what makes you happy?

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Fri, 2004-10-01 11:39

There seems to be a bit of a down-in-the-dumps vibe here at the moment, so in the interests of spreading some cheer, please tell me some small things that make you happy.

Here are ten of mine :-

1. Using the milled edge of a 10 pence piece to scribble off silver foil on scratchcards or phone top ups. It makes a lovely noise and the whole thing just works so well. Scraping it off with a nail or a key are dissatisfying by comparison.

2. Having a cat approach you on a brick wall, nervous at first and then patient while you stroke his head and cheek. Best of all if you can coax a purr, but then he still sees a butterfly or something of interest and races off, so that you don't waste your whole day amusing a cat. Ideally, the brick wall is at shoulder height.

3. Getting a non-work, non Nigerian business opportunity email.

4. Baileys and chocolate milk.

5. Pretending to be Arthur Lowe narrating the Mister Men "He was so small, he fell in the box of matches"

6. Talking like a pirate (of course, this nearly goes without saying) but it really is impossible to feel sorry for yourself if you are saying "Yaar" every couple of minutes.

7. Having a calculator handy and punching random numbers into it while pretending to be a big Eighties city trader. My first secretary, Vicky, would type the numbers 55378008 in, hold it upside down and try to make me laugh while I was on the phone.

8. Explaining something, anything, to someone who really wants to understand it. We had an impromptu maths lesson at home last week, while watching retro 321 on Sky, where I got pen and paper and finally taught my housemates binary, which had completely flummoxed them at school.

9. Learning something new. Happens less frequently than I would like, but it is always lovely.

10. The smell of chicken roasting in the oven, the crunchy caramelised edges of roast potatoes, a really good home-made mushroom-free lasagne.

11. This week, the remarkably mellow and Deelite-esque seventies record by Esther Williams, called "Last Night Changed it all"

Fri, 2004-10-01 13:50

purplehaze is a girl

getting back onto websites that have been lost in browers for days on end plus stealing kissses

Sat, 2004-10-09 23:03

stormy

fay, you need to seek help :-)

Fri, 2004-10-01 14:55

andrew pack

Oh yes, that is spot on. Stealing kisses. Particularly when you do so accompanied by a daft joke. There's a lovely Alan Moore line about kissing "after she finishes a long kiss, she plants a small, short one on my lips, like a signature" Who have you been kissing, oh purple Scottish hazel? *If it's that girl from the gymn, you'd best hope she doesn't surf the net*

Fri, 2004-10-01 15:11

purplehaze is a girl

I will never kiss the girl from the gym. Not for a million kisses with Mel in return. Nope, not even for that... have managed to go back into the jaccuzzi though and just think lovely thoughts with the occassional burst of reiki light Top tip for kissing: several slow light kisses along each cheek (facial kind) sends messages to the brain which make your lover feel particularly cherished. something to do with breast feeding and ancient comfort memories. v. lovely especially after doing something particularly bestial to them involving their perinium am a hive of knowledge. am going to a Ceileigh tonight and will be stealing kisses from anyone in a kilt and if I get drunk it's likely I'll be checking for pants as well...and debagging any offenders

Fri, 2004-10-01 15:19

justyn_thyme

Well, I'm very much looking forward to my visit to London--not because it's London, a city I do not like at all--but because I'll get to see some ABC folks again after almost exactly two years and one or two other friends I made while there. Incredibly, I'm also doing some shopping---London being cheaper than Warsaw for some items. Hard to believe, but there it is. Oh yes, vinegar--I love vinegar.

Fri, 2004-10-01 16:07

fay

chocolate soya milk and pumpkin seeds. Not sure if the pumpkin seeds is a pregnancy thing. Have realised run out and is pissing it.. ARG. Never mind, they are much too expensive anyway, will save money and feel virtuous :0) Planting things. Got my first bulbs for the garden today WHOOPIE!!!!!!! They were from the internet and even cheaper than Woolworths, was bit worried they'd be rubbishy, but they're not! They're all firm and eager to get started :0) Have done LOTS of weeding all ready to put them in, and found lots of happy looking worms (honestly, they looked happy!) and felt good that we persevered to get rid of the hard core and gravel :0) Richie will be home in 2 hours. Haven't seen him since lunchtime. He likes the side of his neck kissed best. Will try the cheek kissing thing though :0)

Thu, 2004-10-14 15:20

mississippi

I'd be happy with a pussy of any colour.

Wed, 2004-10-06 09:55

computerless fergal

At the moment, ever getting onto a computer makes me happy... in no specific order: When I let someone out into a continuous row of traffic and they smile and do a little wave. When someone lets me out into a continuous row of traffic and I smile and do a little wave. Realising that I can make eggy bread with thyme and cheese and pepper and nutmeg (and egg, obviously) and that I can still eat it with a blob of ketchup on the side because it is MY house and MY food and I don't have to do what anyone one else says ever again. Dying my hair dark purply red and realising that I should never been blonde after all. Reading. Anything. Especially novels and the labels of bottles in other people's bathrooms. When I think of a similie that is not for the sake of it and really works. Imagining my characters having hilarious and witty conversations in my head that will never be committed to paper. Discovering a film that I thought wouldn't be very good and it turning out to be brillaint (In the Cut starring Meg Ryan and Mark Ruffalo and directed by Jane Campian is perfect example. Just saw it and it is really very good) Mark Ruffalo (see In the Cut or Thirteen going on thirty and you will know what I mean). Mary Poppins - the greatest film ever made with all you need to know for how to lead a happy fulfilling life there in bright technicolour. The change of seasons - it's so cold in Norwich at the moment, but that means I get to wear my big purple scarf thing and my fake leather uber-villain black gloves. Sean Bean. Seeing my 2 and a half year old neice get extremely excited about being able to reach to turn on a light and then watching her laugh for about five minutes about it afterwards. My first cup of tea of the day. And many other things. As to the 'kiss' debate, well, when you find someone whose kisses fit with yours then that is brilliant and a very constructive use of time. Emma, I am always amazed at how blazingly romantic and consumed with this love stuff you are 'A kiss can seem to contain your whole being at times'. Jesus. I am jealous.

Fri, 2004-10-01 16:44

#10

andrew pack

Have you tried the right-angle kissing thing? Can't remember where I read it, but you get one person to lie down, and then the other person approaches them sort of sideways, and you don't touch anywhere else. It feels very different, and has that sort of floating in a bath relaxiness about it. I'm also partial to spiritual kisses, which should be short, light and badly aimed - so that they come near certain places that are very nice to be kissed, but the kiss lands just a little bit away from those places.

Wed, 2004-10-06 12:31

#11

andrew pack

Hayley - the Ruffalo is top-class in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind as well.

Wed, 2004-10-06 12:35

#12

fergal

Ah yes, I forgot - great film too. Gosh he is quite perfect. Even *with* a moustache.

Wed, 2004-10-06 12:37

#13

fergal

Did you like In the Cut Andrew? Have you read the book. I really want to read it now I've seen the film. I had a peek in Waterstones and it was in first person so should be interesting..

Fri, 2004-10-01 18:33

#14

britgrrl

Andrew, the 'just a little bit away' - deliciously erotic! Leaves you aching for more!

Sun, 2004-10-10 17:59

#15

sabelle

Happy? Can someone tell me what that means, please

Sun, 2004-10-10 18:02

#16

john

The opposite to the way you normally feel..

Fri, 2004-10-01 19:09

#17

Emma

OH! A thread that has gone from a general idea of what makes you happy to a veritable gourmet delight of kissing ideas! I like the right ankle one... Kissing is my day job...teaching just functions to fund this kissing habit I'll never be able to kick. :0) Well - talking of things that make me happy... Saying "Off you go then" to a bunch of screaming, ungrateful teenagers at the end of the last lesson on a Friday. Hearing from someone you care about that you haven't heard from for ages. Opening a book of poetry at a random page and finding something beautiful. Sending someone you like very much a single red rose on their birthday. Receiving positive feedback on my writing. Getting up in the morning and realising I seem to still have the energy to go to work and do my best and that I am in good health. Cuddling my kids. My five year old coming in my bed for a cuddle in the morning. Gathering up wonderful people into my life who bring me so much and make the journey such a rich one. Text messages from friends. Of course there are incalculable pleasures in this life and I'd like to get better at enjoying them...

Sun, 2004-10-10 18:03

#18

neil_the_auditor

How about: It's only October and Man United's hopes of winning the title are already dead in the water. Doesn't that give you a warm London glow?

Sun, 2004-10-10 18:12

#19

Wolfgirl®

...reading this thread and realising how many things make people happy....

Sun, 2004-10-10 18:14

#20

sabelle

Thanks guys, I remember that feeling now. Let's hope I can last til May and maybe I'll rediscover it.

Wed, 2004-10-06 18:26

#21

Emma

<> Like being able to do your housework at the click of your fingers??!! Blazingly romantic - aw, Ferg. Yeah that's me. I never worry these days about the issue of whether there's a heaven...I've had heaven on earth in a kiss. When two people connect so deeply in lots of ways, kissing is the ultimate expression of that mental state. A connection of two consciousnesses in a unique moment in time - I'll never get over the magnificence of that. x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Wed, 2004-10-06 19:33

#22

justyn_thyme

I'm still thinking about that unexpected BJ, though it would certainly depend upon who the giver was and under what circumstances. Could be embarrassing on the bus from a stranger, for example.

Fri, 2004-10-01 21:12

#23

john

Having challenging debates with friends and some times leading to new and unexpected realizations. Visiting new towns and villages to hunt for books, memorabilia and all sorts of oddities. Peering through my microscope at home, which i rebuilt and restored to immaculate condition. The beauty off her gives me goos pimpals...haaaaaaa.. so shiny and black, perfect resolving power and truly an example of craftsmanship. Sorry, got a bit carried away there.. Shopping! Can you believe it? I actually like to go shopping.. watching my daughter laugh and run around having fun. They grow up to quick thees days. Researching, love it and hope to be involved in it for many years to come. and of courses, kissing.

Wed, 2004-10-06 20:38

#24

Hox

Not to mention when mmmmmmmmmmmm you're trying aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah to post on aaaaaaaaaaaaaa000000000000000000000 a website. [%sig%]

Sat, 2004-10-02 00:26

#25

stormy

1. laughing with intimate friends. 2. slowing down for horses and receiving a big thank you 3. driving through deep puddles and soaking grunge youths 4. driving around deep puddles and receiving waved thanks from hell's grannies. 5. cunnilingus (without waved thanks from hells grannies) 6. pratfalls 7. sex (see bracketed comment after 5) 8. doing something, without payment, that makes someone else very happy (see 7) 9. Posting something that, the next day, is still humorous (rare) 10. Wind chimes ... my own ... not anyone else's

Thu, 2004-10-07 12:11

#26

jude -just bac...

Padraic Standing barefooted on the sea-shore just close enough for the waves to touch your feet Singing (badly) in church Redemption My Thursday night lectures Getting one up on my psychotherapist My older brother's sense of humour Staying in Oxford Monty Python The smell in the Radha Krishna Temple

Sun, 2004-10-03 17:45

#27

ély whítléy

having the weather pass by your face without touching it cheese burying my face in my dogs' pelts receiving an unexpected BJ open fires hitting a perfect and very long drive when everyone's looking and feeling like a pro until your next shot. standing back from something I've just made and liking it international football knowing there's a great meal with loads of wine and fine company on the way

Sun, 2004-10-03 18:05

#28

Liana

kisses don't make me happy, i don't like them.. unless they are those tiny pursed lipped twinkly ones that children do so well. I love them. And swift happy ones from friends you havent seen for ages, they're ok...Otherwise I hate having my face invaded. getting a bargain on ebay at the last moment, when someone else tries to outbid you. (£12.04 for a long chocolate brown velvet coat, you just weren't fast enough were you tamhill43?) shepherds pie when you havent eaten for a long time... peanut butter on toast, hot choc. Electric blankets, when you get in, freezing half to death and forgot you switched it on hours ago . realising that you've already read the book that's being studied in Am Lit tomorrow. Happy is stretching it at the moment for me, but all the above things are good.

Sun, 2004-10-03 18:27

#29

Dan

1. Coming back home on a Sunday after a weekend away. 2. Booking a holiday 3. Pouring over a map, making plans. 4. Nursing a cold (of course it would be better not to have one but then you'd miss all the jaffa cakes and whisky and lemsip drinks) 5. Directing actors reading something you wrote... 6. and hearing them laugh at it... 8. and making them do zombie noises. 9. Def Jam II: the battle for NY 10. Making things work.

Sun, 2004-10-03 18:39

#30

Hen

Getting in the taxi to go home after morning shifts. Packing up to go after evening shifts. Watching 'I, Claudius'. Saturday evenings after a 6 hour shift. Speaking to K online. Singing like Bryan Ferry. Arriving home to find that Siany has bought me the new issue of 'Gambit'. Post for me. My dressing gown, warm coats, or warm, clean clothes from the dryer. Playing songs on the guitar, particularly 'The Scarf Had To Go' at the moment. Making a mess as I eat jam on French bread, muffins, juice and coffee for breakfast. Having a good idea for a chapter title. Putting together my 'Prisoner' jigsaw. Carrying round a favourite book in my coat pocket as a sort of protective talisman. At the moment, I am either happy or miserable, with not much in between. I think this is because the misery makes what I used to take for granted seem so wonderful in comparison.

Mon, 2004-10-11 15:59

#31

Dan

Kitten racing

Mon, 2004-10-11 16:05

#32

fay

Wolfgirl! Are you still getting better?

Thu, 2004-10-07 17:13

#33

fergal

at this moment in time putting a square of plain chocolate into each side of my mouth and sucking them till they disappear.

Sun, 2004-10-03 22:07

#34

Emma

I'm a bit like that at the moment, Hen, happy or miserable. Mostly I am really, really happy; I am enjoying life so much since the new me was allowed out, so to speak, and I've got away from the marriage/death trap. But sometimes I have these sudden rushes of abject misery and fear - mostly to do with the shock of the fact that I have been so unhappy for so long and now I'm almost 36, time is ticking on. Time seems to be rushing past me. It feels like standing on top of a hill while the world spins. I'm wanting to hold on to a moment, a feeling, because I know it's the best, yet it's slipping my grip all the time. The sheer beauty of life scares the shit out of me sometimes. Shocking moments. A kiss can seem to contain your whole being at times. Help!

Tue, 2004-10-12 09:42

#35

Wolfgirl®

I am sort of...still need lots of doctors though..why have one when you can have a pack? I am going to try and make Brighton...the idea of walking on the beach on a cold windy day with the salty air making my cheeks pink..that's a happy thought....actually pink cheeks are generally a good sign of happiness (know what I mean girls...wink wink) Can you race kittens? Don't they fall over large balls of wool and take calls from catalogue companies, wanting their pictures?

Tue, 2004-10-12 13:08

#36

ely whitley

racing kittens is a doddle. I raced three yesterday and they were crap. I even gave the first one a head start and still wiped the floor with it! related to cheetahs? My ARSE!!

Tue, 2004-10-12 13:35

#37

Wolfgirl®

Do they work on the floor? I have tried mops but frankly, they fail to live up to expectations.

Tue, 2004-10-12 16:55

#38

Dan

After time trials the three kittens who were raced were Ivan, Bear, and TipToe. All of whom had managed the course (layed out on the floor using video cassette boxes) very confidently. TipToe got off to a flying start whilst the other two just sat there but then paused halfway down the track, Ivan was the next to move, overtaking TipToe and winning easily. Realising she had lost TipToe abandoned the race and climbed over the safety barricade (video box). Bear never got off the starting grid. We figure the presure of the occasion got to them. I won 20p.

Tue, 2004-10-12 19:00

#39

fay

Magic mops are a swindle aren't they. I've never yet seen one with spell included. Maybe they need to come with a familiar. Perhaps this is where the kitten comes in

Tue, 2004-10-12 19:04

#40

Liana

I have a bengal kitten coming in two months... I am really looking forward to it. Should I get another so that I can race them? Bit worrying, because my floor space isnt massive, and they *are* very expensive... is the entertainment value high enough? Questions questions...

Tue, 2004-10-12 19:12

#41

sabelle

From reading everyone's posts, I've realised that some of us are blissfully happy others are sad, a couple are in between - these are the sensible ones striking a balance. Li, are you sure? I thought about it but they are such high maintenance that I chickened out. Got a persian instead - bloody hard work still, he follows us around all the time and worse still we can't decide on a name. Poor thing is 5 months old and destined to end his days as "Kitty"

Tue, 2004-10-12 19:22

#42

Liana

Yes, am sure... they're quite doglike I hear, and my beloved dog died a couple of weeks ago. I don't want another one quite yet... but I can manage a cat. The house is so cold with no pets, you know?

Tue, 2004-10-12 19:45

#43

Flash

AWWWW I wove widdle tiddle puddy tats. Sorry to hear about your loss Liana, it's absolutely heartbraking losing a pet. I saw a gorgeous puppy tonight at the bus stop, if the owner hadn't been 20 stone and in a ridiculously short denim skirt, i would have nabbed the little darling.

Tue, 2004-10-12 19:52

#44

ely whitley

Liana, getting a cat to replace a dog is like getting an abacus to replace a computer. sure, get a cat and then... get a dog and feed the cat to it! Wolfie: yes they do work on floors but their overall surface area is disappointing. I went back to my long haired german shepherd instead, he's like an industrial sized buffer.

Tue, 2004-10-12 19:53

#45

fay

Oh Liana, I'm sorry!

Tue, 2004-10-12 19:57

#46

Liana

Yes, it is Alan, thanks. Just about getting to grips with it now. Still have some wobbly moments, but it's getting better. x

Tue, 2004-10-12 20:50

#47

sabelle

Sorry Liana, the worst thing is trying to explain it to the children without getting upset yourself. I swore I wasn't getting another pet but you're right the house is not the same without one. Our cat seems to think he's a dog - chews everything in sight, chases everything in sight and eats everything in sight!!

Tue, 2004-10-12 20:58

#48

Liana

Ely... its not a replacement. Fay - did you not get my email?

Wed, 2004-10-13 07:53

#49

justyn_thyme

What is a bengal cat? Any relation to a Bengal tiger? I like cats, but I haven't had a pet in decades. My cleaning lady asked me yesterday if I wanted a cat. I said 'no,' but it did get me thinking.

Wed, 2004-10-13 14:02

#50

Fannybatter

you smell of fanny

Wed, 2004-10-13 18:39

#51

fay

No? I'm sorry! Haven't heard from you for AGES. Have sent you some? Is it my gift with computers again?

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