A few things that make me happy:

1.  Ath, Belgium is my home until November.   

2. My man lives in Ath, Belgium. 

3. The combination of items 1 and 2.

4.  The beer in Belgium really is as good as they say - drinking beer in Belgium is like eating cheese in France or drinking coffee in Seattle: PERFECT.  

5. I recently acquired a giant painting from my hero in both music and art, Joseph Arthur.  He signed "to Charis, love Joseph Arthur" and painted another painting on the back of it after I had chosen and kissed it for a while and asked him to marry me (he always says no).  He explained, "Now you will know when it is hanging on the wall that there is another painting on the back, just for you."  Yeah, I almost died.     

 

6. During said Joseph Arthur concert one of my best friends felt her baby start to go CRAZY in utero; I have rarely had such a magical moment as holding my friend's belly and feeling that sweet baby dance to a musician who has moved me so much and for so long.
Consequently I have now named her unborn child Joseph Arthur - my friend's do not agree, but they will get used to it after a few years.  "Is Joseph Arthur hungry?"  "Does Joseph Arthur need to go potty?" It will be so great.  

7.  This past weekend was spent very happily in Bruges, Belgium.  I only took a few photos, and about 90 percent of them are of of my and my man's face, so view them at your own risk.  

8.  The massive bruise on my leg.  
Explanation: I recently fell going up some stairs on my way to a James Blake concert.  I really thought I could have fractured it based on the force of my fall and the size of the knot that immediately sprouted (Charis means "grace" in Greek... true story).   The tennis ball sized knot eventually disappeared under ice, and days went by with only the bloody gash to show for my pain.  LAME.  Only now is the bruise speaking the truth, and the truth is incredible.  The blackish color spread over the entirety of my shin and calf like someone poured "bruise" onto my leg and it spilled everywhere.  This bruise makes me very happy.  

9. My souvenier from Bruges is a pair of BRIGHT orange tights.  

10. This picture: