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One Attendees Santa Pen-pal That She Met At Burning Man

There are a lot of odd characters at Burning Man, the annual Labor Day Weekend celebration in the western desert, but the last one folks usually expect to see there is Santa Claus. However, as it turned out in 2017, that’s exactly who one attendee met, and she struck up a penpal relationship with the character ever since.

The idea of penpals came from the 1970s with kids’ programs intended to help them learn more about the greater world and to make connections with similar kids in other countries. TV programs, schools, kids’ after-school care programs and similar all ran some kind of version of penpals. The benefits were multiple. Kids learned to read and write faster, they built relationships with other kids internationally, and they learned more about other communities just on the natural talking to their connections. So, while the idea of writing a paper letter today seems like a memory of yesteryear, the term of “penpal” is still alive and well, referring to long-distance connections that start out of the blue.

Back to the Burning Man, Rudie met Santa Claus, or a fellow dressed up like him in 2017 at the desert festival, complete in costume and carrying a large sack. Of course, Santa Claus wasn’t the only out of the norm character there; Burning Man is famous for all sorts of outlandish costumes, constructs, bike-related vehicles, and lots of partying. Santa was in full character mode, handing out gifts from a large bag he was carrying, while enjoying the crowd at the Jazz Café.

Rudie ended up chatting with Santa quite a bit, but never exchanged anything more in the way of contact information to followup. So she pretty much chalked up the experience to the festival and forgot about it. However, in 2018, Santa Claus was there again at the next Burning Man. And he recognized Rudie from the previous year. They chatted up a storm again, and this time the Man of the North Pole brought a saxophone and started in impromptu gig on the stage. It went well with the name of the café. And, at the end of it all, Rudie was able to get an email address in 2018. She didn’t send an email right away; Rudie waited until Christmas itself that year, and then sent a long email explaining how special the Santa Claus theme was to her and thanking him for spreading the cheer at the festival.

She wasn’t expecting a response, but “Santa” did write Rudie back on Christmas Day the same year. That started an international tradition, and the following 2019 Burning Man, Rudie, Santa and a few other characters participated in the whole Christmas gig at Burning Man, much to everyone’s amusement. Unfortunately, 2020 and 2021 were fouled up by COVID, but Rudie and Santa stayed connected online anyways.

Plans are on though for everyone to reconnect in person again at Burning Man 2022. And Rudie, currently living in Spain and with a full name of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer as a character, is looking forward to the desert party with the Old Man from the North all over again. No pandemic is going to keep them down for long!

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Ordinary People Experience Stardom on Belfast’s Red Carpet

Shannon Jackson

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In a delightful turn of events in Belfast, Ireland, TikToker Alan Wallace treated unsuspecting passersby to a taste of celebrity life by rolling out a red carpet for them to strut their stuff. Known by his social media handle Inspiring Belfast, Wallace enjoys a following of over 50,000 on Instagram. His latest stunt captured the hearts of viewers, racking up more than 8.5 million views and over 720,000 likes on Instagram alone.

Wallace is celebrated for his feel-good content that often highlights the charm of Belfast, his native city. According to Upworthy, the most charming aspect of this event was how each participant wholeheartedly embraced their moment in the spotlight, displaying a range of responses from graceful walks by the elderly to playful dances and athletic stunts like cartwheels and skateboarding.

One standout moment featured a construction worker who dazzled onlookers with a performance reminiscent of a fashion show finale, demonstrating both confidence and joy.

While the video suggests some coordination might have been involved in the setup, the genuine delight of those featured was unmistakable. The video not only spread smiles among viewers but also served as a reminder of the joy simple pleasures can bring.

Comments flooded in from viewers who felt uplifted by the clip. One viewer expressed, “I’ve had such a bad day, and this has really cheered me up.” Another commented on the pure happiness the video brought, “Proof that simple things can provide so much joy! Infectious joy at that! More please!”

A particularly touched viewer noted, “I love how everyone reacts but especially the elderly. They are often lonely and overlooked. They’ll be thinking about this with a smile for a long time 😍”

This heartwarming spectacle underscores the impact of small gestures of kindness and how a simple act of fun can brighten someone’s day without needing a deep connection—sometimes, a smile or a playful interaction is all it takes to lift spirits.

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A Surprise Upgrade: How a Mistake Gave an Edmond Couple a New Roof

Kelly Taylor

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Imagine coming home to find out that your roof has been replaced by mistake! That’s exactly what happened to Deborah and Scott Senner from Edmond. “We were like ‘Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh,'” Deborah said. “We didn’t order a roof.”

The couple was actually five hours away when their 5-year-old roof was being removed. “I think it was about 80 percent off when they realized the mistake,” Deborah said. That’s when they got a surprising phone call from Doug Gray, the owner of Graco Roofing and Construction.

Gray admitted to the mistake, saying, “Had to be humble. We made a mistake and here’s what we can do to fix it.” Graco Roofing has been around for 30 years and had never made a mistake like this before. Gray even sent the Senners pictures of the progress, showing a huge dumpster, trucks, and a chute for throwing shingles.

The Senners could have been upset, but they weren’t. “They were very gracious, very sweet,” Gray said. “They understood – a little shocked obviously.” Scott found humor in the situation, saying, “It was pretty funny. You don’t expect something like that.”

The mix-up happened because of a small error in the address given to the installation team. “There’s protocols we put in place for years to avoid that,” Gray said. “Several of those were missed.” Despite the mistake, the Senners praised Graco Roofing. “We’re a total advocate for him. We think they did a phenomenal job,” they said. “Now we say we recommend Graco.”

In the end, the mistake turned out to be a blessing. The new roof was an upgrade, more resistant to hail, and it even lowered the couple’s homeowners insurance. “They did the right thing big time,” says Scott. Sometimes, a little mistake can lead to a big improvement!

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Milwaukee’s Popular Pup: Shih Tzu’s Night Out at the Bar

Jess

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In a heartwarming turn of events, a 16-year-old Shih Tzu named Bear embarked on an unexpected adventure that left his owner, Jenny Hazard, both frantic and amused. Bear, known for his love of exploration, went missing in January, prompting a search that ended in an unlikely place – a bar in Milwaukee, WI.

Jenny Hazard was initially distraught when Bear disappeared, especially considering his age and heart condition. “When he was younger, he was a runner,” she shared. “He can’t go far in snow.” Despite her concerns, she turned to social media for help, hoping to locate her beloved pet.

It wasn’t long before she received a surprising text – Bear had been found at Finks, a local tavern located a mile from their home. “I’m like, ‘What?'” Hazard exclaimed upon hearing the news. A photo sent to her phone showed Bear happily mingling with patrons at the bar, seemingly enjoying his newfound popularity.

It turned out that a group of barhoppers had spotted Bear and decided to bring him along for the evening. “They took good care of him, and I guess he was pretty popular,” Hazard said, relieved that Bear was safe and sound.

Reflecting on Bear’s escapade, Hazard humorously remarked, “Old man breaks free — goes to bar,” highlighting the unexpected adventure of her adventurous pup. Bear’s night out serves as a reminder of the unexpected places and friends our furry companions can find, even in the bustling city of Milwaukee.

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A Fun New Drinking Game in the UK

Kevin Wells

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Have you ever wanted to buy a stranger a drink, just for fun? In the UK, there’s a new game that’s all about spreading joy and drinks in pubs!

This fun game started because of a cool feature in the Wetherspoons app. Wetherspoons is Britain’s biggest pub chain with over 800 taverns. The app lets you order drinks online for any table in these pubs. You just need to manually enter the location instead of using location services. That’s how you can surprise someone with a pint, wine, or even a shot!

So, what are the rules? It’s simple and fun! People who want free drinks post a photo of themselves, the name of the Wetherspoons pub they’re in, their table number, and a nice message on a Facebook page called “Wetherspoons The Game!” There are 22 volunteer moderators who make sure everything is fair and polite. They check the players’ IDs and pick a few dozen lucky winners each night. These winners get their picture and message posted, and then the drinks start coming!

Politeness is a big deal in this game. If anyone uses rude language, they’re out. The moderators also keep an eye on how many drinks are ordered for one table. If it gets too much, especially with tequila, they step in and stop the orders.

Chris Illman, a 42-year-old man, created this game six years ago. He was going through tough times, battling cancer and dealing with his partner leaving him. What started as a fun game among friends to buy each other drinks grew into something huge. Now, he manages Facebook groups with over half a million members, all joining in the fun!

What’s amazing is how people love participating. Many enjoy sitting at home, ordering drinks for people out having a good time. According to Illman, it’s not about getting something in return. It’s all about the joy of giving and making someone’s night a little more special.

This game shows how a small act of kindness, like sending a stranger a drink, can bring a lot of happiness. It’s not just about the free drinks; it’s about the surprise and joy that comes with it. So next time you’re in the UK and at a Wetherspoons pub, who knows, you might just be the lucky one getting a surprise pint from a new friend! 🍻

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The Tale of the Welsh Tidy Mouse: A Shed’s Unexpected Helper

Renee Yates

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In the quaint shed of a retired postal worker named Rodney Holbrook, an unusual and endearing story has unfolded. Rodney, curious about the mysteriously tidy state of his shed each morning, set up a night vision camera to unravel the mystery. To his surprise, the culprit turned out to be none other than a diligent mouse, earning the affectionate nickname of the “Welsh Tidy Mouse.” This industrious rodent has been performing its tidying routine for a remarkable two months.

Rodney first noticed the tidying phenomenon when items on his workbench were consistently organized each morning. Intrigued, he decided to investigate further by employing a night vision camera. The footage revealed a tiny mouse diligently picking up clothes pegs, corks, nuts, and bolts, and neatly placing them in designated spots. It seemed that this mouse had a penchant for order and cleanliness, turning Rodney’s shed into a well-kept space.

The Welsh Tidy Mouse’s routine involves not only tidying up but also repurposing some of Rodney’s belongings. Initially, Rodney observed that food meant for birds was mysteriously ending up in old shoes stored in the shed. It appears the mouse has found a clever way to use objects to hide away nuts, creating a win-win situation for both the mouse and Rodney.

Rodney, embracing the unexpected help, has altered his habits to accommodate the diligent mouse. Items left out of their designated places are effortlessly restored to order by the morning, thanks to the mouse’s industrious efforts. Rodney humorously suggests that the mouse might even tidy away his wife if given the chance.

Seeing the mouse’s knack for organization, Rodney has turned the shed into a playful experiment. He adds different items to the workspace, challenging the mouse to lift and rearrange them. The shed has become a shared space where a retired postal worker and a tiny, tidy mouse coexist in harmony.

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