i am the great wizard

I've received some great submissions for the Make Me Laugh video contest. (I'm smiling just typing that out, thinking about what some of you did!) And I've decided to extend the deadline to next Monday. Because a few of you let me know that circumstances interfered with getting your videos made on time. And really, because, well, I'd rather get in as many laughs as I can.

So if you wish you'd made a video but didn't, now's your chance. If the thought to make one never even crossed your mind, let it cross now: Send me some funny! Don't make me beg.

And if you're stubbornly stickin' to the idea that you're just not humorous, then at least send me a hello. I love seeing your faces and hearing your voices.

(Need a refresher on the rules of the contest? Go here.)

In other news... You can order just about anything these days.

but why?

Are you still working on your video for the Make Me Laugh contest? I hope you haven't forgotten about it. Oh? You have? I'll recap.

• You send me as many self-made videos as you want.
• Whoever makes me laugh the most, wins!
• The prize is money at Starbucks and iTunes.
• Deadline is tomorrow at midnight (Monday/EST).

Why make me laugh? 'Cause I love laughing. And It's good for my heart. And who can resist getting me to do this:

Of and of course 'cause you can win something.You know, if you need a selfish reason...

extreme makeover: alece edition

The last time Cathi saw me, I really wasn't lookin' my best. It's amazing how many pounds her video camera took off me this time.

If you could professionally alter, shrink, or augment any part of yourself, what would it be?

so different, yet so similar

At our first reunion, I discovered I have more in common with Cathi than I ever would've imagined. That was reinforced even more this week.

Now if only I could remember what our similarities actually are...

Wow. I wish I could speak whale.

just what i needed

Yesterday felt like a long exhale. It felt like a warm blanket. And the first day of spring. I spent over nine hours with a wonderful friend. She's a friend I can be talkative with and also sit in comfortable silence with. And we did plenty of both. She held my hand as we shared hearts, and made me feel completely loved when she hugged me.

And the best part was: We laughed till we cried. And then we laughed some more.

If the still-shots don't prove it, maybe this will:

As I drove home at the end of my perfect day, my mind settled on one thought: My heart feels strengthened.

It was just what I needed.