identify 100 things that make me happy (besides money)

Spring is here.

I managed to do a ton of cleaning. The car (long overdue) and the flat mostly. Although my bike also needed a clean, but it’ll have to wait for another day. (I’m going to be doing some work on it soon, so will put a big effort in then)

I don’t know why, but the last year I’ve not really cared too much about my car. I’ve neglected it more than I should have. So today’s clean felt really worthwhile. It also made me feel more pride in the car, but also in myself.

Just hope it’s not a flash in the pan. I need to make it more of a habit.

We had a great reunion last weekend with placement students (circa ‘03/04) from my old work. Everyone congregated on Cheltenham for a bit of a session. I felt pretty privileged to be invited along (not actually being one of the placement students). It was a shame Winnie couldn’t make it though!

As you can see, we picked Maggie up along the way too. Great night out! Should try and do these things more often. Being too old is never an excuse!

For an antipodean, I’m not absolutely dreadful at football. Admittedly Rugby is the game we all start playing as youngsters. I’m sure my Dad had high hopes for me as a rugby player, which were swiftly dashed when it was apparent I had no real aptitude for the game. (Love to play and watch it.. just not any good at it) I played football (although I called it soccer back then) at School and Rugby League in the weekends.

When I joined the Air Force I used to play football for a local team (normally third division, but occasionally second) and even played for the base team (they were scratching the bottom of the barrel then) in an inter-base tournament.

Now, that I live in the UK, I play a social game with a mish-mash of blokes. Originally it was guys from Kraft (my old work), but now it’s evolved to a collection of guys from my old work, my new one and friends of friends.

I’ve just gotten back from playing tonight. And even managed to score a couple of goals. (One was pretty decent, even if I do say so myself) But something I didn’t realise, is how important this one event has become to me.

For instance, tonight I had two very attractive offers (dinner with some great people – and dinner with some other great people). And while, normally, I’d jump at those opportunities, I just found that I need football more. I don’t fully understand why, but I’d definitely class it as something that makes me happy.

Gorgeous weather this morning, so what better thing to do than jump on your bike and go for a burn.

I met a boyfriend of a friend of a friend a few months ago. He heard I’d bought a bike and called to see if I wanted to head out for a ride. (Blokes need excuses like bikes/golf/hunting/hiking so we can spend time together and bond)
I liked Andrew when I first met him and found him a really interesting character to talk to. Also, it doesn’t take much of an excuse for me to head out for a ride in the first place. So yeah! Of course I’ll head out.

Turns out he has exactly the same bike as mine. His is a little older, done a little more mileage and is in better condition than mine (more than a little). We just went on a random journey from Bath into Wales to find some windy roads. Saw a lot of other bikers out and about (obviously with a similar mindset).

A nice Sunday Roast and a chat in the setting sun finished the day off perfectly. (Yes kids! It was actually pretty pleasant to sit outside in January on a Sunday afternoon. As long as you were wearing leathers. And thermals.)

I’ve just been out hiking with a couple of mates today. Didn’t think we’d gone that far, but ended up doing 15 miles in the end. The weather was a bit rubbish though – walking through boggy mud most of the time.

Wanted to stop at a pub, but the two we stopped at had literally just closed a short time before we arrived at each one. So ended up going back to Dan’s for a cup of tea (equally welcome considering how cold it’d gotten)

But just walking around the hills and forests having a chat is a good laugh no matter what the weather.

_{The fact that I found 10 quid on the hike was just a bonus}

Occasionally some mates and I head out somewhere and have a barbeque followed by an open fire after the sun sets.

There is something primal about eating food and having a few drinks around a fire outside in the open air. I love it.

I loved Bill Waterson’s cartoons. I was absolutely gutted when he retired the strip. But then again, he gave us a decade of Calvin & Hobbes to enjoy… so fair enough!

Only a few of them have made me laugh out loud.. but almost every one gives me a warm happy feeling.

...preferably from a friend of course.

I was going through a tough time recently and one of my best friends sent me a card (half-way around the world) with a little note in it.

It’s just so special to get something like that.

I kind of miss letters too… The old-fashioned kind. I found a ton of them when I was back home a few months ago. I had several pen-pals when I was younger. It was so nice to get letters in the postbox.

Preferably red – although I did have a nice Pino Grigio with Grilled Salmon last night. (Good company helps the wine taste nice too)