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Saturday, August 22nd, 2009
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12:25p - wish upon wishes
Each week, a decorated matchbox with a tiny present hidden inside is left by a girl (and sometimes willing friends) somewhere in her travels. It's a random act of semi-artistic kindness aimed at disrupting someone's day in a tiny but positive way. That's if they dare to pick it up...
*Last week of blurry photos! Picking up my camera baby today!
A little box appeared on top of my bag at work the other week. It was tucked inside a plastic lolly bag, tied with a thin pink and green ribbon. Inside there was a custom covered matchbox with a magenta bow around it. I looked around, everyone was still busy typing and talking. So I proceeded, with excitement and caution.
Inside I found 3 coloured candles, pink, yellow and blue, one matchstick and a chain of letters, which once freed from their box spelt out HAPPY BIRTHDAY in multicoloured patterned card. I gasped. I spend a lot of time making matchboxes, the last few weeks I've averaged around 100 boxes per week with the ACP show but I never expect to receive any back. Especially this elaborate. I proceeded to question likely suspects in the office, did they leave this on my bag and sneak away?? No one knew who it was, I felt happily beaten at my own game. It struck me later that night at dinner, it was Bryony!! What a lovely surprise.
My 25th birthday lasted well over a week. There were cupcakes at work (they came in this box with a heart shaped window so you could see them!), a day off on my actual birthday, which my boyfriend planned, a dinner with my family, a birthday party at the Victoria Room (which ended with a 2 hour trek back home, mainly walking in stilettos) and a birthday dinner with Tony's family. I felt bad by the end of it but grateful at the same time. And I resolved to be more excited about other people's birthdays - to not pike out of birthday drinks, to make the effort to bring cake, because these little things sure made me feel special.
My dad's recently started this thing, I guess you could call it an offshoot of the project... He calls it the 'Travelling Matchbox.' Basically, it's like the travelling gnome in Amelie, he takes a box with him and photographs it wherever he goes. He said if it was too silly, to tell him and he'd stop. But I love it and so the pictures arrive, usually three at a time, every couple of days.
Over the past 5 weeks, the boxes have traveled far and wide. From Paddington to the US - Ohio, Pasadena, California, Michigan, NYC to Europe and all over Australia. I didn't expect them to go this far and I'm absolutely stoked that they have. It seems I'm not the only present enthusiast. Thank you to everyone who dropped a box!! And to the ACP for giving me a space for this experiment. I had so much fun.
View full Matchbox Treasure Hunt! in a larger map
xxx
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