Sunday, May 31, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 855

HappyUP!!! - 36 holes
Why it happened - we took a break...and came back for more
Why it makes me happy - we teed it up again at 4:15 and played in just over 3 hours. THAT is how long it should take

HappyUP!!! - winning a soda
Why it happened - the Boz threw it out there
Why it makes me happy - it's been a long time since Boz could give me a run. With him at the blue tees and me back at the golds, he felt good enough to have a game with me.....and it took 16 holes to win my drink. Ahhhh....the taste of victory

HappyUP!!! - 8 iron into 18
Why it happened - I hit a great drive
Why it makes me happy - 18 plays tough at our course. After that great drive, I hit a great draw into the left pin location. While the ball didn't hold, it was a great shot to end the day on.

HappyUP!!! - e-mail from a friend
Why it happened - we've traded some e-mails
Why it makes me happy - I got some updates on childhood friends that my buddy is still in touch with. We'll go grab some dinner soon and give more updates.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 854

HappyUP!!! - afternoon ball striking
Why it happened - I went out for a second 18
Why it makes me happy - I didn't score well but I hit 12 greens from the gold tees. I hit a ton of quality shots giving myself a bunch of birdie opportunities....9-10 of them. A little work on the putter and we could be in business for club championship next week.

HappyUP!!! - putting/chipping practice
Why it happened - I forced myself
Why it makes me happy - I already had played 36 holes...but I had the discipline to go out and work on the short game.

HappyUP!!! - 1/2 sandwich
Why it happened - my golf buddy shared
Why it makes me happy - I was starving. There was one sandwich left on the drink lady's cart. My golf pal already had claimed it and offered me half. HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - finding the keys
Why it happened - I fished through my bag again
Why it makes me happy - after 36 and practice, I faced the dilemma of not being able to drive home. I already had reached into my golf bag. There was a chance the keys had been left in a golf cart. One more pass....and HappyUP!!!...I was on my way home.

JollyJottings

Sleeping in a bit
36 holes
Putting/Chipping practice
Winning a fiver in the afternoon
Hitting 12 greens in PM...hybrid on 13...drive/8 iron 14...wedge on 15...6 iron 16...3 wood on 1... driver/5 iron on 2...5 iron on 3...hybrid on 6...6 iron on 7....wedge on 8...5 iron on 9

Friday, May 29, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 853

Today was a very rich day - and a good one to be walking in my shoes. I can't wait for tomorrow

HappyUP!!! - hearing from a long lost friend
Why it happened - Facebook find
Why it makes me happy - this person now holds the record for the longest I have known someone that I still communicate with that is not part of my family. It was awesome hearing from this old grade school chum.

HappyUP!!! - niece's birthday/graduation dinner
Why it happened - my niece graduated from college
Why it makes me happy - my niece got her accounting degree from Sonoma State.....and knocked it down in just four years. With the way you need to schedule classes, that is not easy to do anymore...even for the ambitious. We all assembled at my brother's house for excellent family and friend times.

HappyUP!!! - 36 holes with Laff
Why it happened - we are golfing fools
Why it makes me happy - I wasn't that happy about the drubbing I got and the dough that flew out of my wallet....let's get that clear. I had ample opportunities to do something about it, though. I came through in the clutch with a couple of excellent putts.....THOSE are big HappyUP!!!s. Yes, I blew it on the last hole of both rounds (including a ball in the pond) but we don't dwell on that. I remember the good shots I hit.......and even the incredible putts that Laff drained on me. My scores weren't there but I hit it OK and it all added up to a super day of golf.



JollyJottings

Watering
Buying some stocks
Today's and this week's market
36 holes with Laff
Knocking down a critical birdie putt
A near hole in one
A lot of other great shots
Hearing from a long lost friend
My niece's birthday/graduation dinner

Thursday, May 28, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 852



HappyUP!!! - picture sent to me
Why it happened - someone tried to crack me up
Why it makes me happy - I explained a concept to a friend last week about the proper way to use the derriere gasket. Like most, the person just laughed at me....the pic proved they were listening! Pretty funny

<----what?...you want an explanation of what this is about.....I'll devote a post to it.



HappyUP!!! - road trip
Why it happened - a Celebration of Life
Why it makes me happy - I spent some good car miles with my brother. I saw relatives that I never see....never have seen.....and go to appreciate my late uncle who lived an absolutely great life.

HappyUP!!! - seeing my aunt
Why it happened - Celebration of Live
Why it makes me happy - she is healthy. I had heard that she hadn't been recognizing people....THAT was bad information. She is around 90 now....but she knew exactly who I was.

HappyUP!!! - an evening 9 holes
Why it happened - Boz called me
Why it makes me happy - I got to play with Wah and Boz.....I hit a lot of high quality golf shots. After 7 hours in the car, it was good to get out and slap it around.




JollyJottings

Pic sent to me
Time in the car with my brother
Seeing my aunt
Seeing all my other relatives
Getting 9 holes in with Wah and Boz
Birdie on 15
Wedge on 10...hybrid on 12...pitch on 12...5 iron on 13...8 iron on 14....wedge on 15...8 iron on 16....
bunt driver on 18

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 851

HappyUP!!! - coffee with my friend
Why it happened - it's Wednesday
Why it makes me happy - we had an interesting conversation this morning. No, the world's problems weren't solved...but they were discussed. What you talk about, you bring about.

HappyUP!!! - a friend dropped back to play golf with me
Why it happened - he's a nice guy
Why it makes me happy - there were 5 guys that formed to play out at the club just before I got there. 5 is the max you can play...and they had a group of good players assembled. It's fun to play in a group like that. One of the guys saw I would be spanking it alone and gave up his spot in the big group and made a game with me. That was really cool. It got cooler when another guy drove out and joined us......and then two more did the same thing so we ended up with 5. That's neat stuff.

HappyUP!!! - two birdies....two skins...and another good round of golf
Why it happened - I'm playing better
Why it makes me happy - I matched my second best score at my club today. If I had a couple of putts/chips drop that hung on the lip or lipped out, I would have beaten my best easily. This is a really good time to start playing well.

HappyUP!!! - getting some errands/chores done
Why it happened - I put myself on a time crunch
Why it makes me happy - I may be able to knock the rest of the "to do" list out someday. HOPE is a HappyUP!!!

JollyJottings

Coffee conversation
Getting up really early
Knocking off some errands/chores
Making a couple of birdies and picking up a couple of skins
One guy dropping back to play with me
Dinner

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 850

HappyUP!!! - not having to work today
Why it happened - I retired
Why it makes me happy - I was over on Facebook. I could not believe how many of my friends were lamenting about going back to work after a three day weekend. It also reminded me of a study I heard about that said how many heart attacks occur on Monday morning. While there are times that I miss working, the feeling hasn't been strong enough to make me think about going back.....seeing these kinds of messages makes me feel better about my decision.

HappyUP!!! - today's golf game
Why it happened - everyone played OK
Why it makes me happy - I didn't play with the very, very best at the club today but they are pretty close. There was a 75, a 76, another 76, and another 78. I was witness to a lot of good shots.....and manufactured a few myself

HappyUP!!! - phone call from a friend
Why it happened - my friend was thinking of me
Why it makes me happy - we caught up on the weekend....and agreed to get together for dinner...something we haven't done forever.

HappyUP!!! - call from another friend
Why it happened - my friend was thinking of me
Why it makes me happy - I haven't heard from this friend in a bit...but was thinking about em. Perfect timing for a call.

HappyUP!!! - tapioca pudding
Why it happened - I bought some at TraderJoe's
Why it makes me happy - my mom used to make me this treat as a kid. I haven't had any in quite some time.....it was delicious....and it was good to know where I can get some anytime.

JollyJottings

Tapioca pudding
My golf game buddies today
13 putts on the back side
Phone call from a friend
Text from another friend
A friend's birthday
NOT having to go back to work today

Monday, May 25, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 849

HappyUP!!! - grocery shopping
Why it happened - Mother Hubbard's cupboards were bare
Why it makes me happy - due to the holiday this evening, no one was in the store. I did a full on stop and was in and out in no time.

HappyUP!!! - birdie by my friend
Why it happened - he hit two great shots and made the putt
Why it makes me happy - my buddy, Boz, struggled today. Yet, on our difficult final hole, he got the ball back to a very tough pin position....and I mean a tough one. I was glad he ended the day on a super positive note

HappyUP!!! - pitch shot on the last hole
Why it happened - I am good at the tough shots
Why it makes me happy - I got a bad break when my ball hit the green and bounced down a hill. Now, I had a tough up and down but I was able to get the club under the ball and put some wicked spin on it. This held it on the top shelf and let me make a par......and beat the Boz by one stroke. Hey, it was a tough day for me out there too.

HappyUP!!! - e-mails and facebook messages from friends
Why it happened - they had some time on Memorial Day
Why it makes me happy - it keeps me in the loop with them.

HappyUP!!! - Memorial Day
Why it happened - brave men gave their lives
Why it makes me happy - I thought about my late father and what he did in WW2. The story is incredible.....and one that I was happy to be reminded of today.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 848

HappyUP!!! - Indy 500
Why it happened - it happens every year
Why it makes me happy - I am not a huge car fan...I was when I was a kid. I loved Indy racing. At "the greatest spectacle in racing," it is "balls to the wall" and you know they are pushing it as hard as they possibly can. I think it is the tension of high stakes competition that does it.

HappyUP!!! - afternoon golf and no waiting
Why it happened - I think people had Memorial Day weekend plans
Why it makes me happy - I was just too tired to play this morning. I was almost not going to play. When my golf buddy texted me saying he wanted to play another 18, I knew it would just be him and I...no gambling....knocking it around. I figured we would do some waiting but we played in less than 3 hours with no one in front of us.

HappyUP!!! - BBQ lunch
Why it happened - my friends were doing it
Why it makes me happy - I got a great burger and was able to spend time with my much too neglected "adopted" family.

Jolly Jottings

Indy 500.......Barbeque.....sleeping in....delivering the prize money....golf with no waiting in the afternoon....stopping by my bro's....texting with my niece...meeting a new employee at the club
Hitting a lot of greens....wedge on scorecard 4

Saturday, May 23, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 847

HappyUP!!! - playing a tournament with long time friend, TE
Why it happened - I invited him
Why it makes me happy - TE had wanted to play with me. We couldn't get it done. He had never played in a tournament so he was nervous.....but he did great. We took second. He is going to get a gift certificate and doesn't know it. THAT will be another HappyUP!!! when I deliver it tomorrow.

HappyUP!!! - good round...lots of great shots
Why it happened - I am playing better
Why it makes me happy - it was good to play good in front of my friend (see above). I increased my lead in our clubs Player of the the Year standings. Even with two 3-putts and 2 penalty strokes, I was only 2 over. I also made one of about 8 makeable birdies. My sights are on shooting in the 60's. It was out there today.....and is gettable in the near future.

HappyUP!!! - lunch
Why it happened - it was part of the tournament
Why it makes me happy - I hadn't eaten all day....that burger and sausage on the side were delicious!

JollyJottings

Good warmup session
Par save on first hole
Wedge on second
Birdie on 4th
Par save on 6th
Par save on 10th
8 iron on 11th
Par save on 12th
Chutt on 13th
Wedge on 15th
Hybrid on 16th
Playing with my long time friend
Lunch
Seeing my buddy in the evening

Friday, May 22, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 846

HappyUP!!! - brekko
Why it happened - a friend set it up
Why it makes be happy - haven't caught breakfast with this person in awhile. I got some industry info and updates. Interesting stuff.

HappyUP!!! - running into a friend
Why it happened - I was driving...my friend was walking
Why it makes me happy - nothing like a curbside conversation......thank goodness for the convertible....makes it easy.

HappyUP!!! - productive practice session
Why it happened - I needed to do some work
Why it makes me happy - I haven't felt in control of the golf ball the last two rounds. It hasn't been out of control but I haven't been on top of it like I was. Today's work was insightful.

HappyUP!!! - gabbing with the pros
Why it happened - they had a few minutes to kill before an outside tournament
Why it makes me happy - I always learn something when I talk to those guys.

JollyJottings

Good practice session
Running into a friend
Getting some clean up done
Brekko with a buddy
Cavaliers-Magic

Thursday, May 21, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 845

HappyUP!!! - tournament golf
Why it happened - my partner and I qualified to play today
Why it makes me happy - my partner was in trouble on the initial hole....I scrambled and bailed us out. I made a birdie on the second hole. I held us in pretty well for the first 5 holes which was making me pretty happy. It got a little loose after that but the start was a HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - my partner
Why it happened - he started playing some good golf
Why it makes me happy - to have a shot at qualifying for the next level, we needed to go to the whip. My partner drove a par 4 and had a short eagle putt....while he missed it, it was a HappyUP!!! watching that one sail and finish on the green. He chipped in on the next hole for another birdie. We both had birdie putts on the last hole. Mine missed but my partner drained his. We didn't qualify but he was Mr Clutch today so I know he is feeling good.....and that's a HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - early morning gardening
Why it happened - I had been out of town
Why it makes me happy - I still have a bunch of weeding to do but I made some progress. It felt great to be out in the cool morning air amongst the fresh plants.....and I spotted my first edible result today. It's zucchini time!

JollyJottings

Saving par on one
Birdie on two
My partner driving a green, chipping in on the next hole, and then making birdie on the last hole
Early morning gardening
NBA Playoffs
Golf pairing
New Golf Course

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 844

HappyUP!!! - my putter
Why it happened - I got home
Why it makes me happy - the trip to Monterey was a putting disaster. I thought that I had to do an overhaul of my putting stroke. No 3-putts and 29 putts back home confirmed my suspicions that I just didn't adapt to the weird putting environment down by the coast.

HappyUP!!! - breakfast with my buddy SK
Why it happened - he needed something
Why it makes me happy - I see SK a few times a year. We always have a great chat about the financial environment. Good company and food are HappyUP!!!s

HappyUP!!! - one ball from an ace
Why it happened - I hit a near perfect 6 iron
Why it makes me happy - I won a skin.....and almost had my first hole in one ever. It was also one of three birdies today. After three rounds without a birdie, it felt great to knock some down.

JollyJottings

My putting
Being back on my course
Golfing with my buddy, Lefleur
3 birdies
One ball from an ace
Coffee with my buddy
Breakfast with another friend
A very nice text message
Playoff basketball
Nutter Weed

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 843

HappyUP!!! - Driving the golf ball
Why it happened - who knows
Why it makes me happy - I had the ball in play all day long...incredibly so on a foreign course. I scored like a dog because my short game is an entirely different story. The driver was a HappyUP!!! today

HappyUP!!! - getting back home
Why it happened - I went away
Why it makes me happy - I like being home...I really do. Travelling is OK but there is nothing like being back in the familiar environment

HappyUP!!! - golfing with BP
Why it happened - it was a tournament
Why it makes me happy - B is just a great guy. He was playing like crap but he didn't let that spoil the round....that is a seriously good quality....and rare.

Monday, May 18, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 842


HappyUP!!! - jokes
Why it happened - dinner with the team
Why it makes me happy - my partner and I were teamed with two other guys from our club. These pair are a hoot! While the jokes were terribly inappropriate, my face and stomach were hurting from laughing so hard.


<---that's a lot of Italian Sausage! Glad I went with the halibut...probably keep me around for a few additional HappyUP!!!s


HappyUP!!!
- playing with BP
Why it happened - we were paired together
Why it makes me happy - I have known B for years but we have never played golf. He was great to tee it up with today. Neither one of us played that well but we had a great time.....and, together, we teamed up pretty well and covered each other's backs.

HappyUP!!! - in the hunt
Why it happened - it is a golf tournament
Why it makes me happy - B and I could have played a lot better very easily. Our other two partners definitely could have played better. Despite this, we are only 4 shots down and have only 7 teams to pass to qualify for the next level.

HappyUP!!! - hitting it well
Why it happened - I am swinging better
Why it makes me happy - there is nothing worse to going to a different golf course and hitting it all over the place....you don't get to really play the golf course. While my putting was horrible, I at least felt like I played the course.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 841

HappyUP!!! - beautiful golf weather in Monterey
Why it happened - it's weather
Why it makes me happy - my buddy and I came down for a practice round and teed off at noon. You never know what Monterey weather will be like. Today, it was shorts and shirt sleeves. As we were on the final hole, it started to invite a sweater....THAT is perfect.

HappyUP!!! - great drive down
Why it happened - see above
Why it makes me happy - my golf buddy and I have never traveled together. The three hour drive went by in a heartbeat. We had plenty to talk about even though we talk all the time on the golf course. A car ride is something else. No issues and time easily filled.

HappyUP!!! - toughest holes
Why it happened - you have to play them
Why it makes me happy - we will play this course on Tuesday. While I missed the putts on both of them, I hit it close on the two hardest holes on the course....real close. If I can get the putter working, I can post a low number here.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 840

HappyUP!!! - District Conference Speech Contest
Why it happened - I was competing
Why it makes me happy - I "gave the speech I wanted to give." There really wasn't a lot more I could have done with it. There were 8 speeches and, at this level, all of them good. I didn't walk away with first....second....or third.....but I was happy with how I did. The guy that I thought should have won didn't bring home a trophy either. It was all good and a great contest.

HappyUP!!! - support
Why it happened - my club members are great
Why it makes me happy - our Toastmasters Club is tiny.....but every one of them drove more than 30 minutes on a Saturday night and sat through 3 hours of pomp, circumstance, and contest. It was GREAT to have them there. They MADE me give a better speech.

HappyUP!!! - the Sunsetter
Why it happened - the great invitational golf tourney concluded
Why it makes me happy - I put a decent round of golf together. I came on strong at the end with back to back birdies, got robbed out of a par, and scrambled for another par at the end. I played the last 7 holes under par.....and our team needed it. We broke even on our bets....finished well enough to get paid in the tournament (top third)...and had a great time with my brother.

JollyJottings

Seeing my golf pro
Seeing my golf buddies
Trying a new brand of golf ball
Turning it on and making two birdies down the stretch
An up and down on the last hole
Breaking even on our bets
Perhaps placing in the tournament
Shooting a decent score

Friday, May 15, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 839

HappyUP!!! - birdie on first hole
Why it happened - good shooting
Why it makes me happy - this is the second day in a row of the tournament that I birdied the initial hole. It's great to start off well.

HappyUP!!! - making a bogey on the final hole
Why it happened - I kept grinding
Why it makes me happy - I had a horrible lie...had to play sideways...got up and down and got a point for my team.

HappyUP!!! - seeing my buddy
Why it happened - I blew off dinner
Why it makes me happy - I hadn't seen my friend for a bit. It was a great visit.

HappyUP!!! - good speech practice
Why it happened - I snuck it in
Why it makes me happy - I needed this. I just couldn't get myself to sit down and grind it out. A little practice before the contest tomorrow and I will be in good shape.

JollyJottings

Birdie on the first hole
Two birdies on the day
Knocking it close on the first four holes
Making a bogey on the last hole
Rapping with my friend, Firk
Practicing my speech
Seeing thru a hectic few days
Helping a buddy out

Thursday, May 14, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 838

HappyUP!!! - early morning planting
Why it happened - initiative
Why it makes me happy - I had forgotten to get in a few cukes and melons so I bought some yesterday. I didn't have much time this morning but I got them into the ground so they are on their way.

HappyUP!!! - birdie on first hole of tournament
Why it happened - I hit a great drive and a fantastic wedge
Why it makes me happy - I got our team off to a super start. We ended up having a little below average day as my partner struggled a bit. We were riding high for awhile though.....happy times.

HappyUP!!! - good guys to play with
Why it happened - we got a good pairing
Why it makes me happy - it's always nice to play with nice guys....and we had a couple of them today.

HappyUP!!! - birdie on 4
Why it happened - I hit a great drive...great 3 wood...and a super wedge
Why it makes me happy - it got me back to one under par at the time. I didn't end up holding that score but I was going at it for a bit.

JollyJottings

Planting
Birdied the first hole
Sandies
Birdie/Wedge on 6th hole
Good guys to play with
Decent tournament round

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 837

HappyUP!!! - good golf group...great partner
Why it happened - I was playing at my brother's course
Why it makes me happy - my partner shot a 69...that's pretty good golf to get to watch....and win some bets with

HappyUP!!! - birdie on first hole
Why it happened - I hit a great 9 iron
Why it makes me happy - a birdie is always a HappyUP!!! but getting off to a good start will always put a smile on

HappyUP!!! - e-mail with my friend, T
Why it happened - I shot T a message
Why it makes me happy - T is doing well as I got a message back. T is a business friend that I lost a bit of contact with but is one of those people that you always feel good when you are around them. We'll get together in the near future.

HappyUP!!! - haircut
Why it happened - it was due
Why it makes me happy - the long hair deal wasn't working....I'm back to looking sweet.

JollyJottings

Birdie on first hole
Birdie on ninth hole
Shot to 3 feet on 18th
Good golf group....and an excellent partner
E-mail with my friend T

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 836

HappyUP!!! - 3 birdies
Why it happened - I kept getting the ball close
Why it makes me happy - I had 10 good birdie looks today....that's getting the ball close to the hole alot. It is days like this that makes me play golf and practice. Control over the golf ball.

HappyUP!!! - 71 from the Gold tees
Why it happened - I was hitting it good
Why it makes me happy - hit 12 out of 14 fairways.....on or just off 15 out of 18 greens. It all adds up to shooting my best round at my course....and my first round under par in 28 years (OK...I took about 27 of those off). Still, getting it around our course under par is a neat trick.

HappyUP!!! - talking with my brother
Why it happened - he had an invitation
Why it makes me happy - he wants me to tee it up for a practice round at his course tomorrow. We have his invitational Thursday-Saturday. One more tuneup on his course is just what the doctor ordered.

JollyJottings

Best score on my course
First under par round in 27 years
Birdies
Winning some dough
Golf set up for tomorrow
TJ's Pepporoni Pizza
Hitting the final green
Holding it together
12 of 14 fairways
15 greens

Monday, May 11, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 835

HappyUP!!! - Space Shuttle liftoff
Why it happened - gotta fix that Hubbel Telescope
Why it makes me happy - ever since the Challenger, it is always a relief when that big bomb gets off the pad and into orbit without any issues. Plus, it really is a pretty impressive sight that many take for granted. That's a ton of horsepower being released

HappyUP!!! - chatting with Kap
Why it happened - I shot him a message
Why it makes me happy - I lose track of this old character from my past. We'll get together at some point in the future.

HappyUP!!! - a market pullback
Why it happened - it's the stock market
Why it makes me happy - I'm doing a little shopping for some deals. The market needs to do a little correction for me to be able to do that. Today was one of those days.

JollyJottings

Chatting with Kap
Grabbing some coffee
Running errands
A market pullback
Chord

Sunday, May 10, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 834

HappyUP!!! - golfing at my brother's club
Why it happened - he invited me
Why it makes me happy - it's great to get off my course once in awhile. It's especially good playing with my brother and a couple of other buddies. Great weather. Super pace of play. It's a great day.

HappyUP!!! - some good shots
Why it happened - I am starting to play better
Why it makes me happy - well, it wasn't as good as yesterday but there were still enough good shots to build on. I'll be back on the range this week.
Bold
HappyUP!!! - garden time
Why it happened - no morning golf
Why it makes me happy - gardening is called a lot of things.....therapeutic....etc. I call it a socially acceptable way for adults to play in the dirt like little kids. I had a nice little morning of it this morning.

JollyJottings

Golf with my brother
Up and down on 1 and 2 and 5
5 iron on 3..16
Wedge on 4..12
6 iron on 7...17
Driver on 8...10...17
Weeding

Saturday, May 09, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 833


HappyUP!!! - best round on my course
Why it happened - it's been coming
Why it makes me happy - it came out of nowhere! Yes, it's been coming but I didn't think the good round would be so dramatic. My golf game has been suffering for two months.

<----It's a bit of a HappyUP!!! that I don't have to do this for a living

HappyUP!!! - bunker shots
Why it happened - my setup and tempo were good
Why it makes me happy - when you can step into a trap and know you are going to hit it close, it's a great feeling. Then, when your wedge goes "thhhwwwapp" against the sand and you know that it's hit right, there are few things better.

HappyUP!!! - birdies
Why it happened - I'm playing better
Why it makes me happy - three birdies today....and had good looks at 4 others. The birdie on 17 was great because that hole is tough....and my team needed that birdie. The 8 iron took off and just covered the flag.

HappyUP!!! - checking out the pool
Why it happened - my buddy called me
Why it makes me happy - it might be nice to have a pool to use so I may need to look into this situation.



JollyJottings

Best round on my course
Winning $10
Birdie on 17
Birdie on 12
Birdie on 13
Stopping by the pool
Players Championship

Friday, May 08, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 832

HappyUP!!! - retrieving a bit of "lent" funds
Why it happened - I played golf with guys who have gotten the best of me this year.
Why it makes me happy - it's always better to win a couple of bucks than pay them out.....especially from people who are holding your funds.

HappyUP!!! - hybrid bunker shot
Why it happened - I made a good pass
Why it makes me happy - I had hit a horrible pop up drive to a terrible lie. I tried to do something I couldn't off that lie and cold topped it into a bunker. I was lying 2 180 yards from the hole on this par 4 with a bit of wind in the face. With nothing to lose, I hit the best fairway bunker shot of my life....a high draw that came down and finished within a couple of feet of the pin. Terrible shots....staring double bogey in the face.....and I get a par....HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - birdie on 16
Why it happened - an exceptional putt
Why it makes me happy - this was about a 25 footer, downhill with a little break, that looked pretty good all the way. It hung on the lip and dropped on it's dying breath. Birdies are always a HappyUP!!! Birdies on the last few holes are REALLY HappyUP!!!s

HappyUP!!! - good day in the stock market
Why it happened - after yesterday's retreat? Who knows
Why it makes me happy - I'm not as invested as I should be....I'm like a lot of people that are waiting for a substantial market correction. It did me a little good in my short term funds.....my 401k LOVED today!

JollyJottings

Getting some "lent" funds back
RT's new shirt
Hybrid bunker shot on 8
Dr...3 wood...flop shot on 3
7 iron on 4
Hybrid bunker shot on 10
5 iron on 12
Driver on 13.....8 iron on 14....8 iron on 15
6 iron on 16.....PUTT on 16
Dr on 17....8 iron on 17
Finding a book I was looking for
Great day in the stock market
Stunning May weather
Depositing the refund checks
Invite from brother
New putting stroke
Good back 9

Thursday, May 07, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 831

HappyUP!!! - walking 9 at twilight
Why it happened - I decided to go out after the course re-opened
Why it makes me happy - an outside tournament closed down the course today. When I went out, no one was in front of me. The weather was gorgeous. I was afforded the opportunity to drop some balls and hit some extra shots and get some on-course practice done. I hit some beauties.

HappyUP!!! - a tip from the assistant pro
Why it happened - he saw me on the range
Why it makes me happy - he hit the nail right on the head. I have some more work to do but it's full speed ahead on this little thing to work on. It shows a lot of promise and fits with the other things I have been working on. I started striping it out on the course at times....which, with a tournament heavy schedule ahead, would be great timing.

HappyUP!!! - seeing my doctor
Why it happened - it was part of my physical
Why it makes me happy - my doc spreads my physical over three visits. This gives me more time to spend with him. Everything was looking good today!

JollyJottings

Trip to the doctor
A good lawn cutting
Chipping work
A tip from the assistant pro
Walking 9 holes
Hybrid on 11...Drive on 12....wedge on 12...6 iron 13...putt on 13...hybrid on 14....7 iron on 16....drive on 17...7 iron on 17....
Practice shots on course

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 830


HappyUP!!! - breaking the grunge
Why it happened - it's been long enough
Why it makes me happy - after 3.5 days in bed and on the couch, I decided to spend one more lounging around just to be sure. I think I am done with this crap.

<----Stogie doing his job. He's a good sick kitty.

HappyUP!!! - Strawberries
Why it happened - I planted them and it's that time of year
Why it makes me happy - I have tons of them! ...some were actually ripe today. I took care of that. Delicious and looking forward to a killer harvest.

HappyUP!!! - appreciating health
Why it happened - I was/am sick
Why it makes me better - sometimes, it takes some bad times to appreciate the good. While my cold was not life threatening, it did serve as a good metaphor that you need to have valleys to appreciate peaks. It also got me to thinking, health wise, am I really experiencing peaks? There is a change in my thought process that needs to happen....and change is good.

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 829....Dom Deluise



While few of us know - the real insides of our celebrities, I think that we all suspect that Dom Deluise was a pretty happy dude.

Many comedians aren't - it is often the dabbling into the dark side of our society that makes for funny stuff.

Yet, Deluise's comedy was light - and full of frivolity.

We also know - the guy enjoyed his food. I have no idea whether it contributed to the kidney and respiratory problems that took him at age 75. I do know that he added meaning to his love for food...he wasn't just an overeater.

While I was a bit saddened - to hear of his passing, I also got a few HappyUP!!!s as I remembered the times he came into my childhood home with those cheesy accents and oddball antics.....and that I looked forward to seeing him on TV when I was a kid.

HappyUP!!! - fever is dropping as I go to bed
Why it happened - who knows
Why it makes me happy - I may be able to sleep without nite time cold medicine. Fever was running over 100 all night but is starting to drop.

HappyUP!!! - helping a former co worker
Why it happened - he called me
Why it makes me happy - he was in a bit of a bind....I was home....sick. I gave him some creative services. It's good to use skills.

HappyUP!!! - seeing my nephew
Why it happened - he dropped something off
Why it makes me happy - I love seeing my nephew....even if I had to keep him at a distance due to my sickness.

Monday, May 04, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 828

HappyUP!!! - an anniversary
Why it happened - a year has gone by
Why it makes me happy - the official anniversary was Saturday...but it wasn't a work day...so it has to be today. I have been retired for a year. While I appreciate the time spent, experience gained, and relationships made at my former employer, I really appreciate my freedom.

HappyUP!!! - another anniversary
Why it happened - I got up one day and made a decision
Why it makes me happy - six years ago today, I said, "you know what...I am going to stop drinking for 30 days." That 30 days has turned into 6 years. While drinking was not a big problem for me, I saw that it could head in that direction.....and it's been a good life since.

HappyUP!!! - another day of sickness gone
Why it happened - it's day 2
Why it makes me happy - I laid low today....coughing...with a fever. I don't "do sick" very well because I don't do it that often. I hadn't been sick in 2-3 years. Yet, by taking it easy, I know I am speeding the healing process and every day sick is one day closer to being well.

HappyUP!!! - hot and sour soup
Why it happened - I'm sick
Why it makes me happy - no, it's not chicken soup, but I find that the Chinese soups work on the sinuses and make me feel better............and they are tasty!

JollyJottings

Anniversaries
Another day of sickness down...and I was able to lay down
Stock Market
Hot and Sour Soup
Obammy talking tough about tax cheats with Tim Geithner standing next to him

Sunday, May 03, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 827




HappyUP!!! - a rainy day
Why it happened - weather
Why it makes me happy - I had to lay low all day long......it's May.....BUT it was rainy. It wasn't like I missed out on anything.

HappyUP!!! - a close drug store
Why it happened - I live in town
Why it makes me happy - I'm a bit under the weather. TODAY is one of the reasons that I live in ton and not out in the sticks. All of my cold medicine was expired. Going to the store when you are sick is not a good time....except when it is close by.

HappyUP!!! - great TV
Why it happened - it's the season
Why it makes me happy - NBA playoffs and the Quail Hollow Golf Championship was a good way to pass the day.

JollyJottings

Donut
Great TV to watch while sick
A drug store nearby
A rainy day when sick

Saturday, May 02, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 826

HappyUP!!! - beating the rain
Why it happened - the rain held off
Why it makes me happy - it started sprinkling when we were on 7. Any hard stuff held off and I was able to call it a day after 9 holes without a drenching....I don't enjoy a drenching.

HappyUP!!! - Wor Won Ton Soup
Why it happened - I was feeling grungy
Why it makes me happy - I know I wasn't sick last year...pretty sure I wasn't sick the year before. When I felt "the grime" coming on this afternoon, I made a phone call to Wong's Garden for the magic Wor Won Ton Soup. Does it really have medicinal effects or is it a placebo? Who knows...it's worked for me in the past. I'll let you know tomorrow.

HappyUP!!! - the driver
Why it happened - not sure
Why it makes me happy - I only had one go right today. I didn't cream it. I only lost it right once which is my "go to" bad shot. We'll keep working on it.

HappyUP!!! - Kentucky Derby
Why it happened - it's the first Saturday in May
Why it makes me happy - I'm not a horse racing buff but, c'mon, who doesn't like the spectacle that is the Run for the Roses. Great race too.

JollyJottings

Driver
Wor Won Ton Soup
Kentucky Derby
Game 7 Celts/Bulls
Beating the Rain

Friday, May 01, 2009

HappyUP!!! Day 825

HappyUP!!! - Driving range session
Why it happened - I needed practice
Why it makes me happy - I had started to regress from my last lesson. I worked on my grip and getting my hands a lot lower at address. Too bad the rain cut me short or I think I would have been all over it today.

HappyUP!!! - rain
Why it happened - who knows...it's May
Why it makes me happy - this is a freak storm that is going to bring rain here and snow to the mountains......anything is welcome to stave off the drought mongers that will be hitting us with that all summer

HappyUP!!! - call from an ex-co-worker
Why it happened - he was thinking of me
Why it makes me happy - it's always nice to be thought of. He had some good information and we had a meaningful exchange. I like meaningful exchanges.

JollyJottings

Driving range session
Seeing a buddy out on the range
Finishing up the proctoring
Phone call from an ex-coworker
Chinese Food

HappyUP!!!...Why Are You Keeping It to Yourself?

Everyone complains about the media - and all of the bad news that it reports. No question...without the proper filters, it can get you down.

Ever thought of yourself as a media source? - you are, you know. You touch people everyday.

Here is my question - what does your output look like?

I'm not saying you have to be the "good news" channel - polyanna isn't always taken seriously.

What is your ratio of good things to bad things that happen - to you? What stories are your reporters covering for the world. Are you telling people about the good things going on in your world?

Why not? - you think you are being humble? You want to be reserved?

My question - what do you want to attract to you?

Ghandi said - "Be the change you seek." If that is true and you are a clam, you probably won't get much good news fed back to you. You'll probably get bad news delivered to you because, hey, the media has trained most people to sensationalize the crud.

Good things are happening - amidst the bad. Why are you keeping it to yourself?