It's a Dundee-al
Although Kindness Day is now officially over, the idea of kindness isn’t (mercifully, otherwise it would be a pretty long 364 days till the next good acts occurred), and I’m going to delay writing a full round-up of Watsonian good works for a few days, because a number of Commenters have described kind plans which will need some time to come together. Nonetheless, there have already been some lovely acts – you can see them in yesterday’s Comments – ranging from buying chocolate to leaving a thoughtful note to defending religious freedom against fascists. I salute you all.
As for me, most of my efforts were pretty small-scale. I put some money in a ‘tips for staff holiday’ tin in the cafe by the hotel which fuelled me with coffee for yesterday’s marathon writing efforts. Normally I regard this as a bit cheeky because there are enough charities already staking a claim to your change, without people asking for tips when all they’ve done is served you over the counter. But I put this to one side and donated to the tired-looking baristas, and, for good measure, asked one of them how her day had been. Then to level things up I put some money in a poppy box although I’d already got a poppy (two, in fact). Then I sent some cheering messages to various friends and acquaintances on Twitter and Facebook who were complaining of this or that problem. I explained to most of them that it was Kindness Day, in case they found out later and it made my good wishes seem rather empty.
But this all seemed a bit feeble, so as you might have seen yesterday, I decided to give ten pairs of tickets away to the most deserving cases. ‘Sob-stories’ was the rather derisory term I used for what we were looking for, but I’d underestimated some of the emotions that would come out. There have been some incredible posts. I’m going to keep this open till the end of today. Remember you don’t HAVE to have some massive misfortune to qualify. But equally, you shouldn’t be restrained about saying so, if you have. I’m keen to give a small boost to people who are genuinely unable to come to the shows, but with ten winners, there’s space for a couple of cheeky ones.
I’ve been holed up in my room working long hours on the follow-up to Eleven, and now I am off to Dundee, for the legendary show-that-never-was-but-actually-is, if you’ve been following that drama. I leave you with the long-awaited picture of the Project Preston crowd, backstage after their arrival on the coach. If that’s not a symbol of the value of collaboration and doing silly things, I don’t know what is.
Posted by Jonny on November 16, 2010
What an odd face I’m pulling on that photo.
Posted by Ingrid on November 16, 2010
Since I’ve been away all weekend i haven’t been able to do my kind thing till i got back yesterday. But anyway here is what i did.
I am awful for loosing pens, so i am often borrowing them from friends, family and teachers and they dont always find their way back to their owners. I decided i would go and give the pens back! I left for school today with eighty pens and came back with one. Success id say. Then i thought about what i could do for the bin men. In the end i stuck a thankyou note and a lolly onto several local bins that i use. I have some photos of this, but i cant really figure out how to post them… anyway i hope im not to late with this.
Glad project preston went well!
Posted by Madeleine on November 15, 2010
Today I gave two of the hardest working and nicest teachers at my school presents! It was all quite teary because today was our last day before graduation on Thursday.
I was also kind to my friend who said that my other friend could bring a “bird” back to the apartment we’re staying at at the beach next week, by just yelling at him instead of punching his face. Which I think shows incredible restraint.
I’ve also burnt my homeroom teacher a CD. He’s english and as such is very into music, but hasn’t heard the Julian Casablancas solo album yet or the new Sufjan Stevens (HIGHLY recommend) yet and that must be rectified.
Posted by Lins on November 15, 2010
Just sat next to you on the train!!! Thought it was you but you seemed deep in concentration and its rude to stare :p I see you were on at 730 no wonder you were concentrating. hope you made it in time and show was fab. I’m sorry I missed it.
Enjoy the rest of the tour and I hope the trains are better next time.
Posted by Natalie-Helen on November 15, 2010
Mark, you are more amazing than I could have ever guessed.
Can’t wait until Watsonians unit and make you the leader of the free world. The Kindness competition is a great idea though reading the entries is tugging at my heart strings quite a bit.
So many deserving people I don’t envy the decision.
Though I do support Giles in his attempt, because his life is clearly not made easy by blog based escapades and like he said, he hasn’t seen the show.
^_^
Posted by Hal on November 14, 2010
I ironed some of my husband’s shirts (this is unusual) he just came in and said “hmph” – which I’m taking to mean ” how delightfully kind, I take it you’ve been inspired by Watson to pretend to be wifey for a change”
Maybe tomorrow I’ll make breakfast. Or clean something.
Posted by Rachel on November 14, 2010
I could’ve done with some kindness today instead of the terribly patronising and snobby comment sent to me via Facebook this evening
Though I went to a German market this afternoon so it’s not all bad. I bought some strawberry popcorn and shared it with my family, that’s about as far as my kindness has stretched today. I did also clean out my rabbit and guinea pig’s hutches this afternoon, even though I’m allergic to the bedding we use for them, so I suppose that also counts (I’m suffering for it now though). Will be better at it this week.
Hope Dundee is good, it’s only 20 days until I finally get to see your show, yay!
Posted by Ivan (@ivanbrett) on November 14, 2010
I was thinking about National Kindness day all day yesterday but I just didn’t have the opportunity to be particularly kind. I spent all day teaching my girlfriend French before her trip to Paris, but that wasn’t exactly a ‘random act’. We’d arranged it. The only other thing I can think of is that I cooked my family some supper, but I do that at least 3 days a week now that I’m living at home.
So, a bit of a failure on my part. Sorry everyone. Not sure how I can atone for my sins…
Posted by Rachael on November 14, 2010
I hope the news spread to all the dundee folk and you don’t end up talking to yourself all night.
Posted by Someone on November 14, 2010
Haha nice one, @Sam!
And yay for follow up to Eleven! Cannae wait. Keep on at it!
Posted by josie on November 14, 2010
I am very much looking forward to the follow-up of Eleven – I loved Eleven!
Posted by Louise on November 14, 2010
wahey Project Preston!
Just going to be really annoying and ask if the pic can be made any bigger? x
Posted by Beth on November 14, 2010
I have an app on my iPod that gives me a new Russian word every day and today’s was kindness! I was so surprised!
Posted by Sam on November 14, 2010
As an add on to my last comment, I still have some lollipops left so if any Watsonians want some I will post them to you, my twitter is @schafersam, tweet me and we’ll sort something out.
Posted by Sam on November 14, 2010
Not to belittle what you normally do comedy-wise but the title of this blog is quite possibly the finest thing you have ever done.
Kindness news now and today I did a proper act as I had the time and didn’t have to deal with fascism, and I stood in the street giving out lollipops to passers by. At some points I felt this was a bad idea as it made me the man you would be warned about at school. But no one complained, a couple of people were bemused, but they enjoyed the lollipops.
Posted by Neil Smith on November 14, 2010
Have a great time in Dundee Mark, hopefully see you in Nottingham this week, is there anyway I can make your stay in the Midlands any better/easier ??
Posted by Misha on November 14, 2010
Lovely picture.
And hurrah for the power of doing stupid things in the name of being happy.
Hope Dundee goes well x
Posted by Anji on November 14, 2010
Ah bless, what a bunch of lovely kind people we are!
It’s my mum’s birthday today, and we’re cooking her tea! And have spent the day at a craft show with her. So Happy Birthday Mum!
Hope the never was but actually is show is a goodun! And is also filled with lovely kind people who know that although you almost weren’t there you actually always were!