NationStates Jolt Archive

Dusty Rhodes, the American Dream, used to say ‘I’ve eaten off of gold with kings and queens, and I’ve slept in alleys and eaten pork and beans.’ I’ve been right there with him. There have been times when I could have lit a cigar with paper money, and there have been times when all I had was a cold potato, and I was glad to get it. I was thinking about this the other day, and, you know, regardless of however thin or flush I’ve been, it’s the simple pleasures that have always been the best.

Because that’s what life is, really…a series of simple pleasures. You’re never going to reach a point in life where you say ‘This is IT! I’ve finally achieved perfect, eternal, lasting happiness!’ Happiness is a pursuit, not a destination, and simple pleasures are like pit stops on that road, where you get your metaphorical tires changed. The following are simple pleasures that, for me at least, never fail to please.

Chicks – They’re warm, they’re soft, they smell good, they’re interesting to talk to, and they generally make the world a better place to be in just by being around. A smile from a pretty girl is always a good thing. Who doesn’t like chicks, really? Hell, these days, even chicks are into chicks. Which, to my mind, is unfair, competition-wise, but I suppose it’s something that’s going to have to be lived with, as it doesn’t look like it’s going to change. If you’re real lucky, you might even find one who doesn’t mind cooking for you. That generally means you have to do the dishes, but that’s ok, because ‘dishwashing’ is No. 2 on the list.

Doing Dishes – See? Washing dishes is an overlooked simple pleasure. It’s an immediate physical task that occupies your hands and frees up your mind to wander. Once you’re done, there is a bit of job satisfaction in the completion of the task as well. Plus, in my experience, girlfriends are more likely to cook for you, if they know you’ll do the clean up.

Sunrises – I’ve been getting up with the chickens for so many years; I don’t think I could sleep in if I wanted to. I’ve lost track of how many sunrises I’ve seen, and everyone has been different. You get up, step out onto the porch, light a cigarette (the first one of the day is a corollary simple pleasure), revel in the complete absence of neighbors, turn to your left, and BAM! There it is, all purple and blue and red and gold, and for five, ten minutes there, you’re having a good day.

Gun Shows – That is a whole afternoon’s entertainment, for five bucks admission. You can wander around, look at the merchandise, wonder if you really need another gun (the answer to that question is generally ‘Yes’, by the way, depending on the price and the quality), talk to the vendors, and tell lies about hunting trophies. Plus, the only place you’re going to find a better crowd to just sit and watch is the State Fair.

Firearms – I prefer bows for hunting (to my mind, it’s more sporting) but there is definitely something to be said for firearms. For handguns, I like the old Marine Corps .45. It’s not as ‘popular’ as the 9mm (which is mostly due to the latter’s prevalence on TV), but as my old firearms instructor used to say, “If someone’s behavioral choices lead them to encounter a slug from a .45, they will immediately regret that decision.” A friend of mine recently acquired a Lee-Enfield rifle, and that is a thing of beauty. You put the bullet in, and hear the click-snick-snack the bolt makes…that, my friends, is the sound of history.

Hammocks - Your average hammock uses about maybe $5.00 worth of rope and wood, but is there anything more comfortable? You can lie there and read and drink beer, or you can lie there and smoke cigars and watch the sunset, or you can lie there and enjoy not doing a damn thing. And if you have a pretty girl to share the hammock with, that’s even better. Just don’t get too ambitious in that regard or it’ll dump you on your head.

Prayer – Prayer might even be the simplest pleasure there is. It costs nothing, takes very little physical effort, and yet you get talk to God. Try getting that kind of instant access to any other kind of authority. You don't even need to donate to his re-election fund.

By now, someone has probably left a note about how this is too long, or too maudlin’, or something, so how about y’all take over, and use this opportunity to inform the world at large as to what you think are simple pleasures.

It seems some people have different definitions of 'happiness' and 'simple pleasures'. :)

Marine Corps .45. It’s not as ‘popular’ as the 9mm (which is mostly due to the latter’s prevalence on TV), but as my old firearms instructor used to say, “If someone’s behavioral choices lead them to encounter a slug from a .45, they will immediately regret that decision.”

I'm saving up for John Browning's masterpiece. Shooting is fun. Gun shows are also fun, but prices have been far too high as of late. I would like an FN-FAL but I can't pay $1000 at the moment.

I like reading a good book. Can't beat the old novels by the likes of Verne and Twain.

Each to their own. I personally would find pleasure or happiness out of none of the things listed in the OP. For me its old cartoons, comedy, essay marks and making sarcastic comments on NSG ^_^

Each to their own. I personally would find pleasure or happiness out of none of the things listed in the OP.

Really? I at least thought wed all agree hammocks are fun.

Really? I at least thought wed all agree hammocks are fun.

I'd just rather lie on my bed, inside, to be honest. Unless a) the weather's just right and b) I have an extension lead so I can watch the telly outside.

I'd just rather lie on my bed, inside, to be honest. Unless a) the weather's just right and b) I have an extension lead so I can watch the telly outside.Hammocks are OK. Sunrises would be great, too, if they didn't come so damn early in the morning.

Fruit right off the tree.

I also second the doing dishes thing. I enjoy simple ritual chores when its my own house.

Hammocks are OK. Sunrises would be great, too, if they didn't come so damn early in the morning.

In that case, just stay at the bar all night and see it from the other end of the day. I've done that occasionally too, but there's something different about a sunrise seen from that end.

for me eating Biltong

for me eating Biltong

What's that? If I was just given the word, without any kind of context, I'd guess it was some kind of building material, or spray insulation, or something similar.

'little pleasure' ? I prefer 'La petite mort'

The satisfaction of opening a bottle of Ramune in a single try and slowly sipping around the marble.

Vodka. Vodka is a simple pleasure.

In that case, just stay at the bar all night and see it from the other end of the day. I've done that occasionally too, but there's something different about a sunrise seen from that end.

In that case, sunrise comes too damn late!

'little pleasure' ? I prefer 'La petite mort'
Ah le wit.

Myself it would be the taste of a black russian, but there we go.

Myself it would be the taste of a black russian, but there we go.

That's the one made with Kahlua, yeah? I'm more of a beer guy myself. The only liquor I drink with any kind of regularity is whiskey, the which my favorite is Jack Daniels.

Unexpected incense: I have a friend who makes me feel at peace. She burns incense at her house. So when I am somewhere else and I smell "her" incense, I get a free, out-of-context peace jolt.

Bookshops with jumbled shelves: It's the potential -- this may be where I'll find the ultimate book. Plus, the thing Heinleinites has with gun shows, I have with bookshops. Being with other people whom I don't know, but who aren't strangers, because we can talk books.

Nursing a baby and handing it back. It's awesome, holding another whole human being in your arms; and then you get to duck the responsibility for it.

That's the one made with Kahlua, yeah?
Aye and stolly.
The only liquor I drink with any kind of regularity is whiskey, the which my favorite is Jack Daniels.
Other than Sambuca, the main spirit I drink other than Kahlua (or Tia Maria if it's a poor bar) and vodka is JD. With coke, obviously, because it's not all that good on its own.

<snip>
Bookshops with jumbled shelves: It's the potential -- this may be where I'll find the ultimate book. Plus, the thing Heinleinites has with gun shows, I have with bookshops. Being with other people whom I don't know, but who aren't strangers, because we can talk books.
<snip>

This, oh dear God this. Good secondhand bookshops are the most fantastic places to spend time in - some attempt at categorisation around the sides, and tables all down the middle just covered with volumes. So much fun to dig through, and they also tend to have a reasonable selection, not just bestsellers and celebrity autobiographies (me, bitter about the local bookshop? Never!).

Edit:

Good liqueurs. I don't find drinking to get drunk very enjoyable at all, but small measures of something really good and really well flavoured are incredible.

The smell of an old book I like.

A pristine snow field I know I'm going ski the shit out of.

An old weir that was never designed for kayaking but you can have a huge amount of fun with.

Simple pleasures.

Other than Sambuca, the main spirit I drink other than Kahlua (or Tia Maria if it's a poor bar) and vodka is JD. With coke, obviously, because it's not all that good on its own.

Yeah, you gotta mix something with Coke to get it down, don't you? ;) If someone is picking up the tab, I'll drink Jameson or Bushmills, and a friend of mine, she swears by Grey Goose vodka.

Yeah, you gotta mix something with Coke to get it down, don't you?
I dunno, black russians are fine without, and if I'm feeling rich I'll drink Tobermory which I have neat.

Hurting other people is very simple, and then there's that special feeling I get when I see someone else crying. You don't get much simpler than basic sadism.
More poetically, I like standing half-naked in the snow or storms, letting mother nature tear into me with all she's got. The sight of a black pond at night. Being alone in a vast space so that my consciousness stretches out and I can feel the miles around me. Working and talking with children. The smell of cigarettes, blood, meat, burning wood (pine is mmmmmm...delicious), fresh bread, cinnamon, and many others I can't think of right now. I also like hearing other people's secrets, probably what I miss most about my most recent ex-girlfriend was getting lost in her daily bullshit and hopes.

Singing. Compline is luuvly.

At Renaissance Faire, I defined simple pleasures as -

1. Hot showers - it's usually hot and always dirty at Faire. Getting out of a filthy, sweat-drenched costume and hitting the shower is the ultimate happiness

2. Someone else cooking - after a long day, having a good meal, home-cooked or not, placed in front of you, without any more effort on your part than lifting a fork, is happiness.

Other pleasures include -

3. Having money to spend on indulgences - not the mortgage or utilities, not food or HOA fees, not credit card payments - just something you want, again happiness.

4. Paying off a credit card and tearing it up.

5. Looking outside at snow or whatever bad weather your home town offers and realizing you don't have to go out in it.

6. A fire blazing in the fireplace on a cold day.

7. Italian bread brushed with olive oil and covered with sliced tomato, basil and fresh mozarella cheese and then toasted under the broiler.

8. A cat or a dog sitting on your lap (or if it's a big dog, companionably next to you) showing their pleasure in your company.

9. A person whose company you enjoy visiting just because they enjoy your company.

Pleasure really is simple, the more you try to complicate it, the less pleasant it becomes. It's like looking for a bottle of great wine, when you have a bottle of good wine already - just enjoy.

*snip OP*

hmmm... nope, not for me. chicks, maybe. but for me its music, sunsets, nature, walking, open fires, using your imagination, cooking, and good conversation.


5. Looking outside at snow or whatever bad weather your home town offers and realizing you don't have to go out in it.

aye, that too

...The smell of cigarettes, blood, meat, burning wood (pine is mmmmmm...delicious), fresh bread, cinnamon, and many others....

A good scent is definately a simple pleasure.

I also enjoy a good sit on the toilet. You can decide if that's related or unrelated.

Bookshops with jumbled shelves: It's the potential -- this may be where I'll find the ultimate book. Plus, the thing Heinleinites has with gun shows, I have with bookshops. Being with other people whom I don't know, but who aren't strangers, because we can talk books.

Indeed. The small used book shops are the best. I stopped at the shop here in town today and got some good reading material.

Cuddles with the husband, listening to music, watching the bubble lights on the christmas tree, singing, watching my husband REALLY enjoy himself, whether it be laughing hysterically at his own jokes or something on NS, eating a meal I made that he loves, or having a giggle fit over something strange/odd/silly/dumb I have said/done. I especially love it when he has a giggle fit, it is contagious!

Walking at pond and feeding the chipminks, fishing at dawn when it is all still and quiet
Sunrises or Sunsets over the lake
Holding babies (when they are calm)
Cat in my lap

Stilton. If there is a God that's the cheese he eats.

Reading a book. Going out to the shooting range. Sitting in a hammock while doing nothing, or reading a book.

Watching it rain (Light rain only.) sitting outside on the porch. (Reading a book is optional.)

Sitting on a roofed porch, with a cigarette after not having had one for a good few days and a stressful day (at this point, a smoke feels damned near as good as sex), watching some serious rainfall while I drink a cheap, light beer and chat with friends. It is an extremely rare concurrence of events, but it's one of those little things that makes you think to yourself how great life sometimes is.

A morning cigarette and coffee (though, we're trying to eliminate the cigarette), sunrises/sunsets, the beach, the first snowboard run of the season, a long fought hockey game, an ice cold beer on a scalding hot day, an insanely hot shower after a long hard day, a text message that just says "g'night buddy." from someone you've been wanting to hear from for a while, reading, snow, thunderstorms.

'little pleasure' ? I prefer 'La petite mort'
http://www.ojaiwan.net/cwimages/prophecy3_2.jpg
...and the beautiful twitching corpse to follow. *nods*

Masturbating.

There, I said it!

trees: or more accurately the lay of the land in general
trains: my first love
computers: or anything else i can be creative with
little furry creatures with big sharp teeth: which is to say all of nature and its wondrous diversity.

sleeping: and dreaming
creative cooking: and eating

it all comes down to creating and exploring: being what gratify
and experiencing existence in terms of geometry and texture, rather then society and personal relationships.

don't get me wrong; i love for people to be happy. it hurts me when i see people creating conditions that make each other unhappy by their extreme thoughtlessness about how the conditions we all experience are motivated. its just that people, well, god love em all, but i just, i'm really sorry, but compared to things like trains and wandering around in natural mazes and being creative with things like computers and even alternative architecture, are just kind of really boring to me.

and i don't say that to hurt anyone and i really love them and want them to be happy, its just, exercising my mind in ways that don't involve dealing with hoomans, that's where i find gratification and happiness.

Sleep. Easy.

Indeed. The small used book shops are the best. I stopped at the shop here in town today and got some good reading material.

We've got a couple of those here. The one I like best, it's kind of a new and used shop, with a coffee shop in it too. That, and the girl that owns it flirts with me when I come in and sits and drinks cofee with me. My various work efforts should spit some money at me tomorrow or Monday and I plan to stop by there and pick up the new Ann Coulter book, and a book on Gen. Custer that was recomended to me.

We've got a couple of those here. The one I like best, it's kind of a new and used shop, with a coffee shop in it too. That, and the girl that owns it flirts with me when I come in and sits and drinks cofee with me. My various work efforts should spit some money at me tomorrow or Monday and I plan to stop by there and pick up the new Ann Coulter book, and a book on Gen. Custer that was recomended to me.

“When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.” - attributed to Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam

pick up the new Ann Coulter book

what...like...to set it on fire?

what...like...to set it on fire?

No, to read. Then I'm going to put it up on the shelf next to all her other ones. I'm not really the book-burning type. Personally, I tend to treat books I don't like the same way I treat TV shows I dislike. I just ignore them.

No, to read.

People...read that trash?

Masturbating.

There, I said it!
There, there, ALL OVER THERE, and there, I did it!
Actually, i can't stay awake long enough. Meh, squared.

People...read that trash?

Enough to make her a perennial resident of best-seller lists. I don't think one of her books failed to chart. Apparently people want to hear what she has to say.

Simple pleasures? Snuggles.

Well, they are supposedly simple.

Enough to make her a perennial resident of best-seller lists. I don't think one of her books failed to chart. Apparently people want to hear what she has to say.

Which is rather pathetically sad, considering that 99% of what she has to say seems to be, "Liberals suck! Liberals suck! I hate liberals because they suck! Hey, you know who sucks? Liberals! They suck!" You'd think one book - or one chapter - or, in fact, one sentence - would be sufficient to relay this particular message.

Which is rather pathetically sad, considering that 99% of what she has to say seems to be, "Liberals suck! Liberals suck! I hate liberals because they suck! Hey, you know who sucks? Liberals! They suck!" You'd think one book - or one chapter - or, in fact, one sentence - would be sufficient to relay this particular message.

No its not; not when you hate liberals.

Which is rather pathetically sad, considering that 99% of what she has to say seems to be, "Liberals suck! Liberals suck! I hate liberals because they suck! Hey, you know who sucks? Liberals! They suck!" You'd think one book - or one chapter - or, in fact, one sentence - would be sufficient to relay this particular message.

George Lucas has been making the same movie for 35 years, and nobody seems to mind that. Besides, no market is so free as the marketplace of ideas, you want people to stop paying attention to her, figure out how to do what she does better and cheaper.

No its not; not when you hate liberals.Yeah, i tend to act the same way about biting the inside of my cheek.

Which is rather pathetically sad, considering that 99% of what she has to say seems to be, "Liberals suck! Liberals suck! I hate liberals because they suck! Hey, you know who sucks? Liberals! They suck!" You'd think one book - or one chapter - or, in fact, one sentence - would be sufficient to relay this particular message.

It would be nice if, somewhere in her screed, there was a verifiable fact. That would be a simple pleasure indeed.

So "slagging Anne Coulter" rates as a simple pleasure? :tongue:

Bah, quit interrupting the bookshop porn. C'mon, more! Tell us more about the one with the coffee shop! Does it have (eyes grow wide) real, ground on the premises, New Guinea highlands coffee? Does it have (wriggles) scones with jam and cream? Sofas, even? And can you (ooooh!) read the books at the table and not get bothered to order?

Simple pleasures? Snuggles.
Actually, that's a pretty good answer, all cynicism/irony/sarcasm aside.
http://www.fromourheart.com/Store/images/Gund/Snuggle_Bear_11.5.jpg

So "slagging Anne Coulter" rates as a simple pleasure? :tongue:

Bah, quit interrupting the bookshop porn. C'mon, more! Tell us more about the one with the coffee shop! Does it have (eyes grow wide) real, ground on the premises, New Guinea highlands coffee? Does it have (wriggles) scones with jam and cream? Sofas, even? And can you (ooooh!) read the books at the table and not get bothered to order?

No, but it has real, ground on the premises, Kona Coffee, chocolate chip croissants and, if you buy a pound of coffee to take home, you get your coffee free - with whipped cream (if you care to sully Kona coffee with such)!

Bah, quit interrupting the bookshop porn. C'mon, more! Tell us more about the one with the coffee shop! Does it have (eyes grow wide) real, ground on the premises, New Guinea highlands coffee? Does it have (wriggles) scones with jam and cream? Sofas, even? And can you (ooooh!) read the books at the table and not get bothered to order?

I don't know what kind of coffee my bookstore girl has, it's pretty much all the same to me, as long as it's hot and black. I do know that she offers the 'fair-trade' coffee, whatever that is, and she uses actual mugs, instead of paper cups. No scones, but you can get fresh blueberry muffins, or cookies, and as long as you buy a cup of coffee, she doesn't mind if you bring in a sandwich from the place across the street. And occasionally, on weekends, there's live music. And there's actual furniture, not just chairs and tables and uncomfortable stools.

It would be nice if, somewhere in her screed, there was a verifiable fact. That would be a simple pleasure indeed.

I don't think she just pulls it all out of her ass. Her books are extensively footnoted and appendixed(appendiced?) and her sources are listed.

No, but it has real, ground on the premises, Kona Coffee, chocolate chip croissants and, if you buy a pound of coffee to take home, you get your coffee free - with whipped cream (if you care to sully Kona coffee with such)!

*sullies* ... whipped cream is definitely a simple pleasure.

my bookstore girl has ... the 'fair-trade' coffee, whatever that is, and she uses actual mugs, instead of paper cups. No scones, but you can get fresh blueberry muffins, or cookies, and as long as you buy a cup of coffee, she doesn't mind if you bring in a sandwich from the place across the street. And occasionally, on weekends, there's live music. And there's actual furniture ...

Plainly, you've died and gone to heaven.

[QUOTE=Ardchoille;14458087]*sullies* ... whipped cream is definitely a simple pleasure.



-snip-QUOTE]

I tend to agree, and I sully my coffee with it frequently.

*sullies* ... whipped cream is definitely a simple pleasure. Plainly, you've died and gone to heaven.

I don't know, I can think of better things to do with whipped cream than put it in coffee. As for going to Heaven, there are days when it's cold and rainy outside, and I'm in there sitting in an overstuffed chair next to the fire(yeah, there's a fireplace, it's OK to be jealous) with a cup of coffee and a book where I think you might not be far wrong.

Actually, that's a pretty good answer, all cynicism/irony/sarcasm aside.
http://www.fromourheart.com/Store/images/Gund/Snuggle_Bear_11.5.jpg

They don't snuggle back, therein lies the issue.

new socks :)

They don't snuggle back, therein lies the issue.

Which is one of the reasons why entry #1 on the list is #1 on the list. Because they do.

Masturbating.

There, I said it!

It is nature's two minute pick-me-up!

Lying in bed on a cold wet morning reading a good book and eating chocolate. or licorice. or both.

Freshly-baked bread with vegetable soup. Both home-made of course.

When I come home, seeing my cat who waiting on the balcony meowing for me before jumping down, running up to me and then pretending to ignore me.

Bookshops with jumbled shelves: It's the potential -- this may be where I'll find the ultimate book. Plus, the thing Heinleinites has with gun shows, I have with bookshops. Being with other people whom I don't know, but who aren't strangers, because we can talk books.
You'd love this bookshop then:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/107/293070594_555557632a.jpg
The legendary 'Hard to find but worth the effort' bookshop in Auckland, NZ. It runs over two floors and through two shops with rickety staircases connecting them. Books stacked all over the place and complete with comfortable chairs to collapse in.
Best 2nd book shop I've ever been in.

You'd love this bookshop then: <PICSNIP>. The legendary 'Hard to find but worth the effort' bookshop in Auckland, NZ.

*checking flights now*

I find enjoyment in getting to the part of a Kebabwrap where all the sauce is.
It is AMAZING

I also like working myself up into a berserk like frenzy by listening to heavy music while slapping myself and then go and do pull-ups until i collapse.
Feels goddamn amazing let me tell you. The Adrenaline from the hits combined with the music makes me stronger!
One of those Nirvana experiences i suppose.

They don't snuggle back, therein lies the issue.Do you mean the bear?
My personal experience differs. Almost got my family brutally slain up in Denali Park when I was 4 because of it.

Cool breeze on a warm day

Ice Cream

Skipping stones on a pond

Comic books

Clothes hung on clothes line, mostly for the smell

Jumping into a big pile of leaves

Tim Horton's coffee if you happen to be in Canada or Connecticut

Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream. Yes, even on a cold winter night where the temperature is below 25^F.

A good hot cup of coffee or a mug of hot chocolate and a good book. Throw in a kotatsu and a snowy day and I'm set for quite some time.

A good hike somewhere up in the mountains.

And, of course, just a dunk in an onsen. Jaan has discovered the path to enlightenment, it's called soaking in hot water up to your neck.

Tim Horton's coffee if you happen to be in Canada or Connecticut

They are here in PA too. They make good donuts.

Do you mean the bear?
My personal experience differs. Almost got my family brutally slain up in Denali Park when I was 4 because of it.

Yeah, bears don't snuggle too well.

Niether do teddy bears, they just GET snuggled. I want to GET snuggled.

Simple Pleasures:

Sitting in the warmth while the wind and the rain play havoc outside.

Seeing a friend who I haven't seen for a while.

My dog, especially when he is in one of his playful moods.

Listening to music and being able to drown out the sound of everyday life.

Playing my guitar for a while. I can just sit there doing it for hours.

*checking flights now*

I say we hold a NS meet there.

I actually need to find a good secondhand bookshop locally - we have the Oxfam one, which is reasonable, but in no way the best. Edinburgh was great for that when I visited.

As well as a lot of the stuff mentioned already, I always find trainning to be a bit of a simple pleasure. Brutal sessions like hill sprinting or 30 mins of 1 minute on 1 minute off on the ergs, when you feel absolutle dead at the end but the endomorphines are kicking in and everything is a little euphoric, or the sessions on the water when the boat is just sitting and every time you take a stroke, it feels like the boat is going to run forever.

Munching carrots while watching DVDs.

Yeah, bears don't snuggle too well.I guess I'm in a lucky statistical field, then. Just had to be there.

Neither do teddy bears, they just GET snuggled. I want to GET snuggled.Hmmm ... m'kay.
:fluffle:
*smacks lips*

I used my bread machine for the first time today - add to the list - fresh, hot, homemade bread with butter and a cup fo tea. Or a sandwich made with homemade bread and a glass of icy cold milk. Mmmmm.

'little pleasure' ? I prefer 'la petite mort'

har!

har!
Same thing as huffin' the tailpipe.
Not a euphemism there.