Just a quick note to let you know that Secret Agent L has posted a new poll over there on the right. She’s been thinking lately about opening up a PayPal account to accept online donations to help with mission expenses. Ultimately, what she’d like to do is start doing Mega Mission Mondays where the mission for that Monday is, well, Mega. As in, a bit more expensive and special. Usually, Secret Agent L and her Affiliated Agents try to keep their goodies around $5 (or less). But with Mega Mission Mondays, Secret Agent L would loveto have goodies that are much more substantial: $10-$20 gift cards, CDs, books, etc. But she can’t do it on her day job’s salary. (Insert sad music here.)
Secret Agent L understands that money is tight for everyone these days. With so many people out of work and strapped for cash just to pay the mortgage or the rent, donating to Secret Agent L might feel a bit overwhelming. But what if people gave up their Starbucks for the day? Or packed their lunches instead? Just thinking out loud here.
So please take a moment to leave a comment or vote in the poll. Secret Agent L values her readers, her Affiliated Agents, and the world at large. Let her know what you think! Thanks so much!
Secret Agent L completed her first mission in a long, long time today. She was a little nervous! And a bit rusty! (Two thwarted attempts later, she finally managed this one.)
With the G-20 out of the way, Secret Agent L thought it’d still be kind of fun to keep with the journalistic feel that’s been permeating Pittsburgh. This reporter-style notebook, generously donated by our new friends at Compendium (get thee to their website NOW!!), made for the perfect little treat. Secret Agent L has more such treats from Compendium and will be sharing them with the city of Pittsburgh in the coming weeks. In the meantime, check out the amazing selection of gifts this super cool company has in store! Secret Agent L is in love!
Date: Monday, 28 September 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, College Hall, ground-floor lobby Time: 4:14 p.m.
(Get a load of the print on these couches! Yikes! Secret Agent L should have a side business: Interior Decorator to All Those Places That Have Couches in Their Lobbies)
Hopefully, whoever finds this reporter notebook will jot down all of the exciting things that happen in his or her life! And then share those things with others!
And a BIG, HUGE, WE’RE-SO-NOT-WORTHY{THANK YOU!} to Kristel at the Editorial Department of Compendium who stumbled on to the Secret Agent L site and GENEROUSLY sent a package filled with all kinds of goodies to give away in the name of kindness. Kristel, you are amazing, and your company fills our hearts. THANK YOU!! xoxoxo
Affiliate Agent F in Denmark certainly knows how to perform a great mission. Even without a printer, this hard-working agent attached a handwritten note and cards so the recipient would know the special gifts left behind were just for her! Great job!
Affiliate Agent F writes, “…in my small town, it’s not easy to find places to put kind things, but when my friend asked me to go to the movies with her, I thought it was the perfect place!
A few days ago, I bought a few things I thought would be nice. I bought a candle and two of those pillows you can blow up to support your neck when you travel by car or airplane.”
The items left in the ladies’ room of a cinema included the note, “Dear movie-watcher! Aristotle said: ‘What is a friend? – A single soul in two bodies.’ I hope you came here tonight with a friend, maybe one that brightens up your life, and makes it a little easier. Have a good evening, and say hello to your friend from Secret Agent F.”
“With the letter, I put a little note that said ‘You’re beautiful’ in a few different languages.” Thanks Agent F, we think you are beautiful, too!
Affiliate Agent WLH certainly had his hands full with this mission and in more ways than one. His idea to make a drop for the workers at the new home of the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team encountered a little hitch.
He writes: “On a rainy Tuesday, I set out with two dozen doughnuts, slogging though town in hopes of dropping the highly visible bag over the construction fence to the toiling workers. On the eve of the G-20, however, security was on red alert, and both the construction guard and a local University officer were eyeing me, I imagine, supposing me an agent of anarchy rather than goodwill.
Their scowls suggested that they suspected my pastry bag really contained something more like a custard bomb or a rabid hamster to thwart their construction efforts.
Deciding to repurpose the mission, I set off in search of new quary, splitting my goodies between Duquesne University staffers and the staff of the brand new Allegheny Branch of the Carnegie Library.
The lively librarians seemed surprised but delighted to find the doughnuts, as I snapped a photo, and ran. Not the most deftly effected mission, but successful enough!”
Secret Agent L confirms the outcome of this mission as great.
Secret Agent L went out this morning to go to the pharmacy and was overwhelmed by the G-20 craziness that’s going on around her neighborhood: protestors and riot police and anarchists, oh my! She had full intentions of completing a couple of missions, but the Many Riot Police made her nervous, so she ran her errand and headed home to the safety and quiet of her apartment instead.
However! Secret Agent L is pleased to announce that she still has a reservoir of missions sitting in her inbox from the Call for Missions email she sent out last week to all of her Affiliated Agents.
Today, I bring to you another mission from Affiliated Agent D in Oregon. This girl rocks!
Date: last weekend Time: morning and late afternoon Location: Various locations around Albany, Oregon Affiliated Agent D states: “I purchased these cute little encouraging notes on etsy. I added a little embellishment along with the Secret Agent tag and stashed them in my purse to spread joy around town this weekend.
“The first note was left at Ciddici’s Pizza in Albany, Oregon after dinner on Saturday night around 5pm. I don’t know for sure…but have a hunch it was found by the sweet waitress who took our order.
“The second note was left at Del Taco in Albany when we had our Sunday morning breakfast burrito. (We are really not such fast-food junkies, but this has been a busy weekend!!)
“The final note was left in the women’s restroom at South Albany Community Church…hope it encouraged the finder!!”
Well done, Affiliated Agent D! You always come through, and Secret Agent L appreciates it very much! Keep up the good work!
Affiliate Agent WLH performed his first mission in Pittsburgh this week and has found this work quite rewarding. Reward was his inspiration for the mission.
Placing a necklace around a lamp on the the most popular table in the coffee shop would be the perfect reward for a studying student or a patron in need of a caffeine fix.
Secret Agent L calls this first mission a great success!
Hello, everyone. Secret Agent L here. Well, it’s been a rough, rough 6 weeks for me. Loss is never easy to deal with–any kind of loss. And while each day is still a tremendous struggle (I never knew the human heart could weep and ache as mine has), I am trying to move forward in kindness. I am trying to hold on to any little glimmer of joy and peace out there, trying to rebuild in some way.
And, so…
Last week I put out a call to all of my Affiliated Agents requesting that they please perform a mission. I was not disappointed. I now bring to you some of those glimmers.
1. Affiliated Agent L in Germany writes:
“I’ve done two things this week:
1. Give a ride to someone who was walking on an Air Force base. Many newcomers to this base have to wait until their cars are shipped from the US to Germany, and many end up sans auto for a bit. Friday morning I pulled over and offered a ride to a woman who was new in town. Turns out she was going to the same building I was- no inconvenience at all, and she was really appreciative.
2. Compliment a stranger! I read an article in the local paper about a woman who recently got promoted. I saw her at the store and told her congrats-she was surprised and excited. Made my day!”
2. Affiliated Agent CCC writes:
“Secret Agent CCC works in a company going through a lot of rough changes. Morale is low, people are unhappy, stress is in abundance, happiness is hard to come by, and she’d love to see the gray cloud over her office go away. To help make that possible, she’s vowed to provide a small gift for the 200 or so people she works with. If she leaves 1 tiny gift a day she’ll be able to make everyone she works with a little happier over the course of less than a year. Because the people she works with are very internet savvy, and because she’d really like to not have her secret agent cover blown, she’s not sending in pictures of these good deeds. But, what she is doing, is placing a piece of fruit on her coworker’s desks that read: ‘You work hard. You work long hours. You help people without expecting anything in return. Thank you! May this piece of fruit add a touch of sweetness to your day.’
She’s left the note unsigned, and she’s not heard any rumblings yet, but she hopes that she can make her coworkers (and a fruit-seller or two) happy over the next year.”
3. Affiliated Agent E of Affiliated Secret Unit E.T. writes:
“Today’s mission was to release a Lavender & Orange Badger Balm out into the world. Badger Balm is a line of organic body rubs that come in sweet little tins, decorated with charming badgers. We’re fans and we hoped that a little Badger Balm would make someone else’s day a bit brighter.
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2009
Time: 8:50 a.m.
Location: Women’s bathroom – corporate office building – Exton, Pennsylvania
Leaving gifts in bathrooms is popular among the agents, I know. It sounds simple, but let me tell you…it was trickier than I expected! I didn’t know if someone was about to fling open the door and catch me in the act!!But somehow I managed to place the balm and take a photo in secret. Phew!I hope someone enjoys this little surprise! And I’d like to say to anyone who hasn’t done a mission yet – this is FUN! It’s even more fun than you think it’s going to be.”
Secret Agent L knows that when inspiration hits, action must be taken. Immediately! That’s why it is important to keep the necessary tools on hand, at all times.
Location: Park on Carson St., Southside
Date: 9-15-09
Time: 8:40 PM
What better place for inspiration to hit than a park bench on a beautiful evening?!?
At sunset, this mini notebook was left on a park bench to help the recipient in that creative process.
This cute little pocket notebook can hold a personal photo in the front cover to further inspire the carrier. Hopefully, it will be put to good use!
The REAL Secret Agent L announces that she will be returning to the field on Monday, September 21, 2009.
She thanks everyone for their kindness, prayers, and good wishes during this difficult time. She’s still struggling with putting one foot in front of the other, but she’s determined to continue to move forward in kindness.
She’s really looking forward to her return! See you soon!
(Get a load of the print on these couches! Yikes! Secret Agent L should have a side business: Interior Decorator to All Those Places That Have Couches in Their Lobbies)
“The first note was left at Ciddici’s Pizza in Albany, Oregon after dinner on Saturday night around 5pm. I don’t know for sure…but have a hunch it was found by the sweet waitress who took our order.
“The second note was left at Del Taco in Albany when we had our Sunday morning breakfast burrito. (We are really not such fast-food junkies, but this has been a busy weekend!!)
“The final note was left in the women’s restroom at South Albany Community Church…hope it encouraged the finder!!”
