HappyUP!!! Day 458

HappyUP!!! - my friend's website
Why it happened - I looked it up
Why it makes me happy - my friend doesn't post that often....so I don't check it very often. I definitely got what he was saying today (well....he said it over a week ago but I just saw it!)

HappyUP!!! - my lunch appointment
Why it happened - it's a business thing that needs to
Why it makes me happy - I didn't like the content of the meeting. This is the way business is. The content was no HappyUP!!!.....but it needed to happen. It happened. Questions were answered. Uncertainty was cleared up. The business relationship is better defined

HappyUP!!! - phone call
Why it happened - the timing was a fluke
Why it makes me happy - one of my employees called and thanked me out of nowhere the help that I had given. The employee didn't need to do that. The timing was eerily precise for when I needed to hear it. The thanks was great.....the timing was off the charts.

HappyUP!!! Day 457

HappyUP!!! - presentation
Why it happened - I was invited
Why it makes me happy - it was a new crowd for me. I wasn't sure how I would be received. I got the company's message across. I got as much buy in as I think I could. Mission accomplished

HappyUP!!! - got a deal done
Why it happened - a lot of ridiculous stumbles
Why it makes me happy - I think it is finally done

HappyUP!!! - set a meeting
Why it happened - I picked up the phone
Why it makes me happy - I am going to find out some information tomorrow

HappyUP!!! Day 456

HappyUP!!! - a "YES!"
Why it happened - my call was returned
Why it makes me happy - we are getting a valuable new member to our team. I got the verbal commitment today. The signed offer will be delivered tomorrow. This is my job

HappyUP!!! - a couple of e-mails
Why it happened - my lost friends decided to "appear"
Why it makes me happy - my opportunities for more cronies and partners in crime expands.

HappyUP!!! - my iPod and Bose Portable
Why it happened - I decided to throw the above combo in the car
Why it makes me happy - it was 7:30 in the morning. I was driving to a nearby town. The top is down. I have my entire CD collection on shuffle. There is just something about that shuffle feature. You never know what is coming up next. This morning, it was just what I needed. As I got to my meeting, it was, "Have a Drink on Me," by AC/DC. There was no way I would have picked that one but it was perfect.

HappyUP!!! Day 455

HappyUP!!! - golf
Why it happened - my buddy called me
Why it makes me happy - I didn't score well but I hit a LOT of PURE shots. There aren't many people shooting 85 that hit so many pure shots. The game is not sharp but the swing is getting there.

HappyUP!!! - 4 iron into 18
Why it happened - it shouldn't have....I should have been hitting wedge
Why it makes me happy - rather than wait for my cartmate to bring me my clubs, I grabbed the 8 iron from the lady in the other cart. It was just a layup. The ball was sitting down and, with the lighter club, I hit it fat. This left me a mile out. My buddy was next to me. He goes, "closest to the hole?" as a challenge. From 190 out, I hit it to 2.5 feet....the last shot of the day. Better than the result, the shot was hit PURE. You only hit a pure shot when you are making a good golf swing.

HappyUP!!! - scrambled eggs
Why it happened - I wokked them
Why it makes me happy - those were the easiest scrambled eggs that I have ever made.....and they were perfect. I love that new wok. I also threw last nights steak stir fry in with the eggs...delicious.

JollyJottings

Good company for golf
Plugging the front lawn
Pea's sprouting
Scrambled eggs in the wok
Golf in general
Drive down 1
Wedge into 1
4 iron into 2
3 wood on 3
5 iron on 8
Drive on 9
6 iron on 9
Sand shot on 10
8 iron into 13
Wedge recovery on 14
Pitch shot on 15
Putt on 16
Drive on 17
6 iron on 17
4 iron on 18

HappyUP!!! Day 454

Here is a HappyUP!!! - if I ever saw one courtesy of my friend Alex's excellent blog I'd go to that dentist in a heartbeat!

HappyUP!!! - cruising in the convertible
Why it happened - it was almost 90 degrees
Why it makes me happy - sleeveless t-shirt...sun hitting the arms....ahhhhh

HappyUP!!! - haircut
Why it happened - it's a maintencance item
Why it makes me happy - I finally told my barber who I was. No, I didn't tell him I was the author of the most famous blog on the internet. I told him whose uncle I was...he's friends with my nephews. From there, things pretty much went into standard barber shop talk.

HappyUP!!! - the new wok
Why it happened - it came in the mail yesterday
Why it makes me happy - I threw some stir fry sirloin in a black pepper sauce in with some onions, bell peppers, and green beans. Just as I got those dumped out, I threw my stir fry shrimp rice into the same wok. It cooked that up WAAAAAY faster than my skilled. That baby was sizzling! Now, I do wonder why I spent all that money on my fancy Dacor appliances. No matter, that Wok is going to get some serious use. Scramble eggs with leftover stir-fry is coming for Brekko tomorrow.

HappyUP!!! Day 453

HappyUP!!! - a surprise hire
Why it happened - we are out there recruiting
Why it makes me happy - we thought this one had gotten away.....but NO. The person is coming to work for us.

HappyUP!!! - watering
Why it happened - the garden needed it
Why it makes me happy - it really is pretty simple. This was a HappyUP!!! the other day but it put a smile on my face as I take on this big project. I'll have it down when summer comes and the watering is more often.

HappyUP!!! - a quick trip to Yuba City
Why it happened - it's all part of the job
Why it makes me happy - I needed to get this done...and I snuck it in first thing this morning.

HappyUP!!! Day 452

HappyUP!!! - numbers up for rally
Why it happened - everyone is working
Why it makes me happy - we want great attendance

HappyUP!!! - a new hire
Why it happened - my group grows
Why it makes me happy - building the team is what we are there to do

HappyUP!!! - convertible driving
Why it happened - it's the weather.....and to think it was just raining yesterday
Why it makes me happy - I love the fall....but we are getting one awesome Spring here in Sacramento. Too often, Winter melds right into Summer. Not this year....and I am digging every moment of it.

HappyUP!!! Day 451

HappyUP!!! - teeing it up this Sunday
Why it happened - a friend invited me
Why it makes me happy - gorgeous day coming....10:20 in the morning....and I will be golfing!

HappyUP!!! - a deal fixed
Why it happened - one of my managers got on it
Why it makes me happy - a major hassle looks like it is going to be avoided

HappyUP!!! - watering
Why it happened - I have a garden
Why it makes me happy - I am getting the system figured out. I am not sure if I will be as stoked on the 100th watering but, for now, it is neat getting it figured out. It also making me think about ideas for next year.

HappyUP!!! Day 450

HappyUP!!! - conversation with an employee
Why it happened - the employee was on the road
Why it made me happy - I was told how much I was appreciated

HappyUP!!! - e-mail from a co-worker
Why it happened - he sent me an ugly one
Why it made me happy - I gave some thought to the one I sent back. A situation that could have gotten ugly ended up with both of us admitting our mistakes......and now we move forward

HappyUP!!! - information
Why it happened - I have conversations
Why it made me happy - it led me to get an upgrade that will better serve the people that I work for....the ones that report to me.

HappyUP!!! Day 449

HappyUP!!! - sleeping in on a Monday
Why it happened - I thought I hit the snooze....but it was the off switch
Why it makes me happy - I was going to get up early and get some things done before work. I fell back to sleep for an extra hour and a half. It may have rushed me a hair this morning but the sleep was worth it.

HappyUP!!! - sitting in on a meeting
Why it happened - one of my direct reports had a meeting
Why it makes me happy - good to see the manager doing what is expected

HappyUP!!! - good conference call
Why it happened - it's Monday
Why it makes me happy - we got some good info out.......and I heard some excellent HappyUP!!!s

HappyUP!!! Day 448

HappyUP!!! - a visitor to my strawberry plant

Why it happened - I have a garden...with strawberries

Why it makes me happy - I really don't know. Perhaps I am getting older. Maybe I really am getting wiser. I must have observed this little ladybug for 2-3 minutes. She was the first one that I have seen this year. I also heard the bees doing their thing up in my orange blossoms.





HappyUP!!! - a RED strawberry

Why it happened - they need to turn red before you can eat em!

Why it makes me happy - I held off and didn't do it today. I will be tasting that first delicious morsel in just a few days. If you think homegrown tomato's are the best (and they are pretty darn good), you should try a strawberry right off the vine. You get red stains on your fingers from the oil! That's right, no washing. You just brush a little grit off.....you want that oil.




HappyUP!!! - it's just about all in.

Why it happened - I have been working on it.

Why it makes me happy - it's just down to watering and watching the backyard spring to life now. Look at those grape vines. When I started tilling, there was not a leaf on the vine. Those grapes get a little headstart.

The Happy Virus

From my friend, Tara's, fine blog......and very appropriate here:


"I caught the happy virus last night
When I was out singing beneath the stars.
It is remarkably contagious -
so kiss me."

- Hafiz, Persia, 14th-century

HappyUP!!! Day 447

HappyUP!!! - golf
Why it happened - a buddy invited me
Why it makes me happy - I scraped it around....but I keep getting closer to getting a swing back. It's good to get out there in the sun (...and wind!) and just spank whitey around

HappyUP!!! - breakfast with my best friend
Why it happened- the gang didn't show up
Why it makes me happy - we spent about two hours talking......and I had stuff to talk about.

HappyUP!!! - full moon
Why it happened - it's a monthly occurrence
Why it makes me happy - we were leaving the golf course and my buddy said, "hey, check out the moon." He was right....it looked cool.

HappyUP!!! Day 446

HappyUP!!! - meeting a recruit
Why it happened - I made the appointment
Why it makes me happy - this is a great move for this person. If the person doesn't come on board, it really will be to the person's detriment. I am thrilled to put the person in a good position.

HappyUP!!! - one less trip to Bakersfield
Why it happened - a meeting was cancelled
Why it makes me happy - it's a long way to "The Bake" and I am NOT going there in June

HappyUP!!! - drinks with friends
Why it happened - a friend set it up
Why it makes me happy - I got some good information......very good information....and had a nice time.

HappyUP!!! Day 445

HappyUP!!! - eye appointment
Why it happened - it happens once a year
Why it makes me happy - everything was fine. I thought the vision may be detiorating a bit. We thought about playing with one contact lens as a test to see if I wanted to re-do Lasik on one eye. I decided my glasses aren't that much of a pain.

HappyUP!!! - fore!
Why it happened - I played golf
Why it makes me happy - it was a gorgeous day. I seem to be getting my swing back. I didn't score worth a darn but I broke even on my bets. I also am hitting the ball pretty long.....and I haven't even gone and bought the latest technology in drivers!

HappyUP!!! - time with friends
Why it happened - I stopped by after golf
Why it makes me happy - I dearly love this couple. They are so open and nice. It was good to stop by and visit for an hour.

HappyUP!!! Day 444

HappyUP!!! - Ron
Why it happened - he appeared out of nowhere
Why it makes me happy - I was walking down the hallway. I heard a voice mention something directed at me to overhear as I walked away. I said, "that sounds just like Ron." Ron was a guy I hadn't seen in years. There was no reason for him to be where I was. I turned around....it was my old buddy, Ron! I like Ron and it was great to come across him this way.

HappyUP!!! - an appointment set
Why it happened - I made the call
Why it makes me happy - I got this key appointment. I got the information that I needed for the appointment. Outtasite!!!!


HappyUP!!! - a good day in the financial markets
Why it happened - key companies released good earnings reports
Why it makes me happy - it may only be for a day but it was positive news. The financial sector is saying we are farther through the liquidity crisis than expected. It doesn't mean it is true but it is good news....and a HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! Day 443

HappyUP!!! - Toastmasters
Why it happened - it's Tuesday
Why it makes me happy - one of our members gave a brave...and great speech. I was really proud of him.

HappyUP!!! - talking with a recruit
Why it happened - I do that...it's part of my job
Why it makes me happy - this is a good one....and I think I have a good solution

HappyUP!!! - the watering system
Why it happened - I designed it on Sunday
Why it makes me happy - while I have to hustle around, it appears that I can have three hoses going at one time. When you have a bunch of plants out there, this is a good thing!

HappyUP!!! Day 442

HappyUP!!! - getting through a meeting
Why it happened - the meetings are on Monday
Why it makes me happy - I had left my notes behind. I had to fire up the laptop and get the information at the very last minute again...whew!

HappyUP!!! - lunch
Why it happened - I dashed home
Why it makes me happy - a little water, a few crushed blueberries, and my Nzyme shake left me good to go!

HappyUP!!! - got out of a meeting
Why it happened - I asked
Why it makes me happy - while I would like to see my peers, it's a long way to Bakersfield.....and there isn't much point of me attending this one for two days.

HappyUP!!! Day 441

HappyUP!!! - more planting
Why it happened - it's the season
Why it makes me happy - I am just about all planted out!

HappyUP!!! - a watering system
Why it happened - I was thinking
Why it makes me happy - it could make the watering job a WHOLE lot easier....especially when you think about how many plants I have in the ground

HappyUP!!! - the Masters
Why it happened - it's Masters Sunday
Why it makes me happy - I love to see the top golfers grind their guts out on the most unpredictable golf course in the world. Twoods had his chance today....and he couldn't get it done. While I would have preferred an exciting finish, I can hang with the way it was won. It would have been interesting to see Immelman dig that ball out of that divot on 18 if he wasn't three shots clear of the field.

Bonus HappyUP!!! - saw my friend, Fred
Why it happened - I was getting gas
Why it makes me happy - I love seeing Fred.....we talked for a bit at the pumps. We're going to go tee it up soon.

HappyUP!!! Day 440

HappyUP!!! - planting
Why it happened - the weather has turned
Why it makes me happy - playing in the dirt....getting an idea of what the backyard will look like...etc

HappyUP!!! - golf
Why it happened - a friend invited me
Why it makes me happy - my score wasn't good but I struck a lot of very good shots. That isn't bad for only the second time out this year. With one month to go until I play in a tournament, this is a good sign.

HappyUP!!! - time with my friend
Why it happened - he had to borrow something from me
Why it makes me happy - hey, when was the last time you sat in a park without kids or anything else to do...and just chatted?

HappyUP!!! Day 439

HappyUP!!! - helping an employee
Why it happened - the wrong thing was happening
Why it makes me happy - I am doing my job....and the HMC knows it and appreciates it

HappyUP!!! - top down and 87 degrees
Why it happened - I had to make a run on the freeway
Why it makes me happy - it almost didn't.....it was unseasonably warm at first...until I realized this was the first one of those days this year. When you haven't seen something for awhile, it's like seeing an old friend.

HappyUP!!! - golfing tomorrow
Why it happened - I got the invitation
Why it makes me happy - I have to play in a tournament next month. This will be a good tune up.

Happy!!! Day 438

HappyUP!!! - presentation went well
Why it happened - we were assigned it
Why it makes me happy - it was a job well done

HappyUP!!! - acknowledgement
Why it happened - I gave the opening
Why it makes me happy - it wasn't total security but it was a sign....which is what I was looking for

HappyUP!!! - plants perked up
Why it happened - I brought them inside
Why it makes me happy - I put some of the plants outside....I think the nights were too cool. I raised them from seeds and, just a week before planting, it looks like I killed them. They are coming back though and the weather has turned warm. This weekend is big for planting.

HappyUP!!! Day 437

HappyUP!!! - getting through a tough presentation
Why it happened - we were asked to do it
Why it makes me happy - the people got it.....it was a potentially sensitive topic. I think that behaviors will change because of it.

HappyUP!!! - a peer
Why it happened - he was at the meeting
Why it makes me happy - I really like this guy and being around him. I wish I got to see him more often

HappyUP!!! - a comment from a direct report
Why it happened - it was an exercise as part of the meeting
Why it makes me happy - he acknowledged that I assisted him in working on a flaw in his personality over the years.

HappyUP!!! Day 436

HappyUP!!! - Giving my speech at Toastmasters
Why it happened - it was my turn
Why it made me happy - I pulled an old speech out.....and it was awesome. We were small in number but every member that was there was glad that they made the trip over. I remember putting some time into crafting this speech back when I did it. It's a winner...glad to hear that it made people think and gave them chills.

HappyUP!!! - lunch with a recruit
Why it happened - it was time
Why it made me happy - I know what is holding the guy back from coming on board. Now, I need to remedy that situation

HappyUP!!! - a compliment about an employee
Why it happened - he did a good job
Why it makes me happy - his good deeds did not go unnoticed. He got some kudos up and down the chain.

HappyUP!!! Day 435

HappyUP!!! - meeting
Why it happened - it's Monday
Why it makes me happy - my client brought up some great topics. There was some excellent discussion. There were also good sales this week.

HappyUP!!! - clarity
Why it happened - I did some writing
Why it makes me happy - I am closer to making a very difficult decision

HappyUP!!! - recruiting
Why it happened - one of my employees came up with a couple
Why it makes me happy - it's exactly at the right time! I love perfect timing.

Extra HappyUP!!! - how about that NCAA Men's Final Basketball game....overtime!

HappyUP!!!! .......One Year Ago in History

(Here is a rare reprint from exactly one year ago today)

Saturday, April 07, 2007

HappyUP!!! Project Revisited

I just noticed - there are still a couple of people on the internet that have not found NuttersNotes

Because the last of the stragglers will probably be stopping by today - it is prime time for a little refresher course in what this HappyUP!!! thing is all about.

For an older explanation and the rationale - you need to nothing more than click here

...and you really should do that - because I can't devote this entire post to remedial students. I have to take care of the people following along.

If you are a follower - there has never been a better time to step up and lead. Your family needs you to do it. The world needs you to do it. I need you to do it. YOU need you to do it.

You may be happy - which makes you an excellent candidate for the project. The daily excercise is so easy that even the Nutster has been able to do it for over 60 documentable days....right here in front of your own eyes.

All I am coaching you for is - to do 7 days....and then stretch it until it becomes a daily habit. The net effect is that YOU create your good news. Tired of the newspapers and the fabricated stories that are beaten into the ground? Don't take more in....DO something about it. Here is a great example:

The HappyUP!!! - a fish with lips

Why it happened - I was carrying my camera when I went to dinner. I commented on the aquarium to the owner of the eating establishment. "Did you see the big fish....the one with lips?"

Why it made me happy - do you remember the old game when someone asked something really obvious? Today, we just go "duh." In a more creative time, we would say, "Is the Pope Cathholic?" or "Does a bear poop in the woods?" for a positive answer. If the answer was an obvious "No," we would say, "does a fish have lips?"
Well, as it turns out, I guess a fish does have lips!!!

....and that makes me happy - that's all there is to it! It's so easy, even the Nutster can do it! I took a moment, not all day obsessing, and recognized that little situation made me happy. The more times you realize what makes you happy, the happier you are going to be.

It's easy to single out all of the things - than make you mad, sad, frustrated, etc and attach all kinds of emotion to them. Why do you need to do that? The answer: you don't NEED to do it...you CHOOSE to do it. And, just like you made the choice to focus on the crappy, you can make a new choice to focus on the Happy.

Yes, it is a formalized version - of "count your blessings." Is there a better time to start than right now?

If you are a fellow blogger - you can even work it into a daily posting amongst the other wonderful things you are posting. It's a wonderful accountability to yourself. I can't tell you the number of times I have gone up to bed, laid down, and said, "oops...I have the HappyUP!!!s. I just forgot to post them."...and back to the computer I went.

....and it has been worth every trip! - I have been hearing a comment from people lately that I have never heard before. "Nutster, you are so positive....I really like that." Hmmmmmm........I think I am going to continue.

HappyUP!!! Day 434

Here's a HappyUP!!! quote - at least it was to me. I have seen it many times in the past but I just ran across it and it put a smile on my face

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." -Albert Einstein

HappyUP!!! - Blackberry Replacement
Why it happened - my Crackberry malfunctioned
Why it makes me happy - I am getting a free replacement.......with no hassle. I love that. FREE always makes me happy

HappyUP!!! - Bean Planting
Why it happened - I went and saw Wayne the Master Gardener
Why it makes me happy - he gave me the skinny, "NO beans for YOU!" He told me to start growing them from seed indoors. You can't "go in" with them until late May. He did tell me that I should plant them every 6 inches and that they will totally cover the hideous chainlink fence my neighbor put up out back by my garden. It will be a lot of planting but I should end up with 45 feet wide x 5 feet tall of beans and snap peas!
HappyUP!!! - Getting a tune DOWN
Why it happened - I keep grinding at it
Why it makes me happy - I have owned guitars for a long time. I have never learned how to properly fingerpick the base and melody of a tune. I can now play a fairly robust rendition of Silent Night. I could do it before with just chords. I had another version with just double stops. The fingerpicked version has much more body to it......and it is the first of many that I will pick up.

HappyUP!!! Day 433

HappyUP!!! - Toastmaster's Speech Contest

Why it happened - our club produced the division contestant, Lawrence.

Why it makes me happy - he didn't take first place but our contestant has now given this speech 4 times. Today, he delivered it as well as he could...and that is what it is all about. Like a rubber band that, once stretched, never returns to it's original shape, our club member will forever be better for going through this process.


HappyUP!!! - convertible driving to the contest

Why it happened - it was a gorgeous day

Why it makes me happy - sun, a slight chill, and a drive to Grass Valley in the drop top makes for a great time. I picked up one of our members and he rode with me. It was nice.

HappyUP!!! - buying some plants

Why it happened - I got off my fanny late tonight

Why it makes me happy - it's going to let me get a few plants in tomorrow without having to go to the nursery (but I'll still go to the nursery)

HappyUP!!! Day 432

HappyUP!!! - Springsteen
Why it happened - I took the initiative and got tickets
Why it makes me happy - c'mon......there are people that have seen The Boss hundreds of times. He has to have something going for him. An awesome concert!

HappyUP!!! - leaving the concert
Why it happened - it was over
Why it makes me happy - I have never gotten out of Arco so quickly. Even if Springsteen did a second encore, it was worth having an unimpeded exit

HappyUP!!! - helping an employee
Why it happened - it was Loan Clearinghouse day
Why it makes me happy - this was a tough loan. The employee was lost.....and with good reason. This one even tested me!

HappyUP!!! Day 431

HappyUP!!! - my boss was late for our meeting
Why it happened - he thought the meeting started at 9...not 8
Why it made me happy - I was late myself....but he doesn't know that. I have a good boss and he would not have cared but, still, I don't like to be late

HappyUP!!! - driving home
Why it happened - meetings were over
Why it made me happy - I was so focused on phone work that the miles flew by. I got some quality phone calls in. The next thing you know, the 4.5 hrs were over

HappyUP!!! - strawberry plant
Why it happened - I planted some new ones
Why it made me happy - I have a new row next to my "old growth." I put them in about a month ago. I hadn't even noticed the "runners" on one. It was already 6 inches out and starting to embed in the turf. I think this moment is one of the reasons gardeners garden.

HappyUP!!! Day 430

HappyUP!!! - gettin to Bakersfield
Why it happened - we had a meeting
Why it makes me happy - it's 4.5 hrs of driving.....the feeling when you first get there is great because the drive is done. The drive was quite nice. Interstate 5 is a boring drive but, if you go at 4 in the morning, it doesn't seem drab at all. It can be any highway. I had some back east friends to talk to for part of the drive, a good audio CD, and I caught sunrise over the Sierras

HappyUP!!! - Buck Owens' Crystal Palace
Why it happened - we had dinner there after the meeting
Why it makes me happy - dinner with my chums is always great. The band was awesome. It was a dinner show. While I am not a huge country fan, I appreciate a good guitar player. Brian Longbeck was in this band. I didn't know who he was when I was there but I could tell he was "wicked good." After looking him up, I found out why.

HappyUP!!! - meeting
Why it happened - we have meetings
Why it makes me happy - meetings usually don't. We got some things done at this one, however. We accomplished some excellent work....including adapting some of my practices.

HappyUP!!! Day 429

HappyUP!!! - Toastmasters
Why it happened - it's Tuesday
Why it makes me happy - we had two great speeches....and I do mean great. The table topics were especially lively....and funny because the word of the day was, "amorous." People were gut busting.

HappyUP!!! - seeing my boss
Why it happened - he was in town
Why it makes me happy - I learned some things.

HappyUP!!! - a good training session with an employee
Why it happened - I invited him in
Why it makes me happy - he is going to be better at his craft due to this session.