QuoteUP!!! 3....Eleanor Roosevelt on Fear

"Everyday do something that you are afraid to do"

-Eleanor Roosevelt

OK - this one may not be an exact quote. The accuracy is not that important. I know that it is in the zip code. What would happen to you if you ground this into you daily list. Do you know what you are afraid to do? You don't have to go jump out of an airplane though you certainly could. I read recently about a 65 year old woman who went to an artist an posed nude! Wow! That could be a big one...especially when, upon the completion of the drawing, the artist politely asked, "may I have the privilege of kissing your nipples?" A degree of caution may be required but, at the same time, too much caution can keep you in your state of ennui.

The fear can be much less - today, I am afraid to go run on the track. I am afraid of the burning sensation that is going to occur in my lungs. I am afraid that I won't beat my last time. I am afraid it is going to throw my day off with everything else that I could get done. Yet, I have a cogitation about setting a goal to run a 6 minute mile again. It is not a firm commitment yet. I need to overcome the fear above so I can feel a little better about setting the goal. If I fail to breakthrough today's fear, I will never set the goal.

What do you fear? - get out your journal. Keep track of what goes on in your mind. Avoiding something because "you don't feel like it" may actually have a fear at it's root. What is the cost of not addressing that it is a fear in the first place, staring the fear in it's face for what it is, and then overcoming it?

Adopting this one quote - into your daily life is something that make a quantum change.

HappyUP!!! Day 172

A lot to pick from today - that is for sure. ....and I wasn't even looking that hard. If you look everyday, it's amazing what you will find.

HappyUP!!! - seeing long lost friend and his significant other
Why it happened - they had some time to stop by before attending a dinner
Why it made me happy - they happen to be in town for a few days. I have already written about seeing him but I hadn't seen her in 25 years or more. Reacquainting is an awesome thing.

HappyUP!!! - touching base with another old friend
Why it happened - I let him know that our other old friend (see above) was in town.
Why it made me happy - it's always good to talk to this guy. He was another one of our gang in high school. Later on, he was one of my roommates. It's cool to have these contacts. While it would be nice to stay in touch more, the absence does make the heart grow fonder.

HappyUP!!! - outstanding lunch
Why it happened - we were offsite and we got hungry
Why it made me happy - one of the people we were with likes nice lunches. There were 3 guys and one gal. Any guess as to who the "nice lunch" person was? Anyway, we had a wonderful lunch and great conversation. On top of that, my crab melt was TO DIE for!

Great meeting
Outstanding lunch
Seeing friends
Helping Dad
Toastmaster's meeting

HappyUP!!! Day 171

HappyUP!!! - a really funny comment
Why it happened - the guy running the meeting kind of shocks us with his humor once in awhile...today was one of those days
Why it makes me happy - this person doesn't do it all the time. When he lets a non-PC comment go, it is funny as heck and, to me, it's really not incorrect. I think the funny thing is that everyone else thinks that it is. He doesn't have to cow down, however. As said, it's his meeting! Refreshing

HappyUP!!! - free beef jerky
Why it happened - my best buddy had some samples from his work
Why it makes me happy - this is one of those, "C'mon, do I even have to explain," HappyUP!!!s. OK...here goes...1)it's free and 2) it's BEEF JERKY!

HappyUP!!! - a few moments with my long lost friend
Why it happened- he's in town visiting
Why it makes me happy - while I would much prefer that he lived here, I wish everyone could experience having a deep down bestest of best friends (I don't care what spellcheck says..."bestest" is a word) that you don't see for twenty years and then, when you are reacquainted, it's like a day hasn't passed since you last saw each other. It's kind of weird......but in the bestest of ways.

HappyUP!!! Day 170

HappyUP!!! - a trio of washed cars before 8 a.m.
Why it happened - I made it happen
Why it made me happy - we had a little unexpected rainstorm this week. It left my three vehicles with "that look." The dirty rain look. I hopped on it this morning even though car washing isn't my favorite thing in the world.

HappyUP!!! - hitting the gym
Why it happened - it was time (see previous post)
Why it made me happy - I have been telling myself to go. Now, I have broken the ice. I always feel better AFTER going to the gym. Today was no exception. Now if I can just keep all those young hard bodied women away from me and interrupting my workout.

HappyUP!!! - Adam Sandler films
Why it happened - I had the TV going in the background at home today.
Why it made me happy - "Happy Gilmore" and "50 first dates"....what's not to like! Especially on a 100 degree Sacramento summer afternoon!

Wait.....Weight!

Weight - what a heavy topic. I am also amazed at how all the marketing people crawl inside of a person who struggles with this issue.

While not obese - I have a few pounds on that I really shouldn't. I know...welcome to the club. Well, actually, I have been a member of the club for some time.

When I was in my mid-twenties - about twenty something years ago, I was weighing in at about 140-145 pounds. Keep in mind, I am 5'7" so that is pretty lean.

I was also running - marathons and doing triathalons and working in construction everyday. I think that may have been a little too lean on the lean side.

Move forward a few years - about 10. It's now 1996 and I am weighing in at 165. My new desk career has been established for a decade. I go through a relationship situation and say, "geez, what a slob I have become." So, I hit the streets. Just walking this time as an injury curtailed my distance running.

Voila - I drop 5 pounds.....and the cycle begins. This was the first time that I ever felt I had to lose weight. I was about 38 at the time.

That lasts for a bit - but somehow I creep all the way up to 185 pounds....no one really says anything. While people could tell, I have the "blessing" of being able to hide weight gain. Some people's weight gain goes right to one place. My body spreads it around......but I know.

I decide to lift weights - so I do some dumb bells around the house and lose about 10 pounds in two months.

One problem - I DESPISE lifting weights. Guess what happens....yep...right back to 185

So, I make a lifestyle change a little over 4 years ago - cut some things out of my life....and start playing a little basketball. I think that I even drank more water. That was about it as far as I can remember.

A mere 8 months later - I am down to 155. I am thinking, "how could I ever let myself get that heavy? Life feels better. I feel better. My clothes fit better."

Then, a year and half ago - I am back to 175. "Geez, I am 10 pounds from the heaviest I was. What lifestyle change am I going to need to make this time?"

So, I do another thing I despise - I hit the gym. I did cardio religiously for a year. 45 minutes to an hour was my minimum workout. I got down to 165 pretty quickly. Then, I bounced around 165. I kept going to that gym. At the end of the year, I was at 172....a loss of three pounds.

The logical thing - I quit going to the gym. "Hey, I am not getting enough sleep because I am getting up too early to go to the gym. Sleep is medicine."

And now - with 6 months of solid "medicine" behind me, I am not at 172...or 175....but back to 180!

Uggggggh - I can't wait to see what I can come up with next as I make yet another run down the scale.

Life is good -but I won't kid you. This area bugs me. I sympathize with people that are struggling with this issue much worse than I am. It's nice to know that I have so much company but it's not quite nice enough.

It was a tough half hour! - but "every journey of 1000 miles starts with a first step" as one of those old Chinese wise guys once said.

"It just gets tougher to take it off as you get older" - is what I hear from just wise guys.

Oh well - the journey begins again!

HappyUP!!! Day 169 ...Long Lost Friend

HappyUP!!! - spent time with a close high school pal
Why it happened - he was back in town....and I got caught by surprise
Why it made me happy - this guy moved across the country shortly after college. He was one of the core people of our "gang" in high school. I had only seen him once in 25 years or so. I can't even begin to talk about the cutting up and genuine BUST YOUR GUT TIL IT HURTS laughter we experienced.

HappyUP!!! - (see HappyUP!!! above)

HappyUP!!! - (see HappyUP!!! above)

Yes....this is a first - c'mon....an old chum that I hadn't seen more than once in a quarter of a century? You think that I can even remember anything else due to this? It's a biggie!

But....for those of you who say I need to actually have three HappyUP!!!'s - you know, you people and the Queen's Rules...you know who you are

HappyUP!!! - it was a tomato fest today
Why it happened - the tomato plants are turning those fruit color
Why it made me happy - I just keep receiving so much more than I put into those plants. I can't believe it.

HappyUP!!! - breakfast
Why it happened - I needed to eat
Why it made me happy - I hadn't had any short stack and side of sausage from my favorite breakfast place in 2 weeks!

HappyUP!!! Day 168

HappyUP!!! - Fore! An evening golf invitation
Why it happened - my brother called me
Why it made me happy - it was just nice to get out after a full work week. I even made a couple of birdies. Plus, my brother shot a career best round on his golf course. Kudos for him!

HappyUP!!! - unexpected support from the top
Why it happened - an angle was figured out
Why it made me happy - it's really going to help me lock down and move forward on a HUGE initiative.

HappyUP!!! - a good interview
Why it happened - one of my manager's did some recruiting
Why it made me happy - we just keep growing in a tough market. We are just picking up value piece by value piece at a time when the business climate is questionable. We are on the grow!

JollyJottings

Good conference call
Another good conference call
Support financially from the top
A golf invitation
Picked up my printer
A solid interview

HappyUP!!! Day 167

HappyUP!!! - meeting with my managers
Why it happened - it happens almost every month...it's scheduled
Why it made me happy - lots of good information and dialogue shared. I saw some offers of cooperation that was beyond the norm....nice!

HappyUP!!! - great night's sleep
Why it happened - who knows
Why it made me happy - I just woke up particularly refreshed this morning. Much needed because I was a little late on the meeting preparation

HappyUP!!! - a delicious steak
Why it happened - I marinated with soy sauce and garlic salt
Why it made me happy - this rib eye was so good that even the fat was edible.....though I did my best not to. Truly...one delicious dish.

HappyUP!!! Day 166

HappyUP!!! - an entertaining speech
Why it happened - I visited a different Toastmaster Club
Why it made me happy - the club had a guest speaker. The gentleman was 88 years old...same as my dad. He told about his experiences as a public speaker. He definitely caught a lot of breaks along the way...but he was in the position to receive and take advantage of them. He had great stories and a message. "I don't get it. People think that the big house and the big SUV is going to make them happy. When you think of yourself, you will never be happy. You gain happiness by helping others." He also rescued JFK in WW2 when JFK was just Jack Kennedy. He married Jackie Kennedy's interior decorator's daughter. He definitely had an interesting life and some great stories, good speaking tips and a nice message. Still bringing it at 88.....a HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - training call
Why it happened - I jumped on it
Why it made me happy - I was supposed to take this call next week. Getting it done this week preps me for a meeting tomorrow and puts me ahead

HappyUP!!! - a great recruiting call
Why it happened - I was taking advantage of an opportunity
Why it made me happy - the recruit was so happy that I called. She was purely excited...I could feel it through the phone. This is going to be an excellent hire.

HappyUP!!! Day 165

HappyUP!!! - taking Dad to an old co-workers 50 year employment anniversary
Why it happened - I was asked
Why it made me happy - while Dad and I were left down on the end of the lunch table do to accommodating for his wheelchair, he had a nice lunch out. We had a nice lunch out. I talked to some of his friends that he knows. I think that, though he can't fully participate in conversation, a parent appreciates his son conversing with his cronies on an adult level....even when the son is as old as I am. I think it is a parental pride thing. All in all, it was a nice couple hours out with Dad.

HappyUP!!! - getting stroked at lunch
Why it happened - uh....let's see...what do I say....maybe I'm hot?
Why it made me happy - an attractive 40-ish co worker sat next to me with her beautiful 4 yr old daughter. She turned and said, "excuse me, did you say you were single?" After I replied in the affirmative, she said, "because, if you are looking, I have 4 or 5 attractive friends that would find you very attractive." What do you say to that? "Hey, I'm in sales. I have to ask. If you have a card, I'll set it up," was her next comment to explain her forwardness. Attractive...average....who knows? At least I know I am more than a couple of cuts above dogmeat!

(I have to share an additional funny. She had gone a step farther to ask me what I was looking for or what my type was. Now, a little taken aback at this point, the best I could come up with was, "I like the non-mentally deranged type." She looked over to her friend and they said, "geez....he's looking for the impossible." It's scary being single sometimes.....but fun too!

HappyUP!!! - hooking up with an old client
Why it happened - I picked up the phone
Why it made me happy - I think that call is going to get the company a recruit and business from several new clients. That is a big HappyUP!!!

QuoteUP!!! 2....Billy Shakespeare on Good or Bad

"There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so"

-William Shakespeare

This is one of my favorites - and one that, if you let it sink into your brain, will mess with how you think.

...and that is a good thing - "wait a minute, Nutster. What about that guy that just murdered those people? That was bad."

No....it just is - the guy murdered some people.

Now, if that is the case and that example isn't "bad" - what happened TO YOU today that was "bad"?

Was it "bad" - or just...well....was it just it?

Tossing labels around carelessly - will effect your ability to recover from things that can bring you down and has the ability to create bias that can impair judgement.

(QuoteUP!!! is part of an ongoing series of some of the best of the best quotes that I have collected and that support the concept of HappyUP!!!)

HappyUP!!! Day 164

HappyUP!!! - time to recover
Why it happened - I was running way ahead of time
Why it made me happy - well, I wasn't happy that I had to drive all the way back to Roseville from Folsom because I forgot something. But, between running ahead of time and an appointment canceling, I still got the work done before my deadline. When I mentioned to someone about having to do this, they said, "so you are having a crappy morning too!" I said, "nope. I would have preferred it to go differently but it's all fine." THIS is a very important thing that consistently HappyingUP!!! will do for you. It's easy to "go with the bad flow" and find all the crap that was happening. I had to make an extra trip and had an appointment cancel. That's two "bads", right? Nope. One helped out the other.

HappyUP!!! - a great talk with a team member
Why it happened - I set it up and made sure I was available
Why it made me happy - it needed to happen. I got some information that I sensed I didn't have. Most everything is out on the table.

HappyUP!!! - dropping off some vegetables
Why it happened - I have too many
Why it made me happy - I don't need to be thanked. I like dropping vegetables on my friend's doors and then leaving. Hey, I wasn't invited to "drop by" but I know they will like that I "dropped off."

HappyUP!!! Pebble Beach...the Links

So, here I am at Pebble Beach - I have just hit a wonderful drive down the left side of number 6, the famous uphill par 5. The start of the round went par-triple bogey (oops)-par-par-par. At this point, not bad.

No need to be greedy - my ball was just out of the fairway with the ball up against the edge of the bunker you see here. This puts my feet above the ball which would tend to produce a slice.

Now, I am a smart golfer - so I decide to just cozy a little 5-iron up the left side instead of smiting a 3 wood that would get me close to the green...but also risk hitting the ball into the Pacific Ocean which is what that cliff abuts. My aiming point? It is left of the photo. Where did my ball end up? Well, see those bushes as the fairway starts to ascend? My ball went sailing over those. Seeeeeeyah! Another triple bogey and the wheels start to come off.


But, I make a nice comeback - here is a view of my tee shot on the par four eighth hole. It is laid up perfectly. Do you see that little sign in the foreground? Walk past that and you get about a 100 foot thrill ride to the rocks of the Pacific. You are looking at what Jack Nicklaus called his favorite shot in golf. While you can't see it here, the area between that sign and the front sandtrap is all air as you hit over the chasm where the Pacific comes in. My brother hit just before me.....and snuggled it in about 12 feet from the pin.

"I can't have him outdo me" - I thought as I readied myself to strike my 8-iron within a few feet of the pin. Well, that was the thought. I actually hit a very solid shot. It was pushed just a hair to the right and SHOULD have been just short of that bunker to the right of the green. Optimal word.....SHOULD. A bad bounce and down it went as I recorded another triple bogey. Pebble Beach is not kind to lapses of precision



But, in the end, - who cares?

Golf is about fellowship - and enjoying the day no matter what you shoot. Here are me and my golf buddies as we prepare to play one of the most famous holes in golf, the short downhill 7th. I blasted a firm pitching wedge through the wind and into a bunker you can't see here just beyond the green. I then dumped that bunker shot into the bunker between myself and the pin...but got that one up and down and made my 4 which was about all I would have gotten even had I hit a great first bunker shot. Pebble ain't kind to a lapse in distance control either .

At the end of the day - a fine, albeit chilly, time had by all.

HappyUP!!! Day 163

HappyUP!!! - momentary/permanent/good-for-awhile inspiration
Why it happened - I decided to make it happen....not sure what the trigger was
Why it made me happy - I just decided tonight to get some things done. I got caught in the TV spider web today. It's easy to do in Sacramento when it's 100 degrees outside.

Anyway, I started the day with some "Breakfast at Wimbledon." I try not to be a sports junkie but I do dig the major sporting events...especially individual sports. Today was the "Gentleman's Finals" as they call them at Center Court. The lawnmower, Roger Federrer, put down Rafael Nadal to garner his 5th consecutive championship on the English grass. It was an awesome match. It may even go down as the best matches ever played at Wimbledon. Anyway, from there, the Senior US Open Men's Golf Championship was on. You know I dig my golf majors. Now, had I really had something pressing to do, I would have done it. I did want to see if Tom Watson could pull through and win another major. Poor Tom...what a back nine.

Despite the distractions, I hit on some mental thoughts that should serve me well to kick some butt and get some things done this week.

HappyUP!!! - chat with a friend
Why it happened - I made a call
Why it made me happy - it's always good to have an excellent conversation.

HappyUP!!! - more pickings
Why it happened - the crops won't wait
Why it made me happy - the hot sun is doing a job on those tomatoes. I am going to get more yield than I thought. I did discover some crop loss, however, to the dreaded tomato worm. Hmmm....it's not destroying my entire crop but I may have to do some research to see if there is anything organically I can do about this particular little pest. I also had my second melon present itself to me today. That's breakfast tomorrow!

HappyUP!!! Day 162

HappyUP!!! - Fort Ord
Why it happened - day 2 of the golf junket
Why it made me happy - Fort Ord is a former defense base in Monterrey. They built an awesome golf course there. While the base has been decommissioned, all of the original structures are still there. There is a bittersweet sadness when it comes to these places. There is another one near my home. When you set foot there, you are struck by how large these bases are. You can only imagine the military vehicles and uniformed armed member forces scurrying around. These places are like former cities within the city...that are now ghost towns.

HappyUP!!! - golf at Fort Ord
Why it happened - day 2 of the golf junket
Why it made me happy - I had heard about this golf course for years but never played here. Some say the Bayonet course is the most difficult golf course on the West Coast. We were joined by a single looking for a game. He wanted to play the Black tees (those are the ones the pros would play). Reluctantly, we "manned up" and went to the back tees......all 7100 yards at sea level of them. The golf was brutal....yet fun. The back 9 is the original design. The front 9 has been redone in anticipation of turning the course into a resort environment. While I never played the original design, the designers did a good job of it. The course played true with no funky holes. There was one advantage to the back tees. While there were a lot of fairway bunkers on the course, I never put it in any of them. No, it wasn't because I was being a straight shooter. I couldn't reach the darn things from way back there!

HappyUP!!! - stopping by to drop off the driver I was testing
Why it happened - the pro shop I borrowed the tool from was on the way home
Why it made me happy - believe it or not, the official food of the golfer is the "dog at the turn." The hot dog between nines is traditional. While not between nines, we were on our way home and grabbed one of the best dogs I have ever had...right there at the municipal golf course. You can barbecue a dog, boil it, nuke it, steam it, but the best way to have a dog was the way they made this one......split open on a flat grill. While there, my brother was practically mobbed for autographs (he's the caddy for the head pro at this golf course and on their way to the PGA Championship). He felt like a celebrity so that was cool for him and added to his trip.

HappyUP!!! Day 161

HappyUP!!! - Club Fitting in San Jose
Why it happened - it was on the way...the pro is a family friend...he has state of the art equipment
Why it made me happy - with computerization, this was more than a club fitting. The science mixes with the art of golf swing analysis and a swing flaw was pin-pointed. I have been battling and compensating for an issue. The HappyUP!!! is the discover.....the work that is going to be entailed to fix it? Eeeeeeeeh.......hey, it's OK. The first step to solving a problem is to admit you have one.
HappyUP!!! - lunch
Why it happened - it was lunchtime......but it was lunchtime at Pebble Beach
Why it made me happy - c'mon....silverware....linen napkins....people ACTING so fancy as my brother and I ate overlooking Stillwater Cove at Pebble Beach. It was a high society moment. Why the heck did they let us in? It was a very enjoyable setting for lunch.

HappyUP!!! - birdies at Pebble Beach
Why it happened - my brother made two of them....including to the back left pin location on the difficult 17th
Why it made me happy - he'll remember making a two on that par three for as long as he golfs. Everytime he watches a tournament there, he'll say..."17th? Not so tough....I birdied it when I was there."

HappyUP!!! Day 160

HappyUP!!! - a day off started at the driving range
Why it happened - decided I liked it so much yesterday that I would do it again
Why it makes me happy - see yesterday, day 159.....and I didn't strike it as well today...but still OK

HappyUP!!! - my haircut
Why it happened - I was shaggy....and I had the day off
Why it makes me happy - I like to go to the barber shop...sitting there...waiting...reading a magazine I wouldn't normally read (NO...it's not one of THOSE magazines). Then, afterward, you just feel clean.

HappyUP!!! - one hit wonders
Why it happened - I did some channel surfing last night
Why it makes me happy - it fascinating to hear the stories behind some of those catchy tunes created by people that struck lightening once. Whatever happened to those guys?

HappyUP!!! Day 159

HappyUP!!! - Fourth of July
Why it happened - a bunch of brave people were really ticked off
Why it makes me happy - because I can sit here and type anything that I want, worship how I please, and enjoy living in a system that is unparalleled in the world.

HappyUP!!! - the driving range
Why it happened - I made myself go this morning
Why it makes me happy - it was a productive session. Working on my pre-shot routine and mental game. Pebble Beach is only two days away! I definitely did some good work today.

HappyUP!!! - resurrected strawberry plants
Why it happened - I watered them
Why it makes me happy - we are having a little hot snap here in Sacramento. When I went to the garden this afternoon, I couldn't believe my strawberry plants. I thought they were dead...dead....dead. I gave them some water. Later, I thought it might be an idea to stick some umbrellas down next to them. When I went out to give them the shade, I couldn't believe how much they had perked up. I mean, these plants looked like dried out pancakes on my first visit.

HappyUP!!! Day 158

HappyUP!!! - great Toastmasters meeting
Why it happened - it was Tuesday
Why it made me happy - we had people out for the holiday so we were small.....but mighty. We got an official business meeting done AND heard a great speech. It was a great day!

HappyUP!!! - a great interview
Why it happened - my people are recruiting
Why it made me happy - see yesterday

HappyUP!!! - a solid meeting with my boss via phone
Why it happened - it was my one on one
Why it made me happy - he's happy........which means I get room to breathe and do what I do best!

QuoteUP!!! 1....Bhavagad Gita

"Man is made by his beliefs. As he believes, so is he."

- The Bhavagad Gita

I love quotes - always have. Long before they were used as much as they are today as sidebar fillers in whatever non-fiction book you read, I would jot them on an index card and file them away.

Eventually - this system gave way to keeping a piece of cardstock in a book as my bookmark. When I come across something good, I make a notation as to the page number and the quote itself.

Today - I introduce QuoteUP!!! as an adjunct to the regular HappyUP!!! faire. In most cases, I will actually be taking that quote and breaking it down a little further than a reader may do at first blush.

Of course- I am not the utmost authority so you are free to comment in as you wish.

Today's quote - is such a laydown, however, and the basis for modern rehash (i.e. The Secret) that it stands alone in it's simplicity.

James Allen wrote - "As A Man Thinketh" devoted to this very topic

Napoleon Hill's classic - "whatever a man can conceive and believe, he can achieve"

Was the original source - the Bhavagad Gita? Most likely not but it does date back to somewhere between the 5th and 2nd centuries B.C. so it's in the running for one of the first philosophies that recorded this precious piece of wisdom.

QUESTION: if a man (or woman) is who they believe, who do you REALLY believe you are today?

HappyUP!!! Day 157

HappyUP!!! - woke up early...on my own
Why it happened - ...who knows...it wasn't too early though
Why it made me happy - no rush...Monday morning...ran well ahead of time...a good start to the week

HappyUP!!! - a great interview
Why it happened - one of my managers was recruiting
Why it made me happy - this is always a HappyUP!!! for me...new faces...new challenges...a possible future success. It is why we are in business.

HappyUP!!! - a good crack
Why it happened - I was at the chiropractor
Why it made me happy - the tenz machine, the vibrating massage.....and then the crack of relief. This will be my last treatment for awhile. It just felt grrrrrrrrrr8!

SuperHappyUP!!! - Roger von Oech was here

It's not everyday that you get Mr Creativity - checking out your stuff. Let alone making a comment.

Of course - he commented on probably my most questionable posting that I have had here (you remember....the size of the zucchini one...no, I am not creating an easy link to it.

Anyway - Roger wrote A Kick in the Seat of the Pants and A Whack to the Side of the Head many years ago. I must have bought them both two decades ago. He also is the creator of the Creative Whack Pack. I have owned a deck of these for almost as long.

Roger has a talent - for getting people to look at things from different perspectives (hmmmmm....any reason you can think of why the Nutster digs this guy's stuff).

His latest item - (which I don't own...yet) is the Ball of Whacks (check out the video on this). It looks like a fun puzzle that is getting a lot of press. Something tells me it is a bit more than just a rubic's cube.

Anyway - it was an honor having him stop by today. Click here to see what Roger is up to these days. He has an excellent blog. To order any of his products, go here....go here now!

HappyUP!!! Day 156

HappyUP!!! - found the flash drive I have been searching for
Why it happened - I made an unplanned stop at Frye's Electronics
Why it made me happy - unlike many guys, going to Frye's is not a HappyUP!!! for me. I had been there before in searching for a high capacity flash drive that needed no external power or required it's own software. I had been to Frye's before in a vain search. I was on my way home from errands and I gritted my teeth and said, "let's give it another shot." At this point, you may wonder why I said "let's" when I was by myself but let's save the multiple personality discussion for another time. I can now back up my work computer and home computer to one easy place and return the drive that I borrowed 6 months ago.....well, as long as I get the thing to work. That will be a HappyUP!!! on another day.

HappyUP!!! - weigh in
Why it happened - it happens every Sunday
Why it made me happy - I don't know where those last 6 pounds came from but it appeared that they had come to stay. Well, not this week. 2 of them dropped so we have the scale heading back in the right direction. The standing goal is to leave the year with less weight than when I came in. 8 pounds should do it and I am not going to be waiting for Thanksgiving to make it happen.

HappyUP!!! - hauling in the bounty
Why it happened - I did some pickin this morning
Why it made me happy - you can read the post below. It says it all. It's so colorful...and to think that just a few months ago it was just a bunch of dirt out there.

HappyUP!!! Harvest It UP!!!

Quite frequently - I get asked the question, "Nutster, how is that garden coming along?"

How am I supposed to answer that? - there is a piece of me that wants to beat myself up over the care (or lack thereof) of my beefsteak tomatoes this year.....

There is another piece of me - that is very nurturing and supportive. The beefsteaks came up fast this year. In retrospect, this meant that I needed to spend more time training the vines earlier in the process. I also needed to water less, I think, because there was less heat. I am experiencing a lot of "splitting" which I am told occurs when there is too much water in the fruit prior to the change of color...
So...lesson learned - less water, less laziness early in the season for the tom tom's.

Other than that - I won't answer the question. I'll let a picture of this morning's harvest leave you to be the judge.

....and, while not pictured here - how about those melons???? I can't wait for the next ones to come along and be plucked. I see a melon patch in my future next year!

HappyUP!!! JollyJottings revisited...

Every so often - I like to remind everyone of what is trying to be accomplished here. It is to get you, my faithful readers, to consider adding some HappyUP!!! to your life.

The project - is based on scientific work of Martin Seligman from the University of Pennsylvania.

It's easy - every night, list three things that made you happy, why you think they happened, and why they made you happy.

It's not a nightly doctoral dissertation - as you can tell by my postings. Sometime, you go long and sometimes you go short. The key is to always go.

The biggest objection I hear - "I can't think of anything for that day."

Two observations - 1) you aren't looking hard enough. These don't have to be life changing things. These are, quite often, the things that you have trivialized and overlooked. Look at some of my postings as an example. If a pretty flower gives you a moment of happiness, capture it and make it more than a moment....and relive it that night. 2) you aren't capturing as you go. It only takes a second to write it down. Carry a small journal or notebook with you wherever you go and make........

...A JollyJotting

Here is what I have going so far today - and today has been a fairly blase' day. When I get a day when I am out and about and really focused on capturing HappyUP!!!s, look out! I am dangerous.


Good night's sleep
Weigh in
QuoteUP
Cork in a bottle trick
Roger VanOech comment on my blog
Some good postings
Putting some tasty ingredients together in the kitchen
A new book that I started late last night
Emptied the dishwasher at my brother and sister's house without them knowing it


None of the above mean anything to you - and they aren't supposed to! They are MY HappyUP!!!'s and I am the only person that I need to please. Even when I do things for others, I am really doing it because I want to. We all do. If you are looking for praise, you aren't giving....you are conducting a transaction.

JollyJottings are all about - things that give you moments of happiness, joy, ecstasy, whatever.

HappyUP!!! Day 155

HappyUP!!! - Saturday breakfast with my adopted family
Why it happened - it was Saturday and it has become a tradition
Why it makes me happy - my best friend has a pretty large family. Mine is a small one. They go out to breakfast every Saturday. There is the patriarch and matriarch, three brothers, and a couple of wives in the mix. There are also some occasional children that mingle in and out. It's a big enough group that it isn't a big deal if someone doesn't show up. They go to my favorite breakfast joint. Everyone just shoots the breeze. It's an anchoring thing for their family. It would be difficult to pull this off with my family because, well, if either my brother or I didn't show up, one of us would be eating alone. It's just some good human contanct

HappyUP!!! - Ro-tow-tilling
Why it happened - I just did it
Why it makes me happy - little by little, I am getting rid of the grass and replacing it with garden. I took on another patch today. It was a little scary. I don't have a grand plan or landscape design other than less grass. While the amount of water goes down, the time to water goes up. Unless, of course, I install a drip system. The weeding time increases too! Unless, of course, I go to the store and get some mulch. Yes, some planning and commitment to a bigger project will soon become required. For now, it was just good to get some of the heavy lifting out of the way. Also, I just like the feel and smell of turning dirt. It is like real work. Write it off to the Forrest Gump in me. At the heart of things, I am pretty simple....just a little boy that likes to dig in the dirt, make mudpies, and get messy....all in the confines of my backyard.

HappyUP!!! - dad got some melons
Why it happened - I got to take care of him last night
Why it makes me happy - I got to take care of dad last night. The melons came from his old garden. He ate that puppy up right down to the rind!

HappyUP!!! Day 154 "Hey, nice melons!"

HappyUP!!! - melons!
Why it happened - I planted them....and they grew!
Why it made me happy - this is my first foray into cantaloupe. Well, these are actually ambrosia melons. Is that the same thing as cantaloupe? Honestly? I don't know. All I can tell you is that this isn't the only one of these puppies growing out there in the garden. It is the first one. It was getting bigger and bigger. I really couldn't tell when I should pick it because I didn't know how to tell if it was ripe. Guess what? IT told me. It dislodged itself from the vine. Maybe that is what they do. As said, I don't know. I am not even a big melon eater.....until now. This baby was suuuuuhhhhhweeeeet!

HappyUP!!! - another part of my project at work came together
Why it happened - luck?
Why it made me happy - I thought this piece of the project was going to be a real pain. It just came together effortlessly.....at least, for me. One of my partners really did the job and came through. The project is getting exciting!

HappyUP!!! - breakfast with my co-worker
Why it happened - we do it every so often
Why it made me happy - we got quite a bit done.....and had fun doing so!...plus, I got my short stack and side of sausage!

Special HappyUP!!! - top down on the way home from work! It was so nice, I hated to get home. I may need to head out for a drive tonight!

HappyUP!!! Day 153

HappyUP!!! - pizza
Why it happened - I was in a training and they brought in lunch
Why it made me happy - I love pizza.....but I never eat it. Somewhere along the line, I came up with a belief that is extremely expansive to my waistline. Now, right now, waistline expansion is the last thing that I need...really! Yet, I enjoyed the moment.

HappyUP!!! - more good training and project conversion
Why it happened - work calls for it
Why it made me happy - making progress.....seeing more vision....making some new friends...it's all good.

HappyUP!!! - telling the company story
Why it happened - I set it up
Why it made me happy - there is a charming story about the company that I work for that I love to tell. I got to tell it to some new employees...they loved it and I loved telling it.

HappyUP!!! Day 152

HappyUP!!! - Paris Hilton is free and speaks!
Why it happened - she was on Larry King and I chose to spend an hour of my life listening
Why it made me happy - frankly, I really don't care much about Paris Hilton. However, she is an inescapable figure. I have never heard her talk. While I am not sure that I believe that she has had a life changing experience, I thought I would give her a listen. Why? Hey, even if you don't care, you probably have some mental reaction to who Paris Hilton is if the subject comes up. I want the voice in my head to be a bit more informed because, like it or not, she is going to be around awhile. We'll see how she next surfaces.

HappyUP!!! - good day in training
Why it happened - an on-going project at work
Why it made me happy - we made progress today. I see potential. Now, it will be exciting to see how things develop and what kind of changes people, including myself, go through as a result of it.

HappyUP!!! - a training seminar
Why it happened - I was invited by a peer
Why it made me happy - it's always good to hear from someone that you have some commonality with. The person speaking has accomplished some pretty neat things...more than the average people. I like being around that kind of mindset. It gives you new ideas. I like ideas. "Call Starfish!" (<----flashback from the movie Nightshift)

HappyUP!!! Day 151

HappyUP!!! - hurdle one cleared in a BIG BIG work project
Why it happened - we are close to the deadline
Why it made me happy - I finally got a chance to get somewhat involved, roll up my sleeves, and make some contact with people involved.

HappyUP!!! - a great lunch with our HR person
Why it happened - we were working on the big project together
Why it made me happy - I just got to know a co-worker a little better. Plus, she is a pretty cool HR person...some in my businesss (sales) might think that is an oxymoron. Not where I work.

HappyUP!!! - dinner with my boss
Why it happened - he was up working on the project too and he needed to eat
Why it made me happy - first, we went to a great place. Second, I like hanging with my boss. Just a good meal with a good friend...and boss.

HappyUP!!! Day A Buck Fifty (that's 150)

HappyUP!!! - visit to the chiropracter
Why it happened - I had a pain on Friday...this was a followup
Why it made me happy - the tenz machine, the thumper vibrator, the rubbing of the right muscles in the correct manner.....and then the Cuuuuuurrrrraaaaaaccccckkkkkk! Plus, the assistant has been a good sport and an excellent audience to my nuttiness. Best of all, I can practically get to this guy's office through my parking lot. Nice!

HappyUP!!! - meeting with a two down this morning
Why it happened - he called me with a business opportunity
Why it made me happy - the guy looks up to me. It gave me the opportunity to do a little bit of coaching. He acted right away and made an appointment with an agent for tomorrow...I like speed to action.

HappyUP!!! - my brother is in for Pebble Beach
Why it happened - I was offered an opportunity to go
Why it made me happy - I played there once in a big tournament a long time ago. Back when I was good...or thought that I was. My brother caddied for me. This time around, we'll both get to stand on the tee of the historic Pebble Beach looking out at that ocean. It will probably be windy or cold (it's usually one or the other in Monterey in June) but I am not going to care much. It's going to be a special treat with memorable moments I am sure.

HappyUP!!! Day 149 Congratulations Robert McGrath!!!

HappyUP!!! - Robert McGrath qualified to play in the PGA Championship

Why it made me happy - I know this guy. I am almost related. He's my brother's brother-in-law

Why it happened - he played in the PGA Championship for club professionals the last 4 days. My brother caddied for him. Over 300 pros from around the country teed it up. These are the guys that are out giving lessons and running golf shops. If you finish in the top 20, you get to go to the PGA Championship. It's the final of the four Major championships in all of golf
and Bob will be there...with my brother caddying!


Bob even had to survive - a playoff. There were 6 guys playing for the last 5 spots! It was exciting day around the tube at my house.

HappyUP!!! - BIG stuffed 8 ball zucchini

Why it happened - I didn't throw that big fella away.
Why it made me happy - sometimes a zucchini can get too big too use. It just gets too fibrous in my opinion. I thought I would give this big boy a chance. It was plenty for me and my Dad to have for lunch!

HappyUP!!! - the marigold project
Why it happened - see the posting farther down
Why it made me happy - beauty has been created every
time I drive in the driveway. And it was EZ!






Looks good, huh?

HappyUP!!! - The Ultimate Gift

Here is a little gift - from me to you...The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall. In this easy, light, and quick read, you get as good a life's lesson plan as I have ever read.

...and I read a lot! - Stovall himself is an impressive individual. He is the type that you read about and go, "where the heck did I get short-changed?"

Stovall was a national champion and Olympic weightlifter - that should be enough. He has authored several books. In 2000, he was named Humanitarian of the Year (Jimmy Carter and Nancy Reagan have also received that distinction).

Oh...one more little thing - he is blind!

This book is presented in fable style - you can read it in a couple of nights. You could spend a lifetime trying to live it. Here is my present to you. It's the headings of each of the chapters that the hero has to live through. I can't think of a young person....or a person of more experience...who wouldn't see this as a sweet addition to their life's experience.

Gift of Work - He who loves his work never labors for money

Gift of Money - Money is nothing more than a tool. It can be a force for good, a force for evil, or simply be idle

Gift of Friends - It is a wealthy person, indeed, who calculates riches not in gold but in friends

Gift of Learning - Education is a lifelong journey whose destination expands as you travel

Gift of Problems - Problems can only be avoided by excercising good judgement. Godd judgement can only be gained by experiencing life's problems

Gift of Family - Some people are born into wonderful families. Others have to fin or create them. Being a member of a family is a priceless privilege which costs nothing but love.

Gift of Laughter - Laughter is good medicine for the soul. Our world is desperately in need of more such medicine

Gift of Dreams - Faith is all that dreamers need to see into the future

Gift of Giving - the only way you can truly get more out of life for yourself is to give part of yourself away

Gift of Gratitude - In those times when we yearn to have more in our lives, we should dwell on the things we already have. In doing so, we will often find that our lives are already full to overflowing.

Gift of a Day - Life at it's essence boils down to one day at a time. Today is the day.

Gift of Love - Love is a treasure for which we can never pay. The only way we keep it is to give it away.

The Ultimate Gift - In the end, life lived to it's fullest is it's own ultimate gift

HappyUP!!! The Marigold Project

Part of my job - as the resident HappyUP!!!per (ooh, an new noun....HappyUP!!!er), is to make a big deal of the ordinary.

Why? - because people make a big deal out of the CrappyDOWNS all the time. We need to balance things out in life. We need to NOTICE and CELEBRATE the things that go right. It is imperative to optimal mental health.

For a couple of years - this little patch leading up to my doorway has been a bit of dirt that accumulates weeds. I then pull them and/or turn the dirt. It's nice dirt. It doesn't stay that way for long and the cycle continues.

Why didn't I do something about it sooner - it wasn't a high priority. I also procrastinated until I could think of something that was "just right." This is a habit that I have. I have come to realize that the time spent to figure out "just right" doesn't come. I also have to admit that I don't have the "just right" skill set on all things to figure them out.

Yesterday - I was at Home Depot and just did SOMEthing. I bought some marigolds and stuck them in the ground (yes, I used some potting soil). Then, I said, "do I really want to weed around these flowers?" I was on my way home from an errand and popped back into the Home Depot. They didn't have the fancy Cocoa Mulch that I used in my garden. I really didn't want to use redwood mulch. It was what they had. I was ready to leave....

...until I said - "Nutster, just do SOMEthing". If I find that the redwood mulch is oh so offensive, it isn't going to be that big a deal to change it.

Net net - outside of popping in and out of the Home Despot, I have 45 minutes invested in a project that will surely be beautiful. It's already a HappyUP!!! Can't you see it already? Make sure you check out that creative one color up one color back symmetrical planting technique.

"What will it be? The usual?"

"Of course it will" - and in about 10-12 minutes, I'll have a short stack and two sausages sitting right in front of me at my favorite breakfast joint.

I suppose some would call that dull - or predictable.

I call it - a man that knows what he likes.

I was in a relationship once - and I took great care before I made the statement as I knew full well that it wasn't that romantic...

"You're like a short stack and a side of sausage" - remember, ladies, before you go, "Nutster, never say that to a woman." Remember, I fully set the table. If I can't be transparent, I can't be with someone. I am way too old to play make believe and Prince Charming games. Nevertheless, I don't think she really got what that meant. It meant that I was happy. I wasn't going to try anything else off the menu...even the special of the day. Sure, it might be more interesting...who knows because I wasn't going to try it.

If I didn't like the usual - I probably wouldn't be at/with that establishment anymore.

""Give me the usual" - it's the ultimate compliment

HappyUP!!! Day 148

HappyUP!!! - GettinUP!!!....at 4 a.m.
Why it happened - for fun? To be a HappyUP!!!, you would think that would be the case, huh?
Why it made me happy - my sis in law missed a flight yesterday. She rebooked for 6 a.m. today. She does so much for my bro and my dad, I will never say "no,' but it goes beyond that. It really helped her out to get a ride to the airport. The happiest HappyUP!!!'s usually involve doing something for someone....even if it is just lending an ear.

HappyUP!!!- Marigolds
Why it happened - I went to Home Depot for something else
Why it made me happy - ....then I said, "throw some flowers in that flower bed out front." Rather than analyze an entire relandscaping project, I just bought some yellow and orange marigolds, drove home, and immediately planted the dozen. It probably took me a grand total of 30 minutes to plant the 12. I have a feeling they are going to supply me with a lot of HappyUP!!!'s (or at least JollyJottings) as I drive up to my house in the days to come.

HappyUP!!! - breakfast with my nephew
Why it happened - he got off the graveyard and stopped by my bro/sis in law's house as I was there caring for Dad.
Why it made me happy - in many ways, I was an absentee uncle. There were reasons...none of them particularly good ones. No bad blood or family squabbles. Everyone gets busy. Plus, we aren't the touchiest, feeliest of families. This nephew has battled through so many health problems, however, that I have always considered him a bit of my own hero. He is about 23 now. I am not sure if we have ever gone out for breakfast alone. We had a nice chat.

HappyUP!!! Day 147

HappyUP!!! - golfing at Pebble Beach in July
Why it happened - I was invited
Why it makes me happy - c'mon.......golf......at Pebble Beach. I was invited today. I have only played there once and it was 20+ yrs ago. I'll be playing there in about two weeks. I better go start getting some practice in!

HappyUP!!! - met a cool chiropractor
Why it happened - woke up with some pain....it kept increasing
Why it makes me happy - "c'mon, Nutster, what is the HappyUP!!! about being in pain?" I hear you. I would rather be without pain. But pain happens. I haven't been to a chiropractor in over 12 yrs. A friend recommended a guy that is literally right around the corner from my office. He was a nice guy. I liked his assistant. It's good to have this guy around when you need him.....and so convenient.

HappyUP!!! - took Dad a homeflipped burger
Why it happened - my night to watch over him
Why it makes me happy - I got to feed him a burger patty with cheese and some nicely sliced tomatoes that I have grown right in his old garden. He loves them. I think he loves the fact that I have taken up gardening so much sooner in life than he did.

HappyUP!!! Day 146

HappyUP!!! - waking up early and sleeping in
Why it happened - who knows
Why it made me happy - I set my alarm early though I didn't need to. It gave me the luxury of just laying in bed for awhile before work. Some people may do this every day.....but then it would just be normal and not special.

HappyUP!!! - getting to the root of an issue
Why it happened - I sent someone on a deep dive
Why it made me happy - the person at the heart of the problem did some of the research and figured it out....and, in so doing, convinced himself of the solution. I didn't have to solve the problem AND sell the solution as well.

HappyUP!!! - my own bed tonight
Why it happened - a scheduling error
Why it made me happy - I thought I was sleeping at the couch because I thought my bro and sis in law were out of town. Someone needs to be there to watch over Pops. As it turns out, sis was back in town so I will be sleeping in my own bed...ahhhh

HappyUP!!! Day 145

HappyUP!!! - back home
Why it happened - time to get back from BAKE-ersfield
Why it made me happy - home....after a 4.5 hour drive.....from Bakersfield to Sacramento. Do I need to say more? .......I didn't think so.

HappyUP!!! - question from my co-worker
Why it happened - who knows
Why it made me happy - happy? It busted me up. He said, "Nutster, as soon as this training is out, I want to jet out of Bakersfield." Remember from Day 143, he was the driver so he was giving me instructions. I turned to him and said, "Gee, I don't think so. I was really thinking of hanging around BAKE-ersfield for a few hours to make sure that we take in all it has to offer before we drive 4.5 hours home!" It was a well placed piece of sarcasm

HappyUP!!! - the groups that we trained
Why it happened - they had to get in breakout groups and then present us what they learned. We told them a trinket of a prize was involved and style counted too.
Why it made me happy - these were managers. One group incorporated gymnastics, another guy sang in Spanish, another team did a cheerleading routine, and another guy called himself "O.W.R." - Old White Rapper and did a rap. Now, if we had ordered them to sing or do a dance or anything, they would have said, "too corny." Left to themselves, however, they had a blast......and it was pretty entertaining. At the same time, we got the substance that we would have received anyway.

HappyUP!!! Day 144...in Bakersfield

HappyUP!!! - my pillow!
Why it happened - I brought it for the car when I was the passenger (see Day 143)
Why it made me happy - once we got to the hotel, I said, "hey, I might as well bring my pillow in with me." I know that some people travel with their pillows religiously. I have always thought those people to be a bit persnickety. I do have to say that, even though the hotels pillows were nice, my melon much prefers the pillow and case to which it is accustomed. Would I pack my pillow along if I had to fly? Nah.....I think that would be a bit much. But, if I have to drive, why not!

HappyUP!!! - poker night
Why it happened - we did team building after our training today
Why it made me happy - I got to spend some social time with people I didn't know. Plus, we went to an Indian Casino in Bakersfield. Now, "casino" was a bit of a stretch. It was more like a large seedy card room....packed with people from Bakersfield who consider this venue to be the highlight of their Bakersfield day...oh my! We just did a fun dinner and tournament to ourselves so we were sequestered away from the locals. No, I didn't miss much by not experiencing the total "local Bakersfield vibe."


HappyUP!!! - my presentation
Why it happened - I was counted on
Why it made me happy - after having gone to Toastmasters for years, it is great when you get to go to a place and let your skills shine....have some fun...etc. I know my boss appreciates it...it's always good to please the boss.

HappyUP!!! Day 143....Bakersfield

HappyUP!!! - a ride to Bakersfield
Why it happened - a co-worker now has to make most of these trips with me
Why it makes me happy - the co-worker is also a buddy. I was amazed at how much faster that 4.5 hr drive went by with someone to talk to. I thought that we would get tired of chatting. Nope. Plus, he insisted on driving. I thought being the passenger would be the tough part. Heck NO! I even took my pillow and reclined. I was polite and didn't pass out though. I was comfy. Speaking of comfy....

HappyUP!!! - Yoga Pants
Why it happened - I bought some on a whim a couple of years back
Why it makes me happy - no, I don't do yoga. You ladies out there have this figured out, though. For comfort, a pair of loose, thin pants are more comfortable than shorts. The perfect traveling attire.....especially to hot, windy places like Bakersfield!

HappyUP!!! - Carina at the Holiday Inn
Why it happened - we had to check in at the hotel
Why it makes me happy - hey, while I don't qualify as an old codger yet, I have to admit that being greeted by a cute, young perky girl at the hotel was a welcome bonus for a couple of stiff-legged travelers. She recommended a great restaurant, wrote out the directions, and got us into upgraded rooms!

HappyUP!!! Day 142

HappyUP!!! - intervals
Why it happened - I decided it needed to happen
Why it made me happy - I overcame a lot of inertia to get going on this one. When I was done, I was happy!

HappyUP!!! - visiting with a neighbor
Why it happened - I stopped and chatted on my way back from intervals
Why it made me happy - I really should talk to my kitty-corner neighbors more. We went to high school together. We have both been doing some remodeling so we checked out each other's pads. I gave them some vegetables.....really cool because I needed to find some people close by to off-load my produce too. One guy can only eat so much

HappyUP!!! - US Open finish
Why it happened - it was round 4
Why it made me happy - it was suspenseful. I love it when the top people in the world are going after it and really grinding it out. I would have liked to see Tiger pull it out. Man, did you see that guy? He is one buff dude...not something you see in the golf world.

Special HappyUP!!! - Father's Day
Why it happened - I don't know...someone started the tradition
Why it made me happy - though I didn't do a lot of celebrating, I stayed with Dad last night, got him out of bed, got him his breakfast.....and brought him some tomatoes that I had grown from my garden....the same garden that used to be his. This was a painful Father's Day. I had to search for the HappyUP!!! With Dad chair/bed-ridden, it's difficult to watch him deteriorate. Yet, I was happy to drag him from his bed to his chair and back to the bed at the end of the day.

Back to the Track - Intervals/Fartlek

Three days ago - we established a benchmark for running (not jogging) one hard mile....

7:09 - which was not that impressive for someone that 20 yrs ago could click of 20+ miles at 6 minutes a mile.

Oh well - it is what it is and every journey of a 1000 miles starts with the first step. So, we will now leave the glory days behind and start from where we are at.

Today - it was quarter mile intervals. This is one lap around the track hard, then a jog around the track, then a hard lap, then a walk/jog, etc.

The four quarter mile intervals were as follows:

Interval 1 - 1:57
Interval 2 - 1:42
Interval 3 - 1:34
Interval 4 - 1:37

This is actually a pretty good pattern - the idea is to actually run each interval faster than the one before. It's a discipline thing. It is also a test of the mind and the will. Each interval gets harder to do because you are, theoretically, still feeling the effects of the interval before.

If interval 4 had been at 1:30 - it would have been the perfect set for the first day of interval practice. I would have ended with an interval that was exactly on pace of a 6 minute mile.

One mile in 6 minutes - is now my goal. I am almost 48, 5'7", and weighing in at a 4 yr high of 180 pounds. Obviously, as some weight comes off, the engine won't have as much to pull around that track. If I use the same amount of heart/will that I used this morning (and, yes, I was gutting out that last interval), the 6 minute mile should easily fall by the time I turn 48 at the end of August

"What about your pulse rate, Nutster?" - I know. You are concerned. Immediately after completion of a couple of the intervals, I was pushing 200 - 210. Any book that you read is going to tell you that is WAY up in the anaerobic threshold range and will discourage you from being there.

Here is what I know about my own body - a lot of good things start happening when I start delving into the anaerobic workout. The downside is that, theoretically, one's heart could explode. I am kind of thinking, and have always thought, that most of us have an interior governor that prevents that from happening. In other words, you can only go so long for that hard and then you have to stop.

Trust me - at the end of each quarter mile, I was at the point where it was all I had and it was time for a walk.

The Scandanavians - have a term for intervals. It is called fartlek. You run for a while, jog for a while, run, walk, skip, run, jog, walk, etc for as long as you want. It is an effective workout.

Running is something that I can do - jogging doesn't get it for me. Under the heading, "be your own doctor," the slow pounding of jogging causes too much downward pressure on my feet. It aggravates a slightly arthritic condition right where my big toe hits into my foot. I tried an orthotic for awhile but it didn't seem to be the solution. A faster motion that keeps the weight moving more forward rather than down seems to be OK.

We'll see - how things react this time. I am pushing a lot of weight around on my frame right now. I lost 30 pounds about 4 years ago....funny thing....I found 25 of them.....and I wasn't even looking!

HappyUP!!! Day 141

HappyUP!!! - TOMATOES!
Why it happened - it was time for them to turn color
Why it makes me happy - come on! You know that a tomato right out of the garden, sliced, salt&peppered, and placed in the fridge to chill is happiness waiting to happen. Yes, I will get tired of them by the time the crop is done. For now, it's heaven. Friends love fresh tomatoes too!

HappyUP!!! - US Open
Why it happened - it's an annual event
Why it makes me happy - this is legitimate couch potatoe time for me. It's calendered every year. Today, I was treated to one of the best ball striking rounds in the history of golf. Tiger Woods hit 17 out of 18 greens including a par 5 in two shots (that's like hitting 18 greens).

HappyUP!!! - sleeping in
Why it happened - who knows
Why it makes me happy - I was awoken by a noise last night. I had trouble getting back to sleep. Not tremendous trouble...just some trouble. My body accomodated and I slept until 7:30! I never sleep in that late.....it feels good to know that I can do it!

What is it about guys......

....and their need to brag about their large zucchini's? It's childish.


......but always damn funny no matter how many times that you do it!

HappyUP!!! Day 140

HappyUP!!! - Going away party
Why it happened - a coworker left after over 10 yrs
Why it made me happy - lots of good conversation with people that I don't see all the time. The really good but bad for you bar food was delicious!

HappyUP!!! - meeting with a manager
Why it happened - I had to make a visit and do a report
Why it made me happy - he confirmed what I suspected....and gave me permission and the commitment to support what my people need to do

HappyUP!!! - meeting with an employee
Why it happened - she came back from maternity leave
Why it made me happy - it's a tough new world she is coming back to. She has more of a chance than I thought. It will still be tough but she just may make it happen.

HappyUP!!! Day 139

HappyUP!!! - got out to the track
Why it happened - I just did it
Why it made me happy - other than stiffness creeping in tonight, I can still RUN a mile. While 7:09 may seem like jogging compared to my history, I am gaining on being on the planet for a half a century. I wonder how much of the male population can break 7 minutes at my age. What about breaking a 6 minute mile by my birthday in two months?

HappyUP!!! - traffic court
Why it happened - I am fighting a silly ticket
Why it made me happy - I didn't actually sit in court. I had to go down, enter my "not guilty" plea, and get my date in a couple of months. I didn't want to sit in a courtroom for hours today.

HappyUP!!! - after work chat
Why it happened - a coworker was stressed
Why it made me happy - he needed to blow off steam...really. I was glad to be there.

Back to the Track.......

Feb 25 of this year was the last time I was on the track
. If you click the link, you are going to go through my history with running. In my mid-20's, I started to pick em up and put em down as a distance runner.

Today - it is that time in the past that is a distance. It has been over three months since I ran anywhere other than to the refridgerator. I am probably weighing about 5 pounds more than then....35 pounds more than 30 years ago when I was running 6 minute miles for 26 miles at a time.

I am coughing and gagging - as I type this. I just went one mile. Running...not jogging. No windy conditions. Just a bit of heat starting to generate off of the valley floor. We'll probably make it above 100 degrees later today.

The first quarter mile - was right at 1 minute 30 seconds. That is exactly on pace for a six minute mile. I actually felt OK as I saw the watch. It only took one straightaway for me to start feeling the let down however. The next two laps from that point were going to be tough.

But....I gutted it out - in the last half of a lap. I put on the old "finishing kick" that used to be my trademark. I can always reach down and find a little something extra.

7:09 was the final time - 10 seconds slower than 3+ months ago. Not important. It was important that I was out there. The journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step. Very shortly, I will make a decision around this topic....

.....stay tuned - because I am convinced that DECISIONS do Shape DESTINY. I don't make them lightly.

HappyUP!!! Day 138

HappyUP!!! - compliment from a meeting attendee
Why it happened - he appreciated my participation/presentation
Why it makes me happy - while I don't need it, don't we all feel a little better when our efforts are rewarded

HappyUP!!! - call from my boss
Why it happened - he felt compelled to call me about nothing in particular
Why it makes me happy - it meets a basic human need....to feel significant

HappyUP!!! - a good night's sleep
Why it happened - who knows
Why it makes me happy - it was a little warm upstairs. Nope, I didn't get the upstairs remodel done this year...or the AC installed. The mercury went up yesterday....it cooled down enough for my slumber to be unaffected. My next happyUP!!! around this may be "my futon" which is where I go downstairs when it is too hot to sleep. I call my futon "the summer home."

HappyUP!!! Day 137

HappyUP!!! - waking up at 4:50
Why it happened - my alarm didn't go off at 4:30
Why it made me happy - I set my cell phone to wake me at 4:30. I had a shuttle to catch at 5:30 from my hotel in Riverside to the airport. The phone/alarm didn't go off. I'm an early riser but waking before 5 is not par for the course. Because I had packed up most of my stuff the night before, I calmly took a shower and gathered the last of my things and caught my ride. If I had missed the ride, I wouldn't have landed in time to get to an important meeting that I was presenting at. Think about it. How would you have started your day running that far behind with that kind of pressure.....swearing? rushing? thinking it was a bad day? I started in gratitude even though the world seemed to be a bit against me

HappyUP!!! - world was for me
Why it happened - because I'm me?
Why it made me happy - the hotel drove me to the airport in a Lincoln Towncar...celebrity treatment. I breezed through ticketing to check in my golf bag, security was a breeze, the flight went well, my bags were some of the first one off on the carousel, the parking garage was empty which allowed me to change into "meeting clothes" without embarrassment, the drive to the meeting included the window down and a cool breeze in my hair, and I got to the meeting on time. How beautiful is that when you are travelling???

....I also think that was about 10 HappyUP!!!s

HappyUP!!! - my presentation was extremely well received
Why it happened - preparation
Why it made me happy - I am a great presenter. If I applied myself and had the passion, I could speak professionally in some capacity. I also take risks...in the presentation...and in my powerpoints. Today, they were ON THE MONEY. The group also got distressful news in the middle of my talk. It had the ability to totally sink my presentation. Instead, I was able to roll with it and get the group back on line. In the end, it ended up being a blessing that we got the news in this meeting when we were all together. The possible worst ended up being the best.
JollyJottings

Woke up in time
Towncar to airport
Checked right in
Andy
Bags were first out of the carousel
No one in parking garage
Window down...cool morning
Got to meeting on time
Presentation went awesomely
Great dinner
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