Chris Writing Anything

Describe one habit that brings you joy.

Habits. Everyone has them…whether good or bad. Today, as prompted by WordPress, I’ve been asked to explain one in particular. More precisely, I have to detail a habit that brings me joy. So, as you may have guessed, this post will be about my dirty, rotten, filthy, stinking habits.

When I first read this prompt, I thought of mountain biking, because I do it often. Yet, I only ride two to three times a week. And while the activity incites a runners high, combined with the nirvana provided by placid scenery, I’d refer to my rides as events. I say this because my ride is surrounded by preparation routines. So, it’s not really a habit.

And as I mention mountain biking, the same can be said for kayaking and running. It’s not something I simply do, there’s physical and emotional preparation built into that activity.

So, what does that leave me with? Well, first thing in the morning, I make my bed. Yet, although this is a habit, meh, it really doesn’t bring me joy. Looking at it from a productivity standpoint, it starts me off on the right foot.

Let’s see, what else is there? Well, there’s this…blogging. But again, I see this from a productivity standpoint. I’m doing this to improve myself, and sometimes, when I review my first drafts…ugh…it certainly doesn’t bring me joy.

So, what’s left. I do eat an omelette for breakfast…everyday. Nope, I don’t get sick of them. And I’ve been doing this for years. But, is it a habit? Again, there’s preparation involved. So, it’s more of a routine than a habit.

I think, if I really, really think about it, a habit that brings me joy would be what I do just before breakfast, and I tackle this right after I make my bed. Literally, I’ve been doing it for years.

I don’t have to force myself to do this, I simply want to get at it. Do I experience pure joy during and after the activity? I think ‘joy’ might be too strong of a word. However, there’s an uplifting sense of satisfaction.

Okay, I’ve adequately built up the suspense…I essentially used eight paragraphs of lead in. So, here is my disappointing revelation…’CROSSWORDS’. I love to do crosswords.

You don’t believe me? I usually solve four a day. Now granted, they’re not ultra-tough. I save the really hard puzzles for rainy days. You know, when there’s absolutely nothing going on.

But really, every morning, just after I wake up, I stimulate my brain with some quick and simple riddles. Not only does it stimulate my brain, some of the answers prompt me to do more research. Then, I learn about things I might be totally oblivious to.

Of course, considering the limited info a crossword puzzle provides, it can make for some awkward moments. And I can come off as genuinely strange.

Taking that into account, one of my favorite memories, and I think I embarrassed my ex-girlfriend, took place at Shedd’s Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois. But before I delineate my eccentric behavior, well, at least, when I look back at it, my behavior on that day was quite odd, anyways, I’ll give you a little backstory.

Okay, I mentioned loving crossword puzzles, the New York Times has a couple crossword puzzle apps. Daily, I play both. One of them, an ultra-easy brain game, one that rates your performance with a timer, had a clue that left me baffled.

This was the riddle: ‘Name a three lettered fish with a long snout.’ I literally had no idea. And, as it was the last unsolved word in the puzzle, I went through the letters on the keyboard, frantically trying to beat the eight minute timer, as I sought out the answer.

When I guessed the right letter, it wasn’t an ‘aha!’ moment. I was baffled, because never, ever, had I heard of a ‘gar’. I thought the crossword puzzle’s creators made up the word.

However, maybe because of a hectic day, I never researched the fish further. That isn’t to say that I didn’t ponder that strangely named fish, which bore an equally strange description.

Fast forward to a few years later. I’m at Shedd’s Aquarium, which is set right on the banks of Lake Michigan. Literally, if you were to jump off the old building’s roof, you’d wind up in the lake. Anyways, the place is a little stuffy, being that the structure is on the National Registry of Historic Buildings.

And I’m at practically the stuffiest portion, plus, and I’ll admit it, I’m pretty bored. Here, in a fairly darkened expanse, rows of lit aquariums line the walls. So far, I’ve seen a few creatures that piqued my interest. I mean, the Morray Eel was fairly cool.

But now…

We’ve just moved into the Great Lakes exhibit. Is this exhibit necessary? Really, I could step outside, throw a line in the water and catch half of these fish. But, with the urging of my girlfriend, I’m forced to look at tanks of salmon, trout, perch and…wait…hold on!

Could it be?

Swimming in front of my eyes is a plainly colored fish…but it has a long snout. Quickly, as a moment of revelation is about to seize me, I look towards the aquarium’s placard.

“That’s a gar!!” I euphorically shout.

There’s been nights, when I faded off to dreamland, that I’ve wondered, ‘Does a gar really exist?’

And now, right before me, in its rather drab scales, that fish has made itself known.

My girlfriend? I think this may be the back breaker in our relationship. Macon Sharks, Beluga Whales, Dolphins, you name it, throughout the day, I’ve been staring at these exotic creatures like they were unnecessary road signs.

Now, this odd looking, but rather mundane local lake inhabiter, makes me react as if I’m the Power Ball winner.

She’s appalled. She’s wearing an expression of shock, disbelief, disdain and horror.

Me? I love discovery, and I don’t care if she hops in the car and leaves without me…I found a gar.

Thanks New York Times crosswords!

Have an Excellent Day!