Today's Top 5

Shut Up + Run listed 5 things in her blog that she was enjoying at the moment and encouraged others to do the same.  Too often the negative things that I'm raging against from moment to moment are at the forefront of my thoughts and the things that I enjoy are lost in the mix.  So I'm picking up on Shut Up + Run's theme and giving some thought to the top 5 things that I'm enjoying - at least for today.  Here they are in no particular order.

1.  Starbucks Triple Venti Mocha.

 

For the last several weeks this has become the privileged indulgence of my work day mornings.  The early mornings, long before most people have roused themselves from bed, have been a much needed personal refuge.  Most mornings, for at least the first hour or so, there is no one making demands or pulling me in a hundred different directions.  My triple venti mocha and I go quietly to the gym and spend some quality time together; I investing in much needed personal care and the venti mocha supplying silent energizing support.

Venti Mocha has also been a contributor to some of my most recent self damaging activities and for a while I was afraid that she and I would have to stop seeing one another.  But that was before my new friend Mr. Water came along to help salvage the relationship.  Now Venti and I have reached an understanding and can once again quietly enjoy each other once more.  All things in moderation.

2.  Nike Dri-Fit Long Sleeve Running Shirt

 

I found a new Nike store in the neighborhood recently and went inside to look around.  There were tons of clothing on clearance and I picked up this Dri-Fit long sleeve running shirt with the Livestrong pinwheel design on the cuff.  It fits great, looks good, and the blue really brings out my eyes.  Or at least so I've been told.  :-)

I've been wearing this thing on my morning workouts (never mind that it is June) or just out-and-about.  I've also worn it a few times on the job.  The "Run" logo on the front works on so many different levels!

3.   Flashpoint

 

I normally don't watch "cop shows" or "crime" dramas; I get enough of that in real life.  Plus, who has time to watch television anyway when you're busy being totally awesome?  However, during a rare moment of down time I stumbled across Flashpoint on Netflix and thought I would check out the pilot episode.  I was hooked.  This Canadian police drama centers around a fictitious SWAT team, which is based on the very real Toronto Police Service Emergency Task Force.  The writing is actually very good and some of the episodes have actually hit a little too close to home.

I liked the show so much I shared it with my friends.  We've also had a good time calling "bullshit" from time-to-time on some of the tactics and decisions portrayed on the show.  But then I have to remind everyone that if they were real operators the episode(s) in question would only be about 10 minutes long, and what good is that?  Plus it is a good thing to suspend disbelief every so often.

Flashpoint is currently filming its fifth and final season (I'm only on the third episode of season 4) and with the amount of free time I have to really sit down and watch the show it will last me for some time, but I'll be sorry to see it go.

4.  iPhone 4S (In An Otterbox Defender Case)

Okay, so this is really two things combined into a single unit.  The iPhone 4S is the latest and greatest iPhone iteration.  At least until this Fall when I expect that Apple will launch a new iPhone along with iOS 6.

I use my iPhone for nearly everything, and it has become an invaluable tool for both my personal and professional lives.  I slip it into my armband for tunes while on my runs (along with my JayBird wireless headphones).  I take photographs (pretty damn good ones too), video, and audio recordings for work.  I browse the web, work with e-mail, video conference, and get maps and directions on the fly with this little sucker.  All-in-all, it is damn near like being in a Star Trek episode sometimes.  And let's not forget Siri, Apple's virtual assistant.  Her voice could use a little less synthesizing, but I figure that will come when I can finally get her to talk dirty to me.

The Defender case from Otterbox keeps my invaluable companion safe and sound (Have I ever mentioned that I'm really hard on gear?).  The hard polycarbonate shell is surrounded by a softer silicone layer that resists the frequent bumps and dings that comes as part and parcel of living my life.

5.  My Own Awesomeness.

I know that sounds a little narcissistic - okay, a lot actually - but at an age where I swear I can hear the clock ticking I'm probably in the best shape of my life.  I'm also a hell of a lot smarter (in some ways) than I was in my youth.  I suppose what I really mean is that at this moment in time I'm in good health and in a relatively decent place in my life; all things considered.  Could things be better?  Of course.  But they could always be a hell of a lot worse.

Early last week I walked outside my office and stood in the streaming sunshine.  The air was cool and the day was clear and bright.  In that moment I experienced none of my usual aches or pains.  And as I stood there breathing in the fresh morning air, there was also a sense of endless possibilities and limitless potential; as though there was nothing that I couldn't do.  It is a difficult feeling to describe, but I felt alive.

Unfortunately I do not experience those feelings often enough; perhaps as a result of not slowing down or pausing long enough to take stock.  Tomorrow may be different, but for now I'm feeling pretty awesome and therefore it makes the list.


So there you have it.  My list of five things that I'm enjoying at the moment.  I'll be honest that I really had to think about this and wasn't exactly sure that I could come up with five things.  Maybe that is telling.  Maybe this is also a good regular exercise to help keep perspective.

What is it that you're enjoying?  What are the top five things on your list?  Take some time and give it some thought.