# What constitutes "A Life" **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 23, 2003, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497 "2003-03-23T04:04:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![\_ceQueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/b9bd4f/32.png) [@\_ceQueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_ceQueen)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2003, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497/21 "2003-03-23T17:35:13Z")
Davebear, Bingo. For the last 6 or 7 years, that’s what they call me. Why. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2003, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497/22 "2003-03-23T18:31:26Z")
Dave, everybody has a Life, it’s just that some are more boring than others. Basically, when someone says they have alife, they mean that work/SDMB/whatever isn’t always their highest priority. When pressed to stay late/take sides in a flame war/whatever, having A Life sounds nicer and less argumentative than having More Important Shit To Do or Bigger Shit To Worry About. If you aren’t happy with your current Life, take it back to the store and exchange it for a new one. That’s the great thing about Lives, they can be constantly upgraded. ---
**Author:** ![Treviathan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/838e76/32.png) [@Treviathan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treviathan)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2003, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497/23 "2003-03-23T18:45:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Davebear \* > \*\*Ack! Even _I_ would say you have no life, based on the first sentence! NewsRadio? :eek: \*\* Thankfully, I’ve got a [support group](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=151150&highlight=NewsRadio) to get me through the despair. ---
**Author:** ![Another\_Primate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Another\_Primate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Another_Primate)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2003, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497/24 "2003-03-23T19:02:03Z")
Very intriguing. Currently, when someone asks why I look so happy even though I’m working so late, I reply, “Because I love my work”, but I always add, “and I don’t have A Real Life.” Why? I’m puzzled. I think I add it because I don’t want them to feel crummy because their job isn’t as much fun as mine is. But maybe I add it for myself? I have wonderful children and grandchildren and parents and siblings and cousins, all of whom I love. But I don’t live with any of them at the present. No husband-of-the-day, though I’ve been married 3/4 of my adult years. No volunteer work, althought that has been fun for me in the past. No ball team – yes, I have one, but practices haven’t started yet. Overall, I feel blessed and lucky. But somehow it’s not adding up. Oh, and by the way, DaveBear, I think your writing is very very funny. Thank you! Sue ---
**Author:** ![Sulinar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/779978/32.png) [@Sulinar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sulinar)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2003, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497/25 "2003-03-23T19:12:04Z")
Mostly people (usually family members) say I need to get a “Life” when they don’t understand why I enjoy doing the things I do. I always say “I like the “Life” I have already thank you” Personally I think _they_ need a “Life” (why would anyone sew hundreds of potholders anyway?) but I would never be so rude as to actually say that to them. My point I guess is only YOU can tell if you have a “Life” or not. And yes, it does involve happiness…usually. Sul ---
**Author:** ![ProjectOmega](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b487fb/32.png) [@ProjectOmega](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ProjectOmega)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2003, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497/26 "2003-03-23T20:55:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by skaterboarder87 \* > \*\*Well, since you’re visitng those forums, you must be a gamer, thus also insecure 😉 \*\* I… guess you’re… right :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2003, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497/27 "2003-03-23T21:09:19Z")
**Davebear** , you mean you have not let THEM rate your life for you yet? You should, you know. In case you’re not sure, THEY also can tell if you (or your girlfriend, by association) is a winner or :eek: a looser. And THEY also hand out “cool”-certificates, only those do not stay valid for more then 2-3 days. Come on now, such matters are far too important to be left in DIY amateur hands. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2003, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497/28 "2003-03-23T22:11:42Z")
to those equating life with happiness i always thought the movie ‘Parenthood’ more or less reflects my view. life is a roller coaster with it’s ups and down(s?) you have to experience it in all its varied glory to live. you have to cry as much as you have to laugh; be angry sometimes, be happy some; bored for a while, exhilarated for a while. that said i think i better dig Life out of my closet and use it more often, days have been too monotonous lately… ---
**Author:** ![Sassy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@Sassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sassy)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2003, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497/29 "2003-03-23T22:12:58Z")
“The three grand essentials of happiness are: Something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for.” -Alexander Chalmers This is what came to mind… suits me well 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Davebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Davebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Davebear)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497/30 "2003-03-24T01:07:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Iteki \* > **There are two kind of Lives…One can have “A Life too you know!” without actually having A Life in the general sense.** Oh, god! Just when I thought I was starting to get a handle on it… So, if I find A Life in one of those boxes in the basement, I have to figure out which KIND it is? Life is just not fair! Oh, damn…there’s a third kind. > [@](#): > > \*\*This complete and utter nonsense was brought to you by the letters A, L and the number 4. \*\* LOL! Can I be Big Bird? I know the song! [sing] Ab-kadeff-gee-jekylmanop-kerstooovwicks-is…[/sing] ---
**Author:** ![Davebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Davebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Davebear)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497/31 "2003-03-24T01:09:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by !ceQueen \* > \*\*Bingo. For the last 6 or 7 years, that’s what they call me. > Why? \*\* Umm…no reason…um…Is anyone else cold? _reaches for sweater_ ---
**Author:** ![Davebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Davebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Davebear)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497/32 "2003-03-24T01:18:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CrazyCatLady \* > **…they mean that work/SDMB/whatever isn’t always their highest priority…** :eek: SDMB is **NOT** their highest priority?!? Sacrilage! Who are these blasphemers? > [@](#): > > \*\*If you aren’t happy with your current Life, take it back to the store and exchange it for a new one. That’s the great thing about Lives, they can be constantly upgraded. \*\* :eek: I can DO that? Cool! 😃 Can I upgrade to Brad Pitt’s Life? BTW, can I do the upgrade myself? I really don’t want those clowns at Comp-USA opening my case. ---
**Author:** ![Davebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Davebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Davebear)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497/33 "2003-03-24T01:19:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Treviathan \* > \*\*Thankfully, I’ve got a [support group](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=151150&highlight=NewsRadio) to get me through the despair. \*\* Hang in there, dude! There’s always hope. I’ll look up the phone number for the Samaritans, when I get a chance. ---
**Author:** ![Davebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Davebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Davebear)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497/34 "2003-03-24T01:33:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Another Primate \* > **Overall, I feel blessed and lucky.** I hate you :mad: > [@](#): > > **But somehow it’s not adding up.** Don’t look at me. I suck at math. (I guess that’s why I’m a software engineer. :dubious: ) Besides…I hate you. :mad: > [@](#): > > **Oh, and by the way, DaveBear, I think your writing is very very funny. Thank you!** Aaaaawww! Thank _you_! Okay, I _don’t_ hate you. You’re my new favorite person. 🙂 But, I _am_ jealous of you. ---
**Author:** ![Davebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Davebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Davebear)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497/35 "2003-03-24T01:47:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Maastricht \* > \*\ ***Davebear** , you mean you have not let THEM rate your life for you yet? > You should, you know. In case you’re not sure, THEY also can tell if you (or your girlfriend, by association) is a winner or :eek: a looser. And THEY also hand out “cool”-certificates, only those do not stay valid for more then 2-3 days. > > Come on now, such matters are far too important to be left in DIY amateur hands. \*\* :smack: Why doesn’t somebody _TELL_ me these things?!? Okay…where do I sign up? I’d really like one of them “cool certificates”. That makes it official, right? ---
**Author:** ![Davebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Davebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Davebear)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497/36 "2003-03-24T02:03:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by shijinn \* > **…life is a roller coaster with it’s ups and downs…** It’s not one of those loopy ones, is it? Or, the ones where your feet are dangling in mid-air? 'Cause…those things make me heave. > [@](#): > > **…you have to cry as much as you have to laugh…** Crying? [Hanks]_There’s_ no crying in **baseBALL**![/Hanks]… No, wait…that doesn’t apply…um [sing]BIiig giiirls _don’t_ cry…[/sing]… **God** no!..hang on…I’ll get it…[duke]Men don’t _cry_, Pilgrim[/duke]…phew! ---
**Author:** ![Davebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Davebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Davebear)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497/37 "2003-03-24T02:18:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sassy \* > \*\*“The three grand essentials of happiness are: Something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for.” -Alexander Chalmers \*\* That’s actually very good. Simple, succinct, to the point. Pithy, even. And, it’s a checklist! I like checklists! Let’s see…somthing to do. Well, of course! I have A Li…um…I have lots of things to do. Check! Someone to love? Does she have to know about it, or can it just be between you and me? Really! I don’t watch her that much. I don’t! And, I quit following her around, like you told me. We’ll just pencil in a check on that one, too. Something to hope for? Oh, well, that’s a piece of cake! What? Rational? **And** realistic? Who makes UP these rules? _sigh_ I’ll have to get back to you, on that one. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497/38 "2003-03-24T03:00:22Z")
Right now I would say I don’t have A Life. For me a Life is having a decent job, forwarding yourself as well as having time to play, get out to meet new people having fun and relaxation time. You know to rejuvinate yourself? It’s hard to do that though when you sleep all day and work all night. Meet people? People are working when (if) I’m awake. Right now though, all I seem to do is go from school to work to home to sleep and that’s it. I don’t get out, I don’t meet new people. I have time to myself, yes but I want to see other things then just these four walls, my roomates and coworkers. Of course when I try to tell anyone else this, all I get is a bunch of crap about this is adult life so get used to it (adult life is doing nothing at all? Not meeting people? Not being able to even have some fun sometimes?). This coming from my Step mom and Dad. I get told to get a new job (On the lookout. Graveyard shift does not agree with me) and the doctor sticks me on paxil and tells me to relax. Yesssss. Relax… Drives me nuts that when I _am_ able to go hang out my friends are all broke and staying home, and when they do go out I’m going to work (as I sit here my best friends are getting ready to go meet their girlfriends and go have fun, while I shall be getting ready for work shortly) So… yeah it all depends on your definition. In all my rambling I guess I’d have to say, yeah. I have absolutely no Life at all. Hopefully I can find a decent job, during the day, that will pay my bills soon. Or else I’m gonna go up the wall again and all the paxil in the world ain’t gonna help me. ---
**Author:** ![BadBaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71c47a/32.png) [@BadBaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BadBaby)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497/39 "2003-03-24T04:53:31Z")
It doesn’t have to be perfect for it to be good. You don’t have to have everything in order to have something. Two things I remind myself of, on occassion. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497/40 "2003-03-24T05:43:48Z")
oh there’s also being the ‘Life of the party’, i hear humour will stand you in good stead. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-a-life/163497.md?page=3)