posted 03-25-2001 05:15 PM               

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In order to balance the "Most Annoying Thing Ever" topic (a thread that I maintain does serve a useful function on this site), I've decided to offer up a space where we can all mention the small, seemingly insignificant things that brighten our days and help keep us sane. I urge everyone to contribute to both when the need arises.

Hey, as Dave likes to say, "Everything in moderation, including moderation."

I'll get us started,
Small Things that Make Pattie Happy, In No Particular Order:

-my new Buttercup (clearly the best PPG, she was robbed!) mug
-Blockbuster's 30-day DVD rental promotion
-playing with Legos with my nephew
-having a baby fall asleep on you

posted 04-04-2001 12:46 AM               

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Boy, we're a bunch of misers, aren't we?

Seriously, I think the world is a better place for:

* Rainy mornings when you can spend the day in bed, reading.
* Daylight Savings Time.
* A hot slice of Cafe Riviera pizza. (You knew I had to mention it.)
* Dinners with my wife.
* Dinners with my wife, siblings, and mother.
* And last but not least, hanging out here.

posted 04-04-2001 04:12 PM               

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"Things that have made me smile, just today!" include:

***an email from my boss (who I had thought had either a) dropped of the face of the earth or b) had quit and no one wanted to break the news to me or c) really had it in for me, and showed it by ignoring me) that said, among other very nice things "I really should take more time to tell you how much I appreciate your efforts, but I'm a man (and that explains that)." A compliment and a laugh.

***Being caught in traffic is so much nicer when the sunroof is open, the sky is blue, the grass is sprouting, and the median is covered with California poppies and blue lupines.

***Feeling somewhat caught up at work and somewhat rested all at the same time. Spring break is not a whim, but a complete necessity. Even if you work during most of it.

***After almost 10 days of internet exile (which, unbelieveably, was nice in its own special way), to finally be back on-line.

Happy spring, everybody!

posted 07-13-2001 02:41 PM               

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A new additon for this list:

- Reading to a child (which is surpassed only by the joy you feel when you see that child try to read to a younger child).

posted 09-10-2001 07:52 AM               

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Of course this morning it's so darned humid that I had to turn the AC back on.

Wait, this isn't the kvetching thread. Sorry.

That said, there is something wonderful about hearing the birds and other sounds of the outside world when you wake up in the morning, especially if it's a weekend and you have the luxury of lounging in bed for a while.

posted 10-26-2001 09:21 AM               

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Brand new boots. Or any pair of shoes for that matter. Also, there's something really cool about going into a drug store and getting brand new toothpaste, hair gel, or any other drug store-type product.

Yeah, I'm a nerd.

posted 11-12-2001 03:47 PM               

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Three simple, beautiful words:

Chocolate whipped cream.

posted 11-15-2001 04:59 PM               

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I've got one word for you:

Naps.

Naps are my new best friend. In college, I never took them, preferring to simply go the bed earlier when I could. Now they are a necessity.

posted 11-15-2001 05:49 PM               

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I know Andrew has already extolled the virtues of sleepin' kitties, so I'll add one of my favorite small pleasures - when any animal just walks up to me and shows affection. Cats, dogs, horses, that little orphaned deer who hangs around my in-laws' place, bring 'em on (though getting the aforementioned deer to stop licking my hand is a whole other misbegotten thread waiting to be born). In some ways, that means more to me than any human showing affection, because it's unconditional.

That probably says more about me than I intended to say, but to make a meandering, rambling post short, there's nothing like kitty kisses. Especially first thing in the morning. You're glad to be alive, they're glad you're alive...now feed us!

posted 11-20-2001 03:51 PM               

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OK, this is so cool.

Yesterday I was in Rittenhouse Square (a small park toward the southern end of downtown Philly) and I had sparrows perching on my finger as I fed them by hand. At first I was just tossing pieces of granola to them, then they started landing on the bench beside me, so I started feeding them by hand, then one of them just figured "oh, the hell with it" and landed on my hand and stated pecking pieces off the granola bar himself. After that it was a just a matter of coaxing them onto my outstretched finger with the granola. At one point one of them landed on my knee and looked me straight in the eye until I fed him.

I wasn't in a bad mood, but I kind of wish I had been, since that would have been a good way to get out of it.

posted 11-20-2001 03:57 PM               

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Until, in the words of Conan's comic dog puppet (whose name is totally escaping me right now), "it poops on you!"

[Ah, such an optimistic mood I'm in. Sorry, I'll be leaving now...]

posted 02-01-2002 12:46 AM               

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Isn't that just about one of the best things about teaching? I've had a couple of students contact me after a class was over, a couple of others say hi to me on campus. It's like this little moment where the universe says, "Yes, you do matter!"

On another note, I'm a big fan of the sound of birds chirping early on spring mornings. It just sounds so full of potential.

posted 04-18-2002 06:51 PM               

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Thought I'd better give this topic a bump. I have no doubt it'll be quite active soon.

And more than that I shall not say.

posted 11-21-2002 01:47 AM               

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Oddly enough, Pattie and I have done very little of our gushing about parenthood on this thread. Strange.

One thing that belongs here, though, is something that happens every day when Pattie gets home from work. Alexandra’s learned to recognize the sound of Pattie’s walk up the stairs and unlocking of the apartment door. When she hears it, no matter how upset she’s been, she stops, turns all her attention to the door, and starts bouncing up and down with the biggest damn smile you have ever seen. Even though the moment essentially means ‘Thank God I’m not stuck with this guy anymore,’ it’s one of the highlights of my day.

posted 03-18-2003 06:05 AM               

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It's been warm enough to have the windows open around here for the first time in ages. So nice to hear the birds chirping as the morning approaches.

(BTW, Earl, I got a chuckle out of 'on top of the geyser.')

posted 12-08-2003 05:42 PM               

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Nice distinction there, Steph.

Congrats and enjoy.