Warm Fuzzy Fiesta

In which we shall see: Warmth and fuzziness. Duh. (Plus a dance invitation.)

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Today I skipped out on work and headed over to my favorite local "other" high school to help judge auditions for the upcoming High School Shakespeare competition (at which my f.l."o".h.s. always ROCKS). First, I love these kids. They are dedicated to their program and making themselves better performers, and they give it their all. Second, I love Shakespeare, and I especially love getting to come and dig into these little snapshots from the plays and helping the students make them live. I'm so excited every year for these couple of weeks to coach and get fangirly all over again for my pal Will S.!

One of my dear friends is the teacher at this school, and she is FANTASTIC. At the recent Drama Club Leadership Retreat she instituted a "warm fuzzy" activity, for which people would write down something nice about someone to be read out loud each day. I was pleased to arrive at the school and find that this activity had carried over into the school year, with people writing warm fuzzies on slips of paper and dropping them into an actually fuzzy box (decorated with fake fur, not mold). They were read at the beginning of the class period, and I was even more delighted to hear two w.f.'s dedicated to me - one of which asked me to Prom. (I told him he'd have to get a permission slip signed by his mom before I'd say yes. Chances are good he'll get it. I'll post pictures.)

Anyway, in the spirit of the day I decided to do my very first Warm Fuzzy Post - where I list things I love about wonderful people I know, just for fun. If you're not included on the list today, don't worry - your time will come. (I've been pondering various topics for more "serious" posts, including: 'Tips for Triumph', Giving Advice and Driving Badly in Disguise; Timing Issues; The Tao of Hotness; More Movie Reviews; The Cosmic Sheep Theory; and A Refutation of the Claim that the 'Twilight' Books are Soft-Core Porn [snappy title pending]. If any of these sound interesting to you, let me know and I'll get on it sooner.) On to the Warmth - and the Fuzz!

In no particular order:

Tara - I'm so happy we've met, and that I'll get to know you better. I love your enthusiasm for your work, and for my craziness!

Greg - Your happy-go-lucky zaniness always makes me happy. I can't think of many people as willing as you to be yourself and enjoy it. Plus, you're so good at making new friends to take along for the ride. ("Because I'M IN'TRESTED!")

Phaidra - You are such an inspiration to me. Your boundless affection, common sense and absolutely amazing scope of vision fill me with awe. You make everyone around you feel so important... Whatever I did to deserve your friendship, I hope I keep it up!

Mom - How do you fit so much passion and heart into one little person? Your desire and drive to make the lives of others better is incredible.

Matt - You make me laugh hard. You make me think harder. I owe you for both (and you're still up by 20 or so). You make me feel so good about myself - you are rare, and beautiful.

Kari - I really do miss you. I love talking with you about whatever, since I know you honestly do care. I'm so motivated by your creativity, and so thankful for your support. Your dry humor KILLS me.

Michelle - You are a breath of fresh air, a bundle of sunshine and laughter and all those other shining cliches that still can't help but make everyone around you happy. Your artistic talents are immense - your talents for friendship even bigger.

The Jackie - Dude. I'm so glad you're here to make the world a better place. No gathering is complete without you, and any time spent with you is QUALITY.

Bart - You're a total rock star, you know that? I (ahem) done good. You have such a generous heart - your smile, your easy acceptance of others, your willingness to do whatever needs to be done are all contagious. Let's hope there's never a cure.

Ben - It's so much fun to see you growing and discovering - you make me want to find those qualities in myself again. Thanks for only running away now when I'm trying to scare you (for fun), and for always coming back to play more!

That's it for today - feel free to send in requests, and look for your name in future Warm Fuzzy Fiestas!

Watch out for toasty, squishy, fluffy falling turtles,

Cyd