MISSION: Rima Campbell Photography Giveaway WINNER!

Hi, Everyone!

Thank you so much to all of you who entered the Rima Campbell Photography Session Giveaway! I really enjoyed hearing about and seeing your favorite photos. They all touched my heart! I have to admit, choosing a winner was really, really difficult. But I did it.

And the winner is.... (drum roll, please):

LORI (@steelcitydiva on Twitter)!!!

While everyone's entries were truly wonderful, Lori's really captured my heart because of the deeply personal--and hopeful--nature of the story behind it. You may remember Lori from a post I wrote in honor of her husband, Shane. Shane has been battling (and beating) addiction for a while now. In fact, on March 12 of this year, Lori announced on Twitter that her husband had been sober for 30 days. I was so happy for them both that I decided to write a shout-out post to them. When Lori entered the Rima Campbell Photography giveaway contest and told me about her favorite photo, I couldn't help but feel inspired, moved, and down-right ecstatic.


Lori, Shane, and their family have stuck by each other for 14 years, through thick and thin. And they've never had a family portrait taken! Thanks to the generosity of Rima Campbell, I have decided to give them that opportunity. When I look at my own family photo I have framed and hung on my living room wall, I am continually reminded of the often unbreakable bonds that families have and the absolute gift I've been given in that of my parents and brother. Our own family has been through some pretty rough times, including a debilitating chronic illness my mother has dealt with for over 20 years. That family photo of us continually gives me hope, especially during the difficult times.

So, Lori---CONGRATULATIONS! I hope you enjoy your first family portrait session. May it be an everlasting reminder of the bonds of love you and your family share with one another!

And thank you, Rima, for your extreme generosity in helping this family experience an opportunity they've long deserved!

MISSION: Rima Campbell Photography Giveaway!

Hi, everyone! It's time for another giveaway!

I do love a good giveaway. Oh, yes! And when the darling and talented Rima Campbell contacted me and said she'd like to offer a giveaway of her services, I immediately said "YES!" (And, "Thank you!" of course!)

If you're not familiar with Rima's work, get thee to her website pronto! What I love about Rima's photography is that it completely and utterly captures the realness of life. Her photojournalism style makes me feel like I'm right there, experiencing whatever the subject of her photos is experiencing. And there's nothing I love more in the world than feeling connected. And Rima's gift allows that. Beautifully.

SO! Onto the details of the giveaway!

THE PRIZE:

The recipient of this giveaway will receive a free engagement photo session (or a $300 credit towards another type of package) at her studio in Wheeling, West Virginia (less than an hour from Pittsburgh, guys!).

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Leave a comment and tell me about your favorite photo. (Feel free to include a link to it if it's available online.) It could be a photo of you, a loved one, or something you saw that just touched you in a special way. It could even be a photo you took. Regardless, I want to know about it. Please make sure you include a way for me to contact you if you win (email, Twitter name, etc.)!

2. Comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, June 15, 2010.

3. I will choose my favorite entry and announce the winner on my site on Wednesday, June 16, 2010.

Good luck, everyone! I can't wait to hear about your favorite photo!

MISSION: And the winner is...

Hi, Everyone! Secret Agent L here. I'm ready to announce the winner of the Seussical Tickets Giveaway! There were nine entries for the contest, and I used the Random Integer Generator to pick a comment for me. And the winner is....

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

7

Timestamp: 2010-05-12 13:13:53 UTC

And the winner is comment #7, DaveR, who said "My favorite mission was to Bellefield Towers. In High School, I used to be there a lot and think whoever was there could definitely use the pick me up of an unexpected gift."

Congratulations!!! Please contact me immediately so that I can get your prize to you.

Thank you to everyone who entered!

MISSION: A Giveaway!

If you read yesterday's post, you'll know that Secret Agent L did a mission involving free tickets to the Pittsburgh Playhouse's Playhouse Jr. production of Seussical. Well, Secret Agent L would like to offer her Pittsburgh readers a chance to win 4 free tickets to the production!

Do you have kids? Or are you a kid at heart? If you live in or near Pittsburgh (or are willing to drive here) and would like the chance to win 4 free tickets to see Seussical, then all you have to do is leave a comment in the comments section and tell us your favorite Secret Agent L mission so far and why, and Secret Agent L will select a winner using a random interger selector.

The production runs weekends only May 7-23, 2010, so if you win, you'll have your pick of which night you'd like to go. The voucher for the 4 free tickets will be mailed to the winner in time to attend the May 14th production if preferred.

This giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on Tuesday, May 11, 2010, and the winner will be announced the morning of Wednesday, May 12, 2010, so be sure to check back then!

Good luck!

MISSION: Seussical! (And an injury.)

Happy Friday, everyone! Secret Agent L here. I had an exciting experience during yesterday's mission, so exciting that it caused me to almost lose a finger! But before I go into those details, let me tell you a bit about how I came to do this mission.

I received an email from the children's theatre at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, Playhouse Jr. They recently teamed up with none other than my favorite donut place, Dunkin Donuts, to promote their upcoming production: Seussical. The kind people at Playhouse Jr. asked me if I'd be willing to help spread the word about their show, to which I eagerly responded, "YES!" I was given vouchers for free tickets to Seussical, as well as some coupons for free iced coffees at Dunkin Donuts. What a perfect match: a fun theatre experience for kids and their families, and a shot of a cool, refreshing caffeinated beverage for the busy parents!

Seussical opens TONIGHT, so I'd like to wish the entire cast and crew a good show! How wonderful to share the gift of theatre with children! You can go here to view photos from the production. Just click on the Seussical image. I don't know about you, but I think it looks like So Much Fun! And since Secret Agent Boyfriend and I are actors, we're totally going to check it out!

With the help of Number Two, we thought about places to leave these vouchers for FOUR FREE TICKETS. Number Two suggested the children's section of the Carnegie Library. Brilliant!

I made my way there after work yesterday, and I even got rock-star parking right by the library! But that's where my luck started and stopped. I parked right next to the auto-pay machine, pulled out my debit card (this secret agent never carries cash), and proceeded to insert it in the slot in the machine. I followed the directions precisely, only to have absolutely no result.

So, I tried again, only this time turning my card a different way, thinking I hadn't inserted it correctly the first time. (Can't they make those card readers more user friendly? Sheesh!) And, sure enough, no luck.

I tried again. And again. Six times. By the last time, I was so frustrated, that I moved the card too quickly and proceeded to slice my thumb on the metal edge of the card reader. And what should happen?

Blood. Everywhere.

It was running down my hand, it was getting all over my debit card, and it was making things a bit, um, sticky. I didn't have a tissue or a Band-Aid with me, so I tried so carefully to reach into my purse and pull out a piece of paper on which to write, "Card reader does not work," and slip it into the reader. Only it ended up with blood all over it. But I put it in the reader anyway. I wanted people to see how much I suffered!

I proceeded to get into my car, grab a tissue from my glove box, and wrap my finger tightly to help slow the bleeding. I also managed to write a frustrated note about my experience and put it on my dashboard. Finally, I managed to find an old (and I do mean old) Band-Aid in the bottom of my cosmetics bag. I banaged up my thumb and headed towards the library's entrance.

I. Was. Determined.

I knew I had to get into that library, into the children's section, to share not only kindness, but also the gift of theatre!

So, armed with my goodies, I headed towards the building.





It was a beautiful day yesterday, wasn't it? I didn't know how many little kids would be spending time in the library, but I figured it was a good place to leave my treats.

I headed towards the children's section, looking totally natural, despite not having a little darling on my arm.

And who should greet me as I approached my destination?

With a smile on my face, I walked through the doors and into a world of fun and delight.

I instantly spotted this comfy looking couch and took a seat, so as to sort myself out prior to my "drops". Once I organized myself, I left the first treat on the seat.


And then I spotted some computers! (I know! Technology AND free theatre tickets!)

So I left a little treat there, too.

Finally, as I was leaving, I decided that the huge globe at the entry would be a perfect place to leave my third gift. I hope that whoever finds it knows that our world is filled with goodness.

I have a several more vouchers to give out, and I'll use them in missions at the upcoming Pittsburgh International Children's Festival. I can't wait!

All in all, it was a successful mission, despite the, um, bloodshed.

Be sure to stop back tomorrow, as I'll be doing a giveaway!!

MISSION: Forthcoming.

Secret Agent L completed a mission this past weekend. Stay tuned for details!

Plus, she's teamed up with Dunkin Donuts and Point Park University's Playhouse Jr. for some fun. Wait until you see what's in store!

MISSION: A Contest!

Hello, Readers! I, Secret Agent L, am thrilled to announce my VERY FIRST CONTEST!

A Free Ticket to Attack Theatre's Annual Dirty Ball!

I was approached recently by a follower of mine on Twitter who indicated that he had an extra ticket to Attack Theatre's Dirty Ball, a huge event that will take place here in Pittsburgh on Saturday, April 24, 2010, at 8 p.m. The Dirty Ball is an event where you can join "1,000 of your closest friends for performances, libations, installations, multiple DJs, and dancing at the 'red-hottest, way-coolest, sold-outest' event of the year."

This year's event includes:

• 15 performances with 15 dancers in 15 different birthday suits by Attack Theatre
• beats by Justin Hopper of PANDEMIC and DJ Soy Sos
• live music by Dave Eggar, Chuck Palmer, and Jay Sustain
• featured art installation by CMU's Entertainment Technology Center
  

This follower generously offered the ticket to me. Rather than keep it for myself, I thought it only appropriate to offer it as a prize here on Secret Agent L.

The contest?

I'm looking for someone who can complete a really outstanding mission of kindness. Something unique, creative, and extraordinarily kind! Do you have what it takes? I bet you do!

If you're interested in winning this free ticket to the Dirty Ball, then enter the contest!

Contest Rules:

1. Complete a random and anonymous act of kindness in the coolest, most unique way possible.

2. Email photos and specifics of the mission.

3. Dollar amount of mission may not exceed $25.

4. Mission must be completed and submitted to Secret Agent L via email by 11:59 p.m., Friday, April 9, 2010.

5. Winner will be announced on Monday, April 12, 2010.

Simple enough, right? So get your kindness thinking caps on and enter the contest! You could win a ticket worth $50! Then, if you bring someone with you to the event, it'll be like Buy One, Get One Free!

Now, get goin'!

xoxo,
Secret Agent L