Happy Happy, Joy Joy

I always tell people to make a list of the reasons they are unhappy or unsatisfied and work at fixing those. But I realized that I have never done the opposite, just detail the various little things that make me smile and try to have those as much as possible. So here we go, a list of things that make me unabashedly happy (and slightly embarrassed).

• The perfect meal - Steak (New York Strip, medium), potatoes (blue cheese or garlic mashed), asparagus (lightly cooked, I like the snap) and drink (single barrel bourbon - Blantons or Hirsch).
• "Bad" action movies (preferably martial arts, although I do enjoy shoot-em-ups and spy suspense).
• Staring out at the ocean, letting the sound and the smell of the water take me to my harmonious spot (and having nowhere else to be).
• A really good professional massage (deep tissue or hot stone).
• The complete peace of being out of contact with the world for a few days.
• The relative "peace" of holidays with my family.
• An excellent night of dancing (great music, cheap drinks, fantastic friends, no annoying busters).
• Hanging out with my ladies, drinking wine and listening to music.
• The Aston Martin DB9
• Sunset at my grandparents' farm (I haven't done that in years).
• Sunday mornings in bed , not by myself ;-)
• Competitive reality TV shows, that involve actual skill (Project Runway, So You Think You Can Dance, Iron Chef America, etc.).
• My mom's carrot cake.
• My grandmother's blackberry cobbler.
• Planning extensive vacations and quick trips (that I may or may not take).
• Knowing the answers (or rather, questions) on Jeopardy.
• The multitudes of joy I get from my family (making my mom laugh, the grudging praise from my brother when I beat a video game, Aria's excited greetings, Jauna's expression and tone when speaking to morons, Joia's endless generosity of spirit (and gifts), Amanda's need to believe well of everyone's intentions, etc.).

And there are many more, but just making that list was enough to brighten up my day. I can only hope that I make someone's list in this fashion. If not, I'll get to it one day. Much Love All.