12 August 2004 µ 4:37 pm
101 Things that I Love
101 Things I Love
1. Driving on a hot day with the windows down and music blaring.
2. Wearing a ring on my right middle finger and a bracelet on my right wrist. (I finally got one as an early birthday present from a good friend.)
3. Not knowing what time it is.
4. The smell in the air right before a thunderstorm hits.
5. Tofu & veggie stir-fry with a tangy thai bbq sauce.
6. My cats and their oh-so-fabulous antics.
7. Dark blue sports cars that go really, really fast.
8. Crotch rockets that purr between your legs.
9. Open-mindedness – the willingness to try anything at least twice.
10. Being in the rain without an umbrella and splashing in the puddles.
11. Sitting in the sun with a good book and a glass of lemonade.
12. Tolerance, being non-judgmental.
13. The beach, sand squishing through my toes, jumping into waves.
14. Seeing something as if it were for the first time again.
15. Knowing that there are people who will always stand by me and pick me up when I fall, will step in if I need help, and will celebrate when I succeed.
16. My nephew, even if he is a shithead teenager.
17. Giving back to the community.
18. Making someone else smile with a gesture that is so small.
19. The feel of my freshly shaved legs or the feel of stubble on my guy’s face.
20. When my glasses are actually clean.
21. The clack of my fingernails against the keyboard as I type.
22. Being able to accept responsibility and rectify my mistakes. (Some folks can’t do this…)
23. Finding a beautiful piece of art.
24. Buying gifts for the people I care about.
25. Long drives, hearing the ground pass beneath my tires.
26. Knowing the right uses of its/it’s, whose/who’s, and who/whom (to name a few).
27. Having moments of silence when I can just accept things as they are and breathe in that perfect moment.
28. Not being afraid.
29. Diet soda. (watch out – it’s addicting)
30. Being able to say “no” and not feel guilty about it.
31. Going places alone, places that I wouldn’t have gone a year ago.
32. Taking a trip where I can do things with the people I want to do things with.
33. High-heeled shoes. (Yeah, 3.5 inchers on now).
34. My family (which could most definitely be the “poster family” for the word “dysfunctional” – I updated Mr. B on them the other day and he about died laughing, “they’re always fucked up in one way or another…”)
35. Books, bookstores, libraries, books, and books.
36. Compassion for all things.
37. Paint and painting, the smell of paint, the stains of paint in clothing, the feel of a paintbrush in my grip.
38. Success – winning a game, crossing a tough path, hitting a forehand winner in tennis, talking a cop out of giving me a ticket, being able to “overrule” the boss.
39. Colorful toe socks and long sleeved shirts.
40. Getting a haircut, despite the “phantom hair” syndrome that usually follows.
41. Having red hair.
42. My eyes, even though they aren’t perfect, they’re large and see things in a different light.
43. Being observational.
44. Noticing something “different” about someone else.
45. Working with men.
46. Acknowledging that while I’m an ‘open book’ it takes about a year for anyone to actually understand the content. Those who are willing to invest that are usually my closest friends.
47. Falling hard when I push myself in skating. (Last time I fell, my brain rattled in my skull, and I busted up my wrist pretty badly. But, I still managed to get up and keep trying.)
48. Going out and saying, “Ok, it’s 11pm and we just closed this place – let’s go here, it’s open till 2am” (and then) “Ok, it’s 2am and we just closed this place – let’s go here, it’s open till 4am.”
49. Looking at someone like they’re crazy, just to hear them say “WHAT!?” and then laughing.
50. Oh… laughing – laughing all the time at everything. Knowing that my laughter is medicine. Knowing that I have a laugh that is recognizable and stands out. Having that as my constant happy pill.
51. Chocolate Hazelnut frozen soy “yogurt” – mmmm.
52. Soft Italian bread dipped in avocado oil – drool… (no more food loves, I’m starting to get hungry!)
53. Finding free (or cheap) parking in the city of Chicago.
54. Lipstick stains on drinking glasses.
55. Saying “fuck” – fuckhead, fuck off, go fuck yourself, fuck fuck fuck! It’s my favorite cuss word. Ahh the many uses of “fuck”. Fuck that!
56. My laptop with its long lasting battery.
57. My notebooks/journals. I just started a new one (yeah – like I need ANOTHER one) for books I’ve read/films I’ve seen. Already, it’s been interesting to look back at it and read my impressions. I highly recommend it.
58. Being asked for my opinion, and actually having a constructive discussion about it, rather than being brushed off. (My boss is notorious for the latter, as have been other “not friends anymore” folks…)
59. The smell of cigarettes (sorry guys, I still like the way it smells). The smell of pipe smoke. Cigar smell, I could live without. And, ohh, the sweet smell of cloves.
60. Having many, many interests – I rarely get bored. Play Doom? Go to a concert? Read a book? Paint a portrait? Go to a museum? Go to a park? Go skating? Wander the city aimlessly? Attend a ballet? Play volleyball or pool? I’m in.
61. Knowing that some animals are allowed to live because of my diet choice and the charities I support.
62. Sitting in front of a fire and having the knees of my pants feel like they’re melting.
63. My favorite comment when I enter a room, “something smells really good.” Tah!
64. Not being written off because I’m a vegan or ‘one of those’.
65. Researching – learning something new, finding something cool I’ve never seen before.
66. My gray long-sleeve t-shirt that says “Balance” on it. It’s three sizes too big, could double as a dress, and my cats could live in the sleeves. But it’s the most comfiest, happiest, and softest of my shirts.
67. Finding good new music.
68. Being right.
69. Crystal Method’s remix of Rage Against the Machine’s “Renegades of Funk”
70. Having to adjust in a situation of chaos. “From chaos comes clarity…”
71. Song lyrics.
72. Getting email.
73. Receiving ‘prizes in the mail. (Even if I bought something for myself, it’s still fun to receive it.)
74. Correcting people’s grammar.
75. Listening to other people’s stories.
76. Playing video games – my nephew gave me a gameboy advance SP for my birthday this year.
77. MY BIRTHDAY!!! The best holiday of the year. Only 8 days away. (Whee - August 20!)
78. Building forts on the living room floor and falling asleep while watching a movie.
79. Sincere/genuine compliments.
80. Silver/platinum jewelry (of course, I don’t own any).
81. Long Island Iced Teas… My new limit is one – 4 get me way too drunk.
82. Ohh, and Cuba Libre Lights – err Bacardi with Diet and a lime, mmm.
83. Blue carpeting. It makes me want to snuggle up with it.
84. Cooking – gasp! Yes, I actually like the act of cooking. I just can’t stand the cleaning up afterwards or the disappointment if it comes out badly. Thus, I don’t do it often.
85. Loud burps – hey, they make me laugh.
86. Dirty jokes and bathroom politics.
87. Making up stories. I haven’t done this in awhile – I really should.
88. Surprising people.
89. Bring appreciated.
90. Cat paraphernalia. Yes, I know – all my artwork cannot be cat-related. Most of my jewelry already is as are most of the photos I have on my computer. I still wish I had the photos from Vegas, but I’ve given up on acquiring those.
91. Republicans – they’re hysterical. Democrats are too. Oh, and so are those whacky Green people. How can you not love ‘em?
92. Coffee – mmmmm. Kona, French Roast, Columbian, mmmm.
93. The number 93. It’s beautiful.
94. Watching people act like idiots, while they are having fun.
95. Wandering the streets of Chicago.
96. Buying new shoes.
97. Taking a scalding hot bath, with bubbles, and listening to some good music.
98. The never-ending quest to find a wine I actually like.
99. My car.
100. All animals, even the nasty snakes and spiders. Yeah, I don’t kill ‘em when they’re in my house, I capture and free ‘em.
101. Well, and a lot of other things too. But the list must end, so – the way your smile just beams, the way you sing off key, the way you haunt my dreams… Oh no, you can’t take that away from me.