10 Things That Make Me Happy

I’ve been tagged by IYAMPAM (I Forgot What I Was Doing) for 10 Things That Make Me Happy. Wow, there are lots of things. I usually blog about what DOESN’T make me happy, but it’s a nice change to think happy thoughts!

I’ll start with #10 and work my way up to the most wonderful thing that make me happy. I already know what it is and I can rest assure it is a person and they really could give a flying  fuck but too bad!

10A) People who read and comment on my blogs. It’s always appreciated.

10) CHOCOLATE. This could very well rank up there with no. 1, but it’ll sit here for now. You can dip anything, except brussel sprouts, in chocolate and it always tastes better!

9) My friends Barbara and Mary Ellen and Dee and Janet. They’ve been with me through thick and thin.

8) Laughing. A good hard belly laugh, that causes you to cry because you’re laughing so hard!

7) Being on the computer. This is my social life during the day. All my friends either work or live in distant lands. So when I’m on the computer, I’m happy.

6) The thought of going to England. I WILL get there before I’m 55.

5) Music. I love music. Classical, piano, rock, new age, prog, even some heavy metal. Ok, hip hop and rap make me feel agitated. I can talk to my kids and get the same effect.

4) Cars. I LOVE CARS. Especially vintage cars. There’s just something about them. They stir the soul. Since growing up in the era of the muscle car, I have a true appreciation for them. Mustangs, Corvettes, “Cuda’s, Cougars, Thunderbirds, Camaros, Firebirds…..they all rock!

3) My husband. Ok, he’s not the no. 1 thing that makes me happy. But he comes close. Don’t tell him that, he’ll get all butt hurt.

2) Sailing. If I lived on a lake or near the ocean…I’d be in the boat half the day. Even if there’s no wind, it’s just complete satisfaction just to sit in the cockpit and hang out.

1) (Drum roll please………………..) Jeremy Clarkson. Yes, Mr. England himself. I’m not going to go into why I love this man so much, but I just do. It’s deeper than anyone could understand. So there!

If you’ve noticed, my kids aren’t on this list. Right now, they’re pissing me off. Ask me this question in about 5 years. Maybe they’ll be on it then.

Pomp and Circumstance

I attended my son’s high school graduation last night. Nothing special about it other than the special memorial for a fallen classmate. I didn’t know the girl, a very pretty long haired blond named Angelica. Her father took the podium and spoke, through broken tears, of how senseless it all was, and hoped that each and every one of the students would think of Angelica the next time they got into a car.  Needless to say, I needed two tissues and bawled the whole time. When the father was done I was one of the first to stand up and applaud for his brave words.

Other than that, it was a very noble and jubilant ceremony. It was held at a highly prominent university’s arena where they play basketball and schedule local concerts. At least it was air conditioned.  I’m not one for sitting on aluminum bleachers. I believe they call where my husband and I were the “nose bleed section”. What time did all these people arrive?? We couldn’t get a seat near the floor even if we paid for tickets! And it’s amazing how protective of seats people get…”OH, THOSE ARE TAKEN!!!” was exclaimed to us as we attempted to sit in an area that had 6 seats unoccupied.  Well excuuuuuuuse me! Was the president coming? I was still able to see my son on the projection screens they had on both sides of the stage. After all the speeches from the Senior Class President, the Valedictorian, the Salutatorian (by this time I was looking for my iPod-rude? no-they all said basically the same thing….we’ll all miss high school, we’re onto bigger and better things, we need to reach for our dreams…blah, blah, blah), songs from the chorus and band, the yearly speech from the Principal AND finally the Superintendent, they handed out the diplomas.  Now, of the three high ranking honors in the high school class, the Valedictorian, Salutatorian and Honor Graduate were held by three sisters, triplets! All going to decent colleges and universities. Being their father sucks right about now. I ‘m sure mommy is proud of her girls.

This all got me thinking about my graduation. What little I remember of it, it was hotter than hell that day. It was held on the football field which is about 2 miles from the high school, but was on MY side of town! They wanted the girls to wear dresses, the boys shirts and dress pants, ties were optional. Well, being the deviant and insubordinate teenager I was I wore my new platform flip flops I just purchased down the shore and shorts with a tee shirt.  No one knew the difference. After the diplomas were handed out and the last words spewed from the Superintendent, we all stood up, threw our caps in the air, and proceeded to leave. Unfortunately, the staff had other plans. You see, the ceremony wasn’t over yet. There were still some things to be said and done, but the class of  ’79 could give a rats ass. That graduation ceremony was one that high school will never forget, the year the graduating class left in the middle of the ceremony.

I don’t miss high school, though it was the best years of my life. I don’t miss the snotty ass girls and their high fashion outfits and perfect coiffed hair and “too mature for high school” (two girls I knew were dating friends of my brother who was 3 years older than me). I don’t miss the boys who thought I was flat. Which I wasn’t. I didn’t flaunt my chest like the other girls did.

I remember clearly being taunted by a guy named Todd. Skinny dweeb that thought he was cool. He would just join along because his friend’s all did. He was the “toadie”…the one that the others would pick on but kept him around anyway. One day he was standing in the doorway to math, his back leaning against the one side of the door way and his legs extended across the walkway so I couldn’t pass. He made a derogatory remark and I just let him have it…right in the shins with my black, clunky heeled shoes. He immediately reached down and grabbed his leg and jumped around in pain. He never bothered me again.  I’m sure his friends mocked him as well.

I was to attend Glassboro State College that fall. I had a summer job at Bradlees. I’ll admit, I was scared. I wasn’t one for change. Leaving my secure little world. Leaving my boyfriend and best friends. But this is what mom and dad told me I had to do. Boy, did they botch that decision up. I was back home every weekend and they took me out by December.  My 4 month college career. What did I learn? That guys from Great Britain are cute!

I have no desire to attend any class reunions. Anyone I care to see I’m in touch with already. I’m hoping I’m MIA. Facebook doesn’t help though.

So here’s to the Class of 2010! Good luck! In this day and age, you’re gonna need it!