Inside Gigi's World

I’ve been busy doing a lot of things, time-fillers that make my brain just a little weary and a little bit zapped, things that make it difficult to get a clear thought onto a piece of paper…or computer screen.

I wasn’t sure what I was going to write today, I have a few things in the fire but if I am being honest, today I just don’t have enough energy to even get off the couch to start said fire. When my energy is drained and my brain feels like mush, it is nice to have a reminder of all the things that make me feel alive, you know, stuff that puts a smile on my face and a pep in my step.

So here it goes, 30 Things That Make Me Happy:

1. Vintage Photo Booths: Right now vintage photo booths make me very happy. I have recently learned that there are roughly 23 registered vintage photo booths in the United States (I actually think there are a few more than that if you follow them on TikTok, I digress…). One of the new items on my bucket list; to visit as many as I can before they disappear forever. I have made it to two so far (that sounds a little pathetic when I write that number but I guess it is better than 0), one in Northampton, Mass and the other in Somerville, Mass. The quest continues, however, because I am planning on heading out to New York in the Fall time to see at least 15 more. I’ll keep you updated on the progress.

2. New Pens. Yes, you read that right. New pens. How else am I going to write some kind of epic story without new pens? I know what you’re thinking…what about your computer? Truth be told, (almost) everything gets written in journals, pads, scrap paper, post-it notes…with pens before I even being to think about typing it out first.

3. New Journals because nothing feels better than opening a new journal to that very first page and writing in it with a new pen.

4. My vinyl collection. It isn’t as big as some others’ vinyl collections—does anyone follow any TikTokers who collect vinyl? Holy shit. At least I can sing along with all of mine though , some vinyl collectors collect the vinyl for the sake of just collecting vinyl. I can name most of the songs on mine, even sing along with most of them…although my family really wishes that I didn’t; it’s loud…not great…kind of a cross between a cat getting strangled and a fog horn going off simultaneously but sometimes you just gotta sing.

5. R. when he brings down his dirty towels from his room.

6. R. again when he actually washes them.

7. J. turning 16 in a few short weeks and the fact that we haven’t killed each other yet.

8. Nostalgia. How can that not make a person happy? If I’m having a bad day and flick on the Monster Squad or see my Trolls on the bookshelf, how can I not feel anything but happy?

9. 14 academic weeks. Yes, 14 more academic weeks and then I will hold in my hands my hard earned Bachelor’s degree. I know, to some of you more “educated” people, a BA might not seem like a big deal but if you had any idea how much it took me to get here, the number 14 would make you happy too.

10. The army of Monarch butterflies I am raising. Yes, you read that right. Well, maybe it isn’t an army…a small militia. I’ve decided to raise them to do my biddings. Everyday we have conversations about how once they emerge from their chrysalises they are going to find the crows and convince them to join us. I figure, at least in today’s climate, it’s better to trust the crows and the monarchs than AI and politicians.

11. Picking Flowers. Picking flowers makes me so incredibly happy. The fact that the hubby likes to come with me, makes me even happier. There are a few fields around me that I like to frequent.

12. Swearing. Lots of swearing makes me happy. Do I really need to explain this? Doesn’t swearing make everyone happy?

13. The neighborhood cat. I don’t know of he belongs to someone or if he a stray. Actually he could even be a she…I’ve never tried to check before nor do I have any plans in the near future to check but he has gotten a few small rodents that he has left by our door—which I’ve heard means he likes us. He is mostly black with a few orange spots, a big one on one of his eyes so it makes him look like he is wearing a mask—which also makes me happy—and he likes to sleep under or shrub on warm days. Sometimes he’ll even drink the water I leave out for him.

14. Air Conditioning. You couldn’t being to imagine how happy my AC makes me—the bill, not so much. I hate heat. I hate humidity. It makes me miserable. Massachusetts has been in an incredible heat wave recently, we’ve even had days over 100 degrees. Without the AC I literally wouldn’t be able to function. I’m not meant for this kind of weather.

15. My camera…do I really need to explain that? I write about it enough but still camera equals warm feelings and heart smiling.

16. My film group makes me happy, being around people with the same interests as me, it gives me something to look forward to.

17. Beaded fish bag charms. Thank you again TikTok. Anyone see the beaded-fish bag charms on TikTok at all? Welp, making them (usually) makes me happy. What can I say, I do better when my hands aren’t idol.

18. Naps.

19. S’Mores in the toaster oven because it is just too damn hot to have a fire.

20. My shark costume that I had to wear for J.’s dance recital. I’ve always wanted to be a shark.

21. My new dry erase board because the chalk ones were way overrated.

22. Chocolate and breakfast cereal even though I know I shouldn’t eat any of it.

23. Meeting up with old friends.

24. Chance encounters that turn into making new friends.

25. Working towards find peace.

26. Working towards finding myself.

27. Concerts even though they usually have me up much past my bedtime. This year I wanted to make it to three concerts. I think I am up to six right now for the year with a few more shows lined up.

28. Dirty dishes do not make me happy but being able to make meals for my family that makes those dishes dirty do.

29. Exploring new places—or at least the idea of exploring new places. I have a list as long as I am tall of new places I want to go. I hope I’ll get there eventually.

30. The fact that I completed this list and was able to think of 30 things, even with my brain so busy…well, that makes me happy too.