Would "Simple Pleasures" be too cliche a title for this post? Um, yes.
I realized it's been awhile since I've posted something interactive, so here we go. My life is pretty simple, and I'm easily amused. You can amuse me by posting a list of ten things that will instantly turn your day around. Here's mine (in no particular order):
1. Ice cream. If you know me at all, you are aware that ice cream, or even the promise of ice cream, pacifies me instantly. Even when I'm cranky.
2. (Good) Stand-up. Because who couldn't be cheered up by a few minutes of Brian Regan talking about Pop-tarts or Kevin James picking out a greeting card? Even if I've heard the joke before, I promise I will laugh again.
3. A new issue of Mental Floss magazine. Seriously, guys, this is the best kept secret on the newsstand. The magazine's tagline is "Feel Smart Again," which is instantly soothing, plus each issue has columns written by A.J. Jacobs AND Ken Jennings.
4. Getting to use the carpool lane. One of my best moments last summer was when I passed this enthusiasm on to the girls I babysat. On the way to the Science Museum one day, they started complaining about all the highways that didn't have carpool lanes, and cheered with me when we got to use one. I love it as much for the "status" as anything else.
5. When my iPod knows exactly which song I want to listen to. This is a rare one, but once in awhile I put my iPod on shuffle and it creates the perfect playlist for my mood with little to no direction. The best is when it knows it's raining and plays Radiohead--that happened this morning.
6. Aaden from Jon & Kate + 8. Okay, all the kids on Jon & Kate + 8. Okay, all Asian babies. Okay, all babies. I resist stealing them on a daily basis.
7. New post on Nikki Stafford's blog. Even though Lost has been on hiatus for months, I still check every day. In fact, quit reading my blog and read hers. Go.
8. Watching my dog scamper. Noche is 11 years old and kind of a fatty, but every once in awhile, usually at the lake, she scampers around like a puppy and she's so cute I want to squish her.
9. Finding and/or using a really sweet pen. Have you ever gone to the bank or something and used their pen and it's just the very best pen you've ever used? Enough said.
10. That feeling after you've been reading an excellent novel for several hours. You know, the one where you're so immersed in the tone of the book that you apply that tone to your own life for about an hour. For example, I just finished a really sad book and drove around feeling sad for awhile, but it was a good sad.
I've decided I shouldn't write blog postings at midnight anymore, because this list got more rambly as it progressed, but please post your own list if you get a chance!
posted by Emilia @ 9/13/2008 11:43:00 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
1. Finding a new interactive blog post as I do my daily morning blog rounds (as opposed to those days when I do my daily mourning blog rounds).
2. Carmex (in season).
3. Eating the first ripe tomato from the garden.
4. Windy days when the pine tree stop whispering and sound more like river rapids.
5. Listening to Car Talk and Wait! Wait! on a long drive.
6. Showers.
7. The Minnesota Pleasures like hauling an ice cold leg in under the covers in the middle of the night to place it on by bed partner for both the luscious warmth and the delightful squeal.
8. Arriving home from a long trip in the dark after doing the Bambi Slalom.
9. Perfectly ripe avocados.
10. Finally completing the item on the to-do list that I've been avoiding for far too long...
I'd also like to read a post about your strategies and stories for teaching the problem child in terms of your individual approach and how you deal with such a child in terms of the rest of the class...
Joe, what is the Bambi Slalom? Swerving to avoid hitting a deer? That is one of my deep fears: hitting a deer with the car. Has it ever happened to you?
1. Waking up before the alarm clock goes off, and getting to go back to sleep for awhile longer.
2. New underwear - turned inside out, of course.
3. Completing a difficulty crossword puzzle (especially the NTY Times Sunday edition).
4. Throwing rocks for Noche to fetch.
5. Warm hugs.
6. The occasional perception that your work seems to actually help someone.
7. Finding out about some new musician from your hip children.
8. A paddleboat ride around Bass Lake with Kathy on a calm summer morning.
9. Campfires.
10. Coming home after work and feeling very blessed.
Pete!
Yes, the Bambi Slalom is just as you describe it. From an insurance perspective, it's best to hit the deer rather than skid into the ditch and hit a tree or another motor vehicle.
And yes, I have hit a deer. A young but sickly deer seemed to have a death wish in the middle of the day. It dashed out of a field, and in the brief glimpse I got just before impact (with the truck) it looked as though it was intentionally running straight for the front of the vehicle. Driving down the 20 miles of forest roads in the dark (a regular event) is always a crap shoot. My deep fear is that the airbag will deploy and block my vision and control after collision. It's simply amazing the things we accept to live with...
1. reading Emily's post about the kind of stories 7th and 8th graders are writing these days.
2. smelling fresh herbs
3. little wind spirits picking up the leaves
4. reading inspired words
5. really good drums, especially live
6. a stranger's smile
7. remembering something funny
8. realizing your own destiny for a moment, even if it is just to stretch out your legs or pick up a twig in the sunlight
9. a really great back massage.
10. seeing spiderwebs
ps- oops, I meant what 9th graders are writing these days.
and, today i found a really sweet pen. i admired it all through my horrendously draub "task-team meeting" at work.
And, uncle pete, i'll bet your work helps people a lot. Just watching the way you go about things sure helps me.
Yay for being interactive!
1. I totally agree with the ice cream thing. Basically anything chocolate will do it actually.
2. Actually being done with all my homework and having time to do something fun.
3. Watching a movie and cuddling with friends.
4. Laughing uncontrollably.
5. Puppies! (enough said)
6. Riding horses.
7. Having random days off school for no particular reason.
8. New socks and cute underwear.
9. Seeing family. Siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles etc. Basically I know I'll be laughing and being crazy when I'm with them.
10. Acting
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