Good things
BY TOM FITZSIMONSSo I was sitting around home and thinking of what to write about. Packed lunch or bought? How clean should one's house be? Hone or Rodney? Can women be funny? (Answer, contrary to this Christopher Hitchens essay: of course).
Then a CD came on by some guy called James Yorkston. The first song was great and I was hardly even listening. In fact, it was so great I suddenly thought this wasn't going to be a cleaning or a speeding or a gender or any sort of sardonic post.
Instead, I really just want to say that I like the first song on this CD, which is called 'B's Jig'.
And, also, I like the feeling of a feather duvet, which I was sitting under at the time, how it's both light and warm, good in all seasons.
And while I'm doing this, I like the night sky too, which was empty of clouds last night, swarming with stars, when we came home to the top of a hill in Lyall Bay.
And I like a seat that's on top of this same hill, which we walked up to the other day, where you can stare clear out over Cook Strait, see the currents, put away an argument, watch the sun leak away, and then leave behind, a seat I never knew existed even though I've lived in the eastern suburbs for 20 years.
And I do like the feeling of having a clean house, even when you've only done it because someone else has suddenly become the cleanest person alive.
I like a view of the sea out your kitchen window, how it changes.
I like reading a great poem, especially when it's about things I already like, like one by Charles Simic about two people sitting under a huge tree at dusk, but also when it's about things that are foreign and terrifying to me, like this one I read by Matthew Dickman about suicide.
I like the vegetarian breakfast at Miramar's Polo Café, which has artichokes for crying out loud.
I like waiting for something, when the thing is big and needs some time anyway, and waiting doesn't do you any harm.
I like lying in the park, say Taranaki's Pukekura Park for an example, the best park in New Zealand, where I've spent plenty of time the past couple of years.
I like the sound of the guitar, the sound of the banjo, the two of them together.
I like a really tasty lager beer, like say Emerson's Pilsner.
I like starting off on a journey, putting all the bags in the boot, jacking up the ipod in the car, buying up supplies, and then driving north, through Waikanae, Otaki, Foxton, etc.
I like the second or two after a really good poem, or a good song, when it just hangs over a bit.
I like the New Yorker magazine. I like ipods. I like good people, in small numbers, over food, some booze, an evening, when there's nothing to do the next day.
Sometimes I go a little slack-jawed, a little vacant-eyed, and I know I'm hard to talk to then.
That's the sort of time I can't really write a post about cleaning like I'd intended, but instead I'd prefer just to listen to music and stare out the window, maybe list things I like about the world, which suddenly seem plentiful to me, and you know what, I like when that happens.
What are your good things, the things you like the best?
- © Fairfax NZ News
Sponsored links
Newest First
Oldest First
Miramar's Polo Café! I love that breakfast with the artichokes! I used to make my (now ex-) boyfriend take me there all the time. YUM.
I like summer, and sunshine, and light sea-breezes. Ice cream. Dogs. Thunder and Lightening. Photos. Wine or beer in the sun. Crackers and cheese. A really good book. My friends and my family. Ukuleles. Hugs. Shooting stars. Birthdays. Birds. Exploring rockpools. Laughing so hard it hurts to un-squint your eyes. Long weekends. Grapes. Sitting and doing nothing in a nice place. Waimarama Beach. NZ as a whole. Jandals. Flowers. Pizza. Singing in the car by myself. Presents. Islands. Cameras. Being in love.
Naw, cheery Tom - what a nice post.
I like the feeling of accomplishment after you've done a whole days work in the garden and you feel justified in having a few beers and a bbq.
I like when a certain point in a song actually gives you goosebumps, no matter how many times you've heard it.
I like when it rains and there's nothing to do, so you can happily read a book all day without feeling guilty.
I like it when the cheese in a toastie melts out the side and you get cheesy crusts on your toastie.
I like it when a group of friends is so comfortable with each other they can talk about anything and everything, and nobody gets embarrassed or ridiculed.
I like it that today is a pseudo-friday and tomorrow I have very little to do.
Life is good folks :)
Nice post, Tom.
I like children's laughter, their adventurous spirit, their innocence and wonder, and seeing the world through their eyes. I like joyful smiles, playfighting, solid hugs, waking in the arms of someone special, rainbows, long walks, anticipation from a 'look', steak and cake, rain on the roof, and pina coladas.
Add to that kissing, great friends, quiet dinners, loud parties, early nights, camping holidays, smashing stock cars, motocross bikes, dust strewn rally cars, days off work, sleep ins, a good cry, the night sky, a warm bed, songs that invoke memories or future dreams, and people who share.
This is my favourite post of yours. Made me smile and think about the goodies in life. Simple goodies. Like sitting at home on xmas eve with no lights on but the ones on the tree or finding your penpal from when you were 8 on facebook or having your 11 year old nephew tell you how much he loves you or listening to my dog goan in enjoyment when I scratch his ear. I'm loving it.
The first night climbing into bed after changing the sheets. I also do a bit of photography as a hobby, and that feeling when you push the shutter release button, knowing that what you've captured is exactly what you wanted, even before you look at the digital display.
I like cupcakes from Tempt. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
I like it when my 3 teenage boys forget that they hate each other and play rugby together for an hour instead and nearly laugh themselves to pieces. I like pottering around my small garden and tending the lil' tomato plants knowing that they will soon be providing us with their delicious sweetness. I like lying down in front of the stereo, with my head between the speakers and blasting old cds by Tool, Radiohead, Hendrix (Band o Gypsys), & Regurgitator - like I used to when i was pregnant (I swear it soothed those boys to be!). I like a few beers on the deck at home, after a day at the beach. And best of all, I like it when we can ditch the kids and go for a cruise up the coast and remember when we really could just keep on going!
THIS IS A BORING BLOG
I like eating!