Monday, November 10, 2003

Appreciating the Little Things with the Big Ones

This past weekend has been chock-full of sublime recreations and satisfactions that far exceed my ability to describe them.  I had a lovely time at happy hour; I got to meet the gorgeous Jules and her spouse, both of whom are fascinating and gracious people; I attended a delicious, enormous and highly educational (and enjoyable) wine tasting with old friends and some new ones; and then got to spend half of sunday showing winsome and witty Kate around a few favorite bits of the little city I call home.  By Sunday afternoon I had barely enough energy to get into bed to take a nap.  Laundry, groceries, and vacuuming have been joyfully deferred.

On the other hand, early on saturday morning I pulled a muscle in my back somehow; I was sitting, motionless, on a favorite wooden chair, and the muscle just shrank up on me, went into spasm and still hasn’t really come back.  I’ve kind of been fighting the discomfort all weekend, so today I took a nice strong pill from my days in recovery from a broken wrist, and I’ll hope for the best.  It’s working already, and though my typing is starting to suffer, the pain is a lot less intense. 

It does make me think, though, of how many good things I can appreciate in my life even after weekends that are far less fun or provocative than mine was.  So here, fumbling its way through my lorcet-addled mind, is a list (of course) of THINGS THAT GIVE ME DISPROPORTIONATE SATISFACTION:

* When my signature comes out properly and attractively
* Being told I have a “radio voice”
* When the bus pulls up and opens its doors exactly where I’m standing
* When the cool barkeep knows my order and gets it for me before I even ask, before he even talks to other people who were already waiting
* Having read whatever book other people are discussing (not a very frequent occurrance)
* Exactly enough cereal in the box for one good bowl
* Pulling a cork from any bottle of wine
* When channel-surfing, coming back to the show I really wanted to be watching just as it comes back from a commercial break
* Giving directions to lost tourists
* Being able to stand steady on a moving bus without touching the poles
* Using FastTrak to avoid bridge toll lines
* A freshly made bed
* Compliments on my clothes from strangers
* Recognizing artistic or architectural influences in important works
* A good - or terrible - play on words
* Kicking something I encounter on the sidewalk clean and true and far

This list is not exclusive, but then again, neither am I.  The world is full of weird little things that can just totally make your day if you take a moment to appreciate them.  I warmly invite your additions to this list; I’m always in the market for more stuff to be happy about.  Have an unexpectedly pleasant monday.

reconnecting with a best friend and realizing for the first time that the superlative “best” applies, despite months incommunicado.

also, chilaquiles.  mmmm, chilaquiles.

I am embarassingly proud of how fast I can file, and even more so of that little swish of the hip that shoves the file drawer shut. I try to do all filing when no one is around so I can enjoy these things properly.

Here’s a twofer: when I want to avoid bridge toll lines, I use my Fast Trek.

i love it when the toilet paper runs out and then you find a new one right there and ready in the cabinet...oooh the bliss…

when you’ve got the good chilaquiles, it’s not such a minor thing - good brunch food is a major component of true civilization.  But best friends are even more precious than that - each chance to renew those connections is a chance to live life anew.  A handy replacement roll and efficient filing actually both belong on my list - nice work.  And Gopi, that’s hideous.  I’m duly impressed.

Fast forwarding through the commercials during the recorded TV show and managing to stop RIGHT when the show is starting again (kissin’ cousin to the aforementioned channel surfing, typing a document really fast with no mistakes....sigh.

Ooh, a Happy List!  I started making those in high school, and adapted them as a writing exercise when I worked with anorexic girls...the rule was, nothing related to food, weight or appearance.  It was so hard for them.

Anyway...my additions for today: when you’re not on the side of the highway with the accident or the road work; when you quote an obscure movie and someone gets it; when someone tosses you the keys/pen/stick of gum and you catch it easily, one-handed.

i had a happy page in my planner last year. but it wasnt like that, it was more of a bunch of funny stuff ppl have said…

Doesn’t your wife object to you meeting all these hot chicks from the internet? ;-)

i’m with you 100% on the kicking thing.  i absolutely love playing unisoccer with a little rock while i’m walking somewhere.

Hitting every green light on the way to work.  Ah, a little slice of Heaven.  : )

Alternatively, driving somewhere in the middle of the night that you usually have to battle through traffic to navigate.  Yellow flashing lights, not using turn signals, awesome.

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Oops I did it again! - Brittney Spears TGP thumbnail gallery we live together welivetogether little trouble maker joey jenna big naturals in the vip latina hardcore movies solo video girl