Sunday, September 25, 2011

329. Decent

329. Decent
Definition:
(adj) kind, obliging, generous
Location Placed: Sugarush Cupcake Shop, Red Bank, New Jersey
Date Placed: 9/24/11 at 4:16pm
Status: Found!





When I had overheard at another store that the cupcake of the day (the 24th) was a chocolate cake with a full sized peanut butter cup baked in, I quickly searched out the shop. Chocolate + Peanut Butter combination is a weakness in my house, as are cupcakes. So I was pleased as punch knowing my dessert was going to be delish. Imagine my surprise when less than 2 hours later I received an email from Chris, an employee there, saying they found the crane! I included the picture he emailed me below.

Crane329Chris

328. Equal

328. Equal
Definition:
(n) a person or thing considered to be the same as another in status or quality
Location Placed: A Time to Kiln, Red Bank, New Jersey
Date Placed: 9/24/11 at 3:59pm





I haven't done ceramics in ages. I regularly pass by this shop but it's usually closed since I stroll through weekday nights after work. But my midday weekend jaunt allowed me to pop in. There was a children's birthday party going on as well as a few other stragglers. I once had a ceramics birthday party as a child, and am glad to see it's still appealing to children. It got me to wondering what my last "child-like" birthday party I had where we did an activity and such. I honestly can't remember. Does anyone remember the last birthday party they had as a child? What was it?

327. Goodwill

327. Goodwill
Definition:
(n) friendly, helpful, or cooperative feelings or attitude
Location Placed: Starbucks, Red Bank, New Jersey
Date Placed: 9/24/11 at 3:51pm





Goodwill as a word reminds me more of the holiday season along with cheer, peace, and joy. So when I inadvertently used it, it got me anticipating the holiday season coming up. Now I certainly don't want to rush through autumn since I've got fond feelings toward it, but it was nice to think about being thankful and giving to loved ones.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

326. Likable

326. Likable
Definition:
(adj) pleasant, friendly, and easy to like
Location Placed: The UPS Store, Red Bank, New Jersey
Date Placed: 9/24/11 at 3:42pm





I had forgotten that downtown Red Bank had parking meters that needed to be fed in order to park down there. My plans to release some cranes there had nearly been foiled by my lack of quarters. After pulling into a spot to see just how many quarters would be required, when I saw that my meter still had a two hours and forty-one minutes left! Now how's that for lucky! So thank you to that person that overpaid their meter and allowed me to release some more cranes. I made sure there was an hour and forty-five minutes on it before I left so that someone else could get the joy of having paid parking.

325. Practical

325. Practical
Definition:
(adj) likely to succeed or be effective; feasible
Location Placed: Red Bank Library, Red Bank, New Jersey
Date Placed: 9/24/11 at 3:18pm





The only thing that I enjoy more than a library is a book sale, particularly when it's at a library. So when I heard the Red Bank Library was having a book sale, I was basically there. I'm always happy to support the library and acquire some new books. Where is your favorite place to buy books if you're a bookworm like me?

Friday, September 23, 2011

324. Safety

324. Safety
Definition:
(n) denoting something designed to prevent injury or damage
Location Placed: Hudson City Savings Bank, West Long Branch, New Jersey
Date Placed: 9/23/11 at 5:41pm





At work I have one of those calendars where you rip a day and each day holds something. Mine is a quote each day, some days are better than others. Yesterday was particularly meaningful for me.

"Never worry about the numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." -Mother Teresa, Christian missionary

I interpreted Mother Teresa's words to fit my project. The person that finds a crane is potentially nearest to me distance wise. It may be the next person in line at the ATM, another person perusing the library, someone traveling behind me in a museum. Don't worry about the reach of the project but the depth of it. The quote has reminded me why I am doing the project: to spread peace and positivity to strangers. Sometimes it helps to be reassured by the little things.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

323. Swift

323. Swift
Definition:
(adj) happening quickly or promptly
Location Placed: Long Branch Public Library, Long Branch, New Jersey
Date Placed: 9/21/11 at 5:42pm





Although the day is all but over here, today was International Day of Peace. Since I was a wee bit late in ripping off yesterday on my calendar, I didn't actually realize it until the end of the work day. I would've loved to have spread a few more cranes in celebration of the day. I think I'll carry the peace over to tomorrow in celebration by being pleasant and patient with people I encounter. So, even if it's a day late, celebrate the day by spreading peace tomorrow in your own way.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

322. Tidy

322. Tidy
Definition:
(adj) arranged neatly and in order
Location Placed: Twin Light Historic Site, Highlands, New Jersey
Date Placed: 9/17/11 at 3:54pm





The first picture is a general picture of one of the lighthouse towers of the Twin Lights. One of the towers is actually octagonal while the other is square. In all the times I can remember, only the octagonal one has been open to go up in. But it must've been my lucky day as the square one was open this time. So I basically had to go up and poke around a bit. While it was a bit nippy on the ground with the overcast, it was downright chilly up at the top of the lighthouse. Between that and it closing in a few short minutes, I didn't get to spend too much time poking around. But being another free/educational/fun activity, I couldn't say no!

321. Upbeat

321. Upbeat
Definition:
(adj) cheerful and optimistic
Location Placed: Historic House, Sandy Hook, New Jersey
Date Placed: 9/17/11 at 3:23pm





You can see part of the remaining For Hancock structure bits, as well as a portion of the history at the Historic House. In my intended upbeat fashion, I made good natured small talk with some of the other patrons visiting the house. We bonded about the lovely architectural pieces, the size of the rooms, and how wonderful of a view they had when people actually lived in them. Ignoring the fact that everyone was at least three times my age (perhaps a slight exaggeration), I was able to enjoy the Historical House in the absence of dragging anyone along on this adventure. I like imagining what places were like in their hayday, like the ancient historic ruins of many European countries I've been to. Do you guys ever wonder what a place was like some time in the past?

320. Useful

320. Useful
Definition:
(adj) able to be used for a practical purpose in several ways
Location Placed: Fort Hancock Lookout Point, Sandy Hook, New Jersey
Date Placed: 9/17/11 at 3:06pm





Although it's super small, the skyline in this picture is actually New York City. The Empire State Building is completely visible and kind of stands out. While it takes nearly 1.5 hours to get into New York City by train, as the crow flies, it's pretty quick. There's a ferry (or several) that go from that area into New York City, but I hear it takes about the same time. Last time I was standing at this point, I was extremely doubtful you could see the skyline from that spot. What difference a less hazy and polluted day can make! As you can see, it doesn't take much to excite me.

319. Prompt

319. Prompt
Definition:
(adj) done without delay; immediate
Location Placed: Sandy Hook Lighthouse, Sandy Hook, New Jersey
Date Placed: 9/17/11 at 2:49pm





As I mentioned earlier, I remember going to a lighthouse with my Grandparents when I was younger. We did a lot of fun little activities since they lived about 20 minutes from where I did. We go to parks, the circus, and sometimes just for drives to see all the big houses by the ocean. (And believe you me, there is no shortage of large house along the ocean between Sandy Hook and where they lived.) They helped me sell girl scout cookies to all their neighbors when I was little (a neighborhood I subsequently moved into, though most of the people living there had moved on.) I have a lot of wonderful memories of all of my grandparents from childhood, be they a set that lived around the block, or across the continent. For that I am extremely grateful. Do you have (m)any fond memories of your grandparents?

318. Solid

318. Solid
Definition:
(adj) firm and stable
Location Placed: Sandy Hook Visitor's Center, Sandy Hook, New Jersey
Date Placed: 9/17/11 at 2:33pm





For as close as I've lived to Sandy Hook, I rarely spent much time there in the past. I remember going there for a class trip in 5th grade (a really fun class trip aside from thinking that our room in a barrack was ridiculously haunted...) I remember going to the lighthouses with my Grandparents, who loved everything lighthouse related. But I cannot recall any previous times (aside from my visit there a little over a year ago), despite how absolutely cool it is. Having house a fort in the past (think World War era), it is filled with nooks and crannies housing armory bits and battery bobs. Old missile launchers still stand as well as perches and lookout towers. For someone that likes exploring old things, this is quite the gold mine. Not to mention that after Labor Day, parking is free as well as the tours and exhibits. Educational, fun, and free? Sign me up!

317. Driven

317. Driven
Definition:
(adj) motivated or determined by a certain factor or being
Location Placed: Blackberry Bay Park, Oceanport, New Jersey
Date Placed: 9/17/11 at 1:51pm





I decided that my explorations would be of outdoors-y areas, or at least places I probably wouldn't find myself come winter. With the warm weather winding down, I certainly want to make the most of it. Blackberry Bay Park is a lovely town park and I can only imagine what it's like on a nice day with sports games all in swing and boats being launched into the nearby river. I also stopped at another park just down the street, but I could've find a flat surface to put a crane. If you live in the area, I certainly recommend checking out all of Oceanport's little parks. They certainly bring back lots of wonderful childhood memories.

316. Modest

316. Modest
Definition:
(adj) unassuming or moderate in ones estimation of their abilities
Location Placed: Eatontown Public Library, Eatontown, New Jersey
Date Placed: 9/17/11 at 12:35pm





Another day, another new library! However, I'd actually like to talk about the weather with this crane. I hadn't originally planned to do any releasing, but it was on the way to pick up something for lunch. And after feeling the weather, and it being a lovely fall day, I decided to do some spur of the moment stuff. The clouds threatened to rain, but it held off. So I got to go exploring! How's that for a Saturday?

Monday, September 12, 2011

315. Extroverted

315. Extroverted
Definition:
(adj) outgoing, overly expressive
Location Placed: Investors Savings Bank, Deal, New Jersey
Date Placed: 9/12/11 at 2:45pm





The old psychology major in me loves this word. I'm certainly an introvert, through and through, but I always find it interesting that extroverts seem to be seen more positively than introverts. Maybe it's charisma, or charm, or some sort of silly fascination. I know I end up feeling drawn to the outgoing sort of people. Perhaps it's just an opposites attract sort of thing that I find myself with extroverted friends. Do you happen to have friends that compliment you in terms of personality traits?

314. Mushy

314. Mushy
Definition:
(adj) sentimental
Location Placed: Deal Post Office, Deal, New Jersey
Date Placed: 9/12/11 at 2:43pm





While it was still quite warm today, I feel like the cooler weather is on its way in. Autumn being my favorite season, I'm a little more than a bit excited. But I certainly appreciate the last few days of warmth to enjoy before I stop wanting to pop outside on my lunch break for a quick gallivant or pop out to the garden to a cover a few more chapters from whatever book I'm reading. So while I didn't actually have any sort of errands today, as I usually have when crane placing, I just wanted to squeeze the last bit out of the summer warmth while it's still around.

313. Open-Minded

313. Open-Minded
Definition:
(adj) willing to consider new ideas
Location Placed: Elberon Branch Library, Long Branch, New Jersey
Date Placed: 9/12/11 at 2:30pm





I admit that I am a library junkie. My first crane placement was in the library that I basically grew up in (as in went there since my elementary school years). For as much as I frequent them, I had no idea that there were so many in my a county! I guess I got in a habit of just going to the one that was most comfortable and familiar. But there are so many wonderful little town libraries out there that I am just getting to experience. I full accept how much of a bookworm this makes me sound! Do you have a favorite library you go to? If not, I recommend being open-minded and checking one (or several) out.

312. Propel

312. Propel
Definition:
(v) to move forward with
Location Placed: Elberon Train Station, Long Branch, New Jersey
Date Placed: 9/12/11 at 2:28pm





Propelling a blog is hard business, as most of you well know. It takes a lot of work going into content, trying to stay true to your inner blogger. Cultivating a readership also takes extensive work, attempting to find people that like what you do to come back more than once. Prettying up your blog to make it more appealing/professional/what have you is tough work if you're not a technologically savvy sort. I'm hoping to work a lot on all the above in the next couple months, in addition to actually releasing cranes. Hopefully it all pays off!