rebecca's favourite things

don't be fooled by the title of the post. this is not one of those "everybody gets a car... and you do, and you do, and you do..." oprah whinfrey situations.


it's my new, replacement happy game. well, actually, not replacement, but rather, think of it like a filing system for the happy game. the game goes like this. actively start thinking of your "top 100 favourite things". (when something pops up in your happies in a recurring kind of way, it probably belongs in your top 100 favourite things list.) it's a mental list. or it could be an actual list. either way (i'm not fussed). anyway, point being, it's a good game to play with people. ask them what would be on their list (no need to name 100 things, just things that definitely make it in, and take note as the list builds up).


for example:


these undoubtedly make my list.



all things coffee: in order of appearance, that's espresso martinis (which, although i may sound like an alcoholic, slip down the throat very nicely indeed), iced coffee as it seeps down through icy milk, and morning coffee, complete with loveheart scrawled by my love.


baking also makes my list. subheading for baking is the kitchenaid (thanks jus for the reminder of its holiness - o, shiny thing.)
and, in a separate entry, cooking. 
skov obviously (although people gets tricky, there are just too many)
ellatalk for sure. headliners of which are sweety and barf?.
late-night comedies get a nod (arrested development, entourage, weeds, friends, sex and the city etc.), but 30 rock can have its own entry. in fact, for that matter, lets put liz lemon in there. and jenna. (and kenneth and tracy and jack, oh my.)
games nights (especially when i'm victorious)
craft projects with favourite friends

(full post on this project shortly)


a really good movie, especially one where you get to snuggle in the corner of the couch.
cuddles.
the smell of fresh laundry.
for that matter, the smell of lavender.
a clean house (but not the part where you have to clean it, obviously)
a really good conversation. unbeatable.
getting dressed up and made up and smelling lovely.
laughing at myself (i have to be good at this one, sometimes i'm fullstop a douchebag).
photography.
vintage chairs. 
a good text message. a funny text message. a meaningful text message (gemgem i actually love you)
great new musical theatre. great new any theatre. great old theatre (both musical and otherwise).
bright, beautiful colours.
blue eyes (and one person in particular's)


and the list goes on and on forever. and the best part? there are no rules. or at least, you make them up, to suit you precisely, as you go along. like, subtitles are cool for some categories. some categories can appear more than once. the list can be written all at once or over a century. or never written at all, just thought about. and discussed. the discussion is the important part. i liked, when we invented the game, how we inspired each other:


skov: the smell of baking
me: baking!


so ok there were better examples than that but they escape me right now.


i like how one idea rolls onto another and another. and soon, you're swimming in this sea of things that make you happy, things that make you laugh and feel at home and safe and loved. so, go forth, very small pool of readers, and disseminate my new game. and it will be good, i promise.


and, if you feel like it, leave a sample (however small) in the comments box. start a conversation. it's therapeutic.


-- R.