, but now that I’m approaching 1/2 a century, with a wife and kids, I seem to be less GenX.

But, when I look at others on the other end of the spectrum, clearly post WWII babes, I know that I have little in common with their values and visions. Indeed, many of the GenXers I associate with, tend to be more conservative and less adventuresome.

I am a quintessential early adopter and adventure is one of my core values (except when it comes to food ). Relationships are also a core value of mine - this was a bit of a surprise when I discovered that, but it’s true - even though I am an introvert.

Thanks for your thoughts (everyone) - I can’t tell you how affirming, thought-provoking, and enlightening this conversation has been for me!

Here are two more links dealing with the same issue:

http://www.interact2008.com/blog/2008/09/does-twitter-breed-lack-of-athenticity/

http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/pontin/22115/

One of the many difficulties in having private funding for basic research is that most of the time there is no indication before-hand of where the applications will come from, or what form they will take. Imagine that in the late 1960s someone had submitted to NASA the following:

We should send a probe to Mars so that it will make an important discovery about the impact of nuclear war which will then help drive the move to reducing the global nuclear arsenal.

This is pure nonsense; no could predict an outcome like that. Yet that is exactly what happened. In 1971 the Mariner 9 probe reached Mars orbit just in time for a major sandstorm. By measuring the temperature changes as the particles from the storm started to settle out, they were able to determine how much of an effect the storm had on the Martian climate; in particular that it had reduced the surface temperature significantly while the dust from the storm was still in the upper atmosphere.

This insight led Carl Sagan and his collaborators to try to calculate what would happen in the even of a nuclear war. They knew that following the explosions a huge amount of dust and soot (mostly from fires started by the explosion) would be lifted into the atmosphere. The Mariner 9 data suggested there might be effect on Earth.

The results of our calculations astonished us. In the baseline case, the amount of sunlight at the ground was reduced to a few percent of normal-much darker, in daylight, than in a heavy overcast and too dark for plants to make a living from photosynthesis. At least in the Northern Hemisphere, where the great preponderance of strategic targets lies, an unbroken and deadly gloom would persist for weeks.

Even more unexpected were the temperatures calculated. ... land temperatures, except for narrow strips of coastline, dropped to minus 250 Celsius (minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit) and stayed below freezing for months -- even for a summer war. ... because the temperatures would drop so catastrophically, virtually all crops and farm animals, at least in the Northern Hemisphere, would be destroyed, as would most varieties of uncultivated or domesticated food supplies. Most of the human survivors would starve.

Here was a surprise that had been missed by all previous direct research into the effects of nuclear war, stumbled upon by studies of the Martian climate -- a more unapplied field is hard to imagine. Now, while my title is obviously an exageration, this is a hugely important result that formed a part of the later arguments for arms reduction.

Not all spin-offs are technological, and almost none are predictable. What is predicable is that reduction or elimination of the basic research budget will eliminate these surprises -- ones that may be of crucial importance.

HOLY +HEAL TALENT TREE

Here's what I think I would choose out of the talents available at the moment (14/57/0).

I've secretly always wanted to be a spell critical holy priest instead of spell haste priest, especially since in raids you need as much mana as you can get and in my opinion, having haste just makes you lose your mana faster.

That's why I love this new talent Test of Faith which increases healing and spell critical chance by 6% when the target is at or below 50% health.  What a blessing!

INNER FIRE IMPROVEMENT

I also discovered something about our trusty Inner Fire armour buff we have.  Instead of just giving us more armour, it's now also going to be giving us an extra 120 spell power at rank 9. Sweet! Thanks Blizz.  I don't have enough talent points to spend on the Improved Inner Fire talent, though I may switch to it after I give the Serendipity talent a trial as I'm not entirely sure Serendipity will really be worth it yet, since I try to avoid overhealing my targets.

HOLY MANA REGEN TALENT TREE

If I was going for all out mana regen instead of maximising my +heal my talent tree might look a little more like this (23/48/0).

CIRCLE OF HEALING FOR ALL

Finally, there's no excuse now for the Divine Spirit loving priests to NOT have Circle of Healing!  This will make such a difference to raiding now that all holy priests will be able to put a point into this talent.  I guess now we'll be split between Guardian Spirit priests and Divine Spirit priests.

I looked toward the pitiful, though obviously sincere sound, and saw the singers were gathered about a quite elderly appearing couple. Sweet, I thought. The waitresses, having finished their cafeteria crooning, had scattered again about the restaurant, and as they went, I heard several of them explaining to the other patrons that it was a 50th wedding anniversary.

Lifting my camera and trying to be discreet, I snapped a couple frames of the anniversary couple, and then I heard something else; something beautiful and pleasing to my ear. I turned toward the sound and saw a gentleman had commandeered a Cracker Barrel microphone and, looking toward the celebration couple, was crooning a most beautiful love song.

Emboldened now as the focus of the entire restaurant was on the anniversary couple, I walked over, congratulated them, and offered to send by email the pictures, that from my perch across the room, I had taken of them. The group was friendly, and when the gentleman laughingly told me he used to build computers, but now did not even use one, a waitress gave me her email address, so I could send the pictures to her.

"The singer?" I asked. "Is he a friend, and how did he happen to sing here today?"

"Are you local?" the waitress asked me.

"No, I live in Lake Havasu."

"Well, Kingman is a small, close community, and no, I don't believe this song was planned. The gentleman who sang is a minister, he happened to be here in the restaurant, and just took the opportunity to add his blessing to this occasion."

The 50-year groom smiled at me and added, "He is the most wonderful Christian you could ever hope to meet."

I again congratulated the couple, told them they would be hearing from me, and walked back to my table where Jerry's food and mine was now ready.

It was a chance encounter at the Kingman Cracker Barrel a few days ago; it was serendipity. I happened on a beautiful couple whose name I do not know, and whose tale I cannot fathom except that almost certainly they have experienced the extremes of life; both joy and sorrow, health and sickness, prosperity and neediness.

I wish them well...wish them God's blessings.

_________________________________

My devotional blog is here.

What better a contradiction to set the mood for this feature in Vanity Fair.

If I ever had any journalistic integrity, I know that I probably just lost it with that admission, but as you probably expect, this is leading up to Something...

I got a comment in my inbox today that left me laughing seriously hard.  Then I got happy for a minute or two, then I decided to do research and, well, I'm still kinda happy, what with being a cheap date and all.  I'm going to share it with you because I see that they are an Internet Start Up, and having worked with a few of those, I know how hard it is to Start Up a Start Up.  So there are mixed emotions here - Empathy and Happythy. 

Plus, they buttered me up with a dash of praise, which is not at all deserved - but by cracky I'm ready for the toaster, what with this butter-up riding on the tails of The Mighty Crimson Tide ranking #2 in the polls this week (god bless the polls).  So rather than banishing this nice but slightly demented writer to the Comments Netherland of my humble little blog, I'll just post the darned thing here.

Disclaimer Alert:  Names changed to protect the innocent.  My comments posted in italics. 

Hi Laura,

I work for an internet startup, the company that runs something.com, somethingcom, something.com and somethingsearch (some pretty heavy hitters here). My team knows that blogs/sites like yours attract serious followings, which is why we’re interested in them.   (Moi?  Are u shure?)

After scouring the Internet and researching hundreds of Web sites, I have determined that Everyday Celebrations is clearly a go-to Blog. (I probably need to send them a coupon for new scouring pads but read on!) We think fans of your site might also enjoy the site we just launched (www.life123.com) because there is a section devoted to celebrations, which features articles like Hauntingly fun Halloween Parties (http://www.life123.com/article_TopicHome/Hauntingly-Fun-Halloween-Parties_1205353896475.html) and videos about Halloween Party Planning (http://www.life123.com/article_TopicHome/Hauntingly-Fun-Halloween-Parties_1205353896475.html).

If you think your readers might be interested, it would be great if you could cover us in a future post. (TOLD you I was a cheap date) 

We know fans of your site may like our stuff, but you’re probably wondering what’s in it for you? (not really because I'm trying so hard not to wet myself laughing right now)

Glad you asked. There are two things:

1. If you provide a link to us, we’d provide a link to your site/blog from our blog. (life123blog.com) (this I can do)

2.We can publish your work as a writer on our site (that’s paid work) if you are interested, or have posters that are interested. (see my comments at the end, please)

Please feel free to contact me with questions.

Kinda giggly, no?  It's probably a form letter, but ya know, it's still a warm-fuzzy form letter so Kudos to the writer!  

Here's you're favor!

I did check out the site.  They are just getting up and running, but there is some good info there.  Plus, they are actively soliciting writers.  So if you're interested, go to www.life123.com and check out the Celebrations section.  Let me know what you think if you're so inclined. 

Becuz I love comments, and I'm a cheap date.

Celebrating warm, fuzzy form letters and Internet start-ups today!  Remember to Celebrate Something Everyday!

OH! and PS - life123.com, you are now on my official "love list".  How many children were you thinking?

In college I stormed through the Faerie Queene at a tremendous pace, so fast I don't remember all that much of it except its' beautiful tone and style. Anyways here is an opportunity for me to keep a copy at work and one at home. Too Cool!

Peace,

Michael Evan Kerry McCullough

I am leaving it as is. I have never farmed, but I do love farmers, and farmer's markets, local food and products, slow food, organic food, you name it.

I sure get a kick out of being a farmer. My back yard is the size of 2 minivans parked side by side. I do grow some herbs and tomatoes now and then, and want to start a garden next year, so maybe the Twellow title is a prophecy of things to come.

Twellow indexes your Twitter page to create your profile for you, based off of your Bio and interactions on Twitter. I do talk about organic food a lot, and my Bio has "farmer's markets" in it, so I assume that is how it got picked up for my page title.

Gotta love serendipity!

Have a great night,
Kerry

The title of the quilt is Messengers, and it is 36" wide by 44" long. I've worked on it for about 3 years. Everything is hand pieced and hand stitched. The edges have a crocheted binding. The fabric is my own hand painted fabric. After quilting, I keep painting. The first time I painted onto a quilt that I had spent a lot of time stitching, I was really nervous. Now, I'm excited by it. You never know how the quilted surface and the paints and other products you put on it will interact. It's a kind of "dangerous" serendipity that I've never regretted yet. Would you call that an oxymoron?

The saying on the quilt is a quote from Brenda Ueland, a famous writer and teacher of writing:

Think of yourself as an incandescent power, illuminated and perhaps forever talked to by God and his messengers.

This is my write up for the quilt:

The messengers are gathering in prime formation: 2 butterflies, 3 dragonflies, 5 angels, 7 crows, 11 stars. To truly hear their message, you must kill the ego. Egos are wont to kill the messenger when they dislike the message they are receiving, but that is a useless tactic. The message will simply find you another way, through another messenger.

Serendipity - The event was sadly cancled due to unforeseen circumstances. We will continue looking for opportunities to perform.

Which brings us to our next news item!

Izumicon - Happy!Project will be performing the opening, intermission and ending of the cosplay show for Izumicon! The convention will run November 21 to November 23 and will take place in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. You can find more information at http://www.izumicon.com/

As many of you know, the official website for Happy!Project has been down for a while, and we've been trying to look for solutions to get it back up. We have finally decided to get our own domain name!!! Which is really exciting! The website is still being put back up, and we are all working on banners and graphics for our new website. The website can be found at http://www.happy-project.org Please be sure to check it out!!

And lastely, we have started a community event, and we will be working with the 6th graders of Sky Ranch Elementary in Oklahoma City to fold as many paper cranes as humanly possible. We will be sending 1,000 cranes to Hiroshima to the statue of Sadako and then placing the rest of what we can make in the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial, where many children also lost their lives. We will be connecting the two tragic events, and remembering both as well. There is a story in Japan that says if you fold 1,000 paper cranes you will have a wish granted, we will be wishing for peace and unity. In hopes that nothing like these tragic events will ever have to happen again.

We are asking for donations to help us with this project! If you can send Origami paper, words of encouragement for the 6th graders, or money so that we can buy Origami paper, it would be highly appreciated! We have set up a paypal account, we will be using all donations to purchase origami paper. Please follow the link below if you would like to donate, all donations are HIGHLY appreciated and will be used exclusively for these projects!

Thanks guys!