I would like to take a moment to focus on some good things in life. Here are a few thoughts that always make me feel better:

Mr. Rogers, hammocks, second chances, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, free outdoor concerts and people who jump out of their cars to help out after a fender bender.

What about eating pancakes at dinnertime, a call from an old friend, cold milk and warm chocolate chip cookies, a child waving at you from the backseat of a car in front of you, reruns of "Tom and Jerry," the oldies station, garage sales, sleeping in on Saturday mornings and the people who let you cut in when you're waiting in traffic.

How about French fries and a frosty from Wendy's, getting an "A" on a paper you worked your butt off for, Reader's Digest, cars stopping in the middle of the road to let a dog cross and the 911 system?

Let's not forget the feeling of receiving a handwritten letter via snail mail, the all-you-can-eat buffet at Cici's Pizza, a road trip to the beach with good friends, seeing a couple with gray hair holding hands, www.goodnewsnetwork.org, losing those last 10 pounds and eating at the Huddle House after a long night of dancing at Rabb's?

What about playing the movie trivia game? Let's give it a try.

"Stuff probably looks better on the way out." The answer is "Ace Ventura, Pet Detective."

"Did you eat a brain tumor for breakfast?" And the prize goes to "Heathers."

"Hey, Smalls, do you want some s'mores? Some more what? You're killing me, Smalls." The correct guess would be "The Sandlot."

"Surely you can't be serious. I am serious and don't call me Shirley."

If you said "Airplane" you would be right.

"I'm a mog, half man, half dog." And the answer is "Spaceballs."

"Sampsonite, I was way off." Not going to tell you this one. Can you guess it?

If you're still not feeling better, how about reading a poem? Try this one on for size:

I once met a magic man with powers unforeseen. He said, "You have three wishes," I said, "What do you mean?"

He told me about the money and power so immense. I would be so popular; it would all make perfect sense.

He described a gorgeous castle that could soon be mine; there would be no bills to pay and the mortgage would be fine.

"Just make a wish," he said "and I'll find you a perfect mate." The love will be immediate without a single date.

How about rubies or diamonds if you choose, I can even give you strength so you will never lose.

"Money would be nice," I said, "power, what a treat." Having a perfect love, well there is no greater feat.

Being popular would be wonderful, a castle, what a gift,

And rubies and diamonds would most likely give me a lift.

However, I have made up my mind and if correctly I do recall,

My one wish is to need no wishes at all.

Rhiannon Weber is a senior journalism major from Prairieville and serves as senior news editor for The Tech Talk. E-mail comments to rfw001@latech.edu.