MISSION: Kindness in Canada

Oh, Canada!

You are filled with some of the kindest people out there!  Thank you, Canada, for giving us some great Affiliated Agents!  Especially those who share their gifts and talents with us and others!

Affiliated Agent M shares her green thumb with us and others.  Take a look!

Date: Monday, 16 August 2010

Location: Plaza parking lot; St. Catherine's, Ontario; Canada

Time: 8:55 a.m.

Mission specs:

This is my first assignment for HQ.

First of all I've made it a decision to perform my missions on Mondays because it gives me something to look forward to and well, let's face it - most of us need a pick-me-up on a Monday!

I have a garden that is bursting with flowers. I made a small bouquet out of phlox, black eyed susan, shasta daisy and thyme. Everything was wrapped up and the personal note "I hope you have the 'thyme' to enjoy this gift!" and the business card were hole punched and attached. (I wanted to include a play on words with 'thyme' because not everyone can identify culinary herbs.

Cruising around my normal coffee stop in the morning, I couldn't find a place that wasn't near observing people. I didn't want anyone to cause a fuss thinking that I was breaking into someone's vehicle so I drove to the far end of the lot and found a red SUV sitting in the middle like a cherry on a plate. The bouquet was tucked into the right corner between the hood and windshield curve (I'm petite and reaching for the windshield wipers was a bit awkward for me when I was in Secret Agent mode. I'll get more suave as I practice.)

And yes, I was humming the Mission Impossible soundtrack as I jumped in and out of my car to make the drop!

GO, CANADA!

MISSION: Ready for Kindness in Radiology

One of the things I've noticed about some of the missions that have been completed by my Affiliated Agents is that the more personal they are, the stronger they seem to affect people--recipients, AAs, and followers of the project alike.  It is because of these personal missions that I am encouraged to be even braver in my own missions. 

Affiliated Agent C took a very personal situation and used it to reach out in kindness to someone else.  Her bravery and awareness of others is inspiring. 

Date: Tuesday, 31 August 2010

Location: West Penn Hospital; Radiology Department Ladies' Dressing Room; Pittsburgh, PA

Time: 10:15 a.m.

On Tuesday I headed to West Penn Hospital to have some tests done.

Knowing firsthand how stressful diagnostic testing can be I thought this would be the perfect place to do a mission.  I needed to be there for 3 hours so tucked in my tote bag with a good book and some snacks was my first mission.  I was so excited!

After registering I went to the women’s dressing room to change into the very lovely hospital gown.  The dressing room has two small rooms each with a curtain. The gowns are kept in a bench/seat in each dressing room so I closed my curtain, pulled my gown out, and placed my card inside for the next person who would be changing in there.

I wanted to get a picture of the dressing room but there were two other ladies waiting to change.  So I quickly went out to the waiting room to wait for my test.

I hope whoever found it smiled and a little bit of the stress went away.  I know it made me feel good to spread some kindness. 

Affiliated Agent C, I'm sure your act of kindness helped.  Diagnostic testing is never fun.  It's filled with so much worry and stress.  I bet the woman who found your gift felt like she'd received a hug, too.  Thank you for reaching out!

MISSION: NAMI Walk and Kindness Exploits

Today was the NAMI Southwestern PA Walk.  Unfortunately, Team Secret Agent L was mostly sick with that horrible cold/flu thing that's been going around, so only two of us were able to represent: Becky and myself.  But two is better than none, right?  

It was fun, regardless.  Our team was able to contribute $1,761!!  And, most importantly, we helped raise awareness and funds for mental illness--an illness that one in four people suffers from.  I am always so proud of how many people come out each year to support this very, very important cause.  This year there were over 1,000 people at the South Side Works.  It was incredible!

I also managed to complete a couple of missions, with Becky's help, of course.  So, this post will be not only a recap of today's walk, but also of the two missions we completed.

All in a day's work, and all in the name of kindness.

Date: Sunday, 3 October 2010

Location: South Side Works shopping district; Pittsburgh, PA

Time: 9 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Becky and I braved the cold, autumnal air (it was around 50 degrees) and the possibility of rain.

My two favorite ladies, Darcey Garda (L) from NAMI Southwestern PA and Michelle Wright (R), Walk Honorary Chair and WTAE News anchor:

And I made sure to get a photo with the lovely and amazing Christine Michaels, Executive Director of NAMI Southwestern PA:

Lots of wonderful people participated:

And the darling doggies, too!

And no NAMI Walk is complete without our good friend, the Pirates Parrot!

There were some really, really great t-shirts:

Speaking of t-shirts, you can buy a Secret Agent L t-shirt from our partners at Wear Pittsburgh and all proceeds will benefit NAMI Southwestern PA.  Becky proudly models the Affiliated Agent design, which is one of several designs offered:

And you can also become Burgh Verified by our friends at Boring Pittsburgh, and then get one of their shirts, too!  I proudly rocked mine today:

Becky and I knew we couldn't go through the day without doing a couple of missions, so we made sure to spread some kindness while we were at the walk.  I chose the Secret Agent L magnet from Quotable Cards, since it's one of my favorite treats to leave behind for people:

{You can purchase a Secret Agent L magnet online here.  It's also available at fine retailers.}

We left one of the magnets on the double-decker bus that was parked near the walk site:

We also left one at the Big Dog Coffee, the lovely little coffee shop we stopped at after the walk to warm up and have some delicious treats:

We also left a $5 Starbucks gift card for someone to find:

All in all, a wonderful, kindness-filled day.  It feels so good to be doing missions again.

MISSION: Creativity and Kindness

As a professional actress, I have a real soft-spot for my fellow creative types.  I've been thinking lately about how I could maybe use that talent in one of my missions, but I haven't come up with a way yet.

So when Affiliated Agent J of New Jersey contacted me about using one of his very, very unique talents in a mission, I immediately said, "YES!"

Ladies and Gentlemen, enjoy the show.

Date: Thursday, 30 September 2010

Location: Wegman's Shopping Plaza; Manalapan, New Jersey

Time: 7:51 p.m.

Let's hear about Affiliated Agent J's first mission!

The second I found the Secret Agent L site I decided I wanted to be involved in a unique way. Because I am a puppeteer, I decided I would make a short, optimistic puppet video, burn it to a DVD, and leave it somewhere someone would find it.

I decided to leave it on the windshield of a car in a supermarket parking lot. I placed the DVD in plain sight on the windshield, took a couple pictures, and went inside the supermarket to buy a few things. I kept looking at the other people in the store wondering who would find my DVD on their windshield when they got to the parking lot.

When I came back out, the car was gone, and I was glad to see the DVD was too! (I was afraid the DVD would fall off the windshield or that the driver would intentionally leave it behind thinking it was spam.)

My first mission was a success and I can't wait to do another! Thank you Secret Agent L for such a fun experience!

Affiliated Agent J, thank you for using your unique and wonderful talent in order to spread kindness. I cannot, cannot wait to see what you come up with next!  THANK YOU!

MISSION: I Feel the Need for Speed!

Never did I imagine that the Secret Agent L Project would garner national (and international!) attention like it has over the past couple of months.  And I certainly never imagined that I would be approached by individuals wishing to thank me in amazing ways for starting the Project. 

When I received a phone call in early September from the 911th Airlift Wing here in Pittsburgh stating that I'd been chosen as a USAF Thunderbirds Hometown Hero, I pinched myself and did a double-take.  And then I pinched myself again.

On September 7, 2010, I was honored by being given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fly in an F16 with the USAF Thunderbirds.  Many of you have seen photos on Facebook, and many of you have read about it on Twitter.  As promised, though, I bring you my experience here.

This was, without a doubt, one of the greatest missions of my life.  I will never, never forget it, and I will remain indebted for the rest of my life to the amazing men and women of the USAF Thunderbirds who chose me for this honor and to my amazing, amazing pilot, Lt. Col. Derek "Tazz" Routt.

Thank you.  From my heart's heart. 

Thank you.

MISSION: F16 Flight

Location: 911th Airlift Wing; Pittsburgh, PA

Date: Tuesday, 7 September, 2010

Objective: Have the ride of my life.

my gear

I had to undergo a medical screening by the Thunderbirds' Flight Surgeon, Capt. Thomas Bowden.

I had to sign my life away, basically.  But in all honesty, I wasn't scared, despite my fear of flying.  I felt calm, but excited.  I knew I was in very, very good hands.

My main man Tseng "patchin'" me up. He explained all the patches he was putting on my flight suit.

Before placing the Thunderbirds' patch on my flight suit, he congratulates me for being chosen for the honor of flying with them.

Next up: learning about the G Suit.

I had to learn to put it on by myself.  Lots of zippers, snaps, and other...thingies.

Tseng had to literally lace me into it, corset-style, so that it was custom-fit to my physique.

Learning about more gear I'd have to wear.  This particular part was on my flight vest.

I had to hook myself into the vest by strapping it around and under my legs.  It was very involved.

Helmet time!

The face mask made me feel very claustrophobic. 

I had to practice putting my visor up and down.

Pardon my language, but can I just say, "BAD ASS"?

I couldn't believe it, but they put my name on the canopy of the plane. Needless to say, I'll be getting this photo blown up to 11" x 17" and custom-framed.

It's Go Time.  I had to suit up on the tarmac, right outside of the plane.  I'm mere minutes away from actually climbing into the cockpit.  Here I am putting on my G-Suit.

This handsome Thunderbird standing next to me in this photo said he'd never seen anyone suit up as fast as me.  *high five*

But I did need a little help getting things snapped up since the suit was custom-fit so tightly.  I could hardly bend over to reach the button on the bottom.  Thank you, Mr. Thunderbird Handsome Head.

That's right, Mr. Thunderbird Handsome Head.  You can help me suit up all you like.  And you, Mr. Other Thunderbird Handsome Head watching in the background?  I see you.

It's TIME!

Mr. Thunderbird Handsome Head shows me my "sick bags" (i.e. barf bags).  Little did I know that those bags would be intimately involved in my flight experience.  Ugh.

Who's the man? I mean, woman? ME!  Here's me and my AWESOME pilot, "Tazz". Easy, Ladies.  Easy.  He's married.

Why, yes, that is me in the backseat of the cockpit.

Okay, so, um, here's where a whole bunch of stuff happens that involved the following:

1. Pulling 7 Gs.

2. Going 750 mph (That's faster than Mach 1 for any of you who are keeping track.)

3. Bolting straight up to 18,000-ft at a little over Mach 1.

4. Doing a barrel roll.

5. Flying inverted (that's upside down, folks) several times.

6. Buzzing the Pittsburgh city skyline at rush-hour while only being about 2,500 feet above the ground, while pulling about 6 Gs.

7. Puking.

8. See # 7.

We landed! My legs were so weak that I could hardly feel them as I stepped down the ladder and onto the ground.

I was so glad to be back to zero Gs (which is the force of gravity we're used to each day) that I just had to thank the ground.

"Tazz" gave a really heartfelt speech about me to his colleagues upon our return.

I received an official certificate stating that I had flown with the USAF Tunderbirds in the Lockheed Martin F-16.  It included "Tazz's" signature.

I also received a gorgeous framed print of the Thunderbirds flying over Wrigley Field.  The print had my name on it and was signed by all of the Thunderbird Officers.

I was given the opportunity to say a few words to everyone after my flight.  I was so overcome with emotion that I hardly remember what I said.  I do remember, though, that I dedicated the flight to my Pappap, who had served in WWII and had been a POW for nearly three years.

I received a personal thank-you and handshake from every member of the Thunderbirds.  I will never forget that.

Receiving a personal thank-you from Colonel Gordon H. Elwell, commander of the 911th Airlift Wing,  was a moment I'll never forget.  He is one of the nicest, most sincere gentlemen I've ever had the privelige to meet.

All in all, my experience with the USAF Thunderbirds and everyone at the 911th Airlift Wing was one the most remarkable of my life.  I hope that I made them proud.