function hide_user_promo_bubble_second_stage() { var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); bubble.style.display = "none"; } function hide_user_promo_bubble() { var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); var myAnim = new YAHOO.util.Anim(bubble, { opacity: { to: 0 } }, 1, YAHOO.util.Easing.easeOut); myAnim.animate(); setTimeout("hide_user_promo_bubble_second_stage()", 1100); } function handle_promo_username(params) { var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); var img = $("user_promo_bubble_image"); var anchor = $("user_promo_bubble_link"); if (params.has_photo == "true") { img.src = "http://images.huffingtonpost.com/profiles/" + params.user_id + "-tiny.png"; } else { img.style.display = "none"; Dom.addClass(anchor, "wide"); } anchor.innerHTML = "Shared by " + params.user_name; anchor.href = "http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/" + params.user_name; bubble.style.display = "block"; var myAnim = new YAHOO.util.Anim(bubble, { opacity: { to: 1 } }, 2, YAHOO.util.Easing.easeOut); myAnim.animate(); } if (HuffPoUtil.getUrlVar("user_promo")) { YAHOO.util.Event.onDOMReady(function() { var parts = document.location.hash.split(","), shared_by = "", badge = "", i; if (parts.length < 2) return; for (i = 0; i < parts.length; i++) { if (parts[i].indexOf("sb=") !== -1) { shared_by = parts[i]; } if (parts[i].indexOf("b=") !== -1) { badge = parts[i]; } } if (shared_by == "" || badge == "") return; var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); if (!bubble) return; var entry_id = HuffPoUtil.GetEntryID(); if (!entry_id) return; var user_id = parseInt(shared_by.substr(shared_by.indexOf("sb=") + 3)); if (!user_id) return; var badge_type = badge.substr(badge.indexOf("b=") + 2); if (!badge_type) return; script = document.createElement("script"); script.setAttribute("type", "text/javascript"); bubble.appendChild(script); script.setAttribute("src", "/include/share_track.php?a=view&eid=" + entry_id + "&uid=" + user_id + "&b=" + badge_type + "&cb=handle_promo_username"); }); } 'The Book Of Awesome': 8 Awesome Things To Brighten Your Day (PHOTOS, POLL)

Adapted from "The Book of Awesome" by Neil Pasricha by arrangement with G.P. Putnam's Sons/Amy Einhorn Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc., Copyright © 2010 by Neil Pasricha. Illustrations courtesy of David Thompson (www.monsieurcabinet.com).

Hi Huffington Post readers,

My name is Neil Pasricha and I'm a no-name 30-year-old guy who started a tiny blog called 1000 Awesome Things back in June, 2008 with the goal of writing about one awesome thing every weekday.

I did this as my world was falling apart. In addition to all the bad news about melting ice caps, swirling hurricanes, and raging wars, like many of us I also had personal issues. My best friend took his own life and my wife and I went separate ways. We sold our house, I moved to a tiny apartment, and I tried to get things back on track by talking about one simple, universal little joy every single day -- like snow days, bakery air, or watching The Price Is Right when you're at home sick.

When I started the website I got excited when my mom forwarded it to my dad and the traffic doubled. Then I got excited when friends sent it to friends and strangers started sending me suggestions like: when cashiers open up new lanes at the grocery store, the smell of rain on a hot sidewalk, and waking up and realizing it's Saturday.

Over time the site started attracting millions of visitors, winning awards, and landed a book deal. This Spring The Book of Awesome comes out everywhere. I'm massively flattered, thankful, and appreciative that so many people like awesome things just as much as I do.

I hope you enjoy these excerpts from the book.

Thanks for reading and have a great day,
Neil

The other side of the pillow

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On nights when you just can’t sleep, one of the greatest things invented is simply Turning Over The Pillow. Yes, flipping over your pillow and checking out the other side cranks Bed Comfort up a few notches and is a simple and easy way to help you relax and get comfy.

The other side of the pillow, folks. Because it’s flat when you’re sagging, fresh when you’re stale, and cold when you’re hot, baby.

AWESOME!

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Comments

[ras121s]

2 of my favorite things...
The sound of my dog lapping up water.
When your feet sink into wet sand.

[amsam]

Wow - the power of words! Please HP - keep this one for a long while.

[NHGranite]

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but...
Going in for day surgery, all stressed out. The nurse comes in to prep you. She starts out with a hot moist towel and wraps your hand in it just like a spa treatment. Then, a little salt water at the site and before you even know it, the IV is in. In the meantime, they wrap you in toasty blankets and then in special robe that keeps you warm called a Bair Paw. You snuggle right down and soon you go off to la la land and the surgery is a success. And you get to sleep in your own bed that night. If you gotta go, this is the way to do it.

[Tulka2]

Carousel music... it always give me a thrill and i am very old.

The look a dog shoots you when you both get the joke.

Cats purring.

The smell of horses.

Birds before dawn.

Mothers nursing...any species.

Electrical blackouts.

The particular way little boys throw their heads back to laugh and pretty much anything a girl under age five says at all.

Stars.

Trees, redwoods, oaks, elms and mountain ash otherwise known as the Rowan tree.

This precious human life of mine.

Neil Pasricha because he made a list of awesome things.

[NHGranite]

On a warm summer night, the smell of saltwater at high tide brought in by a cool light fog

Finding spring flowers blooming that you forgot you planted last summer

The ice cream truck's happy tune

When a blue heron takes off and groks at you

The kitty cat curling up on your feet just when you are falling asleep

When honey makes one of his witty word puns and you are the only one in the room to hear it so it's just for you two

The tickets you just scored for the 15th row to your favorite rock group

At a Beatles cover band concert singing along with the whole audience

Smell of sweet wood fire burning on a winter night walking in scrunchy snow

[dolphingroup]

I'm right there with you, Neil! I must turn my pillow over 5 or 6 times every night before I finally fall into a state of blissful sleep. Gotta have that cool side! Thanks for letting me know there's somebody else out there! :-)

[monachopra]

Hi dude,

This was an intersting to read. I spend my leisure time by reading this kind of books..
I really liked your presentation..

Resume Writing

[Crela]

What a great idea! We don't focus enough on the good things in life. I always said that when you have problems, make a steaming cup of hot coffee and read the paper.

[Crela]

I think one of the most awesome things is the smell of fresh baked bread on a snowy morning.

[Tulka2]

;)

[ollie849]

Having your arms filled with food in the grocery store waiting in line behind 10 people and someone yells over...I can take you over here....

[Tulka2]

I know!

[philohooke]

When your two grown children drop by for a visit and tell you how wonderful they think you are....they just wanted to make sure they told you.

Cried me a river!

http://www.itsadogslifestudio.com

[Tulka2]

Charming dog portraits.

[SCmouse]

Getting a call from the boy you loved as a teen-young adult from 40 years past to ask you to "come home and marry me". I did.

[Tulka2]

Golly. I want to read more.

[amsam]

Me too.

[SCmouse]

Slipping between crisp, line-dried sheets on a warm summer night and a breeze blowing through an open window.

[chirstopherstanwood]

Awesome
=
Getting bum-rushed by puppies
The smell of a sunning cat
Checking an old coat pocket and finding money
A dry towel on a humid day
A COLD beer on a hot day
Sex with the one you love the most
Giving

[Tulka2]

Keep writing.

[xyz321]

Seeing your best friend for the first time after several years of moving, job losses, illness, and near nervous breakdowns. Picking her up from the airport and as the tears coat your cheeks, you feel the best embrace that only your best friend can give you. It speaks. It says all those things you'd say if your voice could come back. 'I've missed you. I needed you this year. I wish we lived near each other again. You look so beautiful. I love your hair. My kid is now taller than you. No, you can't have my shoes. Actually, yes you can have them, because I missed you THAT much.'

I had a great weekend.

[vvlavee]

Friday afternoon, I was in Atlanta talking to a deli clerk who randomly mentioned his favorite soda called Cheerwine that, he said, tastes like a cross between Dr. Pepper & Cherry Coke. Never heard of it. Saturday, I'm driving home through Alabama, stop at a convenience store, and there's a box of Cheerwine, only one, on top of a pyramid of usual sodas. Of course, I bought it. Cheerwine is better than he said.

Awesome.