Thankful for many things in this life
Since it is (Canadian) Thanksgiving, I guess it behoves me to get into the spirit of the holiday and take a serious (or frivolous) look at the things I am thankful for in this life. Here goes:
That I have the ability to live small (ish) – I otherwise call this the garbage disposal syndrome. When we moved into our house it had a built-in garbage disposal. Why would somebody actually buy such a thing? I think I’ve maybe used it twice. It’s environmentally unsound, and mainly sort of dumb. Otherwise, I used to be a materialist. I used to be a merchant’s dream. I found profligate spending was giving me little satisfaction. A few years ago I stopped. I was satisfied with what I have. When I buy something new now it’s because the old one has irreparably broken. It’s quite liberating. Also, I don’t want a really big house, or a really expensive car. Of course, if I were disgustingly rich I might think otherwise.
That I don’t live in Afghanistan – Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Beluchistan, Kurdistan or any other ‘stan’ place.
That my wife really ‘likes’ me – Oh, we have all the other feelings in place, too, but I cherish the fact she really likes me, and I really like her. My first wife and I, good soul that she is, were kind of like two peas in separate pods. My second wife I lusted after profoundly, and sometimes I liked her, and many times I didn’t, and those feelings were mutual. Now I have all the other features, as well as a mutual liking. By God, I feel like Sally Field in that blessing.
I’m not afraid to ask for help in any aspect of my life – and I will gladly return the favor to somebody else.
I think my health is OK
I have a nice house in a nice neighborhood
I have developed a modicum of tolerance – I am more accepting than once I was, though I probably have a long way to go.
I harbor untoward thoughts about Kathryn Erbe – Who plays Det. Eames on L&O CI. I’m happy that I don’t harbor untoward thoughts about the assorted Jennifers and Jessicas that abound and all look the same and of whom I basically have no idea why anybody cares about them.
The TV series Lost – Like Twin Peaks, but is actually holding together. I like a drama that suggests its viewers might have a modicum of intelligence and like to speculate. And then, of course, there is Evangeline Lilly playing the wicked ‘Kate’.
I have seen a few chunks of the world – and have never regretted a single cent I’ve spent in travel. This has been a truly worthwhile depletion of what limited resources I might have.
That I can write – I don’t know how well I can write, but I was given a certain skill that was sufficient to have earned me a living for the past nearly 30 years. I also am grateful for the fact I can paint a bit.
That I have been multi-faceted – Sometimes in spite of myself I have done a few things in life. I have been a millhand, a teacher, a reporter, a columnist, an editor, and an addictions counsellor. Maybe I’m just restless. But, perhaps I’m thankful for that.
That I’ve seen the South Pacific – I always had romantic fantasies about what that would be like. Then, in 2001, I actually went. Once you’ve seen your first huge land-crab you know you’ll be hooked. It was everything I wanted it to be.
That I lost over 30 pounds a few years ago – And kept it off.
That I’ve had (and have) some top-quality friends.
That I’ve only once been called “asshole” to my face – and that was by an ex-wife. Does that count? Also, I probably deserved the epithet.
That I once lived in a small village in England for a year.
That in my adult life I have never once had a physical fight.
I have never had my face slapped by a female – Even when I probably deserved it.
Coming to the Woody Allen realization – That sex ‘is’ dirty, but only if you’re doing it right.
There are countless other things for which I am grateful and filled with thankfulness, but the foregoing were the ones that came to mind today. There are, of course, other things for which I am not grateful, but that is outside the purview of this offering.
Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends, and Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends when that time comes.
That I have the ability to live small (ish) – I otherwise call this the garbage disposal syndrome. When we moved into our house it had a built-in garbage disposal. Why would somebody actually buy such a thing? I think I’ve maybe used it twice. It’s environmentally unsound, and mainly sort of dumb. Otherwise, I used to be a materialist. I used to be a merchant’s dream. I found profligate spending was giving me little satisfaction. A few years ago I stopped. I was satisfied with what I have. When I buy something new now it’s because the old one has irreparably broken. It’s quite liberating. Also, I don’t want a really big house, or a really expensive car. Of course, if I were disgustingly rich I might think otherwise.
That I don’t live in Afghanistan – Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Beluchistan, Kurdistan or any other ‘stan’ place.
That my wife really ‘likes’ me – Oh, we have all the other feelings in place, too, but I cherish the fact she really likes me, and I really like her. My first wife and I, good soul that she is, were kind of like two peas in separate pods. My second wife I lusted after profoundly, and sometimes I liked her, and many times I didn’t, and those feelings were mutual. Now I have all the other features, as well as a mutual liking. By God, I feel like Sally Field in that blessing.
I’m not afraid to ask for help in any aspect of my life – and I will gladly return the favor to somebody else.
I think my health is OK
I have a nice house in a nice neighborhood
I have developed a modicum of tolerance – I am more accepting than once I was, though I probably have a long way to go.
I harbor untoward thoughts about Kathryn Erbe – Who plays Det. Eames on L&O CI. I’m happy that I don’t harbor untoward thoughts about the assorted Jennifers and Jessicas that abound and all look the same and of whom I basically have no idea why anybody cares about them.
The TV series Lost – Like Twin Peaks, but is actually holding together. I like a drama that suggests its viewers might have a modicum of intelligence and like to speculate. And then, of course, there is Evangeline Lilly playing the wicked ‘Kate’.
I have seen a few chunks of the world – and have never regretted a single cent I’ve spent in travel. This has been a truly worthwhile depletion of what limited resources I might have.
That I can write – I don’t know how well I can write, but I was given a certain skill that was sufficient to have earned me a living for the past nearly 30 years. I also am grateful for the fact I can paint a bit.
That I have been multi-faceted – Sometimes in spite of myself I have done a few things in life. I have been a millhand, a teacher, a reporter, a columnist, an editor, and an addictions counsellor. Maybe I’m just restless. But, perhaps I’m thankful for that.
That I’ve seen the South Pacific – I always had romantic fantasies about what that would be like. Then, in 2001, I actually went. Once you’ve seen your first huge land-crab you know you’ll be hooked. It was everything I wanted it to be.
That I lost over 30 pounds a few years ago – And kept it off.
That I’ve had (and have) some top-quality friends.
That I’ve only once been called “asshole” to my face – and that was by an ex-wife. Does that count? Also, I probably deserved the epithet.
That I once lived in a small village in England for a year.
That in my adult life I have never once had a physical fight.
I have never had my face slapped by a female – Even when I probably deserved it.
Coming to the Woody Allen realization – That sex ‘is’ dirty, but only if you’re doing it right.
There are countless other things for which I am grateful and filled with thankfulness, but the foregoing were the ones that came to mind today. There are, of course, other things for which I am not grateful, but that is outside the purview of this offering.
Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends, and Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends when that time comes.
posted by Ian Lidster at
1:34 PM
6 Comments:
hi ian - i've had a very busy few days lately. first my computer crashed so i was madly dashing to find a new one (ended up with a laptop). anyhooooo re your post, i am so thankful that i have the resources to be able to buy a new computer. that says a lot, i think. hope you're having a wonderful thanksgiving weekend.
And I am thankful for you, Ian. You're a great writer and I'm super glad you're around in the blogosphere.
I also couldn't agree more with you about the travel.
:)
AM
Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving, Ian!
I loved this post! It gave me a very graphic picture of you as a person. Thank you for sharing yourself with us!
Dear Leslie: Yes, when I had to do the same thing earlier in the year it was nice to be able to make the purchase. Nice to see you again.
Dear Aliemalie: Aww, you say the nicest darn things. I appreciate it.
Dear Dr. Deborah: Always a special treat to have you come to call. And thank you for your wishes.
Dear Moof: Welcome back, Missed you, and thank you for your kind thoughts. As Popeye says: I yam what I yam.
Ian, aliemalie took the words right out of my mouth. I'm thankful for you too!! You are someone I always look forward to reading about. Thanks for all your superbly written nuggets of yourself.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home