My friend Stacy sent me a note and this link today. She wrote:
This lovely Australian gentleman was on Oprah today. I hope his wonderful short film puts a big smile on your face. There are those days when the human race amazes me in a good way! Just try not grin from ear to ear, I dare you.
People tend to tell me lots of things, much of it sad and painful. I wish this guy could travel around around these parts sometime soon; they can certainly use what he offers for free. And if you're feeling a bit down right about now, I'm sending you a virtual one from me as well.
Hey Stacy, thanks for the smile today and for brightening up my day yesterday. I'm still trying to find a way to lure you down south because everything's a gazillion times more fun when you're around.
Oh -- and speaking of free wonderful things. Stacy and I spent hours at the South Coast Plaza yesterday doing some heavyweight shopping; we were actually tired and sore by the time we limped our way back to the car. But something we saw revived our spirits, gave us our second wind, so to speak.
We walked by Abercrombie & Fitch and espied a gorgeous man standing inside by the store entrance. Now although this might not sound unusual at all (since everyone knows good looks are an unwritten but universally understood prerequisite to getting a job as a salesperson at any of their stores),
this man actually made us stop right in our tracks. He was the usual tall, blonde, tanned, ruggedly handsome sort of fellow you might see ringing up your jeans at A&F -- but he was completely shirtless. He wore a fur-lined hoodie jacket and possibly jeans (both our eyes stopped at his impossibly defined six-pack so we really can't say what he looked like from waist down), and he stood pretty much immobile like he was a mannequin. Which, I suppose, was his raison d’être that day.
Stacy and I stood outside looking in, took a minute to catch our collective breath and admire the view a bit more. And then she looked at me, her eyes dancing wildly, and with the naughtiest smile, announced her brilliant idea.
"I think I'm going to go up there and tip him," she said. There wasn't a trace of sarcasm in her voice, just sincere gratitude. I only wish he were holding up the same sign the Australian guy did in his short film. Now THAT would have definitely made me happy.
Awwwww....how sweet!
Posted by: Cathy | October 31, 2006 at 01:29 AM
Very nice !! so sweet:) a virtual hug from me to you,too!
Posted by: cheH | October 31, 2006 at 02:09 AM
this is awesome!!! people in the first world countries have lost touched with being warmly human - that they need to hug each other! I could see these in the lonely faces and depressed eyes of people here. So much to learn from poverty stricken countries like the Philippines!
Posted by: jase | November 01, 2006 at 01:51 PM
That WAS a really heartwarming video. Thanks for posting it.
Posted by: chiqui | November 01, 2006 at 03:02 PM
Hi Cathy, cheH, Jase, and Chiqs - Hugs all around!
Posted by: Gigi | November 01, 2006 at 07:02 PM
That was grrreeeaat, Gigi! Thank you very much (to your friend, Stacy, too) for sharing this with us - I actually felt good after watching it, like I was hugged! :)
Posted by: bugsybee | November 07, 2006 at 05:06 AM
Hi Bugsy - It just reminded me how often the little things are the ones that mean a lot. Hugs from me, too!
Posted by: Gigi | November 08, 2006 at 07:19 AM
such an amazing guy to come up with the idea. he definitely put everyone in loving and caring mood!
Posted by: evi | November 08, 2006 at 10:14 PM