Sunday, January 31, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1100


HappyUP!!! - birdie on 18
Why it happened - I hit a great drive, great 8 iron, and a great putt
Why it makes me happy - I had been playing pretty well all day....my partner was playing
even better. This put us up as a team....and me up individually. There is a habit that some
people have of "doubling down" on the last hole....I believe it is called the Aloha Press. One
of the individuals that did it to me today happens to be one of the best amateurs in all of Northern California. In other words, 9 times out of 10, he is going to beat me on the last hole. How good is he? Well, I hit two great shots to about 7-8 ft and had a hairy putt for birdie.....he then got up and put it to within 3-4 feet. I made my putt, as did he, and HE FINALLY HAD TO PAY ME FOR ONCE IN HIS LIFE!!!! He's a nice kid and a great golfer......but he's not my son. I get tired of supporting him.

HappyUP!!! - my partner today
Why it happened - maybe things are turned around
Why it makes me happy - my partner is a better golfer than I am. He's been struggling a bit. We don't always play team games at our course...mostly individual matches. Today, him and I played two different teams. It would have been a bad day to play poorly....a very bad day. He threw a little 34 down on the front 9....good financially for our team but, more importantly, it was good to see him shoot 2 under for 9 holes. He shot 72 for the day with a double bogey so I know he is feeling better....which makes for a HappyUP!!! for me. I like it when my friends feel better.

HappyUP!!! - glorious weather
Why it happened - it's weather...I got nothing over that
Why it makes me happy - it's January...while I didn't, I could have been wearing shorts! How much do I love where I live?

HappyUP!!! - IMng with my buds
Why it happened -nothing but good news
Why it makes me happy - I love my friends and good news

JollyJottings

Near ace
Par putt on 8
Up and down on 16
Cleaning up some untidiness on 17
My partner shooting 34 on the front 9
My partner making 4 birdies....including a big one on 15
Buying some lunch after the game

Saturday, January 30, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1099



HappyUP!!! - stunning weather
Why it happened - it's weather
Why it makes me happy - golf in great temps.....driving with the top down on the way home from the course....heck, it was almost nice enough to mow my lawn....almost. Loved today

HappyUP!!! - golfing companions
Why it happened - a couple of treats
Why it makes me happy - we had the return of "the Laff".....played with the pro/owner of course....and had some GREAT matches

HappyUP!!! - misc communications with friends
Why it happened - my friends tracked me down
Why it makes me happy - had some miscommunications yesterday...glad there were no problems and things were cleared up today

HappyUP!!! - second best round of the year
Why it happened - I am swinging better
Why it makes me happy - 9 greens....30 putts...76.....on a 7000 yard wet course....very encouraging. Still had a few "loose" swings but, by and large, got myself out of some jams

JollyJottings

Stunning weather
Best round of year..and some time
6 iron on 5
Birdie putt on 6
Hybrid into 8
Wedge on 10
Bogey putt on 11
Drive/wedge into 13
Hybrid on 15
6 iron on 16
Chip on 17
Text from a buddy
E-mail from a friend
Playing with the pro
Return of the Laff

Friday, January 29, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1098


HappyUP!!! - lunch with a buddy
Why it happened - we set it up
Why it makes me happy - this is an old industry friend. My friend brought along their daughter who I hadn't seen in ages....wow...what a nice young lady she has become! It was absolutely awesome to spend time in their presence.

HappyUP!!! - booking it with my buddy
Why it happened - we had been e-mailing
Why it makes me happy - I'll spend some time Monday night with the guy that taught me how
to play guitar 30 years ago....we'll play some tunes....and go over a project...I'm stoked

HappyUP!!! - practicre session
Why it happened - I forced myself out there
Why it makes me happy - had a productive hour and a half working on the chipping and putting...I have a feeling the putter is going to be coming around very nicely. Couldn't believe how well I was stroking it.

JollyJottings

Chat with Jeffy
Chat with CG
Texting with a dear friend
Lunch with a friend and daughter
"CalPers is my new best friend"

Thursday, January 28, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1097


HappyUP!!! - e-mail from musician friend
Why it happened - I e-mailed him a request
Why it makes me happy - he's stopping by next week to consult with me on a
possible project I want to do in-studio. Great guy.....WAY GREAT musician...
HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - 27 holes in nice weather
Why it happened - we are grabbing it while we can
Why it makes me happy - outdoors.....good friends....decent golf for this time
of year.....I've got work to do but I am hitting a lot of quality shots. For January,
the game is coming around. We'll start grinding in February.

HappyUP!!! - great e-mails with a good friend
Why it happened - who knows what starts the ball rolling
Why it makes me happy - there were some hysterical parts for both of us
and other commentary that was nice. E-mail doesn't always lay "as flat" as one
would think that medium does. Very enriching.

HappyUP!!! - par on 18
Why it happened - I am a grinder
Why it makes me happy - I hit a crappy drive into the bunker.....and a crappy 5 iron out
of the bunker....my god, everything was on the line....I had a challenging pitch shot which I
hit well....to about 6 feet....and dumped the putt. My main opponent was staring at a 4 foot birdie putt to reclaim EVERYTHING he had lost to that point. Yes, he made it....but not before I "made him make it" with my grinding it out. HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - grabbing some Chinese with a buddy
Why it happened - my buddy was hungry
Why it makes me happy - who wants to eat alone?



JollyJottings

E-mail from musician friend
Another day of golf
An extremely nice e-mail exchange with my buddy
A funny YouTube Video...and e-mail photo/joke
Birdie on the first hole today
Birdie on 12
Great 5 iron and par on 26
Getting some dough back
Chinese Food
Getting up and down for par on 18


Wednesday, January 27, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1096


HappyUP!!! - texting with my buddy
Why it happened - it probably shouldn't have
Why it makes me happy - I love my great friends....this one is a great one. Sometimes, friendships get strained for various reasons. Air cleared? No....but it isn't smog either. We'll get the "open loop" fixed.

HappyUP!!! - sunshine!
Why it happened - it had to at some point...and we played 27 to find it
Why it makes me happy - it just felt good to "strip down" a bit on the golf course
and get the fleece vest off. I think 10 days of being "shut in" might have made me a little grumpy as well.

HappyUP!!! - a note from my "adopted mom"
Why it happened - she's SWEET
Why it makes me happy - a thought always goes a long way...but I also got a recipe that
I had been looking for.

HappyUP!!! - second shot on the 27th hole
Why it happened - who knows....maybe I have a little skill?
Why it makes me happy - I was sitting in the fairway bunker....172 yds out....over water. My opponent was in the fairway at about 157. He was a few wagers ahead...and it looked like he was REALLY going to take me to the cleaners. I picked that 6 iron clean, sent it skyward, it drew, went right at the hole and settled in about 3 feet from the pin.......and more than a few dollars were saved! Nice way to end!!!

HappyUP!!! - making about a 10 footer on 18
Why it happened - I stroked it
Why it makes me happy - it always comes down to the last hole.....that little putt was a wallet helper...for sure. Nothing like coming through under the gun.

HappyUP!!! - 27 holes with my buds
Why it happened - we all had the itch
Why it makes me happy - my golf buddies are great guys......can a guy say what I am about to say......I missed them!

JollyJottings

Recipe from my "adopted mom"
6 iron from 172 out of the bunker and over the water on 27th hole
A couple of rifled 5 irons
Great wedge into hole 21
Two putting 18
Sunshine
27 holes with my friends
Walking 18 holes

QuoteUP!!! 21 Confuscious


"If you make a mistake and don't correct your mistake, you just made your second mistake"

-Confuscious


WOW! How long have I packed this gem along on the trip? - a long time. I think I picked this pearl up almost 30 years ago

This one comes in handy everywhere - but it really came in handy back in my days of lending.

When you are doing someone's loan (or anything, I suppose) - it is very easy for a mistake to be made. Often, to correct the mistake, meant going back to the customer to get more information which clearly put on display that you screwed up. The prospect of putting that out there could be scary.....embarrassing.....downright PAINFUL

Which is why many of my peers said - "eh...we'll just let it slide," and then it would blow up in their face later on.

Not me - yes, did I end up fixing some mistakes that may have worked themselves out? I am sure I did. The problem is that you just don't KNOW which mistakes will boomerang back at you.

I was very good at what I did - and, later in my career, didn't make that many errors.

A skill that I did pick up - was recognizing my mistakes, owning them, and fixing them fast.

Take the quote above - and stick it in your back pocket. You WILL find it useful.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1095


HappyUP!!! - my Toastmasters meeting
Why it happened - it's Tuesday
Why it makes me happy - we had two AWESOME speeches today. I love it when the speakers get out of comfort and go to the next level

HappyUP!!! - new member
Why it happened - he visited
Why it makes me happy - Morgan is a cool dude...he knows he needs the help...he visited today...and recognized that this is where he needs to be

HappyUP!!! - scoring decent Bon Jovi tickets
Why it happened - I went on line
Why it makes me happy - it will be really cool to go to this show.....really cool

HappyUP!!! - laying down a scratch track
Why it happened - I set myself up to record
Why it makes me happy - I have had this one cookin for awhile. I think the tune and idea is pretty damn cool. I don't like the scratch...but it is a scratch....I can't wait to hear from friends to see if "the story" gets conveyed...it's all about the story.]

JollyJottings

Great sleep
Wonderful speeches
A new member
Layind down a solid scratch track
BBQ pork chops
Music

Monday, January 25, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1094


HappyUP!!! - brekko
Why it happened - I was hungry
Why it makes me happy - I hadn't had an omelette out and about in forever. I got some critical reading done....tough reading but very soul satisfying. Just a pleasant morning out watching the raindrops.

HappyUP!!! - getting some stuff moved around
Why it happened - you get sick and tired of being sick and tired
Why it makes me happy - I created some room to record....of course, now that I have done it, it will probably stop raining and I will be back on the golf course! Still, no issues....didn't get anything good laid down today but made a couple of legitimate passes.

HappyUP!!! - stock market
Why it happened - who knows
Why it makes me happy - last week was a little worrisome....today was not a huge win but the tide got stemmed a bit.

HappyUP!!! - great e-mail exchanges
Why it happened - I have some good friends in town and out
Why it makes me happy - always cool to know what other people have going on. I couldn't believe what a buddy down Fresno way is up to....what a brutal schedule.....ALMOST makes me feel guilty!

JollyJottings

Brekko
Chatting with a buddy
Great reading on a rainy day
Stock market

Sunday, January 24, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1093



HappyUP!!! - the double stack
Why it happened - two championship football games...lots of chair time
Why it makes me happy - though my two children are great friends, they don't like to share chair time. Here we are, enjoying today's games....especially the Saints/Vikings deal...what a game!

HappyUP!!! - great sleep
Why it happened - who knows
Why it makes me happy - I logged darn near 9 hours last night...a near record for me even though it was interrupted. Amazing.

HappyUP!!! - good contact with a buddy
Why it happened - we texted and talked
Why it makes me happy - we had some small loops...tiny loops...loops that shouldn't even be there. They are smoothed out and we'll get together this week to put the road in the right direction...no doubt!

HappyUP!!! - throwing down on a friend
Why it happened - sometimes you have to lay it down
Why it makes me happy - no friendship will be just lost.....just clarified...perfectly!

JollyJottings

Great sleep
Double stack
Great football
Invite to the donk
Getting back in touch with a friend

Saturday, January 23, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1092



HappyUP!!! - my buddy
Why it happened - we were on Facebook
Why it makes me happy - my bud was saying he was going to see a guy from Santa Cruz guitars. I said that I owned one...gave him the serial number....and the guy that made it. Turns out, the guy that made it was the guy he was going to see. So, pictured here, is the luthier who ground out my Santa Cruz guitar. How cool is that? Not only that but the luthier is going to look up the serial number and get info to my buddy to pass on to me. Again....how cool is that?

HappyUP!!! - coffee with my buddy
Why it happened - I didn't play golf
Why it makes me happy - what's better than a lazy Saturday morning at Starbucks hanging with your buddy....solving the world's problems....and sharing vital information. Good times.

HappyUP!!! - excellent guitar time
Why it happened - it was a lazy Saturday afternoon
Why it makes me happy - broke no new ground...what else is new...but did build up some "finger/callous" time. I had some pretty good rhythm's going....got to love that.

HappyUP!!! - got into the Olympic Club
Why it happened - I went to the website
Why it makes me happy - 28 years ago was the last time I qualified for the State Amateur....and I did it at the Ocean Course at Olympic Club. Now, I'll have to go against the kids...the bombers....and I have 3 months to get my game elevated. Why not?



JollyJottings

Brekko at the club
Coffee with family
More coffee with my buddy
Texting with some friends
Wailing out some guitar chops
Got into Olympic Club
GREAT evening

QuoteUP!!! 20 Albert Einstein


"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted"

-Albert Einstein

This quote has been a favorite of mine - for a long time.....even before the small company I worked for merged into a bigger one........which then bought an equal of size........

......and I was now working for a monolith - that managed by the mantra, "If it can't be measured, it can't be managed."

No knocks on the monolith - but there is a huge component missed in the "measured/managed" motto.

In the end - it's the people that work for you that matter....and it's a distinct advantage a smaller business....a more democratice organization....will always have over the Corporate Behemoth.

Think of your own family - can you measure, "Love"? Yet, what is the bedrock to that "organization"?

Why is that? - because it is very important to the individual

In a large organization - not only is there no love, you can't even SAY the word.

I was surprised to get a look once - at an HR program that was being prototyped...."Employees: Love em or Lose em".

Did I say surprised? - how about astounded? The Monolith was actually going to roll something using the "L word" with their employees?........

........and the program was never rolled - Shocking....news at 11.

How about "the little things" - can you measure them?......perhaps....but, to do it, would require such quantification of minutae that people spend all their time COUNTING rather than DOING (a condition of much frustration to many managers today).

Measurements are important - but they will never be all important because you can never measure "that special something" that someone has.....or can do for you.....never.

Friday, January 22, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1091


HappyUP!!! - a great walk
Why it happened - no rain tonight
Why it makes me happy - everything smelled so fresh after so much rain. On more than one occasion, I think I smelled the aroma of fabric softener being dispensed from dryer vents. The air was so clean, it had nothing to compete with. It smelled so sweet.

HappyUP!!! - finding a spare D string
Why it happened - I snapped one last night
Why it makes me happy - while it would have been infinitely more fun to find a stray G string laying around, I actually needed a D string after busting one last night. I didn't have to cannibalize a new set of strings either

HappyUP!!! - great group set up for tomorrow
Why it happened - everyone wants to play
Why it makes me happy - I'll get to see the Laff for the first time in weeks.....and my other buddies for the first time in a week or so. Haven't touched a club for a week.

JollyJottings

Finding a spare D string

Welcoming home a friend

Thursday, January 21, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1090


HappyUP!!! - pancakes
Why it happened - I had a breakfast appointment
Why it makes me happy - it had been a couple of weeks....I love my Pacific Street pancakes (short stack only) and a side of sausage

HappyUP!!! - time with my buddy
Why it happened - we went to breakfast
Why it makes me happy - love spending time with this dear friend. Just absolutely love it.

HappyUP!!! - e-mail from the Laff
Why it happened - he was thinking of me
Why it makes me happy - I miss the Laff.......but it does appear that we will get to the golf course very soon for some hijinx.

HappyUP!!! - hooking up with an old work friend
Why it happened - I am working on a project for him
Why it makes me happy - when I can do some recruiting for a buddy and help them along, it always makes me happy. My buddy has a good thing going on...and, god only knows, people in the industry need alternatives where they can go and are appreciated.

JollyJottings

Pancakes
Brekko with my buddy
Good workout
Great music mix piping through
E-mail from the Laff

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1089


HappyUP!!! - Looking Forward
Why it happened - I got to thinking
Why it makes me happy - we'll see if I end up going through with it but the budget director (me) has approved the cost of a feasibility study to explore the master bedroom addition. It may be cost prohibitive but the HappyUP!!! was thinking about how NICE of an upgrade this would be.

HappyUP!!! - bed on a blustery day
Why it happened - I was a little tired
Why it makes me happy - I live in an old home. After an early morning meeting, I went upstairs to my bedroom where you could more than hear today's storm....you could almost feel it. It was an awesome thing to be able to lie on the bed for a bit and just here the pounding outside

HappyUP!!! - a real workout
Why it happened - it's time
Why it makes me happy - is this the first step of the journey of 1000 miles? Who knows.....that will probably be predicated on whether I kept day one light enough not to be crippled for a week like the last time I tried this program. No matter...it felt good to do it.

HappyUP!!! - texting with my buddy
Why it happened - my buddy gave me a tap
Why it makes me happy - just another fun exchange between me and a buddy of mine


JollyJottings

Texting with friends
Visiting with my brof
Real workout

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1088


HappyUP!!! - Skyping with a friend
Why it happened - I am learning Skype
Why it makes me happy - Skype helps you be there when you are not. It's an amazing tool

HappyUP!!! - e-mail from another friend
Why it happened - this old friend sought me out
Why it makes me happy - when I was in the industry, there were some people that were gems. I had left some messages during the time that were unreturned....no big deal as my industry went through constant change. I was honored that this buddy looked me up, dug for my contact info, and sought me out. We had a lovely Skype and will be grabbing lunch in the future. NOTE: when you come across REALLY good people....don't let them go

HappyUP!!! - Kathy's Speech
Why it happened - Toastmasters
Why it makes me happy - she was able to deliver a speech today that was very personal. It brought tears to my eyes...and I am not an easy audience. This was so far from where she started a few months ago. To see this kind of growth in a person...and be priviliged to witness such a talk....was such an honor that I just can't explain it other than it is why I show up every Tuesday at Toastmasters. I was blown away

HappyUP!!! - a bittersweet goodby
Why it happened - fate
Why it makes me happy - I helped a DEAR friend get straight in direction. It comes at
some cost to me but, in the end, my friend is on the path that was chosen....and it was a
path I helped pave. I am enriched.

JollyJottings

Tears from a speech
My Toastmaster's Club
E-mail from a long lost friend KM
E-mailing with a partner in crime
Skyping with a buddy
Doing some recording
The rain
Talking with my industry buddy, MM
Lining up some recruits

Monday, January 18, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1087


HappyUP!!! - not having to work today
Why it happened - I'm retired
Why it makes me happy - I know..you are saying, "how can that be a HappyUP!!! when you never work?" Well, I used to work for the mortgage division of a bank. Title companies were closed.....the bank was closed...we were open. Because I was one of the so called "big bosses", I felt I had to show the staff that, "yes, as much as I don't like it, we're open." While these were usually "light" days, I still had to be there and I didn't care much for it. I am so happy on these days not to worry about it that it is beyond belief

HappyUP!!! - unclogging the downspouts
Why it happened - it was pouring
Why it makes me happy - I don't know why I don't do preventitive maintenance on the gutters. I don't think I have ever cleaned out a gutter when I wasn't wearing a raincoat. Today was more of the same. I had clogged spouts everywhere. While being pelted by the deluge is not my idea of a good time, the second I grabbed the clog and the water started pouring through, there was an instant rush of, "....I fixed it." Yeah....that makes me happy. Hey, call me a cheap date but it really did make me happy.

HappyUP!!! - some Starbucks and morning reflection
Why it happened - I woke up with a strange bittersweet/meloncholy feeling
Why it makes me happy - it didn't take long for me to figure out the source of the discomfort in my gut. By and large, I am a thinker....I have very few regrets. Yesterday, I had mistreated someone....not horribly....the other person probably didn't even know it. But...I did....at least, upon reflection. When I figured it out, I did my best to close whatever loop I had opened.

JollyJottings

Not having to work on this day
Starbucks
Some good morning reflection
Trading an e-mail with a wonderful friend
Meeting up peeps throughout the day
Unclogging the downspouts

Eccentric


I was talking to a friend - yeah, I have some of those

My friend had been talking to another mutual friend - and asked the mutual friend, "how would you describe the Nutster."

Now, the mutual friend - is not a long time contact...someone I have really not had a ton
of contact with

The mutual friend said - "eccentric"

Eccentric, when used as a noun - a person of unconventional and slightly strange views or behavior : he enjoys a colorful reputation as an engaging eccentric.

Eccentric, when used as an adjective - (of a person or their behavior) unconventional and slightly strange :my favorite aunt is very eccentric.

Now I swear - I did not put those sentences in. They were in my on-line dictionary. Eccentric sounds like a good thing

Or, as Bruce Cockburn put it - the trouble with normal is it always gets worse


Thanks - mutual friend

It's good to know - I still got it!

HappyUP!!!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1086



HappyUP!!! - a buddy stopping by on a rainy day
Why it happened - it was raining
Why it makes me happy - sometimes, on a rainy Sunday afternoon, the best thing you can ever do is hang out with your friends and let it rain. Today qualified.

HappyUP!! - the Great (Meat)Loaf Off
Why it happened - we set it up
Why it makes me happy - I at least got a draw out of it. We have sent the byproducts to the outside consultants for a final determination. Just glad I didn't get smoked out of the gate.

HappyUP!!! - time for reflection...and cleaning
Why it happened - it rained
Why it makes me happy - any other day, I would have felt like I should have played golf. I spent a little extra time tidying the house up today....and it makes me feel better. It also gave me time to think of important things and people in my life and where they belong. I am so enriched and lucky to be where I am. I need to pinch myself.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1085


HappyUP!!! - playing in first tournament of year
Why it happened - my partner and I got pulled in
Why it makes me happy - we were outgunned today scorewise....but not THAT bad in ball striking. We didn't make a SINGLE putt....and we must have lipped out 8 that could have fallen. We get those to drop....and things are respectable. Still, it was good to be out there

HappyUP!!! - birdie on the first hole
Why it happened - my partner hit it close
Why it makes me happy - he missed the putt but I was able to clean up that 5 footer (OK...we made a 5 foot putt....but that literally was IT). We were off to a good start...HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - getting a little pop back in the driver
Why it happened - the pro gave me a little help on the range
Why it makes me happy - when I hit my driver, I get it out there with the average length guys. THAT has not been happening much lately. I now have something to work on. I uncorked a few during and toward the end of the round today that WORKED.

HappyUP!!! - iTunes fixed
Why it happened - I went to the Apple Store
Why it makes me happy - it was an EASY fix....I knew it would be....and I learned something. I also don't have to play my iPhone through my Bose as my sole music source. I'm back in the iTunes business!

JollyJottings

Birdie on the first hole
Brekko with the guys from club
Getting my iTunes fixed
Firming up some plans
Helping out a friend
Getting a little pop back in the driver
Getting a quick tip/fix from the golf pro

Friday, January 15, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1084


HappyUP!!! - parring the first 5 holes
Why it happened - good chipping and putting
Why it makes me happy - when I get through our first 5 holes even, I usually figure that I can score
on the front 9. Well....the bogey train hit but, after 5, I was where I wanted to be.

HappyUP!!! - slapping it around with the pros
Why it happened - they grabbed my partner and I as we were packing up
Why it makes me happy - I had been hitting my driver like dog doo....all of a sudden, playing with the big boys, I realized that wasn't going to cut it and drove the ball as well as I have for awhile. Needed that little shot in the arm going into the tournament this weekend

HappyUP!!! - going to the dump
Why it happened - I got off my butt
Why it makes me happy - how many people get this little task done....before 9 a.m.? It's a great start of the day to notch that on the belt early.

JollyJottings

Texting with a buddy
Parring the first 5 holes
Getting out with a small loss
Slapping it around with the pros
Getting the driver going


Thursday, January 14, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1083


HappyUP!!! - better posture to the ball
Why it happened - I keep working at it
Why it makes me happy - I haven't worked it on the range enough....but my bad shots aren't as bad and some of my shots are PUUUUURE. Balance is better. On the right track.

HappyUP!!! - closing a loop
Why it happened - communication
Why it makes me happy - I hate it when things are left hanging. Closed one today

HappyUP!!! - weekend plans
Why it happened - I put some together
Why it makes me happy - it's going to be busy...mostly dominated by me acquiescing to my golfing partner to play in a tournament. Lots of fun this weekend.

HappyUP!!! - losing
Why it happened - beat with a birdie
Why it makes me happy - OK...I HATE to lose.....but I had a 20 foot birdie putt on the last hole. I missed. My RFer of an opponent hit a great shot from the boonies to 10 feet...and took me down. Hats off.

JollyJottings

Tons of great shots
Better posture to the ball
Closing a loop
Plans for the weekend

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1082


HappyUP!!! - getting on it this morning
Why it happened - got a bit of that "that's it, that's all"
Why it makes me happy - sometimes you need that interior kick in the fanny to
get moving on a project you don't want to do.

HappyUP!!! - chutt in...putt in...back to back
Why it happened - who knows...bit of luck..touch of skill
Why it makes me happy - not often that I birdie number 5 at our course...and then birdie the next hole.......and then come a whisper within birdieing the following hole.

HappyUP!!! - some pure...pure irons
Why it happened - working on new stuff
Why it makes me happy - golf is Satan's sport. I hit about 4 irons RIGHT on the button today...you can go rounds without hitting any like that.....along with them came some of the most horrific irons that I could hit....go figure.....but as long as that purity looms, one is hooked...and that is what I remember...HappyUP!!!

JollyJottings

Cars washed
Coffee with my bud
Truck loaded for dump
Call to golf
Back to back birdies
Scrambling/Cobbling together a decent score
Splendid weather
Making plans
Talking with the Merch
Closing a loop with VL


Tuesday, January 12, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1081



HappyUP!!! - meat loaf
Why it happened - I made some
Why it makes me happy - I just started making this dish again.....why so many years without...it's soooooooooo goooooood.

HappyUP!!! - rain
Why it happened - I didn't see it coming
Why it makes me happy - I enjoyed waking up to the sound of an unexpected rain today. It was nice...been a bit since a good rainstorm

HappyUP!!! - helping out a friend
Why it happened - I noticed an opportunity
Why it makes me happy - not sure the opportunity will work out for my buddy but it made me feel good to present it for both of my friends. Networking at it's finest

HappyUP!!! - new vacation spot
Why it happened - I saw it on a friend's Facebook
Why it makes me happy - it's pricey......but I gotta go....more on when I commit but I gotta go

HappyUP!!! - lots to look forward to
Why it happened - my friends
Why it makes me happy - good times ahead....and not that far away.



JollyJottings

Toastmasters
Rain
Meatloaf
Getting some year end accounting done
Texting with friends
Setting up Brekko
Nice call with former biz colleague
A couple of great speech ideas

Monday, January 11, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1080



HappyUP!!! - waking up in a room with a view
Why it happened - quick road trip
Why it makes me happy - yes, it was a bit foggy in Sausalito...but still beautiful. Love Sausalito.

HappyUP!!! - early morning Skins Game invite
Why it happened - I play golf at a club
Why it makes me happy - I had planned to kick around Sausalito and gently meander back. While the view was nice, I hadn't packed my jeans....and I was ready to go back to some SERIOUS golfing.

HappyUP!!! - taking down the Tov
Why it happened - he played crappy
Why it makes me happy - I got into his wallet today. I am working my way back to even. I like it better when we both play well....in today's case, I just played less crappily. Yet, at the end of the day, I am closer to getting our personal ledger back to even.

HappyUP!!! - holding off PENO
Why it happened - he was in our group
Why it makes me happy - despite my crappy play, I managed to only give up $5 to this fine player....even though he has to give me a lot of strokes due to where I am at right now. PENO could have taken me to the cleaners today if he was on his game. It was a HappyUP!!! to only cough up a five spot.

HappyUP!!! - communications with my friends
Why it happened - phone...text...e-mails
Why it makes me happy - I love where I am at with my friends....my communications with all today were bright spots.

JollyJottings

Waking up to a room with a view
Driving home through the wine country
Great contact with my friends
Winning the team skins game
Par on 18
Bogey on 5
Second shot on 9
4th shot on 11
Chat with a buddy
Getting home
Helping someone out
Par on 2
Bunker shot on 17
Leftover Cesaer Dressing

Sunday, January 10, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1079



HappyUP!!! - Awesome Hotel Room
Why it happened - I blew out of town
Why it makes me happy - I could do the link...don't feel like it. If you have the chance to go to Sausalito, stay at Casa Madrona. Get yourself a Bay View room. Look out over the harbor on to Tiburon Bay. The tub isn't bad either.

HappyUP!!! - golfing with my buddies
Why it happened -we set it up
Why it makes me happy - we had a great time....I missed a 6 foot putt on 18 which only made a $40 difference...but that is why we wager....to come through in the clutch. I double clutched after a SPECTACULAR pitch shot (the real HappyUP!!!)

HappyUP!!! - Dinner at Poggio
Why it happened - it is connected to the hotel
Why it makes me happy - just an incredible dinner... absolutely awesome. One of the best meals I have had away from home in some time

HappyUP!!! - morning anticipation
Why it happened - fool proof day planned
Why it makes me happy - yes, the events that happened were all HappyUP!!!s in and of themselves. When I got up Sunday morning, I said, "short of a catastrophe, I have a GREAT day coming." It was a living large day.

JollyJottings

Golf with my friends
A nice drive
Great dinner
Awesome room
Knowing I had a great day ahead

Saturday, January 09, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1078


HappyUP!!! - 0ne on one with my best friend
Why it happened - we set it up
Why it makes me happy - been far too long since

HappyUP!!! - delicious pancakes
Why it happened - no golf today
Why it makes me happy - first pancakes I have in awhile......with exceptional company. GREAT conversation.

HappyUP!!! - seminar
Why it happened - I volunteered to lead one
Why it makes me happy - the turnout was light.....but we played to the people who were there...got some work done....and made a difference

HappyUP!!! - confirming some plans
Why it happened - texting
Why it makes me happy - my buddy and I have some fantastic things to chat about when we get together soon.

JollyJottings

Friday, January 08, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1077


HappyUP!!! - call from AK
Why it happened - 9 holes of golf
Why it makes me happy - AK was teeing it up with another of our pros....our teaching pro. I looked forward to getting in a quick 9. It was curtailed after 2 holes due to rain but we set a bookmark today. We'll get it done.

HappyUP!!! - walking
Why it happened - been pretty good this year
Why it makes me happy - a good walk does a lot of good things. Knocked down 6 miles today. Yes...love to run it...and maybe the feet will cooperate at some point....for now...Walk ON!!!

HappyUP!!! - booking some plans
Why it happened - time to get out of town
Why it makes me happy - I've never subscribed to the "sometimes you just need a change of scenery" school of thought.......but I bought a subscription for a day or two today. Looking forward to it

HappyUP!!! - confirmation for golf tournament
Why it happened - I put out the inquiry
Why it makes me happy - next weekend....first tournament of 2010....looking forward to it.

JollyJottings

Call from AK
Two hole golf game
Slapping it back with PENO
Confirmation for golf tournament
Booking some plans
Cool texts with friends

QuoteUP!!! 19 Bruck Cockburn

"Nothing worth having doesn't come without a fight.......you gotta kick at the
darkness till it bleeds daylight"

-Bruce Cockburn, Lovers In A Dangerous Time

Did some deejaying - for public radio back in the 80's. I remember grabbing this track to take with me one night. Cockburn has had a couple of tunes that hit the charts (Wondering Where the Lions Are.....If I Had a Rocket Launcher).

He's an amazing artist - his body of work is always rooted in the human condition.

Most of my favorite songs - are his.

So, as I was iPodding along on my walk tonight - and heard this track, I said, "sounds like a QuoteUP!!! to me.....just like it did 25 years ago."

Timelessness -....that, my friends, is a HappyUP!!!

Thursday, January 07, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1076


Yep - yesterday I caught an inside pitch to the chin....but you dust off, get back up, look forward....

......and, low and behold - today ends up being a banner day!!! Much more good stuff going on than a guy can report here.

HappyUP!!! - Berries and Cream
Why it happened - seemed like that kind of night
Why it makes me happy - I have never actually whipped cream for this purpose. I have whipped it with chocolate to make a mousse....but never with a bit of sugar and vanilla for berry dipping.....delicious!

HappyUP!!! - playing with the pro
Why it happened - he had the day open
Why it makes me happy - I tied him..........tells you that he didn't play that well!!! LOL

HappyUP!!! - 4 birdies on the bonus 9
Why it happened - made some stupid putts
Why it makes me happy - since golfing again, the most birdies I have had in one round is 4........I had all of those in 9 holes....love the birdies.

HappyUP!!! - 27 holes in great weather...with great guys
Why it happened - weather?...I have no control...the guys?...I'm a good picker of friends?
Why it makes me happy - weather......great company....golf.......c'mon....pinch me...I must
be dreaming


JollyJottings


Waking up lovin life
27 holes with no waiting
Chipping in
Back on the friends list

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1075

HappyUP!!! - my cats
Why it happened - who knows
Why it makes me happy - it is rare that I get the double stack. "Dad" got a little troubling news today....not a huge deal....do you think they knew? Cats are mysterious....and awesome!

HappyUP!!! - pro joining us
Why it happened - we were a twosome
Why it makes me happy - it's always a treat when the Head Pro joins us for a round of golf. While it didn't elevate my game today, it's nice to play with people of a higher skill set

HappyUP!!! - closing a loop
Why it happened - I reached out
Why it makes me happy - my best friend forever and I have had an "open loop" in the background for waaaaay to long. I think we closed it tonight...or at least came close....I love this person as much as anyone and it was nice to bring issue to the fore.

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1074


HappyUP!!! - progress on the golf course
Why it happened - working on a swing change
Why it makes me happy - it wasn't quite as good as yesterday but a bit of range time will get me
back to playing solidly. After the slump I have been in, BIG HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - dinner
Why it happened - I eat
Why it makes me happy - my cesaer along with my special zucchini.....does it get better than that?

HappyUP!!! - hanging with a buddy
Why it happened - we set it up
Why it makes me happy - my buddy was having a tough day....always good when you can cheer a friend up.

JollyJottings

Monday, January 04, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1073


HappyUP!!! - shooting best round in awhile
Why it happened - I made a posture adjustment
Why it makes me happy - I had been driving the ball very short....and crooked.....for too long.
Figured something out on the range today...just something as simple as standing a little taller to the ball....not being as bent from the waist.....BOOM. 75 with two double bogeys from the 7000 yard tees.

HappyUP!!! - 20 foot putt on 9
Why it happened - I was desperate
Why it makes me happy - if I don't make that, I lose 3 bets rather than 1. When you step up to the must make....and make it.....there is nothing better.

HappyUP!!! - weather
Why it happened - who knows....what a January day
Why it makes me happy - we got in 36 holes in about 6 hours. It actually started feeling warm in the afternoon.

HappyUP!!! - top down
Why it happened - see weather
Why it makes me happy - I like to get at least one top down drive in each month.....January is covered!

HappyUP!!! - 5 iron into 34th hole
Why it happened - I was swinging it pretty good
Why it makes me happy - it was a critical part of my match. Tough back right hole location....you either get it on that part of the green or it's a 4 at best. I hit it up with a nice fade and watched it drift right back by the hole. THAT is why you put up with so many bad rounds.

JollyJotting

Dropping a putt on the 9th hole
5 iron into the 34th hole
36 holes of golf
Brilliant January weather
Top down

Sunday, January 03, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1072


HappyUP!!! - putt on 9
Why it happened - desperation?
Why it makes me happy - after screwing up my approach and a chip, I was faced with a curling 20 footer to save my bacon......draino!!!

HappyUP!!! - 5 iron into 16
Why it happened - I was the one today that put the right move on it
Why it makes me happy - when they cut the pin long left on this hole, you need to risk putting it in the water. If you hit the green short or left, you'll make a bogey because you didn't get it "down in the pit." Today, I knocked it down there.......and made the putt for a birdie when I needed it.

HappyUP!!! - meeting up with a buddy
Why it happened - my bud called me
Why it makes me happy - it was cool to get together on this deal and jam a bit


JollyJottings

Laundry done
Fresh bed
kitchen clean
guitar time
Golfing weather

Saturday, January 02, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1071


HappyUP!!! - up and down from bunker on 18
Why it happened - I hit a great sand shot and a better putt
Why it makes me happy - 18 was a HUUUUUGE swing hole today....that little save was the difference between a good win and a small loss

HappyUP!!! - up and down for par...from 200 yds
Why it happened - I pulled my second shot into a hazard
Why it makes me happy - I was dead....DEAD...on this hole. I was lying 3 on this par 5 Sixty yards behind my opponents who were lying 2. I hit that hybrid right on the button to 15 feet and made the putt for a tie.

HappyUP!!! - three birdies
Why it happened - they were all different
Why it makes me happy - birdies have been scarce lately. Made one very conventionally, another with a NICE little chip in, and another with a 20 foot putt. Birdies make up for a lot of evils.

HappyUP!!! - talking with my buddy
Why it happened - my buddy shot me a text
Why it makes me happy - we just keep missing each other but I'm sure we'll get together soon. I really need to make more time for friends in 2010.

Friday, January 01, 2010

HappyUP!!! Day 1070 - Happy New Year 2010


HappyUP!!! - jammin with the Dominator
Why it happened - he gave me a call
Why it makes me happy - the Dominator showed me a few licks as well as addes some fancy stuff to a couple of my songs. Gave me some ideas to build on. Cool stuff.

HappyUP!!! - 4 miler
Why it happened - I hit the road
Why it makes me happy - it was a GREAT time to be out this morning...a couple of raindrops is all I got...which was a good thing because I wasn't in a jacket. It started coming down when I got done.

HappyUP!!! - invite to the Rose Bowl
Why it happened - a buddy and I were texting
Why it makes me happy - I was busy around the house so I didn't go....but it's always nice to get any invitation.