TAT CN Header

Thursday, January 31, 2013

A Few of My Favorite Things

I've been feeling a bit like a Grumpy Goose this week.

It's a combination of factors -- I have a head cold, Caleb is teething and/or turning into a Gremlin, Norah is 3, PMS, Jerry leaves his pants on the floor -- and, to add insult to injury, the runs have been slow and plodding.  To say I'm irritable is like saying Lindsay Lohan has a *minor* susbstance problem.

Yesterday, I actually began typing a Word document that was just a list of gripes and pet peeves (people who throw cigarette butts out of their cars, people who spit out of their cars, people who pronounce it "EXpecially," people who rely on logical fallacy to make arguments, people who seemingly can't distinguish between "definitely" and "defiantly," people who misequate Darwinism with "survival of the fittest"...). 

My list was long.

This morning, though, I figured I needed to change my attitude a bit and make a list of things I like.  So, what is the opposite of a pet peeve?  A Pet Please!  (As in, these are things that "please" me.  C'mon, play along with my word play; it pleases me if you find me charming!)
  • Norah's giggle: It's so girlish and cute.
  • Caleb's cheeks: I often tell him that I'm gonna "eat your face!" -- which, I realize, taken out of context probably sounds disturbing.
  • Jerry's willingness to rub my feet: He's a good foot-rubber, better even than the pros -- who just end up tickling me, really.
  • Running: Even when it's not great, it's better than not-running.
  • Students who are respectful, thoughtful, and insightful.
  • Colleagues who make me laugh: English professors are quite funny.  We ESpecially excel at satire.
  • Dunkin Donuts' iced lattes: I couldn't get through the week without them, and now that our campus opened a DD a mere 100 yards from my office, I'm happier than a pig in mud.
  • NPR.  I'm nerdy like that, and I love that I can listen to many of my favorite NPR podcasts ("Fresh Air," "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me," and "Science Friday" are some of my favs) from my phone.
  • Speaking of podcasts, I recently discovered the fabulous "The Partially Examined Life" which is a philosophy show that blends insight with humor.  Often hilarious and contemplative.
  • "Big Bang Theory."  I'm not gonna lie: I watch re-runs of this almost daily.  I don't know if I'd ever tire of Sheldon and Amy Farrah Fowler.
  • Yuengling: It's good beer.
  • Mumford and Sons: Those Brits do folk-rock right!
  • Winter in FL.  Seriously, you should be jealous.  It's beautiful here right now.
  • Our bedding.  I keep thinking I should replace it because our sheets are so worn, but man alive, it's SO soft, it's like snuggling into the lap of a bunny.
When I think on it, my list could go on and on, and simply making a list such as this makes me feel better, less bitey.  There are plenty of things that delight me, make me smile, laugh, and be grateful for all I have.  So, people have a strange inclination to open their car door and spit...that's, well, that's whatever that is.

 Annoyances abound, but so do joys.

What are a few of your favorite things?

11 comments:

Carly Pizzani said...

This is lovely. :) It's amazing how writing down our happiness can really make us feel, well, happier!

That said, I would like to add to the peeves list, "people who say 'EXpresso' instead of 'ESpresso'.

TNTcoach Ken said...

Pants on the floor, divorce him! LMAO, yeah cigarette butts aren't liter......... WTF?

Crissy Rae said...

We also watch daily reruns of Big Bang Theory. Even the episodes I've seen a dozen times still crack me up! I second Yuengling, it is delicious!

Crissy Rae said...

We also watch daily reruns of Big Bang Theory. Even the episodes I've seen a dozen times still crack me up! I second Yuengling, it is delicious!

Crissy Rae said...

We also watch daily reruns of Big Bang Theory. Even the episodes I've seen a dozen times still crack me up! I second Yuengling, it is delicious!

Erin said...

This is what came to mind after reading your post:

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad

Anonymous said...

Thanks for bringing a smile to my face this morning! I definitely needed it!

runner26 said...

love this! I need some positive thinking in my life too. i excel at complaining..but it's good to counter the bad with a list like this!

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.srossib.ru/]Разрешение на работу не является необходимым[/url]

Agate Lake Girl said...

These days it's a quiet moment or driving in the car by myself with the radio blaring (can you tell I spend my days with two kids?). Can I add to the peeves list people who say "libary." There are two R's people - two!

Anonymous said...

That is really fascinating, You're a very professional blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to in the hunt for extra of your magnificent post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks
Also visit my web blog : forex capital markets