Simple things to put yourself in a good mood

Forget about the therapeutic lifestyle changes and the “feel good” books, but how about some instant gratification? That’s what I’m looking for. Here are some simple, basic things that I use to put myself in a good mood.
1. Music! Naturally, everyone has a song (or songs) that can change even the grouchiest mood. See my top ten list below.
2. Buy someone a coffee, anonymously. I know this sounds rather silly, but it actually works. Sitting in the drive-thru line at Tim Hortons can really piss people off, next time you pull up to the window offer to pay for the person’s coffee in the car behind you. It will put you in an excellent mood, and brighten someone else’s day too.
3. Juggle…anything (soft). Oranges, Hershey’s kisses, Tylenol bottles, it doesn’t matter what, because unless you actually know what you’re doing you will suck at it. The result, you’ll be laughing at your silliness and realize that it’s okay to ‘drop the ball’ when you’re juggling too much at once.
4. Lie on the floor. That’s it. Nothing more. Just lie there and do absolutely nothing, if you really have to do something try to ride an imaginary bicycle like we used to do in gym class.

5. Put a pair of sunglasses on your pet, or a small child strictly for your own enjoyment.
6. Naked sleeping, naked TV watching, naked iPod updating, naked tub scrubbing…need I go on? (and step away from the mirrors)
7. Google an old boy/girlfriend see what they’re up to. If you’re impressed, drop them a line – even better, if they’re scarier than hell, you will be incredibly happy that you dodged that bullet.
8. Watch a bird, squirrel or any wildlife for a while. Let yourself be amazed at the simplicities of life.
9. Think of a TV Show you used to watch as a kid and look it up on YouTube. 10 minutes of H.R. Pufnstuff and I can’t help but be in a happy mood.
10. Tell “Bob” jokes. They are so stupid they are funny. In case you’re not familiar here are a few to get you started:
What do you call a man with no arms and no legs:
In water – Bob
In leaves – Russell
On the wall – Art
In a fire – Bernie
Under your car - Jack
On the floor – Matt
Sitting on a grill – Frank
His wife - Patty (lmao)
11. Send a friend a card. Not an “e-card” or an email, an actual Carlton card just because.
12. If you have the time, watch an old movie by yourself. I did this purely by accident on a Sunday afternoon, after the first 15 minutes of feeling guilty that I was accomplishing nothing just sitting there. I started actually enjoying the movie “13 going on 30” yes it was no blockbuster, but it was a mindless feel good movie that brightened the rest of my day.

Now what about those songs? Here’s my list – I’m hoping to get input on others.
1. I Saw her Standing There - Beatles
2. Walkin’ on sunshine – Katrina & The Waves
3. I feel good – James Brown
4. Shout – either the original version with Lulu or the remake by Otis Day and the Knights
5. I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
6. Love is a Battlefield – Pat Benetar
7. Only the Good Die Young – Billy Joel
8. Kodachrome – Paul Simon
9. Rockstar – Nickelback
10. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
11. Stuck in the Middle With You – Stealer’s Wheel
12. Before He Cheats – Carrie Underwood
13. Say Hey (I Love You) – Michael Franti & Spearhead
14. I want you to want me (Live) – Cheap Trick
15. I Played Chicken With the Train – Cowboy Roy with Big ‘N Rich

Honourable Mention to the Swingers Soundtrack and anything from ELO.

There are so many more I’m sure I’m going to add to this list constantly, but I’d like to hear from others.

Stopping Time

Last week I asked my students –“if you had the choice, would you rather have more money or more time?” Time was the unanimous answer. The question didn’t come out of the blue but it was a reality that had been gnawing away at me for some time. I’d like to say I’d pick money, you know live each day like it was your last, live it up... but honestly, I’d pick time.


Twilight Zone looked at this opportunity once in an episode entitled “A Kind of Stopwatch”.
I don’t remember the whole story, except some guy gets a stopwatch that can actually freeze time, everyone and everything stops, except for the holder of the watch... Imagine that, stopping time to get all your homework, or your housework done, to get to the place you’re going to without rushing. In this episode, the guy uses it to rob banks. Stops time, grabs the money and runs. During one robbery – the watch shatters. And the world is frozen in time, except for our guy – who now has all the money he ever wanted, but no one to spend time with.
“Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived.” Patrick Stewart in the film "Star Trek: Generations"
My next posting … what I would do if I could turn back time?

Worst Oscar Moment

I just have two questions about the 2009 Academy Awards.

First and foremost, WHERE WAS JACK NICHOLSON? He always sits in the front row. Was it because his Joker portrayal has been overshadowed by a more compelling depiction or was it sour grapes for not getting a lifetime achievement award? Whatever the reason, it isn’t the same without him. Come back Jack.

Question #2 – Queen Latifah … what the hell were they thinking??! I’m so glad EW included Latifah singing during the In Memoriam montage as one of the “top Worst Oscar Moments.”
I always look forward to this part of the show, a chance to honour the lives of people we grew up with. This year, I’m still shaking my head (and not just because of the whiplash I received trying to read the minute lettering and awkwardly placed screens).
Nearly three hours into the show, they finally decide to flash names and faces across the screen which you could barely see. As I sat through that dizzying excuse for a tribute, I couldn’t tell you who the first woman was (Cyd Charise maybe?), her achievements were overshadowed by Queen Latifah belting out a song, were they serious?
Now I’m pretty sure I saw Ricardo Montalban out of the corner of my eye. Roy Scheider, James Whitmore, Sydney Pollack even Charlton Heston deserved more. And where was Eartha Kitt, Patrick McGoohan, Robert Prosky and George Carlin (over 15 movies and he still doesn’t rate a mention?
The only one that received any respect was Paul Newman. A tribute well deserved.
When it was done, I honestly thought they were joking. Okay, so when do they start the real one? (Sorry, that was a third question.)
If anyone finds a better tribute on YouTube PLEASE let me know. Shame on you Academy!