The Simple Pleasures Vol. 2

Welcome to the second installment of the simple pleasures. Context directly stolen from article one listed below.

I try to practice gratitude to the best of my abilities. I live a life where I am able to inconsistently write blogs on my website and have been told I'm special enough to the point where I believe people will read them. With this relative rationale in mind, I decided a few months ago to start listing things that bring goodness into my life. It's not necessarily a ranking of the best things, nor is it characteristic of my favorite things. These are just the little things in life that make the mundane better. The things that make you feel like a winner for no good reason. Now the list has ballooned to a significant number of items so while I plan on sharing it, we're just going to knock it out piece by piece. Additionally, it gives me significantly more blogs to write so maybe, just maybe, my adoring reader(s) will be able to get some additional content. So, here's the initial set of daily delights and why they make life especially enjoyable.

-Weird Al

My father has a handful of sayings that he lives by and echoes consistently. One is that "you gotta shit before you wipe" which is so true. But another is that when you're doing chores, play Weird Al music because it's impossible to be in a bad mood when you're listening to Weird Al. There are few things that I love quite like some wit and wordplay, and Al supplies that it droves. His acting chops are unmatched, and the cult classic UHF is a must watch. His music makes you happy. He brings glory to the accordion. His hair and style are majestic. He is one of the best things we have going as a country, and his wholesome joyful energy is so refreshing in this day and age.

-Cheap Ass Key Lime Pie

Probably the best time you can have for $7.49

While I'm sure there are plenty of delightful and refreshing key lime pies out there, there's something special about that green Marie Callendar box that brings me joy. The pie you get for like 7 bucks in the freezer aisle of your local Krogers. It's nice and tart but balanced well by the the fake whipped cream on it. When you open the fridge at any hour of the day, you grab the knife you left in the box and snip off a sliver. Then the sliver tastes great so you cut a full pieced bookended by another sliver for good member. I've said I'll reach independence when I buy one and house the whole thing on my own. That moment is coming soon.

-Chips and Salsa

You've reached the point where you need food. You're not starving but need something to satiate that craving. There are the usual suspects: stale granola bars, a cheese stick, but nothing calls your name. Then you remember that jar of salsa and bag of tortilla chips that seems to replenish itself eternally. It's the perfect combo. The textures and flavors are elite. It feels classier and more exciting than most other snacks. It also really isn't that helping. And who can take away from the joy that comes with going to your local Mexican restaurant knowing you're about to eat a dinner portion before your meal emerges.

-A Refreshing Glass of Lemonade

The second lemonade-based item to make the list. On a hot day is there anything better? Lemonade is just the perfect beverage. It's chuggable and sippable. Very high floor. It could be a pitcher of crystal lite, it could be fresh squeezed, when that sun is out and that glass is chilled it's gonna hit different.

-An Elite Stretch Right Before You Go to Bed

I'm a self-identified tall. Pretty much always have been. I'm a big pile of limbs. And oh, my lord, when you stretch those legs when you really need it right before dozing off it is absolute bliss. I may be a psycho for this, but if I need to stretch, I'll save until right before I go to bed, just so I can let a good one rip to end my day.

-Stargazing with loved ones

One of those activities that just make sense to Midwest kids. It doesn't take much. Find your local cornfield, look up. Don't need much more. There's a certain level of magic that comes with seeing more star than sky, and everyone should experience that.

-Singing along with live music

I am not overly musically inclined. I was not born with golden pipes and don't foresee changes any time soon. But something about just singing together as a group hits. Whether it's at a concert or karaoke night, it brings people together. One of the more enjoyable aspects of church, I'd argue. If they leaned in more to pumping out bangers that would get the numbers up big time. Take notes Pope Bob.

-Late night fast food runs

Life saving. Humanity affirming. The QPC from the clouds. The Dominos that turns a house into the home. A long night turning into cheap shitty food is beautiful. After a long day at work, after a long night of drinking, in those moments you eating something better than any expensive steak or lobster.

-A/C on a scorcher

The sun is cooking you. You can see the heat waves sitting on top of the turf field. You live in a constant stake of stickiness. And then you walk into that crisp air conditioning and get hit by a truck in the best way possible. It's one of those things that brings a visceral sound out of pure bliss. Thank you for your service air conditioning.

-When your friend's family members like you more than them

Tough to beat. Being such a charming young man that your friend is getting angry about how much they like you is beautiful. Bonus points if your friend warns you about their family ahead of time. The side point of this is the dog liking you more. If the family dog chooses you over a member, that's too far. You've lost the family, but gained the dog. You tell me who the real winner is.