Happiness algorithm
Not really, but some kind of math was involved: "Scientist Cliff Arnall, A CONFIDENCE AND HAPPINESS SPECIALIST from the University of Cardiff, UK, identifies June 23 as the happiest day of the year. His calculations are based on childhood summers, holidays and more." Hey, how about that speciality?! And his office is right next to the Ministry for Funny Walks! Wonder where one can obtain such a speciality? Let's all play the freakin' Glad Game!
The above nugget o' good news was juxtaposed with a photo of a Utah woman mourning the re-entry denial handed down to her husband by the U.S. Supreme Court. Latin last names, of course. And a photo of an East Timorese woman in a refugee camp, arranging mosquito netting above her sleeping quarters. East Timor, where things are so jolly that the prime minister is considering resigning. On to Ohio, where violent storms caused flooding, and Sedona, AZ, which is suffering the effects of wild fires. But Not In My Backyard.
Me, I'm going on a hunting and gathering hike.
Green Lake was rife with life, and death. As I passed the boat house, an EMT squad was tending to a fisherman who, by the sounds of their jargon, was having a heart attack. Along the shoreline, fishermen ranged themselves like solitary animals staking out their territories. One fellow a few territories down had a garish teeshirt declaring that "Hell was full, so I'm back!" Around the next bend, there was a big patch of waterlilies in which sheltered ten big turtles, sunning themselves on a log. A little girl stood there watching them, and as I started to leave she cried,"Look!" I turned to see her holding out a handful of birdseed, upon which perched a red-winged blackbird, picking away. Its mate was giving that unmistakeable cry that they do, as it watched from an overhanging tree branch.
Babies were out in full force, from a little guy strapped onto his dad's back facing out like a bagged hunting trophy as dad biked briskly along, both of them sans helmets, to a very young one swaddled into a stroller, looking around with that wild almost wall-eyed expression they can have.
And I brought home maple butter. Reason to be happy any day.
The above nugget o' good news was juxtaposed with a photo of a Utah woman mourning the re-entry denial handed down to her husband by the U.S. Supreme Court. Latin last names, of course. And a photo of an East Timorese woman in a refugee camp, arranging mosquito netting above her sleeping quarters. East Timor, where things are so jolly that the prime minister is considering resigning. On to Ohio, where violent storms caused flooding, and Sedona, AZ, which is suffering the effects of wild fires. But Not In My Backyard.
Me, I'm going on a hunting and gathering hike.
Green Lake was rife with life, and death. As I passed the boat house, an EMT squad was tending to a fisherman who, by the sounds of their jargon, was having a heart attack. Along the shoreline, fishermen ranged themselves like solitary animals staking out their territories. One fellow a few territories down had a garish teeshirt declaring that "Hell was full, so I'm back!" Around the next bend, there was a big patch of waterlilies in which sheltered ten big turtles, sunning themselves on a log. A little girl stood there watching them, and as I started to leave she cried,"Look!" I turned to see her holding out a handful of birdseed, upon which perched a red-winged blackbird, picking away. Its mate was giving that unmistakeable cry that they do, as it watched from an overhanging tree branch.
Babies were out in full force, from a little guy strapped onto his dad's back facing out like a bagged hunting trophy as dad biked briskly along, both of them sans helmets, to a very young one swaddled into a stroller, looking around with that wild almost wall-eyed expression they can have.
And I brought home maple butter. Reason to be happy any day.
posted by isabelita at 10:11 AM
2 Comments:
How anyone can ride a bike sans helmet is beyond me. I've been in two bike crashes - one, I was hit by a car and two - I fell going over train tracks as I hit a rail and my tire came pealing off. So, no, none were my "fault," but both times my helmet saved my face and noggin. I always go out with helmets on, and when kids are on the back seat, so too do they. Or, they don't go. Period. It's never your faut, but just ask that QB from the Superbowl champs if he was lucky not to be a parapalegic for not wearing a helmet...granted a motorcycle accident is different, but the end result could be the same.
Yikes! I'm full parent mode...must turn off...go windsurfing....catch the 30 knott winds if there are any...
kathyr, there must be an online degree program to become one...In truth, it's probably is part of some marketing operation to data mine potential consumers.
'spike - It was horrifying to see this baby strapped on the guy's back, with his little arms and legs stuck out like a starfish, as dad zoomed along. Guess I must have been haivng a parenting flashback, as I watched and wondered what would happen if the biker fell and landed on his baby...to quote Britney Spears, parenting paragon,"That's America for you."
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