This month, as a bit of a change of pace, instead of yet another rant I thought I'd 'write happy'. I've read a few articles lately that, most notably, talked about enjoying the 'little things' and urged the reader to embrace the joy of life, as well as the things that it brings (A pause to reflect and wax lyrical and Beta Male: a few of my favourite things | The Times) . I don’t want to regurgitate the same sentiment. However I have decided to heed the writers’ advice and to seize the month of March, and maybe even beyond if this 'embracing' malarkey works out. Who knows. With this in mind I would like to share ten things from the wonderful month of March that have made me happy. I'll try my best not to share too smugly - after all, no one like a smart-ass, or even a smug-ass.
Talking of smug individuals leads me nicely to number one of the things that has recently made me happy: Kermit the Frog. Smug but loveable. The ultimate beta male and a prince among, well, frogs I guess (as well as Muppets, Men and Muppet-Men). Let's be honest, even for the most hardy of people there is a simple pleasure attached to this green fluffless puppet. Indeed, for me at least, he reminds me of the optimism of childhood and the hopefulness that innocence brings. He's weedy-looking, he's got no real talent, he's green and a Muppet. None of these debilitating factors hinder him. With his band of faithful friends there is seemingly no task too great for Kermit and his fellow Muppets. With the arrival of the new film they are everywhere and, after over a decade in the wilderness, I welcome them back with open arms. I challenge anyone to watch the new film and not smile. It simply can't be done. Unless, of course, you’re a dick.
The Muppets new movie once again leads me nicely onto the next subject and number two on my list: singing. Now, I want to stress at this point that I am not referring to well-coached tuneful singing. I am referring to the bashful tone deaf singing you only ever hear when people think they are alone. Shower singing, cooking singing, naked singing…Okay ignore the last one. But hearty, wholesome, warm singing. If you still don't get me, think Brian Blessed belting out Mustang Sally whilst cooking a fry up. I love to sing. Of course, not in front of other living people, but I still love doing it. The shower is my particular favourite, and what's more if you can get your 'funk on' early in the morning, I find my mood is lifted throughout the day. Ignore me if you want but this is a free source of cheer and I bet anyone who by chance overhears you will smile too.
Onto number three: the Sun, and I'm not talking about the newspaper here people. I'm thinking more along the lines of the flaming ball in the sky. Rare as it is in England, it's a dead cert for bringing a little bit of joy. I hate February as a general rule, I suppose I'm a little like Garfield in that respect. It's cold, rainy and Christmas and the enthusiasm that New Year brings are well and truly over. March on the other hand brings 'close of play' on the worst of both the weather and the dark dank days. That fiery sphere has been pretty active this month and good on it. So here's a shout out for the Sun; keep it up big fella.
Onto number three: the Sun, and I'm not talking about the newspaper here people. I'm thinking more along the lines of the flaming ball in the sky. Rare as it is in England, it's a dead cert for bringing a little bit of joy. I hate February as a general rule, I suppose I'm a little like Garfield in that respect. It's cold, rainy and Christmas and the enthusiasm that New Year brings are well and truly over. March on the other hand brings 'close of play' on the worst of both the weather and the dark dank days. That fiery sphere has been pretty active this month and good on it. So here's a shout out for the Sun; keep it up big fella.
Terry Pratchett is down at number four. Well done Terry. Why is Terry Pratchett on my list? Well because he's funny and I am reading one of his books at the moment. I’ll let you join the dots. I'm reading Mort and it's the first book by Mr. Patchett I've ever read. I'm not going to lie, I think he's done well. The writing style reminds me of Douglas Adams and is the sort of humour that unexpectedly jabs you in the ribs and forces a laugh out of you. On the basis of this book, I have no doubt I shall read more. My brother, a Pratchett addict, has informed me it's not even his best so I thoroughly look forward to the next, whichever one it is.
At number five, with the shortest explanation, I have Fulham FC. I love Fulham. We've won three of our last five games; not the worst (or the best) run of form, but I know that's about as good as it gets, so well done chaps.
The sixth reason for loving March is because of friends. Not to be confused with the comic, long-running American TV series ( I do like Friends, but I think my like for Friends the series extends past the month of March). I don't really know I've ended up with quite so many genuinely nice people in my life but I have. This month for various reasons I have had more than a normal quota of support from them and the funny bastards they are have made me chuckle throughout. I remember an old western film I saw when I was about six years old. I forget it's name, but the protagonist said that if you can count more than a handful of good friends then you're a blessed man. After this month I feel blessed.
Now we're getting towards the tail end of my list and, as it's been a rather good month, there are quite a few things that despite their excellence still won't make the cut. But enough about that that, I said I wouldn't be smug. However, it does go some way (hopefully) in illustrating exactly how brilliant the next selection is. So without further ado, at number seven we have the IKEA pillow. If god made pillows then he'd have to stop, because IKEA would put him (or her) out of business. I have no idea how, for the bargain basement prices they charge, they do it, but they do. IKEA pillows are, to resurrect an old 90's word, 'boss'. They have managed to capture the cartoon properties of a cloud and then somehow store and package them in a cotton container as fit for purpose pillows. I know there will be people reading this and not believing, and the truth is I just don't care. Believe me or not, the truth is the truth, and that’s a fact.
At number eight we have resignations, and to clarify I’m talking job resignations. Slightly odd to have resignations on my list of things that have made me happy, so I'll do a little explaining. Firstly there is my own. I resigned from my job this month after a fairly unhappy period. No bad feeling or anger was attached to the decision (on either side) but the general direction which I wanted to go in and the direction the company was going were the polar opposites. I've had, on the whole, a good few years there and will look back with happy memories. But giving my notice was definitely the right choice. At this stage I don't have another job to go to. However I liken the feeling to when I had just finished University. I felt scared, because the future was somewhat uncertain, but at the same time felt like I could do anything. I have that same excited/scared feeling now and am going to embrace it rather than worrying about it. Now I couldn't really mention this subject, particularly this month, without giving some reference to Greg Smith the Goldman and Sachs executive. He resigned from his job by writing his letter of resignation in The New York Times, entitled 'Why I Am Leaving Goldman Sachs'. Greg, you have balls the size of watermelons, nice work (on the letter, not on your balls).
Number nine was a no brainer for me: family. As previously mentioned, I resigned this month (see eight). Had it not been for the support and understanding of my family I wouldn't have had the guts to do this. Thanks guys, it means a lot. Also I know I drive you all a bit loopy, but whether you know it or not, you're always making me smile.
Last of all, for number ten I have the Internet. This would be a little harder to explain if I didn't have the advantage of being able to add links below. Most of these are links to advertisements or television clips, but thanks to the wonderful Internet, they are available to share and entertain on demand. Obviously, I understand that this is not the sole purpose of the Internet. However it is a happy by-product of being able to share media. The few clips I have selected below, although not massively high brow, made me laugh out loud and after all that's happiness in its purest form.
Before I finish I want to leave you with something. This is by no means an exhaustive list, not even close. However, it does illustrate how much good there is in an average life, in an average month. Look around occasionally, smile more, because - to rip off a Budwiser slogan, "Good times are out there
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