Turning things around - Random Act of m.a.d (making a difference) No. 103

I've been down in the dumps for days after someone broke in, ransacked and burgled my place. It's not the goods I am upset about losing, rather the content on them - in particular my year's work on a bush about, and for, Black Saturday bushfire victims.

After little sleep, much upset and a whole lot of soul searching, I have been trying to find a way to make myself feel better.

It finally struck me. The way I have always felt good is by doing things to make other people feel good. So I am about to embark on an ongoing journey of committing Random Acts of m.a.d. (making a difference).

It's a m.a.d.woman project I started last year with my team, where we went out and did things including giving flowers to strangers in the street, leaving behind my little Random Acts of m.a.d. card.

From today, I'm starting again and I plan to do at least one Random Act of m.a.d. every day until I feel better, and then keep on going.

This social experiment was designed in the hope that people might pass the card on to someone else and do a Random Act of m.a.d. of their own.

I'm kicking off today with Random Act of m.a.d. No 103. I've attached it to a copy of one of my books, How to be m.a.d. (making a difference) with a nice ribbon and plan to put it in the mailbox of a house further down my street.

It may be close to home, but it's a start...

Stepping up...

They say every journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. In my case, a journey of a thousand posts was to begin with a single blog. Three months ago.

I had great intentions. Post daily, or at least several times a week people said. I'd always been given the same advice about exercise.

Not long after I taken the first steps with both activities, I took a couple of little trips. The first planned, the second not so.

Trip number one was a well-deserved four day break to the South Island of New Zealand. Dramatic scenery, fabulous weather, beautiful lodgings. It was the time out I needed. I arrived back in Australia much more chillaxed that when I left.

In my newly laid back state, I took slower steps... all except one of them and so began my second er...trip... My trip was not to some exotic location, but UP the stairs. One little mis-step mid-flight was all it took to create a raft of injuries - sprains and strains to ligaments, muscles and tendons and a lingering injury to my shoulder rendering me unable to write, type or exercise...

So I am starting two journeys again today - this time it's not about stepping, rather cycling. The exercise bike was my first stop today and I'm going to give my blogging a good spin...

Branded by Russell Brand

Earlier this year I found myself watching comedian Russell Brand discussing his sex addiction therapy and award-winning sexual athletics (3x Shagger of the Year) on Rove. Watching him, I just couldn't see how that was possible.

Funny man? Tick. (Actually, make that three ticks and an exclamation mark!) Just been shagged hair? (Height that would give Marge Simpson a run for her money). Tick. Raging sex appeal? Hmmm... wasn't so sure what all the fuss was about.

To be honest, he reminded me of a modern day Alice Cooper - who has never been my thing. All day, Twitter was abuzz with Russell Brand tweets being a 'trending theme'. I wasn't sure that beyond that interview or watching him perform a night of comedy, I could ever find myself trending towards him.

Until lunchtime the following day that is. I was crossing a Melbourne street and for a fleeting moment locked eyes with a man who looked vaguely familiar. The hair was not backcombed and his smile was shy, but his eyes were totally mesmorising. It took a second for it to sink in. I had been Branded. Russell Brand-ed.