A cheesy story of happiness

by Matt Paulson
Sports Editor

My last column in this paper, as you may have seen, had a bit of an angry tone to it. No, no, I admit; I was a tad perturbed. Being that this is my last column of the semester, I thought I would alter my angle.

With that, I began internally painting myself a happy picture, trying to find the words to convey it to you, my loyal La Verne readers. I realize that this may be the first time you have ever read any of my articles or columns, but I am painting a happy picture; in that picture, I have loyal readers. Bear with me here.

Anyway, in my portrait of pure happiness, there is one thing that radiates past the idea of an entire day spent watching one of the four major PGA tournaments or a marathon of "The Family Guy."

This one thing illuminates everything else around it, whether it be chips and salsa in a hot tub or stargazing on a cool, crisp night; this one item sheds nearly divine light on whatever has the benefit of being placed next to it in my "happy place."

Yes, this wonderful item seems to be almost celestial in its quest to satisfy me and bring true happiness to my "happy place." Okay, I know you all are almost jumping out of your respective places of reading in anticipation.

The fulfilling orb of which I am speaking is the Better Cheddar.

For those of you who have not had the experience of Nabisco's finest, give it a whirl. Your taste buds will explode with gratitude; your brain will send endorphins awash over your body, thanking you extensively for your adventurous spirit in trying one of the greatest snacks to ever grace this earth. The perfect combination of saltiness and crispiness will dance in your mouth with each circular morsel. If this somehow gets to the people of Nabisco, I would advertise for Better Cheddars any day without any cost, but a few boxes sent to the Campus Times would be much appreciated. (Hey, it's worth a try.)

I can not imagine anything better than a night spent with my "special someone" watching Kevin Smith movies and "Trading Spaces" on TLC, indulging in box after box of Better Cheddars. The walls would be lined with an endless stack of boxes.

We would not even need to finish a box because there would always be another one waiting, but we would finish them anyway because not finishing a box of Better Cheddars is just plain unacceptable. We would savor each tasty bite until our bodies said stop, and then we would eat some more until we passed out just after the "Ma'am, I don't appreciate your ruse" part in "Clerks."

That, in a nutshell, is a slice of happiness life has offered me, and I have taken it and ran with it.

I encourage you to do the same. Happiness can be so many things to so many people. It can be something different to the same person each day. It truly can be anything you make it.

Find yours and cherish it. When you do, wear a content smile and show others what happiness can be if they just take the time to search for and embrace it when they eventually find it. Our world would be a much better place if we all embraced the things that make us truly happy.

Enjoy the things that make you happy this holiday season. I shall see you all next semester. Until then, in the words of Red Green, "Keep your stick on the ice."

Matt Paulson, a sophomore journalism and English major, is sports editor of the Campus Times. He can be reached by e-mail at phil6483@aol.com.