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Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Time For A Change
It's time to move everything over to one blog. So I'm headed out the dorr
I created not just a blog but a network that is truly interactive!
So please come play with me over at Give Your Walls Some Soul!
I wish you inspiration,
ShannonLabels: Give Your Walls Some Soul, Shannon Grissom
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Don't Turn Around
Personally, it's been a tough month. I've attended three funerals and my family has experienced some serious health challenges. Professionally, everything is blooming. This song just came to me. I am so grateful for this gift of encouragement during a challenging time.
Click below to hear the song:
DontTurnAround.mp3
Don't Turn Around
If you could just
Step back
For a minute
You'd see that you're almost there.
If you could just
Stand over here
a little bit
You'd see that people care
If you could just
stop
crying
And look at what you've done
You'd realize
Oh you'd realize
You've already won
Hang in there honey
Don't let the pain get you down
You're so close to the miracle
No No No
Don't turn around
If you could fly around
Gain a broader look
You'd see that
It's right over there
If you could just
stand over here
a little bit
and get out of the glare
If you could just
stop
trying
and look at what you've done
You'd realize
Oh you'd realize
You're already done
Hang in there honey
Don't let the pain get you down
You're so close to the miracle
No No No
Don't turn around
Hang in there honey
Don't let the pain get you down
You're so close to the miracle
No No No
Don't turn aroundLabels: Blues Music, Encouragement, Miracle, Shannon Grissom, Song
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Hollywood: A Week Well Spent
I just got back from a television workshop held by Sherwood Oaks Experimental College. Gary Shusett and Christine Owens put on a phenomenal program. Huge thanks to both of them for memorable experience. I'd sign up for anything these two produce!
It was an intimate workshop and I met some incredible writers. Just hanging out with these gifted people for three days was worth the trip.
Here are some notes from the trip:
Wednesday, Humanitas Awards Writers Guild
Shannon Grissom, Diana March, Max Enscoe at the Humanitas AwardsGod I love Beverly Hills. Here's a picture taken from my phone at the Humanitas Awards.The event was held at the beautiful Beverly Hills Hotel. Art deco, old Hollywood and palm trees. Mmmmmmmm. First I was introduced to producer John Wells. Then I met writer Max Enesco. He had just been awarded the Humanitas award for best Children's Live Action. He was gracious and kind and his friend, artist Diana March, had wonderful energy. The day is off to a good start! Big night ahead. We are meeting the Emmy nominees at the Writer's Guild Party. Whoooooohooooo! Later that day... The Writer's Guild Event Was Phenomenal It was called Sublime PrimetimeA panel discussion with Emmy nominated writers.Moderated by Larry Wilmore (The office, The Bernie Mac Show) It included such panelists as Kirk Ellis (John Adams) Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daisies), Danny Strong (Recount) and Robin Veith and Mathew Weiner from (Mad Men) Their success stories were inspirational and I loved the insight in to their writing process. After the discussion concluded, we were able to talk with Kirk Ellis for quite some time. What an amazing talent. If you get a chance, check out his John Adams mini series. ThursdayFirst stop was Universal/NBC where we met Bruce Evan, Sr. VP at NBC and Scott Gimple, Story Editor for LIFE. Bruce Evans oversaw several shows including Heroes, Medium and SUV. HE was the intermediary between the productions and executives. He clearly enjoyed his work and gave us a great behind the scenes look at the industry from both an executive and production vantage point. Our next stop was Disney/ABC The guests were moderated by Stephen Buehler of Sheree Guitar TV Management. We heard from and interacted with: Brandon Riegg, Director alternative Series and Specials for ABC TV Raymond Ricord, ABC Movies Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse , Producers of Lost Roseanne Welch, Writer Touched by an Angel Finally we had dinner at the Shanghai Grill in Beverly Hills. I spoke with Tom Demko of Bauer Management and Paul Levine of Levine Literary Agency about the steps I would need to take to bring Give You Walls Some Soul to the networks. FridayWas spent at Warner Brothers. We were fortunate to have Marc Zicree as our moderator. Marc asked all the right questions and truly enriched the experience. I'm taking Marc's mentorship program. Under his tutelage, I'll be preparing my show for pitching at the NATPE conference in January. How'd I first meet him? By getting lost on the way back from the bathroom. See it pays to ask for directions! The guests at Warner Brothers were a great balance of personalities and information. Matt Bankston, Muse Entertainment Enterprises, validated the work I am doing in ancillary markets. William Rabkin, Writer (Monk, Psych, Diagnosis Murder), brought color, literally to his shows. Virgil Williams, ER Here was this kid, passionate about his work and giving back to the community. Totally inspiring. Thom Sherman, President CW Network, gave us a no nonsense look at the industry., Lee Aronsohn, Producer 2 1/2 Men, I love what he said about the script-in order for it to come alive you have to hear the music. Jeff Astroff, New Adventures of Old Christine, showed us what it was like to be in a production that was joyful. I came away from the experience realizing that taking my show from Access to Network was doable. And now I have help to make it happen. It was a week well spent. Shannon and Bugs outside of Warner Brothers  Labels: Beverly Hills, Diana March, Hollywood, Humanitas Awards, Marc Zicree, Max Enscoe, Shannon Grissom
Cobra Blues
Usually, you put your golf bag behind your seat on the cart. Half way through one round I switched seats with my partner but did not switch the position of the golf bag.
It wasn't long before I put my driver in the wrong bag.
As I searched for it I thought of lost loves and then I started laughing quietly to myself. (Those of you who know me know this can be challenging. My laugh is pretty robust.)
I wrote the song in the car on the way home.
Like Rocky and Bullwinkle, all of my songs are filled with innuendo. This was really just inspired by a golf club. Wait till you hear the one about cookies...
To hear the Cobra Blues click here
Cobra Blues Lyrics
Oooh I just saw my old blue
Cobra
In a new bag
The other day
I just saw my old blue cobra
In a new bag the other day
He was hangin round
With Big Bertha
Guess I’ll get in my cart
And ride away
Oh I tried picking up a 5
And swinging that old 6
Even grabbed my favorite rescue wood
But he had too many nicks
Oh
I just saw my cobra
In a new bag
The other day
I just saw my cobra
In a new bag the other day
He was hangin round
With big Bertha
Guess I’ll
Get my cart and ride away
Oh I just saw my old blue cobraLabels: Blues Music, Cobra, Golf, Shannon Grissom
Monday, August 25, 2008
Conversations WIth Myself
 Watching me compose this last song, Conversations With Myself, was like a scene from the movie, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". Part of the song came to me as I was driving down Country Club Road in Minnesota. The tune was so insistent, I had to pull over and write it on a rental car map. Then when I arrived at my friends the Dietz's I had to run to my room and record the melody so I wouldn't forget.
It was about a month later before the rest of the song emerged. And when it did, it woudn't let go. For three days I worked on the song until late in the night until finally I had a version I was ready to put out to the universe. The song is about my struggle between being timid and needing to really put myself out there in order to succeed. If you have a few minutes check it out:
http://www.myspace.com/shannongrissommusic
Now I'm back to my regular painting schedule and I'm working on my music after my workday is done. The song in progress is the title song for my CD. It's called Act Your Age.
Someone asked if I was doing "too much" now that I started writing music. Nope. I feel like the hose is finally un-kinked and I'm finally running on all cylinders.
Whooohooooo!Labels: Conversations With Myself, music, Shannon Grissom
Fierce Fairies
Many of you know that I adore the Fairies! Check out artist Sally Redfield's new creations on
Fierce Fairies.com.Labels: Fairies, Sally Redfield, Shannon Grissom
Authenitic Times
My work was chosen to be featured at a new women's online magazine, AuthenticTimes.com!
Come visit the site to see my contribution.
Click here to see!
http://www.authentictimes.com/
AuthenticTimes.com is a community empowering women to live authentically in their 30's, 40's, 50's and beyond! They are always searching for new writers, artists and crafters who want to have their work shown on the website. If you feel inspired to share, let us know!Labels: Authentic Times, Capitola Dreaming, Rain Fordyce, Shannon Grissom
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Waiting For Inspiration
If you wait for inspiration you'll be standing on the corner after the parade is a mile down the street.
Ben Nicholas
I am so grateful that my parents encouraged creativity. They didn't talk about it. It was simply how we lived. All of us played musical instruments and my Mom even sang to the dog! Dad designed countless gardens and created beautiful woodcarvings. And one of my earliest memories are of his set of pastels. Actually, I still have that set...
For me, creating is is like exercise. It's all about intention and action. Sometimes I'm inspired when I start and other times, the starting fuels the inspiration. Both states are necessary for me to get things done.
Nike's Just Do It campaign really strikes a chord with me. If you want to paint a picture, place your brush in paint and make contact with the canvas. If you want to write a book, put your fingers on a writing instrument and make contact with the paper or computer. If you want to write a song pick your instrument of choice and make contact with the air waves.
Does it all come out perfect....of course not! But it all comes out and what emerges either paves the way for the beautiful or truly is. So go ahead, pave the way, otherwise you'll miss the parade.Labels: art, music, Painting, Shannon, Shannon Grissom
Monday, January 28, 2008
Mile High Art
Mile High Art...hmmm...... it's not what you think. Or maybe it is!
The month started off with a trip to Orlando for the PGA show. I was home for a few days ,and then up to Portland to see my step-son, Dan. This year I am flying to many events. And if I've got any energy at all, I like to sketch. Drawing is meditative and restorative. It also helps me keep my mind off the occasional turbulence during the flight.
Here's a piece I created on the way to Chicago last year. I used to work in pencil but found I arrived at my destination smeared with graphite so I switched to pen. There are no erasures on the pen work. It's a good lesson in moving forward no matter what mistakes I've made! And in case you are wondering, I completed my crossword puzzle in pen too!
Speaking of moving forward, these pieces have really taught me to let go. For as soon as I'm told to put my tray table in it's upright position, I sign the piece and close the book. No looking back. OK well maybe I look back but I don't touch them again.
Below is a sketch I created en route from Portland to San Jose. Notice the difference in energy in this piece. You can tell the flight to Chicago was a lot smoother...
I'm going to dig up some of my sketch books and post more of my mile-high pieces from time to time.
What's next? Most likely Chicago. As for the subject matter, that depends on my mood that day.
So the next time you find yourself in the sky, get out your pen and doodle or sketch. It's a great way to pass the time.Labels: art, Eagle, Flight, Graphite, High, Mile, Pencil, PGA, Shannon Grissom, Sketch, Woman
Friday, January 25, 2008
Letting Go-Again!
The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become. Charles Du Bos
I heard that Joe Montana wanted to play basketball before he became a football star. So when I see the merchandising side of my business take off faster than the fine art, I smile and realize it doesn't matter how I get there as long as I enjoy the ride. I'm having a ball!
As I worked on my business plan for the year, I thought about three things:
1) Where am I?
2) Where do I want to be?
3) How can I get to where I want to be.
First I listed everything I do each month. Wow, it made me tired just creating the list. Next I listed everything I need to do to achieve my goals. Finally I combined both lists and attempted to plug them in to my schedule. Umm, not going to happen. It was clear that my calendar was expanding even greater than my waistline after Thanksgiving.
I manage my time well yet there was not enough time to accomplish my goals. Something had to give. Actually, a lot of things had to give. I couldn't reach for more with an arm full of stuff.
Here's what I'm keeping:
Painting Subjects:
Sock Monkeys and Golf
Television:
Give Your Walls Some Soul, the Series
Special Projects
Teaching:
Via the Television Show and Private Lessons
Licensing:
Community Service: Culinary and Hospitality Foundation, YMCA, and CMAP
Writing:
My second Monkey Made of Sockies Book
Soon you'll be meeting my support staff. (Admins, both virtual and physical, agents and more!) With my new team in place, I'll be achieving some phenomenal goals this year. Pigs fly in this studio! May pigs fly in your realm as well.
Happy New Year,
Shannon
Labels: Change, Shannon Grissom
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Give Your Walls Some Soul Turns 50!
Success follows doing what you want to do. There is no other way to be successful.
Malcom Forbes
This month, Give Your Walls Some Soul celebrated the taping of it's 50th episode.
If you watch the show, it seems pretty simple. Just me, art supplies and a camera or two. Yet it takes a lot more than that to produce a show. (For details on how I got started and what it takes to put a show together, check out the article I wrote for Art Calendar Magazine a few years back at the end of this blog.)
Usually I supply the crew with sandwiches and cookies. This episode however, I went all out with delicacies from the Inn at Tres Pinos. And normally I never eat before the show. (Hey I don't want food in my teeth or to have to reapply my makeup. ) But this time I just couldn't help myself.
The menu was this:
Sauteed Calamari Strips with a Vine Ripened Tomato and Balsamic Vinaigrette Grilled Italian Sausage with Cream Laced Whole Grain Mustard Sauce Portabella Mushroom "Pizza" Roasted Portabella Caps topped with Zesty Marinara, Basil Pesto, and Melting Mozzarella Chocolate Mousse...
Our crew is SO worth it! Month after month, year after year, they show up, do an excellent job, and make the process fun. The people behind the scenes that make Give Your Walls Some Soul possible are:
Director: Jan Janes
Technical Director: Jan Janes
Production Manager: Shawn Mulcare
CG: Dee Guerrero, Amanda Marshall-Kapp, Alma Mathis,
Audio: Bruce Lee
Lighting: Shawn Mulcare
Camera: Larry Talbot, Ron Winingar, Jesus Avelar, Robin Egbert, Charisy Mathis
Dubs: Cristina Lee
Over the course of the years, just about everything that could have happened during the taping has occurred. You see the show is filmed live- to- tape. That means there is no editing. No "do-overs". Once the camera is rolling, we keep going until the show is done. To quote Geraldine from Flip Wilson, "What you see is what you get!"
Most of the time I pride myself on my professionalism. I'm usually able to go on with the show and pretend like nothing is happening when:
-a crew member is belly crawling on the floor towards me and proceeds to move my pallet table while I'm mixing paint.
-a camera person has to leave the set due to the stomach flu. (I promise I won't go in to details on that one!)
-a boisterous. deeply inebriated individual is knocking on the studio doors to gain entrance.
-an audience member decides he can no longer be silent.
-my easel is held together by duct tape because I left an integral part at my home studio.
-security decides my van must be moved during the middle of taping and they keys are in my pocket.
Speaking of pockets, it was that very container that got me in to trouble during the last shoot. Crew member Larry Talbot's birthday fell on the same day of the shoot. So during the taping I played Happy Birthday to him (and the show) on my kazoo.
Well in to the show, Shawn Mulcare shows up in my periphery with a white- board sign that says, "TAKE THE KAZOO OUT OF YOUR POCKET!" It just struck me funny and I burst out laughing. In my head I heard it spoken in the manner of, "STEP AWAY FROM THE CAR!"
I tapped every pocket I had with the palms of my hands.
Thankfully, the director always makes sure the camera is on something other than me during these situations. But there was and is no disguising my laugh. And I laughed even harder when I realized it must have looked like I was frisking myself. I can't even tell you what I said to the audience. It's all a blur.
After the show I learned there was some strange audio disturbance and the crew thought the source might have been my kazoo. But my kazoo was not in my pocket. It was near my sock monkey. Maybe he was playing it! Our search was in vain. We never did discover the source of the audio issue.
So how did I get 50 shows in the can? Same way I get everything else done. I set a goal and every day move in the direction of my dream. Here are some pics of the people who have helped make my GYWSS journey possible:
Director Jan Janes at the helm in the control room.
Jesus Avelar, Robin Egbert, Ron Winingar and "Birthday Boy" Larry Talbot
Today they are running cameras, however they are capable of anything. Did I really say that?
Cloth napkins are a rarity in the studio. This one is courtesy of The Inn at Tres Pinos. (We ate the fantastic food before I could get a picture!) Robin Egbert serves up smiles.
Larry Talbot hiding behind, I mean running, camera 2. By the way this is the "Shannon's Eye View" as I'm shooting the show.
Jean Talbot, Jesus Avelar, Jan Janes, Robin Egbert and
Larry Talbot right before the show.
Larry Talbot, Ron Winingar, Jan Janes, I love being behind the camera for a change.
Yes, we do have fun.
Shawn Mulcare and the sign that made me lose my composure.
Dee Guerrero and Jane Janes in the control room.
Bruce Lee running the audio board. Bruce does
Marvin the Martian imitations to get me to laugh before the show.
If your eyes are not glazed over yet, check out the article below that was originally published in Art Calendar Magazine. It documents my the initial stages of my public access journey:
Gettheeontv.docLabels: Bruce Lee, Dee Guerrero, Give Your Walls Some Soul, Jan Janes, Jesus Avelar, Larry Talbot, Malcom Forbes, Public Access Television, Robin Egbert, Ron WIningar, Shannon Grissom
Friday, October 19, 2007
the Permission Seeker's Guide Through The Legal Jungle
This blog is for all my friends out there who are authors, TV producers, publishers, visual artists, musicians, filmmakers, website owners and software developers. A fantastic resource for clearing copyrights, trademarks and other rights literally fell in to my lap!
Author Joy Butler found me through one of my "So You'd Like To" guides on Amazon.com. She offered to send me a copy of her book and asked only that I consider adding it to one of my guides.
Joy Butler's The Permission Seeker's Guide Through the Legal Jungle arrived promptly and I was blown away. The guide expertly covers rights, clearance issues, how to obtain clearance, minimizing risks,. It also has a section at the end for resources and forms. Butler enables the reader to navigate through complex issues with ease. Her style is comfortable. You can pick it up and read straight through or skip to the sections that are of immediate concern.
This book should be required reading for all of us creative industries.
Visit www.guidethroughthelegaljungle.com or email admin@sashaycommunications.com
(ISBN 978-0-9672940-1-8, Published by Sashay Communications, LLC)Labels: Copyrights, Entertainment, Joy Butler, Media Productions, Shannon Grissom, The Permission Seeker's Guide Through the Legal Jungle, Trademarks
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Sideways
Sometimes, life comes at you sideways. Not forward, not backward but sideways. I spent a couple of days trying to turn things around. This morning, I realized that I lacked the ability to make certain changes, help was unavailable, so I just had to accept them as they were. I'm just grateful I let it go relatively soon. Progress, not perfection...
Mirroring my life at present are the images I attempted to upload in this blog. When I open my files, they are right side up. However, when I import them in the blog, they turn sideways. I have decided to just let them be what they are. Here's trick I learned from my friend Theresa Martin; If the computer is not cooperating by rotating the images, rotate your computer. Hey just pick up your lap top or monitor and turn that puppy sideways! This girl doesn't just think outside the box, she has no box!
So what follows is the month in pictures. Because right now, I'm having trouble with the words. And though the pictures may be sideways, they are at least here!
Just a couple of the pieces I did for The Inn at Tres Pinos. I'll save the rest for when I finish the project. It's worth a blog or two on it's own. Camera shy: Mike Howard...
Theresa Martin.
Dwight, Bob and Me at San Juan Oaks Golf Club. Bob's been patiently working with me and Dwight. Thanks Bob for being a great and kind teacher! I'll admit I'm addicted to golf. You know golf's taking over when you find tees in every room of the house and the only TV I watch is related to golf. I spend the equivalent of my lunch hour hitting balls. Lately, golf shows have trumped the decorating shows. (Ask Dwight, that's huge!) Golf's gonna have to be a future blog.
A scene from Theresa Martin's Harvest Party. Here's Alex Kiner and me making carpaccio from buffalo. Alex is amazing! He went out to Theresa garden, picked all the fresh ingredients and put together a fabulous dish. I had fun helping him make it look pretty.
This is the chair decorated for the Hollister Downtown Association 20th Anniversary Party. The chair was auctioned off and the proceeds were split between the HDA and the Culinary and Hospitality Foundation of San Benito County. Thanks to Sheila Stevens of She's for her generous contribution to both groups. Sheila you rock!
 Well I ran out of time. I'll see you next time!Labels: Culinary, Foundation, Golf, Hollister Downtown Association, Hopsitality, Shannon Grissom
Friday, August 17, 2007
Happy Birthday Jim Calice
Last year I got a call from Jim Calice of Santa Cruz, CA. Jim stated he'd been watching Give Your Walls Some Soul and it inspired him to take up painting. Jim wanted to know what supplies to purchase as he was going to treat himself to art supplies for his birthday.
Jim was turning 80.
Jim also requested that I paint an abstract on my next show. He thought that would be the best way for him to get the feel of the paint. I was happy to comply. Jim sent me a lovely photo of him and his finished piece. It was wonderful!
Last week, Jim called and stated that he was turning 81 and it said it was time to paint another abstract. I laughed and agreed. I am so happy to hear he is still painting.
Happy Birthday Jim and thanks for the inspiration. As a result of your call, I created an explosive abstract and it was spoken for before I even left the television studio.
Thanks to all of you for your incredible support. I have been blessed with an abundance of muses.Labels: Give Your Walls Some Soul, Shannon Grissom
Monday, July 16, 2007
Notes from Bear River
 
In my quest to build my business, I have allowed my life to become overbooked.
So when my niece Beth Madsen suggested I come up to Colfax for a long weekend, I jumped at the chance.
Beth is just plain fun, and Colfax, elevation 2400, is beautiful country. Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, the Colfax sky is the color of Pthalo Blue, almost straight out of the tube. The summer air is hot and dry and roasts the vegetation like corn placed high on the grill. The resulting scent is released softly and washes over you gently with the breeze. It reminds me of my youth and that's a very good thing.
Beth is a gifted healer. She owns and operates a healing center called Bridges to Healing.
She and her practitioners offer a whole host of services. I was treated to a daily massage and yoga. And along the way we had some psychic and other experiences that will be a subject of another blog. But that's not why I’m writing. I'm writing because on Saturday, I actually ceased motion.
Beth had appointments much of the day. She suggested I take a trip to the Bear River and sketched a detailed map to her favorite spot. I was excited! Spending the entire day alone on the river sounded like heaven to me. Not long after she left for work, I packed a sandwich, bottled water, a small notebook, my camera, and headed for the river.
My blank book was not for sketching. It was to contain notes from the river. My camera, so often used only as a tool for painting reference, was intended simply to capture that which I could not verbalize.
As I approached, I realized that I'd have to cross the river in order to land the perfect spot. My cute sandals were entirely inappropriate for anything other than cute so I took them off and tucked them in my bag.
All day, the Bear River proved to be a generous and persistent teacher.
The Bear taught me that there were places where the current is much stronger and the depth much deeper, than originally considered. It forced me to pause and wait to regain my equilibrium before proceeding.
It reminded me that the perfect spot was only perfect for a while, and then it was time to move on, for the light does change.
That sometimes you swim in clear cool water with glistening fish. Other times, frogs muddy the water. But if you keep swimming you will get to the other side.
That there is magic in watching a bubble float on top of the river. Watching, waiting, hoping its beauty will last forever. They don’t all burst. Some grow and form bigger bubbles.
That with the changing light can come clarity or discord, depending on your vantage point.
That it's not a good idea to back up in the poison oak to avoid falling back in the river.
To appreciate the beauty of the lone hawk in a sky of buzzards.
To notice the dance of a seed as it lands on the water, merges, and swirls with anther being.
To appreciate the wake of unseen creatures.
To listen to the symphony of the buzzing insects, breaking twigs, and roar of the water.
To appreciate the magic of the dragonflies and butterflies.
That if you go just a little bit farther than you think you can, there will be miracles around the bend.
To be brave and give boosts to those in need.
That there is so much more it could tell me, if only I'd listen.
I’m going back to Bear River.Labels: Bear, Life Lesssons, River, Shannon Grissom
Monday, June 11, 2007
Going for the Gold
I was ahead in the slalom. But in the second run, everyone fell on a dangerous spot.
I was beaten by a woman who got up faster than I did. I learned that people fall down, winners get up, and gold medal winners just get up faster.
Bonnie St. John
When I write my newsletter, it’s definitely results oriented. You hear about the projects I’ve completed. The projects that are in progress, and the projects I expect to complete. It’s a big garden. I’ve planted a lot of seeds, worked and watered the soil, and have been blessed with a bountiful harvest.
I don’t tell you about the seeds that I didn’t plant deep enough. Or the seeds I forgot to water. Or the seeds that I loved but just could not plant. And I’m not going to start now!
But I will tell you that there has been many a dangerous spot in this business of art and that I’ve fallen many times.
After reading Bonnie St. John’s quote, I realized the difference in my business now is my response time. I am grateful that I have been able to get up and dust myself off rather quickly. And the quicker I get up, the fewer dangerous spots I encounter.
I’m going for the gold!Labels: art, business, gold, medal, newsletter, seeds, Shannon Grissom
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Act of Kindness
On my return trip from the Sock Monkey Madness Festival, both of my suitcases were heavy. One was so heavy I had to pay a penalty fee. I had a feeling that was going to happen. I had packed the remaining festival merchandise in with my clothes so I wouldn’t have to ship anything back. It was still cheaper than shipping a box back so I figured I was ahead of the game.
Me and my big ideas! They searched my luggage in Chicago and would not assign me a seat until the plane was about to take off. Now I must say I do understand the need for security and didn’t have a problem with their scrutiny. It was just unsettling being detained. As an aside, I would have loved watch them open the suitcases, and see the looks on their faces when their search revealed numerous sock monkeys and my children’s books. I am such a deviant!
The flight was blissfully uneventful. I gathered my luggage from the baggage claim area and made the long trek to the shuttle bus stop. (It’s not that long a journey when you have one bag and it’s light. However, when you’ve got two bulging suitcases, plus a briefcase, it’s long.)
When you are traveling by yourself, parts of the trip can get dicey when you are carrying heavy items. One of the trickier parts of the trip was getting the suitcases on the airport shuttle bus quickly, without getting run over by pedestrians trying to board the bus.
I thought of past shuttle bus boardings as I made the trek to the shuttle bus stop. I decided this time would be different.
And it was.
I was at the tail end of the herd crossing the street. A shuttle bus had stopped to let us cross. As I passed the bus I mouthed the words, “Thank You” and kept on walking. The driver nodded.
Several minutes later, when I arrived at the stop, I realized it was the same driver I had thanked. There were only two of us on the bus. (The rest of the herd went elsewhere.) The driver took the other passenger directly to his stop and then he headed for mine. Miraculously, the driver got out of the bus and loaded my suitcases for me. And when we arrived at my shuttle bus stop, he took them off the bus and loaded them in my van.
When I tried to tip him, he declined.
I did get his contact information and wrote him a thank you. Now I need to write his superiors. I was and am so gratefull for his kindness.
May I always look for opportunities to help others as he has helped me.Labels: Chicago, Children's Book, Kindness, San Jose, Shannon Grissom, Sock Monkey Madness Festival
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