Turns Out My Fairy Godmother Wears a Clean-Suit

My Life List


Attend San Francisco’s Black and White Ball.

As many of you know, about a year ago I started writing down 100 things I’d like to do before I die — peacefully, in my sleep, of extreme old age. I called it my Mighty Life List, and I wrote it because I wanted to start dreaming bigger.


Taste 1,000 Fruits.

I was embarrassed by the list’s audacity, worried some of you might think I was cheesy, or maybe overreaching if I told you my plans. That’s silly, of course, because I’ve noticed over the years that you guys are nice. You make it lovely to write here every day, and doing that has helped me realize I want to spend more time celebrating, and less time slogging.


Cross the Canadian Border.

I made the list, changed things here and there, gradually started crossing things off, and then my life took a turn for the surreal.


Make 1,000 lovely things.

Intel has decided to sponsor my life list.

I told you your jaw would hit the floor. I’ve known for months, and my brain is still catching up. So! How did this happen? I’ll tell you the full story in a couple of days, but here’s the gyst.

Intel started this Sponsors of Tomorrow campaign, it’s the one you’ve seen on The Tonight Show, and the one with the geek rockstar ads that have been making rounds online. As part of the campaign, they asked me to choose ten things I thought I could accomplish in the next three months, and then told me to go do them — they’d pick up the check.

Cut to me at the Oscar podium dipping Halle Barry and kissing her full on the mouth.

And so, Mighty Girl is about to get more interesting, and slightly more frantic. My designer friend Helen Jane Hearn came out of blog-design retirement to help me with a beloved new look for Mighty Girl, which will launch Wednesday. I will not be sleeping between now and then.

Next week, I leave for Puerto Rico to swim with bioluminescent plankton. In between I’m taking tap lessons with John Kloss, Founder of Stepology and patron saint of patience.

I need a nap, but I couldn’t be happier. I’m the stupid kind of happy, the let-the-toddler-eat-an-entire-bar-of-chocolate kind of happy. And here’s what’s happening in my head:

In my head all of you are with me in some ludicrous warehouse space, screaming, jumping up and down, blowing celebratory horns, and ducking champagne corks. This Very Good Thing that’s happening, it’s happening because of you. So thank you.

Cheers.

Published

206 thoughts on “Turns Out My Fairy Godmother Wears a Clean-Suit”

  1. You’ve just given me one more reason to really, really love my job. If my company will sponsor something this awesome, how can I help but love it here?

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  2. OH MY GOSH THAT IS AMAZING!! Like, holy shit f-bomb amazing. Congratulations. (And, if I may…pyramids @ sunset, ride a camel in the desert, croissant @ French cafe, linguica in Portugal, attend tomatila in spain, whiskey in Ireland, help someone get into college…sounds like you’ve started some others without consultation..ha). I’m wondering if, upon completion of this AMAZING project, you might just meet Ms. O! So cool, Maggie. So happy for you.

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  3. OMGOMGOMGOMG!

    This could not happen to a more fantastic woman. Enjoy! We’ll be loving it vicariously!

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  4. Holy Mother of Abraham Lincoln!! That’s COOL news!! And it couldn’t happen to a more delightful blogger. I love reading your site and it will be even more fun (if that’s possible) now. Congratulations Mighty Girl!!

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  5. Fan-freaking-tastic! Such a very MIGHTY day! Incidentally, if you need a crowd to complete any of your chosen 10 I’d be willing to let Intel put me on plane at a moment (or two’s) notice. Because somewhere near the tippy top of my Mighty Life List (a work in progress) is to meet you someday.

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  6. Holy SHIT Maggie!!!! I absolutely did what you said.. jaw drop..said “huh? wtf? WHAT!” and did a little jig on your behalf. Amazing, and we’ll be rejoicing with you in the stands. AND if you host a party when he fruit trees bloom, perhaps an invite to those of us from the cold East of Canada complete with plane tickets complements of Intel..hehe.. (My coworkers are regularly in your area but no one ever wants to see the CFO; damn designers!) Intel suddenly ROCKS as a brand in my opinion. Wonderful Maggie, I’m just thrilled for you.

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  7. I have been eyeing your list for like ever now thinking I should start one too. I am going to start it tonight! So inspirational. And, of course, congrats!

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  8. Oh my God that is the most fantastic thing ever! Congratulations! I have read this site for ages and never posted a comment, but I have started my own Mighty Life list because of you and it has really helped me to focus and be happier, and I think of you with gratitude for that. I hope you have the most wonderful time fulfilling ten of your dreams!

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  12. oh and do one thing that rocks out for others too!!!! Think hard! Like how jesus fed all those folks or something. you know. do something amazing.

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  13. How amazing! And fantastic! And well deserved! And proof that when you put yourself out there–vulnerabilities and all–good things happen.

    Have a great time! And I am jumping up and down and pouring myself another glass of rose (although not simultaneously)!

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  14. Oh my goodness! This couldn’t be happening to a more deserving, appreciative person! I actually just shut my eyes tight and clapped for you! Maggie, this is the best. I can’t wait to read what you write…

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  21. Please tell me “Go a day without speaking” and “Rewire a lamp” are not among the 10 things. But we know you’ll use your best judgment.

    Go to it!

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  23. I love love love this! You are the best person for this to happen to – you’ll write about it so vividly so as to both bring all your readers along and inspire us as well! xoxo.

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  24. I am so hand-clappingly delighted for you I don’t even have words for it.

    You are the mightiest (or The Mightiest, even)!

    Blowing you congratulatory kisses through the ether…

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  25. I am so jealous!

    Will they pick up the bill for “owning land” and “live in house with a window seat”– if so, looks like now is the time to buy a house!

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  29. Congratulations. That’s so amazing. Now, go knock out some of the items on list that are Alaska based. I went last summer with my fam and it was amazing and life changing. You won’t regret it.

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  30. Maggie, this is just incredible and so completely well-deserved. You are a delight to read and an inspiration to many on several fronts. Mazel tov, lady.

    Pass along to Intel that if they want to sponsor my trip to from Milwaukee to San Francisco to help you blow those bubbles on the bridge, I’d be just pleased as punch to oblige.

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  31. This gave me chills just reading it! I’m starting my list tonight. I’m doing cartwheels down the hall just thinking about the life-altering experiences you’ll get to have courtesy of Intel. (Well, you know, if I could do cartwheels).

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  32. What an amazing, terrific, wonderful, fantastic, hot-damn-whoooo-hoooo experience. I’m so happy for you!

    I never post, but had to come out of lurk mode for this one. Have a great time!

    Am feeling all happy that “I knew her when” I have a feeling this website’s about to get a hell of a lot more traffic. Must tamp down the feelings of “mine, mine, mine” and prepare to share you with a much larger audience!

    Congratulations!

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  33. HOLY SHIT! Congratulations, that is truly wonderful…I haven’t put up my life list on my blog yet because I’m not done. But, thankfully, several things have already been crossed off! So you are definitely an inspiration 🙂

    And, by the way, if you ever want to hang out with a Puerto Rican or two when you’re over here, drop me an e-mail. I’ve never been to Vieques (always wanted to go though), but I can definitely offer some good non-tourist trap tips for getting around on the mainland! 🙂

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  37. I’m so happy for you! That is just RAD. Congratulations! I can’t wait to read about your ten free things! 🙂 (Make sure you pick the most expensive ones! Perhaps you should change it to “The Best Filet Mignon in Paris” instead of just a croissant! 🙂

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  38. They picked the perfect person for this! How amazing! Congrats Maggie! You have and continue to inspire me to live a fun & mighty life!

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  39. WOW! I’m so amazingly happy for you and I only read your blog! I can’t imagine all of the happiness and excitement you must be surrounded with right now!

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  43. Ok, I have never commented, but as I was thinking about how amazing this opportunity is (and how nice it is when amazing things happen to amazing people!) it occurred to me that many of your list items require some thought and preparation and even research, and wouldn’t it be lovely for that process to be documented in a, well, documentary (not to be confused with “reality tv show”). And, um, if that was already part of the plan, then disregard my !original! idea.

    I am rereading your list and wondering….”however will she pick?”

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  45. Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations! This is such great news. I can’t wait to wait to see what you choose and how you get this done. Seriously, how awesome! Yay!

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  48. OMG! That is so amazing! So crazy! I just was screaming at my husband that he would not believe this. I can’t believe it! That is so utterly cool, I can’t wait to find out what other items you picked to accomplish!

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