There is nothing so good as...

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

a perfect pair of pants. They flatter. They soothe. They are super duper comfortable. You want to wear them with everything. You can dress them up, dress them down. When I wash them, I worry about them. Will you still fit the same?!, I wonder. I panic. But then I put them back on and everything is fine. My goodness, I've felt this way about sweaters before. I get excited when I find a pair of jeans that don't make me look like a mutant. But slacks? Oh, how I used to detest them. And now I want to wear them all the time. I wonder if I can find this pair in another color.

Conversely, there is nothing so bad as...

falling down HARD while boarding a bus and looking up to see the bus driver glaring at me. Not only did he NOT offer to help me up, he didn't even ask me if I was okay. He just stared at me so that when I finally stood up I apologized to him. Man, I fell hard. Bruised my shin against one of the steps. Banged my shoulder against another. My ego took the largest hit of all. Once I was no longer winded, I was able to see the humor in the situation. Normally I laugh when I fall down (which happens to me a lot), but I was in shock and in a tremendous amount of pain. The audacity of the driver! That mother f&*ker. He's going to Hell. Well, I'm going to Hell, as well. But I plan to go to Fun Hell. He's not welcome in my Fun Hell. He gets the "Go Straight To Burning, Miserable Cesspool Hell" Bus Pass.

Tag...you're it!

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Your bus problems always make me appreciate my car.

There's nothing so good as being alone in the car, parked in the right spot so the sun doesn't hit your black polyester slacks. You know, when NPR has such an interesting report on Day to Day and you'd rather listen to it than sit in air-conditioning? You're eating an In-n-Out burger extra carefully, making sure to not splatter your new pinstripe shirt, glancing idly at the lap mat they gave you as you listen to the radio. The seat's pushed back, wheel tilted up, seat belt unbuckled, all windows open so you don't suffocate. Alex Chadwick's pleasant voice guides you through lunch, and you watch people walking in and out of the stores in the strip mall, hear a bird sing in a parking lot tree near your window, catch the odd breeze. When you're done you clean your hands with the water drops clinging to your soft drink cup. You put the car back together and drive to work because damn, did it get hot in here quickly without the air on...

Conversely, there is nothing so bad as sitting in traffic when you're late again and there's nothing you can do but wait it out and oh the FRUSTRATION as the time ticks by but there really isn't any other way that would be any quicker, you just have to get out of bed earlier, but who wants to do that, of course at this moment you'd give anything to have gotten up 5 or 10 minutes earlier...

Tag.

[Not Afraid]

There's nothing as good as a sleeping puppy in your lap - unless it is a sleeping kitty.

There's also nothing as good as driving down an ocean view streach of PCH on a fall day with the sunroof open.

There's nothing as the satisfaction of the plants growing, the yard taking shape and progress being made on a big project.

Sadly, all that joy can be interupted by the pain of a nagging backache.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Must be part of bus driver training. I've taken that exact fall and gotten the exact same impatient look. It's bloody awful.

[Prudence]

There is nothing so good as sending the husband off to fetch fresh cupcakes. (http://www.cupcakeroyale.com/) Go ahead, follow that link. And click on "cupcake pics." And keep in mind that these things are enormous.

And there's nothing so bad as having to wait until class is over to enjoy the sugary goodness.

[libraryvixen]

There's nothing so good as seeing the light in a child's eyes after the Tooth Fairy comes to visit them.

On the flip side, there's nothing worse than having only a $20 bill in my wallet and shoving the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" DVD under her pillow instead.
(she was still happy though!)

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

I've really, really enjoyed reading these. Prudence, those cupcakes are the Cupcakes of EVIL.

CP, I always love your writing.

Puppies, the tooth fairy, bus spills, oh my!

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

There is nothing so good as...the dream.

The eyes close, the breathing shallows, there is a distant hum and that world becomes deep influence of images and scents. Every so often there is the fable told of love found and lost that seems to bleeds its way into the slumber. Instead of the typical “going to school in your underwear” or “falling for all eternity,” there is the idea of a candle lit room, a glance across a crowded room or the utopian embrace of that someone who somebody has waited to meet for an eternity. The symphonic music that rises and falls as life passes slowly by and all choked sentiments are eradicate and the untainted feelings spill out unabated. They stand at opposite sides of the oval shaped room surrounded by candles that zig-zag across the floor. There eyes, unblinking focus on one anothers. The room seems larger because of the glass walls and ceilings. There is little expression as they move closer and join their right hands, their left moves to the others side. The eyes to the soul converge as one and the aroma of love spills into the air. Nothing matters but that pressure on the heart that means nothing more that both have been linked and will never be separated.

Conversely, there is nothing so bad as...

Waking and knowing it never really happened. Although the scents still lingering and the heaviness of the heart is obviously present, you spend the next moments shutting your eyes, hoping to get back to that place. Then spending the hours, wishing you were back in that place, and the next night, closing your eyes and simply wondering.

[Olympicnut]

.... one on one conversation with a friend over a cocktail, when all barriers are removed and you open up your soul to one another.

[SacTown Chronic]

There is nothing so good as being married to Crystal.

[€uroMeinke]

Today it was walking through the art deco spendor of Union Station in step to the techno-loungy Hotel Costes CD I'd copied to my PDA and having some goth chick smile at me as I passed. I felt like John Travolta in the opening scene of Saturday Night Fever when he's carrying the cans of paint - probably looked just as ridiculous too.

[€uroMeinke]

I almost forgot my morning's "conversly"

Waking Lisa up to say goodbye by walking into and striking my head on the bedpost (It's dark at 6AM) causing the bed to shake like a violent earthquake - sorry my love. I swear the cats move our furniture while we are sleeping.

[Ghoulish Delight]

...a good hobby. I've joined a pool (billiards) league that meets after work on Wednesdays. It's competative, but not in an cut-throat way (it helps that I got placed on the second best team in the league). I'm a novice yet I'm still able to win some games here and there, and I've been improving. It's just nice to do something enjoyable and social.

Conversely, there's nothing so bad as realizing too late that Yom Kippur (Jewish day of attonement in which we fast for a full day starting at sundown) is beginning. And by "too late" I mean after I've had a couple alcoholic beverages. Fortunately, there's a school-age kid in the pool league who said, "I don't have to hurry to finish playing tonight because I don't have school tomorrow, it's Yom Kippur." So I didn't go ordering more drinks. But neither have I had any water. And I'm working today (I didn't want to take the day off since I'm going to be taking a week off shortly). Fun fun.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Waking and knowing it never really happened. Although the scents still lingering and the heaviness of the heart is obviously present, you spend the next moments shutting your eyes, hoping to get back to that place. Then spending the hours, wishing you were back in that place, and the next night, closing your eyes and simply wondering.

I believe dreams TOTALLY happen. Secret inner-life! Secret inner-life!

And, awww. You're a total romantic!!!!

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Today it was walking through the art deco spendor of Union Station in step to the techno-loungy Hotel Costes CD I'd copied to my PDA and having some goth chick smile at me as I passed. I felt like John Travolta in the opening scene of Saturday Night Fever when he's carrying the cans of paint - probably looked just as ridiculous too.

I love Union Station. Do you pass through there whenever you take the train to work?

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

There's nothing so good as a really enjoyable book.

Conversely, there's nothing so annoying as having to close the book on a particularly exciting passage because my bus ride is over, and it's time for the work day to begin.

[€uroMeinke]

I love Union Station. Do you pass through there whenever you take the train to work?

Indeed I do - as the shuttle picks me up out front every morning. Alas, I'm dropped off at the more contemporary (and dull) backside in the afternoon. Just as well, I think the Bar at Traxx might be a bit too attractive to pass by after a day at work.

[€uroMeinke]

There's nothing so good as a really enjoyable book.

Conversely, there's nothing so annoying as having to close the book on a particularly exciting passage because my bus ride is over, and it's time for the work day to begin.

I'm quite surprised at how quickly my commute is when I've got a good book, nd coversly amazed at how long it becomes when I leave my book at home.

[blueerica]

When you're done you clean your hands with the water drops clinging to your soft drink cup.


So true!!

I'll have to think of some of my own... I have so many favorite things...

Like...

There is nothing so good as coming out of a cold lecture forum in the late morning, right before it starts to get hot outside, sitting down on a bench, and letting the sun hit my upper back. That warm feeling spreading across my stressed shoulders makes my heart happy.

Conversely...

There's nothing so bad as watching the clock tick by, knowing I could go home, but finding things to do because I could really use the money I earn on an hourly basis.

[BarTopDancer]

There is nothing so good as having an 8 week old kitten sleeping on your chest at work, having him wake up after an hour, stretch, yawn, look right at you and curl up to go back to sleep.

Conversely there is nothing so bad as watching him go home with his new handler after you've fallen in love with him.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Cupcakes. Must have cupcakes for dessert tonight. MUST!!!

KITTY!

I love me some cute animals. Puppies especially, but there's cuteness everywhere. I mean, look at hedgehogs. Hedgehogs!

http://www.hedgehogs.org/hedgehog-picture.jpg

There's nothing so awful as being filled to the brim with love for all sorts of creatures but being unable to have a pet. :(
<Elmyra>
I have so much more love to give!
</Elmyra>

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Awwwwwwwwwwwww! Tis a cute hedgehog.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/a/z/azh112/2%20pygmy%20marmoset.jpg

Pygmy marmosets.

Man, I LOVE all kinds of marmosets! The skinny white ones look like adorable old men!

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

http://www.shoarns.com/Silvery%20Marmoset%2004.JPG

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Woo hoo, I love me some original poster thread derailment.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Woo hoo, I love me some original poster thread derailment.

Heee!

There is nothing so good as a furry old man marmoset picture to brighten my day.

Conversely, there is nothing so bad as a fun lunch hour at its end.

[Not Afraid]

This is what I'm playing with right now. Or one that look just like him. And, let me tell you, it is good.


http://www.horseandcattle.com/danardranch/puppy04.jpg

However, there's nothing so awful when said cuteness gets a piece of cat poo from the litterbox to play with. Bad puppy!

[Drince88]

NotAfraid - what breed is that? (I'm spacing)

There is nothing so good as a dinner with an ok beer finished off with yummy chocolate dessert!

And as bad as paying for it on my weekly weigh ins (but I've been fairly good most of the week, so might not be toooooo bad).

[Not Afraid]

That's an Australian Shepherd. He's cute and he's got a step sister on the way.


There's nothing as good a taking a BIG chuck on a long-overdue project.

Then nothing as bad as having someone be disappointed that you're doing it.

[AllyOops!]

There's nothing as good as being "J's" girlfriend again. He loves me for my heart and has proved it by being rock solid for me during the worst time of my life. It's scary, but it feels so good being with him. Especially when we do absolutely nothing. Like watching Incredible Hulk (I love how when Dr. Banner transforms, the Hulk is suddenly clad in kicky capri pants) reruns on Sci-fi all day and eating mountains of Alberto's (damn I love Alberto's.)

There's nothing as bad as being "E's" girlfriend. I was once his girl 10 years ago, and once more a few months ago. For the love of all things Holy, please grow up. The bad boy act was wicked hot at 23. Not so much at 33 when you're supposed to be at least trying or pretending to settle down and not trolling the bars and chatting incessantly about how not only are you hot, but you've had more trim then a hair salon.Turn off much? Maybe I suck too, but I'd rather choke on my tongue then pay your tab again, cheapass. But I'm so not bitter n' stuff. :p

I'm sorry, I'm usually very polite. That was way rude. Poor bastard. :(

And nothing is as good as being my little snow pea's mom. I live for my little pumpkin pie. My little snow crab. My little fuzzy snow plow. my precious little pupcake. I have lots of nicknames for my Labrador Retriever. :)

Nothing is as bad as her having cancer. And knowing she'll be losing her little limb and paw on Sunday. But if it's to save her life, I know it will be worth it. She'll be pain free and that makes me happy. Life with my baby girl. My poor little fuzzy tripod. :(

[Tito's Kitten]

There is nothing as good as...

Minus the Bear (and the headphones, who were awesome despite their technical troubles) at the Troubadour on Thursday night with my boyfriend, a guinness and my spanking new brown hepcat Minus the Bear jacket I bought at the show.

conversely,

my friends missing the show because by the time they went to get tickets it was sold out. :(

[AllyOops!]

There is NOTHING as good as hearing your sweet angel's surgery was a success! She lost her little limb, and they took more cancerous fatty tissue then expected, but she's doing well! :snap:

Keep up the good work, little buddy! Be brave and heal fast so mommy can come take you home, where you belong. :)

Nothing is as bad as knowing she won't be by my side tonight. However, she's in the care of round-the-clock specialists, so I can sleep easy tonight (well, as easy to be expected.)

I miss my little snowpea. :(

[Drince88]

Glad to hear it was a success! Here's to a speedy recovery :cheers:
(And quit worrying, 'Mom'!)

[AllyOops!]

Glad to hear it was a success! Here's to a speedy recovery :cheers:
(And quit worrying, 'Mom'!)

<--my little silver-chinned snowball. :)

THANK YOU SO MUCH, DRINCE88!! :) :)

And, even better, her nurse (who I absolutely LOVE) just called to tell me that when she went to open her little kennel cage to see if she had to go to the bathroom, my little pupcake actually GOT UP and walked out on her own! And she's sitting! Her surgery was less then 12 hours ago! And, they took more then they expected to from her!

She told me, "I think she was made for this three-legged thing!"

I'm SO HAPPY!! My fuzzy wuzzy little tripod is doing well! :D :snap: :cheers:

[Kevy Baby]

I am glad to hear it went well Ally. As a pet lover, I know how hard this has been on you.

{{{{hugs}}}}

[wendybeth]

Wow, Ally- great news! Your Snowpea sounds like she is doing wonderfully. I hope she's home snuggling with you and feeling great a.s.a.p!
:)

[wendybeth]

Right now, my home smells like homemade chicken and noodle soup, Tollhouse cookies and Downy.:)

Tori and I spent the entire day indoors- we didn't even get out of our jammies. We played, baked cookies, I did laundry and made homemade soup because poor Eric has a bad cold.

I think fall is upon us.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

There is nothing so good as the first really rainy day of the winter season here in L.A.

There is nothing so bad as finding out your only living grandparent has colon cancer.

There is nothing so good as having a family rally around said grandpa to bring him good cheer, laughter and love. I have a terrific family. A really, truly wonderful and lucky family. And I'm realizing more and more that if I carry on the way I do, when I'm 80 and diagnosed with cancer, I'll have no one to make ME laugh while I'm getting a transfusion of six pints of blood because I lost six pints of blood in 2 days. Jesus. 6 pints! Two days! Holy cancerous crap, Batman! Also, there can be little else more humiliating than ass cancer. Seriously, I don't have a lot of sentimental feelings about my rectum, but I'm pretty sure I'd miss it if it were ever sewed up shut and I had to poop in a bag that's attached to my hip. In fact, I'm pretty sure I'd think back on my formerly functioning dark star and feel a deep, belated love for it.

(We're not entirely sure that's what's going to happen to him, yet, but it's very, very, very likely he'll have to have a colostomy. For now, radiation therapy to see if they can mimimize the severity of the surgical procedure. At least it hasn't spread to his other organs, and it really should have considering that he's apparently exhibited symptons for months, maybe even a year, and never told anyone, the dumbass. The...the...MAN. I hear so many stories about men who refuse to seek treatment for things that are obviously KILLING THEM! Goodness. Goodness! Go to a doctor! Ask the gas station attendant for directions. Make your lives easier, men!)

A highlight from my hosptial visit:

"Where is my colon, anyway?"

What?!?!?!?!

HOW CAN YOU BE AN 81 YEAR OLD MAN AND NOT KNOW WHERE YOUR COLON IS LOCATED?!

I said, "It's in your head, Papa! Jesus, how can you not know this?!"

So I used my body as a diagram and showed him. My father explained about the large and small intestines, and the digestive process in general.

"Interesting. Very interesting. So, where's the tumor then?"

"Up your A$$, dad. It's up your ass!!!!" chimes in my mother, who is known world wide for her poise and decorum. Man, we had a good laugh at that.

I also heard a wonderful story about my mothers nickname (which is the name she goes by), Crickett. A name people started calling her in junior high school, I guess. I think sometime during her high school years, her father said, "Where did you get a name like Crickett anyway," and my mother replied, "Because I sleep all day and [makes a noise like a cricket] all night." LMFAO. My mother, ladies and gentleman. My whole friggin' family, for that matter.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

There is nothing so good as having a family-in-law that welcomed me with open arms, even though I was an unpolished, shut-in, anti-union, comparitively foul-mouthed diamond-in-the-rough when they first met me. I felt like Eliza Doolittle and they never yelled at me like Henry Higgins did.

There is nothing so bad as looking at other families and thinking "Why couldn't my family be a little more like their family?" You know, a little more kind, a little more patient, and little more disciplined, a little more helpful....ok, a lot more of all those things. And there's nothing so bad as trying not to hate your family (because they are your own flesh and blood, they love me, they ARE me, I can't help but love them) but really really wanting to hate them for all they "did to me", even though it was more like a disability than a crime.

[blueerica]

Good: Updating Livejournal. Really.

Bad: Sore eyes. Really sore eyes.

Good: Laying down in a dark room.

Bad: Uhh...

I dunno.

[Kevy Baby]

Good: Sex

Bad: No sex

[Olympicnut]

In keeping with my nothing so good as, I was in an Irish pub in of all places Stroudsburg, PA this past weekend sitting at the bar with the friend that I went to visit enjoying a Guinness, talking about life. Good memories.