the idler

January 22, 2005 12:02 PM

AH, IS THIS NOT HAPPINESS"Chin Shengt’an was a 17th century playwright who once found himself stranded with a friend in a temple for ten days because of a rainstorm. While thus secluded, the pair compiled a list of the truly happy moments in life. The wonderful thing about Chin’s Happy Moments is their lack of piety. Material pleasures are not rejected in favour of loftier ones." Lovely elegant idea. If you need an antidote be sure to also look at Crap Jobs and Crap Holidays.
posted by milkwood (14 comments total)

I'm in Philly stranded in a kick ass snow storm.

....list forthcoming
posted by j.p. Hung at 12:13 PM on January 22, 2005

12. I get up early on a summer morning and see people sawing a large bamboo pole under a mat-shed, to be used as a water-pipe. Ah, is this not happiness?

Hehe. There was an AskMe thread on simple pleasures which seems relevant.
posted by euphorb at 12:14 PM on January 22, 2005

19. To keep three or four spots of eczema in a private part of my body and now and then to scald or bathe it with hot water behind closed doors.

To each his own, I guess.

Good list. It's interesting to see that the original 33 are mostly changes that bring about happiness. To really enjoy the house, you need to remember how frustrating it was to build, and so on. I get the impression this Shengt'an fellow wasn't really into instant gratification.
posted by nebulawindphone at 12:18 PM on January 22, 2005

Happiness is relative.
posted by breath at 12:34 PM on January 22, 2005

Unhappiness is relatives.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 12:47 PM on January 22, 2005

I am sitting, applying for dozens of jobs, cursing the terrible web interfaces. I tab over to Metafilter where, instead of the usual pedantry & name-calling, I read about the small pleasures of dead Chinese man. Ah, is this not happiness?

Wiseass: You suck!
posted by leotrotsky at 1:01 PM on January 22, 2005

The wonderful thing about Chin’s Happy Moments is their lack of piety. Material pleasures are not rejected in favour of loftier ones.

When I read this, I was hoping for some more taboo and prideful sources of happiness: eg. "embarrassed my enemy," "was told I looked really hot," "fantastic orgasm."
posted by painquale at 1:03 PM on January 22, 2005

To attend a Texan wedding reception, the Coors Light-sodden best man offering his toast. "I love y'all, and this child you're carryin' is gonna have the best mama and daddy in the whole world." The expectant bride in white, now seeing red, has not yet shared her happy news with her 200 guests - or her family. Is this not happiness?

True story circa 1/15/05. (You might be a redneck if...)
posted by postmodernmillie at 1:10 PM on January 22, 2005

Sounds like the Idler should start up a feature on "Crap Weddings".
posted by breath at 1:56 PM on January 22, 2005

Knowing that where I am is not where I'll always be.
posted by kamylyon at 2:14 PM on January 22, 2005

Knowing that where I am is not where I'll always be.

I'll second that, and add: Knowing that who I'm with is not who I'll always be with.
posted by MiHail at 6:27 PM on January 22, 2005

Great post, milkwood.

When I read this, I was hoping for some more taboo and prideful sources of happiness: eg. "embarrassed my enemy,"

Does this not do it for you?

11. I wake up in the morning and seem to hear someone in the house sighing and saying that last night someone died. I immediately ask to find out who it is, and learn that it is the sharpest, most calculating fellow in town. Ah, is this not happiness?
posted by vacapinta at 2:48 AM on January 23, 2005

26 is Comedy Gold!
posted by seanyboy at 5:58 AM on January 23, 2005

This is great.
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:10 PM on January 23, 2005