HappyUP!!! Day 232....it's Sunday

HappyUP!!! - a quick recovery from food poisoning
Why it happened - not sure
Why it made me happy - at 4 this morning, there was no way I would be playing golf at 9. Though I was a little concerned about being out on the course "without a net," I was relieved that the illness "passed" rather quickly (...and abruptly).

HappyUP!!! - some good golf
Why it happened - I have been playing more....and I kept the driver in the fairway
Why it made me happy - I tooled around a challenging course in 78 today. That is my best score in years. I even gave a few shots away.

HappyUP!!! - Mumbo Gumbo
Why it happened - they play in the park every September to close the Music in the Park series
Why it makes me happy - the piano/accordion player is an old friend. He was also the guy that showed me how to play guitar. I always think of him fondly for that. MG plays a cajun type jazz fusion. It's unique and even got me out there moving my groove thing.....sometimes I forget I have a groove thing.

JollyJottings

Food poisoning was minor
Played some good golf
Golfing with my buddy
Meeting a new friend on the golf course
Solheim Cup
Top down driving
Gorgeous Day
Weigh in
Dinner
Mumbo Gumbo

HappyUP!!! Day 231....Saturday

HappyUP!!! - top down drive to San Francisco
Why it happened - I took a dinner invite into the city
Why it made me happy - today is why I have a convertible. 65 MPH....2 hrs....78-80 degrees...and then getting the smells off the bay at the end. Ahhhh.....

HappyUP!!! - a call from a friend
Why it happened - another friend is having some challenges
Why it made me happy - I love talking to this guy. We don't get to do it that often. I got the added bonus of getting to see him and his wife. They were out here on the coast helping another friend. While I wish the circumstances around the call were a little more uplifting, it was still good to hear from him....and get the reminder that he is one good man (and his wife is pretty great too).

HappyUP!!! - breakfast with my adopted family
Why it happened - it often does on Saturday
Why it made me happy - I hadn't ate with the clan in about three weeks. Today was particularly lively.

JollyJottings

Golf tomorrow
One Root Festival
Sleeping
Call from a friend...and an invitation
A top down drive to SF
Whole Foods
Seeing some friends I rarely see

HappyUP!!! Day 230

HappyUP!!! - wonderful breakfast
Why it happened - I had a recruiting appointment
Why it made me happy - I enjoyed letting someone know that there is a place for them where their careers can flourish....especially when they are already there.

HappyUP!!! - dinner
Why it happened - we had a get together after work...which led to dinner
Why it made me happy - I ate with a couple who is dear to me. My contact with them isn't as day to day as it once was with the gentleman of the couple but they are still important to me...as are so many others that I have been blessed with as friends.

HappyUP!!! - recovery from a boo boo
Why it happened - I was scheduled to present on a conference call
Why it made me happy - because of my focus on the breakfast, I thought the call I was supposed to be on started at 10. It was 9:30. I knew that I wasn't first up so as I joined the call at 10:05, I thought I would be fine. Nope....I was already late for the stage. Yet, I was prepared and delivered .

HappyUP!!! Day 229

HappyUP!!! - an evening with Kevin Johnson
Why it happened - he spoke to our group
Why it makes me happy - Kevin spearheaded a movement to take the struggling high school, Sac High, and make it into a charter school. In the space of four years, the kids that were accepted to go to a four year college went from 20% to 80%. In the process, he has helped make the local community to the high school a better place to live. He went to school there, his parents went to school there, and so did his grandparents. Through St Hope, it was neat to see and hear how much an NBA star has given back.

HappyUP!!! - getting through what could have been a tough meeting
Why it happened - it was my monthly meeting with my direct reports
Why it makes me happy - I recently inherited 3 managers. My world may be overcrowded...it may be the right size for the future. It's my job to get them to give it their all so the latter ends up being the case. We made some progress today.

HappyUP!!! - excellent appetizers
Why it happened - I was at the event Kevin Johnson was at
Why it makes me happy - tasty and well prepared hours de oeuvres are always a treat. Wait...are they appetizers if they ended up being dinner?

HappyUP!!! Day 228

HappyUP!!! - great night's sleep
Why it happened - I'm not sure
Why it made me happy - it was difficult for me to get out of bed! I know, many go, "hey, that's my everyday existence." It's not for me....not because I sleep poorly. I could just tell that I was sleeping really well last night. I was having more dreams (which, of course, I can't remember at the moment).

HappyUP!!! - an invite to have breakfast with the governor of California
Why it happened - I am part of an initiative that he backs
Why it made me happy - I had to say, "no, I have something scheduled that is more important." It's the truth. I would be at that breakfast but I really have a more pressing engagement.

HappyUP!!! - traffic court
Why it happened - I was accused of driving at an unsafe speed
Why it made me happy - I was found guilty of 50 in a 35 (that should be a 40...no question). It doesn't mean that I was. So, because it is the first ticket I have received in years, I will be signing up for traffic school. The HappyUP!!! was that I had as fair a day in court that you could have. I probably could have represented myself a little better...but it would have required lying. No can do. Personally, I think that Lidar guns give a policeman the option to lie to. I'll be doing my research on that...another HappyUP!!!....something to research. Though I didn't get the outcome I wanted, it was a HappyUP!!! because of the system our country has.

HappyUP!!! Day 227

HappyUP!!! - an In-N-Out Burger with a chocolate shake
Why it happened - I worked late and was starving
Why it made me happy - I hadn't had a fast burger in a long time. Yes, it was not a good ending to a fairly light eating day but I really did enjoy that burger. Just can't make it a habit.

HappyUP!!! - Toastmasters
Why it happened - it's Tuesday
Why it made me happy - our oldest member is 90 years old. He was doing a Table Topics and just cracked us up.

HappyUP!!! - return call and appointment with a BIG recruit
Why it happened - I made the call
Why it made me happy - she wants to meet with me. It doesn't bring her on board yet but it is a step closer. This would be a huge hire!

JollyJottings

Toastmasters
Set up recruiting meeting
Got 4 reviews done
Triumphing over what looked like disaster
Another commitment from a recruit to get together

HappyUP!!! Day 226

HappyUP!!! - Warren Buffett Interview
Why it happened - I flipped on the tube
Why it made me happy - here is the 2nd richest guy in the world.....and he has lived in the same old house for 48 years. He drives modest cars. No entourage. This will be a seperate blog entry. His message was pretty easy....keep it simple

HappyUP!!! - fixed financials
Why it happened - I asked for them to be fixed
Why it made me happy - I asked on Friday and they got fixed today....that does not happen very often

HappyUP!!! - got my car into the shop
Why it happened - it was scheduled but my ride bailed
Why it made me happy - I was able to call on my brother to come and pick me up. Now, I don't need to think about it in the morning.

HappyUP!!! - set up some golf on Sunday
Why it happened - I called a guy about something else...and laid a guilt trip on him
Why it made me happy - he called me out. "You want to play golf? This Sunday. 9 a.m. Whitney Oaks". I have a great tee time just waiting for me and 6 days to look forward to it....I better get to the range!

JollyJottings

Monday meeting
Warren Buffett interview
Brother picked me up
Conference call
Fixed financials
People got paid

HappyUP!!! Day 225

HappyUP!!! - concert for dad
Why it happened - the Randies were in town
Why it made me happy - the girls went into my ailing father's room and did an acoustic performance of an old REO Speedwagon tune. I stayed in the living room because I would have been a distraction for him. He would have felt like he had to act a certain way to maintain his demeanor. I understand that he was waving his hands like a conductor. He really enjoyed the show. At this point in his life, anything that makes him happy makes me happy.

HappyUP!!! - dinner and the rotisserie
Why it happened - sis in law was making the big dinner for the brood
Why it made me happy - when you have a Sunday dinner for about 12 people who are all family-like connected, it can't be anything but a good time. Well, I guess it can if your family has a penchant for that. No issues on this occasion.

HappyUP!!! - easy truck repair
Why it happened - I needed a new battery
Why it made me happy - I know....it was just a battery. However, when I get under the hood, something else usually breaks. It was more of a pain to take it somewhere, wait, and get it done than just to head down to the Kragen and get it done. While I even made one bonehead move, no serious damage caused and I am rolling again!

JollyJottings

Rotissirie
Work info
Show tomorrow night
Concert for Dad
Football up and running
Weather...sleeping upstairs
Info for home improvement
Easy truck repair
Time with Joel and the Randies

HappyUP!!! Day 224

HappyUP!!! - I met the Randies
Why it happened - they are staying at my brother ans sis-in-laws house
Why it makes me happy -they seem, at first blush, like as nice enough of a group of young people as you are going to find. I was going to throw in "for band types" but no classification was needed. The Randies now feature my sis-in-laws son on drums (not pictured on the last album cover). It also made me happy to be around musicians out chasing the dream and doing what they want to do....keeping those peculiar hours...staying in weird places. It's an adventure and, from what I can tell, they are kicking some tail. The Randies






HappyUP!!! - trail riding on the mountain bike
Why it happened - I got an invitation
Why it makes me happy - what a hoot! It was actually a touch scary...especially putting my head into a tree. I knew there was a reason I wore that helmet. "Hey, you want to go for a trail ride. What? No...no...it's not technical at all." It was like riding my bike when I was a kid....except I don't recall thinking about eating it and how long the healing time would be when I was a lad.







HappyUP!!! - seeing Folsom Lake/Pond
Why it happened - I went on that trail ride
Why it makes me happy - it was an interesting site. Granted, it's not pretty. It's how it gets this time of year. This is where we get our drinking water from. During the winter, all that beach will cover over with water....well, at least that is the plan. I hadn't been out to the lake this year so it was good to see what was there.

On Writing

(A special post for my friends over at SundayScribblings )

What is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of writing? Pain. OK, that's not it. The first thing that comes to mind is that I really could be a writer. The second thing that comes to mind is pain.

My blog and my journal are mostly thoughts that I put down on paper or on-line. When I think of writing, I think of the craft of writing. You must create a flow that engages the reader and do it in a flat medium. The closest that I come to writing is when I am crafting a speech. Even there, I am working in vocal inflection, gestures, and facial changes that embellish the communication. The thought of working those things into written form of any length makes me think of the old "1% inspiration, 99% perspiration," and, to be honest, it is not something that I have ever been able to sit down and do.

Yet, in the back of my mind, I feel like it really is something that I should do. If the should becomes a must, the sweating will begin.

52 Answers

You can probably - figure out the questions from my answers. In the event that you can't, go here to my friend McNair's page. I'll give you the first few questions so you can get in the groove

1. Both of my brothers were older so I was named after they were. (Were you named after anyone?)
2. I cried last weekend visiting my terminally ill father (When was the last time you cried?)
3. I am fine with my handwriting...if I need something better, I do calligraphy (Do you like your handwriting?)
4. If a hot dog is a lunch meat....hot diggity dog me up! (What is your favorite lunch meat?)
5. I'd be a purple crayon (What color crayon would you be?)
6. Darn right I would be friends with me...I think I am...though we do get in tiffs on occasion. We are good right now. Thanks for asking. (Would you be friends with you?)
7. My sarcasm has been dialed back...sarcasm is a veiled way to say something you would never say to someone. (Do you use sarcasm alot?)
8. Yes, I have my tonsils...and, now that I told you, don't try to come steal them when I am sleeping (Do you still have your tonsils?)
9. I would bungee jump...but I don't feel compelled to. (Would you bungee jump?)
10. Captain Crunch with Crunchberries...why haven't I had it in decades? Ahoy, mates!
11. No, I do not untie my shoes when I take them off. I untie them BEFORE I take them off or I leave them untied AFTER I take them off. Untying them while taking them off sounds like a magic trick to me.
12. Physically, I am not that strong.
13. Coffee Blast from Double Rainbow...Trader Joes has my favorite ice cream
14. The first thing I notice about people is if they are HOT! Oh...wait...men are people too, aren't they?
15. Red or Pink? Fuscia
16. Least favorite thing - being indecisive in my personal life....well, I think that's it but I am not sure. I'll get back to you. (What is your least favorite thing about yourself?)
17. I miss my late mother the most
18. I want no one to send this back to me....I wouldn't torture my friends.
19. Camouflage shorts are adorning my legs and some black Birkenstocks have captured my feet.
20. I just ate some tortellini that my sis-in-law made......DEEEELICIOUS.
21. I am listening to the feint sound of my air conditioner in the background
22. I have no kids...no lambs...no piglets...or any other barnyard animals. (Do you have kids?)
23. Basil in my garden is a favorite smell. Fresh coffee is another.
24. I spoke with my friend Adrienne on the phone. I am going to hook him up with a deal.
25. I love McNair....despite him REQUIRING me to fill this out.
26. Hot shower is best for me...I prefer not to lay in my filth only to get up and have to towel soap off of me.
27. My hair color is a light brown. As long as I have hair, I will love whatever color it is.
28. I have Hazel eyes....that turn green...ooooh..spooky.
29. I wear no contact...I had Lasik surgery 8 years ago. What a miracle!
30. My favorite food is pizza. Ice cream. Peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream melting over it would take the cake though...wait...it would take the cobbler, I think. If it takes the cobbler, who makes the shoes? I digress
31. I am not a big enough movie person to have a favorite ending.
32. Last movie I watched? I am not a big enough movie person to remember.
33. I am wearing a maroon T-shirt from Territory Ahead
34. Winter over summer....but I prefer Fall...then Spring.
35. Kisses over hugs...and I mean that EXACTLY how I said it
36. My favorite sport to watch is GOLF...the major events.
37. Most likely to respond? I am not sending this anywhere
38. Least likely? See #37
39. I just finished "Happier" by Tal Ben-Shahar and am reading "The Three Signs of a Miserable Job" by Patrick Lencioni and "How to Have Kick Ass Ideas" by Chris Barez-Brown
40. What is on my mouse pad? Are you saying I have a small house? I use a laptop so I don't have a mouse pad but, if I did, I suppose the thing that would be on my mouse pad would be my mouse. Duh!
41. I didn't watch TV last night....I am sorry. I went to some friends house to give them some advice and help they needed. I'll try not to do that again. I should have been home watching TV so I could answer this question better. I think I just failed this test, didn't I?
42. My favorite sound is running water...but not those fountains that sound like a man taking a whiz! I don't suppose I would care for one that sounded like a female taking a whiz either but I have not encountered such a fountain. If you come across one of those, send it to me so I can validate my suspicion of aversion.
43. I'll take the Beatles over the Stones....but can I listen to The Who instead?
44. Which is farther from Sacramento? Florida, North Carolina, Jamaica, Cancun, or Maui. Dang it...where is my wall map and my ruler?
45. My special talent is being a smart ass....which is better than the alternative talent that I see many gravitate towards. I also can make spit hang out of my mouth down past my knee and suck the entire string back into my mouth. I shall not demonstrate this talent in public anymore because I have found the public lacks the social skills to appreciate my virtuosity in this area.
46. I was born in Roseville, California
47. I am not going to get any answers back! Would you please see #37...again. Didn't I tell you that already? How many times must I tell you? Off to your room!
48. My middle name is Andrew. It would have been my first name but my older brothers rebelled. There was no way they were going to be embarrassed by having to drag around Andy Pandy. Wow...I just realized I was named in order to pander to my brother's egos. It seems like I should have figured that out sooner. Hey, I guess that is why I go 48 deep in a questionairre.
49. I am not changing my name until the government says that I have to! When I do become famous, however, I am sure my agent will make me drop Nutter. Scott Andrew it will be....but I suppose I will need to add an "s" so it become Scott Andrews. Then, everyone will say, "are you related to Julie Andrews?" while they burst into a round of "doe, a deer, a female deer...." Yikes! I think I will leave the name alone despite the "have another Nutter Butter peanut butter sandwich cookie" that I still have to endure.
50. Shawshank Redemption is my favorite movie.
51. My favorite drink is lemonade. Back in my drinking day, "Tangueray...chilled...straight up...the vermouth is only allowed to look. No swimming."
52. Besides staring at that guys goiter, what do you do while waiting in a doctor's waiting room?

HappyUP!!! Day 223

OK, you home gamers - who think this HappyUP!!! is a bunch of nonsense. Today, you get your time in court. I had a steady drip of crap come to me...all day long.

...and I mean - all day long. By the end of the day, I decided to list out some CrappyDown!!!s.

...and I did - and then I was done with it. Nope, HappyUP!!! doesn't make you immune to the "stuff" because today would be a fine example. But, now that I am done with those, it's time to...you guessed it....

HappyUP!!! - an invitation
Why it happened - someone called me
Why it makes me happy - I get to do something new tomorrow

HappyUP!!! - being named in a friend's blog
Why it happened - who knows?
Why it makes me happy - it's always nice to know someone is thinking about you. Plus, though it took me forever to get through his 52 questions, it was an interesting self learning

HappyUP!!! - call from my boss at the end of the day
Why it happened - I think he saw I had tried to call him
Why it makes me happy - I got to voice a couple of my concerns and get some perspective.

HappyUP!!! Day 222

HappyUP!!! - my mechanic
Why it happened - I made the call
Why it makes me happy - they can take my car in Monday night. I have to go to a specialty place so it's not a "just drive it over there" kind of deal. I also know they will take care of the issue. Plus...it's probably not going to be as expensive as I thought.

HappyUP!!! - delicious tortellini
Why it happened - I stopped by my bro's to see my dad
Why it makes me happy - my sis-in-law and her son's girlfriend were there cooking together. The son's girlfriend seemed very nice....and the two of them turned out a delicious pasta! Wait...did I say it was delicious? It was delicious.

HappyUP!!! - appointment with a recruit
Why it happened - I made the call
Why it makes me happy - my job is to be picking up new people. This guy may be a good one! We'll see tomorrow.

HappyUP!!! Day 221

HappyUP!!! - my car got me through another day
Why it happened - I have developed a problem with the ignition....no, not under the hood...the place where you actually put the key in and take it out
Why it makes me happy - I didn't get stranded! I very easily could have. The problem first surfaced a couple of days ago. I now know I am pushing my luck. I'll be driving the truck until a remedy is found.

HappyUP!!! - business opportunity
Why it happened - it was referred to me
Why it makes me happy - while I don't know if we will move on it, I now know of something going on in the country that few do. It's always good to know what is going on.

HappyUP!!! - after hours appointment
Why it happened - I offered a favor
Why it makes me happy - there was no money in it for me. These weren't clients. They were people I knew that just needed some advice. I took the evening and just gave them the cogent steps they need to take to work out of a bit of a sticky situation.

HappyUP!!! Day 220

HappyUP!!! - Toastmasters
Why it happened - come on...it's Tuesday
Why it made me happy - we were short on members first day back from a 3 day holiday but long on enthusiasm and quality. I found out that we got 5 officers trained in recent trainings (4 were required). We had a lively meeting. I picked up a sunshine award.

HappyUP!!! - stuffed bell peppers
Why it happened - I made them yesterday
Why it made me happy - I had never made them before. I had no recipe. I just went off a hunch. I took the innards from some zucchini and sauteed them with garlic, basil, onions, black olives, and a some 5 minute brown rice. I baked them yesterday for about 13 minutes at 350. I pulled them out of the oven, removed the innards, mixed in some cheese and the leftover half of a steak, and stuck them in the fridge. I nuked one for lunch and one for dinner. WOW!!! INCREDIBLE! I do have to come clean. I bought the bell peppers. My ones from the garden just weren't big enough for proper stuffing. I'll be having this dish again....FOR SURE.

HappyUP!!! - solutions
Why it happened - I have been digesting a situation
Why it made me happy - I am taking my time before I move to solution on a persnickety little opportunity/issue that came up last week. Everyone would like answers. Sometimes a little time is exactly what you need to let the problem ferment. I smell a new answer starting to brew.

HappyUP!!! Day 219

HappyUP!!! - a lazy morning
Why it happened - it was Labor Day
Why it made me happy - I splurged on the diet and had a mocha. I just enjoyed the morning. I like the third day of a three day weekend. Some people fill them with activity. I look at it as a day to just enjoy as a day...to do whatever you want even if it isn't important

HappyUP!!! - a delicious steak and salad
Why it happened - I had time....and I hadn't had a real dinner for a bit
Why it made me happy - I picked up some Worchester Sauce. Pour it over a steak with a little garlic salt and fork/knife it in and you got what I got.....an absolutely delicious piece of beef

HappyUP!!! - new growth
Why it happened - I planted a pepper in a weird spot. Plus, I did some weeding
Why it made me happy - I got in late (planted late) with one pepper plant. I planted it in a spot that gets morning shade. Today, I saw the first evidence of peppers. YES! It was a test area this year. Next year, it will be fully developed for planting. Now, over on the melon front, I needed to do some weeding. The vine was getting choked. As I looked under the foliage, I found at least 4 cantaloupes developing. This would equate to the entire plants production for the year. I hadn't even seen these gems. Who knows? Maybe it is going to bust out here in the fall. There is a lot of vine there. Now, if that darn watermelon vine would get the same idea....

QuoteUP!!! 5...Thoreau on hurry

"Life is too short to be in too much
of a hurry" -Thoreau

Where do you want me to go with this? - or do I really even need to?

Is it advancing age - that makes me gravitate to this gem? I know there are a lot of speed freaks out there.

At the same time - I have always held to the fable about the tortoise and the hair. "Measure twice, cut once," also comes to mind.

Where would you take this?

HappyUP!!! Day 218

A lot to choose from today....hmmm...could knowing that I don't have to put in a full day tomorrow leaed to that. We have fun and getting things done all in the mix

HappyUP!!! - golf with my brother
Why it happened - he invited me
Why it made me happy - the score wasn't there but a lot of very properly struck shots were. It means I am on the right track. I also played with some good players...one guy shot 69! In a weird stroke of fate, I also one some money in a big pot we had going with a few other groups out there.....66 bucks worth!

HappyUP!!! - 23 miles of bike riding
Why it happened - I needed to do it
Why it made me happy - the old man still has some legs in him. Average about 17 mph. While far from my younger days, it is kind of a start. I am also digging the totally spent feeling in my legs this evening. It is a good exhaustion when you know you haven't injured yourself but your legs are pretty much thrashed.

HappyUP!!! - the weigh in
Why it happened - it's Sunday!
Why it made me happy - 2 pounds off since last week! I am now the lowest I have been in a year when the weight started going up. This is a good intersection to cross. 165 by Thanksgiving is very doable. What? Did you say, "go for 160?" Hmmmm....let's get to the 165 first and do a reassessment.


Jolly Jottings

Golf with brother
Perfect wedge shot
Perfect 9 iron off the hard pan
7-iron closest to the pin
3 birdies
Playing with good players
Starting to pick up a new tune on the guitar
23 mile bike ride
The good exhausted feeling after the bike ride
Sunday weigh in

HappyUP!!! Day 217

HappyUP!!! - falling back asleep
Why it happened - I NEEDED sleep
Why it made me happy - it made me peppy today! I caught a little insomnia around 1 a.m. I got up, did some stuff, and went back to work at 4. I woke up at 8:30 so I ended up getting the usual amount of sleep in. The other thing I am happy about is that it happened on a Friday night so I didn't have to worry about work and getting up early.

HappyUP!!! - trip to the bike store with my friend
Why it happened - he called me up and got me
Why it made me happy - this is my best friend's little brother. It's great that we can call each other up. I heard someone say that a man is lucky to have one good, really good, friend as he gets older. This is another guy that will be on my list.

HappyUP!!! - guitar course showed up
Why it happened - I ordered it
Why it made me happy - it gives me Labor Day weekend to mess around with it!

The End

(A special post for my friends at SundayScribblings )

"The End"

Once it's over, it's over. You look forward. There are factors that lead to endings. Sometimes we forget what they are and were over time. But there was usually a good reason to make the turns that we did. It may escape us but it is something to honor. We may retain some fond memories. We may be scared of looking forward but this is the direction that we will live. We have to spend our time there. We are better for the experience we gained so there is no need or room for regret. Everything really does happen for a reason. If we are lucky, very lucky, we are left with an honorable friendship.

People ask me, "Nutster, do you have any regrets?"

I say that there are some things that I wish may have turned out differently. The events that have happened have led me to be the person that I have become. I am the one that I must love today. I do. Who can have regrets for endings that lead to that?

The End

HappyUP!!! Day 216

HappyUP!!! - a lazy morning
Why it happened - I put in a long hard work day yesterday
Why it made me happy - I laugh when I hear "9-5." I don't have an "established time" that I go to work or leave work...I'm in management. I can say that going in at 9 is a rarity. I took my time this morning...did a little casual watering...I caught the President's speech. Yes, I have a lot to do at work....but some days, though rare, it's good to give yourself the gift of time.

HappyUP!!! - handling a tense situation
Why it happened - we are trying to get some big rules changed
Why it made me happy - I had to help get some people back oan task. It takes a cool head, ears that really listen, and a degree of understanding where the people are. It was a good piece of work.

HappyUP!!! - a car admirer
Why it happened - I was getting gas
Why it made me happy - the person pumping petrol next to me how I liked my car. He told me how he wants to get one. I helped him get closer to his dream. Now, truth be known, any car including my own isn't that exciting to me....but I am an aberration. I could have told him, "it was OK," but that would detract from his ride here on the orb. I felt good after the fill up.

HappyUP!!! Day 215

HappyUP!!! - breakfast with a friend/adviser
Why it happened - he made the call
Why it makes me happy - who knows who gives you the best financial advice in this world. The important thing is a guy that gives you great service, cares, and is someone that you trust. His job is to maintain my relationship but, through that, we have become friends. I enjoy our meetings

HappyUP!!! - positive signs from a recruit
Why it happened - I used a third party to intermediate
Why it makes me happy - I could have done this myself but I thought. THIS person, though I know them, may want to talk to my recruiter, a third party...someone he doesn't know. It was the right call on my part whether it turns into a new hire or not.

HappyUP!!! - great conversation with a recruit/friend
Why it happened - I dogged the guy
Why it makes me happy - I'd love to have this guy on my team. I don't know whether it will happen. If he leaves his company, he will come over to me. In the meantime, we had a friendly business conversation.

Donner Lake...."Who's For Lunch?"

That's a bad old joke!

I still remember - my trip to Truckee, California, 30 years ago. It was a time before tacky T-shirts were all the rage. There it was, in the tourist shop emblazoned with the title statement above with a picture of a family of settler's looking off in the distance.

Truckee has two claims to fame - there are times of the year when it is the coldest place in the United States. It was also the place where the Donner party ran into a little issue as they attempted to settle out into the West.

I can just imagine them arriving from somewhere - that you can see on the other end of the lake in this picture. They knew they were a little behind schedule. They saw this lake for the first time and probably said, "what a nice spot!"

Then, some bright guy in the group probably looked up to where I was standing to take this photo and said something like - "uh....excuse me....I think we are screwed!"

The Power of Positive Thinking - hadn't been written yet but there was probably a person that replied, "you are always so negative. It is what it is. If need be, we'll just hunker down, camp by the lake, and the trip is just going to take us a little longer than we planned."

Of course, not knowing this freak little basin that they were caught in, - the second guy was on point as well.

Most of you are probably aware of what happened from there - they couldn't find enough food to fend off the extreme cold winters. Starvation set in. Cannibalization of the dead to survive began.

I wonder what the conversation was like - before someone actually carved into that first "meal"? NO, that is not a gross thought! YES, it was a tragedy, but someone had to think about it first, be brave enough to think about suggesting it, and then actually broach the subject. It HAPPENED!

Next thing you know it - the people are digging in!

While I didn't stop this time - there is a monument there that I would encourage you to spend some time with so you can become a little more familiar with this unique piece of American history.

HappyUP!!! Day 214

HappyUP!!! - meeting with an employee
Why it happened - it was overdue...and I needed to get some status
Why it made me happy - for legitimate reason, we hadn't been as in contact as we should. It was great dialogue.

HappyUP!!! - big issue decided
Why it happened - a meeting was called by someone to get it done
Why it made me happy - the decision brings challenges. The decision wasn't my favorite. But, a degree of ambiguity was taken off the table and we can all move forward.

HappyUP!!! - phone chat with a friend
Why it happened - we needed to discuss a Toastmaster's issue
Why it made me happy - he is a long time member of our Toastmaster's Club. I mentored him long ago. He has grown a lot through Toastmasters. We are definitely equals in our speaking abilities...he is probably even better...no matter. It just reminded me of those calls years ago when he was soaking up information.

HappyUP!!! Day 213

HappyUP!!! - lunch with a friend
Why it happened - I made the call
Why it makes me happy - we are old friends that have sometimes run afoul...really afoul. Yet, we are in the same industry and long ties dictate that we should always be friends despite differences that we have at times. It's good we stay connected.

HappyUP!!! - Monday morning meeting
Why it happened - it's on the calender
Why it makes me happy - the leader of the meeting is no comedian....he is a serious man...which makes it that much funnier when he says something funny. You just don't see it coming. Today, he was in fine form.

HappyUP!!! - belated birthday surprise
Why it happened - that crazy staff of mine
Why it makes me happy - it makes them happy to embarrass me.....plus we could all use a little extra attention. The fruitbasket cake was awesome too so that didn't hurt!

JollyJottings

Taking tomatoes
Monday meeting
Manager consultation
Lunch

HappyUP!!! Day 212

HappyUP!!! - solving the NY Times Sunday Crossword
Why it happened - I got some help
Why it made me happy - I stopped by my bro and sis-in-law's house. We were just sitting there and we morphed into tackling this project. It was great fun just to be together and figure this behemoth out.

HappyUP!!! - breakfast in Truckee
Why it happened - I got an invite
Why it made me happy - I hadn't been up to the Squeeze Inn in quite some time. They have about a million omelettes....but only one with my name on it, the Hot Weed. Give me that Chili Cheese omelet every time and a happy tummy is sure to be the result.

HappyUP!!! - health diagnostic
Why it happened - I weigh in every Sunday but I did blood pressure too.
Why it made me happy - my weight was back to where it was when I left on my trip....that was a neat trick to be gone for 8 days, not work out, and not put any weight on. Between the omelet this morning and a Blizzard this evening, we'll see about next Sunday! Nah...I'll be fine. Now that the birthday is over, I'll be back hitting the regimen tomorrow. My blood pressure was 96 over 66 this morning upon arising....it was around 106 over 70 when I went to bed last night so things are looking good there too.

HappyUP!!! Day 211.......Adoption

HappyUP!!! - the stork arrived...my new baby

Why it happened - I spent some time on the project

Why it makes me happy - a voice in the choir has been replaced. I learned a lot in the process. I learned that my ear can hear the difference between mahogany and rosewood. Brand marketing wasn't the driver of my purchase. Service and my ear were. I went from a Taylor....to a Breedlove....to a Martin....and back to the Taylor. The Taylor has a high end that my others don't. While I like the warmth of my other two acoustic guitars, I didn't need another 6 strings emitting that tone. Plus, I have an upgraded ability to play with my amp.

HappyUP!!! - the Fifth String Guitar Store
Why it happened - I have purchased there before
Why it made me happy - though I didn't deal with the owner this time and get my commensurate stories on guitars, two of his employees tagged team me and gave me the information and space to make an intelligent purchase.

HappyUP!!! - Chema Salinas
Why it happened - I met him at the guitar store...on his last day there
Why it makes me happy - he is a business and communication studies graduate student. He will be teaching at my alma mater, Sacramento State, soon. He has loved his time at the Fifth String but now it is time to finish up his studies. We had a great discussion about communication in business, his area of study, plus he was extremely helpful in my purchase. It was nice to be around someone excited about where he is going, where he has been, and where he is today. A HappyUP!!!er

HappyUP!!!...SlideItUP!!!....wait....SlideItDown!!!

How much of a HappyUP!!! is this? - a 500 foot slip and slide.

You know you have thought about it - maybe you even have tried it to a lesser degree.

This story is so cool - multi-generations of family, ideas powered by beer and bulldozers and, at the end of the day, a heck of a lot of fun!

For more pics and info, you can find it here

QuoteUP!!! 4....Tony Robbins on Movement

"Motion creates emotion"

-Anthony Robbins

What do you feel like? - your feeling is the manifestation of your emotions. Your emotions can be manipulated (that is not a bad word). You can override the natural state you are in by MOVING. It doesn't require running a marathon either.

Try something stupid - well, you will think it is stupid. Right now, start to chuckle, then giggle, then laugh, then laugh hard, then side-splittingly move into a bust of the gut. Continue in "bust-a-gut" for as long as you can.

Then - stop.

How do you feel compared to how you felt before? - depending on how much you went for it in the exercise, be cognizant of how long you stay in a changed state from when you began. Motion can be as simple as laughter. It can be a jump up and down and a fist pump. It can be 10 pushups. It can be a brisk walk around the block. It can be a stroll. It can be a quick run up the stairs.

Oh...one note on the laughter exercise - you are probably saying, "that's stupid, forced and contrived because nobody said or did anything funny. It's fake." No, what is fake is your belief. Laughter is laughter. I looked it up in the rulebook. There is no rule that says that you have to have an outside stimulus to laugh. If you did the exercise, you just proved it.

It's funny - if you did the exercise, you are feeling better right now. Admit it. You feel better. Yet, you will probably never do this again. We are a strange breed of cats. Most, if not all of us, would like to feel better. Even if we feel good, we want to feel better. Laughter is something that was given to us just by being born. It's free. It can be done on a seconds notice. It can be done anywhere. It has nothing but positive after-effects. It makes us feel better so it provides the answer to the issue of wanting to feel better....

...yet, left to your own devices - you won't do the laughter exercise again.

Instead - you will turn to alcohol, gambling, sex, watching TV or any of other 'socially acceptable" addictions to self-medicate from whatever pain is in your life.

Laughter - the best addiction that there is.

HappyUP!!! Day 210.....Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to ME!!! - I'm not a big birthday person. With me just coming off the road trip yesterday, I was not in much of the mood to "make something happen." Still, it was a nice day.

HappyUP!!! - the Breedlove guitar
Why it happened - I was willing to step out of brand
Why it makes me happy - I lost my Taylor guitar. Taylor is a big brand name. You can't go wrong. Great instruments. When I was in Bakersfield, I was trying a Taylor. The sales guy was a GREAT guitar player. He was behind the Breedlove guitar. I came up to Roseville and was trying a couple of Taylors. The salesperson here said, "it's a great guitar. I own this one." It was a Breedlove. I am kind of fixed on the Taylor but I sat there with that Breedlove. It had a low end and a warmth that I actually could feel. It resonated with me. I could literally feel it move through my skin. I was allowing myself to feel outside of my Taylor brain. I left the store for a meeting. I went back to by the Breedlove BUT nobody wanted to help me today. Oh well, off to another store tomorrow. The HappyUP!!! was that I actually was feeling the instrument.

HappyUP!!! - my new salad vessel
Why it happened - it was my birthday and I have a great admin
Why it makes me happy - she had hand thrown a cereal/salad bowl for me earlier this summer. She knew how much I liked my water vessel that she made for me at Christmas.....and she followed it up with a nice salad bowl.

HappyUP!!! - happy birthday e-mails
Why it happened - my boss's staff broadcast to the world it was my birthday
Why it made me happy - I usually keep my birthday low key. The e-mail exchanges that were going back and forth regarding my birthday were comical.

That Sinking Feeling

(A special post for my friends over at SundayScribblings)

Travelling, especially business travelling, can put one out of synch especially if you do it like I do it. I travel some but not enough to call myself a pro by any means. There is nothing wrong with getting out of your routine once in awhile. I believe it is highly desirable.

(My lost baby and my lead singer laying it down)

Last week, I hit the road early on a Thursday morning to drive to a business event. It was about a 5 hour drive to the coast. The business event was more fun than work so it was something to look forward to. The catch was that on Monday I had to be about 2 hours inland from the

coast. Once I would get to that destination, it would still put me 5 hours from home. It made no sense to me to drive all the way home on Friday night just to get up on Monday, work a few hours, and then make virtually the same 5 hour drive back. So, it was a weekend at the coast.

Then, my boss invited me to play golf with him at his club on Sunday afternoon. This would take me away from the coast a little earlier than I had planned. I decided that, since I was leaving the coast early, I might as well make it real early. I decided to tee it up at a great golf course on the coast, play the round, and then travel over the two hours to my boss's club for another round of golf.

I started to load up the vehicle at about 5:30 in the morning. It was still dark outside. The small hotel lot had been full the night before and I had to park across the street. I grabbed a light handful of things and went to my car. Upon reaching my rental vehicle, I set everything down so I could open the door. I loaded my few things and backed the car up so I could bring it to the front of the hotel. This would allow an easier loading of the second group of items.

I went to my hotel room. I made a sweep around the room like a detective to make sure nothing was forgotten. Satisfied nothing had been left behind, I exited and started the traveller's waddle down the hallway with a wheeled suitcase in tow and a bag or two over my shoulder.

I stopped and said, "some detective you are. Do you have your guitar anywhere in your midst, Nutster?"

What a dork! I got out the magnetic card, made a few swipes, and the door popped open. I went to where my guitar had been but no longer was.

And I got that sinking feeling.

"Uh oh. That first load to the car. I had my guitar in my hand. When I backed up, I remember hearing a strange little kind of noise."

The traveller's waddle now became a comical jog. I flew through the lobby and tossed my items into the Xterra. I fired the 4x4 up and screamed across the dark parking lot readying myself for the ultimate horror that I had run over one of my precious babies, my Taylor CE614 guitar. As I got to the empty parking stall that had been mine, I stopped the car and shined my lights on the darkened spot expecting to see my guitar in a crumpled mess.

But there was nothing.

My poor guitar had laid there in the dark for only 15 minutes in the predawn hours but it was now gone. Resigned to the fact that I would never see it again, I only ache for closure and to know it's condition.

I hope my baby lived and it's sturdy case protected it from my early morning brain fade. I long that whoever picked it up can put it to better use than the clumsy hands that had held it previously.

Moral of the story: watch your children. It only takes a few moments of negligence for them to be gone.

(Don't feel too sad, however. While I lost my child just a week ago, I am gleefully dashing from guitar store to guitar store in search of adopting an upgrade! While the loss was sad, we mustn't dwell in the past!!!! Plus, today is my birthday so I get a new UPGRADED toy!!!!)

HappyUP!!! Day 209....HOME!

HappyUP!!! - walking into the house
Why it happened - I have been on a business trip, with a little pleasure mixed in, for 8 days
Why it makes me happy - you know the feeling. You have been gone...and you walk into your house. Now, the house was at 90 degrees so it was a bit stifling but it was still home.

HappyUP!!! - the drive home
Why it happened - I had to get home somehow...and a phone list
Why it makes me happy - it was almost a 5 hour drive...on terrain without much scenery. It flew by. I might has well have been at the office. I had a solid phone list to get to on the way home. Time flies when you are on the phone.....just ask new lovers about that.

HappyUP!!! - 3 promising...very promising recruiting calls
Why it happened - as I have been saying, our company is attractive
Why it makes me happy - I said it yesterday so I will save type. This one is always going to make me happy because it is so important to my job.

HappyUP!!! Day 208

On the road and working -not much personal time so the HappyUP!!!s are going to be work related today.

HappyUP!!! - a call back from a hot recruit
Why it happened - she is becoming concerned about where she is working
Why it makes me happy - recruiting is an interesting game. It is kind of like dating when you don't know where you stand. The call that I got today was a good sign....a very good sign.

HappyUP!!! - the amorous couple
Why it happened - uh...."the call of nature"
Why it makes me happy - I don't know if this one made me happy as it cost me a few winks of sleep but it sure was funny. I am on the road and there was no doubt that only a thin wall seperated me from a couple of people HappyingUP!!! It was funny! ...last night at 11....and this morning at 6!

HappyUP!!! - three new recruits
Why it happened - the industry is driving people on a flight to quality
Why it makes me happy - good people...and many of them....considering working in my organization and bettering their lives. It's why I work...it is one of the things that gives me meaning.

HappyUP!!! Day 207...Still in Bakersfield

HappyUP!!! - 9 holes after work with my boss
Why it happened - he invited me
Why it made me happy - we whipped it around in less than an hour and a half. My boss played some great golf with two birdies. The evening was pleasant and no one else was on the golf course. It was a nice conclusion to the the day.

HappyUP!!! - taking a conference call and presenting on behalf of my boss
Why it happened - I was asked to step in
Why it made me happy - there were some big wigs on the call from another business line that we support. I prepared a little bit and delivered. No stuttering. No "um's" and I gave them what they wanted to hear.
I earned some brownie points on that one for sure.

HappyUP!!! - I get to come home a few hours early on Thursday
Why it happened - my part of the facilitation wraps up by noon and the lead facilitator cut me loose
Why it makes me happy - are you kidding? It is a 4.5 hour drive home. I'll get to make business calls during business hours to help pass the time. I will also get home by 5 or 6 rather than 8 or 9. It will be like a regular work day!

JollyJottings

9 holes of golf after work with my boss
My presentation on a conference call
Learning that I get to go home early on Thursday
A new search engine trick
Facilitating training
More opportunities at work
The people at training

HappyUP!!! Day 206....Waking Up in Bakersfield

It doesn't take long - to figure out why Bakersfield has a history of traditional country singers hailing from it or coming from it. It's the only real "oil town" in California. Oil has a mystique about it that just seems to breed a lot of things that make country music...

...that and a lot of dust! Let's HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - sleeping in
Why it happened - not much sleep the night before, 36 holes of golf, and being in the sun all day
Why it makes me happy - it's kind of cool to know that I can still sleep 8 hours on occasion. It was a quasi day off for me so I was out of routine and not running to a calender. Waking up at 7 on a Monday didn't throw me off schedule.

HappyUP!!! - meeting Dustin of JD Hardy and the Sinners
Why it happened - I was guitar shopping
Why it makes me happy - Dustin has a record deal. They had to drop "and the sinners" from their band name to please the record label. Who knows...they could be playing the Bible Belt someday. The CD is coming out Sept 2 and Dustin wrote the first single. They are going out on tour. The label has invested in them. He's going to chase that dream. He may make it....he may not. He knows it but he's making that run. It was cool to be in his presence. Plus, he gave me some "pickin" tips as well as some good guitar advice.

HappyUP!!! - tripping to and picking at two guitar stores
Why it happened - I found them on line
Why it makes me happy - I got to do some picking. One store was within walking distance of the hotel. The other was only 8 minutes away driving. I gathered some data. It all eases the pain over the guitar that I lost (may it Rest In Peace.....or be in the hands of someone that is a better player than myself)

HappyUP!!! Day 205

HappyUP!!! - 36 holes of golf
Why it happened - I decided golf was the name of the game today. I got up early and played a golf course I may not get a chance to play again....it was "extra golf" (though I think that may be an oxymoron)
Why it makes me happy - it's golf!!! It is very rare that I get a chance to tee it up this often

HappyUP!!! - golfing partners
Why it happened - I'm lucky?
Why it makes me happy - the morning round, I was taking what I get. Whomever is at the course is who they put me in with. I played with another single and two other guys who knew each other. They were all decent golfers and very enjoyable company. In the afternoon in a town two hours away, I played with my boss and two of his friends. Great guys to hang out with.

HappyUP!!! - dinner at home
Why it happened - my boss invited me over to his house for dinner
Why it makes me happy - it was a delicious dinner. No, I didn't NEED to get seconds or the dessert but, it was so good that I had to. While it wasn't my intent, it was also a very polite thing to do.

HappyUP!!! Day 204...Saturday at Pismo

HappyUP!!! - a room with an "OK View"

Why it happened - I told the hotel....I want a room with a view

Why it makes me happy - oh, please! Isn't there a phrase about pictures being worth some amount of words?

HappyUP!!! = golfing at Avila Beach Resort

Why it happened - I decided to walk on as a single and tee it up

Why it makes me happy - I don't even want to tell you how gorgeous the weather was here today. This Central California coast will spoil you. I mean....NICE! The course was kind of cute. It was a decent test of golf. I actually broke 80 for the first time in a loooooong time! I'm also happy that I wasn't the guy in the picture to your left. That is not supposed to be part of the golf course! I took this picture from where I had CRUSHED a drive (a HappyUP!!!....a rare HappyUP!!! lately) which left me only a 5 iron second shot into this par 5. It actually was a perfect drive in length and placement



HappyUP!!! - that drive I was just talking about

Why it happened - I did what I was supposed to do

Why it makes me happy - my golf swing is starting to come around. I used to be able to play a pretty mean game of golf many years ago. It has been hard trying to find my swing. This drive was out there about 300 yards and it was laid out perfectly between the two big rock hills that the fairway went through. You literally could not drop a golf ball in a better spot. The drive also had a little draw (right to left spin) which tells me that I am on the right track. More golf tomorrow!

Where's Tom Hanks?

I found this on the shoreline - he must be nearby, right?

HappyUP!!! Day 203

HappyUP!!! - a morning walk on the beach
Why it happened - I got up and went
Why it makes me happy - I was the only one there. The sound of the waves lapping up on the sand. The smell of the salt. Even the pungent aroma of the seaweed up on the shore. Waves breaking in rhythm is the ultimate white noise.

HappyUP!!! - an unexpected golf invitation
Why it happened - I ran across a co-worker in the lobby of the hotel
Why it made me happy - this guy is a local. His house is in a gated community that had a nice golf course. I was in the lobby of the hotel on my way out to play some golf. He said, "hey, let's go play at my place!" It was cool. The golf course had some great greens. It was in awesome condition. I got to get some time in with a business contact. The weather was awesome as well.

HappyUP!!! - breakfast with a friend
Why it happened - we were both hanging out at the hotel
Why it made me happy - conversation. This is a common HappyUP!!! I have known this co-worker for years but we don't get a chance to talk very often. Today, I learned about his grandfather's immigration from China. Very interesting stuff!

HappyUP!!! Day 202.....the Ocean

Day one begins of my working/pleasure trip - and what fulfilling day it was. A great day. An over the top day of joyful experiences and things to notice. The top 3 for HappyUP!!!s will need to be picked at random because they were so plentiful and superb that few stand out above the rest

HappyUP!!! -seeing the Ocean
Why it happened - I had a meeting to go to on the coast
Why it makes me happy - have you ever taken a drive, gone through miscellaneous terrain, and then...BOOM...there it is: the Ocean! It's that first view. It's those initial seconds. I love that

HappyUP!!!-Extreme Hummer Ride
Why it happened - it was our scheduled activity
Why it makes me happy - have you ever ridden with 5 coworkers in an open top Hummer with a trained driver going for it over the sand dunes on a gorgeous day by the ocean? If not, you won't get what I am talking about. It was crazy. Sand flying everywhere. The wind blowing. Racing straight up sand dunes that are like mountains, making a 90 degree turn at speed, riding perpendicular to the face of the hill with the hummer sliding sideways, while you are going, "why isn't this thing tipping over?" Exhiliration

HappyUP!!! - pool time with my peep's
Why it happened - we needed to get the sand off of us after that hummer ride
Why it makes me happy - the sun and wind combination was perfect. There was no where on this planet that had a better combination for laying there and enjoying the sun. It was a sensory experience that you only get a few times a lifetime (well, unless you live in a really ideal spot and lay in the sun a lot).

JollyJottings

Vc Mail from a close friend
Recruit's return call
Another recruit's return call
Yet another recruit's return call
A recruiter found another great prospect
A possible favor/accomodation
My company
Time with my boss in the hummer
Dinner out on the wharf
Peach cobbler (oops....diet deviation)
Stocks were up!!!
Nice resort I am staying at
A golfing invitation

HappyUP!!! Day 201

HappyUP!!! - a phone call of apology
Why it happened - a person thought they treated me poorly on the phone
Why it makes me happy - I had made a call to a guy....potential client...friend at times. He was short with me and a bit abrupt last week when I made the call. It was no big deal. I figured I caught him at a bad time. He must have felt bad about it. He called me and said that he owed me an apology. It was nice...not necessary...but nice.

(Hmmmm....who do you or I owe a phone call too?)

HappyUP!!! - two great recruiting situations
Why it happened - the market is weird....really weird right now
Why it makes me happy - this is a big part of my job. My success makes my boss look good....and, when you go to work at a company, that is the name of the game. It also makes life easier for me.

HappyUP!!! - PACKED!
Why it happened - I'm leaving early in the morning
Why it makes me happy - this is a business a couple of days, pleasure a couple of days, business a couple of days trip. I'll also be on the cool coast for half of the time and hot Bakersfield the rest of the time. I'm not a light packer...when I go somewhere, I like to have my stuff nearby. It all combined for a tough pack....I even made a list...a looooong list. It's all done and time to go to bed!

Happy HappyUP!!! Anniversary - 200!!!

And a small reminder - it's not about me. It's about YOU!

You have seen the template - 200 times to be exact. Put it in place.

Need accountability? - go to blogspot.com . Start a weblog. It's free. It's easy....really!

Need convincing? - what? I'm not enough? OK, how about this? The Positive Psychology movement is being taught in some of America's most prestigious universities......does Harvard mean anything to you?

http://www.ppc.sas.upenn.edu/

http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/

Here is the direct link to the landmark article if you are into reading about the study that inspired my HappyUP!!! project. WARNING: it's a scientific paper. Print it out and do some grinding on it if that kind of reading doesn't come easily....like I had to.

Here is the link to the Harvard professor whose classes overfill every semester on the subject. If you go to his 6 tips on becoming happier, here is tip number 6:

Express gratitude, whenever possible. We too often take our lives for granted. Learn to appreciate and savor the wonderful things in life, from people to food, from nature to a smile.

I know - you already KNOW that is a key. But, do you really, really, REALLY do it everyday?

HappyUP!!! - give it a shot for a couple of weeks

HappyUP!!! Day 200

HappyUP!!! - picked up some new shorts
Why it happened - I'm heading to the beach
Why it made me happy - while there is work involved in the trip, there is a lot of non-work.....like Friday afternoon through mid-day Monday! I'm gearing up for some time at the Ocean. Plus....the shorts I bought were a couple of waist sizes smaller than the last time I bought shorts. While it was a distraction to not KNOW my size, I happily left the changing room in search for the trimmer threads!

HappyUP!!! - a GREEEEEAT business meeting
Why it happened - some potential clients CALLED ME and wanted to go to lunch
Why it made me happy - I knew one of the guys. The other guy is a LEGEND who I have only heard about. We had a great lunch and are going to do some business.

HappyUP!!! - housesitter found
Why it happened - I called my brother
Why it makes me happy - if I called a nephew or niece, there could end up being a party at my house!...without me there! Not something I am going to want to come home to next week.

HappyUP!!! Day 199

HappyUP!!! - plans confirmed...Pismo Beach
Why it happened - I have a trip to the Central Coast this week and Central Valley next week
Why it makes me happy - rather than two long drives, I'm spending the weekend (and Sunday night) on the coast in a fabulous spot that I have never been too. Plenty or nothing to do...my choice. I'll have books, pens and paper, golf clubs, guitar, whatever...and I will be ready for it.

HappyUP!!! - builder meeting
Why it happened - every Monday
Why it makes me happy - the principal was gone for a couple of weeks. It was good to see him back from his trip to Italy.

HappyUP!!! - a great diet day
Why it happened - who knows
Why it makes me happy - it wasn't even a struggle. A shake for breakfast, a piece of chicken for dinner, a snack bar, and a shake for dinner. Plenty of food!

HappyUP!!! Day 198

HappyUP!!! - riding the bike
Why it happened - finding fun ways to get my excercise in
Why it makes me happy - tonight, my legs are a little spent. I was on Lifecycles all last year....and rarely do I feel the level of tiredness I am finding today. Could it be that riding a Lifecycle and riding a bike pushing around 170 pounds aren't the same workout? I used the mountain bike for some errands and my road bike for a workout. Who needs the gym? (Sorry all you young gals at the gym that just want to check out my south side)

HappyUP!!! - weather
Why it happened - who knows...August in Sacramento should be hotter
Why it makes me happy - we can go out and do stuff in the low 90's. August is known for 100 degrees. It was a glorious morning too.

HappyUP!!! - salmon
Why it happened - I bought some yesterday
Why it makes me happy - all you have to do is look at the picture below. It also helped me stay on my program today. This is working out pretty well. All you really need is one excellent meal to look forward to everyday. The shakes can cover the rest. Speak to me in a month....we'll see if I am singing the same tune. If I was to keep this up for a couple of months, I think that I could see a weight that I haven't seen in a long time.

JollyJottings

grapes
grapes for friends
lunch
bike ride
official weigh day
taking care of dad
room at the beach

BikeItUP!!! Back on the road

Cycling and I - took a left turn 20 years ago. Sure, there were times when I would pop back on. The town grew and traffic increased. It just got too dangerous.

I also got tired of "flats" - there is nothing worse than getting yourself geared up, dressed up, and out the door for the workout. You pump the tires up to about 140 psi and the....poooooooossssssshhhh!

You get off - in your silly shoes by the side of the road and either throw in a new tube or do a quick patch job. Then, you use the hand pump which MAY get you up to 100 psi with a herculean effort. You end up riding the rest of the way feeling like you are on low air.

But now - I am not going to worry about it. I have a 4 mile loop around my house. The traffic is light. All of the turns are right handed so there are no roads to cross. If I flat on one of the laps, I can probably limp it home and fix it at my house. If not, I also got some handy, dandy Co2 cartridges which should give me 125 psi out on the road.....suuuhhhweeeet.

I thought I would go out and blaze 3 or maybe 4 laps today - well, after 2 laps I thought that I better not push the condition of my seat...plus I had already rode 3 miles on the mountain bike this morning.

Boy...not even 50 - and struggling with a 10 mile ride! It's a long way....and about 25 pounds....from the days of blazing out for 30 miles in an hour and a half. Still, even when I first started way back then, I don't think I averaged more than 16.3 mph as I did today. I think the speed curve is going to go up rapidly with a little more time in the saddle.

SalmonUP!!!.....OK, Kids....Secrets Divulged

Who wouldn't serve this to ANY guest in the world? - you all know that salmon is good for you.

Everything about this little piece of fish - is as healthy as the salmon itself. Well, the sprinkling of mozzarella over the top may be cheating a little bit.

First step - get yourself a WILD salmon filet with the skin on one side. WILD...WILD...WILD....I don't want to mess with that farmed stuff.

Then, chop together - lots of fresh basil, onions, and garlic. I use a Magic Bullet chopper/processor for this. You will also want a dash...just a dash of olive oil into the chopped mix.

Take your mix - and fork it into your salmon. Just poke it on in there. Sure, you are making the top of the fish look like a track meet was just held on it but who cares. First, it will even out during the grilling. Second, people would see the herbs as bumps and not the bumpy skin. Third, you are going to cover it up anyway.

Grill - I like to put skin side down for a short amount of time. It is just enough to get your ingredients to set a bit. Then, carefully, flip your salmon with the ingredients/non-skin side down. You'll lose a little ingredient but that's OK. After you grill that way for a few minutes, turn it back over with the skin down.

Put a couple thin slices of tomato over the top - and seal the deal with some mozzarella cheese. Finish grilling until the fish starts to flake.

Guaranteed - you won't get much better eating on this planet and it's practically all pure health!

Throw a nice glass of chardonnay on the side - and your dining experience will be downright scary!

Goosebumps

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


I have actually felt a goose before. It was a fairly healthy goose as far as I could tell. I didn't feel one bump on this goose. Why, then, is it that I get goosebumps when I am cold?

That is about the only time that I get goosebumps. Perhaps I have encountered them while scared but I don't recall. "She gives me goosebumps," is not a thing that guys will say much. If they do, I haven't said it lately which may be a reflection on the women that I have met lately. I guess I should hang out in other places than the bus station, soup kitchen line, and the women's recover center!

It is August here in Sacramento. Goosebumps are a good 4 to 5 months away. Unless, of course, I meet someone that "takes my breath away", "makes my heart go pitter patter", or "turns my knees to jello". Wait! Not one of those is a skin condition.

Goosebumps? See you in January.

HappyUP!!! Day 197 - The Good Life

How can you beat a day - that starts with helping your ailing father, picking some homegrown vegetables and fruit, heading over to some friends for a family brunch by the pool, heading to Sac town to do some shopping around some bike stores, going for a bike ride, watching some PGA Championship, riding a little more bike, etc? The hits just kept coming in.

HappyUP!!! - birthday brunch by the pool
Why it happened - some friends had birthdays
Why it made me happy - gorgeous backyard...nice lite food....coffee....company like family. Enough said.

HappyUP!!! - a bike ride
Why it happened - I got my cycling computer fixed...had to try it out
Why it made me happy - I didn't take it very far but it felt like the old days....mph, cadence, distance travelled, etc. It was like I was in training. Who knows...that could be next.

HappyUP!!! - fixing that bike computer
Why it happened - I went and bought new batteries
Why it made me happy - electronically, I have a few skills. I am not expert but I am not a klutz either. Due to a lack of patience in this are, I would have to say that I am a hair on the klutz side. I have an old bike computer that had been idle for a long time. It needed new batteries....and new calibration. The thing is 20+ years old...those instructions are LONG gone. Fortunately, the good people at Cateye have all of their old manuals on line. I found my model, downloaded, actually followed instructions, and old dependable was working like a champ. The HappyUP!!! was for how easy it was to get it working again.

HappyUP!!! Day 196

HappyUP!!! - feeling great
Why it happened - could it be my diet program?
Why it makes me happy - woke up without the alarm, took my time getting home (not staying at my house this week), getting ready for work, I just savored the morning rather than rushed into it.

HappyUP!!! - going to my dad's at lunch and helping him
Why it happened - he called me...he had a special need
Why it makes me happy - as I was taking care of the situation, the hospice nurse stopped by for her visit. I learned some things about his care that I didn't know. She also performed a procedure that was NO HappyUP!!! for Dad but I know it was good for him. He will be better off for it.

HappyUP!!! - taking a nagging issue off my plate at work
Why it happened - I had a deadline put on me
Why it makes me happy - it's done. I could of/should have done it two weeks ago. It was done just as well under the pressure of a deadline as it would have been done if I did it two weeks ago. When will I learn that time is not going to produce a better product....just move it along. Anyway, it's done now!

HappyUP!!! Day 195 - Long Day at Work

Nope, the title above is not an oxymoron - if you put in a good, long day once in awhile, it should be a cause of happiness

HappyUP!!! - branch manager meeting
Why it happened - I do it monthly
Why it makes me happy - it is great to get the peers that report to me together all in one place one day a month. Today, we got a cameo from the regional manager (my boss) so that was good. On top of that, my staff and I put together a solid day long event.

HappyUP!!! - an interview
Why it happened - we are growing
Why it makes me happy - I met a guy, had a nice conversation, and maybe we'll pick up a guy with some potential

HappyUP!!! - got an HR situation handled
Why it happened - stuff comes up when you run an organization
Why it makes me happy - it's not always fun stuff but it is done and it worked out fine

HappyUP!!! Day 194

HappyUP!!! - the new fireplace insert is in
Why it happened - the workers showed up
Why it makes me happy - one more thing done off the remodel list



HappyUP!!! - got the thumbs up on my bedroom dimensions
Why it happened - my buddy the builder called me back
Why it makes me happy - on a rough, down and dirty estimate, I believe that I have enough room to do the addition that I want to do to the house. The space should be workable and the city should be able to approve the deal.......now on to plans and specs.



HappyUP!!! - it's my 19th Wedding Anniversary!
Why it happened - hey, you have to get married on someday, right?
Why it makes me happy - I mentioned that it was my 19th anniversary. The person said, "you're not married." I said, "I didn't say that I was. I said it was my 19th Wedding Anniversary." The person just looked at me and shook their head