He may not have been Socrates or Plato, but one of my buddies in high school had a pretty good philosophy. Even if things were going bad, he would always say, "Remember guys, it's the little things that get you through the day."

While it might not sound overly profound, when you stop and think about it, how often does something happen that you would label as "unbelievable," "tremendous" or even "fantastic?"

Not too often. So it must be those little things that get us from that 8 a.m. Monday morning lecture to Friday night.

After spending a substantial amount of time at the 2001 Penn State Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon this weekend, I saw this theory being put to use in its extreme. It's the little things in life that really make you happy and get you through.

Now I know that doing research at Thon is a little one sided, where almost any gadget, gismo, ball, or squirt gun can provide entertainment for hours upon end, but still, it proves my point.

Being pushed to the limits of exhaustion (and sometimes boredom) that our dancers reach, it's amazing how all it takes is playing four square, making a macaroni necklace, or sucking down a milkshake from the Creamery to lift the dancers' spirits.

It's not limited to just the dancers in Thon, though. There are millions of everyday run-of-the-mill things or events that when you stop and think about it, make you smile. After a few friends and I had a little brainstorming session, I thought I might share a few good examples.

What was the first thing mentioned? How about a simple trip home? A place where you have probably spent the majority of your life now brings with it numerous pleasures. After being at school for a long stretch, a visit home is like a trip to the Ritz Carlton. A clean room with fresh bed sheets always awaits me, and I can always count on there being a roll of toilet paper (a common problem while living in a fraternity house).

Oh, and let's not forget the food situation. When I go home, there is absolutely nothing better then a home-cooked meal. It makes the commons food taste like Ramen Noodles.

Without doubt, at least in my home, not having to do laundry is the biggest perk. I don't even bring clean clothes home with me, just a big bag of smelly, dirty laundry. It makes packing for home so easy.

Let's see what else there is. These little things can start early, when you least expect it. Everyone knows the good feeling you get when you wake up at 2 a.m. and think it's time to get up, but then you realize what time it is, and that you have six more hours to sleep.

And when you finally do get up, getting to the shower while there is still hot water.

How about when you're waiting at the loop stop, and you reach into your pocket and discover a $5 bill just as the bus pulls up? And then despite the large crowd, you are the last one to find a seat while everyone else crams into the aisle.

See, it doesn't take anything big. As long as you don't go into every day expecting to win the lottery, a person can be quite content with everyday occurrences.

What else here makes me happy? How about getting a roll of film developed? That's always cool. Or when McLanahan's has their meatball subs on sale for $0.99? Anyone who knows me will tell you how much I love food.

What about when your favorite song plays on the radio or your favorite sports team wins a game, or even a good replay of a great sports moment (like Keith Primeau's goal in the fifth OT against Pittsburgh last year)!

And there's nothing like when you see previews for your favorite show and realize it's a new episode or when it's "Krazy Kramer" week on the WB's reruns of Seinfeld.

As all of the 21-year-olds in the group (as I would have no idea in this case) point out, the sound of an opened bottle of beer makes after a tough week of classes and work is pretty good too. Or searching through a pile of Collegians and finding that Uncle Chen's 2 for $10 coupon a minute before the driver shows up.

Then there is all the class-related examples. When you oversleep for a class and then find out it was canceled or whenever you hear the words "take-home" in front of anything. The possibilities are endless.

After visiting Thon some more and then witnessing my best friend stumble into his room and topple onto his bed after dancing for 48 hours straight, I suddenly realized my all-time favorite thing (and I think many of the dancers may back me up on this one Sunday night): Sleeping in your own bed when it's cold outside and knowing that you can sleep and sleep for as long as you want.

In my opinion, it doesn't get any better than that.