Andy Smallman

So I’ve been VERY busy lately getting ready for my role in this year’s Compassion Games. You may recall that about a year ago I created a “kindness game” in support of the 2012 games, a co-opetition between Seattle and Louisville, Ky. This year, cities from all over the world are involved and I was again asked to facilitate an activity.

My idea this year is something called “Secret Agent of Compassion.” The idea is for me to send out a “mission” each day of the games, from September 11-21, 11 days in all, for people who have agreed to be “secret agents.” It’s a game that can be played anywhere by anyone, not just people living in the cities that have signed up to participate.

Follow along at the Kind Living blog. And if you are a Facebook user, change your Facebook profile picture to an avatar created by Fish Astronaut, my Kind Living artist.

Ready to play? Game on!!

This photo won’t make a lot of sense to many people, but it gives me a smile. Yesterday was the first day of the 20th year of PSCS, no small accomplishment. After the students had left, I went around tidying up and found this “schedule” written on a dry erase board in one of the rooms. It is, basically, an accurate representation of yesterday’s schedule.

There were cubbies to be had, photos to take, Google accounts to set up. There was lunch (I don’t know what happened to the “L”) with an explanation not to go offsite on your own. There were meetings for the high schoolers and the middle schoolers.

And then there was the “Beast,” a game facilitated by our two new teachers.

No telling what happened to the “B” in beast.

First, let me say that this photo is about an hour old. It was taken at Melinda’s parents’ house while in the midst of a text exchange with Melinda’s sister.

You see, we had a very spontaneous dinner at Melinda’s parents’ house tonight. Melinda, Ella and I were able to attend, but Brenda, Greg & Perrin (and Chloe) could not, all being out of town. So text messages were taking place between Melinda and Brenda about the delicious lentil & sausage soup, followed by brownies for dessert.

Brenda and family were on a ferry. So you know, it was one of those sister taunting things. We’re having brownies. How are the diesel fumes treating you?

That’s my story.