Things that make you happy and bring you joy
 

Now that we have places to vent, it's time for a feelgood thread. I'm all for yin and yang, so naturally:

Name some of those little things that bring you precious moments of joy and happiness.

- Children laughing.

- Unexpected checks in the mail.

- Hearing from old friends out of the blue.

- Being thanked by a stranger.

- A driver who lets me in front of him.

- Hugs.

- Surprise gifts and romance.

- A card or letter in the mail

- An unexpected visit from a friend

- A nice email

- Big squeezy hugs

- My cat choosing my lap as a napping spot and kneading me in bed before I fall asleep

- The horses nickering to me when I come downstairs to feed them

- Watching animals play with each other

- Blue skies, green grass, and sunshine

- My favorite man creature

- A phone call from a friend I don't speak to regularly

- My husband, my husband, my husband... :icare:
- Going to the gym and kicking my own ass
- Eating good food
- Being able to speak different languages with some success
- Having a productive day with my research
- Enjoying a hot beverage or an alcoholic one (or combination thereof!--Irish coffee) in the evening
- Sex!
- Having a tidy house
- Any communication with friends
- Hearing that one or both of my parents are doing well (usually they aren't)
- Driving
- Sleeping in and waking up to birds chirping outside my window
- Reading a good book, non-stop
- Going for a hike on a beautiful day
- Sitting in an Icelandic hot pot
- Looking at old pictures
- My husband making me coffee in the morning
- Being useful to someone
- Traveling, anywhere...

-- spending time with a certain someone.

-- my favorite cheesy comedies.

-- painting, drawing, writing, etc.

-- crisp autumn air...

-- various songs that i love..

I'm sure there's more.. just can't think of anything else right now

- Having a good group of people you work with
- Having a professor that loves to be openly challenged on any subject and will indulge you in debate
- Peanut butter. BUCKETS of peanut butter. Cept when I'm fasting.
- The Barbershop movies.
- Finding the time to reread the Foundation Series. Again.
- 320hp+ at the wheels in a car that's less than 2800 lb.
- A REALLY good night's sleep
- Trail running with my iPod
- Clean sheets/new socks
- When I've worked for months and months, and suddenly I have abs!
- The first kiss after a long time apart
- Battlestar Galactica
- Jack the Beagle

-Making my husband laugh (or anybody really)
-Childrens' contagious laughs
-A calm (not windy), warm (not hot) day
-Watching lambs (or any baby animals) play
-Unexpected money (or finding some where I didn't know I left it)
-Playing softball
-Learning something new

" uhh..miss?..you gave me change back from a twenty,
I only gave you a five dollar bill"

I've been on both ends of that exchange.

A good report from a teacher or neighbor or whoever about my kids
A good morning beautiful from the BF
The smell of spring in the air
Hearing an old song on the radio
Singing at the top of my lungs to my ipod
A clean house
Clean laundry
Productive days at work
Making the Dean's list
Girl's night in or out
Movie Marathons
Waking up without the alarm
Waking without pain
Listening to my daughter snore or sing when she thinks no one is listening
Watching my son try to kill my BF in COD4
Conversations with my brother
My fav: In-side jokes with anyone!!!!!

people

aww this one is fun too.

- When I'm driving in my car, blasting music, and a part will come on where I HAVE TO do the robot. Its cry is undeniable, it must be done.

- When my GF rubs my back with effort. When she tries it is incredible.

- A good play that makes me lean forward in my seat, put my elbows on my knees, and put my chin in my hands, as if I'm trying to get closer to the play. It's a great feeling.

- Laughing hysterically at things that aren't that funny. For example: in the film "Hot Rod" (ridiculously stupid movie) there is a passing line where a TV anchor says "the dog walked itself, ate a pizza, and took a nap". Even now I've burst into spurts of laughter thinking about it.

- Spending time with my dad.

- Doing something I have pride in.

- Coffee when you haven't had any in like a couple of hours. I drink ALOT of coffee.

- Winning a close game. I am a really poor winner but an even worse poor loser. One time I made my father sign a contract saying that I beat him at Trivial Pursuit. I still have it in a scrap book.

- knowing I have lots of money. I don't know why but this always makes me more smiley.

-Traveling. I am hoping to take my first cross continental road trip this summer.

Can't think of anymore right now but there certainly is more.

Making people laugh
Friends
Girls
Board sports

- A good crew to work with
- Empty roads and green lights
- Going home from work
- Finding the right music station to fit my mood
- Playing ball with the dog
- Sleeping in
- Washing and waxing the car (seriously. its like therapy for me)

- My cat. My big, fat, lazy-ass, cute-as-a-motherfuckin'-button cat.
- That feeling when I'm on stage, in front of a crowded auditorium, acting to my heart's content, and hopefully creating a moment for everybody there.
- A freshly bought DVD.
- David Bowie.
- The (rare) embrace of a loving companion.
- Finishing a good, long book.
- Meeting a fellow freethinker.
- Back to the cat, when I press my ear against her tummy and hear her breathing and her insides making their various little sounds.
- Watching a truly great actor getting the job done (Daniel Day-Lewis brings a tear to my eye).
- Sitting alone in a movie theatre, watching a film all to myself (Bella comes to mind).
- Finishing a piece of writing (if you're reading this, go read Venereal Curse over in the Lit forum, I have to finish that freaking thing).
- Driving at night on a barren road.
- Walking in downtown Charleston, hanging with friends and stopping by Theatrics Unlimited.
- Compliments.
- Classical compositions (Mozart, Clint Mansell, Philip Glass, etc..)
- My cat, again. What with her little paws stretching out as she wakes up from her 18+ hour slumber.

Overall, I'm a pretty happy guy.

*Bear Hugs
*Music (discovering new music that i haven't heard before; songs that stir up nostalgia)
*Making people laugh (I don't think i'm an especially funny person, so it's nice to get a laugh out of somebody on occassion)
*Learning something new
*Inside jokes
*Singing all out in the car driving fast down the highway.
*Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
*Engaging in group discussions about philosophy and life
*Cuddling
*Being told/shown that i've loved, needed, and/or cherished.
*Payday
*When I wake up and just feel great; optimistic and ready to take on the world. (I'm kinda moody)

My kids doing something THEY are proud of

Intellectual stimulation or an engaging discussion with someone who knows how to debate (not argue)

An unexpected letter or email from an old friend (sadly, doesn't happen much :( )

misty mornings
friendships rekindled
moonlit walks
candlelit breakfasts
shoes that fit
bunnies on leashes
children's laughter
water in glass bottles
carafes of water
round hairbrushes
wool tweed coats

Fireflies.
Hand tools.
Expert sarcasm.
Someone bringing me coffee.
A blanket of dead leaves on the ground.
People being perky in the morning.
The sound of my cat stretching.
Hearing a motorcycle rumble in the distance.
Flipping the collar down on a dress shirt after putting on a tie.
A sleeping girlfriend slinging an arm or leg over me unconsciously.
Reclining against my ruck with my boots and socks off after a march.
The Sleepwalk instrumental.
The "Ping!" of steel.

Ruff and Tumble.
Snow.
Clear, cold days.
Hugs from small children.
Books.
Pleasantly warm days in May.
Chai tea.
Blueberries.
Public radio.
A turbocharged engine.
Organic fair trade coffee from Central America.
Ruff stretching out.
Tumble and her fluffy paws.
Friends who listen.
Heirloom tomatoes.
Hiking.

And last but not least--my honey.

Videogames and my dog. That's it.

the sunlight
writing while sitting in the grass alone

my family.
watching my son try new things.
getting to the gym.
family time gardening.
feeling my unborn daughters' kicks.

The first beer after a match
Office Supplies
Freshly baked cookies
Driving with no particular destination
Dancing around my apartment to cheesy music in my underoos.
Lazy Sunday mornings
Clean Sheets....Then dirtying the sheets. ;)


I also like kittens and rainbows!

Slapping a big bear hug on an unsuspecting kitty whilst placing my ear to it so I can hear the engine purr....