Feeling wicked on spotting gazillion campaign posters, even of ’almost candidates’ not in the running, sprouting all over on the way home this evening, I searched for political satire on YouTube. Of the hilariously funny and truly inspired madness, it was the Made-in-Malaysia-by-Malaysians videoclips that filled me with dread, despair and doom. Is there really no dawn unless…..???!!! Then, I found this videoclip of the Free Hugs Campaign started by Juan Mann whose, as this official website here says, “sole mission was to reach out and hug a stranger to brighten up their lives“. Read Juan’s story and tell me what is the purpose of your campaign, to make me feel better or just because of you?:
I’d been living in London when my world turned upside down and I’d had to come home. By the time my plane landed back in Sydney, all I had left was a carry on bag full of clothes and a world of troubles. No one to welcome me back, no place to call home. I was a tourist in my hometown. Standing there in the arrivals terminal, watching other passengers meeting their waiting friends and family, with open arms and smiling faces, hugging and laughing together, I wanted someone out there to be waiting for me. To be happy to see me. To smile at me. To hug me. So I got some cardboard and a marker and made a sign. I found the busiest pedestrian intersection in the city and held that sign aloft, with the words “Free Hugs” on both sides. And for 15 minutes, people just stared right through me. The first person who stopped, tapped me on the shoulder and told me how her dog had just died that morning. How that morning had been the one year anniversary of her only daughter dying in a car accident. How what she needed now, when she felt most alone in the world, was a hug. I got down on one knee, we put our arms around each other and when we parted, she was smiling. Everyone has problems and for sure mine haven’t compared. But to see someone who was once frowning, smile even for a moment, is worth it every time.
Dubbed a phenomenon by Wiki here, the Free Hugs Campaign began in June 2004 and became widely publicised in YouTube by an Australian band named Sickpuppies. The random act of kindness as simple as a free hug made many people feel better and the campaign continues. So spread the message!
Message on YouTube:
The response to this video has been nothing short of overwhelming and touching. Hugs to every single one of you who messaged. There has been thousands of emails from all over the world by people seeking to participate in the Free Hugs campaign and asking for permission. You do not need permission. This is the peoples movement, this is *your* movement. With nothing but your bare hands you can make THE difference. Imagine all the people.
Helo Kak,
This is good stuff. Thanks for sharing.
But have to becareful here too….in case some ding dongs pick pocket.
Any way kak…here is a hug all the way from Sarawak.
*hug, hug*
U keep on doing what u r doing…:)
P.S: Will try to find the song u mentioned in ur previous post.
Yaaayyyyyy!!! My first hug. I hug you back Nightwing. It’s kinda nice that we can do this virtually. I think of it like hugging you back with words that I hope makes you feel better too. You know, like how the songs you dedicate to others makes them feel good. I fancy myself an eternal optimist, so when the warmth of optimism in the world grows cold, I wanna throw in some wood chips so the fire will blaze again. Like a hug-you-back, with words!
Have a good day Nightwing and keep hugging people back with your songs!
Hi tembam, here’s hugging you from bangkok ok…see ya
Hug you back Mama cupcakes! Hope you have a good trip and lots of delicious Tom Yam Goong!
Mary Kate, the other day I saw on TV the kids behind that Cuppacakes that you admire so much. Apparently, a bunch of graphic designer kids (five i think) got together to start the venture and because they were of the artistic temperament, their quirky and fabulous designer cupcakes, marketed mostly through blogs and websites, were a hit. They now have a little cafe cum shop under the Wondermilk brand at Damansara Uptown. The link http://cupcakesinmalaysia.blogspot.com/
Now, when we plan for that little girl talk session, we can check the place out. Hey, be sure not to go and hug strange men over there in Bangkok okay!
Hhhhmmmmmm…….I need to strategically plan when to launch a Free Hugs campaign when Aaron Aziz is near enough! Teehee….
Hugs hugs Kak Tembam!
I’ve been so busy lately, and tomorrow I have to go into the crime house and do a 10-min mock investigation. I feel so bad for temporarily abandoning my crime-blog.
Which reminds me, Ambrose whatsisface has returned. Read his open letter to the IGP, and I couldn’t stop snorting – with laughter and contempt. This guy is seriously hard-up for cash, it’s pathetic. I wonder what he’ll do with the money if anyone ever buys this… I would suggest he should enrol himself into an English language refresher course.
Yes, am I in a bitchy mode today. Bring it on!
Hug you back Munira! I’m still smirking from my smartass response to our resident supersleuth Ambrose. Now if he can deliver just like he and the 50 bomohs promised, we can open up franchises of Ambrose & Bomohs all over the known universe. Maybe if we add Chad Vader in, they can be Ambrose, Bomohs & Chad (ABC)……..now I am getting scary!
Give you extra hugs back Munira so that Beauty In Total Control of Herself can go out there and fight crime with a smile. Spread the love sistah, spread the love!!!
Ha ha you should read my comment right after yours. I think we’re both taking a leaf out of Darth Vader’s How To Be An Intergalactic Smartass (yup you’ve seen this) book.
Love that bit. Wish I could add that to my hoped for Remote Control on life ala the movie “Click”………..hhhmmmm, what a pleasant thought!
Have you seen the Will.I.Am music video Yes We Can? I’ve posted it on my blog. It’s foot-tapping catchy.
tembam, i admired the cuppacakes for their beautiful cupcakes decor, havent eaten one. i did try to order once and was really put off by one of their staff-really arrogant guy, so i ordered a huge batch of cakes from another fellow blogger but i dont think dia orang dying for my biz..anyway,cupcakes craze are quite over for now, me-always have something new i like and when it’s the latest craze, its all in the blog and then when it phases out, its time for something else.. BKK was good as usual so me looking forward to my may trip to angkor…..so, tenga ikat perut now, saving $$ and diet – two in one, hahaha