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”

  3. Oh god! You should totally have us all get together on the bridge and blow bubbles celebration at the end!!!!!! That could be the 11th thing, the final coda of the project.

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  5. Congrats Sweetie! How amazing! It’s Karma. You are getting paid back for being a good person in spite of the crap handed to you in life. Can’t wait to hear all about it!!!

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  8. maggie! congratulations! that’s like being given the keys to the awesomest, fastest car in the world that can fly and swim and become invisible when necessary. go you!
    stay at the el convento in PR. you won’t regret it. walking in old san juan at night, down the el morro, is an evening you will always remember.

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  10. Oh, 113 beat me to the $1,000,000 check! Intel could cover it. You are your own rainmaker. Congratulations!

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  13. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! MAGGIE MAGGIE MAGGIE!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS and also CONGRATULATIONS and also HOOOORAYYY!

    Way to dream big, lady. Seriously.

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  14. That is absolutely fantastic. I can’t even imagine the possibilities with an opportunity like this. I can’t WAIT to see what items you choose. Oh goodness, what an adventure!

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  15. I am absurdly antsy to know the other 7 things, Maggie! Please tell us soon . . . please o please o please.

    In the mysterious way of these internets, the personal camaraderie and good will one feels for people one doesn’t really know is in full force right now. I’m so completely happy for you . . . just really really delighted. Maybe I’ll hoof it over to the Golden Gate Bridge & blow a few bubbles in your honor, and in honor of dreaming big big dreams, and seeing them come true.

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  21. Maggie, I’ve been reading your blog for a while, and I think they’ve chosen the perfect person to have these experiences! I look forward to living vicariously through your posts! Congratulations!

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  24. I’ve been following your blog for nearly a decade and this news feels like it happened to a dear friend who deserves nothing less. In a way, it has. Congratulations and best wishes for your mighty life.

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  25. goodness gracious, that’s just awesome! for you and for us…because your writing is so open and gracious, I often feel as though I am right there with you…

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  28. FABULOUS!! And way to go picking swimming with bioluminous plankton as one of the things to do right away! That is an item on my list too (did we both read The Beach?) and I WISH I could have someone foot the bill to send me to do it! Good for you darling, it couldn’t have happened to a more awesome woman. I can’t wait to read about your experience! By the way, you’re taking an underwater camera, right?? 🙂

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  31. Maggie, I am completely in awe right now. What an unbelievable opportunity, I cannot be happier for you!! I have had a life list for years and am overwhelmed with thoughts of which items I’d choose if in your situation.

    I’m a long-time reader and have never commented, but absolutely couldn’t contain myself today. This post killed my productivity for the rest of the day but WHO CARES it’s worth it. 🙂 Congrats again. Wooo! What a life you have manifested for yourself!!

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  32. If only you’d written “Open a Swiss bank account in Switzerland with $1,000,000 in it.”

    Seriously, though, this is fantastic. Lucky you!

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  33. Congratulation, this is so exciting!
    When I first read your list I made my own “bucket list” of sorts. Very inspirational–I can’t wait to read all about your adventures! 🙂

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  35. that is incredible. well done you.
    your list inspired me to make my own: currently only has 27 items, but i’m working on it:)
    will you learn to dive while in Puerto Rico??? do it. it’s awesome.
    also if you’re ever coming to Ireland, pls to post it so I can stalk you from afar and possibly ply you with whiskey!:)

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  36. INSANE! Congrats on everything! Looking forward to reading all about your adventures/awesome experiences.

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  37. huh. you’re nice and all, but… live it up, i guess, since you are so insanely fortunate. i hope you can add some public service to your list so other people can benefit from this good fortune instead of just reading you gloat

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  38. *jumping up and down, screaming with you* OMG. That is the coolest, coolest thing EVER! Yaaaaay!

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  41. Awesome Maggie. This just goes to show you that people need to just freaking do what they want to do. You felt like writing the list, you wrote the list, you did things on the list, and will keep doing those things. You are an inspiration to all of us!!! 🙂

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  42. I totally squealed out loud when I read that. I hope you have an amazing time and can’t wait to read all about it and see some great photos! Cheers!

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  43. My jaw it the floor. Well ok, my desk. This couldn’t happen to a better I-don’t-know-personally better blogger. Kudos! I look forward to reading about your adventures. Is it too late to add “Take a total stranger (Cristina Arroyo) along on my adventures” to the list?

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  46. This is really fantastic! I hope you ask for the million dollar charity check!! I’ve started my list. It’s harder than I thought it would be! It took me about 45 minutes to do 25 🙂

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  47. Maggie!!! I’ve been reading you for years from PUERTO RICO!!! Your life will change in the bioluminescent lagoon. SERIOUSLY. Which one are you visiting? (We have three!)You have to visit El Yunque. Make sure you eat frituras. Go to Ponce. I think you’ll like it here :o)
    I know it’s unlikely but if you want to ask anything or check anything here… (I actually have contacts for great tours in all the lagoons) or if you want another guide, for free… xo), you can email me.

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  48. Oh, this is just wonderful! It makes me feel that all is right in the world. You SHOULD be able to tackle your life list! We all should! I am inspired to go forth and live my life even more fully!

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  49. You have always been an inspiration, Maggie. I can’t wait to see what’s next, and next, and next, and next…

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  50. Oh my Mighty God. This is Mighty good. What else on that list of yours will you tackle for your ten? Please pick blowing bubbles off Golden Gate Bridge, make an Mighty awesome party of it and let Intel pick up the tabs. I will be there with two-fisted bubble blowers.

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