What Gives!? http://whatgives.com/ What Gives!? is a social goodworking blog that's all about you and us, and the great things we can do together. http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss whatgives@ebay.com whatgives@ebay.com 2008 What Gives!? en Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:43:12 -0500 http://whatgives.com/post/2008/7/weekend-in-boston Weekend in Boston

Spent the weekend with my son exploring Boston. :o)

]]> http://whatgives.com/post/2008/7/weekend-in-boston http://whatgives.com/post/2008/7/weekend-in-boston#comments Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:43:12 -0500 What Gives!? http://whatgives.com/post/2008/7/hope-you-had-a-good-weekend Hope you had a good weekend

Sometimes a picture says it all. I hope everyone had a great weekend, I sure did. Bring on Monday and all the GOOD in the world!

]]> http://whatgives.com/post/2008/7/hope-you-had-a-good-weekend http://whatgives.com/post/2008/7/hope-you-had-a-good-weekend#comments Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:25:00 -0500 What Gives!? http://whatgives.com/post/2008/7/top-5--week-6 Top 5 - Week 6 Cheers to a wonderful 3-day weekend! 4-day for some lucky ones. =] There are many reasons to be happy today:

1. Happy Fourth of July! I'm glad I'm feeling better because I'm ready for some BBQ, time with friends, and want to watch some fireworks over the ocean. Please have good, safe fun!

2. I'm not sick anymore! I have been in bed all week. I usually don't get sick, but when I do I am a big fat baby. I tried teas and fluids and fruit and veggies (when I had an appetite) but nothing seemed to work. The only thing I wanted was ph???, so after satiating that craving and watching Wall-E with a good friend I am feeling much better. =] Yesterday my roommate kindly gave me some medicine that I thought was non-drowsy. I misread it and, in my desperation to feel better, took it right before I went to class. I stopped by Starbucks for a Spinach Feta Wrap (SO DELICIOUS!) and couldn't even make it halfway to class. I stumbled back to my bed and fell asleep for a few more hours.

3. I'm going to see Coldplay in less than two weeks! I'm so excited! I absolutely adore their music and to hear it live will bring so much to life. There are many other concerts I'm excited about this summer and it's really nice to go to a show again. I think the last real concert I went to was John Mayer and that was in December! Far too long. I can't wait for Mike Einziger's special End.>Vaccum show either (he gives insight into the name of the project around 10:39)! Did you know he was accepted to Harvard to study music? I love that the members of Incubus don't just stop at creating wonderful music. They are incredibly philanthropic, eco-friendly and pursue the other loves of their lives. So many reasons why they're my favorites. =]

4. I have always had a fascination with surf culture and the peaceful feeling when at/in the ocean, so I'm really excited that the US Open of Surfing is coming up soon too. I look forward to helping out, watching competitions and meeting new people each year. Speaking of the ocean, I bought a really cool Twister beach towel at Target for only $10!!! They also have a Tic Tac Toe, Checkers and a few others neat towels. Pick one up!

5. I've had a few more opportunities presented to me to work with children in the coming school year and that really excites me. I love molding young minds and being a positive influence in their lives.

Okay I'll stop there, but make sure you follow my links. I love Google. I find some pretty random links through it. =] Okay--I'm starvin'!

Peace, love and good health to you and yours this sun-shiny weekend!

-Tiana

P.S. I caved and joined Twitter. Follow me!

]]> http://whatgives.com/post/2008/7/top-5--week-6 http://whatgives.com/post/2008/7/top-5--week-6#comments Fri, 04 Jul 2008 09:05:00 -0500 What Gives!? http://whatgives.com/post/2008/7/independents-day-08 Independents Day '08

As you celebrate Independence Day this year, don???t forget to check out eBay for some awesome auctions. I am particularly excited about the Independents Day 08 charity auction. This auction celebrates the independent music scene, the sector that allowed many of our favorite artists launch their careers. Not only will this auction draw attention to the importance of the indie scene, but this auction will also facilitate fan interaction and donations to MusiCares.

MusiCares Foundation is a place where musicians can turn in times of crisis. The foundation aims to aid musicians in financial, personal, and medical crisis. The foundation also provides assistance with addiction recovery, senior housing, and outreach and leadership programs. The foundation was established in 1989, and implemented the Musicians Assistance Program in September 2004.

The Independents Day 08 auction allows fans to attain a piece of musical history, while supporting a great cause. A wide variety of music memorabilia as well as once-in-a-lifetime experiences are available to bid on.

No matter where your music skill or passion falls, this auction allows fans amazing opportunities; including the chance to play Guitar Hero with Dragonforce, and/or shadow indie label Beggars Group US CEO Lesley Bleakley for a day. Check out all the awesome listings, but keep in mind you???ll have some competition for the Ani Difranco tickets from yours truly.

It gets better! A digital-only album will also be available for a 72-hour period commencing July 4th. This album looks AMAZING! Listings include a wide array of musical talent performing rare, unreleased, and live tracks. The album is comprised of artists, such as, Ani Difranco, The Donnas, Atmosphere, and Pacifika.

I cannot believe it is already Independence Day weekend! The year has flown by, and it is already July. Regardless of where you are this weekend there are quite a few reasons to be stoked for this years??? festivities. I hope everyone has a safe, fun and memorable holiday!

]]> http://whatgives.com/post/2008/7/independents-day-08 http://whatgives.com/post/2008/7/independents-day-08#comments Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:17:00 -0500 What Gives!? http://whatgives.com/post/2008/7/mike--mike-in-your-living-room ESPN's Mike & Mike in YOUR living room! I hardly ever get super jazzed about most auctions, because I've seen just about everything and I'm generally happy that all these auctions are benefiting nonprofits around the country. But when the folks at ESPN started giving me the scoop about the fourth annual Don't Give Up ESPYs V Foundation Auction, I got pretty excited. You can't have the word "sports" without ESPN and morning commutes (or your sofa) are just not the same without Mike & Mike in the morning. So what if they were broadcasting from your home? Well this year's auction gives you that opportunity, and it starts at .99 cents!

You can ALSO bid on your chance to roam the sidelines at a Monday Night Football game, or hang out with the Baseball Tonight crew!

100% of the proceeds benefit the V Foundation, and that is the BEST reason for bidding (in addition to wanting the items). I remember watching Jimmy V's speech at the ESPYs and crying and feeling inspired/moved at the same time. Thus another reason why I love this auction.

This year you can also DONATE DIRECTLY to the V Foundation to help their goal to someday find a cure for cancer.

The fun starts July 6th! SO BOOKMARK IT!

View Auction

]]> http://whatgives.com/post/2008/7/mike--mike-in-your-living-room http://whatgives.com/post/2008/7/mike--mike-in-your-living-room#comments Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:31:00 -0500 What Gives!? http://whatgives.com/post/2008/7/buy-lip-gloss-make-a-smile Buy lip gloss; make a smile

Jessica Simpson recently graced the cover of Dear Doctor magazine for her connection with Operation Smile, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to treating children around the world with facial deformities.

Though, unlike Jessica, you may not be dating a Dallas Cowboy, you can still support the cause while looking fabulous! By purchasing a tube of Dior lip gloss in "Tinsley Pink," you will donate 5 percent of the proceeds to Operation Smile!

This limited-release sparkly bubblegum shade -- created by New York socialite Tinsley Mortimer -- is available exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue ($24.40), but donations will only be made through September. Go to your nearest Saks store to stock up on the shimmer!

Will you add "Tinsley Pink" to your beauty collection? What are other good ways to contribute to charities? Tell Seventeen what you think!

Then go to seventeen.com to see what other girls are doing to help the world.

]]> http://whatgives.com/post/2008/7/buy-lip-gloss-make-a-smile http://whatgives.com/post/2008/7/buy-lip-gloss-make-a-smile#comments Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0500 What Gives!? http://whatgives.com/post/2008/7/listing-of-the-day Listing(s) of the day...Kitt Kittredge Movie Memorabilia! When I was young, I was not a girl who collected dolls. I also wasn't a boy who collected dolls (G.I.Joe does not count, right?). But I do have a niece, and I do have colleagues who LOVE the American Girl books. And this Wednesday, "Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl" will hit theaters.

To celebrate the launch of this sure to be hit (and subsequent sequels), New Line Cinema is conducting a charity auction on eBay Giving Works. Included in these listings is numerous outfits worn by Abigail Breslin, the adorable Oscar?? nominee. Proceeds benefit 2 wonderful nonprofits, Project Sunshine and St. Hubert's Animal Welfare.

My colleague Karen totally called it when she said people were crazy about this book series and movie!

So if you have an American Girl in your home, perhaps you should check out this auction!

You can find all these items by clicking HERE

View Auction

]]> http://whatgives.com/post/2008/7/listing-of-the-day http://whatgives.com/post/2008/7/listing-of-the-day#comments Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:00:00 -0500 What Gives!? http://whatgives.com/post/2008/6/everyone-loves-giving-with-the-simpsons-even-flanders Everyone Loves Giving with the Simpsons! Even Flanders! One of our summer interns, Katie, joined the GG team a couple weeks ago and has hit the ground running, coordinating our guerrilla marketing campaign last week and becoming a blogger extraordinaire. After her amazing blog entries about her experiences in Myanmar after the Cyclone, I asked her to help the GG team blog on WG. Inspired by some of the eBay auctions listed in the name of GG projects, Katie waxed...um...philosophical...


Specific trends define a generation. I???ll be twenty-one next week (woohoo!) which means I was born in 1987. Whenever I???m with peers and someone mentions things like pogs, ???Where in the World is Carmen San Diego??? or those cuddly little Pound Puppies, eyes light up and reminiscent conversation starts to flow. It???s crazy how TV shows, music and movies affect the culture of a generation.

But besides media, another trend my generation gets to be a part of is the giving trend. It???s exciting to see the number of donations up on the monitor in the GlobalGiving office. Or when the cyclone hit my home country of Myanmar, I was fielding phone calls left and right from people who wanted to help. There???s a lot more generosity out there than people often think. This is why it made me especially happy to see The Simpsons Movie being sold on ebay, with a percentage of the profit going to help the Myanmar cyclone relief! Friends, the trends are comin??? together in a real good way.

My brother and I grew up watching The Simpsons, the longest running comedy on television. Sure the characters make their share of mistakes: Bart sells his soul to Millhouse for five bucks, Homer gains 60 pounds to qualify as disabled.

But if you stick with them through the episodes, good almost always prevails. We learn that even a guy like Homer Simpson has a generous heart. He offers Apu a place to stay when he loses his job, arranges a second wedding with Marge to make up for their lousy first ceremony (complete with a Doobie Brothers wedding band), and gives up a chance at wealth to allow his daughter Maggie to keep her beloved teddy bear.

If Homer can give, we all can give.

So feel good about giving: sit back and enjoy the movies with America???s favorite family. D'oh!

View Auction

]]> http://whatgives.com/post/2008/6/everyone-loves-giving-with-the-simpsons-even-flanders http://whatgives.com/post/2008/6/everyone-loves-giving-with-the-simpsons-even-flanders#comments Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:39:00 -0500 What Gives!? http://whatgives.com/post/2008/6/kicking-it-homestyle-yo Kicking It Homestyle, Yo

Word.

Just a reminder, if you???re in the DC area this weekend, Landmark???s E Street Cinema in Washington, DC is showing Kicking It, the documentary about the Homeless World Cup. There are also showtimes in Los Angeles and New York, according to the website.

Additionally, Kastles Stadium will host a free street soccer tournament where 100 players from around the country will compete to represent the United States in the Homeless World Cup in Melbourne, Australia in December. Bring some sunscreen and we???ll see you there!

Looking to cool off after the game? E Street Cinema is only 3 blocks away - check out the movie too!

]]> http://whatgives.com/post/2008/6/kicking-it-homestyle-yo http://whatgives.com/post/2008/6/kicking-it-homestyle-yo#comments Sun, 29 Jun 2008 19:48:00 -0500 What Gives!? http://whatgives.com/post/2008/6/from-the-mail-bagyahoo-email-and-right-to-play From the mail bag....Yahoo!, Email, Soccer moms and RIGHT TO PLAY I read somewhere that the average American has something like 2 email addresses per person, or maybe that was cars? Not to derail my post, we'll all agree that it's the 2 email addresses. Well, if you are one of those people who does not have at least 2, NEVER FEAR, Yahoo! has come to your rescue!

Yahoo! recently announced the new domain Ymail, as well as resurrected the old Rocketmail. In addition, they launched a nice charity auction of exclusive email addresses to benefit various nonprofits. One of those nonprofits is Right To Play, and they wrote into the mail bag, so check out what they have to say!

LIVING RIGHT

"I'm living right," says a Right To Play Coach in Liberia.

Living right means involving yourself in something you believe in.

Believe in the power of sport and play to transform lives. How has sport
positively impacted your life? Has it brought joy, confidence, and a
sense of belonging?

Right To Play works with children in some of the world's most
disadvantaged communities by engaging children in sport and play
activities to bring joy, hope, and teach them valuable life skills.

We reach over 500,000 children in weekly activity in over 23 countries
in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Our goal is to reach one million
children by 2012. Right To Play has joined forces with Yahoo! Mail and
eBay Giving Works to give people the chance to get their perfect e-mail
address @ymail.com and @rocketmail.com. Join our auction and you could
be marathonman@ymail.com, baseballfan@ymail.com, southpaw@ymail.com,
extremegolfer@rocketmail.com or soccermom@rocketmail.com. All proceeds
go to support the children in Right To Play programs.

Let's all live right. Reach out and help. Check out the auctions!


Check out our video to see how we are using sport and play with kids in
Liberia and Lebanon.

View Auction

]]> http://whatgives.com/post/2008/6/from-the-mail-bagyahoo-email-and-right-to-play http://whatgives.com/post/2008/6/from-the-mail-bagyahoo-email-and-right-to-play#comments Sun, 29 Jun 2008 10:20:00 -0500 What Gives!?