Remembering the finer things in life

For the last week or so, I have generally avoided reading or watching too much coverage of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington because it generally made me angry or depressed, or both. It is hard enough coming to grips with what happened without a sensationalized media running images of body bags and people jumping out of the World Trade Center.\nQuite simply, it all became overwhelming, and I realized that if I got caught up in it too much, I would become stuck in an emotional and spiritual morass that would have jaded my thinking and darkened my view of the world. In terms of recovering from tragedy, the development of such an outlook is neither healthy nor productive.\n So to avoid it all, I've been trying to find ways to divert my attention, to lighten things up. If you're feeling anything like I am (and I'm sure there's lots of such people out there), you might want to try this stuff, too:\n 1) Listen to a lot of music -- I suggest soul, generally of the Stax/Volt variety. There's nothing like Sam and Dave pick you up out of a funk. You can also go with some straight-forward Stones, perhaps "Some Girls." Keith Richards is the key to happiness.\n2) Watch as much "Simpsons" as humanly possible -- Cartoons, man. Definitely the way to go. I sometimes wish I was a cartoon. Maybe "Receding Hairline Boy" or "Goofy Lookin' Guy."\n3) Find pets to play with -- The household in which I live has two dogs. They aren't mine, but they're friendly and lovable. Looking at things from a dog or cat's point of view -- all that matters is eating, sleeping and not pooping on the carpet -- can help you get things in perspective really quickly.\n4) Eat ice cream -- It's true that consuming such sugar-laden, fat-saturated dairy products are largely responsible for my Pillsbury Doughboy physique, but I'll take the mental tranquility that comes with cookies and cream any day. This item segues nicely into...\n5) Go to the gym -- You can work off all the ice cream and release some frustration while you do it. Don't worry about being sore the next morning -- physical pain is fleeting, grasshopper, but spiritual renewal lasts forever.\n6) Watch some football this weekend -- This needs no explanation. I mean, duh, it's football.\n7) Get caught up on your classwork -- This is a radical concept, I know, but studies have shown that there is actually a correlation between completed homework and good grades. No, really, it's true.\n8) Call your parents and conduct an actual conversation -- As it turns out, parental units do actually have some pretty good advice and words of wisdom. Just make sure to avoid the "So, will I ever have a grandchild?" question.\n9) Rent dopey movies from the 1980s -- My personal recommendations are "Weird Science" and "Weekend at Bernie's." We're talking Anthony Michael Hall and Andrew McCarthy. What's not to like?\n10) Appreciate great literature -- Stuff like "Jane Eyre," "The Scarlet Letter" and "Macbeth." Oh, wait, I said GREAT literature. Never mind.\nIt's true that pursuits like these won't make all our problems go away, and they shouldn't; we all have to face our fears and frailties. But it's a whole lot easier knowing that great stuff like soul music, "The Simpsons" and Ben and Jerry's exist.\nAnd don't forget Kelly LeBrock in her underwear.