The day I realised 99'ers are not 99p.

RAOK NO.13 Buy a pensioner an ice cream.

Now I’m not usually a superstitious person. I have no qualms about stepping on three drains or under ladders etc. However, today is my 13^th Random Act of Kindness and something had to go wrong.

It all started last night. My friend was having a party at her house. Alone, that is fine, however, when you have to meet you mum at 9.00am at Paddington station the following morning and I live in the South of London over an hour away, it was always going to be a tough day.

Now I may sound like I’m moaning; I don’t expect any sympathy and it is totally self-inflicted, nonetheless, I am going to carry on. I left the party and got into my bed by 3.30. That gives me a crackin’ 4hrs sleep. That’s ok I can deal with that.

Well then, I got up at the crack of dawn and jumped into the shower. I may as well have not bothered as it was torrential rain outside I could have just walked down the street with my shampoo in hand.

My head felt as though an Elephant was sitting on it whilst a Kangaroo was kicking me in the stomach. It was a hell of a feeling. I arrived at Paddington and met my mother. We headed off toward the National Theatre where she was going to see Frankenstein. En-route we stopped off for a few coffee breaks and to take cover from the rain. I safely escorted my mum to the theatre in time for the performance. Yeah – I didn’t go and see it. She could only get one ticket…or so she tells me.

I took up the opportunity whilst she was watching the performance to complete my RAOK. For some bizarre reason, there was by chance an ice-cream van parked up along the South Bank. Smashin’, I don’t have to go far to complete this one.

Ohhhh how I was wrong!

In the torrential rain there was not many cliental seeking an ice cream. I tried my best, offering ice cream to every ‘elderly’ (I am trying not to use the word pensioner) person who walked by. They weren’t keen. Everyone was declining my offer. I thought I should perhaps target the younger audience hanging around. Children always want ice cream right!

It turns out not even children want ice cream in the rain. My head dropped and I went to take cover and use the facilities of a near by Caffé Nero. I ordered myself a green tea. I thought I could do with some anti-oxidants. I eagerly went to take a heart-warming swig. Yes, that was a bad idea. BANG, my mouth was on fire, I may as well have just asked to shove my head under the boiling water tap. Sweet Mary – the pain started off in my mouth but spread quicker than a bush fire into the pit of my stomach. I just wanted to fall to the floor in the fetus position calling for my mother to rub my back and tell me everything was going to be alright. But she was busy watching Frankenstein. If only she had bought me a ticket this would not have been happening.

I collected my thoughts and sheepishly went to take a seat. I left it 10 minutes before I dared to take another sip. Once I plucked up the courage again, it was indeed at a more appropriate temperature to consume, however, yes there is a however. This was not green tea. Oh no my friend. It tasted as though someone had boiled up a cinnamon stick and thrown in some moldy apples. I can only assume it was meant to be spiced apple. Waste not want not, I thought all the little bits floating around in the bottom of the mug could only help. They certainly couldn’t make my churning gut any worse.

After finishing my foul, spiced apple tea, I hit the streets of London again and was determined to successfully complete RAOK No. 13 whatever the weather. I cranked up my iPod, Sexy Sushi blasting out helped me  brave the elements.  I passed the ice-cream van again and saw three people lingering about, I’m quite sure pondering the same question I had been asking myself; how are 99ers NOT 99p anymore. What is with that? They should change the name to £1.40’s or 140er. Doesn’t quite have the same ring to it though, does it now? I am sure inflation hasn’t gone up that much to add 41p to a traditional 99er.

Anyhow, I shot in quicker than you could say screwball. I bought the two young children their ice creams; their elder sister who they were with (if it was their mother…my, my) was very happy not to fork out £4 for a Banana Split and a Rocket. I managed to get a crackin’ picture with the little munchkins…aren’t they just the cutest things ever!

Roses are red, Violets are blue, Honey is sweet, but...

Random Act of Kindness No. 12 – Give a stranger a note telling them your mate fancies them.

Now, you know the grand old myth that women fancy builders? Or find them attractive in some kind of way that is beyond me? I’m not quite sure whether that’s sexually attractive or just attractive in the realms of fantasy. I’ve always been slightly dubious of it anyway. I think it is more the idea behind it rather than the actually qualities of the builder. Nonetheless, there is something about builders that seem to get the attention of women, or should I say girls.

The house next door to us (no not the next door who’s car I cleaned yesterday the other next door) is having some serious building work done. And for some reason unknown to myself my three housemates, who yes are all female, seem to have taken quite a liking to waking up every morning and opening their curtains to be greeted by some builders hard at work.

One of my housemates in particular seems to enjoy hanging out her washing and smoking outside more than she used to. It is after all only February.

When I saw today’s RAOK… well, how could I not. I had to give the brown haired builder who seems to be the favoured one, a little note telling him my friend fancies them.

Personally I am not sure whether this is a kind random act, or a funny random act. However, this opportunity was too good to pass up. I got my best writing paper out, and my trusty bic biro and started writing my little letter of love on the behalf of my dearest housemate.

Once I felt I had captured her desire for the builder I slipped out the back door and handed it to the builder of the moment and said;

“This is for you, - cup of tea anyone?”

Well they all refused my offer of a brew, I don’t know whether they saw the teapot outside on the floor with fungi growing out of it, (It’s not going to be long before that thing walks off), or whether it was my t-shirt that said ‘I’m not toxic’ on it that put them off.

Who knows? I certainly enjoyed my brew whilst listening to the ‘banter’ of the builders.

Anyway here is a little picture of my, well, extremely poetic note. I think I captured the moment impeccably well.

Working at the car wash...(yeaaaah)

Hell's Bells...I'm sorry I'm late uploading this, but I promise you, it is well worth viewing.

Random Act of Kindness No. 11 - Wash your neighbour's car. Whether they like it or not.

Here is a wee video of how it went.

Now the person who owns the car didn't ever come out or notice me cleaning their car. I left the address for my blog on the windscreen so lets see if they get in contact on here.

Let me know what you thought of today's RAOK. Subscribe to my blog, and let other people know about it.

Crackin’ - after my busy day washing a car I need some serious watering and feeding. I think a couple of Mojitos followed by some Paddock Farm bangers and mash is in order. Yum Yum.

Nick Nack Paddy whack give the dog a bone...

Now then, now then.

Random Act of Kindness No.10 - Give a dog a bone.

Check out this video and see what happened.

Here is a little picture of Lola and I...

I am going to go and brush my teeth now... enjoy!

Two pints of lager and a packet of disappointment

Last night there was an installation in a pub in Camberwell. I knew today’s RAOK was to invite someone new to the pub with my friends. I therefore thought I would invite a friend along and bash out two RAOK’s in one day!

Random Act of Kindness No. 9 – Invite someone new to the Pub with your friends.

Yesterday evening I sent a text message to Mr. G. Otherwise know as Glenn Kelly. I thought it would be nice to have a bit of a one on one chat with Mr. G. He is a great guy and I thought it would be crackin’ to philosophise about music and life over a couple of pints with him. Glenn produces his own music and has just released his debut EP Arcade! Click here to download it for free!!!

I text Mr. G. letting him know I would be heading over to The Bear for about half 8ish to go check out this installation. The big man was keen. As per usual I hopped onto my bike and cycled up to Camberwell Green to meet him.

We went off to The Bear and were surprised that it was pretty empty considering there was meant to be an installation going on. So, we propped up the bar and order a couple of pints. Two pints later, we decided that the guy might have got his animals mixed up and meant to say The Tiger just up the road. We grabbed our bags and hit the road.

We arrived outside The Tiger and came across a ‘lovely’ Irish gentlemen who was complaining about smokers. He was a well weathered man, judging by his tattoos on his fists and his rather squint nose. We asked if he would like to join us in the pub. He declined. Not only did he decline, he said "that pub is over priced and full of ‘yuppies’". He then looked us up and down and gave us a little smirk. He was heading off to some other ‘watering hole' to go and chat with his (as he called them) fellow Paddies.

Yet again this ever-illusive installation was nowhere to be seen. Nonetheless, we took the opportunity to wet our cockles a wee bit more. After a couple more pints of Doom Bar we were going to head off. Our evening, nevertheless, was just getting started. Mr. G. noticed out the corner of his eye a fellow course mate (Laura Gaschütz) who had randomly come to the pub with her boyfriend and some of their friends. We pulled some tables together and had another couple of merry pints.

An evening that was somewhat a disappointment because we never got to see this installation, turned out to be a crackin’ evening with lots of new people!! Bangin’

My man Darren...or Tom

ROAK NO.8 – Do a chore at work that someone else usually has to do.

Now those who know me know I don’t have a job. Therefore, today’s RAOK would be difficult to complete.

I started off my day thinking I would do random chores around the house that need doing; like the washing and drying up. I had planned on cleaning the bathroom and vacuuming through the house, however, those activities are benefiting no one other than my housemates and myself.

I needed to re-think.

I am in the process of finding a internship and we had a talk at my University from a man called Ed Baxter. He works at ResonanceFm, which is a local radio station in South-East London specialising in pre-vinyl relics to dubstep, from folk to feedback and beyond. The radio station is a work of art itself. Ed suggested anyone wanting an internship should e-mail him. I decided to just go along to the radio station and show my face and see what happens.

I hopped onto my bicycle and cycled off to Borough. After half an hour searching for the radio station I thought the whole thing was a myth. No one in the area knew where it was, I asked in the library, the tube station, the local newsagents, Costa, and a man standing on the street corner working for Amnesty International. No one knew where it was.

Whilst I was talking to the Amnesty International man he asked me to sign up so they could get in contact with me. As a worthwhile cause I did. We chatted about the weather both complaining that it was cold and we needed some gloves. This sprung an idea in my head.

Let’s adapt RAOK No. 8.

RAOK No. 8 – Buy a pair of gloves for someone looking cold on the street.

Now then, whilst looking for a shop selling gloves I found Resonance. Result!

I stood at the gate buzzing on the buzzer trying to get some response. There was nothing. I contemplated jumping the gates, however, this wouldn’t have helped my quest in getting an internship if I had been caught jumping their gates.

I found the telephone number, and called them informing them I am standing at their gates trying to get in. After much to-do I was finally buzzed in. I met a guy called Richard who told me Ed wasn’t in today but I could speak to Chris, who, guess what, had gone out for lunch. He suggested I came back in half an hour.

So I left the studios and decided to find a shop selling gloves. I found a shop and bought myself a pair of gloves and also a pair for the Amnesty International man, who I am going to call Darren.

I walked around the London Bridge area trying to find Darren. I did find him, and I gave him the gloves. I think he was quite shocked to start off with and didn’t know whether I was joking or whether I wanted him to pay me back. I assured him I didn’t want anything in return. I did, however, do a bit more shameless promotion and told him about my blog. He was very pleased with his gloves and slipped them on. I hope they kept his hands a bit warmer this afternoon.

So, Darren, if you do have a look on here, let me know your real name!! I hope it is Darren though.

Lately I have felt a skip in my step and a song in my heart.

RAOK No. 7 – Strike up a conversation with an old man/ women on a bench.

Today is a Sunday, and as if by chance on this day of rest my RAOK didn’t involve running into Hospitals or teaching policemen how to skip (which will be coming up soon).

Entering the Chip Factor has filled up most of my day; I’ve been dancing around my room singing along to Delilah videoing myself looking more of an idiot than I normally do. 

"I smelt the chips on the night that i passed my the counter, I saw the salt and ketchup I wanted on mine"

I decided to take a break and go on a little walk through the park to brainstorm some ideas for my video to successfully enter the Chip Factor. It was slightly overcast and not the best day to ‘meet’ people in the park to strike up a conversation with, nonetheless, I walked to the park with a skip in my step.

I passed several empty benches, well, of humans anyway, there were a few birds sitting on them pecking at the odd crumb or two. Most people were walking in couples, arm in arm enjoying the last day of the weekend. I had gone half way around the park and was heading back home. I could see several people sitting on the benches up ahead. This was my opportunity.

I pulled the lace out of my shoe, so I had an excuse to stop at the bench – I didn’t want to appear like a weirdo! Just as I arrived at the first bench the lady got up and walked off. I carried on another 100meters with my yellow shoelace flapping around. I stopped at the next bench where there was an old man sitting there reading the newspaper. I sat down and took off my shoe and tucked the shoelace back inside.

“Hello sir, how are you?”

He lifted his head from his paper and turned to look at me. I gave him a little smile, a smile that didn’t indicate I was about to mug him, but also didn’t indicate that I wanted to throw my keys in a pot at a party with him… ya get’me?

My well calculated smile obviously portrayed the right message as he smiled back and said he is very good.  I came out with the typically English comment about the weather being slightly overcast. He replied “it is yes, but, it is still nice to come and sit in the park and get away from it all.” I couldn’t agree more with him, however, I think we have slightly different ideas about ‘getting away from it all’ – sitting in Burgess’ Park doesn’t quite do it for me. Or maybe he was implying he wanted me to shut up and move along. This didn't perturb me though!

“Have you lived in Peckham for long then?”

“ooohhh yes my friend…maaaaany, many years now”

I sat on the bench for about 10 minutes speaking to him. It turns out he owns a fruit and veg. shop on Peckham High Street. Before him, his father owned it, before his father owned it, his fathers father owned. You can kind of see where this is going. Let’s just say the shop has been in the family for a loooong time…

Well, my shoelace was safely tucked back into my shoe and didn’t look like it was about to pop out and say hello anytime soon, so I decided to say my goodbyes. I did promise him I would go to his shop next time I am out and about buying some veg. He promised me he’ll do me a good price.

I like that Guy!

Is this a sales call?

RAOK No. 6 – Phone someone at a call centre and tell them they’re doing a good job.

I hate call centres… They phone you up in your own home. Intrude on your personal space. You take the liberty to answer their phone call. Yet once you say no thank you. Yes that’s right NO THANK YOU – the little miscreants hang up on you. They don’t even have the decency to say ‘ok no problem thank you for your time.’

So, as you can imagine I was slightly dubious about today’s RAOK.

Whilst sipping my cup of coffee this morning, I received an email on my phone from Apple informing me of a great gift idea I could purchase for my loved one this Easter. A personalised iPod, it even suggested an iPad. ‘Show your love this Easter’.

First off, I have no loved one. Secondly, an iPad... does Steve Jobs think I am made of money. I think they need to check their records and see that I last bought a wireless keyboard with student discount, yet it was paid by a Mrs D Francis. ‘Merry Christmas William!’

Thirdly and finally if I did have a loved one, I would not show her my love by buying her an iPad – I mean come on. If I wanted to show my love to my loved one I would memorise one of Shakespeare love sonnets for example Love Sonnet 18. And then I would recite it to her as we lie on a grassy hill looking up at the clouds.

But hey that’s just me.

Anyhow, when I bought this keyboard from Apple they were exceptionally polite and helpful on the phone. I therefore, believe they deserve to have my phone call of kindness.

I dialed the number for the online store onto miphone (hey, hey get it, my iphone…hah genius) and got put through to a sales man. I think his name was Mark but it might have been Wojtek, maybe you can tell better than me?!

I believe I shone a little sunray into Mark/Wojtek’s life today, which is what these RAOK are all about. I told him that he does a great job and he deserves to know so.

I did record the phone call so you can have the pleasure of listening to it as well. You can hear the smile coming across his face. It’s beautiful.

Random Act of Kindness by willfrancis9

Mother's Pride...

RAOK No. 5 Buy a packet of cigars, and leave it behind the reception desk of a maternity ward for all the new fathers.

Now, I didn’t agree with this RAOK, because I believe it is slightly wrong to promote smoking in a hospital of all places!!

Therefore, I slightly adapted it.

RAOK No.5 Buy a bunch of flowers for a new mother and deliver them to the hospital.

Check out the video to see how it went.

Here is a wee picture of the lovely mother. I am sorry it is blurry, we all got caught up in the moment!!

Remember your please and thank yous

RAOK No. 4 – Be unfailingly polite to every single person you meet.

Ok first off, there seems to be some concern about me not succeeding in my 3^rd RAOK. People have suggested that I failed as I only offered and did not give the pizza delivery man a slice. I am sorry. It may just be because I am polite that I did not force it on to him. I do not see it as a failure because he did not accept; I see it as a success because it is still a random act of kindness to offer an un-expecting delivery man a slice of pizza. Nonetheless, this spurred me on to fulfill todays RAOK in great detail.

Generally, I believe myself to be a polite person, however, today I had to be unfailingly polite to everyone.

At 2.00 AM my phone rang. I was tucked up in bed after my cup of Horlicks fast asleep dreaming about butterflies flying. The piercing noise of my ring tone made all the butterflies fly away and I came crashing down to reality.

The person on the other end of the phone was in need of a chaperone to walk her home from the bus stop. I of course obliged, naturally. It wasn’t until I left the house that it occurred to me that it was passed 12.00, therefore, day 4 of my RAOK. I know I could have politely refused to walk my friend home, however, I saw this as a sign that it was meant to be. Because of this I felt even better for walking my friend home.

I got back home and soon started dreaming about daffodils in the snow.

I was not at University today, and was therefore not likely to bump into many people to have to be polite to. So my housemates decided to make up for that. I spent most of my day offering cups of tea, biscuits, cucumber sandwiches and foot rubs. For some reason none of them wanted a foot rub, but the cucumber sandwiches were a hit.

I managed to escape the tea duties for half an hour or so, so I decided to go for a run. This would be a good opportunity to meet more people to be polite to.

I started off by smiling at all the other fellow runners. None smiled back. I then stopped at a bench to have a stretch. An old man was sitting on the bench smoking a pipe. I smiled at him and wished him a good day. ‘Lovely day to relax in the park’. Again nothing back, other than a little nod.

I was on the home straight heading towards the Peckham Palace and a little child started running alongside me. I smiled at him and started cheering him along. I saw his parents just in front looking rather worried so I smiled at them and gave them a little wave. Well well, that was it. They clearly didn’t like me being so friendly. They called their child back and told him off for running about and talking to a stranger… Stranger danger!!

It turns out people living in and around the Peckham area don’t like you being overly polite. This is a shame and I fully intend to crack this trend in all good time.

P P P PP PPPIZZZZAAAA TIME

Random Act of Kindness No.3

Very good -  today's RAOK is in this video. So have a look and let me know what you think.

Thank you very much Sweetcheeks.

Yes Chef!

RAOK No. 2, Send your compliments to the chef.

Now, I am a poor student on a budget of £10 a day. In order to send my compliments to the chef, I have to ‘dine out’.  Dining out does not normally come into my weekly budget, nonetheless, this week I had no choice other than to splash out.

I left the Peckham Palace this morning without my trusty blue Power Rangers lunch box. No jam sandwiches today my friend. I felt rather anxious and guilty leaving it behind, even so, I bravely closed the front door, turned my iPod on and cycled off to University with Tracy Chapman whispering sweet lullabies into my ears.

Lunch time soon came around and I felt at a loose end not being able to whip out my blue lunch box and indulge in my jam sandwiches.  I courageously carried on and I went to the SU bar to fulfil my hunger.

Now then, the SU bar’s menu is not that extensive but, what they do do, is top notch nosh. I decided to treat myself to pasta pomodoro. For those who don’t know what pomodoro is, it is a quintessential Italian tomato sauce that is typically served over cooked pasta.

I asked the wonderful girl who served me who the chef was. With a humble smile she said she had cooked the pasta and heated up the pomodoro sauce herself! Well then, that in my mind makes her the chef! Heyho, ‘Ahhh may I send my compliments to the chef then! This is fantastic!’ The lovely girl (whose name I failed to get), accepted my compliments graciously and even posed for a photograph with me.  Microwave cooking even deserves a compliment...textbook!

For those wanting a cheap lunch, I can highly recommend pasta pomodoro with half a pint of Guinness for  £4.50 – crackin’. I am,of course, not condoning daytime drinking but a wee tipple now and then is no bad thing. 

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You guys are my sunshine in the rain.

I've gotta have faith, faith, faith

Today was a big day… I lost my virginity! It was painful and difficult at the start my heart was pounding but I finally managed to do it. It was the most exhilarating thing I have every done! That’s right, I successfully completed my first Random Act of Kindness.

RAOK No.1 – Bellow a cheery hello at a vicar or nun.

Now in my everyday life I rarely bump into a nun or a vicar…well not knowingly anyway. So that was my first mission, to find an un-expecting vicar or nun to bellow a cheery hello.

I was on the train back down to London with my brother, and when our train terminated at Marylebone I was preparing for my hour-long journey across London to the wonderful SE15 - Peckham. Yes mate! Well I said goodbye to my brother and got onto the Bakerloo line. I sat there listening to my music – Roxette, Dressed for success (if you wanted to know). I was certainly feeling dressed for success, however, time was running out for me to find my member of the clergy, but I had faith (no pun intended). I finally ended up at Queens Rd station in Peckham and was yet to find my target.

I popped into my local shop on the way back to buy some milk and biscuits for a well-deserved treat after my train journey. As I walked out the shop…guess who walked in?

Oh yeah baby– you’re on it!

It was indeed a vicar, dog collar and all. I couldn’t believe it. This was it, this was my moment, this was the start of an unknown journey – It was meant to be. I felt my cheeks burn red, and my heart pound as I went to open my mouth and arms to bellow a cheery hello. But that is all that happened. I stood in his way in the door with open arms and a red face. Nothing else happened. He smiled at me and walked into the shop.

Balls – I had failed on my first RAOK.

Head down, looking sheepish I went to walk home. How pathetic had I just been? I couldn’t even say hello to a vicar. ‘Right William, sort it out!’

I turned around and waited for the man in question to walk back out of the shop!

‘HEEEEELLLLLOOOOOOOOO’  arms open, shoulders back, head up and a 360 spin. ‘Enjoy the rest of your day sir…you are an inspiration’

Bang Bang (said in a cheesy American voice) – I had done it! RAOK No.1 completed.

I went to make a quick get away and scurry round the corner to the safe compounds of the Peckham Palace, however, in my excitement and as a result of my 360 spin my bag had broken and my milk fell through the bottom of the plastic bag…darn you blue plastic bag.

In the beginning...

A-up, it was recently my birthday, I turned 21! One of my friends (who shall remain nameless) gave me a gift. It was a lovely idea to give me a present to mark this milestone in my life. The present was a book. I like reading so that was good. However, the book was Random Acts of Kindness: 365 Ways to Make the World a Nicer Place by Danny Wallace. First and foremost I have a pet hate of the word nice (I think this may come from my mother), it is a word for lazy people who can’t be bothered to think of better words like – fabulous, exciting, groovy, first class, the list is endless. And secondly – what was my friend trying to tell me?

Were they trying to tell me in a ‘nice’ way that I was not a ‘nice’ person and I needed to do ‘nicer’ things? Or perhaps it was just a little token and acknowledgement of my birthday and that’s all. Little did they know what they inadvertently were about to start!

Well as I now have this book, I intend to follow it – word-for-word, crossing my t’s and dotting my i’s. For the next year I am going to embark on a journey – a journey to help make the world a ‘nicer’ place. I am hoping along the way I may find my spiritual home, my true calling, and a place where I feel at one with the world. During this process I will update this blog informing all about my goings on!

Please subscribe, comment, and share with the world my immense journey that I am just about to embark on.

Don’t forget to check back tomorrow to see about my first Random Act of Kindness

Peace and Love my ‘ickle munchkins!!!