Malazan Empire: Cause - Viewing Profile - Malazan Empire

I often think about the little pleasures in my life that I really enjoy, the ones I miss because I no longer have easy access to, or the things in my life that punch above their weight in terms of how much I use and benefit from them. I thought I would share mine and am curious what are yours.

Sunbeams:
I am like a dog or a cat in this regard. Back in South Africa I had a floor to ceiling sliding glass door and I would open it all the way, a sunbeam would fall across the corner of my bed and the floor and despite it being a less comfortable spot to sit I loved sitting in the beam and enjoying the heat of the sun on my skin as I read a book or sat with my dogs. This little pleasure is mostly absent in the USA with the need for better insulation and smaller windows in my apartments and the shorter summer months. Nevertheless my apartment has a smool pool deck and for four months of the eyar its perfect for sunbathign and reading.

Hot Baths / Jacuzzis / Hot Springs:
I love heat. This is a common thread for me. My parents used to scream at me for lying to close to heaters thinking id hurt myself. When I discovered putting a kindle in a ziplock bag and reading in a hot bath I became obsessed. I miss having a bathtub for this reason. A proper jacuzzi with heat that doesnt fade and with some nice soothing bubbles is next level. Rarer experience than I would like these days but sometimes I get lucky at a hotel.

Dogs:
Dogs are like 50% of my personality. I have never met a dog I dint like. Just seeing one in an elevator, on the street, or in a cute instagram clip can improve my mood. Getting to actually play with one...

Wireless Earbuds:
I don't mean this to be an advert for products but this little gadget has changed my life. I am not a big music guy (never have been for some reason), not a big adiobook guy. But since I got my first pair of airpods in 2018, the ease of carry and ease of use means I am seldom without them. Perfect for music on a walk, youtube on the train, entertainment in the doctors office etc. Now with noise cancelling its perfect for how much I travel. Cant imagine sitting in a plane now without these to lessen the noise of the engine. Also makes talking on the phone less painful as I don't need to hold my hpone up to my ear. I use this every day.

A good scented shampoo or soap:
I slept on this my whole life. Soap is soap. Give me a good 15 in 1 bachelor soap for 1.99 from costco. I dont care. Or thats what I thought. I realized that everynow and then I would go to a haircut that used some amazing smelling shampoo, or stay at a hotel for work with some amazing smelling bodywash and I realized it improved my mood. I dont want to smell like the soap. But a strong scent of Teatree oil at a hairdresser or a strong scent of lemon in the shower in the morning seems to lift my mood and waken me up just that little extra kit. So now I use one at one.

A good scenic view:
I never really knew this about my home town JHB. Its the largest city in the world not next to a major river, coastline or mountain. Its just a gold rush mining town a giant flat platue. The city is also wide not tall. I love a view of the ocean or any large body of water, I find it peaceful. I love a view of mountains it fills me with awe. I love a view from a 40th story window of a giant city below me, it inspires me with waht humankind has/can build. Some cities are just blessed more than others in this regard. The grand canyon, niagra falls etc are lovely but when it comes to little pleasures I mean more just sitting at a restaurant or on a homes balcony looking at the lapping waves.