My (third) list of ridiculously great things

January 26, 2011 by 36x37

google image: 0.tqn.com

It snowed on my way home, frosting and glazing the streets into a slick of black ice. Just a mile from my house, I saw a man running through the bitter cold with a sturdy German Shepherd by his side. I did a double-take—not at the guy, but at the dog. She looked just like my sweet old girl, Bosco, and she carried a thick, 3 ft. long stick in her mouth. Her tail wagged away the snow. She was jubilant.

“See?” I thought. “That’s great. Now there’s happiness.” In my mind’s eye, I scratched the Bosco look-alike behind the ears and said, “Who’s a good girl? Who’s a good girl!”

So ridiculously great. Ridiculous greatness.

It must be that time again…

~*~

Maura’s (Third) List of Ridiculously Great Things

1. The funny things my kids say now that they watch commercials.

A few days ago, the TV in our family room broke, so GB disconnected the small flat screen in our bedroom and moved it downstairs to watch the Steelers seize the AFC championship. (Woot!) The smaller screen size prompted H to wax pragmatic.

“How much did you pay for that TV?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” GB said. “${X} or something.”

“That’s a shame,” H said. “You should have called Progressive [Auto] Insurance. They would have let you name your price.”

2. One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel Garcia-Marquez

I’ve only just started to read this classic work, but I’m already hooked. The first sentence alone was enough to snag me:

Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendia was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you win a Pulitzer Prize.

3. A Lego A Day Blog

Honestly? This blog is one of the best things I’ve ever seen. I’m not kidding.

Dan, the blog’s creator, is a 5^th grade teacher and gifted photographer with a slight obsession: Every day, he posts a photo of a Lego mini-figure doing some action-packed, usually outdoor activity. I cannot get enough of this site. Here’s a link to one of my recent favorites. Just click—it’s absolutely worth it. But be sure you have some time to spare, because trust me, you’ll want to keep browsing once you get there.

4. Those “easy” loads of laundry.

I’m talking about the all-towel/all-jeans loads, with not a sock or pair of underwear in sight.

5. And speaking of jeans…

By some genius stroke of luck, I pulled a pair of Ann Taylor Loft jeans off the clearance rack and they fit perfectly—my favorite pair of jeans in all of my 36 years. Price? $11. Ridiculous greatness.

6. Le Jolie’s Worldwide Tour via Blurt

Have you ever come across something you wish you’d thought of first? Something, thy name is The Jolie Pez Project. About five months ago, Omawarisan, the hilarious mastermind behind Blurt, purchased an Angelina Jolie action figure from eBay for the express purpose of mailing her around to “save the world” and also visit bloggers he knows. My friend Wendy (from Herding Cats in Hammond River) recently hosted Le Jolie on the Canadian leg of her tour. (Wendy dedicated three whole posts to the visit. Here’s part 1.) Visit The Jolie Pez Project to see what other exotic climes Plastic Ms. Brad Pitt has visited.

7. Lego Ohio Stadium via Paul Janssen

Photo by Paul Janssen

Personally, I’d like to make the case for hosting Le Jolie here in Columbus. THE Ohio State University’s Paul Janssen (associate professor of physiology and cell biology and associate professor in cardiovascular medicine) spent the last two years building an exact replica of Ohio Stadium—out of Legos. (Read ESPN’s post.) I want Le Jolie to stand on the “O” at the 50 yard line. I don’t know Paul Janssen, but why should that stand in the way of making this magic happen? I’ll have Le Jolie’s people call his people.

8. The Decemberists’ new album, The King is Dead

You either love or hate these guys. I fall in the “blushingly adore” camp thanks to their poetic lyrics and smart compositions. Give their first single a try: “Don’t Carry It All”

9. My new laptop

It arrived Monday, and will be imaged and ready for use by the end of today. I haven’t taken it for a test drive yet, but for God’s sake, it has to be better than the piece of crap I’ve been using.

10. Valentine’s Day

For all you lovers out there…our favorite day is just 20 days away. Start writing your sonnets now.

Want more? Read Ridiculously Great List One, and Ridiculously Great List Two.

Have your own list of ridiculously great things? Sound off below. Bloggers love comments, especially me, so gimme the goods.

~*~ Find me on Twitter @36×37
~*~ Visit the 36×37 facebook page

About these ads

Posted in Ridiculously Great Things | Tagged Angelina Joile, books, German Shephers, happiness, humor, kids, legos, life, Ohio Stadium, One Hundred Years of Solitude, parenting, reading, The Decemberists | 43 Comments

43 Responses

on January 26, 2011 at 7:59 am | Reply notesfromrumbleycottage

Warm brownies, different flavors of chocolate chips (choco-raspberry was a fav) and Mystical Trees, those cardboard things that grow fuzz once you put then in their own magical solution. Oh, and it is on my blog today!
- on January 27, 2011 at 12:20 pm | Reply 36x37
  
  Ha! I’d never seen a Mystical Tree before your post. The science behind it is funny.
  
  I love your list. Warm brownies should be on everyone’s “ridiculously great” radar.
on January 26, 2011 at 8:11 am | Reply lifeintheboomerlane

My son was a Lego freak, but I don’t remember all the people, etc way back then (25 years ago). I think he just had a million (I counted them) little building bricks. What fun that guy is having. The Jolie Tour was hilarious. She should keep going, all over the world. So funny about your son’s Progressive comment!
- on January 27, 2011 at 12:24 pm | Reply 36x37
  
  I don’t know about you, Renee, but I have a sneaky suspicion that Legos actually mate. I look at my boys’ boxes and boxes of Legos and think, “Where on earth did all of these come from?”
  
  I also think they sneak out of their boxes at night and plant themselves on my direct path to the bathroom so I can step on them in the dark.
  
  The Jolie Tour IS excellent, isn’t it? I’d love to see you host her–I think that would be hysterical!
on January 26, 2011 at 8:30 am | Reply thoughtsappear

I love the Lego blog! Thanks for posting the link!

I’m totally with you on easy loads of laundry. I HATE matching socks.
- on January 27, 2011 at 12:26 pm | Reply 36x37
  
  I’m happy you like the Lego blog, Thoughts! I think Dan needs to package his photos into a book, send a query letter to Lego, have the pics published into a book sold at the Lego stores, then sit back and wait for his $$$. Cash. Cow. I’d totally buy that book.
on January 26, 2011 at 8:36 am | Reply sunshineinlondon

What a joyous read – something we don’t do often enough is list the ridiculously great things in our lives. I LOVE your son’s comment – I don’t know Progressive but I can guess the context. Too cute! And everything else just makes me smile.
We went house-hunting when my boys were little, and, having looked through a cosy, light-filled house, my elder son rushed up to us and said, “Oh, this house is real winter bliss.”
My ridiculously great things: Cape Town; London; laughing; the back of my sons’ necks; lying in a hammock; clean, crisp sheets; the smell of clean towels as I put them away; snuggling up to my husband on the sofa as we watch TV together … Oh, and Van.
Sunshine xx
- on January 27, 2011 at 12:30 pm | Reply 36x37
  
  Aw, thanks, Sunshine. Progressive is an auto insurance company. H has seen ads on The Disney Channel. I always thought that seemed like a strange place for an insurance company to run an ad, but I guess the company knew it would get great word-of-mouth from the kindergarten set!
  
  I love your story about your son. What a good boy. That must have been some house…it takes a lot to make winter seem cozy and blissful!
  
  I love your list, too. It made me smile to see Cape Town listed as your number one. I think you may love home more than anyone else I know, Sunshine.
  
  You’re right. Van = dreamy.
on January 26, 2011 at 10:06 am | Reply planejaner

I love ridiculously great things. Just yesterday my daughter left for school and within a minute I received this text from her:
“MOM! Go outside and look at the moon! I Love You!”
ridiculously great.
blessings
jane
- on January 27, 2011 at 12:34 pm | Reply 36x37
  
  Oh, wow. You’re right, Jane. That IS ridiculously great. I teared up when I read this comment. Your daughter must be really special.
  
  You reminded me of something my older son did once. It was about 6:45 on a Saturday morning, when I felt a tiny hand pat my sleeping face. When I opened my eyes, H was standing beside me, saying, “I have to show you something really important.”
  
  “What is it?” I said, sitting up with a jolt.
  
  “You have to come see. I can’t explain it.”
  
  He took my hand, led me down the hall, then stopped in front of the window. Then he pointed to one of the most achingly beautiful sunrises I’ve ever seen.
  
  “Will you watch it with me?” he asked.
on January 26, 2011 at 10:24 am | Reply flyinggma

Loved your list and your son’s Progressive comment.

I found the Lego a Day site about a month ago and spent over an hour looking at all the photos. Great fun!

Don’t you just love a pair of jeans that fit perfect. I almost mourn them when I can no longer wear them.
- on January 27, 2011 at 12:38 pm | Reply 36x37
  
  I’m so glad people are clicking over to check out the Lego site. It’s one heck of a concept.
  
  Totally with you on the jeans. When I pack them away in the summertime, I feel like I’m sending away old friends.
on January 26, 2011 at 11:44 am | Reply erin lyn

I have sent this blog entry to everyone I know. I love it. AND now not only am I obsessed with your blog, but the Lego one. *love*
- on January 27, 2011 at 12:39 pm | Reply 36x37
  
  See? I hope Dan the Lego a Day guy reads these comments. He’s a popular dude.
on January 26, 2011 at 11:50 am | Reply writerwoman61

Thanks for the shoutout, Maura…I’m sure The Jolie could fit in an Ohio visit…just talk to Oma!

Ridiculously great things: The way our dog greets us when we come home at night…he’s always happy to see us! Homemade brownies. Baby laughter. A cup of tea on a cold day. A good book. A song that makes you cry because it’s so beautiful.

Hugs,
Wendy
- on January 27, 2011 at 12:41 pm | Reply 36x37
  
  I love your list, Wendy. Ridiculously great.
  
  Aw, Jake. It’s easy to see why he’d make you happy. And baby laughter might just be the sweetest sound in the world.
on January 26, 2011 at 12:15 pm | Reply Carol

Another great post! Years ago I had a pair of jeans that I absolutely loved and the fit could not have been better. They finally wore out, and time doing what it does to our bodies, mine shifted a bit so they were getting a bit snug in a couple of areas anyway. Alas, designs have changed and they have not be replicated. But then again, neither has my much younger body.
- on January 27, 2011 at 12:43 pm | Reply 36x37
  
  Ha! I hear you, Carol. When I wear jeans I bought before my sons were born, I think, “Wow. I really miss my old butt. That thing was great, and I never knew it until it turned into this one.”
on January 26, 2011 at 12:26 pm | Reply Fair warning: this post has nothing to do with food | Legally Delish

[...] morning one of my favorite blogs, 36×37, posted a link to a new favorite on her list of ridiculously great things. The LEGO a day blog is [...]
- on January 27, 2011 at 12:44 pm | Reply 36x37
  
  Thanks, Erin!!!
on January 26, 2011 at 1:26 pm | Reply pearlsandprose

Great list, Maura. Love the part about the kids and commercials.

I definitely want to see the Jolie at the Lego Ohio stadium! Maybe someone can do script Ohio for her….
- on January 27, 2011 at 12:44 pm | Reply 36x37
  
  Can’t you just see Lego Script Ohio? Le Jolie could dot the “i” but we’d have to find a Lego tuba first.
on January 26, 2011 at 7:31 pm | Reply jacquelincangro

I should have heeded your warning! I just spend an embarrassing amount of time on the Lego a Day site.

Great list! Exactly one year ago, I did a similar list: 50 Things That Make Me Smile. Thanks for reminding me it’s time to update it.
http://jacquelincangro.wordpress.com/2010/01/26/50-things-that-make-me-smile/
- on January 27, 2011 at 12:45 pm | Reply 36x37
  
  SUCH a great list, Jacquelin. Yours is so much better and more comprehensive than mine. Thanks for sharing it here!
on January 26, 2011 at 8:59 pm | Reply Artswebshow

Ha ha. le jolie.
That would be funny to see.
Ridiculously good list here
- on January 27, 2011 at 12:48 pm | Reply 36x37
  
  In my next “Ridiculously Great” list, I’ll have to post Artswebshow, because Dude, your videos are GREAT. Please tell Sir Richard I think his River Dance was nothing short of inspiring.
on January 26, 2011 at 9:52 pm | Reply Sana Johnson-Quijada MD

sticking a cue-tip in my ear (i know it’s dangerous but wonderful)
- on January 27, 2011 at 12:49 pm | Reply 36x37
  
  Did you know they make baby q-tips that are totally safe? More ridiculous greatness!
on January 27, 2011 at 3:22 am | Reply ladyjustine

Agree with all of these! They are definitely ridiculously great!! Our dog likes to find the biggest stick she can carry, then whack you behind the knees – still ridiculously great, even if it is like being savaged!!
- on January 27, 2011 at 12:50 pm | Reply 36x37
  
  What can be better than a happy dog with a giant stick, right? I swear, that Bosco look-alike made my day.
on January 27, 2011 at 7:54 am | Reply crazygoangirl

Great list Maura and that Lego site is seriously addictive
- on January 27, 2011 at 12:50 pm | Reply 36x37
  
  Glad you liked it, Harsha!
on January 27, 2011 at 9:14 am | Reply Todd Pack

I read 100 Years of Solitude maybe 15 years ago. It’s a great, great book, and I just a review of the Decembrists’ new record on NPR. I really need to download it. Congrats on getting a new laptop!
- on January 27, 2011 at 12:57 pm | Reply 36x37
  
  I’m glad to hear you liked 100 Years of Solitude, Todd Pack. I absolutely loved Garcia-Marquez’ Love in the Time of Cholera (although I couldn’t believe how thoroughly the movie defiled such a gorgeous work of literature), so I had big expectations when I picked up 100 Years.
  
  I read the NPR review of the Decemberists, too, and laughed through most of it. The columnist was absolutely right in all the criticisms about Colin Meloy’s “tortured vocabulary” and “19th century locutions” and strange attachment to that total downer, Morrisey. True on all counts! That was a great article. I’m just glad the reviewer was ultimately happy with the album.
on January 27, 2011 at 12:55 pm | Reply planejaner

Aw, Maura–
you got ME to tear up. what a sweet young man.
jane
- on January 27, 2011 at 12:58 pm | Reply 36x37
  
  Thanks, Jane.
on January 27, 2011 at 5:06 pm | Reply Amanda Hoving

Hello friend — Loved your list! I can’t remember if it was 100 Years of Solitude, or Love in the Time of Cholera where the discussion of eating asparagus seems to come back and haunt the reader again and again? (Pathetic that this is the first thing that comes to my mind, yes?)

Been a busy week here, so the only ridiculously great thing I have at the moment is that tomorrow is Friday!
- on January 28, 2011 at 11:43 pm | Reply 36x37
  
  Ha! I’ll have to watch for the asparagus references. What a great observation!
  
  I hope things are going well for you, Amanda. Isn’t Tuesday your deadline? Sending positive thoughts to you all the way from C-bus. Happy weekend!
on January 28, 2011 at 9:53 am | Reply Traci

We should compare the scars on the bottom of our feet from stepping on LEGO!

Can’t wait to show the daily LEGO blog to my son; how fun!
- on January 28, 2011 at 11:42 pm | Reply 36x37
  
  Oh, I hope your little guy enjoys the Lego a Day. I show the daily pic to my boys just before bedtime, and it’s a regular crack-up session. It’s excellent.
  
  Happy weekend to you, Traci!
on January 28, 2011 at 4:16 pm | Reply Kathryn McCullough

The Progressive comment was hysterical! What I love is the idea of this post–may have to try one myself. Thanks for the inspiration.
from Haiti,
Kathy
- on January 28, 2011 at 11:42 pm | Reply 36x37
  
  I’m glad you liked the idea, Kathy! Happy weekend to you!
on January 31, 2011 at 6:55 pm | Reply Raising the happy dead | Freedom in a Cup

[...] dragged through the streets of my own life by the noose of my own making right now. Thanks to Maura’s reminder on 36×37, as well as the many other ever-present little things that pop up, these are the times when I need [...]