Things That Make Me Happy

— My new workout clothes. I went nuts and bought a TON of new stuff yesterday at the MECCA that is Filene’s Basement on 18th Street. I am so excited to go work out. I stuck with the Everlast brand – which is pretty classic – and I like their stuff a lot. And my new sports bras are so awesome that I literally want to kneel at their feet (do bras have feet) and say “THANK YOU”. The contortionist poses I needed to twist my body into just to get my old damn sports bras on was a major stumbling block. I would get it over my head, and part of my shoulders – but my poor arms would be trapped out to the side, and I would need to struggle and shimmy to get it on fully … A comfy sports bra is KEY. Support is key as well. I found two awesome ones at Sports Authority.

— going out with my friend Allison makes me happy. We had a great time last night. We went to see Brokeback Mountain and then walked down to her local pub, talking and talking and talking. We sat at a table in the back, we talked about books we were reading, we talked about the show I’m writing, we talked about the 1918 influenza epidemic (I’m reading this right now) we talked about that book Under the Banner of Heaven (which she and I read in tandem – terrifying book – I wrote a huge post about it here) – we talked about the movie – we talked about all kinds of cool stuff. It was a great night. Also, added bonus: the bartender at the Ice Bar in Dublin (immortalized here) is now in America, bartending at Allison’s local. What are the odds?? Anyway, Allison said, “You remember so-and-so, Sheila – the bartender at the Ice Bar?” So funny: I remembered his face immediately. That crazy night came back to my mind. It was so nice to hear his accent. It made me long to go back there. But we had a nice chat. “A bit different from the Ice Bar, eh?” Laughter. I loved seeing him here – made me feel like an international woman of mystery or something.

— the weather right now. Grey, and misty, and cool. A bit wet. But not outright cold. It just lifts me up, invigorates me.

— my blue fleece blanket

— the fact that this book AT LONG LAST is shrieking its way towards me from some used book seller in East Chapeepee. I have waited a long long time for this. I have read Klemperer’s journals, I have read his scattered notes on what he called the LTI – but now I can’t wait to read the whole thing. Can barely contain my impatience. Now THIS is the kind of stuff that I eat up: analyzing the language of totalitarian societies. That’s what Klemperer did. AS it was happening. Phenomenal. Can’t wait to read it.

— John Travolta in Grease makes me so happy that I don’t even know how to discuss it. I watched that movie the other night, and discovered, yet again, how truly incredible he is. Iconic. Fearless. Fearless. And so sexy that a generation of girls (well, and boys, too – right Mitchell?) lost their collective minds watching him bumping and grinding on top of Greased Lightning. Wonderful. It’s a performance that is full of so much joy, it’s so OUT there – it reminds me of Johnny Depp at his best. He is so not afraid to jut GO there, if the role calls for it – whatever it may be. I’m not talking about emotion. I’m talking about camp, or about over-the-top commitment … Like watch Travolta dancing during the dance contest at the high school. There isn’t even one half of a one-half percent of his spirit, his energy – that is not engaged in DOING what those moments call for. He is 100% THERE. He never once tips his hat, or winks at the audience, like: “haha, look at me dancing.” No. He is more courageous than that. He just GOES there. That performance just makes me sooooo happy. Of course it is also completely wrapped up in my childhood – so that has something to do with it. As a matter of fact, I think I need to write a huge post about Travolta in Grease. It could be a Part II to this.

— my new Fiona Apple CD. Yes, it’s as good as everyone says. (And by ‘everyone’ I mean my sister Siobhan.)