Certain things make us happy. Whether they are other people, places, books, movies, or random things like road signs. Sometimes we can explain why we find such things to be so positive; other times, we cannot. Today, for no real reason beyond feeling like it, I am sharing some of the things that make me happy and/or put a smile on my face. I will try to explain why the best I can, but some may simply be because they do. Like my previous lists, this will not be all inclusive but simply a small number of things in this world that bring joy to my heart.1. The Universal logo:
Right off the bat, I don’t know exactly why I love all the iterations of the Universal Studio logo. I suppose it has to do with its representation of some of my favorite films, such as the Back to the Future trilogy and all but two of the Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce Sherlock Holmes series. If it is for that reason or another, this logo has the ability to lift my mood, even if it be only slightly, more than any of the logos of other famous studios (although RKO’s probably comes close).
2. Old movies:
I’m specifically talking about pre-1960s movies, especially films from the 20s-40s. While a lot of hard-hitting films were made back in the Golden Age of Hollywood, there was a certain innocence before the 60s – prior to Vietnam, all the 60s assassinations, and all the other crap going on at that time. Yeah, the previous decades had a lot of terrible (to put it mildly) stuff going on, too, but they still maintained a certain air of positivity and hope that movies after had to an extent but not the same level. Yes, films after the Second World War were darker than what had come previously, but there were still joyous films that embody so many of the great things I love about the Golden Age. Those films showed that despite hard times, like the Great Depression and war, you could still be optimistic and hopeful about the past, present, and future. Also, on a less serious note, they can be extremely hilarious in a so-bad-it’s-good sort of way because of horrible stereotypes, bad effects, or other cheesy aspects. Those are just some of the reasons why I smile whenever some old black and white film or some Technicolor extravaganza musical comes on.
3. Music:
A run-of-the-mill choice, but music really can make me so very, very happy. Songs like I’ve Just Seen a Face, Man on the Moon, Thankful Heart (from The Muppets’ Christmas Carol), Smile, Paperback Writer, the Doctor Who main theme, The Mystery Science Theater 3000 main theme, Bach’s Double Violin Concerto in D Minor, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, The Call, Bad Touch, and many, many others are so fabulous to me and give me endless joy.
4. Going to the bookstore and finding new books
It’s a wonderful thing to go to a library or bookstore, walk down the aisles, brush your finger over the spines of countless novels and collections, and just think about the sheer number of different characters and worlds that lay at your fingertips. Then there are the books you actually pick up, read, and fall in love with. It’s this fantastic sensation of discovery and amazement at the infinite universe present in a library/bookstore that provided me with one of the reasons why I wanted to be a writer in the first place: so that I could add my own little planet and star to one of the many galaxies amongst galaxies and give others the same amount of happiness I’ve gotten after reading a great book.
5. Star Trek:
I’ve talked about Deep Space Nine a bit already in my Twenty-Two Favorite Things list, but I truly do love it. It was a part of my childhood, and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to enjoy it, respect it, learn from it, and find new ways of liking it. It’s just a big part of who I am.
6. Batman (1966 TV series with Adam West and Burt Ward):
Why do I love the series that’s really only accurate to the more silly decades of Batman? I enjoy it because of the fact that it is silly and not only silly but ridiculous and fun. When I hear that theme music (and how could you not love that song?) and hear that old-fashioned narration, my life comes a bit simpler and happier.
6. Comedians:
They make me laugh, ’nuff said.
7. Family and friends:
This has nothing to do with arts and entertainment but it’s my blog and I’ll break my own set of rules when I feel like it. I love my family, friends, and fan-fricken-tastic girlfriend. They do more than make me smile. They cause gut-busting laughter, are always supportive, and are the reason my life is as awesome as it is. The other things I’ve mentioned would mean little to nothing if it wasn’t for them, and for all that they have given me, I give them a most heartfelt thank you.