Random Thoughts and #GivingTuesday

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So did you all see what I did yesterday? Instead of being all "the long Thanksgiving weekend is over, woe is us, how will we survive this Monday?" I just jumped right into chatting with you and hoped we could breeze right past the holiday hangover. Did it work!? Are you all feeling just hunky dorey happy to be back and toiling away??? 

Me neither. In fact, my mind is kind of all over the place today...

* Do you think that THIS is real? I hope it's real because that lil guy just looks so relaxed and happy.

* Tonight Dr. H and I are attending a black tie event at the Waldorf Astoria (so glam) that starts at 6:30pm, meaning I have to get dressed in the bathroom at work (not glam). 

* I'm totally blowing it with holiday cards this year. Channuka is nearly over and I haven't even made a decision on what to send out. Last year it was Dr. H and I riding Shamu at Sea World "Wishing you a killer New Year" (not kidding) so I'm at a bit of a loss on how to top that.

* Not too long ago I wrote about THIS and then today I stumbled upon THIS. I'm feeling extremely validated.

Children ready to start school in Mwangaza

Lastly, did you know that today is "Giving Tuesday"? In response to Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, charities decided to get in on the consumer spending by declaring today Giving Tuesday. #GivingTuesday (#GT) is intended to be a national day of giving to kick off the giving season, celebrating and encouraging charitable activities that support nonprofits. Want to get involved!? Of course you do!!! YOU can give to a worthy cause, my Free the Children Build a School initiative simply by clicking HERE. A donation of any amount will help Dr. H and I build a school in Kenya to educate children for years to come. Tis the season so please click HERE and make a contribution today (it was one of my 2013 New Years resolutions, help me get there before the year is over!)

Do you believe in magic?

I believe in magic. I believe because I've seen it with my own two eyes (four if you count Dr. H's!) When my colleague told me about Steve Cohen, The Millionaires' Magician, I admit, I was a bit skeptical. "Magic for grownups?" I thought... For sure this would be one of those activities that I was amused by and Dr. H found a bit silly. Well, somewhere between the unbelievable card tricks, incredible "think-a-drink" act and magically knowing my husband's name, wedding anniversary and rando favorite food (baby bok choy!) there was nothing left to think but "whhhhhhatttt!?!?!"

A demonstration of modern conjuring

The first "magic" of the night is the setting. The show takes place in a suite at the Waldorf Towers, meaning you have to stroll through the beautiful and historic Waldorf Hotel to get there. The dress code is cocktail attire, so cute dresses and men in jackets evoke the glamorous going-out era Manhattan now seems to reserve only for the opera. An intimate event (there couldn't have been more than 50 people in the room) everyone is close enough to the magic to notice all the details and witness legit miracles.

You will spend hours post-show wondering "HOW!?"

Steve Cohen is a true performer. Witty and engaging, he runs through a program of magic tricks and mind-reading that is completely skeptic-proof. I can assure you there's no planting people in the audience because he picked ME to participate in a trick and I was not in on anything! For an amazing night out, perfect for a date with your honey or an adventure with friends, check out Chamber Magic! (Also, lots of sexy/swanky bars downstairs in the Waldorf for pre or post-magic cocktails!)