Your list is way awesome and has inspired me to write one of my own. And don't pets just make you feel better when you least expect it?

Posted by: Lex at September 9, 2005 01:08 PM

Loved your list Wil! Hmmm, my list for today is: A husband who loves me so much that after nearly 11 years of marriage, he still wants sex ALL THE TIME. A roof over my head, even though it's a leaky roof, because our little house keeps us cool and comfortable in this hot desert weather. And my sweet mother who turned 84 on the 2nd of this month and she still has her mind, her home, and a family who adores her.

Posted by: Tracey at September 9, 2005 01:13 PM

1. My cat, Turandot, somehow knows when I'm being frustrated by a book or a student paper, and responds by trying to eat it, ripping little shreds off and worrying them with great enthusiasm.

2. My friend G, who has mild encephalopathy (which causes occasional memory loss) and I have a new joke. When he can't remember something as clearly as he'd like, he says wryly, "I have encephalopathy." When *I* can't remember something, he also says "I have encephalopathy."

3. This supermagnet (scroll to the bottom of the page), which has a description that reads like the Ghostbusters script.

Posted by: Sea-bright messenger at September 9, 2005 01:18 PM

Three Things That Make Me Feel Cheerful, by Annika, age 27.

1. I just read a really good book. (It's called Chasing The Dead, but I don't think it's published yet.)

2. My 53-year-old mother just got a college degree to go with her pilot's license. She is so cool!

3. It's Friday, which means I get to spend two whole days with my husband. This is Awesome.

Posted by: Annika at September 9, 2005 01:20 PM

Question, instead of comment:
Wil, what is the difference between PokerStars.com and PokerStars.net?
Thanks in advance.

Posted by: osumailguy at September 9, 2005 01:21 PM

Here are my reasons to be cheerful.
1) I eat every day and it's good healthy food
2) I have a roof over my head
3) I have clothing on my back
4) I have three bundles of feathers (parrots) who tell me every day with their words and cuddles that they love me
5) My family and friends are all healthy
6) I have a good job
7) I have a great car
8) I live in a democratic country where freedom of speech is allowed
9) I can be creative and not be persecuted for it
10) I have clean water to drink

Posted by: 1cutebird at September 9, 2005 01:27 PM

1) My 2 1/2 year old daughter makes me very
happy everyday. I was on bedrest for
3 months (2 in the hospital) before she was
born. She was still born 5 weeks early...so
cheerful isn't even the word for how I feel
when I look at her.

2) My husband of 14 years makes me cheerful.

3) My cat makes me cheerful. He seems to know
when I am not happy. He will come and rub
his head against me and purr. He is a little
jealous of my daughter and didn't sleep with
me for awhile after we brought her home...but
he seems to have forgiven me :)

Posted by: Becky at September 9, 2005 01:38 PM

Not nearly as poetic as yours, but since you asked:

3 things that make me cheerful
1) Waking up next to my husband each morning, while he is still warm and sleepy
2) When they are not being snarky, my children. They can make me laugh even when I don't want to.
3) Our 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 5 horses (esp. my horse Rudy when she leans her head and neck and across my shoulder as I scratch her neck - it's the equivalent of a horsey hug
4) (yeah, yeah, I know, get out of the express lane) my 2 and a half year old grandson who screams with delight when I walk thru the front door after work. Never fails to make me smile.

Thanks for listening.

Posted by: Ignatz at September 9, 2005 01:38 PM

3 things to make Reddy happy - this has to be things that really happen huh??

1) my 8 year repeating what I'm doing (this is like playing peek-a-boo or holding up a hand in a peace sign or sticking out your tongue - those he will do - also saying the sounds for the letters "t" "s" "m" "o" "a" - yep that is it - now the next time anyone tells your kid to shut up, please remember me & stop a listen & be thankful that they tell you anything)

2) my 10 year not peeing on himself & not getting a pull up for a week (we are getting close to this goal got 6 days) 8 year does this with no problems - the main problem here is he really doesn't care & it is part of being austic (what is really sad is at 18 months I just about had him potty trained)

3) hubby washing the dishes & picking up the kitchen for me.

4) finishing a project & knowing you are done

the impossible list that I pray that will happen
1) cure for autism
2) cure for cancer
3) World peace

Oh well, one day at a time & be happy about all of the good that you can find & at this moment - the sun is shining, the cat is purring & boys are smiling so I'll take that for now

Posted by: Reddy at September 9, 2005 01:39 PM

Things that make me happy:
1. I, along with my family and friends survived the hurricane (we live in Long Beach, MS and most of us were smart enough to leave)
2. I have a house with power, satellite, and internet that I can offer to my family and friends who do not have homes anymore (and there are quite a few)
3. My fat cat Willy (18 lbs) and how he must. rub. everything!

Posted by: Jessa at September 9, 2005 01:44 PM

Three things that make me feel cheerful. By Christina (Age 27).

1. Sunflowers. Just about any time I see a big, bright, yellow sunflower, I feel happy. My wedding is next week, and I'm going to have a whole bunch of them. That's awesome. And my fiancée calls me "his sunflower".

Posted by: Christina at September 9, 2005 01:47 PM

Three things that make me feel cheerful. By Christina (Age 27).

1. Sunflowers. Just about any time I see a big, bright, yellow sunflower, I feel happy. My wedding is next week, and I'm going to have a whole bunch of them. That's awesome. And my fiancée calls me "his sunflower".


2. My cat, Panda, is probably at home right now, curled up in a sunbeam. That makes me happy. She's one of the crankiest cats I know, but that makes the fact she still curls up on my lap just about every morning all the more rewarding. Hey, it wouldn't mean as much if I didn't have to work for it!


3. I'm should be going to a conference in L.A. the last week of October, so maybe I'll get to see Wil at ACME (without the wacky drive from San Diego like last time).

Posted by: Christina at September 9, 2005 01:50 PM

I loved your list wil! it makes me think of my dog back home who had a stroke and I can't see her cause I have to be at stupid college. Thanks for making me smile :)
-Cara

Posted by: Cara at September 9, 2005 01:56 PM

Hi Wil, what happened at today's tournement at PokerStars? You've been "sitting this hand out" for hours while your stack dwindles from the blinds.

Posted by: primo_tenore at September 9, 2005 02:04 PM

Three things that make me feel cheerful
Anj~age:26

1. My little sister is coming into town for a visit. Been too damn long since I last saw her.

2. My dog, Midnight, who gets excited and dances around happily holding a toy (or two) every single time I walk thru the door.

3. The honeysuckle in my yard that smells so sweet and wonderful every morning when I go to work.

Posted by: anj at September 9, 2005 02:27 PM

Three things that make me cheerful:

1) My Daughter - because she's always smiling and has such an awesome attitude to some many things, even though she's 13 and occasionally has hormone overloads.

2) My Son - because he has a good head on his shoulders and believes in working hard for his dreams. He also has a sarcastic sense of humor I can relate to.

3) My friend in Texas - he always is willing to listen to me and makes me feel special.

Posted by: MamaSlyth at September 9, 2005 02:40 PM

Hey Wil.

FWIW, it's nice to hear from you in a more emotionally connected way, if you know what I mean. Had gotten used to that on here, I guess.

Today a woman a few doors down from me in the office, a woman I have worked with for more than 5 years, suddenly gave out this blood-curdling sort of yell/moan and then collapsed with a seizure. It's been a few hours, and she's now had 3 seizures today.

This woman is young, healthy, works out every day. She has 2 young kids and a husband and an acreage with animals on it and has never had a seizure or medical problem before. She's not on any meds, didn't get bitten by any bugs or anything, didn't get hit by lightning. She was 100% fine one minute, and the next minute she had fallen to the ground with her body in riot.

Everyone around here is pretty shaken and freaked out, and we haven't heard anything from the hospital yet.

My list is pretty short - I haven't had 3 seizures today, and I get to walk out of here on my own steam at the end of the day and go home to see my wife and daughter.

Posted by: Paddy at September 9, 2005 03:13 PM

Okay, this is a great idea Wil...I wish to add:

Three things that make me happy by Tim (age 35)

1. Ping kitty for always being there for me and because she is daddy's little kitty (read - spoiled rotten by daddy).

2. At the age of 35 I am going back to school to get my degree (it is about time!). I love my current work, but I want to do more with it...so back to school I go!

3. I get to go visit my brother at Thanksgiving and meet my 18 month old niece that I have yet to meet in person...just pictures so far. The great part is that the whole family will be in one house for a holiday after not being able to for over 4 years because of other commitments. I keep pinching myself because I can't believe this is finally going to happen! Everyone is soooo excited. It is all about family ya know!

Tim in NorCal

Posted by: TimCalif at September 9, 2005 03:21 PM

1) Joey, my massive orange cat. Most of the time he can't be bothered with his Mummy (that's me and it's with a u because he's got a thick english accent) but when his Father isn't looking, he snuggles close and gives me kisses. He loves me in a "Stay away unless I summon you" sort of way.

2) Pixie, my small black tabby cat. She's so happy and loveable all the time. She will sing "Love and affection!" in a high pitched voice as she walks into the room and seeks out our hands for us to pet her.

3) My husband. He's my life. Enough said.

Posted by: VeronicaRobinson at September 9, 2005 03:33 PM

1. Talking with my 4 year old neice and listening to her giggle because my 1 year old nephew is tickling her.

2. Watching my friends kitties (Ripley & Pippen) romp on each other while playing on the grass outside. The favorite tree pounce is great!

3. Waking up to the alarm in the morning and snuggling with my bf through 3-5 more snoozes of the alarm until he has to get up for work.

Posted by: Marilyth at September 9, 2005 04:16 PM

1. I'm happy Ebay hasn't pulled my boobs auctions this year like they did last year. It's because I put smiley faces on the nipples. Smiley face pasties are very cheerful.

2. I'm happy I've lost 50 lbs of the 75 lbs of pregnancy weight I've gained. I'm even more happy that I've lost the pregnancy beard.

3. I'm happy that my sister, who used to be spineless, is growing a nice sturdy backbone. She now does the things that are hard to do, that need to be done, and without worry.

That's what I'm happy about today.

Posted by: Becky at September 9, 2005 04:32 PM

3 Things That Make Me Cheerful:

1. My son's undauntable adoration of me. Everytime I go to pick him up after work, he runs to me like he's been stranded for days. It never fails to make my day bright.

2. My wife's unfathomable love for me. If I live to be a thousand years old, I'll never understand what enormous service I must have done in a previous life to earn the love of such a lovely, wonderful woman.

3. Music. From Wierd Al to the Beatles to Billy Joel to They Might Be Giants to the P-Funk, music is always a delight in my life.

--Beav

Posted by: Beaver1224 at September 9, 2005 04:39 PM

Three things that make me cheerful:

1. Mail from an old friend that I haven't heard from in awhile
2. Whizzing around on a roller coaster
3. Seeing the first signs of spring through a layer of snow.

Posted by: changelingkat73 at September 9, 2005 04:48 PM

Man, I'll give you more than three...

1) I am looking forward to my first wedding anniversary next weekend. How could I get so lucky to have such a wonderful man in my life? (He's a tall, dark, and handsome union stagehand.)

2) Grilled cheese sandwiches with hot tomato soup.

3) Still on the food front - I get to have sushi with friends tonight. Wonderful!

4) Red leaves are peppering the trees here in the Northwest, and we had a wonderful, pounding rainshower to wake up to... autumn is coming.

5) After four years suffering after the dot-com bust, I finally have a full-time-with-benefits-job being a web geek, and have had the financial freedom to be able to do a bit of acting in my spare time.

Life is good - we're not doing anyone any favors not to enjoy it when we can. It doesn't mean we don't care, or don't appreciate the suffering of others. We just have to do our best to make the world a little better for everyone, and that starts with the smallest things. Thanks, Wil.

Posted by: leenerella at September 9, 2005 05:22 PM

Mine are:
1. My kid, when he rubs his face on mine in cuddly sleepiness in the morning, trying to postpone total awareness.
2. The Goodcat, who climbs up to look over the back of my desk chair and taps me on the shoulder with her paw, while telling me in no uncertain terms what is troubling her. Not that I understand, but I have a general clue that it's the Badcat, and insufficient petting.
3. The chill in the air that's a portent of lovely crisp fall days with crunchy red leaves and the smell of fireplaces and wool sweaters.
Posted on my livejournal as well. Thanks! I needed to look on the bright side.

Posted by: Marsha M at September 9, 2005 05:30 PM

Well, thank you for asking :)

3 Things That Make Me Cheerful, By Kathy (Age 33)

1) Insurance approval-I have been approved for bariatric surgery and it has got to be the most intensely wonderful thing that could happen to a person. Some people go for years and die waiting for this procedure. I've waited 18 months but it's finally going to happen.

2) Spousal privilege-Never in all my life did I think I would find someone who loves me as much as my husband does, and he loves me for who I am which just makes it better.

3) The sun when it comes through the clouds in Just.The.Right.Way-you know how they have those religious paintings where the sun is streaming through an opening in the clouds and it makes those rays? Well, I'm not an overly religious person but whenever I see that it just makes me all warm and tingly and gives me the sense that everything is going to be 'Ok'.

And I hafta say that even though I've been reading your blog for awhile now, and I've read your books, it sometimes still hits me out of left field what a fq normal guy /fq you are. I read number (1) on your list and turned to my husband and said "You know, he really is just a mush." Mush translates loosely into normal guy putzing around doing normal guy stuff.

Posted by: psycoma at September 9, 2005 05:41 PM

Among a myriad of things too numerous to list:

Radio Rivendell (I hope I did the code thingy right. I'm barely Geek Level 4.2) If not, it's http://www.radiorivendell.com

You're a gamer Wil. You'll LOVE this radio station. Oh. My. God. As a writer, you'll love it. You'll just love it, period. I have it playing in the background when I'm at my computer, which is sometimes 12-16 hours at a stretch. A friend directed me to it yesterday, and I'm totally hooked. Now Playing: "The Man of Honor" by Joey Newman from "Lineage: The Blood Pledge".

They have a lot of gaming music, soundtracks, and general instrumentals that kick major ass! Other indie rock like Dead Can Dance and more are also there. O M G this is truly a reason to be happy.....

Check it out!!!!

Posted by: Aylaleia at September 9, 2005 05:55 PM

Three things that make Holly smile:

1. When I'm having a craptacular morning, but I get in the car and EVERY song is a good one.

2. When I'm so broke my balogna doesn't even have a first name, and I find a five dollar bill in a random pocket.

3. When I check Kinja and there's a new post from Wil.

Posted by: slackferno at September 9, 2005 06:03 PM

Finally got my list started...

Things that make me happy; Lex age 21
1. Reading a good book
2. Hearing one good song after another
3. Knowing that I am getting the best possible education that I can.
4. Making someone smile when they are having a bad day.

Posted by: Lex at September 9, 2005 06:15 PM

Three things that make me feel cheerful, by Colleen (age 36):

1. Receiving an honest-to-goodness hand-written snail mail letter. When's the last time you received one?

2. My crazy cat Maggie. She shows us nothing but distain. She is not a lap-cat, is not affectionate, and is quick to get irritated with you. But she follows me from room to room, just staying out of reach but wanting to be near me, and sleeps by my side every night.

3. Concerts. Live music. Nothing beats it. Large venue, small intimate venue, a kitchen party. Love it all. Live music is channeled joy.

Posted by: bova at September 9, 2005 07:02 PM

1. Several weeks ago, my husband leaned in and touched his nose to mine. I looked straight ahead into his eyes, and gradually they sort of melded together into one eye, and it made me laugh. So my first "thing that makes me cheerful" isn't necessarily turning my husband into a cyclops -- it's the mere fact that now he does it just to make me giggle (and will occasionally hold the cat up to my face so he can do it, too).

2. We moved into a new house last week and the cat is a nervous wreck. When I'm home, he follows me around and meows non-stop, and at night he curls up as close to me as he can get and doesn't move. I'm not happy that he's a basket case, but it does cheer me that he considers me to be his security blanket.

3. My 16-year-old son occasionally initiates IMs to me while I'm at work by simply typing, "Momma." My heart melts every time.

Posted by: Cynikell at September 9, 2005 07:13 PM

Hmmm...Things I am thankful for...

1. It's friday and I made it through another week.
2. It's friday and 16 people were laid off today at work, and I have made it through my 5th round of layoffs and I am still employed.
3. I am thankful for my husband of almost 5 years. Believe it or not, it was Geek Love- We met on the Internet.
4. I am thankful my last 2 biopsies were negative. (Hayall Yeah-Teh Suhweet Life!!-- )
and last but not least, I am thankful of the home I have, the crappy car I drive,the food I eat, the air I breathe and the water I drink. (Just keep Hurricane Ophelia away from the NC coast) TOODLES.

Pook

Posted by: Pookie at September 9, 2005 07:22 PM

1. Everytime I use *RegSeeker* to edit the Windows registry and Windows still works fine (Gotta quit downloading all those dang Video Game Demos, haha)...

2.When I see a check from Xgaming in the mail...

3.When I actually make it through a Song I've only heard a few times on the radio when I'm at the local Jam Sessions as long as I can see the guitar players hand for the chord changes.. (Nice being a Bass Guitar Player that also plays guitar... hehe)..

4. Waking up each morning and nbot knowing what the future holds for me...

Posted by: Keith L. Dick at September 9, 2005 08:05 PM

three things that make me go "squee!" :3

1. people in my dorm giving me hugs (roomie, friends, etc). my family isn't very touchy-feely, and gettin those random squeezes instantly lift my spirits.
2. dropping into bed after a long day, snuggling up with my millions of stuffed animals and gazillions of pillows, curling up under my warm poofy duvet.. ahhhhhhhh.
3. getting emails from my grandpa (especially since my grandma passed away this summer), with his terrible spelling and sometimes indecipherable sentences and no punctuation.

the little things in life, right?

Posted by: nkicroft at September 9, 2005 08:15 PM

I, too, have felt my emotions very close to the surface for the last two weeks. Counting my blessings is a very good exercise for me, I don't do it often enough. Wil, this is my first response to any of your posts. I have been lurking since last spring, read the archives, bought both your books, begun geocaching and I am even starting to be intrigued by Linux (I will soon be devoting my old Gateway Solo 2500 to this experiment). I enjoy your writing and look forward to checking in with WWdN everyday. So, to make a short story long, thanks for this post Wil.

Here are my Three Things That Make Me Feel Cheerful...by Dorene, Age 39.

1. Two little girls who moved far away to Wisconsin in May. I miss them, but we are staying in touch via phone, e-mail and snail mail. All the communications end with "I Love You"...How can that not put a smile on your face?

2. SciFi Friday! Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis and best of all BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. I've totally fan girled over that show. I bought the pilot and the first season on DVD.

3. Seven Geocache finds in one afternoon! That brings my total up to 33.

Those are three of many things that make me feel cheerful...I could list my cats, Americanos, netsurfing, hiking, reading, and being with friends among others. It's hard to stop at three.

I am going to take this a step further and list Three Things That Make Me Feel Grateful:

1. My health. I am lucky to be whole, healthy and happy.

2. The people in my life. My family, my friends, and my four legged companions. Even when they are making me crazy, I am lucky to have them.

3. The roof over my head, the food on my plate and the water in my Brita. I have never realized before how I take those items for granted. I don't think I will again.

Cheers, everyone. Make your weekend great!

Posted by: WaywardSailorGirl at September 9, 2005 08:53 PM

He also mentions Get Fuzzy in his "Reasons to be Cheerful." That's cool.

Mine at the moment:

1. My family, though displaced, is well and alive.
2. My school year is going great, and I am making ties with people I haven't talked to in a long time.
3. The staff at the library loves me even though I filled out five interlibrary loan slips today because I am probably one of their most frequent visitors. That means I don't even have to ask for books on reserve, they just hand them to me because I'm in there so much and they recognize me.

Wish I could go see your show, Wil, but I'm in the Midwest...

Cheers!

Posted by: Sangri at September 9, 2005 08:59 PM

3 things that make me happy today...age 37

1. My cats. Maggie is 17 yrs. young now, so I count every new day with her as happy. Biggs, when he gets all smushy, puts his head under my chin and purrs like a baby.(Until someone sees him and he suddenly turns into a "How 'bout those Canucks" macho cat!)

2. My nephews. They called me up today, just to tell me they love me. Not bad for ages 12,10,&8.

3. That I am not too old to totally rock out at the Oasis concert last night.

Posted by: pmpk4757 at September 9, 2005 10:05 PM

A year and a bit ago I got locked up for something I didn't do (everything has since been dropped.)Much torture and systematic human rights abuses, so I was stressed and didn't have access to my meds. After I got beat up in the first cell block they put me in a different one that had a prayer circle that I joined, although I'm not normally a churchgoer. Every night I made a point to find three things to be thankful for, and there was always something. They finally let me call my lawyer and I bonded out and I've gotten out of the habit, but it was a big help in dealing with unendurable levels of stress. I know, wil, that you are a sensitive guy, it's both a strength and weakness you have, and you are a very plugged in news junkie, so you have a lot of this stuff washing over you right now. (Boing-boing is doing a hella job.) Find a balance. Do as I say, not as I do - I'm surfing the net instead of getting work done for a deadline. Your companion animals - even ones named after Biko - help keep you grounded.
A groundhog would be cool. I noticed my new place has a chipmunk. -arbitrary aardvark

Posted by: vark at September 9, 2005 10:21 PM

I try to keep myself aware of the blessing that life is as frequently as possible. Among the reasons:
I'm still breathing, fairly healthy, and have free will to pursue the betterment of myself and the world around me.
I have the love of an extremely intelligent, caring, and beautiful woman (this one still blows me away in amazement every time I gratefully acknowledge it).
The beauty of artistic expression, in whatever form it may take.

Posted by: sparky1234 at September 10, 2005 04:28 AM

1) The feeling I get when I'm on a rush of creativity, even if I'm just brainstorming.

2) Hearing my friends laugh because of something funny I said or did.

3) Simply being around the girl I'm in love with.

Posted by: mirkrim at September 10, 2005 05:15 AM

Things that make me happy: Paul (23)

1. Lying beside a roaring fire watching some crappy film with a big bag of toffee popcorn and a loved one whilst the wind and rain is beating against the window.

2. Having a drink in the local pub with friends discussing something completely random while the guitarist in the corner plays the usual set.

3. Completing my uni degree and planning a year out to Japan without a worry in the world. No school, No work, No money... No worries.

Also I want to point out what an awesome community you've built up here, it almost feels homely.

Posted by: Paul_B at September 10, 2005 05:23 AM

Hmmm ... three things that make me cheerful

1. Yesterday's company wide "olympics." We had gorgeous weather, tons of fun, and great camaraderie.

2. Later last night, hanging out with friends I haven't seen a several weeks.

3. Today's prospects for another gorgeous day, and I'm going to the Indian Fair with my new friend Abbey.

Bonus answer: Wil's blog.

Thanks for the thought provoking challenge, Wil.

Posted by: ang at September 10, 2005 06:39 AM

Three things that make me cheerful by Angie, 40

1. The nose smudges on the patio doors from our cat Ziggie who wishes he were curious AND brave enough to go outside

2. Opening the fridge to find two very cold beers - Boulevard Wheat - in the back to share with my hubby and

3. Getting a phone call from my 5 year old niece, "Aunt Annie, will you come to my house to play with me?" Melts my heart everytime

Posted by: frecklebeach at September 10, 2005 08:24 AM

Three things that make me feel cheerful, by Aviatrixt (age 30):

1. I awoke to sunshine for the first time in six days. Ophelia has moved away. Hurrah! Although I am sorry for wherever she decides to plant herself. Six days of nothing but ferocious winds and constant downpour is enough to put the damper on anyone's spirits, let alone in the midst of a full-fledged national tragedy.
2. My friend Susan from St. Tammany Parish, New Orleans, called me yesterday to let me know she was safe, although her house and everything she owned had been destroyed, her pets forcibly abandonned, her job lost; two days after I placed her on the missing list.
3. Two friends have found new jobs, and my new job isn't going too poorly, either. Teaching is tough, but I enjoy the challenge on most days.

Posted by: Aviatrixt at September 10, 2005 09:52 AM

Hello, Wil, Nice to meet you...

Three things that make me cheerful...
1. Having the opportunity each day to get out of bed and spend time with my family and friends.
2. Quiet time where it's just my husband and I.
3. My two dogs waiting happily for me each day when I come home from work (or wherever I've been).
OK, here's one more...
4. My big screen television, preferably with hockey on it.

Posted by: Spencemo at September 10, 2005 10:16 AM

3 Things That Make Me Cheerful - (age 39)

1. The way my 3 year old daughter has to take her "Hello Kitty" lunchbox with her everywhere we go. She thinks it's her purse.

2. The infinite patience our cat, Maggie, has with the above mentioned daughter. They love each other.

3. The way my husband will email me from his cell phone "LYMY" in the middle of the day, even if we've just spoken. (Love you, Miss you)

Posted by: TheSingah at September 10, 2005 01:39 PM

Hey Wil, never commented here before but I love your work (and your words)

My cheerfulness (albeit lame and very geeky. Well, some anyway):

1. My obsession with Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I got in on this late, you have to understand. But my god.. I totally get the insaneness that people have for this series. I'm currently looking for a life-sized Spike doll that doesn't bite in the middle of the night. The one I have bites and it's quite annoying since I have kids and I DO need my sleep.

2. My son (who is three and autistic) took out his little toy guitar two minutes ago and sang "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" while strumming along. Oh.... doesn't that just tear at your heart?

3. I am so happy that the dog and cat we were caring for at the shelter (I work for our local SPCA) are back with their owner. They came up from Bay St. Louis, MS which is right next to New Orleans. Hanna, the very large black standard poodle shared our office since she was so sweet and gentle. She was no trouble. Sylvester the cat was a dear too, but he stayed in another room of ours due to him getting too hyper with our paperwork! Their owner was so so grateful and she hugged and kissed each one of us. Wow.

Posted by: love2all at September 10, 2005 02:00 PM

Great list, mine is:
1. Having one or several of the seven grand kids we have, running around telling me they love me.

2.Knowing that this time next week I'll be in the UK visiting my family, my grand mother just turned 100 years old and until a few months ago was living on her own in her own apartment.

3.Waking up every morning next to my lovely wife.

Posted by: Mik at September 10, 2005 03:20 PM

Happy Happy Happy Joy Joy Joy.......Watching "Dirty Jobs" on the Discovery Ch. & realizing my job ain't so bad.....finding a bloom on my Moon plant @ 4:30am......playing Destroy All Humans after my son put in the cheat codes for me..Ha! Ha!

Posted by: CYB at September 10, 2005 04:07 PM

This is just what I needed. Thank you Wil!

Things that make me cheerful - Khali, age 26

1. waking up fir work while it's still dark only to realise that both cats were snuggled up with me

2. being able to watch the sunrise on the way to work

3. the fact that my bf likes to print my glasses with his nose when he kisses me

Posted by: Khali at September 10, 2005 05:58 PM

Wil:
Maybe it the celestial alignment against all the horror and bad karma that Bush has brought to our country since day one?

I have one appreciation:
that's my cat Blackie that lays next to me, or ON my leg, whenever I'm on the computer. It's almost like clockwork. He sleeping next to me right now and I would have it no other way!

:)

Scott

Posted by: Scott T at September 10, 2005 11:30 PM

Man, peer pressure's a bitch... ;o)

1. The volunteer appreciation party for the Renaissance Faire (www.silverleafrenfaire.org) I work at was tonight (yes, I'm one of THOSE geeks). Everyone in our group does so much to make the faire a success. Each year is better than the one before. Even though this was only my second year with them, I feel like part of the family every time we get together. I'm still on a high from it!

2. My roomates' 2 year old daughter. She's such a sweetie. One time I was feeling really, I mean, REALLY depressed, and she came over and sat on my lap. I looked down at her, and she says, "What's a matter?" "Nothing." I said, on the verge of tears. She just stroked my face and said, "It's ok, Kim-Kim." She definitely brings a smile to my face when I need one.


3. My sister. She's helped me out so much lately, I don't know how I'll ever be able to repay her. Even just the little things... like surprising me with some ice cream, or going out at midnight on the day the 6th Harry Potter book came out, just to get it for me, because I didn't have the money. She rocks!

Posted by: LolaGabanna at September 11, 2005 12:27 AM

1. That my two sons are well and happy.
2. My beautiful Riley Joy, Darkwing Duck, Stavia and Jack (my furry guys).
3. My wonderful potted garden.

Posted by: jubalation at September 11, 2005 06:38 AM

There are many things that make me cheerful, but I will take this question as what are 3 things that make me the most cheerful....

1. Going dicing to eat/travel as I dont get to do them that often

2. Rocking out to some of my favorite music

3. Watching a scary movie

Cheers!

Posted by: Trauven at September 11, 2005 10:23 AM

Reasons I'm cheerful, by Winona, age 30:
* I have a wonderful husband who may not always "get" me, but he's always there for me.
* I have four cats of varying degrees of intelligence who love me, especially when it's dinnertime.
* My pal Alex made it back safely from Liverpool, where his band kicked ass at Beatle Week, and he bought me a leather bookmark from the Cavern Club.
* I sing with about 90 incredible women, and can't wait to go to competition with them. I work my ass off when I sing with them, but it is so worth it. I always leave rehearsal exhausted but happy.

Posted by: littlenicola at September 11, 2005 07:03 PM

great idea

1. my husband K always makes me smile and always loves me "Hey. You look in the mirror, you don't like what you see, don't believe it. Look in my eyes, I am the only mirror you're ever gonna need."

2. i have 3 fat kats that as giant mush heads that hog the bed

3. K made home made candy today. having the love of a man that can make candy is priceless.

Posted by: B at September 11, 2005 10:55 PM

1) My 3-year-old son, who gets so excited to see me when I come home from work.

2) The baby we have on the way. I have not seen him/her yet, but still couldn't possibly love anything any more.

3) Beer. I'm not kidding...beer is on the list. Oh, and my wife. But first beer.

Posted by: Moop at September 12, 2005 05:40 AM

Hey, i like this game...

Three things that make me cheerful by Lísbet (Age 24):

1. Standing on the top of a mountain after a strenuous hike, catching my breath in the fresh mountain air. The best feeling in the world...

2. Playing the silly game of yatzi with my best friends in their cozy little kitchen. My friend Marus gets a full straight every time, makes me chuckle...

3. Putting my feet up after the shift from hell, knowing i´ve made a difference, however small it may be. Nursing is the best job, dude...

Posted by: lisbet at September 12, 2005 04:50 PM

Your description of your dogs and fondness for short stories leads me to recommend a short story by Dave Eggers called " After I was thrown in the river and before I drowned". You can get it either in the collection "Speaking with the Angel" edited by Nick Hornby or in Egger's own short story collection "How We are Hungry: Stories". Enjoy.

Posted by: the1b0b at September 15, 2005 10:13 AM

1) My wife.
2) My dog.
3) My work.

Oh, and the blazing potential of every day, which refuses to dim despite my negligence.

Posted by: Brad Hill at September 15, 2005 12:39 PM