Sunday, August 31, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 581

HappyUP!!! - Attending a wedding
Why it happened - a good friend invited me
Why it makes me happy - the bride was gorgeous. I got to see a couple that I hadn't seen in years. I met the parent of another friend. The weather was perfect. The food was tremendous. The venue was fabulous. All in all, you couldn't ask for more in a wedding. A joyous day

HappyUP!!! - two birdies in 12 holes
Why it happened - I snuck out to the golf course
Why it makes me happy - I play 18 holes on a lot of days with no birdies. In this case, I hit a very cute little skill shot under the wind and made the putt. On the other hole, I hit a very delicate pitch shot across the green that came to rest just a couple of feet from the hole. THAT is why I play golf. "The true joy of golf is to turn three shots into two," is a saying from a famous old golfer whose name escapes me. I believe it was Byron Nelson but I could be wrong.

HappyUP!!! - the soft driver
Why it happened - it's a continuation of the mini-lesson I received
Why it makes me happy - I am on a path of discovery regarding my golf swing. At the end of the quest, I believe I will be moving the ball right to left instead of left to right. I will be striking the ball a bit more properly and a heck of a lot further.



JollyJottings

Being sore
New cat food
Soft Driver
A Wedding
A Beautiful Bride
Seeing a couple who are old friends
A great text photo message sent
Two birdies
Lunch

Saturday, August 30, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 580

HappyUP!!! - tip from the pro
Why it happened - I asked
Why it makes me happy - I got some swing coaching and something solid to work on

HappyUP!!! - giving away my car wash tickets
Why it happened - I bought them but couldn't use them
Why it makes me happy - the guy I gave them to appreciated them and they didn't go to waste

HappyUP!!! - golf
Why it happened - come on....you know by now it happens
Why it makes me happy - the second 18 went by fast....no waiting. My bunker play is better. My wedge play is better. I hit a fabulous 8 iron under pressure. I hit a great wedge when I needed it. I knocked a score out of counting toward my Sept handicap. I found one of my balls lost in a previous round. One of my playing partners gave me one of my balls he had found while he was out playing. It was a good day at the course.

JollyJottings

Four Skins
36 Holes
Breakfast
Fabulous 8 iron
Very good wedge
Much better sand play
Tip from the pro
Finding a ball
Giving away my car wash tickets
Bumping out a low score

Friday, August 29, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 579....The Sixth Day fo the Week of Festival

HappyUP!!! - the Headgame Girls
Why it happened - they were at the golf tournament
Why it makes me happy - when you go to benefit golf tournaments, you always get the obligatory group photo. I have a drawer full of them. I swear that I will make a collage someday. When they handed the pictures out at the luncheon, our foursome was the only one that had the HeadGame Girls in it with us. It is a goofy...but excellent photo. Yeah, I know....I should have scanned it and posted it here....but I didn't.

HappyUP!!! - lipped out a trap shot
Why it happened - my partner had us in the trap
Why it makes me happy - my sand play has not been good as of late. It was a shot of confidence that I was able to almost knock one in.

HappyUP!!! - a nice, new shirt
Why it happened - it was a good tournament today
Why it makes me happy - I filled in at the tournament. I received some free stuff. I love free stuff....especially when it includes a cool golf shirt! LOVE that good FREE stuff!

JollyJottings

Golf tournament
Breakfast Tacos
Almost holed a sand shot
Ripping a 3 wood off the tee
A chance at a car for a moment
Air conditioning

Thursday, August 28, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 578 ....Day 5 in the Week of Festivals

HappyUP!!! - learned friend was out of hospital
Why it happened - I text him to call me
Why it makes me happy - this is my best friend. I had shot him a message yesterday to call me but I didn't hear back. While I felt bad for letting a couple of days pass without checking in, this was overridden by finding out he is better and back on the job.

HappyUP!!! - lunch with a champ
Why it happened - I made it happen
Why it makes me happy - it is always good to be in this person's presence. We got to spend a couple of hours visiting....something we hadn't done in a too long. We had such a nice chat.

HappyUP!!! - got an invitation to play in a golf tournament tomorrow
Why it happened - I have friends watching for me
Why it makes me happy - I get to play a different golf course on someone else's dime. I wish I was playing a little better but there is nothing like a tournament to put the new swing to the test. Plus....I should get some FREE STUFF! I love FREE STUFF!

JollyJottings

Learned friend was out of hospital
Saw an old friend at a golf tournament
Ran across an old acquaintance at golf tournament
Lunch with a good friend
Got an invitation to play in a golf tournament

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 577....Day 4 of the Week of Festival

Just a bunch of golf - as we breeze through this week honoring....uh.....hmmm....well.....ME!!!

Why is it that statement seems so self absorbed? - if you think about it for what it is, we really shouldn't. It's not conceited. If someone else was doing it FOR me, it would be OK. Yet, doing it for oneself seems a little strange, isn't it?

Why should that be? - it's the same week of festival whether it is self-sponsored or sponsored by someone else. I think I smell one of those "rules" that we think has been made.....but doesn't really exist in the rulebook.

HappyUP!!! - morning round of golf
Why it happened - I wasn't going to play but I decided to
Why it makes me happy - I didn't have a game today. I almost didn't play for that reason. Yet, it is good to swat it around the links by yourself. The mentality playing by yourself is definitely different. There are no distractions. It's almost a different game. Anyway, I was only one stroke off the best round that I have shot. The game also inspired me to work some more on my game.

HappyUP!!! - moment of zen
Why it happened - I was golfing by myself
Why it makes me happy - unfortunately, I hit a ball into a lake. I know....hard to believe. Anyway, it was the 9th hole. Nobody was behind me so I didn't need to keep up. I spent some time down on the edge of the pond. Geese....ducks.....doing what they do. No noise. A beautiful morning. Tall weeds around the edges. It was like hiking out into nature....so I spent some time there.

HappyUP!!! - afternoon round of golf
Why it happened - my buddy wanted to play after work
Why it makes me happy - it wasn't because I beat him. He KILLED me. Until the last hole, he had his best round of the day going. It was nice to watch. We also caught up to a single on the front 9 who played with us. He was an old acquaintance of mine that I had lost track of. It was nice to see him. I also made some progress in DRIVING the ball further. It is something I am working on. I got the ball out to places I hadn't reached before. This is going to be a big key and I know why I did it and what I have to work on. I also almost made a hole in one. I have never had one. I wish this would have gone in because it was absolutely one of the most horrible shots I could have hit. I got very lucky!

JollyJottings

Morning Round
Morning moment of zen
Afternoon golf
Finding some driving tips
Getting a "yes" to get together

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 576....Third Day in the Week of Festivals

HappyUP!!! - breakfast
Why it happened - my buddy called me
Why it makes me happy - HE BOUGHT! This means I have received a free meal each day since my birthday! Tomorrow is not looking like I am going to get by on the cheap, however. Of course, this isn't the only reason it was great. I love hanging with this guy.

HappyUP!!! - e-mail from a dear friend
Why it happened - the friend finally got around to checking personal e-mails
Why it makes me happy - I wasn't happy about a lot of the content because my friend is struggling. Still, I was happy to get the e-mail, respond, and make sure that we get on the calender for a personal meeting.

HappyUP!!! - golf at 3:30
Why it happened - we are trying to do this regularly while there is still light
Why it makes me happy - it's a great time to play golf...nice and warm. The three guys that I played with are great. Two of them are better than me and the other guy and I are the same. This makes for a good match

Bonus HappyUP!!! - a key swing fundamental rediscovered
Why it happened - I was fiddling around on Sunday
Why it makes me happy - today was the first day I could get to the range. I thought installing this swing key was going to be a long process. It's uncomfortable to change and do things right. While I did have a couple of loose shots, I started to hit a lot of shots properly. I also keep working on a tip that a great player gave me for my short game. It helped me to "stuff it" close a couple of times with my wedge.

JollyJottings

Breakfast
Free Breakfast
Golf at 3:30
Blizzard Call
Finding a key to golf swing

"That's A Very Good Question"

Time and again in interviews - I hear the person being interviewed begin the answer to a question by saying, "that's a very good question."

.....and it really irritates me.

It tells me that the person being interviewed - has been through media training. They have been TAUGHT how to respond as opposed to responding in a more natural manner.

I worked for a major corporation - and, as part of facilitator training, I was trained in this pearl.

While I performed the function of facilitator - (and quite well, if I do say so myself), I was not a trainer by title. As I sat in meetings that the professional trainers were conducting, they would repeat the innocuous phrase above so often that it made me gag.

The idea is that, by saying it - you honor the person asking the question and reduce the possibility that they would feel stupid for asking the question. Here is why this phrase makes my skin crawl:

1) When I ask a question - I am not looking for a compliment. I am looking for information. I know it was a good question because I didn't have the answer before I asked it. This is what comprises a good question.

2) What happens to the person - that asks a question and doesn't get the praise? If the other guy got the, "that's a good question" and I didn't, does that make my question a bad one? It's possible.

WARNING! - if you ever have me in your class and say, "that's a good question," you will most likely get an immediate, "I know....that is why I asked it," from me....or someone like me sitting in your class

"That's a very good question" - is another step to try to tritely make people feel better. I think this can be accomplished in other ways....

.....hmmmm....what is the title of this blog and what is the main exercise that WE keep repeating on a daily basis?

Monday, August 25, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 575...Day Two of The Week of Festival

HappyUP!!! - tremendous night of sleep
Why it happened - who knows
Why it makes me happy - there was a time that I was beginning to have sleep issues. They seem to have dissipated since I retired. Hmmmm....I wonder if there is a connection? I went to sleep at around 10:30 last night and I didn't wake up until 7:20! If you knew me, you would know that is unprecedented. Unless I am out past midnight (rare), I will wake up between 5 and 6:30. It felt nice to start my day "late."

HappyUP!!! - birthday lunch
Why it happened - my financial planner is a smart guy
Why it makes me happy - who doesn't like a free lunch? He still takes me to lunch even though there is little chance that I will be putting any further investments in his charge. I give him some grief, too, over the financial markets. Hey, I am an investor...it's my job. Anyway, I do enjoy his company.

HappyUP!!! - seeing someone at lunch
Why it happened - we both needed to eat
Why it makes me happy - he didn't see me....or chose to ignore me. I can help this guy. He needs it...in my estimation. Yet, like the time, I am not going to give him any advice unless he asks for it properly. Yet, he will go on struggling alone. Why does it make me happy? I really don't know. I think I was happiest that he didn't come up to me and say, "Hi," in such an easy venue. Perhaps I should have been a little bigger and done a "touch and go" hello...but I am not too worried about it.

JollyJottings

Tremendous night of sleep
Birthday lunch
Seeing someone at lunch
Brekko scheduled for tomorrow
Laughing at Keith Obamerman
Tomatoes

Sunday, August 24, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 574....Let the Week of Festivals Begin!

HappyUP!!! - breakfast on the house
Why it happened - it was my birthday
Why it makes me happy - I didn't go to my favorite place for a special birthday breakfast. I just wanted some food on the way to the golf course. When my favorite waitress picked up on it being my birthday, she took care of the bill

HappyUP!!! - birdieing the first hole
Why it happened - driver....4 iron....and a tidy wedge
Why it makes me happy - if you are a golfer, you know it is a special feeling to birdie the first hole. It gets you off to a good start and puts you ahead of the game. Plus, this is a hole I hadn't birdied before which scores some points in a side game I have with my friend, R. This hole also put about $10 in my pocket right out of the blocks.

HappyUP!!! - birthday dinner
Why it happened - I put it together at Ruth's Chriss
Why it makes me happy - I had never eaten there. I sure had heard enough about it. WHAT A STEAK! The company was excellent as well. Food and accompaniment.....it's all you need!



JollyJottings

Breakfast bought for me
Golf with my friends
Birdieing the first hole
Call from N
Call from E
Ruth Chriss
Dinner companion

Saturday, August 23, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 573



HappyUP!!! - my first eagle at my new club
Why it happened - I hit a heck of a pitch shot
Why it makes me happy - hey, I poke it out there but I am not like some of the guys who really hit it long, hit par 5's in two, and then get eagles on a regular basis. I have to get mine the old fashioned way....knock it in from off the green. In today's case, it was a great pitch shot to a par 5 that went in. The eagle comes with some bragging rights.

(The picture to the left has nothing to do with the eagle. It was a great second shot I hit to the hardest hole on the course.....and then requisitely missed the putt, of course)

HappyUP!!! - 36 holes of golf
Why it happened - it's the weekend...lots of playmates
Why it makes me happy - I enjoy my weekend buddies and teeing it up with them.

HappyUP!!! - breakfast with the family
Why it happened - I squeezed it in around the golf
Why it makes me happy - I did some fancy scheduling for this. I had to miss breakfast last weekend because the schedule was out of my control. I did some fancy footwork today so I could spend some quality time with the group.

Friday, August 22, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 572

HappyUP!!! - unexpected golf pairing
Why it happened - I showed up at the course
Why it makes me happy - one of my new friends at the golf course had played 18 holes. Him and his friend were going out for another 18.....and it was my my friend's 40th birthday. On top of that, a great player at the club joined us. I love playing with great golfers. It really does make you better

HappyUP!!! - golf tip from the great player
Why it happened - he likes to give tips
Why it makes me happy - I really need some subtle tips on where some of my faults are. This guy gave me a good one today.....and it is sure to save me some strokes over the 36-72 holes I will be playing over the weekend

HappyUP!!! - an unexpected neighborhood gathering
Why it happened - my neighbor came over and got me
Why it makes me happy - I met another couple of neighbors I didn't know. There were also another couple of neighbors that I did know there. We just sat out on the porch and chilled. It was cool.

JollyJottings

Breakfast chat with waitress
Great day on Wall St
An unexpected golf pairing
An unexpected neighborhood gathering

Thursday, August 21, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 571


"Dude, did you write USA on these labels with a Sharpie Marker? I can't take a baton from you!"

Like someone forgetting to print the bibs - it appears the men's relay team forgot to practice handing the stick to the next guy.

The dropping of the baton - is NOT a HappyUP!!! but, for some odd reason, I can just see someone in the backroom under the stadium going, "Oh Crap! I left the printed bibs at the hotel!" Then, the mad scramble to find some clean bibs and a magic marker. I find that tremendously entertaining.

HappyUP!!! - golfing with two guys
Why it happened - I played in my old golfing club's monthly event
Why it makes me happy - they put my partner and I in with a couple of guys that worked for the company that I used to but who never worked for me. Nice guys. We had some good conversation....and I got a little more insight what newcomers think about the company I worked for.

HappyUP!!! - good drives
Why it happened - I am not sure
Why it makes me happy - I was golfing on a foreign course. Less room for error than my regular course. Yet, I put it very nicely in play every time I put the big stick in my hands. If you want to score, you have to put whitey on the short cut grass. (But, when the driver wakes up, why does the putter go to sleep? Uggghh.... golf. You gotta love it).

HappyUP!!! - a day in the mountains
Why it happened - I went golfing
Why it makes me happy - we stepped out of the car up in Camino, CA, today. The first thing I noticed was "that scent of the pines." It made me realize that I hadn't been to the mountains all year....oooops! Big oooops! I will need to get that fixed by the time the weather changes.

JollyJottings

Great sleep
Seeing my friend A
Golfing in the mountains
Very good drives
My two golfing partners

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 570

HappyUP!!! - early morning golf
Why it happened - I decided to go
Why it makes me happy - I didn't care about my score. My body wasn't coordinated...not at 7 a.m. with NO RANGE BALLS hit before. It was going to be ugly for awhile. So, rather than fight it, I just relaxed and tapped the ball around. Then, when I got done, I hit the range to apply some of the slow mo things that I learned to my regular swing.

HappyUP!!! - surprise lunch date
Why it happened - a dear, dear person asked if I was open
Why it makes me happy - I keep the people anonymous here. This person is one of my favorite people. I am so thrilled that I got the call and we could get together. We had such a nice lunch.

HappyUP!!! - Golf set for the weekend
Why it happened - my friends made tee times
Why it makes me happy - I'll be playing with two different sets of friends each day...two different vibes...all wonderful people. I'm looking forward to this weekend for many reasons...and these are two of them.

JollyJottings

Early morning golf
Spanking some range balls
Chipping
Lunch with a dear friend
Cobbler coming
Gettin some dirt on another friend
Call from a dear friend
Golf set up for this weekend

"You Pay What We Pay"....

General Motors is out there pimping their vehicles by saying that we, the consumer, get the employee discount. On the advertisements, giddy GM staffers say, "you pay what we pay."

Sounds like GM doesn't give deals to it's employees anymore.


.....since when does the dissolution of an employee benefit become a value to me?

Sorry.....this sounds like a car deal.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 569






HappyUP!!!
- phone call from ex-employee
Why it happened - I was on her mind
Why it makes me happy - it's great anytime when someone is thinking about you. This person worked with me/for me for over 15 years. She called me out of the blue just because "that little voice" told her to. We had a wonderful conversation

HappyUP!!! - e-mail from ex-employee
Why it happened - we stay in touch
Why it makes me happy - I had a suspicion confirmed. Who doesn't like to be right?

HappyUP!!! - golf at 3:30
Why it happened - a friend set it up
Why it makes me happy - I met a great player. I got to play with two buddies. I got a skin. I hit number 7 from the top tees again. I made a very solid birdie. There was a lot to be desired about my overall play but there were enough highlights to keep me coming back.

JollyJottings

Toastmasters
Golf at 3:30
A very solid birdie
A great putt
Hitting number 8 again
Phone call from an ex-employee

Monday, August 18, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 568

HappyUP!!! - lunch
Why it happened - I was hungry
Why it makes me happy - I made a hot pastrami sandwich. I am not sure that I have ever done that. If I have, it was so long ago that I can't remember. I threw some pickles and fresh tomatoes from the garden on there. The bread got the grilled cheese sandwich treatment with a little garlic powder on there. Mustard...mayonnaise. I have to admit....it was one good sammy!

HappyUP!!! - lunch company
Why it happened - a friend was in town
Why it makes me happy - hey, unless you eat with others all the time, it's always better to eat with someone. We had a great sandwich (see above) and a nice visit.

HappyUP!!! - golfing e-mail
Why it happened - I shot an e-mail out yesterday to an old friend
Why it makes me happy - I got the e-mail today telling me to set it up so I will be playing a round with the
person that I have known the longest in my life that I stay in touch with soon.

JollyJottings

Company for lunch
Lunch itself
Watering
Olympics
E-mail to golf

Sunday, August 17, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 567

HappyUP!!! - golfing with a new friend, DD
Why it happened - my other buddy set it up
Why it makes me happy - I have an old connection with this person. I used to play with and wait on his dad30 years ago when I worked in a golf shop. I kind of new little D. It's interesting to see how he has grown up. Plus, he's another guy to tee it up with.

HappyUP!!! - hitting number 7 twice from the back tees
Why it happened - they put the gold tees back with the black tees
Why it makes me happy - this is a full on 3 iron (hybrid) shot over water. It was also windy. This takes a degree of skill...concentration....and execution.

HappyUP!!! - message from my friend
Why it happened - my friend was on the way to working a job
Why it makes me happy - I don't hear from this friend that often. It was nice to be on the mind. I think that is always a big HappyUP!!! ....to be thought of.

JollyJottings

Golfing with DD
Big Drive on 18
Great up and down on 14
Solid shot into par 3 number 16
Hitting par 3 number 7 twice from the top tees in the wind

Saturday, August 16, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 566





HappyUP!!! - Doing it when it counts
Why it happened - I was golfing
Why it makes me happy - there were "skins" on the table coming down the stretch...and I was behind in skins. I pounded a must make 10 footer in on 17. On 18, I put my drive right in the center of the fairway. We won't talk about the real money shot into 18. OK...we will. It was struck well but it was an unexpected draw into the pond. No skins garnered. It's good to do some great things coming in. I also threw in a couple of remarkable pitch shots with a few holes to go.

HappyUP!!! - golfing partners
Why it happened - it was a member/guest tourney
Why it makes me happy - I got to play 36 with my buddy, RK. I played and rode in the same cart with my bro for the first 18. How can you put a price on quality time with the bro?

HappyUP!!! - driving the golf ball
Why it happened - you have to tee off
Why it makes me happy - my tee ball can be a bit questionable. I played 36 and only hit one out of play...and it wasn't that bad. I had it in play all day long....and sometimes, it was crushed. You can play more than one round without crushing one. I probably crushed 5-8. You have to get it in play to have a chance.



JollyJottings

Seeing L
Running into K/B
36 holes with 1 ball
36 holes with RK
Driving Well
Striping it on 18
2 great pitch shots
Golf with brother
Lunch
Weather
Drilling pressure putt on 17

Friday, August 15, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 565

HappyUP!!! - Michael Phelps
Why it happened - I watched the Olympics
Why it makes me happy - did you see Phelps grab his 7th gold medal?....and I mean grab it. He got it on the touch and won by a fingernail out of nowhere. This was after the guys in the 100 butterfly were getting it on at the highest level. Incredible.

HappyUP!!! - dinner out
Why it happened - my buddy called me
Why it makes me happy- it's good to get out on a Friday evening and see some night life....and share a few bawdy tales. I even saw my nephew.

HappyUP!!! - new book
Why it happened - I went looking for a different book
Why it makes me happy - I don't do it that often these days because I have so many but I love buying a new book. When Kindle comes along, I won't get this thrill anymore. I started the book and it has some sneaky potential...a HappyUP!!!

JollyJottings

New Book
Dinner out
Breakfast
Water Polo

Thursday, August 14, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 564

HappyUP!!! - a GREAT stock purchase
Why it happened - I saw an old favorite stock at a favorable price
Why it makes me happy - as soon as I bought it, it went up 8% and closed that way. No, I haven't sold it and pocketed the gain yet but this kind of thing does not happen that often. I almost have to sell it tomorrow as a wild escalation is almost asking for a pullback tomorrow........and then I could buy it again!

HappyUP!!! - Elena Dimentieva
Why it happened - the Olympics
Why it makes me happy - OK, I am going to be a guy here.....I had never heard of the Russian tennis ace. She spanked Serena Williams pretty hard today. I'm not a big Serena fan. This was one underdog that was easy to root for. She is absolutely lovely to watch!

HappyUP!!! - seeing my friend and his daughter
Why it happened - he needed to drop something off
Why it makes me happy - I hadn't seen his daughter in a few months. She's great. She is an unofficial member of our Toastmasters club. She has hit a growth spurt and is becoming a very attractive little lady....smart too!

JollyJottings

Seeing my friend and his daughter
Breakfast with another friend
Call from my brother
A GREAT stock purchase
A Great stock day
Elena Dimentieva

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 563

HappyUP!!! - a stock coming back
Why it happened - who knows
Why it makes me happy - I was running late to get to the golf course this morning. I did a very quick check to find out one of my stocks was down 10%....$6 a share....at the opening today. Had I gotten up early, I was planning to try to sell it. I was extremely pleased to come back home and see it had gained $4 and only was down $2 for the day. It was like I made money while losing money.

HappyUP!!! - second 18
Why it happened - the guys I played with this morning wanted to go again
Why it makes me happy - I played the front nine in 36...even par. That is my best 9 on my home course by 3 shots. While I wilted in the heat on the back nine, I had a putt to break my best 18 hole score....drats! Just missed...that putt needed to break a little more! While not hitting it anywhere near the way that I want, it is good to get it around OK in the meantime.

HappyUP!!! - phone call from N
Why it happened - N was checking in
Why it makes me happy - this was one of my former co-workers. It's always great when he calls. He is still cranking along amidst the continued chaos.

JollyJottings

Two Birdies
Tied best score
Best nine hole score
Working on swing change
Call from N
Finishing golf today
My stock coming back

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 562

HappyUP!!! - the afternoon game
Why it happened - my buddy put it together
Why it makes me happy - Dougy, Bos, and Wah are three guys that I really will always enjoy playing golf with. I didn't know Wah but the guy can play....and he is tiny! What the heck is my excuse? It was great to watch a guy sticking shots....2 gimme birdies, a short eagle putt made, and a two putt birdie on another par 5. He doesn't hit it much farther than me. I got no excuse....just a bunch of work to do.

HappyUP!!! - a perfect wedge at the perfect time
Why it happened - I was a wedge away
Why it makes me happy - I had a 100 yd wedge shot. I had no distance markers so I had to step it off. 75 yds to the green and then I estimated 25 more yards of green to cover. I went back and landed it a foot from the hole and then made the 7 foot putt.

HappyUP!!! - improvement in form
Why it happened - I hit balls
Why it makes me happy - I hadn't hit any pure irons for days. I realized that my posture at address was wrong. It was an uncomfortable change. It usually means some really bad shots as you deal with the discomfort of the change. While I didn't hit it perfectly by any means, I like the new position and I am getting some distance back. Now, I just need to work on alignment! Ugh.......golf!

Monday, August 11, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 561

HappyUP!!! - call from A
Why it happened - A followed up
Why it makes me happy - A is a nice young guy. We don't see each other much but wants to stay in touch. We had a good call and ended it with breakfast plans in the morning

HappyUP!!! - club website
Why it happened - I checked it out
Why it makes me happy - I went on line to check out my golf club's website. It's awesome. You book your tee time on line. You can see who has a time. You also can view the roster of the entire club. I saw some people that I knew there

HappyUP!!! - golf match Wed
Why it happened - I saw someone with a time on Wed
Why it makes me happy - I invited another guy so we have 3 teeing it up on Wed at 7:10. Golf, fellowship, and done by 10:30....life is good!

JollyJottings

Coffee
Call from A
Golf match Wed
New website
Olympics

Sunday, August 10, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 560

HappyUP!!! - catching up with a group on the golf course
Why it happened - they were a foursome...we were a two some
Why it makes me happy - it was my bro, sis in law, and another couple who are friends of mine. We all had drinks afterward. It was nice to visit with this other couple as I don't get to do that often and they are old friends.

HappyUP!!! - an unexpected second golf game
Why it happened - my buddy, Rick, was showing up as I was finishing my first game
Why it makes me happy - I would have played poker with the group from the morning. I'm not big on poker and would much rather tee it up. I ended up being under par (for awhile) and birdieing a hole that I needed for a contest that my friend and I have going on

HappyUP!!! - fish and chips
Why it happened - my sis in law and bro invited me to dinner
Why it makes me happy - 1) it's free 2) it's my family and 3) my sis in law made the best fish and chips that I have ever had. I mean these were treeeeeemendous!

JollyJottings

Sunday morning golf with the guys
A good golf match ending in a tie
An unexpected second golf game
One under after 6 holes
Birdieing a hole that I needed for a contest I am playing
Catching up with my bro, his wife, and another couple on the course
Drinks with the above afterward
Fish and chips made by sis in law
Watching the PGA Tevo'd by bro

Saturday, August 09, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 559

HappyUP!!! - great sleep
Why it happened - I went to bed late?
Why it makes me happy - no alarm....just slept until 7 a.m. uniterrupted...ahhhhhh

HappyUP!!! - talking with my pro
Why it happened - he was checking me out around the putting green
Why it makes me happy - I'm morphing in with the culture of my golf club....meeting new people...starting to become known...forming new friendships....every time I go out there.

HappyUP!!! - invite for golf tomorrow
Why it happened - one of my new golf friends invited me
Why it makes me happy - there will be about 20 guys teeing it up tomorrow....with poker afterward. I'm not that big on poker but it will be good to get to know some new folks.

JollyJottings

Great sleep
stretching
chipping
talking with my pro
invite for golf tomorrow
breakfast

Friday, August 08, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 558

HappyUP!!! - seeing my favorite musician
Why it happened - I noticed he was down at the park
Why it makes me happy - this guy isn't famous except for one thing.....he gave me the first few lessons that I took to learn guitar. He's been playing music a long time but he also keeps the keys to the local bocci ball court. He was down doing some maintenance today so I went down and said, "Hi." I think he'll be helping me on a music project soon.

HappyUP!!! - 36 holes
Why it happened - it's what I do
Why it makes me happy - I played the entire day with my old friend, JB. I featured him in yesterday's HappyUP!!! He'll have to head back and teach school next week but he'll be a weekend golfing pal. Plus, he turned me on to a group of guys playing on Sunday!

HappyUP!!! - a gorgeous summer day
Why it happened - August is behaving nicely
Why it makes me happy - I'm not sure we even hit 90 today, let alone much above. The evening was perfect as well. I love beautiful weather....especially when it could be cooking.

JollyJottings

36 holes with my ol buddy J
Knocking another hole off the birdied list
Dinner with my buddy, G
Running into my favorite musician
Beautiful...beautiful weather...day and evening

Thursday, August 07, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 557

HappyUP!!! - finding my cell phone
Why it happened - I thought I lost it
Why it makes me happy - it's a bad feeling when you are at the golf course, know you have you ear piece but can't find your phone. I never forget my phone so I wasn't so sure it would just be sitting out there back at the homestead. Yet, when I got home and went upstairs, there it was! You know that momentary feeling when you find something valuable? I just got it again as I typed this.

HappyUP!!! - golfing with my old friend
Why it happened - I inserted myself in his group
Why it makes me happy - I had totally lost track with this guy. He had moved to Utah years ago. I knew he was back in town but I didn't know that he was golfing. We enjoyed the bad golf so much that we are playing at 7 tomorrow morning again.

HappyUP!!! - a solid round in the afternoon
Why it happened - my other friend was coming out in the afternoon
Why it makes me happy - this guy is better than I am. He hits it more solidly....and farther. I MAY have him by a bit in the short game. A scratch golfer would shoot about 75 on average on my course. My friend had a 78 and I had an 80. His round was a lot prettier than mine but I have always been a scrappy golfer. We're probably going to tee it up and resume our competition on Saturday.

JollyJottings

Golfing with an old friend
Birdieing a hole that I hadn't
Shooting a good round in the afternoon
Meeting a couple of great guys
Talking with my friend, P
Beating the Dow
Finding my cell phone

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 556




















OK, someone sent me these photos - and I always find my photo posts to be more popular.

I guess this pair - flunked dog paddling class.

HappyUP!!! - I have a cardiologist
Why it happened - I joined him to play golf
Why it makes me happy - while I hope our acquaintance is limited to the golf course or maybe a bike ride, it's nice to know a doctor that I may need at some point. I enjoyed spending time with this highly talented individual.

HappyUP!!! - tomorrow's golf
Why it happened - I checked the tee time sheet
Why it makes me happy - I noticed that a guy that played on my same golf team 30 years ago had a time for tomorrow morning. I inserted myself to play with him. He is going to be so surprised. I have only seen him once or twice since the old days. He is a great guy and I can't wait to tee it up with him.

HappyUP!!! - e-mail from another golf buddy
Why it happened - I sent him a funny
Why it makes me happy - he is going to try to duck out after lunch to tee it up. I am teeing it up at 7:10. We'll be done before 10. I'll take off, come home, do some errands, and then have another golf game for the afternoon. This golf club thing is working in lining up some games. Best of all, these guys play better than I do which will up my game.

JollyJottings

A cardiologist
Tomorrow's golf
Beating the Dow
New tracking
E-Mail from T
Slow golf in 3.5 hours
E-mail from another golf buddy
Chatting with my bro

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 555

HappyUP!!! - Fridge Repairman
Why it happened - my new fridge fudged up
Why it makes me happy - fridge man called me as he was on his way. He asked me to describe the problem. He said, "I know exactly what it is. It will take me 5 minutes to fix." He showed up shortly thereafter....and took all of about 5 minutes. The best part? This is the second motherboard the fridge has fried....and I had the extended warranty. This little repair would have been $400! HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - Golf in 2.5 hrs
Why it happened - people let me play through
Why it makes me happy - right now, it is not about "gettin games" and gambling with the boys. That will all come at my new club. At the moment, it is all about finding my game....playing with no impediments helps.

HappyUP!!! - the stock market
Why it happened - it was up for whatever reason...then Fed speak drove it up higher
Why it makes me happy - even though the Dow smoked me? Yes, the Dow was up 2.65%...I was only up a measly .76%....but I was up. I also am not going to worry about selling my gainers tomorrow when we could see some pull back. I will be buying along the bottom of this little rally. NICE DAY!

JollyJottings

Toastmasters Speech
Golf in 2.5 hours
Fridge repair man
Sliding back out for more golf
Pummeled by the Dow

Monday, August 04, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 554

HappyUP!!! -lunch
Why it happened - my friend called me
Why it makes me happy - I love this guy. He called me up to meet at noon for coffee. When we met, we decided to go to BJ's for lunch. I had a pot roast sandwich that was too much food.....but, man, was it good!

HappyUP!!! - visit from a friend
Why it happened - my friend needed a favor
Why it makes me happy - I was glad to be able to help out. While I didn't ask, my friend offered to do a favor for me which I really appreciated as it was something that I needed a hand with. Win-Win

HappyUP!!! - Nugget Market
Why it happened - I needed ingredients
Why it makes me happy - I had never been to this store before. My usual store, TraderJoes, wasn't going to have the Italian Sausage I needed for my spaghetti sauce. I was out near the Nugget. Nice place....beautiful displays of produce. I can see why some of the chains are upgrading their displays!

JollyJottings

West Elm
Spag Sauce
Nugget Market
Lunch with my friend
Visit from another friend

Sunday, August 03, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 553

Once again - the Nutster is going to go overboard and do more than 3 HappyUP!!!'s. What can I say? I spent the entire day at the golf course. The one HappyUP!!! I didn't include that I know is going to be one is that nice shower after 51 holes of golf that I am going to take a bit later tonight.

HappyUP!!! - 51 holes of golf
Why it happened - my friends love to golf
Why it makes me happy - it's a new record! I have played 45 in one day. Never have I played 51. 51 is kind of an odd number because we had to skip three holes to get in front of some slow groups. After that, the course was wide open.

HappyUP!!! - wide open golf
Why it happened - we were allowed to play through
Why it makes me happy - a couple of groups let my buddy and I through on the first 18 of the day. Pretty soon, we were practically the first people on the course. The second 18 saw two groups let us through that gave us an open patch. On the third 18, the "skip" put us in the clear. It's funny....I could have played more. I think it is the waiting around that is so tiring about playing golf. The more golf that you play, the more fun you can have....and that is a HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - hybrid from the fairway bunker
Why it happened - I took a chance
Why it makes me happy - historically, I am a weak fairway bunker player. I didn't grow up with many of these at my home course. I am getting my swing back to where it should be....and applying some techniques that work with my more fundamentally sound swing. When you can start getting long clubs out of fairway bunkers like the hybrid and hit a green that is 200 yards away, that is a HappyUP!!! It's a rush

HappyUP!!! - golf pals
Why it happened - I was golfing
Why it makes me happy - my friend didn't know that I had joined his club. When I showed up, I think he thought I was inviting myself to his club. He was thrilled that I was there. Then, he invited a lady that was putting to join us on our second 18. She was nice and had some game...a new friend. She had to leave and then a mutual friend lady golfer joined us for the third 18. I hadn't seen her in forever. Finally, one of my friends who is a member joined us for the final 9. Lots of camaraderie out on the links today!



JollyJottings

Finding my golf pal
Hooking up with another golf pal
Meeting a new golf pal, L
Having yet another golf pal join us, M
Hybrid out of the sand trap
Other shots out of fairway sand traps
Solid chipping
Frying up some sweet peppers
Harvesting tomatoes

Saturday, August 02, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 552

HappyUP!!! - extended warranty
Why it happened - I bought one a couple of years back
Why it makes me happy - my fridge is a little over two years old. I don't usually buy the extended warranties but this was a brand new model.....a bit too much computerized technology for a fridge for my liking. I could not find my warranty. I did find some original paperwork and Home Depot had my original order on file. I'll be getting a free repair.

HappyUP!!! - cupcakes
Why it happened - tomatoes
Why it makes me happy - I got a nice little knock on my door today. It was my two door down neighbor bringing me some cupcakes for some tomatoes I had dropped off awhile back. How cool is that?

HappyUP!!! - seeing my nephew
Why it happened - he had to drop something off
Why it makes me happy - my nephew is 25. I don't see him that often. We got to visit for a bit. I love visiting with my nephew.

JollyJottings

Breakfast
Cupcakes
Promise of a birthday cake
Extended warrant

Do I have to?......Yes

(A special post for my friends over at Sunday Scribblings)

Nutster: "Do I have to?"

Nutster Dad: "Yes"

Nutster: "But, I don't want to"

Nutster Dad: "Son, there are many things that we don't want to do but we have to do them anyway."

...and so goes - one of the most important lessons that I ever learned in my life. I still draw upon that when something comes up that must be done when I would rather be doing something else.

"Do I have to cut the lawn this morning?" - nope! I'm going to go play golf. The lawn will still be there tomorrow. Hey, Dad taught a good lesson but an overachieving student knows how to refine the laws.

Friday, August 01, 2008

HappyUP!!! Day 551


HappyUP!!! - early golf
Why it happened - I was getting the lay of the land at my new club
Why it makes me happy - I dawdled around when I got to the club....took my time....didn't push the group in front of me.....hit some balls after playing 18 holes....and I was still back home by noon. That's a sweet ticket. Golf and time to other things.....like maybe play 18 more!

HappyUP!!! - phone chat with a friend
Why it happened - my friend wanted tomatoes
Why it makes me happy - my friend thought it would be nice to serve homegrown cherry tomatoes at a get together. After we worked out those details, we had a very pleasant conversation

HappyUP!!! - a UPS package
Why it happened - I ordered something
Why it makes me happy - this was a pure toy....something to help me with my golf game. I immediately went to the backyard and started putting it to use! I think it is going to help......THAT little thought is what keeps golf club makers and golf aid makers in business!!!

JollyJottings

Early morning trip to the golf course
Meeting some nice guys to play golf with
Receiving a package in the mail....golf related
Dinner with my buddy
Nice phone chat with a close friend