HappyUP!!! Day 547

HappyUP!!! - seeing my old friend, J
Why it happened - J was at the restaraunt I was at
Why it makes me happy - I haven't seen J in over a year. Because of the situation, some of our conversation was cursory....but not most of it. It was good to catch up a bit. When we run across old friends that we haven't seen, it is like keeping a door open. I like that.

HappyUP!!! - beating the Dow
Why it happened - who knows
Why it makes me happy - I beat the Dow last week....and I crushed it today by over 1%. There is a little piece of victory when I do better with my knowledge than all the people that "know so much about the markets." I have no question that they have more intelligence about "the game." It just seems like it is one of those things that people analyze and over-analyze....but, in the end, it is a largely speculative game of chance. (Of course, we won't talk about that, despite beating the Dow, a guy that buried his money in a tin can in the backyard would have smoked us both! LOL)

HappyUP!!! - lunch
Why it happened - I went
Why it makes me happy - my buddy and I got a mixup on our plans. I decided to eat at my house. When he called later, he still wanted to do lunch. I went but didn't eat and a good conversation ensued. Always love a good conversation.


JollyJottings

Taking down a tree
Weeding
Writing a new song
Getting songs transcribed
Chicken and sauce
Kicking the Dows butt - I was down .8...the Dow was down 2.15. I killed it by 1.3%. Of course, if you were smart enough to just have your money in a tin can in your backyard, you would have drubbed me today.
Canceled lunch
Edging
Lunch

HappyUP!!! Day 546

HappyUP!!! - lunches scheduled
Why it happened - serendipity
Why it makes me happy - lunch with my best friend for tomorrow here and with another friend in SF on Tuesday. The week begins on a most interesting note....and a couple of things to look forward that all came about today.

HappyUP!!! - spag sauce
Why it happened - I made it yesterday
Why it makes me happy - I tested my spag sauce this morning.....like any great spag sauce should be, it was way better on the taste today than on the taste yesterday. Good eats this week and, more importantly, I have the tomatoes to make more and freeze for the winter. Yes, the sauce was that good....and it didn't even have any meat.

HappyUP!!! - catching dinner with a friend
Why it happened - we finally committed and got together
Why it makes me happy - this is someone that I have been meaning to hook up with for awhile and a rather
new acquaintenance. We got to swap some stories on the creative process and learn some things about each other that we didn't know. It's always great when you get to know your friends better.

HappyUP!!! Day 545.....Spag Sauce

HappyUP!!! - Spag Sauce

Why it happened - I got ambitious?

Why it makes me happy - the tomatoes and basil were on the vine less than 1 hr before they were in the pot. This recipe is all about simplicity....and time. This is a full two hour simmer going on....tomatoes, basil, garlic, onions, and the Secret Ingredient all warmly comingling for nearly an eternity. Hey, two hours is a long time to simmer down. As I type, it has only gotten the wooden spoon test...and it is tasting good with an hour to go. When this little pot thickens up, it may be too good for me to eat. I may need to take it to friends! The big HappyUP!!! ? I have walked this orb for a long time.....and have never made spaghetti sauce from scratch. Another item to cross off the accomplishments list......is Everest next?

HappyUP!!! - the tomato visitor
Why it happened - this guy likes to make spag sauce
Why it makes me happy - I have more tomatoes than I can use....I really do. I love giving them away. A buddy called me and asked if he could stop by for some. I gave him some last week and he said, "I'm not sure if you know what you got going on there. Your tomatoes are very sweet...excellent for sauce." While I didn't get his particular recipe, he inspired me to get out the knife, start chopping, and get to simmering. If I was a drinker, I think watching the sauce simmer would be an excellent activity to wine taste to.

(NOTE TO SELF: must wear apron in kitchen)

HappyUP!!! - figsters
Why it happened - I gave them figs
Why it makes me happy - I saw my adopted parents today at brekko. I had dropped figs on their doorstep this week. They love them and want some more....and so does one of their sons. It's a good thing because I don't know that many fig lovers and I have the figs. Someone told me that figs are expensive. Mine turn brown and I am told that they are HUUUUUUGE! Anyway, I like giving people things.....especially when the things are expensive....and cost me nothing but a little effort, time, and thought.

JollyJottings

Fig receivers
Breakfast

Solace

(A Special Post for my friends over at Sunday Scribblings)

What is it that compels a grown man to torture his fingers and press raw metal against other pieces of metal which are all entwined by wood?

At this juncture, it's not about becoming tomorrow's rock star. It's not about playing in front of anyone at all.

It's not about improving skills that much. It's not about showing up somewhere and trying to be flashy. By this time, he is well aware that there is always someone out there that can play faster, cleaner, or more fluidly. Actually, most people he encounters that play guitar fit one , if not all, of those categories. He tries not to compare. Comparison is the root of all dissatisfaction. By comparing, an unsaid competition begins. While competition can bring out a higher level, it also can bring out the worst in people. ...even in himself.

The solace is in the enjoyment for what it simply is. The enjoyment of that tactile feeling that is no longer pain. It's vibration...in the fingers and in the ear. It's the auditory experience as well. It's the mental imagery of thinking of where the fingers will go next and hearing the future sound before anyone else. It is striking a chord that is crying out, "where is my mate...the chord that plays perfectly right next to me?" The story begins that has no words.

As the story unfolds, he knows that the breath of God has appeared. In that, he finds solace.

HappyUP!!! Day 544

HappyUP!!! - seeing a friend from the distant past
Why it happened - he saw me washing my car out in front of my house so he stopped
Why it makes me happy - what is it about touching people from our history that changes our emotional states. This person wasn't a best friend. He was a classmate in high school. We worked together a little bit in construction. He was a little crazy...a little bit of a ruffian. He was always a nice guy to me, though. It was nice just to catch up and visit for a bit. (It is OK for a guy to "visit" with another guy, right? Those Man Police always have me looking over my shoulder.) Anyway, we had a good conversation.

HappyUP!!! - waxing the car
Why it happened - I just did it
Why it makes me happy - OK...I am not a car freak. I really do not like anything about car maintenance. It does not even bother me MUCH to drive a dirty car. I haven't actually waxed a car in forever. It was just a beautiful morning. I had bought some wax a while back and decided to shine "ol Betsy" up a bit. I didn't even get that excited about admiring my work like some guys do. Perhaps it was that I knew I was protecting my investment. Later on, I did go to get in the car. When I put my hand on the door handle, my hand almost slipped off. I said, "hey, that's right. I waxed my car." The feel was a HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - saying something nice
Why it happened - one of my waitresses at my regular place is leaving
Why it makes me happy - she told me that she was moving out of town. When she came back to check on me later, she said, "how are you doing?" like waitresses do. I said, "Not well. I am trying to deal with you being gone." While I was being a bit dramatic, the point got across that she would be missed.......and it made her feel special. It's a HappyUP!!! to make people feel special and something that I have to admit could use a bit of bumping up in my skillset department.

HappyUP!!! Day 543....Thursday

HappyUP!!! - e-mail from my friend, T
Why it happend - it was a reply
Why it makes me happy - there are some things that get missed sometimes....not by this person. I was paid an extremely large compliment today

HappyUP!!! - seeing my friend, J
Why it happened - J needed some vegetables
Why it makes me happy - hey, I offloaded some vegetables......and FIGS! Besides, J is one of my lil buddies that I keep an eye out for. It had been awhile since we visited.


HappyUP!!! - trip to the doctor
Why it happened - it was scheduled
Why it makes me happy - I got some information and guidance and went and got some bloodwork done. Nothing major. It was good to get some routine procedures done.



JollyJottings

E-mail from T
Seeing J
Doctor
Finding golf balls
The lab
Stomaching the market
Peat's

HappyUP!!! Day 542

HappyUP!!! - finding my camouflage shorts
Why it happened - I looked
Why it made me happy - I met my buddy for coffee this morning. He was wearing camouflage shorts. I got to thinking, "don't I have a pair of those?" I thought that I had bought a pair last summer. I knew they weren't in my dresser because I just cleaned out the drawer they would be in. Anyway, seeing my friend in his inspired me to look in my closet. There they were....sitting under my stack of folded jeans. It was like getting free clothing....and these shorts are like old friends. I'm wearing them now!

HappyUP!!! - great insights from a book
Why it happened - I read
Why it made me happy - I highly recommend "The Shack" especially to anyone that wants to get a different perspective on who/what The Holy Trinity is. No, this isn't about converting anyone. It gives an entirely different perspective on a range of topics....like forgiveness. We all could use some help around that one. Look for some excerpts coming in future posts

HappyUP!!! - a short walk
Why it happened - I felt like a stroll
Why it made me happy - I didn't have that much to do today....hey, I am not one of those retired people that says, "I'm so busy, I don't know how I found time to work." Hey, I don't need to be busy....I just need to "be." Anyway, this walk wasn't for exercise. It wasn't for seeing neighbors. It was about being present. There were times when I actually felt very light....almost floating. I then walked through the park where there was some kind of chaperoned children's day going on. While, if in the midst of it, you could easily think it was chaotic... like if you were one of the staff. For me, on the outside, it was HappySounds!

JollyJottings

Coffee with my buddy
Great insights from a book
Great Tour de France stage
Compliments from a friend
Figs
Chipping
Finding my camo shorts

HappyUP!!! Day 541 - Tuesday

HappyUP!!! - call from my buddy, N
Why it happened - he was thinking about me
Why it makes me happy - it's nice to be thought about in retirement

HappyUP!!! - trip to the tailor
Why it happened - I needed alterations
Why it makes me happy - I don't see my tailor very often. She is European. Being a tailor is
not the most glamorous job in the world. She is always very skillful and chipper....with that
accent. It always makes me happy when I go to the tailor.

HappyUP!!! - Toastmasters
Why it happened - we had a meeting
Why it makes me happy - I really enjoyed our speaker's energy today. She brought it and gave it
her all. I love seeing the progress.

JollyJottings

Toastmasters - Talk by T
E-mail from a friend, E
Call from my friend, N
Trip to the tailor
Trip to the Bike Shop

HappyUP!!! Day 540......Smokin the Dow on a Monday

HappyUP!!! - Smokin the Dow
Why it happened - who knows...I got lucky
Why it makes me happy - any day that the portfolio I manage beats the Dow is a HappyUP!!! The Dow Jones was down about .25% today....the stocks I managed were up 1.37% today. What a spread! Now, this doesn't always happen so I am not letting this go to my head. Usually, I don't make a big deal of it. When the difference is 1.5%, however, it is a day to celebrate. This is one thing that you get to know when you are doing HappyUP!!!s. You emphasize your wins rather than spending a lot of time lamenting the losses.

HappyUP!!! - tomatoes to a friend
Why it happened - I called him to see if he needed any
Why it makes me happy - I like giving people tomatoes. Usually, I just drop them on their porch. If they thank me, they thank me. If they don't, they don't. In this case, the person came out and we visited on his front porch for awhile chatting.

HappyUP!!! - consulting
Why it happened - a friend called me
Why it makes me happy - it's nice to have my opinion valued and sought out.

JollyJottings

Consulting with a friend
Breakfast
Mowing
Getting Things Done

HappyUP!!! Day 539

HappyUP!!! - knee is feeling better
Why it happened - I stayed off it today
Why it makes me happy - I want to think that this "knee thing" flared up from when I started the running effort at the beginning of the month, got a little inflamed, and just needed some rest. I really took it easy today in that effort. We'll see.....I have a regular doctor's appointment this week. I'll see the accupuncturist too.

HappyUP!!! - weight
Why it happened - I have been going easy on the eating
Why it makes me happy - any Sunday where the weight is less than the previous will always be a HappyUP!!! Considering that I was on vacation this week, it is a double HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - The Shack
Why it happened - a friend recommended the book
Why it makes me happy - it's another pleasant diversion in my reading.

HappyUP!!! Day 538 - Greg Norman and The Open

HappyUP!!! - Greg Norman

Why it happened - he tee'd it up at the Open...at age 53

Why it makes me happy - anyone who loves golf...or has a remote interest loved today at the British Open. He's leading the tournament by two shots going into the last round. Norman has led going into the final round many, many times in his playing heyday. Many times...most of the time....he came up empty. If it happens tomorrow, it will NOT be a HappyUP!!! I'll make it one today because it was awesome today...and gives us something to look forward to tomorrow.

HappyUP!!! - golf

Why it happened - I was invited to play in a member/guest invitational.

Why it makes me happy - I love to play golf...especially when I have been playing well. I love Morgan Creek golf course. I love the guy I was playing with. I didn't score well today which is a bit of a setback but I hit a lot of quality shots and very few terrible ones. It is all about some fine tuning and playing a little more regularly.

HappyUP!!! - seeing my old friend BB at Morgan Creek

Why it happened - he was a guest at the same tournament

Why it makes me happy - I used to play a reasonable amount of golf with this guy back in the day. He was a bit older than me. He still looks the same. HE, unlike myself, is still playing some great golf. I think he had it a few under par today. We reconnected and, with any luck, we'll tee it up together soon.

HappyUP!!! Day 537...Back in Town

HappyUP!!! - the British Open
Why it happened - it happens every year
Why it makes me happy - I love the major championships. The British Open is always funky because there are never any trees involved. This year, there are enough storylines for several opens. Greg Norman is in contention at age 53. David Duval is threatening to come back after going from being the top player in the world.....to the depths. Rocco Mediate gave Tiger Woods a run at the US Open...and now he is contending. Jean VandeVelde, who performed the all-time choke in the 1999 British Open, is within striking distance. There are four guys in the running right there. If any of them come through, it would be awesome. Sergio Garcia is hanging around trying to win his first major. Carmelo Villegas, the glamour boy, has never won a tournament. There are a lot of women rooting for him....Ian Poulter too. It's going to be a great weekend.

HappyUP!!! - financial stocks
Why it happened - better than expected earnings reports
Why it makes me happy - the financials have been battered. Their rise this week gives some hope to the stock market. It makes people feel a little better.

HappyUP!!! - Blackberry
Why it happened - I had it with me on my ride home
Why it makes me happy - I had a 5.5 hr car ride with my friend as we came back from vacation. We had many conversations. During some of them, we wondered about something....like a landmark alongside the road. With the Blackberry, we were able to look up the facts and complete our conversation.

JollyJottings

Nice Drive
Arriving Home
No issues upon return
Blackberry
Stock Market
Financial Stocks
Standup Video

HappyUP!!! Day 536....last day at "the Y"

HappyUP!!! - meeting a new guy
Why it happened - he was in my foursome
Why it makes me happy - I have a feeling that I will be seeing B again sometime in the future. He was just a joy to play golf with.

HappyUP!!! - scoring on the course
Why it happened - playing four days in a row of relaxed golf probably has something to do with it
Why it makes me happy - today I showed flashes of hitting the ball like I once did over 18 holes. I had one of my best rounds in the last 5-7 yrs....and it could have been even better. I even had three 3 putts and left a ball in a bunker and had a good score. Things are looking up. Three birdies....which could have been 5 or 6. T-shots that were some of the longest and straightest I have mustered up in a long time. The putter had a few collapses but it also was working on some other holes.

HappyUP!!! - talking to K...tidying up a relationship
Why it happened - I returned K's call
Why it makes me happy - K is a friend....a friend who was put in a difficult position. This strained our relationship. K wants to have lunch and compress the time that it usually takes for things to heal. The thing K doesn't know is that I have no angst in K's direction. I said that I would be up for lunch next time K is in town.


JollyJottings

Meeting a nice guy
Golf
Lunch
A good round
3 birdies and more opportunities
Putter working
Weather
Talking to my friend, S
Talking to K
Hawks
Haagen-Dazs white chocolate raspberry truffle ice cream

HappyUP!!! Day 535....Wednesday is a Good Day!

As I keep trekking - through this blessed trip on the orb, I once again can't limit myself to just three HappyUP!!!s. It's impossible to choose one over another. I'm still on the road and kicking back which adds to the excitement.

HappyUP!!! - a gorgeous walk
Why it happened - on vacation and needed an after dinner stroll
Why it makes me happy - I wish I could describe the peacefulness that lies within this development that I am staying at. Some people like to go away and sight see....I like to go and "no see." Of course, there is a lot of nature to see here at the Running Y. I saw a deer and her two fawns while on the walk. We were right at the lake for a lake view. The temperature with the slight breeze and humidity were perfect. Being in nature WITHOUT camping around people is for me!

HappyUP!!! - golfing
Why it happened - we went to a different golf course
Why it makes me happy - it was an easy course but you can go for big numbers on easy courses if you aren't playing well. I scored pretty well. I striped a 5 iron within 10 ft of the pin and followed it up with a 4 iron within 10 ft on the very next hole. If you know golf, that is a neat trick. The golf course was right on the Klamath Lake so we got evaporative cooling all around the tract.

HappyUP!!! - invitation for golf
Why it happened - my friend likes me
Why it makes me happy - I no sooner get back in town from golfing.....and I will "have" to golf again. This time, it will be at another nice golf course in an invitational tournament. How sweet is that? Something to look forward to.

HappyUP!!! - the stock market was up 270 pts
Why it happened - the financial sector had some good news
Why it makes me happy - the poor bank and financial stocks have just been overly hammered this year. Yes, there have been issues that sector created. I worked in it for years. Some of the stocks have been unfairly over-pummeled. Wells Fargo stock alone was up 30+% today! It gained back over a month of losses in one day. Other financials had great gains as well. Nobody feels good when the stock market goes down...down...and down. It's negative ju-ju. A day like today renews faith for a bit...and that is a HappyUP!!!

JollyJottings

5 iron
4 iron
Driver
Scoring well
Invitation for golf
Golfing today
A third for golf tomorrow
A Blizzard
An afternoon on the deck
Dinner on the deck
A Great Day in the stock market
A great day for the bank stocks
A night full of sleep and dreams

HappyUP!!! Day 534....Vacation

When you are on vacation - it can be tough to pick the three outstanding HappyUP!!!'s of the day. I don't like to do tough things...especially on vacation! So, let's throw down a few extra today.

And remember - this isn't counting the small blessings that may have been overshadowed by the monumentals.

HappyUP!!! - getting our tee time moved up
Why it happened - we went to the course early
Why it makes me happy - the earlier you get out, the earlier you get done. You also reduce the risk of being put behind a slow group of golfers...the fewer groups you are playing behind, the less chance of getting caught behind a slowpoke. Getting done earlier leaves more time to do other things or relax when on vacation.

HappyUP!!! - the quiet of the Running Y
Why it happened - we're out in the country
Why it makes me happy - I don't have to have quiet...but I like it. When we were playing the first few holes today, there was not a sound. I didn't even hear animals. It was effecting my swing...in a positive way. I have never thought that concentration has been a problem for me on the course. When I was playing with NO background noise, I realized that maybe I do notice those noises. It's a weird thing to describe. What is silence? It's nothing. I was fully in tune to nothing. It made me happy.

HappyUP!!! - smog check passed
Why it happened - I had a friend take the car in for this
Why it makes me happy - first, I don't have to do repairs and get a retest. Second, I had my housesitter do this for me and I didn't want her to be hassled. It worked out great.

HappyUP!!! - golfing
Why it happened - it was planned
Why it makes me happy - I smacked it well off the first tee. You have to be a golfer to understand how good that makes you feel. You overcome some nerves, you are off to a good start, and it makes you feel optimistic. I also drilled a 4-iron later in the day. This is something that most golfers, including myself, do not do on a consistent basis. You notice it when it happens. I hit some very nice bunker shots. I got my first birdie of the trip and had several other opportunities. Today was one of the days where I didn't score nearly as well as I should, but it is going in the correct direction....a HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - a doe and her three FRESH offspring
Why it happened - it's nature and that is where I am at
Why it makes me happy - I don't live in "deer country" but I see deer on a somewhat regular basis. You don't see this very often. The pack was standing right around the corner from where I am staying. The ears on those little ones were almost as long as their legs!

HappyUP!!! - Get Smart
Why it happened - we decided to go to the afternoon movie
Why it makes me happy - the movie was OK but, when you conjure up memories of the old show, it had some pretty funny moments.


JollyJottings

Seeing a deer and three fawns
Drilling a 4 iron/My first birdie of the trip/Smacking it off the first tee
Dinner
Get Smart
Sightseeing
Good sleep
Weather
Getting our tee time moved up
Smog Check passed

HappyUP!!! Day 533.....

HappyUP!!! - golf
Why it happened - I am on vacation
Why it makes me happy - I'm in Southeastern Oregon. Today, we played in the afternoon after the drive. It was in the low to mid 80's. Everyone here was sweltering....it was heaven to get out of the upper 90's/low 100's and all the smoke from the fires. I didn't score that well but I didn't hit many terrible shots...maybe 2. I kept the ball in play all day. The putting stroke is solid. My last shot of the day was a perfectly striped 4-iron with a draw. When you had been hitting blocks with your irons all day, the draw is a welcome sight.

HappyUP!!! - waking up early...naturally...no alarm clock
Why it happened - who knows
Why it makes me happy - more time to get some last minute things done. ...and, man, was I productive! I did more in a couple hours than I get done over two days at times. Vacation is a magical motivator.

HappyUP!!! - weather
Why it happened - it's God's deal
Why it makes me happy - I know....I know...I already talked about the weather but that was tucked into golf. It was just so gorgeous up here that it deserved it's own HappyUP!!!. When I tee off at 8:30 tomorrow morning, it is going to be totally perfect!


JollyJottings (the contenders)

Waking up really early
Getting a bunch of things done in the wee hours
Still meeting my travelling buddy on time
A pleasant 5.5 hr car ride
My friend's vacation home
Golf
E-mails were great today
A call from my friend
Deer

HappyUP!!! Day 532 - Overachievement with the HappyUP!!!'s

Pardon me - as I indulge myself with a few extra HappyUP!!!s today. NO!!! Just because I did more than three does NOT break the string. This is my gig and I make the rules!!!


HappyUP!!! - 8 hrs of sleep
Why it happened - who knows
Why it makes me happy - I was zoning....no interruptions. Went to sleep around 11:30 and woke up at 7:30. That is almost unheard of for this kid. Sleep is important.

HappyUP!!! - meeting my neighbor a couple of doors down
Why it happened - she was having a yard sale and I had excess tomatoes
Why it makes me happy - her and her boyfriend love tomatoes. When you are one guy with 20 tomato plants, people nearby who love tomatoes is a HappyUP!!! I love to grow them and I love sharing the harvest...especially a couple of doors down

HappyUP!!! - tomato-ing the lady next door
Why it happened - I said, "D....tomatoes?" She said, "YES!"
Why it makes me happy - same as above....people love tomatoes. I love to provide. It's a win-win

HappyUP!!! - defurring the cat
Why it happened - I took the time
Why it makes me happy - I don't take the brush and metal brush to Stogie very often. Shame on me. I took so much fur off of him that, on a hot day, shedding the excess must have felt great. He loves the attention too! I commit to more defurring in the future!

HappyUP!!! - coffee with my buddy
Why it happened - he took my call
Why it makes me happy - we love to people watch and chew the cud

HappyUP!!! - an invite to come to Colorado
Why it happened - my friend has grace...and the gift of hospitality
Why it makes me happy - I just may take him up on it. Colorado is probably a touch cooler in August than Sacramento! Plus, this couple's company is as good as it gets.

HappyUP!!! - e-mail dialogue with a new friend
Why it happened - the person followed up with an e-mail
Why it makes me happy - we traded some good stories and have some similar philosophies. Trust me, when you are the Nutster, you have to do a little looking for people that want to be or will admit to being on a similar plane. It's about like-minded people...probably found another one.

JollyJottings (the contenders)

Sleeping until 7:30
Coffee with my buddy
Meeting a neighbor
Giving away tomato's
MORE tomato's
An invitation to watch soccer
Finding a book
De-furring the cat
An e-mail exchange with a new friend
An e-mail exchange with a dear friend...and an invitation to go visit
A phone call with an old friend...and confirmation regarding a trip
A reminder that about a specific trip that I need to book
Tidying Up

Your Favorite Word

I don't know - who will play along amongst the vast readership out there. This is going to be difficult and, by my reckoning, most people don't like to do difficult things. If no one plays, I have no issue playing the game on my own. It's not as much fun but I'll be entertained either way.

Yet, this could be one of the most important things - that you ever do. It all depends how you want to take this exercise. You could also choose to just have some fun with it.

How do you want to interpret "favorite"? - the most meaningful? the one that describes your life or how you would wish it to be? the most fun? It's all up to you.

Spend a few moments - or a few hours....or a few days....and contemplate your favorite word and why. Leave a comment here.

I'll even help you get started by giving some examples - geez, can I make the difficult task any easier?

Forgiveness - ahh...this could be a contender for my friends who follow Christ.

Trust - this one is important to me. Without trust, what do you have?

Rapture - I loooove what this word means and how it sounds

Joy - we all love it and know it when we see it.....and nobody gets enough of it.

Gay - it doesn't just mean homosexual, remember? Yet, to my gay friends, the homosexual community received a gem of a word when it adopted this one. So, this could be their favorite word for that reason. Or, yours for it's traditional meaning.

....you get the idea - just shoot down the word and what it means to you.

What is my favorite word? - you ask the best questions. You really do.

I think it may be - "Oooooops!"

I know - You think I am just cutting up again and "being the Nutster." Nope. We all make mistakes...oooops! The word has the connotation of apology and looking for forgiveness. It also has a fun sound plus, when you say it, it lends itself to all kinds of facial and body language as well as voice inflection. And who doesn't enjoy saying it's derivative, "oooopsie," as well. "Oooopsie, I am so sorry that I spilled that scalding hot coffee on your lap after you insulted me."

I'm willing to change - I just need a compelling reason to do so. This is where you come in. Take your time.

Or, do it now....your first impression may be the real deal. Perhaps it isn't something you want to ponder too long.

Then again - if you want it to be the defining word about your life, a bit of meditation may be in order.

QuoteUP!!! 9...The Space Between

"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom."

-Victor Frankl

You Have Your God

"You have your God, my friend, and I have my God. We all place our bets in this life. Where we disagree, let's both pray that there are multiple Gods and that I see you again at the next stop"

-Nutster

-

HappyUP!!! Day 531

HappyUP!!! - Golf
Why it happened - my friend called me
Why it makes me happy - the score didn't....that's for sure...especially the snowman (8) on the last hole. I played one of my old home courses today. I hit a drive off the first tee that was as far as I have ever hit one there....first shot of the day. A HappyUP!!! I hit a perfect wedge shot within 5 feet of the hole from a difficult lie and made the putt...A HappyUP!!! Golf is satan's game. Even when a bad score is going on, it lures you back with HappyUP!!!s

HappyUP!!! - lending out my truck
Why it happened - my niece needed it
Why it makes me happy - I got the truck back! Nah, she's a good kid. I was just happy to help her. I also got to meet her friend from college who seemed to be very nice.

HappyUP!!! - my new book
Why it happened - I bought it after hearing of it for so long
Why it makes me happy - it's rather light reading. It's actually kind of a chick book. That's OK, though. I am in need of some variety in reading. I'll probably have this one done before Monday. It's that much of an attention holder.

JollyJottings

Breakfast and talking with Mike
Golf
Drive off first tee
Wedge Shot
Lending my truck to my niece
Getting the truck back from my niece
Meeting my niece's friend
My New Book

HappyUP!!! Day 530

HappyUP!!! - 28% off at Mervyn's
Why it happened - they insisted
Why it makes me happy - I was going to use my Visa card and get reward points. The lady said I could save 15% if I used my Mervyns. I told her I didn't have it. She tried to look it up. Because of inactivity, she said I was probably dropped....and then offered me 28% off if I opened a new account and used it. HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - running into my old friend, Dave R
Why it happened - I was at Borders
Why it makes me happy - I hadn't seen this guy in years. He is an old mortgage veteran. It was awesome to get reacquainted. At the end of the conversation, he even offered me a job. While I am not looking, it's always nice to be wanted.

HappyUP!!! - golf invitation
Why it happened - my friend called me out of the blue
Why it makes me happy - I am golfing at 8:15 tomorrow morning....perfect!

JollyJottings

Breakfast with my friend
Call from J
E-mail to an ex-coworker
Recommending a resignation
Running into my old buddy, Dave R
Books
28% off at Mervyn's
Invitation for Golf tomorrow
Stock Market minimal loss
Tomato Harvest

HappyUP!!! Day 529

HappyUP!!! - news
Why it happened - a friend gave it to me
Why it makes me happy - it doesn't make me happy.....it just makes me laugh when I think of the puppets that are on strings

HappyUP!!! - seeing old friends
Why it happened - by accident..........or synchronicity?
Why it makes me happy - I was having coffee at Starbucks. Out of nowhere, a lady I knew came up and said, "Hi." We started talking. Pretty soon, her husband came in. He's a friend of mine too. I was just talking to another mutual friend about this couple yesterday......kinda spookey, eh? I really like this couple but rarely see them. I hadn't seen her in over a year. They were on their way to a doctor's appointment to check on her pregnancy. Lots of HappyUP!!!ing around that topic.

HappyUP!!! - learning
Why it happened - I was studying
Why it makes me happy - I feel happy when I do something productive and lasting with things that I am picking up.


JollyJottings

Studying
Learning
Throwing stuff away
Phone call from a friend
A new book referral

What's Up With This?..... M&M Ice Cream Treats

M&M's have a special place here in the land of HappyUP!!!s - who doesn't get a rush of joyful anticipation right before those delicious delicious nuggets are about to "melt in your mouth and not in your hand"?

If you don't feel that - I don't think you'll get the HappyUP!!! thing at all.

Imagine my joy - when I heard M&M's had expanded to ice cream treats! Put ice cream with one of the best candies in the world and you are looking at pure happiness!

I rushed down to the store and obtained a box - and I couldn't believe it. A box comes with 5 treats. The box gurantees that you will get at least two different colors of ice cream treats. The only way to verify how many that you get is to open them all.

So, purely in the interest of objective journalism - I did so.....quickly. I think I got three colors. I don't remember because I was acutally checking out the trademark m.

The m&m is all about the M - otherwise, it's not an m&m....right? If there was ever something that was all about the brand, this would be it.

Look at the picture - every one of those ice cream treats had the same shoddy "m" printed on it. I had also been hoping that the outside coating would be thin and hard....kind of like the candy.

Nope - it was pretty much the same as any "vanilla covered in chocolate" ice cream confection that you can get anywhere.

Don't get me wrong - it was good. Come on.....vanilla ice cream with chocolate is hard to mess up...

....but so is an "m" - well, at least I thought it was.

Such a fine brand - but no pride in it. Maybe I got a bad box. I'll never know. If the "m" would have been right or the candy shell had been different, I might be tempted to pay the premium and buy another one.

It was a HappyUP!!! - because I had the treat (yes, eating all 5 of them counts as ONE treat...they're small.....plus, I had to thoroughly investigate). Yet, I was bummed by the blurry "m."

HappyUP!!! JokeItUP!!! 2 - the two professors

A history professor and a psychology professor were sitting out on the veranda at a nudist colony chatting.

The history professor asked, "Have you read Marx?"

The psychology prof replied, "Yes. I believe it is the wicker chairs."

HappyUP!!! Day 528

HappyUP!!! - staying in
Why it happened - it was 105 degrees or more today....with fires burning everywhere
Why it makes me happy - OK...THIS was a tough day to be happy. It's easy to stay inside in the winter. Even then, you can get cabin fever. Even when it is hot here near the Big Tomato (Sacratomato), you can go outside. There was NO desire today. I did run a couple of errands. People were walking around with their shirts pulled up over their mouths. UGLY.....which makes it all the better that I got a GREAT e-mail from a friend....and a couple of enjoyable phone calls with others.

HappyUP!!! - chipping
Why it happened - I snuck out there early
Why it makes me happy - I had found a fundamental secret.....and then it went away.....but I rediscovered the secret that I had just found. My chipping out on the golf course WILL get back to it's glory days.

HappyUP!!! - delivery
Why it happened - I ordered some clothes
Why it makes me happy - they came on this gloomy day. Ever since retiring, there has been a hole in my wardrobe that I am picking away at filling. Slacks, jackets, and ties give way to button up short sleeve shirts. I've got some good ones for summer....this one and next and the one after that.

JollyJottings

Staying in
Chipping
E-mail from a friend
Phone chat with another friend

HappyUP!!! Day 527

HappyUP!!! - Toastmasters
Why it happened - it's Tuesday
Why it makes me happy - I had to fill in at the last minute and give a speech. It was a darn good one considering the time frame.

HappyUP!!! - lunch
Why it happened - I got an invitation
Why it makes me happy - it's good to stay in touch with some people in the industry. This was a person that
I met in the last year while I was still working. I always enjoy our conversations over lunch.

HappyUP!!! - letter of reference
Why it happened - I was asked
Why it makes me happy - it's always a complement to be singled out by someone. It's also nice when you write one of those to stop and think about the good things of another person. There's an idea for you...you have people in your life right now. They may not be looking for a job but write a letter of reference and send it to them.

JollyJottings

Running at 5:30

HappyUP!!! Day 526

HappyUP!!! - no soreness
Why it happened - two days off from running
Why it makes me happy - I could have ran today. The air quality was terrible, however. Still, I could have ran. With only one day off, however, I think some of my cramping would have come right back. Two days off after 5 days on is probably a good thing in the long run. I'll be back at it in the morning....pain free.

HappyUP!!! - invite to dinner
Why it happened - I'm popular???
Why it makes me happy - I had some delicious Taco Salad that I didn't have to make.....and swimming. All on an evening where the temperature was perfect.

HappyUP!!! - call from an industry friend, TP
Why it happened - he was thinking of me
Why it makes me happy - the mortgage industry is a tough business right now. This person is part of the old guard. His company was recently bought out. It will be good for him. He is in a good place and getting close to the finish line. It was an uplifting call.


JollyJottings

Invite to dinner
Swimming
Sharing the Toms
Coffee
Sample Girl
Owning my truck
Day off from running
Call from an industry friend, TP
Call from a former co-worker
"The Fountains" sign

In Today's Economy......Chicken Feed

............isn't 'chicken feed" anymore.

Another great term reduced to rubble with the times - have you checked out the price lately of chicken feed?

What used to cost $50 a barrel - now costs $75.

....that ain't just "chicken feed".

HappyUP!!! Day 525

HappyUP!!! - Wimbledon Final
Why it happened - it happens every year
Why it makes me happy - I am not a huge tennis fan...but I do appreciate good sports. Today's match may have been the greatest Wimbledon Final of all time. The fifth set went to extra games. The play was superb. There was a little ebb and flow...but not much. Just two guys laying it out there.

HappyUP!!! - free food
Why it happened - my brother called me up
Why it makes me happy - I went to his house for a burger that I didn't have to make!

HappyUP!!! - Hanging with family and friends
Why it happened - see above
Why it makes me happy - today would have been a rather solitary day. A lot of people are out of town. I was watching Wimbledon for the first half of the day. It was great to hang with my niece (up from college) and nephew as well as family friends.

JollyJottings

Watering and gettin on it
Wimbledon and enjoying it
Free Food
Hanging out with friends

JollyJottings

Watering and gettin on it
Wimbledon and enjoying it
Helping buddy get BBQ

HappyUP!!! Day 524.....

HappyUP!!! - running
Why it happened - I am keeping the string alive
Why it makes me happy - I am only 5 days in. It takes awhile to make something a habit. I am happy about this because my body is allowing me the pleasure of tasking myself in a way that I have done in the past...and that I enjoy. On top of that, it was another personal best without trying.

HappyUP!!! - great sleep
Why it happened - who knows
Why it makes me happy - I didn't wake up once and slept for 7.5 hours. THAT has to be good for me so I am glad that I was able to do it.

HappyUP!!! - coffee and friends
Why it happened - my buddy wanted to go to coffee
Why it makes me happy - once again, I love sitting in public having coffee....especially when a mutual friend of ours comes in and spends some time chatting and catching up. He's "old Roseville" too and will be here with the rest of us forever. No one talks about that but we all know it....and there is something settling in that regard.

JollyJottings

Breakfast
Great sleep
Morning Pages
Coffee
Seeing my friend MA
Running
Watering
Tomato's

HappyUP!!! Day 523.....HappyUP!!! Fourth of July

HappyUP!!! - morning run
Why it happened - I keep on keeping on
Why it makes me happy - see this post. There is nothing else to say. While I wasn't shooting for anything, it was a personal best since I started training. A personal best when you were feeling like a slug is a HappyUP!!! for the accomplishment

HappyUP!!! - 4th with friend
Why it happened - it's a family thing
Why it makes me happy - I could go on and on. Food is a good one. Everyone bringing a dish....ribs on the BBQ. Hanging out by the pool. It's all about celebrating the National Holiday.

HappyUP!!! - swimming
Why it happened - see above
Why it makes me happy - it was the first time I was in a pool this year. My best friend's mom and dad are in their seventies...they were frolicking in the pool. The water was the perfect temperature...too cold when you first get in and just right when you have been in there awhile.

JollyJottings

A fun, bantering e-mail exchange with SG
An e-mail from my friend, E
This morning's run
The Book of Matthew
Brennan Manning Interview
Cucumber salad
Taking vegetable
Food
Extended family
Swimming

The Journey of 1000 Miles Begins with the First Step....

Welcome back to today's installment - of one middle age man's (OK....late middle age man's) attempt at turning the clock back a little bit and see how close he can come to the glory days of X years and Y pounds ago. For more info on that, scroll to the bottom of the post.

7/8/08 Ran 2 miles - I intentionally took one day off that became 2. I thought it would be a good idea to let some soreness heal. With heat expected at 107 degrees and air quality TERRIBLE expected, I set out pain free at 5:30 this morning. I don't like to run early...always slow. I was not as sluggish as I had expected...but I was slow. It also did not take long for my right calf to get sore. This is a lingering condition from severing a calf muscle a few years ago. Oh well, I can run through it. We'll see how it goes as I run longer. Out in 7:50/Back in 8:00 with a pulse of 170 upon completion. The important thing is that I ran today. Note: a bit later in the day...right calf is tender but knee is in good shape and thighs are fine too!

7/5/08 Ran 2 miles - another amazing story. With knee pain after yesterday's run, I thought today would be the day I would break my string. I'll run over sore....but not over pain...especially in the knee. This morning, my legs were stiff. I waited until tonight and said, "we'll give it a go." I had some kind of cut pain on my toe (and blood in the sock afterward) but went forward. I had a pretty tight right calf too. I was labored on the way out and figuring, because I had already kind of planned not to run, that I would end up walking this one back home...but I didn't. I kept running. 7:38 out and 7:42 back! Pulse 180 when done. No wonder I was thinking I would need to walk. The "back" was way faster than my fastest "going out" yesterday. I swear...I don't go out thinking, "beat yesterday." I am just trying to lay down some base mileage.

7/4/08 Ran 2 miles - still sore but not as sore as when I went out yesterday. For the first time, I ran in the mid-morning....around 10. Very pleasant. I labored, however. No rhythm as I was heading out to my turnaround point. "Oh well, this will be a slow one. Some days are like that. Just enjoy the show." I got to the mile marker and it read....7:55! My fastest of the four days...though I wasn't trying to go fast and was clunking. I ended up coming home in 8 minutes which was as fast as any of my "going out" runs have been. Pulse was the usual 180 at completion. This is a good sign when you start "evening out" the miles....they were within 5 seconds of each other. I had gas in the tank left when I got home. As I ran out, I was noticing some possible pains....not soreness. They went away, though. I'll keep up the two miles for a few more days, keep an eye on pain, see what my soreness level is, and then think about kicking up the mileage. No hurry....no worry. I have a long term plan.

7/3/08 Ran 2 miles - more sore starting out today than yesterday...but it broke loose. Hey, news flash! It's a lot nicer running in the evening in a slight breeze than when it's mid-day and 90 degrees. 8 minutes flat going out and 8:16 coming home into the wind. Wasn't pushing it or shooting for a time...and, I was sorer today than yesterday. Pulse 180 at immediate completion. I feel good...I could have blown this one off due to the soreness.

7/2/08 Ran 2 miles - sore from yesterday...very sore. It's not an injury type sore...it's a "run over the top of it" sore. Running is more like stretching...it's not like weightlifting where you need a recovery day. Not for two miles! Still, it was good to feel some pain. 8:10 out, 8:30 back. Didn't kick coming in. Wanted an accurate read on pulse....180.

7/1/08 Ran 2 Miles - it wasn't pretty. 8:06 out and 8:30 back with a 170 pulse upon completion. No, it wasn't pretty but, as the title of this post says.......

You'll see this post recurring - and it probably won't be too interesting to many of you.

Then again - it may be just what some of you need to see. Remember, there was a day when I clipped off 26 miles at a 6:09 pace.....you can see where I am today 23 years later. About a year and a half ago, I ran all out for one mile....and made 6:59. Today wasn't all out for a mile. That will be coming up in a bit. If I had tried today, I probably could have done 7:30.......30 seconds slower than last February. It COULD get SOME a little down.....

....but - as the post says.........

HappyUP!!! Day 522 - A Great Day

As far as days go, this wasn't the tippy top - or even the tip top.

But it was darn good!

HappyUP!!! - a stock photograph sent to me
Why it happened - there is a proud aunt out there
Why it makes me happy - I don't know this little girl. I don't even really know her parents. Her grandparents are people I used to know. No, this is no family sentimental photo album time for me. How good is this photo? "Happiness"...."Innocence"...."All that is right"...."Oh Boy"......insert your caption. I am sure that I will use this picture in some fashion in the future. Plus, it was a bright spot on a sunny day

HappyUP!!! - an evening run
Why it happened - sheer willpower
Why it makes me happy - three days in a row....and I was too sore to go running. I really was. But, it wasn't an injury soreness. It was a "run through it" soreness. Though being sore and still a challenge, this was the easiest run of the first three. Plus, the Delta Breeze came in and made me soak in our regions natural evaporative cooler like the grass takes in the morning dew. It feels great to be alive.

HappyUP!!! - coffee with my best friend
Why it happened - he had the day off
Why it makes me happy - some would say that I blew three hours and six bucks at Starbucks. My buddy and I weren't solving any of the world's problems today. All I know is that, here we are, 35 yrs of friendship later and three hours passes like minutes.....and it's not like we haven't talked recently. It's a precious thing...that friendship thing. (PS...and he is off again Monday so I have a HappyUP!!! in the bag for then.

Bonus HappyUP!!! - visit from my nephew
Why it happened - he needed to drop something by
Why it makes me happy - love the nephew. PLUS.....I think I just found my middle of the day tennis buddy!


JollyJottings

A picture e-mailed
Coffee with my buddy
A trip to the fountains
A Mezzaluna
An e-mail from out of nowhere - SG
Talking with a former employee
E-mailing with a former employee
A lunch invitation for next week - MD
Seeing another friend while at coffee
A very light eating day
A Lovely evening breeze
Finishing another run
A golf invitation
A visit with my nephew
Starting and finishing a little project

HappyUP!!! Day 521

HappyUP!!! - dinner
Why it happened - I got an invitation
Why it makes me happy - it's always nice to share a meal with a friend that you don't see that often. The food was good, too! Sushi....love it!

HappyUP!!! - getting bitter kidding
Why it happened - I ran into a cynic
Why it makes me happy - the person just could not believe that I have accomplished something....and sour graped it. I don't know if it makes me happy...or a little sad for that person. I think it is both. I'll take the happy and leave the sad over on his side of the court.

HappyUP!!! - a second day of running
Why it happened - I have a vow to myself
Why it makes me happy - I was SOOOORRRRE from my short run yesterday...I mean sore. You can run through sore....you can't run through injury. I ran through sore today. I anticipate that I will do the same tomorrow.


JollyJottings

Coffee talk
Getting bitter kidding
Dinner
Coffee Invitation
Evening Drive
A second day running

HappyUP!!! Day 520

HappyUP!!! - a visit with a friend
Why it happened - he needed a favor
Why it makes me happy - I'm glad that I could give my friend a good turn. I like doing favors for people. No questions....no expectations.....just a favor.

HappyUP!!! - two miles
Why it happened - the second half of the year begins today
Why it makes me happy - it is the beginning of a journey. I have an idea of where it could go as well as certainty as to where it will go. A direction is a HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - morning pages
Why it happened - I try to do them most days
Why it makes me happy - I came across an epiphany. I didn't write these when I really should have. I did them later in the morning. There was no reason to do them late in the morning. But there was also all the reason in the world. I wrote what I needed to hear today.

JollyJottings

Beating the Dow...it was up .24% while I was up .4% today. Yesterday,
Toastmasters speeches
Coming across some direction for now
A conversation with a friend
A visit from another friend

HappyUP!!! Day 519

HappyUP!!! - smog check
Why it happened - I had to register the car
Why it makes me happy - no issues....and I was in and out in less than 20 minutes. It could have gone a lot of ways but that easily. The lady that was before me in line was there when I left

HappyUP!!! - welcoming committee
Why it happened - I went out for a walk
Why it makes me happy - my neighbor was on her walk and told me to join her. We had a mutual friend/old schoolmate that just moved back into the neighborhood today. We went and visited for a few minutes.

HappyUP!!! - the Thin Mint Blizzard
Why it happened - I support Girl Scouts!
Why it makes me happy - it was delicious! Besides, I think that the Thin Mint Blizzard does support girl scouts

HappyUP!!! -from the garden
Why it happened - I did some picking
Why it makes me happy - I stuffed a bell pepper with some cheese, ate a cucumber by itself (then got another one to slice into my salad), ate about 5 strawberries, and had several small tomatoes by themselves and with my salad. If you have never eaten from your own garden, you can't get the extra joy.....on top of the freshness and knowing where your food came from.

HappyUP!!! Day 518

HappyUP!!! - delicious cucumbers
Why it happened - I grew them....and got a tip
Why it makes me happy - I need to be a bit more conscious of my diet. Yesterday, an older lady gave me a tip on eating cucumbers....says her husband has one every day. I GROW cucumbers. She just said, "slice it up, a touch of oil, and soy sauce." What a delicious by product tonight.

HappyUP!!! - the Fugitive
Why it happened - I caught the movie
Why it makes me happy - I spent a long time not watching movies....still don't see many. Today, I caught this one for the first time. I don't recall the reviews being that great but I thought the movie was.

HappyUP!!! - no one hurt
Why it happened - a dog fight
Why it makes me happy - my neighbor had placed herself between her children's dogs.....they are nice dogs but are a breed with a bad reputation. They got into an argument over some food and were locked down on each other. She was trying to pry them apart. I was first to the fence but there wasn't much that I could do. The kids came out and managed to get the dogs apart. Lots of blood but I think the pups will be alright....my neighbor too. I almost went over the fence and I am glad I didn't. The dogs know each other and they know her...if I showed up in their frenzy, they may have mistaken me for an intruder and turned the angst toward me.

HappyUP!!! Day 517

HappyUP!!! - the Rocklin Jubilee

Why it happened - we, as a species, have a penchant for these types of community affairs

Why it made me happy - I didn't have to go and deal with the crowd! You're never too big a kid to enjoy some fireworks......I'm just not big on the element that you have to usually fight through to enjoy the show. My buddy invited me over to his house for a BBQ at the last minute tonight. I got a free burger, homemade ice cream, and an unobstructed view of the show.



HappyUP!!! - homemade ice cream

Why it happened - I accepted the above invitation

Why it makes me happy - I love ice cream....I really do. I'm lactose indulgent. I had not had any home made in forever.

HappyUP!!! - giving up the figs

Why it happened - I saw my fig fan today

Why it makes me happy - figs are expensive. I have a fig tree. I hate to see them go to waste. The lady that I gave them to is appreciative....she also said that my figs are huge. So, I guess I am Mr Big Figs. I had no idea of how big a fig is supposed to be. Don't worry...I'll try not to let it get to my head.

HappyUP!!! Day 516

HappyUP!!! - breakfast with a friend
Why it happened - he got it on the calender
Why it makes me happy - this guy is one of my favorite people to visit with. He's going through some things right now....which makes for even better conversation.

HappyUP!!! - sodifying
Why it happened - a buddy needed help
Why it makes me happy - just doing a good turn for a friend in need is always a HappyUP!!! I didn't think the work was that hard....a little dirty.

HappyUP!!! - dinner with my best friend
Why it happened - he was hungry and called me
Why it makes me happy - more hi-jinx and funny conversation!

JollyJottings

Breakfast with my friend
Giuseppe on sweet with everything
Laying the sod
Finishing the sod
Drinking water
Sitting/Collapsing in my chair "post sod"

HappyUP!!! Day 515

HappyUP!!! - a trip to the dump
Why it happened - I had a load on
Why it made me happy - no issues on the drive there. The load stayed covered despite some suspect tying down. The line was non existent. I also live in a place where the dumping is luxurious. I even had a nice conversation with the hispanic gentleman who assisted me at the dump. He gave me a couple of touches on the forearm thanking me for my concern about his well being.

HappyUP!!! - recognition
Why it happened - my buddy noticed the favor I did yesterday
Why it made me happy - I really didn't need to be thanked. It was good to know that he realized that there was one less task he needed to do. It's nice to take something off another guy's plate

HappyUP!!! - a chance to be of service
Why it happened - I got a phone call
Why it made me happy - I get to lay sod tomorrow. OK....laying sod isn't my favorite thing to do but I have done it before. I wish I had gotten some help sooner in the day when I laid mine. Tomorrow's job won't be as big a job, there will be more people, and it will be considerably under 100 degrees. I'll also get a little bit of a badly needed workout.

HappyUP!!! Day 514 -

HappyUP!!! - e-mail from a former boss
Why it happened - I looked him up and e-mailed him yesterday....and forgot about it
Why it made me happy - this guy now owns a very interesting business I always like him as a boss though it has probably been 10 years since I have worked for him or seen him. I am glad that he was able to follow a dream in post-corporate life. I have more respect for him doing that than I do anyone that I have ever worked for.

HappyUP!!! - phone call from RV
Why it happened - RV is a nice guy.....not a gas guzzler!
Why it makes me happy - RV used to work for me as a manager. He moved far away but stays in touch a few times a year. I think that he will eventually move back out here.....and that is a HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - random acts of kindness
Why it happened - I felt like it
Why it makes me happy - I think the people that got there first veggie bags of the year delivered will appreciate them. While a touch skimpy, there will be more to come. I like to "drop and dash". I also did a major favor for a guy that he probably doesn't even know about yet. It will be fun to find out how long it takes him to realize what was done.

JollyJottings

Phone call out of the blue from R.V.
E-mail from a guy WAY in my past
Dropping off the veges
Performing a random act of kindness
Meeting with my buddy
E-mail exchange with a new friend
More good chipping
Tri-tip
A cool day
A coupon in the PennySaver
LIFE
Remembering George Carlin
Great sleep

"Congolia Breckenridge....now that's a colorful name".....George Carlin remembered

How the heck did I miss this? - I stay pretty plugged in. I have to admit that a lot of it is to CNBC and the Golf Channel...not exactly Carlin venues or things that he had any taste for at all. I didn't realize that George Carlin had died Sunday until a few minutes ago.

Back in October - I decided at the last minute to go and see George Carlin live. Here is the HappyUP!!! link Today, I am so glad that I did. I can't tell you how many times he came to town and I said, "I need to see him," and then didn't go. I didn't even buy advance tickets. I was going to let this time pass me by like all of the others. Yet, on that Saturday night, I had nothing to do and I said, "I'm going."

I got there as the lights were flickering - I bought my ticket.....in the second row. Funny, I had tried to get tickets a few days earlier and the seats were all in the back. This added to my previous decision to let things pass. What an honor it was to be sitting so close to the feet of this comedic genius.

Boy, am I glad that I went - as I am allowing his passing to set in. Someone e-mailed me just yesterday about me being funny and asked who my favorite comedian is. I said, "George Carlin." In retrospect, I should have said, "was," but I hadn't gotten the news.

You see - I grew up with George Carlin. I was probably 10 years old when my older brothers brought "the hippy dippy weatherman" on vinyl into our house. I still have the record and am likely to set up the turntable and give it a listen very soon. George Carlin Puts on and Takes Off was the name of it. The fact that I can remember that tells you how indelibly he was linked to my youth. I'll even rattle off a song he did on that record....it was a love song that I committed to memory and can still remember it 38 yrs later:

"I sent my sinuses to Arizona
I sent my liver to Peru
I sent my lungs and my kidneys, for the summer, to Sydney
But I'm sending my heart to youuuuuuuuuuuu..."

And the weather report for tonight? - "Dark!"

The album cover was full of snapshots of him - in a coat and tie with short hair and clean shave. He hadn't "hit stride" and gone anti-establishment yet......he was funny when he was clean...

....but he was even funnier when he was dirty.

As I watched him that night - he was reading his material. It wasn't because he couldn't remember it. He was writing it on the road and trying it out to see if it would be suitable for his upcoming HBO special.......and the audience gladly paid for the privilege of watching this craftsman PRACTICE.

I usually carry a journal with me - but I forgot that night. I did have a pen and a scrap of paper. He inspired me to write a funny schtick about conference calls. While he wasn't making reference to them, he was riffing on the silly "male bovine manure" (George would have said something else but, out of respect, he owns that word) that goes on in corporate America.

I always thought it would be funny - to do that schtick at some gig my company was hosting.......but I don't think they would think it was too funny. You have to know your audience. Carlin always did......and he used them to his benefit.

It is a shame that I see all of the references - in the articles about his death to the "Seven Dirty Words...." It seems so trite and cliche' to remember him for that. Carlin was the anti-cliche and anti-trite king.

He was a comedian - that made you think. Yes, he used some bad language when he didn't need to....but he also used bad language precisely where it was needed. You laughed because you were thinking it. Here is a great link in his remembrance. You can find many more by doing a google. I know I will be doing many more so I can hear his gems.

Carlin was not afraid - to say what YOU thought.

I caught the following from a comment on another blog:

"I still remember a piece he did about a girl showing up at his apartment, three months after they briefly met at a concert. He says "oh I remember you...you were a good sport."

Girl: "Well, I'm pregnant with your baby and I'm going to kill myself!"

George: "Wow, you are a good sport."

I am wondering who I will miss the most - Tim Russert or George Carlin. I know. Russert represented all that was "proper" and "good" and hard-working in the world. His values are legendary. Carlin used profane language, drugs, and reminded you more of a homeless person.....that you loved. There is something about that which makes this a toss-up. Tim Russert will not be receiving the Mark Twain Award....and I am a Mark Twain fan. Perhaps this is why I think that, though radically different, Carlin was as great an American.

Keep Remembering to Question Authority - Carlin won't be around to remind you of that any more.

NOTE: here is a link to the last interview with Carlin. If you are a fan, take the time to read this excellent piece.

HappyUP!!! Day 513

HappyUP!!! - more chipping
Why it happened - I got that tip yesterday
Why it makes me happy - it really makes me want to get out to the course and do some practicing......and then put it to work on the course. If my short game gets in order, I think my scores will be really close to where they used to be. I still have some more tweaks to work on but this has been a particularly maddening part of my game...or lack thereof.

HappyUP!!! - toastmasters
Why it happened - it happens every Tuesday
Why it makes me happy - I got to see the guys.....I gave a solid speech....and I met our new area governor. He definitely has a lot of life in him. He could be a HappyUP!!! all on his own. I look forward to getting to know him better.

HappyUP!!! - a top down drive this evening
Why it happened - I felt a little closed in
Why it makes me happy - even with gas prices, it's good to just take a little drive around town. I know...it wasn't very green of me but I probably burned a quarter of a gallon of gas which isn't the end of the world. I love driving the convertible.

JollyJottings

Toastmasters
My Speech
Our incoming Area Governor
E-mail from T
Reading
Men's Health
Driving the Carerra
Call from a buddy for a breakfast invitation
Call to my brother
Call from my best friend inviting me to dinner
More chipping
Call from D

HappyUP!!! Day 512....Monday, Monday

Unlike the mama's and papa's - I trust that day. I am going to start making Monday my "Bidness" day. There usually isn't a lot going on for Monday so it seems like a good day to put in work on all of my stuff...

...and leave me to play guilt free - the rest of the week (like I was feeling guilty).

HappyUP!!! - a chipping tip
Why it happened - I stumbled across an on-line video
Why it makes me happy - I immediately went out back and went through the drill. It was amazing. The contact that I was making with the ball was night and day...and it was such a little thing. This was especially significant because my chipping was once my strong point. All year, it has been a source of consternation. Now, time to take it to the course.

HappyUP!!! - call from a former employee
Why it happened - I called and left a message
Why it makes me happy - everything is OK. I had heard that there was challenges with children but it turned out that it was just the usual sicknesses that happen to little ones. I was relieved that it wasn't more serious. We also had a nice chat.

HappyUP!!! - a new book
Why it happened - I bought it yesterday
Why it makes me happy - I got a different understanding of the Biblical reference, "I Am." It gives me permission to look at things a little differently on this topic....which should be to my betterment. The entire concept of ego is a very interesting topic to me.

JollyJottings

Chipping Tip
Accuracy Tip
Call from my admin
Clean Car
Clean Truck
Truck smogged
Lots of water
Vitamin replenished
Clean floors
A good book
Speech written
Mileage deduction increased to .58
APD continues to drive higher

HappyUP!!! Day 511

HappyUP!!! - seeing my master gardener
Why it happened - I made a trip to the nursery
Why it makes me happy - he gave me some good tips for summer gardening....time to start germinating again

HappyUP!!! - a phone chat
Why it happened - I got a call
Why it makes me happy - I got some information that I will need.......and a wonderful chat on top of that

HappyUP!!! - coffee
Why it happened - I called my buddy
Why it makes me happy - anytime my buddy and I sit down for coffee, it's a time for laughs and general hi jinx.


JollyJottings

Breakfast
Coffee
Phone chat
A good book
A nice trip to the bookstore
Seeing my master gardner

HappyUP!!! Day 510 - Lots O Golf

HappyUP!!! - back to back birdies
Why it happened - a great chip and a great putt
Why it makes me happy - it's always great to make a birdie. Even in my heyday, I was never a huge birdie guy. I made lots of grungy pars. When I made two in a row today, that was a HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - playing fast
Why it happened - there weren't many people on the course
Why it makes me happy - we went out for a second 18.....and got in 16 before we had to call it a day. I hadn't played with just one other person and no one in front of us in a long time. I forgot how fast you can play. I love tht pace.

HappyUP!!! - knocking it stiff for an eagle chance
Why it happened - I pulled it a little
Why it makes me happy - I played a second shot out to the right for safety.....and then pulled it a bit...which is why I played for error. That "error" put my second shot on the par 5 within 10 feet for eagle! THAT is a great feeling!
JollyJottings

Rescue club on in two
Fabulous pitch shot
Great birdie on the par 3
Exceptional recovery shot off the hardpan
Lots of very solid putts
Walking into a cool house
34 holes of golf
Playing golf with the head pro
Two great shots into hole 9

HappyUP!!! Day 509

HappyUP!!! - Better Foods Sandwich
Why it happened - a guy needs to eat
Why it makes me happy - I used to go to this place a couple of times a week in my younger day. "Giuseppe on sweet with everything," is the sandwich. I probably have only had one in a year. The sandwich is a disgusting combination of meats that will kill you.....delicious. On top of it, I go there so seldom that it is like a trip down memory lane.

HappyUP!!! - phone message
Why it happened - sounded like a guilty conscience
Why it makes me happy - somebody finally did what they should have done a long time ago....they now have a burden off of their psyche. I am sure calling me was something that kept getting put off....didn't have the cojones for the confrontation. The funny thing is that, while the dread was going on, the person didn't know that I haven't cared.

HappyUP!!! - visit from a friend
Why it happened - my friend needed a favor
Why it makes me happy - we had a very nice visit just going over things.

HappyUP!!! Day 508 - Golfing at The Ridge

HappyUP!!! - Call from my friend JP
Why it happened - I was being thought of
Why it makes me happy - I hadn't talked to JP in quite some time. It was good to know things were going well for my friend. We'll be going to lunch soon.

HappyUP!!! - Song e-mailed to me from my friend
Why it happened - we found out we had something in common
Why it makes me happy - I didn't know this song was going to be so good. G told me that it was coming and that I had to send one in return. I didn't realize that I was going to be the one with the inferior material. We'll see what the critique is by someone better than me of my work

HappyUP!!! - Golf confirmed for Saturday...NO Sod Laying
Why it happened - my buddy, T, isn't ready for sod
Why it makes me happy - I had committed to T that I would help with sod this Saturday. I made the promise last week. I forgot about that yesterday when I accepted a golf invitation for Saturday. I called T today when I remembered. I was ready to cancel golf to live up to my responsibility....but I don't have to. I'm golfing Saturday. When I found that out, it was a HappyUP!!!

JollyJottings

Playing golf in general

Call to my friend JE
Making an incredible par
Making another incredible par
My golf partners Scott and Frank
Call from my friend E
Convertible drive to golf
A good day in the stock market



Finding good golf balls
Call from my friend RV

Session on the driving range
Putting ...32 putts...and my stroke

HappyUP!!! Day 507

HappyUP!!! - seeing my CPA
Why it happened - I needed to do some tax planning
Why it made me happy - I have been seeing the same CPA for probably 25 years. When I first went to see him, I was a penniless carpenter....stressed out on how I was going to pay $1000 in taxes. Today, we were making sure my taxes were going to be in order now that I am retired. He was more happy for me than I am for myself. AHA! As I thought about it, he always is that way. Even though he has to give some tough news sometimes, he is the kind of guy that you always feel better about talking to after you see him. An admirable trait indeed.

HappyUP!!! - something my CPA said
Why it happened - I asked him about his fishing trip
Why it made me happy - he had just got back from a week on his flat bottom boat that he keeps up in Redding. That's about a 3 hr drive. I asked him if he goes fishing alone. He said, "sometimes. Last week I had my best fishing buddy with me, my wife." I will tell you this from a guy who has talked to a lot of guys: there aren't many guys that would have said that.

HappyUP!!! - chatting with a friend/ex-employee
Why it happened - he called me
Why it made me happy - it's always good to hear from your friends. I have known this guy for almost 20 years. We bent more than a few elbows over bar tables over the years. Ever since I retired, I haven't had the opportunity to talk with him. It was good to catch up.

Bonus HappyUP!!! - watching the Tim Russert tribute
Why it happened - he passed on
Why it made me happy - it was an extremely well done service...a model for a service. Drama...laughs....musicThis included his brother in law doing an acoustic instrumental of Springsteen's "Born to Run" and then followed by a video feed of Springsteen himself doing "Promised Land" (which you probably know as "Thunder Road")