New Address

Just wanted to let you guys know that I live in Canada now. If you want to get something unexpected, my new address is:

4108 Saint Hubert St.
Apartment 3
Montreal, QC H2L 4A8
Canada

I am still behind on posts, but Get Something Unexpected is still very much in working order!

It All Comes Full Circle

I can be really horrible at "blogging". People keep telling me that the point of a blog is to update it often (I've been told weekly) and to just have your work published in general, for the world to see. I've obviously fallen down on the job. This would be fine and I probably wouldn't care much if I didn't have other people involved in this project--those other people being kind humans who have donated to Something Unexpected. So, to my donors, I apologize profusely. It has been far too long since I've written and, therefore, I have not yet recognized your awesome contributions.

Ashamed as I am to admit it, I am 8 entries behind. (Everyone take a couple of seconds to point and jeer at me.) I will now begin to redeem myself, in order.

Earl Cox, Chief Strategy Officer at the Martin Agency, is truly an amazing guy. It was only the second time I met Earl that I told him about this project. I could tell that he was amused by the idea, and he immediately gave me $20. It was really touching for me, because he barely knew me and, let's face it, Something Unexpected is a little weird. Since then, he has been a really important part of my last semester in graduate school, as he is my senior thesis adviser, and an all around totally awesome guy.

Now, he gave me the very generous donation back in January, and I haven't even given him something unexpected yet. (Everyone point and jeer again.) I have, however, made it--actually, I made it back in January, and it is the "Psychedelic Shorts Until February Kit". Clearly, this is something I made up to help Earl get through the cold dark months of Winter, and it contains a bubble blowing kit, a badminton set, and some great Thomas Harris beach reading. Last, but not least, I hand-painted the box in what I thought was a really, really trippy design--and it even had a tiny umbrella on top.

The only problem is that, now, it is past February and Spring is in full force. Poor Mr. Cox had to brave the Winter without my psychedelic gift. Having said this, February is now 11 months away, and I'll be giving the "Psychedelic Shorts Until February Kit" to him on Tuesday. The gift has come full circle, and he will get more use out of it this way.

Angels with Earbuds

One of the sweetest donations I have received yet came from Don and Gina Spicer, my boyfriend's parents! Not only did they collectively send me $38.31, they also included a wonderful letter written by Gina and a beautiful picture of a rose that Don took himself.

Receiving this particular donation was very special to me. It reminded me that, even at times when I feel as if I don't have very much support, I actually have lots. I haven't mentioned Something Unexpected to Gina or Don even once, and they still took the time to send me a donation for the project. Even more than that, they gave me something beautiful, both in the words of the letter and the lovely picture. It reminded me of why I started this project in the first place--because I think that it is possible for us to brighten each other's days.

In return, I sent them a wooden wall angel, a painting I did of a lily when I was about 10 years old, a pair of good-luck earrings, and the Monterey Pop Festival 2 disc collection! As you can see in the photos (taken by Don Spicer), they seem to be having fun with them.

Thanks again, Don and Gina! You guys are so cool.

Bob Dylan Said...

"A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do."

I enjoy going to bed at night. After the alarm goes off for the third time, I enjoy getting up in the morning. But this question remains: What do I want to do in between?

This is a very difficult question for me, because the answer changes so often, and I am always left wondering whether or not that is okay. This project, Something Unexpected, has made me ponder this even further. Through it, I have an amazing opportunity to learn about myself, but the deeper I get, the more everything fragments. Each and every single splinter of myself that I find holds a deep wish or desire. How can I possibly fulfill on them all?

I thought that becoming a student at the VCU Brandcenter would solidify things for me once and for all, but it did me one better, and now I have more opportunities than I could ever have hoped for; they are teaching me how to help myself in anything I should choose.

Lately, giving away the unexpected (or selling it, rather) has been unexpected for me. I am so fucking attached to my stuff. When someone sends me a donation, I literally spend hours trying to figure out what to give them. Not only do I struggle with the age-old, crippling question, "Is my stuff good enough?"--I also struggle with giving it away in the first place. What is it that I think these things say about me, in or out of my possession? What do I think they say about me that I am not vibrant enough, interesting enough, or weird enough to say about myself?

The attached pictures were graciously taken by Sara Cobaugh, who mailed me $5! Thank you so much, Sara! In return, I mailed her the Dylan book that you see pictured. Good old Abe Lincoln was taped into the card she sent and, through the help of a well-drawn speech bubble, he said to me, "Just holler and I'll be there!" I'm gonna take him up on that.

Extended Hearts

I am so excited at this point to have received several donations. I didn't really know what was going to happen with this when I started out, and every time someone participates it is completely unexpected for me.

The first donation of $5 came from Kimberly Munn. It was accompanied with a touching handwritten letter, sealed with imprinted wax! In return, I sent her a print by my friend Pei-Chen Chien, who creates mysterious and beautiful art that I feel expresses deepest emotions of the human soul. I've included a couple of photos that Kimberly sent me.

You have to check out Kimberly's website for her design, print, and DIY culture shop, Rage Haus: "Design, Life, and Happy Accidents". It is full of amazing design and awesome creations. You can read a post there about Something Unexpected.

Thank so much to Kimberly, and everyone else who has donated so far! Check back soon for more pictures of unexpected items and donations.

If You Contribute...

let me know whether or not you'd like to be included in the blog. I'd like to post donation amounts along with the unexpected item that I mailed back. If you'd like, I'll include your name along with your donation. If you'd like to remain anonymous, that's fine, too!

Check back soon, because I have a few donations and unexpected items to upload!

Thanks so much to all who have participated so far. Each time I receive an envelope, it is impossible for me to wipe the smile off my face. It makes my entire week!

Craig's List Says "No"

Well, it seems that my posting to Craig's List is not legitimate enough. My post has been flagged and removed. It could be that people don't think I will actually send them anything if they send me money. Though I am committed to holding up my end of the bargain and sending something unexpected of equal or greater value, I can't say that I blame the skeptics.

This is something I assumed I would run into. My venture is, to say the least, a bit unusual. We are all protecting ourselves here, and there isn't anything wrong with that. Many have come up against skepticism when starting something new. The best thing I can do is follow through on my promise--build the brand if you will. It isn't hard to remember. Something Unexpected promises something unexpected.

So far, reactions have fallen into three categories: laughter, silence, or enthusiasm. I can't say that I mind any of them.

Oh, and I re-posted to Craig's List to see what happens. The post is under the For Sale: Household Items category. We'll see if they find it this time.