Is 'Happinesses' a word?

I was going to write about all the people I know who are either going through a major medical crisis themselves or are dealing with a close family member who is seriously ill. I started to, but it’s not a very happy subject so I’ve decided instead to write about all the small happinesses I’ve had recently.

In no particular order:

I went with some friends to see The Black Crowes at the Chicago Theater. The band played an hour long acoustic set, took a short break and then finished the evening with almost two more hours of good old electrified rock and roll. One of the people that went is a young lady I met ages ago when I was dating her friend. We reconnected via (…guesses anyone…?) that’s right FACEBOOK and the friendship is something that’s quite nice. I admit to having a mini-crush on the girl, but that’s as far as that’ll go and I’m OK with it. Ironically her (pregnant) friend has a crush on me.

One of the other concert goers is a tattoo artist, so I have a new ‘connection’ and you may be seeing some new art on my body in the not too distant future. Suggestions anyone?

Let’s see…happy…happy…

I was going to put the Ren & Stimpy Happy Happy Joy song here, but you can just google or youtube it yourselves. I'll wait.

…um…

Adam came over for dinner and to hang out on Friday last. He’s really turned into quite an amazing young man and I’m excited for his future. He’s finishing up at the Junior College soon (the next to last semester started today) and has plans laid out to attend Trinity College (Deerfield, IL) for his Bachelor’s Degree. I’m sure it’s no coincidence that his girlfriend of over a year is now attending the very same institution of higher learning.

Mama & Papa ‘Shot are doing well. They’ve both lost a good bit of weight and are plugging right along.

Brother Spider’s birthday is tomorrow. I haven’t gotten him anything, but as I probably won’t see him anytime soon (he’s always so busy) I have time.

Not much to complain about really. I have my health (such as it is) and a job and a roof over my head. I guess that’s good enough for me right now.

So tell me, dear reader, what small happinesses have you had?

Monday - August 16

I'm feeling pretty chipper today. Perhaps a weekend of doing nothing at all was just what I needed.

A bit of bad news tho' (nothing to fret about, kids)... Sunday was to be the 'live' (via the interweb) draft for the 2010 Fantasy Football (NOT Soccer to those of you across the pond) League, but something did not allow me to connect to the live draft room. However, I think I can work with the team the auto-drafter gave me. Just a bit of incentive to work at it harder than the rest I suppose (and if a certain Witty Beatrice is reading this, you're going down!).

Apart from that, nothing much to report. Here's hoping that this week is better than the last for you all, and not as good as the week after that!

When Friday Comes Around...

Hello dear reader! Here we are again. Friday.

I suppose you're all on pins and needles waiting to find out what exciting adventures I'm off to this weekend. I won't keep you waiting any longer.

This evening after work I shall go home. I'm considering buying rather than making dinner. I also would like to see if there are any episodes of this season's Burn Notice that I can catch up on (God bless the interweb).

There's a sink-full of dirty dishes waiting for me (yeah, yeah...I know, but that's just how it goes sometimes) which means at some point, I'll be emptying the dishwasher of the clean, loading it up with the dirty and hand-washing the big items. Exciting, no?

Tomorrow, I was to have a date, but I don't think that's happening now. Unsurprisingly, I'm not all that upset at the notion. Apparently I got into an argument (I had to be told after the fact as I thought I was partaking in a lively, respectful discussion) and it turns out I was "... insensitive and callous..." as well as being told I was " rude to [her] and...extremely sarcastic,...with an attitude of superiority".

Now I ask you, dear reader, does that sound anything like me? (rhetorical)

C'est la vie

So, in lieu of going out to a bar, paying a cover charge and seeing a local band I don't care much about one way or the other while spending altogether too much on drinks, I think I'm going to treat myself to a very self-indulgent Saturday. I shall sleep until I no longer feel like sleeping (expect me to be up around 10:00 or 11:00), I will eat things that are bad for me and play on the internet.

Sunday...erm...I dunno. Suggestions?

In other news, Adam celebrated his 22nd birthday yesterday. Gosh I'm old.

Musical Monday

I want to share two songs with you today. Hope you like 'em...or at least one of 'em. If not, sorry to have troubled you. If so, YAY!

The first: I'm not a huge Country Music fan, but the song is quaint and the video is Hi-freakin'-Larious (as Biddy would say).



"I Love This Bar"

We got winners, we got losers
Chain smokers and boozers
And we got yuppies, we got bikers
We got thirsty hitchhikers
And the girls next door dress up like movie stars

Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar

We got cowboys, we got truckers
Broken-hearted fools and suckers
And we got hustlers, we got fighters
Early birds and all-nighters
And the veterans talk about their battle scars

Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar

[Chorus:]
I love this bar
It's my kind of place
Just walkin' through the front door
Puts a big smile on my face
It ain't too far, come as you are
Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar

I've seen short skirts, we got high-techs
Blue-collar boys and rednecks
And we got lovers, lots of lookers
And I've even seen dancing girls and hookers
And we like to drink our beer from a mason jar

Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar
Yes I do

I like my truck (I like my truck)
I like my girlfriend (I like my girlfriend)
I like to take her out to dinner
I like a movie now and then

But I love this bar
It's my kind of place
Just trollin' around the dance floor
Puts a big smile on my face
No cover charge, come as you are
Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar
Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar



Also:




"Tragic Comic"

Flowers I sent were found dead on their arrival
The words I said inserted foot in my mouthful
So when we dance, my lead it ain't so graceful
(Isn't so, not ain't so)

I'M A HAPLESS ROMANTIC
ST-T-TUTTERING P-POET
JUST CALL ME A TRAGIC COMIC
CAUSE I'M, IN, IN LOVE WITH YOU

And when we dine, I forget to push in your seat
I wear the wine, spilling hearts all over my sleeve
A stitch in time, proposing down on my knees
(Splitting between the seams)

I'M A HAPLESS ROMANTIC
ST-T-TUTTERING P-POET
JUST CALL ME A TRAGIC COMIC
CAUSE I'M, IN, IN LOVE WITH YOU

Nobody can know the trouble I've seen
Nobody can know the trouble I've seen
Nobody can know the trouble I get into
when I'm with you

I'M A HAPLESS ROMANTIC
ST-T-TUTTERING P-POET
JUST CALL ME A TRAGIC COMIC
CAUSE I'M, IN, IN LOVE WITH YOU

Friday - August 6, 2010

AUGUST 6th!!! How crazy is that? Weren't we just talking about Christmas and New Year's Eve and Tax Season and now it's August 6th!

Issue 1: Adam's birthday is coming up fast and I have little funds and less idea of what to get him. He had mentioned wanting a 'Fixie' which is some sort of fixed gear bicycle. That seems a bit out of my financial reach so your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Issue 2: The reason I'm thin on cash THIS month (as opposed to the myriad reasons I'm thin on cash in any other given month) is because I never got around to actually PAYING my state income tax. Oh, I completed the forms and submitted them (electronically) but couldn't really be arsed to figure out how to send the money due at that time. They've since been kind enough to send a letter requesting the funds and supplying a return envelope. They've also gone as far as sending a follow up letter, mentioning the earlier letter and charging interest on the unpaid amount. (I REALLY need to get in the habit of opening my mail more than quarterly (at best)).

Issue 3: I don't feel good. Do you know the feeling one has when one is about to come down with a cold? You know, you're not QUITE sick, but you know it's about to hit. Well, I've felt like that for over a week now. What's that about?

Issue 4: Don't tell anyone, but I took Tuesday and Wednesday off from work this week. Not so much because of issue 3, but more because I was overwhelmingly tired on Tuesday morning and just couldn't bring myself to get ready for work. Let's call it a 'Mental Health' day (or in my case Mental Day). Since spending the day on the couch went so well on Tuesday, I repeated it on Wednesday (that can't be good, can it?). So, since I'm out of sick/personal days at work, they've begun dipping into my vacation time, which really is alright with me as I don't see how I could afford to go anywhere or do anything anyway. But that's a whinge for a different day.

Issue 5: ...and when I say 'issue' I don't mean it in a negative way, just separating the things I'm thinking about into tidy littel piles.