#539 When you open a book to the exact page you were looking for

Neil Pasricha

You cracked the case.

Seriously, when you pop open that textbook, flip open the yellow pages, or split the spine of that beach novel right to the spot you’re looking for it’s a beautiful moment.

Suddenly you transform into a gloomy trenchcoat-wearing detective who solves the case just by glancing at the crime scene. Yes, the street’s been taped off, someone’s crying under a blanket on the curb, and the city police are filling out witness statements on their notepads.

That’s when you peel up in a navy blue squad card, calmly light up a cigarette, and then stare at the surrounding buildings for a few minutes with furrowed eyebrows.

Then you calmly walk back to your cruiser, smile softly, and roll your window down at the local police before screaming away down the wet roads.

“Page 127.”

AWESOME!

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1,354 thoughts to “#539 When you open a book to the exact page you were looking for”

  1. Your own collection of things.
    Stamps? Coins? Dolls? Action figures? It doesn’t matter..its awesome.
    I collect Wizard of Oz things and every time I get a new piece I get all excited.

    1. Awesome! Also awesome, when you all the sudden have an accidental collection. I’ll explain: so, I love the Beatles. I love their music, I love their movies, I have a couple posters my parents passed on to me, etc. and my friends know this. Then all the sudden … I get two Beatles mugs for Christmas, 3 Beatles posters, a Beatles book, a Beatles keychain … and before you know it, a collection is born.

      I think it’s really awesome when your friends know you well enough to know that you’ll really love the gift they choose for you … in my case, some Bealtes memorabilia! :)

      1. My family tried this…giving me things to collect. Somehow they got it in their minds that I liked cows and wanted to collect them so for the longest time I ended up with a lot of cow stuff. Didn’t have the heart to tell them.

        1. Oh yes, the BAD accidental collection. I know it well.

          My aunt’s kitchen is done in red and she has lots of red accent items throughout the house. SOMEHOW one of her daughters-in-law got it in her mind that my aunt liked apples, and has gone so overboard on the apple stuff. My aunt actually hates apples (as decor, anyway), but is in the same predicament: she doesn’t have the heart to tell her this.

  4. April Fools Day is awesome.
    Get someone on a good joke and then after they freak out for a bit..BAM!! Ha ha ha…april fools..and its all ok.

        1. I have been fooled today, once. It seems like all the people that get me on April Fool’s day has a really cruel joke.
          Few years ago my friend called me crying and told me her mom was in the hospital cuz of a car wreck. And today a guy I hadn’t talked to in a while tells me he broke his arm in a wreck and is in the hospital. Horrible.
          I like to get people with little harmless things like putting a rubber band on the water squirter (thingy) next to the faucet. That one is a classic.

          1. I agree, I’m not a fan of the cruel AFD jokes. Luckily, I haven’t been involved in any, but people I know have. Everyone ends up all upset which seems to negate the light-hearted joking nature of the day!

            1. Absolutely. The person who made the “my mom was in an accident” AFD joke is a sick individual.

              I particularly like when big companies make AFD jokes. Like the Starbucks one Laura quoted earlier:
              http://www.starbucks.com/blog/10113/starbucks-listens-to-customer-request-for-more-sizes.aspx

              Or this one from Google:
              http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/different-kind-of-company-name.html

              Or this one at Yahoo for you tennis fans:
              http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/01042010/58/murray-considering-representing-spain.html

              But claiming that your Mom got hurt, just to fool a friend? That is tempting karma in ways I’m not comfortable with.

              1. I loved the Google one too! Yeah, those are good ones. Mom-in-an-accident ones … not even ALMOST funny. Even the overdone “pregnancy announcements” are more funny than the accident one. Just a little, though.

                1. Thank You!! I told her that it was cruel and she shouldn’t say things like that but she just laughed it off. Luckily nothing has happened to her mom.
                  That was the only time anyone tried to fool me yesterday. Did get onto Google and that made me giggle. ha ha. I giggled with google.

                    1. I got on Google yesterday and I didn’t notice that they changed the name to Topeka. LOL…I guess I need to be more observant. i did get on Google maps and see the 3-d feature.

  5. When you and your friends are the only ones in the movie theater. Put your feet up on the seat in front of you, sit anywhere, and laugh as loud as you want. No one is there for you to bother.

  7. Its lunch time and you and your co-workers can’t wait to get out of the office, even if its just for an hour. As you walk out, one of you guys decide to invite the boss.

    Lunch is filled with laughter. Jokes all around. And of course food. At the end of the meal, when the waitress asks you if you want separate checks, your boss answers “No just one”. The meal is on the boss (well, the company).

    In either case…AWESOME!

  8. Taking a personal day off work. Need a little YOU time, need to just take a break from all the hustle and bustle, want to sit back and relax in an empty house~that’s what personal days are for. Sleep in, lounge around, and do nothing without feeling guilty.

    1. I like to call them “Mental Health Days,” because sometimes we all need a day to unwind!

  9. How about the first use of a freshly sharped pencil? I don’t use pencils all that much anymore, but it is AWESOME to get one that is properly sharpened. It always seem to make my handwriting nicer!

  10. It’s awesome when you’re so engrossed in commenting that WordPress takes you to an error page that reads: “You are posting comments too quickly. Slow down.”

    Haha!

  11. Christmas lights used outside the Christmas season are awesome.

    Well, Christmas lights are awesome anyway, but when people use them in everyday decor, they have an unexpected awesome flair!

  12. I have this handmade blanket that my Grandma made from me when I was about nine and 15 years later I still pull it out when I cuddle up to watch TV or when I am having a bad day. Although still in one piece, the edges are all frayed, but something about it is so comforting and so distinctively mine that I don’t think I will ever be able to get rid of it.

    The feeling I get from that well-worn blanky is AWESOME!

    1. I have one of those. My great grandma made me a quilt when I was little. it is definately my comfort blanket.

  13. The funny things your family members do are awesome.

    My dad, for whatever reason, writes all his emails in all caps.

    “HEY LAURA, HAVE A GREAT DAY. RUSTY SAYS HELLO. LOVE, DAD”

    One of my aunts mailed me a ten dollar bill with a sticky-note on it that read, “Here ya go, you can use this to buy Cheez-Its!”

    My mom signed a card she recently sent to me, “Mucho Love-o … word to your mother!”

    They crack me up … and I love it.
    P.S. We’re not crazy, I promise!

  14. Guitar Hero / Rock Band are awesome!

    I can’t play guitar … or bass … or drums … nor can I sing.

    But all that changes when someone busts out one of these games. All the sudden we’re all rock stars. And it’s awesome.

  15. Unplanned parties are awesome!

    Planned parties are great. You decorate; you shop for supplies; you send out some e-vites – OR, if you’re really awesome, actual mailed-out invitations; you’re at the ready for your guests.

    However, an unplanned party sometimes turns out to be much more fun than a planned one. You have no expectations for the evening. You’re sitting at home, maybe hanging out with a small group of friends. Some how, some way, someone else comes by. Before you know it, you’re throwing the event of the season, and you didn’t even have to do anything to prepare. It all magically comes together. Everyone has the night off. The gang’s all there.

    SO AWESOME!

  16. Awesome: Napping in a hammock on a sunny, breezy day. You’re not too hot, and not too cold, because the sun and breeze balance each other out. You feel weightless because the hammock moves slightly in the breeze. Chances are you’re under a tree so you get the gorgeous sun-dappled effect on your closed eyes. A perfectly awesome hammock nap includes sounds like birdsong, little kids playing, or the ocean. Awesome!

  17. Noticing something going on in the background of a photograph. Maybe it’s a passerby caught in an embarrassing moment. Maybe it’s a joker doing something silly on purpose. Maybe just maybe the subject of your photograph is accidentally (and hilariously) interacting with the background. Awkward hand placement, funny faces, amusing strangers–you name it, it’s awesome.

  18. Going back to the divey old bar you used to frequent in university. And it hasn’t changed a bit.

  19. The smell of your neighbor’s grill is AWESOME.

    Sure, your grill smells awesome when you fire it up, too, but has anyone ever noticed that it seems like your neighbor’s grill always smells exceptionally delicious? Sometimes it’s because they’re grilling that night and you’re not, and sometimes you catch a whiff while you ARE grilling and think, “Mmmmm whatever they’re cookin’ sure smells awesome!”

  20. Staying up all night playing video games with friends!!!
    another
    Seeing friends or family after FOREVER!!

    1. I have only stayed up and played video games twice in my whole life and they both happened 3 months apart.
      First time was with hubby right after Christmas, we played a new Wii game that I had bought. Beat the game. It was so much fun.
      The other time we went to hubbys friends house to play Super Mario Brothers on the Wii. Stayed up all night. Didn’t beat it we only got halfway through it, but it was fun!

  21. Taking your pet to the veterinarian when they’re really sick and finding out they’ll be OK.

    My cat that I’ve had for 10 years has always been leukemia positive, and we’ve had some close calls in the past, but he recently became very sick and didn’t eat or drink for 2 days. He was also vomiting to the point that he was dangerously dehydrated. We didn’t know what exactly was wrong with him, and he had to spend a few days in the animal hospital to get IVs and to be monitored.

    He’s not out of the woods yet, but his condition is improving and that’s eased my mind a little after being worried for so many days.

    To some people pets are just animals and replaceable. To others they become an integral part of your family in more ways than one, as is the case with my cat. He’s always been there through the rough times for us, so to go through a rough patch without him is disenchanting, as it is for quite a few pet owners out there.

    That’s why its such a thrill and relief when the vet can take good care of them and treat their ailment, returning them to their normal state. There’s nothing quite like seeing your pet of choice back to normal after not acting quite like themselves for some time, and to see them playing around as they did before trouble set in. At times, its almost like a new lease on life for them, and that is so totally

    AWESOME!

    1. Incredibly awesome! Especially after you try a million bajillion times and it finally works!

    2. Yes! It’s your favorite pen and you’re not willing to let it go yet. You scribble forever and ever until suddenly – a hint of ink! We’re back in business!

  23. Really well-executed practical jokes or pranks. Like a car that is completely and meticulously covered in Post Its! :]

    1. That is an awesome prank!
      I’m such a horrible pranster. Couldn’t really think of anything good to do yesterday. I will keep this one in mind for my boss next year!

  24. Fast-food/Pizza day.

    After a week of healthy home-cooked meals that parents slave over a stove to make sure we’re getting all the proper nutrients, grabbing dinner at the local pizza parlor, or Wendy’s McDonald’s, etc is the perfect way to indulge in a meal of unadulterated gluttony.

    1. I really love getting dirty and muddy. Growing up with 6 brothers you learn to like being muddy. I love going 4 wheeling and the mud splashing all over me. Going tomorrow as a matter of fact, but I doubt there will be any mud, hasn’t rained in while.

  27. Wearing the right clothes for the weather outside just by looking out the window.

    1. Total score. Especially when the time left is just the right amount. You just parked for free!

    3. Yes! I’m always on the lookout for that car just pulling out or the meter you can tell isn’t flashing yet. Thanks for the spare quarter, Universe!

      Awesome!

  31. Holding hands.
    – In a new relationship, that moment when he reaches across the abyss and grabs onto your cold, clammy nervous hand.
    – When you see two elderly people holding hands and you know they’ve been holding hands for over 50 years.
    – When a little child reaches up and grabs hold of your hand.
    – When you’re sick and your mom or dad comes and holds your hand.
    – When you are nervous, and you grab the hand of whoever happens to be next to you.
    – Small children all in a line, holding hands on a fieldtrip.

  32. When you know a place well enough to give directions.
    There for the longest time I didn’t know the names of streets or routes. I just knew how to get places and it was really hard for me to give out directions to a lost person and I probably just made them more lost…but now…now i am a pro and it feels awesome!

  33. Knowing the secrets of your car.
    Gotta turn the heater on to get the wipers to work? Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left before you can start the car?
    For some reason the brakes on my car won’t work very well unless these 3 lights light up on my dash. So until they come on, I try not to hit the brakes that much. I’ve had it checked out at a few places, but no one can tell me what’s wrong with it. The brakes work fine…..just as long as those lights are on.

  34. Pushing the button for the elevator and its already on the floor you are on. No need to wait for it to come back up, its already here waiting for you.

    2. This is especially awesome at my office because the elevator is so old and slow. Everyone considers it a treat.

  35. Catch phrases.
    I don’t really think I have one nor have a really ever had one, but all my friends liked to say things like “oh snap!” or “cool beans”
    It gives you something to say in a situation when you can’t think of anything else to say.

  36. When you can move the coffee pot and put your cup under the brewing coffee spout without making a mess. You don’t have to wait for the coffee pot to finish filling up, move it out of your way and get the freshest coffee~ straight out of the coffee maker into your cup. No middle man here.

    1. Ooooh, I have never done this, but it sounds awesome! Though, the coffee maker I have is just a little mini one because none of my roommates drink coffee, and I sure don’t need to brew up more than that thing can make (like 20 oz. or something) just for me!

  37. Getting joke emails. Not those chain emails where if you don’t send it to 10 people you will have bad luck or something…no. These awesome emails are pure humor.

  38. Bookstores or libraries. Everyone is so quiet, some reading in the corner on the couches, some are looking for their next treasure to read. Buildings full of pages and pages of mystery, romance, humor, friendship, suspense…. it doesn’t get any better than that.

  40. Coloring Easter Eggs.
    Put half in one color, the other half in another.
    Put the enitre egg in all the colors and make a brown one.
    Write on them and end up with a pretty design or your name on them.
    anyway you choose to do it, its always awesome.

    1. Love it! It was one of the traditions I was sad to see end when I was younger. I hadn’t done it in years, but a few years ago my friends and I decided we should.

      So we bought 18 eggs, a dye kit, and some vinegar. Laid out some newspaper. Prepared the supplies. And got down to work.

      So, for the sole purpose of entertainment (as in, we had no intent to hide or hunt for these eggs), we dyed the eggs. And it. was. awesome!

      http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v66/166/44/34300743/n34300743_32282365_9853.jpg

      Plus, now that we were older, we had much more skill and patience than when we were dying eggs as kids.

  41. Your secret stash.
    Now don’t take this as meaning drugs.
    I have a secret stash of good pens here at work.
    My boss has one of candy and junk food.
    My hubby has one of junk food. (I found it, but he doesn’t know)
    Mom has a secret stash of Christmas presents. She starts shopping for Chirstmas in January and she has to hide it somewhere.
    The big heads here at work has a secret stash of expenisive paintings. Don’t know why they won’t hang them on the walls. I found them in the executive board room’s closet.
    whatever your stash is, I’m sure its awesome.

      1. I lose all my post-it notes. I try to stash them, but the just disappear. Hmm… I may have to investigate this.

        Also have my own secret stash of money.
        How could I forget about that one

        1. That’s why I have my stashes — people run away with all my stuff!

          The “office” where I work is actually just a glorified copy room. It’s a big ol’ rectangle room with a copy machine and four desks. The whole elementary / early childhood education department at the university uses this copy machine, so people are in and out CONSTANTLY. We’re just lowly graduate assistants in that office, so I guess professors and instructors think they’re entitled to help themselves to our things.

          Though, the day someone ate my last two pieces of Turtle candies, I almost lost it!

  42. Games you use to play when you were a kid.

    Hide and seek
    Spot light hide and seek
    Tag
    Freeze Tag
    Musical Chairs
    I spy
    Red Rover
    Hop Scotch
    House (had a mom, dad, baby and whoever else)
    Dress Up
    Go Fish
    Candyland
    Race (see who would get to that tree or fence the quickest)
    Anyone else and their siblings pretend they were in a rock band? I did.

    2. Uno
      Office (complete with misc supplies stolen from Mom/Dad’s work)
      Crazy 8’s
      Four Square

      1. Oh how in the world could I forget four square? That was THE game in elementary school.

      2. I still play Uno. They new ways they think to change that game is crazy. My daughter likes Uno spin.

        1. My Mom recently bought Uno Attack and I’m totally against it. Original version, please!

    1. “Snowflakes that stay on your nose & eyelashes …. these are a few of my favorite things!” :D

  45. Awesome thing: That day in class when you do nothing all day
    1. Take a really easy test and the teacher has nothing planned after;
    2. After the state standardized tests and there’s no material left to teach (the most common);
    3. The “free-block-to-make-up-work-that-you-missed-in-my-class” and you have no work to make up!
    AWESOME (:

  46. The perfect shuffle session!
    All your favorite songs play just when you want the to!
    Awesome (:

    1. yes! I love when shuffle knows just what you want to hear. it doesn’t matter that you have 8,000 songs on there, yourPod hooks it up with the top twelve anyway.

  47. Leaving work early.
    Slow day at work and already have your hours in…forget that overtime. Its pretty outside. Clock out early and enjoy the rest of the day.

  48. Doggy bags
    You ordered too much for dinner and now you are stuffed. Just ask for a doggy bag and now you have lunch for tomorrow.

  49. Piggy back rides are always awesome. Doesn’t matter if you are the rider or the one giving the ride, its awesome

  50. Recycling bins. You have an empty bottle of soda and you see a blue bin up ahead. Toss it in and you feel like you helped Mother Earth a little today.

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