I’m convinced that guilt sometimes resides in the cells, to be handed down from one generation to the next. In my case, this would be guilt of the Catholic persuasion, and it hovers formless and ready to pounce for no real reason.
So here are a few guilty pleasures that actually trigger some guilt (but not enough to stop me!)
1. BUTTER
Remember the days when margarine was the healthy alternative? Now we know better, but still, BUTTER. It feels like a sin to indulge. It feels decadent and delicious. A forbidden treat. And I do still feel guilty about it, like I’m going to be nabbed by the hardened-arteries demon or the vegan extremists.
2. BEST FOODS FULL-FAT MAYONNAISE
Same thing as butter. However, I never buy mayo. But, let’s just say that I accidentally (haha) forget to say “hold the mayo” when I order a sandwich … Best thing ever, that mayo. But, yes, I do feel a tad guilty.
3. READING ALL DAY IN BED
This is one of my favorite indulgences. I have yet to meet another adult who would let themselves laze around all day, unbathed, unbrushed, slightly stinky on an unmade bed with pets snoozing nearby. I mean really — who DOES this? I do. I’m a big, wallowing, reading fool. Sometimes I just need this. And the guilt? Well, yeah, because we all have too much to do, right? Most of my friends tell me they dream about doing this, but they can’t get over their guilt enough to actually do it. Chores await!
I guess I’m pretty good at ignoring my guilt.
4. T.V. MARATHONS
This is like reading all day, except worse because watching t.v. doesn’t use brain cells. At least reading is an active (if not exactly calorie-burning) activity. Sometimes I get on these hairs where I HAVE to catch up on a whole season of a show — usually over a weekend. I did this a couple of times for Dexter and also for Homeland. Last month, I watched Game of Thrones in an all-nighter. That was bad. Very bad. I just couldn’t stop. I swear!
5. DRUGS
Dare I mention this? I probably can because I don’t have an addictive personality. But, just say you’re like me, and you have extra Valium or Vicodin lying around from previous maladies. Do you throw them away? HELL NO. You save them for a really bad rainy day. It’s not so much the taking them that’s the guilty pleasure (though there is that), it’s the having them around “just in case.” Just in case what, you ask? Just in case … well … you know. Just in case.
6. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE 50 SHADES OF GREY MOVIE TRAILER!
Oh my god, I couldn’t believe myself this morning. I friend told me about the trailer, and I just had to see it, cringing and rolling my eyes all the way to the computer. And it looks SOOOOOO bad, so horribly, wonderfully bad! I’m better than this, I know I am, but still, I ate it up. And what do you want to bet, my BFFs and I will go see it for a good heckle and giggle?
Here’s the trailer! Watch it and weep.
Bah, who am I kidding? Watching 50 Shades of Gray will be a guilt-less pleasure.
So, do you have any guilty pleasures you actually feel guilty about?
Butter makes everything taste better.
Butter is the best. I buy it only every once in awhile, and only one cube at a time. If I have it in the house, I’ll come up with all kinds of meals to eat with it. 🙂
Didn’t you read Time magazine? Butter is now a health food!
I’ll butter-up to that! 🙂
I make my own mayo & there’s soooo much oil in it that I definitely feel guilty.
Homemade mayo! Oh. my. God.
Life is too short for guilt. And absolutely NOBODY should feel guilty about #4. I’d do it more frequently – except for those pesky kids and that pesky day job!
You are so right, Mary! Guilt is such a waste of brain space.
As you so eloquently pointed out, if you were raised Catholic, guilt is part of your DNA. It amazes me how many people have NEVER taken an entire day off in bed or just lounging around the house in their pjs all day?! They have no idea what they’re missing. Such luxury…and amazingly I’ve almost reached the point of no guilt where those precious days are concerned. Thanks for the reminder Lisa.
No guilt no guilt! I’m still working on it too. When I’m reading all day, random to-do thoughts still poke through. Glad to know there’s someone else out there who can wallow in bookland all day!
After watching the trailer, which was at least a good trailer, even though I can’t figure out what the actual plot is, I can totally see how it started as Twilight fanfic.
Makes sense, right? It’s all build-up and sexual tension and puerile longing … 🙂
I have a feeling I won’t be running out to see that movie. (I also have a feeling that I’m not their target audience anyway 🙂 ).
Not that my movie tastes are all high-art and indie seriousness, of course (Guardians of the Galaxy! Friday!).
By the way, I’ve stopped getting the notification emails when a new post goes up (and I can’t find where to resub), and the “Check here to get notified of further comments” thing has vanished. 🙁
Hi Anthony,
That’s interesting — thanks for letting me know! I’ll let our web-mistress Susan know. Something must have changed.
Guardians of the Galaxy! I’ll have to check it out. 🙂
I went straight back to butter when they said it was okay. Now I have to work on not spreading it an inch thick. Do the reading thing and think I should be doing my own writing, but if the book is any good it leads me back astray pretty quickly. Other than that, my guilty pleasures all seem to be around various forms of chocolate.
Hi Larry! Funny I have that problem with butter too. I only buy one cube at a time and I only buy the cube when I particularly need butter for something. But then, what to do with the leftover butter? Yeah, think of everything possible to eat it with! 🙂