kaaaa-BUMP!
This thread definitely needed a bump. I wrote this list awhile back when I was having a tough time and needed to be reminded of the things that make me smile and bring me joy. I found it today and it made me smile again. Everyone needs one of these lists. Add to it, post up. Remind yourself about
--Sidewalk chalk murals.
--Smiling at old people who are sitting/walking alone.
--Greeting cashiers and service people with a smile and a "How are you?"
--Splashing in puddles in the summertime, barefoot.
--Sarasota sunsets.
--Ludacris, Lil John, Gorillaz, Trick Daddy when I'm stressed.
--Cursing alone when I'm pissed or annoyed.
--Rainy days in bed.
--My black-and-white photo of a gorgeous, blonde-haired, blue-eyed munchkin with a huge grin on her face... and a Hayabusa helmet as big as she is on her head. She sits on my nightstand and greets me in the morning.
--Oil pastel crayons.
--Foot massages any time, but in the right context, it's orgasmic.
--A fresh sheet of textured drawing paper and a black, high-quality ink pen.
--The taste and smell of a man's skin on his neck just below his ear. Oh man... and where it meets his shoulder, right above the hollow of his collarbone. Divine.
--Chest hair... not mine.
--My bamboo sheets... especially fresh from the dryer when it's cool in the room.
--Bjork's "Come to Me", "Violently Happy", and "Oh So Quiet".
--Down comforters.
--The rumble of a Hayabusa going 140 over the Dames Point Bridge with a sexy man betwixt my knees.
--Giving my cat a bath. Sadistic, I know, but soooo funny.
--Black Velvets, Snakebites, and a great Guinness pour.
--Bartenders that know your name, what you do and what you drink. And when you really need that drink, it's on the bar before you reach it.
--Reading a book in the sunshine sitting on a blanket in the park.
--Driving, bare foot out the window, sunroof open, music on loud, for no reason at all.
--Writing letters on real-live pieces of paper.
--Having my hair brushed.
--Driving out to Siesta Key (or Atlantic Beach as the city may be) to watch the lightning storms roll in.
--Barry White, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Louis Armstrong and the soundtrack to Last of the Mohicans when I'm feeling sultry.
--Camera toss photos.
--My other black-and-white of the same munchkin fastening his chin strap on that Haybusa helmet... "You have to put it on right, all the way, Daddy!"
--Hot baths with Lavender Soy Milk Bath or Aveeno Oatmeal Bath, a book, and candles.
--A really good pillow.
--The endorphin rush and subsequent sweet feeling of exhaustion after a tough session at the gym.
--Walking the deep sand on the beach at twilight in my sneaks, iPod on, all alone.
--Sitting in my car in the dark and silence, waiting for the rain to slow enough to run in.
--Keller Williams, Jack Johnson, Self, and a little Mudvayne for good measure.
--Wave jumping.
--Full body, strong-armed, extended-length hugs. From guys even just a bit taller than me. Where my head can fit just aside or below his chin. Platonic or not.
--My Adidas trail runners and cross-trainers.
--Flashing truck drivers. Shush, I think it's hilarious... Sometimes.
--The slippery feeling of skin in the ocean.
--Organic cranberry-peach juice from Whole Foods Market.
--Nipples. Oh, c'mon they're funny... And fun to play with.
--Swings at the park.
--Sleeping in.
--Roasting marshmallows... but not really eating them. I like to watch them melt. And catch on fire. Hell, I just like to watch things on fire.
--Camping in a tent or cabin without "modern conveniences".
--Having a kid be happy to see me.
--Viansa wine.
--Green eyes with little flecks of other colors that draw you in.
--Plum wine.
--Getting good stuff in the mail.
--Grape-apple-banana and apricot-honey hookah.
--Having someone want to and try to make me smile.
--Brownies. Yes, all kinds, Fly.
--Laughing until I can't breathe.
--Frozen grapes.
--Back rubs... deep massage. Giving and getting. And I'm damn good at it.
--Hemp products from The Body Shop.
--Tall, nonfat, no whip, one Splenda Cinnamon Dolce Latte.
--A really good cry.
--My "om" necklace and compassion prayer bracelet. And the lecture I get from the dude at the BP station on the corner of Atlantic Blvd and Sailfish Drive, every freaking time I go in there about the meaning of "Om". It was the first sound ever uttered by the first human being on earth, apparently.
--My celtic knot tattoo. Not the Swedish flag much anymore. Loooong story. Hooray for Jens! And Swedish moonshine!
--Finding old friends again.
--Stella-Artois.
--Sushi!!!
--Fishing on a boat, sans outboard, in the middle of a lake when it's quiet and warm.
--That gorgeous autumn shade of golden-yellow orange.
--The Fly's Tie... and Culhane's. Fiddler's Green in Orlando.
--My trip to San Francisco... and Sweden. Tuksan oksa!
--Getting just the right seasoning on that fantastic steak or salmon fillet on the charcoal grill in the backyard.
--
The Iron Heel, Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse. All things that challenge American Politics.
--Oreos dipped in ice cold milk. But I can only eat about 4 at a time.
--Super soft bras.
--My "Bush/Cheney: 1984" bumpersticker.
--Snow. Hot tubs in the snow. With good friends.
--Vanilla yogurt layered with granola and fresh raspberries or almonds/bananas/strawberries.
--Super bouncy balls.
--Road trips. Alone or with friends, as long as there's music involved.
--Silly putty.
--Throwing clay pots... on a wheel, not into the wall.
--Painting myself... I love the sensuality of the paint on skin. No one else will let me paint on 'em.
--Making someone I love smile.
--Books on CD to distract me from the road rage.
--Skin on skin contact.
--Great conversation.
--Grande Vanilla Latte, nonfat, no whip, two Splenda and cinnamon powder on top.
--Debating and arguing.
--Text messages just saying someone's thinking about me.
--Irish pub music...
--My "cheeky monkey" (complete with ears!), "411 Length Required", and "403 Forbidden" undies.
--Accordians and washboards played on stage.
--Dropping my BMI from 35.5 to 20.7.
--My giant afro wig.
--Fresh strawberries... a quart lasts about a day in my fridge.
--Long, deep kissing sessions with soft lips.
--My tall, ugly ass shoes.
--Having fingers run gently over my skin... Goosebumps
--Shepard's pie.
--People who can laugh with me at my weirdness (even uncomfortably) but still love me the way I am.
--Really comfortable pyjamas.
--HP SAUCE!!!!
--Love. Platonic, family, friends, child-like, romantic, all-encompassing, passionate, unconditional love.