Summary

Paul Mansfield shares a personal listicle of essential aspects of his life, including his pets, guitars, and coffee, among others, emphasizing their importance to his well-being and creativity.

Abstract

In a reflective and humorous article, Paul Mansfield responds to a challenge to list the things he can't live without. He begins with a nod to a religious figure, Jesus Christ, before quickly shifting to a more secular list that includes his beloved cats, his collection of guitars, and the sanctuary of his front porch. Mansfield credits his pets with providing emotional support during difficult times, his guitars with offering a creative outlet, and his front porch as a place of relaxation. He also discusses his passion for writing and photography as means of self-expression and communication. In a lighter vein, he mentions his appreciation for his penis and the necessity of coffee in his life. The article concludes with a call to action for other writers to share their own lists and a parting quote from his "mythical grandaddy."

Opinions

Mansfield acknowledges the emotional support and companionship his cats have provided, especially during his period of grief after his wife's passing.
He expresses a love for playing the guitar, despite admitting he isn't particularly skilled, and likens the collection of guitars to an addiction to candies.
The author values his front porch as a peaceful retreat from the world and a place where his dog can enjoy the outdoors.
Writing is depicted as a therapeutic activity that helps Mansfield navigate his thoughts and the "maddening, howling voices in his head."
Photography is seen as a form of artistic release, allowing him to share his vision with others, and he invites readers to view his work on Flickr.
Mansfield humorously refers to his penis as a source of joy and heartbreak, while also asserting its importance in his life.
Coffee is described with emphasis, highlighting its necessity for him to start his day, and he jokingly threatens mayhem if deprived of it.
He challenges other writers to create their own listicles, using the tag 10EssentialThings, and closes with a humorous quote attributed to his grandfather.

LISTICLE

10 Things I Can’t Live Without

And soon the follow-up, 10 things I could live without

Since I’m a middle-aged white male, and can’t change that, I also can’t turn down a challenge to my honour. When Paul Combs and Simon Dillon challenged me to write a listicle called 10 Things I Can’t Live Without, I jumped right on it.

They based theirs on Eric Pierce’s same listicle, that was inspired by a GQ series of videos. Since they all included one of the GQ videos, I felt the peer pressure to include one as well.

I choose Megan Thee Stallion’s because it’ll piss some people off. And maybe one thing I can’t live without is pissing people off.

Read on and find out.

My lord and saviour, Jesus Christ

Whoops, wrong list. Let’s put a pin in this one (or maybe some nails) and move on.

The cats that grace my household with their presence

Julio, the Little Guy, and Scooter having breakfast, © Paul Mansfield

Since I’m definitely not a people person, my pets are my main emotional connection since my wife passed. Without diving into the details, they helped me through a very tough and trying time; filed with grief, despair, depression. Without them and their love, it would have been a much harder path to travel.

Julio, the oldest cat, is especially affectionate. He loves having his belly and fur ruffly ruffled. One of his favourite games is to leap onto my shoulder when I’m not looking, and pretend that he’s a parrot to my pirate. He wants me to get a peg leg, but I think that may take our pirate cosplay a little too far.

Sue originally names Scooter, our hairy non-black middle cat, Morrisey, but I quickly squashed that idea. Fuck Morrisey! He’s also very affectionate (Scooter is very affectionate. I don’t care how affectionate Morrisey is. Fuck Morrisey!), but his love nips can turn into serious fang action pretty quickly. But his purrs, kisses, and nose butts are priceless.

The Little Guy (Jose), the youngest, has always been skittish around everything. It’s probably because a horse stepped on him when just a kitten. I’d be skittish, too. He’s coming around as he ages and is getting more aggressive in his affection.

My guitars

I can’t play worth a good goddamn, but I love my guitars. Banging away on them lets me release some frustrations, while trying to improve lets me gain more. It’s the whole Yin-Yang bullshit of life, in one frustrating noise box. DId I say one? I meant a dozen. They’re like candies — you can’t just have one.

My front porch

Front porch drama, © Paul Mansfield on FLICKR

My front porch is a drama free zone, unless I’m directing a photoshoot with lots of drama. It lets me relax, and my dog Kasey loves it, too. She can watch the cars, bark at passers-by, and get the hell away from those infernal cats.

Kasey on the Front Porch, © Paul Mansfield

My writing

My writing gets me through the day. It allows me an outlet to express, as best I can, my deepest thoughts, and dreams, desires and hopes. It also gives a means of escape to all the maddening, howling voices in my head. Just kidding (I’ve only allowed a couple of them to escape.)

My photography

Like my writing, my photography allows me to communicate my vision, and to create art. Photography allows me to communicate what my eye sees, what it focuses on, to others. Photographing something releases what I have bottled inside of me and gives it life, gives it purpose. I may not have a vast audience, but I have an audience. Follow me on FLICKR to join in communion with my audience.

Paul Mansfield

Explore Paul Mansfield’s 2,892 photos on Flickr!

flic.kr

My penis

Unlike most dudes, I didn’t include an actual picture of it for you. And I won’t provide one on request, even if you beg. It’s brought me many hours of joy, and many hours of despair and heartbreak. The joy outweighs the despair and heartbreak, though. Yes, I definitely can’t live without my penis.

Fucking coffee!!!

Get me some coffee, or heads will roll! Actually, without at least one steaming, hot, black mug (yes, a mug) of espresso in the morning, I can’t even get my ass out of bed. Keep me coffee deprived, and the world is safe. Don’t give me enough coffee, and it’s melt down time. Add a little Irish Cream, and we’re set for life.

I know I didn’t list the full ten things that I couldn’t live without. My needs are simple theses days, and in fairness, I would survive without them. (Except coffee. Fucking coffee. Feed me the coffee.) Life just wouldn’t be as enjoyable as it is now. Earthly possessions may not define us, but they make the journey so much sweeter.

To continue the challenge, I call on Zane Dickens, Fox Kerry, Josh Knapp, Smillew Rahcuef, Rocky Shores, and Little Miss Right Now to submit their lists as well.

As Eric Pierce requested, please use the same tag for your lists — 10EssentialThings

And finally, an hour of North Carolina delta blues to guide you out the door in a relaxed mood.

To quote my mythical grandaddy, “Don’t the screen door hit you on the ass on the way out.” (He didn’t really, but I always do.)

Paul Mansfield is a writer, a photographer, a guitar player, a philosopher — some he does well, some not so well, but he still tries them all. You can follow him on Twitter @pmansfield.

If you like this story, read his About Me story. It’s a tale of high sea adventure and the space race, mixed with the usual coming-of-age angst.

Paul Mansfield — Medium

This feels like I’m writing my obituary, but I’m not. Damn it, at least I hope that I’m not. I always find it hard to…

pmansfield.medium.com