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. Congratulations to you! Be audacious in your selection of the ones to know off the list!

    (Also, totally green with envy – in a most excellent way.)

    Like

  2. This is better than winning the lottery! (Because, with cash I suspect most of us would feel obligated to pay off a mortgage or something equally dull).
    Well done you! Can’t wait to hear about the adventures!!

    Like

  3. Right, so is it too late for you to sneak something like “lunar landing” onto your list? It’s been there the whole time–we swear!

    Congrats, I can’t wait to hear and see all about it.

    Like

  6. Amazing! Have so much fun. Even though it’s happening in a hurry, enjoy every minute! Focus on the thing you are doing while you are doing it. This is a tremendous opportunity.

    Like

  7. Holy crap! That is awesome! I have a list on my blog too. Not 100 things, but a bunch. I’ve actually accomplished a few.

    Like

  10. Wow. Congratulations! I just stumbled onto your blog recently and I can’t wait to read more about your adventures with Intel!

    Like

  13. Yay Intel! Congratulations! Did they give you any stipulations on the goals you could choose, because I see you have “write a MILLION DOLLAR CHECK to charity” on your list! :faints: lol
    Seriously, congratulations! What an awesome opportunity!

    Like

  15. I’m so happy for you! I was inspired by your list and am thrilled that you will be spreading this positive energy further thanks to Intel. I spy an opening to meet Ms. Winfrey through this campaign.

    Like

  16. I’m so excited for you! I love reading your site and nobody would be better to blog about the experience than you. It sounds cheesy but it’s proof that dreams can come true. Thanks so much!

    Like

  18. Mega Congrats! That’s ever so exciting. I can’t wait to read what you do.

    And if you opt to the drive-across-country (which I highly recommend), I’ll happily throw a celebration party in New Jersey :).

    Like

  19. holy cow maggie, that’s tremendous! i’m totally in that warehouse with you, jumping up and down and crying and laughing and screaming with joy. what an amazing gift!

    Like

  20. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer person. Love reading your blog and am definitely looking forward to hearing about your adventures!

    Like

  23. No, it’s happening because of you being ballsy and encouraging us all be ballsy with you. You’re a rockstar; I can’t wait to follow allow with the fun!

    Like

  24. Wow. Simply amazing! Congrats – you deserve this. Can’t wait to read all about your adventures. I’m inspired to work on my own Mighty List!!

    Like

  26. Simply amazing. A wee bit jealous, but your adventures will certainly be an inspiration…thanks to your life list, I went back to 43things and started sorting, adding, reordering…and doing.

    Do you think they’d let you build a house for one of your “Make 1000 Lovely Things”? Because that’s one on my list…and it is truly a big dream type of project…

    Like

  27. Oh, and the biggest food fight in the world is coming up in August…the Tomatina in Bunol…you could go to Spain!!!

    Like

  30. OMG – THRILLED for you! How FANTASTIC! And what an amazing thing for Intel to do…..particularly in this crazy time! I love your list and can’t wait to see how it all unfolds! Congrats!

    Like

  32. That is amazing! I can’t wait to read all about it. As I’ve been cutting down on my blog reading, you are the one I keep coming back to read because you really inspire me. Congratulations! Well deserved!

    Like

  37. ROCK ON!!!! You are THE BEST!!! Hugs all around! You are a constant inspiration to me. I wish I had bigger words to tell you that. Seriously.

    Like

  38. CONGRATULATIONS! I am so happy for you! The universe is being quite nice too you…I agree…your teeth are a small price to pay for all of this greatness!

    Like

  39. Oh my god Maggie – that gave me chills… It’s like a dream! HOW DID YOU PICK THE 10 THINGS?! GAH, that is absolutely the hardest part. Can’t wait to watch… and live vicariously.

    Like

  41. So awesome. Congratulations! I can’t wait to read about your adventures. When do you start blowing celebratory bubbles off the Bridge?

    Like

  43. Whoa, this is so amazing and from Intel, a company I never would have expected to do something like this! Just the other week, day dreaming my own mighty list became my evening commute activity on MUNI. Let me know if you need someone to join you on the bridge to blow bubbles!

    Like

  44. Utterly amazing! So fabulous! And I absolutely can’t wait to hear all about your adventures. My pragmatic mind needs these reminders to dream big. 🙂

    Like

  45. Maggie! WOW! You sooooo deserve this and I don’t even know you. But making that list put the wheels in motion and I can’t wait to see the pictures and hear the stories on this awesome journey!
    I do hope that you are ending the 3 months with blowing bubbles with random people from the Golden Gate Bridge!
    Best wishes and safe travels,
    Lorie

    Like

  46. This is incredible news. Congratulations.

    I look forward to hearing more about it, namely, how ever did you select the 10 things?!

    Like

  49. Congratulations to you!! I can’t wait to see what fun adventures you get to do!! Maybe one of the 10 things is surprising one of your readers and taking her on a shopping spree. Hey, I can dream too!!

    Like

  50. Absolutely awesome! I cannot wait to see which ten things you decide to do! I would scream and jump around if I were the sort of person who does that sort of thing. 😉

    Like

Comments are closed.