May 07, 2003
Amelie
Posted by Jess in
Day to Day
As per the recommendations of Joe Litton, my parents, and basically everyone, I watched the movie Amelie the other day. The narrator introduces characters in an unusual way. He tells us the little things that the characters like, what they dislike, and what makes them happy… ie. emptying out a purse, cleaning it out, and putting everything back. We discover Amelie herself makes herself happy by skipping stones. She also enjoys cracking the top of crème brulee, and the feeling of sticking her hand into a bag full of lentils. Amelie’s mother hates pillow marks on her face in the morning.
This is the sort of thing one could take off and run with…for example, everyone likes certain things. And everyone dislikes certain things. But have you ever thought about all the minute details of life that just, well, makes you happy?
I like the way my car drives right after I drive out of the gas station when I’ve just filled the tank. I also like the way ceramic tile feels on bare feet, and having all my clothes be dry the first time I check on them in the dryer.
I dislike putting on a shirt over another shirt and having the shirt on the bottom get twisted. I also dislike getting interrupted during my favorite part of a song, and lastly, I dislike that instant the magic leaves when you have been outside all day, and all of a sudden you realize you are cold, it’s dark, and the mosquitoes are biting.
I make myself happy by going through every single old photo of mine. I have a crate full of photos, still in their individual envelopes. Yes, it takes awhile, but it’s very, very peaceful, and it’s usually when I am alone. It makes me forget everything, including how much time passes while I’m doing it.
What are your simple pleasures, likes, and dislikes? What makes you happy?
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Hmm... I had to think a bit.
I like going through old photographs too. Brings back memories and I also like doing that alone. Dunno about this thing I have with pictures. I bug all my chat friends for their pictures. Guess it helps associate a face with the cyber entity.
I like listening to songs from yesteryear that I loved.
I like curling up on my settee and reading a book without the kids bothering me or being asked to do a chore :)
I feel really relaxed when I'm at the beach with my feet in the water.
Strange .. how it's the really little things in life that make you happy, isn't it?
What an interesting approach to life. There are quite a few of the little things that I can think of that make me happy. One of the most recent is actually the blogging community I'm just becomming aware of. It is enlightening, rewarding and sometimes even awe inspiring.
The process though reminds me of something, I think from Oprah Winfrey. Daily, in here journal, she lists five things she is thankful for that day.
It's always rewarding to look at the positive side. This is an interesting ty in to Lou Tice's newsletter of 5 May 2003.
there's a certain jangly way that a 12 string rickenbacher can sound that makes me giddy...or is that too detailed?
Dan... very nice. :-)
Brian.. that was a great article. One that holds true with me. I've mentioned I'm an optimist (and while it does leave me more naive than I would like to be), and I think there's a lot more too it than even that article goes into.
Healthwise, I mean.. hope and positiveness isn't just good for healing, no lie, it's incredible for preventative maintenance. :-)
Brandt...no, that's not too detailed at all, just as I seem to like the nice satisfying "clunk" sound my car door makes when it closes. :-)
Brandt,
I prefer the deep resonating sound of the Guild 12-string :)
Jess,
One of the best posts I've ever read on the Domino blogs was the one that Matt posted from Japan where he shared with us how he would never do anything to hurt the relationship he had with you.
Now that's true love :)
You know what? That was my favorite post ever too.
Why do you think our fav movie (and wedding theme) is The Princess Bride? The one theme that resonates all through the movie, and with Matt and I: "This is True Love. Do you think this happens every day?" :-)
Simple pleasures:
- Lining a soccer field early on a weekend morning just after sunrise - before most folks are awake, when the day is quiet an fresh.
- Grinding Kona coffee beans, soaking in the aroma as the beans release that wonderful fragrance, the ritual of brewing a double-shot of espresso each morning, the smell as the cup nears my lips for that first sip, the changes of flavor as the liquid inspiration splashes back across each set of differently-abled taste buds, the warmth oozing down my throat and into the stomach, and the slow but definite wave of hope and determination arising from the effect of the magic brew.
- Hugging my son good night at the end of each day, and him not having a problem with that at all, even though he's 18 years old and 7 inches taller than I.
- The first sunny day when it's warm enough to go in shirt sleeves (60F), after months and months of rain.
- Still loving my wife after 23 years of marriage.
aw gee joe, ur gonna make me all teary man.
*composes*
jess, i returned to this post having read it the other day to say i really liked it. i got a sense from it, a presence you could say. you in the room with the photographs. this is powerful writing.
Hear, hear. As much as I love sleeping in, I love more getting up earlier than anyone else. That time when the morning is no one else's but YOURS.
And the coffee's brewing. :-)
Ahhh... those photographs are powerful, actually. I don't even know how many hours it takes to go through them all. But it's worth every second.
Still on the subject of amelie: I like the way every person's home has a certen unique smell and the way the scent lingers on blankets and stuff toys.
Also I like when I see a grass covered hill from far away and sun shines on it and lights it up really bright green.
By the way I think amelie is the best movie ever! Im really obessed with it. I've probably seen it ten or more times.
