Just plain AWESOME (Giveaway)

It is one of my favourite words of all time.  One of those descriptions that works for everything and now, it is something that makes me feel good, no matter what mode I happen to be in that day.  The word that I am talking about is AWESOME!

On Wednesday, Neil Pasricha announced the #1 awesome thing in his countdown of the 1000 AWESOME Things and it ended a four-year run of, well, awesomeness.

Before I reveal, to those of you who don't already know, what the most AWESOME thing was, I wanted to share just what these books (and this journey) has done for me.

Two years ago, my girlfriend and I were killing time before a movie and browsing the shelves at Wal-Mart.  Being a book junkie, I always head for that section and this time, one book jumped out at me.  Whether it was the colours on the cover or the work AWESOME itself that called to me, I can't be sure but we sat (stood) beside the table for 10-minutes laughing at all the stories that we could relate to.  For each of the AWESOME things in the book, Neil Pasricha tells a story of why he feels that item deserves a place on the list.  It may not be the same reason that you would call is AWESOME but it nevertheless evokes a feeling of happiness... a memory of something that made you smile.  What could be more AWESOME then that?  Needless to say, we each purchased a book and have been continually reading it since.  There are now two more editions to The Book of AWESOME - The Book of (Even More) Awesome and The Book of Holiday Awesome - that we have added to our shelves and I will say with 100% honesty that these books will always hold a special spot, not only on my bookshelf, but in my heart.  They make the world seem like a brighter place, take the stress away from a long day and bring a smile to your face when nothing else can.

Some examples of AWESOME that made me smile (from 1000 Awesome Things):

#951 Hearing a stranger fart in public - I dare you NOT to laugh just thinking about it!!
#733 Laughing so hard you make no sound at all
#495 When it suddenly just clicks - usually at 3:00 in the morning!!
#345 When the Christmas tree gives the only light in the room - best ever!!
#41 Fixing electronics by smacking them

and the number 1 AWESOME thing (the moment you have all been waiting for)...

#1 Anything you want it to be

About Neil:

Neil Pasricha (Paz-REE-cha) never imagined that writing about the smell of gasoline, thinking it’s Thursday when it’s really Friday, or wearing underwear just out of the dryer would amount to anything. A self-described “average guy” with a typical 9-to-5 job in the suburbs, Neil started his blog 1000 Awesome Things, as a small reminder — in a world of rising sea levels, global conflict, and a troubled economy — of the free, easy little joys that make life sweet. He certainly didn’t anticipate that his site would gain a readership of millions of people, win two Webby Awards (“the Internet’s highest honor” according to The New York Times), be named one of PC Magazine’s Top 100 Sites, or become a place where people from around the world would come to celebrate the simple pleasures of daily life.

A few of Neil's faves...

#980 Old, dangerous playground equipment

#864 Mastering the art of the all you can eat buffet

#858 The other side of the pillow

#780 Squeezing through a door as it’s shutting without touching it

#720 The final seconds of untangling a really big knot

#675 Wordless apologies

#654 Peeling that thin plastic film off new electronics

#601 Getting through it

As an appreciation to my loyal followers, I am giving away one copy of Neil Pasricha's book but it is your choice as to which you prefer.  Enter using Rafflecopter below and I will announce the winner on May 1st, 2012!! (only rule: the Book Depository must be able to ship to your address)

a Rafflecopter giveaway